Chapter 131: Chapter 122: Accepting the Challenge

Jin City, under the jurisdiction of the Qiling Governor’s Mansion, was the most competitive region for the Martial Arts Examination. Within Jin City, there were thirty-two counties of varying sizes.

In the last Daoist Examination, Yan Zhen had emerged victorious from Jin City, defeating candidates from all thirty-two counties. His name shook the world for a time, and he was accepted as a closed-door disciple by Wei Yongguang, the Commander of the Imperial Guard in the Imperial City.

Everyone had assumed that Yan Zhen would participate in the Provincial Examination a year later.

However, after becoming Wei Yongguang’s disciple, all news of him vanished. Now, three years had passed. With another Provincial Examination just one year away, the Yan Family had already confirmed that Yan Zhen would participate, preparing to vie for the title of Jie Yuan.

This year’s Martial Arts Examination in Jin City was drawing even more attention than the one in South City.

Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde followed Feng Junyi’s retinue, and after traveling for two days through the mountains, they finally arrived in Jin City. They had imagined that Feng Junyi was bringing them here to meet the top three candidates from Jin City and escort them all to the Qiling Governor’s Mansion together.

In reality, when Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde arrived, they discovered the situation was completely different.

Here in Jin City, the number of candidates heading to the Qiling Governor’s Mansion to study at the academy was a full ten—the entire top ten.

It was Jin City’s chief examiner who was waiting to meet with Feng Junyi. This examiner would be the one to take Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde to the Qiling Governor’s Mansion. Feng Junyi was just here to hand them over and then return to his post.

“Lord Fan, these two are Chu Lingguang, the top scorer of the South City Martial Arts Examination, and Lin Longde, who placed third. The second-place examinee, Yan Chengdu, has already returned to the Qiling Governor’s Mansion and will report to the academy on his own.”

Feng Junyi led Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde to a middle-aged man with a handlebar mustache. Feng Junyi had previously told them that this was Fan Zhibian, Jin City’s chief examiner.

He had presided over several Daoist Examinations and even served as a deputy chief examiner for the Provincial Examination. His political achievements were brilliant, and his standing in the Qiling Governor’s Mansion was higher than Feng Junyi’s.

Although his Qi Power was perfectly concealed, the moment he stood there, both Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde felt immense pressure. It wasn’t because of his official authority, but rather the Qi Blood Power hidden within his body. It was like a bottomless abyss, making both of them afraid to make a single rash move.

“Greetings, Lord Fan.”

The two greeted him cautiously.

“South City truly gets worse with each passing year. This year, a lower-class youth actually took the top spot. Lord Feng, how on earth did you manage that?”

Fan Zhibian held a high position, and all sorts of news from the various Daoist Examinations flew to him after they concluded. He never expected this year’s top scorer to have a background like Chu Lingguang’s.

He wasn’t sure if it was because Yan Chengdu was too weak…

…or if Chu Lingguang was just too lucky.

Feng Junyi suppressed his displeasure and said, “Chu Lingguang and Captain Yang Shaorong are fellow disciples. Lord Fan, you can distrust me, but you cannot underestimate Captain Yang’s strength.”

“Yang Shaorong’s junior brother?”

Fan Zhibian looked at Chu Lingguang with curiosity, but there was no surprise in his eyes. It was obvious he already knew Chu Lingguang was Guo Wei’s disciple.

“How strange. Could it be that your victory has something to do with Captain Yang?”

Fan Zhibian said with a frown.

Anger flashed in Feng Junyi’s eyes. Fan Zhibian was accusing him of fraud.

“My aptitude is poor; I am not even one-thousandth of what Senior Brother Yang is,” Chu Lingguang said, clasping his hands.

A hint of a smile appeared in Feng Junyi’s eyes. Chu Lingguang might not be the quickest thinker, but he had more than enough courage to defend the reputation of his master.

“Your aptitude may not compare, but your nerve is far greater than Yang Shaorong’s. You even dared to snatch the top spot that the Yan Family was determined to win?”

Fan Zhibian said in a low voice.

“You flatter me, my lord. The only reason I was able to take the top spot is because of my master’s excellent guidance,” Chu Lingguang replied, neither servile nor arrogant.

“South City is just a small place. These youths behind me are the top ten from Jin City. Yan Chengdu should have taken the Martial Arts Examination in Jin City, but instead, he ran off to South City. Do you understand what I’m getting at?” Fan Zhibian reminded him pointedly.

