Chapter 143

Xu Yang successfully found the three of them, Xu Qing.

"Brother, you've become a Martial Scholar!" Xu Qing was extremely excited.

With a C-middle result in lifting the lock, the Martial Scholar title was nailed down and wouldn't have any accidents.

Zhou Xia and Xu Lan had similar reactions, smiles hanging on their faces the whole time.

"First send Cousin Zhou Xia back, then we will go home."

Far from the drill ground, Xu Yang spoke.

Although the city wasn't chaotic, with so many people out today, it was inevitable that Zhou Xia, a woman, would encounter danger. It was just a matter of walking a few more steps.

"No... no need. I will go back myself. There is the second hurdle tomorrow. A-Yang, you hurry back to rest and conserve your spirit." Zhou Xia's tone was somewhat unnatural.

"Cousin, has something happened at home?" Xu Yang's voice sank.

His five senses were keen, and naturally, he could capture the abnormality in Zhou Xia's tone.

Plus, he usually had no time to practice martial arts, and he hadn't even had time to visit his uncle's house. Logically, if he wanted to send his cousin back, his cousin should be happy.

"No... nothing." Zhou Xia's tone became flustered.

She hadn't expected that she had only hesitated for a moment, and Xu Yang had already detected the abnormality.

"Good, then I will go see for myself."

Xu Yang didn't pursue the questioning; whether something happened, he would know after one look.

"Alright, I will tell you, but after you know, don't be impulsive."

Zhou Xia's tone softened: "Actually, it's about Father. Because you repeatedly refused the Huang family, they might have vented their anger on him. Now he is no longer an accountant in the Huang family and was sent to the outside to be a small shopkeeper. He has been quite decadent recently."

"Father is worried that if you know, you will have a conflict with the Huang family, so he didn't want you to know about this."

"They are actually so excessive, not understanding reason!" Xu Yang's voice was slightly cold.

He had always been worried that his affairs with the Huang family would make things difficult for his eldest uncle, who was caught in the middle. He hadn't expected that it wouldn't be a matter of difficulty, but rather direct suppression and venting of anger.

His eldest uncle, Zhou Shunchang, had followed the Huang family before they rose to power, living in poverty for half his life. It was not easy for the Huang family to be better off, and his days were better, but the Huang family actually began to treat his eldest uncle harshly because of his matter.

For such a family, it was fortunate that Lu Ren appeared back then, making the Huang family look down on him; otherwise, it would have ended in a falling out anyway.

"It's even more excessive than that. That Second Master of the Huang family framed Father, saying there was a problem with the accounts he made, and wanted to drive Father directly out of the Huang family. It was Fifth Master Huang who helped speak good words, and Father was able to continue staying in the Huang family."

Speaking of this matter, Zhou Xia was also somewhat angry.

Not to mention killing the donkey after the millstone is put away, they even splashed dirty water on him. If Zhou Shunchang left the Huang family carrying such a stain, his reputation for a lifetime would be gone.

"Temporarily don't tell Eldest Uncle about the things I know. After the Wu Ke Examination ends, I will solve this matter."

Xu Yang sent Zhou Xia to the vicinity but didn't go to Zhou Shunchang's house.

He had no mind to handle this matter now, but after the Wu Ke Examination ended, this matter would inevitably need an explanation.

He had repaid the debt of gratitude he owed the Huang family, but the Huang family hadn't clearly repaid the debt they owed his eldest uncle. This matter naturally required justice.

"A-Yang, don't act recklessly. Father doesn't want you to have trouble with the Huang family; that way you will bear the infamy like that Lu Ren." Zhou Xia was somewhat flustered.

How could Xu Yang, a martial artist, solve it? Naturally, by fighting his way to the Huang family.

Xu Yang shook his head: "Rest assured, I won't act recklessly."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xia breathed a sigh of relief.

Pushing open the door, she saw her father pacing back and forth, appearing anxious.

Seeing Zhou Xia return, Zhou Shunchang first confirmed that Xu Yang hadn't come, then hurriedly said: "Xiaoxia, how did A-Yang do in the exam?"

Facing his father's expectant gaze, Zhou Xia said: "His result is C-middle."

C-middle?

Zhou Shunchang was so excited that his face turned red: "C-middle, actually C-middle. This result for the Martial Scholar title is ten-tenths secure. Good, good. My nephew is also a Martial Scholar now."

"A-Yang has achieved success. After a hundred years, when I go down and see your aunt, I will have the face to see her."

"It's a pity, a pity that the Huang family doesn't recognize gold and jade; otherwise, he could definitely help the Huang family rise to a higher level."

At this moment, he only felt pity for the Huang family and didn't gloat. Having followed the Huang family for many years, what he wanted most was to develop the Huang family into a truly great clan of Qingyuan.

"You wait for me here for a while."

Xu Yang brought Xu Qing and Xu Lan, not immediately rushing back to Bai Shi Square, but came to the Weiyuan Hall.

