Chapter 161

Xu Yang had originally come to see the miserable state of Zhang Cuiting, but after seeing the corpse of Yang Jun, his expression changed instantly.

He saw that Yang Jun's entire body was withered, as if some terrifying thing had sucked away all the essence of his flesh and blood, leaving only a skeleton behind.

"A demon, or someone who cultivates demonic arts?"

He had never heard of demons, so it was highly probable that it was the work of someone cultivating demonic arts.

"I cannot tell. You should send someone to notify the Liefeng Hall."

Regardless of what it was, Xu Yang did not want to get involved in this matter. After giving the village head an idea, he immediately took Xu Qing and left quickly.

He could not even muster any curiosity, worried about provoking something he could not afford to offend.

Returning home, he did not go to the martial arts hall, because today was the day the martial arts examination results were posted. The government office would send documents and the Dragon-Ascending Order, and he had to receive them in person.

In the afternoon, the sound of gongs came from outside Bai Shi Square, followed immediately by the sound of firecrackers.

"Good news! Congratulations to Master Xu Yang of Bai Shi Square for placing high in the martial arts examination as a Martial Licentiate..."

"Good news! Congratulations to Master Xu Yang of Bai Shi Square for placing high in the martial arts examination as a Martial Licentiate..."

The minor official announcing the good news shouted all the way, and the entire Bai Shi Square instantly became lively. Everyone knew that Xu Yang had placed high as a Martial Licentiate.

The doors of every household opened, and young and old poured out of their homes, walking toward Xu Yang's house.

"How majestic. If only I could have a day like this in my lifetime."

Zhang Daniu looked at the long procession and the deafening sound of gongs, filled with envy.

Beside him, He Laosan had a complex expression, full of regret.

Originally, they could have been friends with a Martial Licentiate master, but because they were worried about being asked for money, they had deliberately distanced themselves. Now, even if their guts turned green with regret, it was useless.

"Brother, you really became a Martial Licentiate!" Xu Qing was overjoyed.

Although she had long known that Xu Yang would pass the martial arts examination, hearing the government office announce the good news still made her unable to contain her excitement.

A year ago, she and Xu Yang were still worrying about their three meals a day, suffering from the bullying and exploitation of the Sanhe Gang every day. Who would have thought that after only a year, Xu Yang would become a Martial Licentiate.

The magnitude of the change was so great that even she felt as if she had not yet adapted to it.

The ten-person procession appeared in sight. Xu Qing took out the firecrackers she had prepared for Xu Yang, hung them at the door, and lit them. Amidst the crackling sounds, the congratulatory procession happened to arrive at the door.

"We are the congratulatory team from the government office. May I ask which one is Master Xu Yang?"

The leading minor official held a tray, covered with a red cloth, and there was a large red flower on it.

"I am Xu Yang!" Xu Yang stepped forward and said.

The minor official smiled broadly and said, "Master Xu has a dignified appearance; he is truly the talent of a Martial Champion. These are the documents and the Dragon-Ascending Order. Please check them, Master Xu."

As soon as the words "Dragon-Ascending" were spoken, the crowd watching the excitement was like a calm lake into which a giant rock had been thrown, instantly boiling over.

Xu Yang was not an ordinary Martial Licentiate, but a Dragon-Ascending Martial Licentiate.

A Dragon-Ascending Martial Licentiate—even in a rural place like Bai Shi Square, everyone knew what "Dragon-Ascending" meant.

It meant that in the future, Xu Yang could establish a noble family, move into the inner city, and sit on equal footing with those high-ranking, wealthy families currently in the inner city.

Because those high-ranking, wealthy families in the inner city had all become powerful clans only after a Dragon-Ascending Martial Licentiate appeared in their family.

Everyone looked at the calm man with shock and horror. In a place like Bai Shi Square, such a figure had actually emerged. ===== CHAPTER 162 =====