Chu Lingguang looked at the group of youths behind Fan Zhibian.

They were all roughly the same age, each with bright, spirited eyes and abundant Qi Blood. Even someone like Lin Longde, who came from a prominent South City family, averted his gaze, intimidated by their menacing glares.

But Chu Lingguang’s Heart Guarding Skill was exceptional.

Furthermore, having won first place in the South City Daoist Examination, he was no longer the same person who had been terrified by a band of mountain bandits on Cyan Cloud Mountain. He met their gazes, looking each of them in the eye.

Just as Fan Zhibian had said.

Jin City’s top ten were all highly skilled in the martial arts, far beyond what the candidates in South City could compare to. The difference between South City and Jin City was clear from everything: from a noble family disciple running to South City to take the exam, to Feng Junyi traveling three days by water and two days by land just to deliver Chu Lingguang and the other to Fan Zhibian.

But while his Heart Guarding Skill might not keep him perfectly calm at all times, it allowed him to rise to the occasion at critical moments. Faced with their oppressive auras, Chu Lingguang was dauntless. Besides, he was about the same age as these ten.

His mind raced. After organizing his thoughts, he said, “There is always a heaven beyond the heavens, and always someone better than yourself. My master often taught me never to underestimate anyone. Jin City is full of talent. I understand what you mean, Lord Fan.”

Chu Lingguang’s words carried a double meaning.

The smile in Feng Junyi’s eyes deepened. In their five days together, Chu Lingguang had seemed like an honest, simple fellow. He hadn’t expected that when his master’s reputation was on the line, he would dare to cleverly talk back, even to someone like Fan Zhibian.

Seeing that enough had been said, he spoke up as soon as Chu Lingguang finished. “Lord Fan, Chu Lingguang’s aptitude may not be equal to these ten, but he is hardworking and eager to learn. Perhaps he will achieve some unexpected gains while studying at the academy under your guidance.”

“Lord Feng, you should know that spots at the academy are precious. I’m just concerned that someone might have exploited a loophole,” Fan Zhibian said coolly.

“Lord Fan, are you accusing me of committing fraud in the examination?” Feng Junyi demanded angrily. He had long detected the provocative tone in Fan Zhibian’s words and could no longer hold back.

“Everyone in the court and country knows of your fairness and impartiality, Lord Feng. I am simply curious as to how a mere lower-class youth could have defeated Yan Chengdu. It’s rumored that Guo Wei’s Flying Leaf Lotus Spear has reached the pinnacle of perfection. I wonder, can his disciple compare to the tenth-place finisher of the Jin City Daoist Examination?” Fan Zhibian said impassively.

“I am Yu Jiaxin. I ask for your guidance, Young Master Chu.”

As Fan Zhibian finished speaking, a young man stepped out from the crowd, also holding a long spear.

He was clearly the tenth-place finisher from Jin City that Fan Zhibian had mentioned.

Chu Lingguang looked toward Feng Junyi.

When challenged, one couldn’t back down. But Fan Zhibian was being aggressive, and this was clearly aimed at Feng Junyi. He didn’t know what conflict existed between the two men that had him caught in the crossfire.

He wasn’t even showing any respect for Yang Shaorong or Guo Wei.

Feng Junyi’s face flushed red.

He gritted his teeth and said, “Chu Lingguang has just traveled for two days through the mountains and is exhausted from the journey. If you want guidance, why don’t I give you a few pointers instead?”

Hearing this, Yu Jiaxin’s expression stiffened, and he couldn’t help but look at Fan Zhibian.

“Lord Feng enjoys his jokes. Stand down. Chu Lingguang does indeed look unwell,” Fan Zhibian said with a smile.

Yu Jiaxin understood immediately and returned to the crowd.

“Yes!”

Then he turned to Chu Lingguang and added, “Once we’re at the academy, Young Master Chu, you can sleep for three days and three nights. Then I’ll come ask for guidance.”

Chu Lingguang tightened his grip on his long spear.

Before he left, Guo Wei had instructed him to listen more, observe more, and speak less.

The conflict before him was clearly a grudge between Fan Zhibian and Feng Junyi. Yu Jiaxin’s provocation was merely a ploy to force him to accept the challenge.

He couldn’t fall for the trap.

But over their five days of traveling together, Feng Junyi had taught him with great care, holding nothing back. He had even practiced his sword forms for two straight nights on the mountain path. Chu Lingguang was grateful.

This favor would have to be repaid sooner or later.

