Xu Yang found Xu Qing and the other two without any trouble.
"Brother, you're going to be a Martial Licentiate!" Xu Qing was beside herself with excitement.
With a C-Grade Middle result in the stone-lock lift, becoming a Martial Licentiate was a certainty. Nothing could go wrong.
Zhou Xia and Xu Lan reacted much the same way, smiles never leaving their faces.
"Let's take Cousin Zhou Xia back first, then head home."
Once they were away from the examination grounds, Xu Yang spoke.
The city was not particularly chaotic, but so many people had come out today that Zhou Xia, a woman on her own, might encounter danger. It would only mean walking a little farther anyway.
"N-no need. I can go back myself. The second stage is tomorrow, A Yang. Hurry home and rest so you'll be fresh for it." Zhou Xia sounded somewhat unnatural.
"Cousin, has something happened at home?" Xu Yang's voice grew grave.
His five senses were keen, and he naturally caught the oddness in Zhou Xia's tone.
Besides, his training usually left him with no time even to visit his uncle's home. By rights, his cousin should have been happy that he wanted to escort her back.
"N-no." Zhou Xia began to sound flustered.
She had never expected Xu Yang to notice something wrong simply because she had hesitated for a moment.
"Fine. Then I'll go see for myself."
Xu Yang did not press her. One look would tell him whether something had happened.
"All right, I'll tell you. But don't do anything rash once you know."
Zhou Xia softened her tone. "It's actually about Father. You turned the Huang Family down repeatedly, and they may have taken their anger out on him. He's no longer their bookkeeper. They sent him out to be a