Having borrowed Lin Cheng's name, he had to give an explanation.

"Senior Brother Xu!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother Xu."

All the way through the greetings of the Weiyuan Hall disciples, Xu Yang arrived at Lin Cheng's courtyard.

Xu Yang stepped forward and cupped his hands: "This disciple greets Master."

Lin Cheng lay on the reclining chair, holding a cattail fan in his hand, and said: "Your performance today was not bad. You have a certain possibility of ascending the dragon, but in the duel tomorrow, remember to strike first; don't be afraid of beating someone to death."

"As long as the dragon ascent is successful, even if you kill a direct descendant of the four great families, they won't dare to retaliate."

His tone had a bit of approval. Xu Yang being able to obtain a C-middle result, even he was somewhat surprised.

Although he gave three Qi-Benefiting Pills, the assistance wasn't great.

What he worried about most was that Xu Yang would be timid and afraid of causing trouble tomorrow, and be blasted off the arena before he could use the Wind-Thunder Strength.

Xu Yang cupped his hands: "This disciple will strictly follow Master's teachings."

"I hope you listen to it."

Lin Cheng didn't hold much hope for this. If this kind of personality could be changed in two or three sentences, he wouldn't have a headache.

"You don't go home to conserve your spirit—what is the matter you seek me for?"

Xu Yang said: "Today the examination ended, and the Cao family was the first to come to find this disciple, wanting this disciple to join the Cao family as a follower for Cao Rong to enter a sect. This disciple was unwilling, but didn't dare to offend them, so I borrowed Master's name, saying I had already joined the Lin family."

"Later, several other families came, and this disciple used this as an excuse to decline. I ask Master to forgive my sin."

Lin Cheng was silent for a while, then said: "What conditions did the Cao family offer you?"

"Fifty taels of silver a month, a courtyard in the inner city, marriage with a legitimate daughter, secret martial arts, and a guarantee that this disciple will definitely be able to ascend the dragon."

Lin Cheng was silent again, his mouth twitching somewhat.

Just how cautious must this kid be to be able to hold back and not agree when the Cao family offered such good conditions?

If someone had offered him such conditions when he was young, let alone being a follower of a genius who had hopes of winning the top spot, even calling him Father would be fine.

The spot to ascend the dragon—every examination, I don't know how many people lost their lives for this spot.

Mud cannot be supported on the wall.

He didn't agree to such good conditions; how many detours must he have taken?

"Do you know the influence of the Cao family in the sect?" Lin Cheng said.

Xu Yang shook his head: "I don't know."

Lin Cheng's mouth twitched again. He completely didn't know the influence of the Cao family in the sect? He fundamentally didn't know how good the conditions offered by the Cao family were. No wonder he could resist the temptation.

"Alright, I already know. I won't expose you. Go."

Lin Cheng waved his hand, not caring about Xu Yang borrowing his name, and even promised to help cover it up.

Xu Yang bowed: "This disciple thanks Master. This disciple takes his leave!"

The next day, amidst three drum beats, the second hurdle of the Wu Ke Examination opened.

The chief examiner, the county magistrate, walked out from behind the desk and came to the front of the high platform. His gaze swept over all the candidates and over the people on the viewing platforms on several sides: "In the martial arts examination's practical combat, fists and feet have no eyes. Life and death are left to fate. Any retaliation afterward will result in the confiscation of property and the extermination of the clan."

This was the most important rule of the examination: no retaliation after the fact.

Otherwise, every Wu Ke Examination would have unknown deaths and injuries. If everyone retaliated, it would have been chaotic long ago.

Of course, rules were always things that bound the weak. If you truly believed it and killed someone from the four great families on the stage, see if you would be retaliated against.

The county magistrate also announced several other rules: if the opponent admits defeat, you must stop immediately; otherwise, the qualification for the examination will be canceled; falling off the arena is a loss; poison is not allowed; otherwise, the qualification for the examination will be canceled; fainting is a loss...

Finally, the county magistrate raised his voice again: "This official received instructions last night. In this session of the examination, the dragon ascent spots will take the top sixty."

"Now this official announces that the examination for this session begins. I wish all candidates martial luck and prosperity..."

The entire venue was in an uproar.

Under normal circumstances, the dragon ascent spots only took the top fifty. This time, taking the top sixty increased ten spots. Some candidates who originally had no hope immediately became high-spirited, raising a powerful fighting intent.

This session of the examination only had more than one hundred and sixty people participating. As long as one hundred people were eliminated, the remaining sixty would all have the opportunity to ascend the dragon.

Xu Yang stood in the ranks, discovering that several candidates were calm, clearly having known the news in advance.

At the same time, the county magistrate retreated, and several invigilators walked out from the high platform, coming to the several arenas.

A large box had already been placed on the arena. After the invigilator took the stage, he shook the large box a few times, then shouted: "Candidates, take the stage to draw lots."

"Group C candidates, come here to draw lots." ===== CHAPTER 144 =====