If he backed down today, not only would Feng Junyi face criticism, but he would also be failing to live up to Feng Junyi’s guidance, and he would disgrace Guo Wei’s great name at the same time.

After all, Fan Zhibian’s words showed not a shred of respect for Guo Wei or Yang Shaorong; every sentence was filled with doubt and contempt.

However, he had no idea about the true strength of Jin City’s candidates.

He had no idea how strong Yu Jiaxin really was. The fact that Fan Zhibian dared to send Yu Jiaxin out meant he was extremely confident. Chu Lingguang was afraid that his good intentions would backfire. If he lost to Yu Jiaxin, he would tarnish Guo Wei’s reputation and burden Feng Junyi with criticism.

So, conflicted, he couldn’t help but look at Feng Junyi.

Feng Junyi had navigated the world of officialdom for many years. He was a good judge of character and talent. His eyes should be able to gauge Yu Jiaxin’s depth. Perhaps he could find the answer in Feng Junyi’s gaze.

Feng Junyi wasn’t thinking that deeply. Seeing Chu Lingguang’s gaze on him, he looked like he wanted to say something but held back.

Chu Lingguang immediately understood his intention.

’Feng Junyi wants me to accept the challenge, but he feels conflicted and can’t bring himself to say it.’

“Brother Yu, if you wish for guidance, you don’t have to wait until we’re at the academy. We can do it now,” Chu Lingguang replied at once.

Feng Junyi was startled, then looked toward Fan Zhibian.

“Then I’ll be happy to oblige,” Yu Jiaxin answered preemptively, looking eager to start.

“Hold on,” Feng Junyi said, holding up a hand.

“Don’t be angry, Lord Feng. I’m just a bit too frank. If you’re worried Chu Lingguang will get hurt, let them have their spar at the academy,” Fan Zhibian said with a laugh.

“Lord Fan, there’s no need to provoke me further. It’s just two young Scholars showing mutual admiration by sparring. It doesn’t matter who wins or loses. It’s just that Chu Lingguang has traveled for two days and his Qi and Blood are depleted. I’d like him to rest for a moment,” Feng Junyi snorted coldly.

“Fine. No rush.”

With a wave of his hand, Fan Zhibian arranged for everyone to rest at the Jin City Government Office.

Feng Junyi called Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde aside.

“Fan Zhibian’s wife and I were childhood sweethearts. The man is narrow-minded and has always been trying to suppress me. As soon as the Daoist Examination ended, he ordered me to reach Jin City by a deadline, which is why you had to travel two days through the mountains with me,” Feng Junyi explained.

Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde understood immediately.

So Fan Zhibian really had been targeting Feng Junyi from the start. The three days by water and two days on foot, rushing and taking shortcuts, were all to avoid giving Fan Zhibian an excuse to fault him on the deadline.

They just hadn’t expected him to make such a big deal out of the first-place issue.

“I am ashamed that I cannot help you resolve your troubles, my lord,” Lin Longde said, looking ashamed.

Chu Lingguang couldn’t tell if the guy’s expression was genuine. He said, “I am willing to help you resolve your troubles, Lord Feng.”

Lin Longde’s expression froze. He wanted to kick Chu Lingguang.

“I’ve looked into this Yu Jiaxin,” Feng Junyi said. “He’s a noble family descendant from Jin City. His grandfather, Yu Guangrong, started as a salt merchant and developed a unique shipboard spear technique, which has some similarities to Master Guo’s Flying Leaf Lotus Spear. Legend has it that at his peak, Yu Guangrong could carry a single drop of spray from the bow to the stern of a ship, keeping it gathered and intact, and then return it to the river in its complete form as he finished his spear form.”

“Huh?”

Chu Lingguang’s jaw dropped.

Guo Wei could borrow the power of the Canal when performing his spear technique on a deck. On Cyan Cloud Mountain, his Lotus Spear could flick eighteen lotus petals into the air at once.

But to use a spear technique to carry a single drop of spray from bow to stern and then return it whole to the river—what kind of Kung Fu was that?

He wasn’t so foolish as to think it meant a drop of water was simply stuck to the long spear, and that he just carried the spear from bow to stern.

Feng Junyi’s description clearly meant that in the process of executing the spear technique, the drop of water was held together by the Qi waves of the technique, following it from bow to stern before finally returning to the water’s surface in its original, complete form.

It was obviously a profound technique for manipulating force.

If Yu Jiaxin had learned even a tenth of that, Chu Lingguang felt he would lose for sure.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep