Chapter 93

Xu Yang had originally come to see Zhang Cuiting’s miserable state, but after seeing Yang Jun’s body, his expression changed directly.

He saw Yang Jun’s flesh and blood withered, as if the essence of his flesh and blood had been sucked away by something terrifying, leaving only a skeleton.

"A demon or someone practicing evil arts?"

He hadn't heard of demons, so it was highly likely that it was someone practicing evil arts.

"I can't tell. You send someone to notify the Fierce Wind Hall."

No matter what it was, Xu Yang didn't want to get involved in this, so after giving the village head an idea, he immediately took Xu Qing and left quickly.

He couldn't even summon curiosity, worried about provoking something he couldn't afford to offend.

Returning home, he didn't go to the martial arts hall, because today was the day the martial arts examination results were released, and the government office would send documents and the Dragon-Ascension Order, so he had to receive them in person.

In the afternoon, the sound of gongs came from outside White Stone Workshop, followed by the sound of firecrackers.

"Good news, congratulations to White Stone Workshop’s Master Xu Yang for passing the martial arts examination as a Martial Licentiate..."

"Good news, congratulations to White Stone Workshop’s Master Xu Yang for passing the martial arts examination as a Martial Licentiate..."

The reporting minor officials shouted all the way, and the entire White Stone Workshop became lively, with everyone knowing that Xu Yang had passed as a Martial Licentiate.

Every household opened their doors, and old and young poured out of their homes and walked toward Xu Yang’s house.

"So majestic, I wish I could have such a day in my life."

Zhang Daniu looked at the long procession and the deafening sound of gongs, envious.

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

Originally they could have become friends with the Martial Licentiate master, but because they were worried about being borrowed money from, they had deliberately distanced themselves; now that their guts were regretting it, it was useless.

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

Although she had known early on that Xu Yang would pass as a Martial Licentiate, she still couldn't help but be excited when she heard the government office coming to report the good news.

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

The change was so great that even she seemed not to have adapted to it yet.

A procession of ten people appeared in sight. Xu Qing took out the firecrackers she had prepared for Xu Yang and lit them at the door. Amidst the crackling sound, the reporting procession happened to walk to the door.

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

The leading minor official was full of smiles, holding a tray covered with red cloth, and there was also a large red flower.

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

The minor official was full of smiles: "Master Xu is handsome and talented, truly the talent of a Martial Champion. These are the documents and the Dragon-Ascension Order, please check them, Master Xu."

As the two words "Dragon-Ascension" came out, the crowd watching the excitement was like a calm lake surface into which a giant rock had been thrown, suddenly boiling over.

Xu Yang wasn't an ordinary Martial Licentiate, but a Dragon-Ascension Martial Licentiate.

A Dragon-Ascension Martial Licentiate—even in a rural place like White Stone Workshop, everyone knew what Dragon-Ascension meant.

It meant that in the future, Xu Yang could create a noble family, move into the inner city, and be on equal footing with the high-ranking families in the inner city now.

Because the high-ranking families in the inner city were all families that had produced Dragon-Ascension Martial Licentiates, which was why they became wealthy and powerful families.

Everyone was full of shock, looking in horror at the man who was as calm as water. In a place like White Stone Workshop, such a figure had actually emerged.

"Boom!"

A thunderous explosion rang out in Lu Ren's mind, as if the two words "Dragon Ascent" had detonated within his skull. He could no longer hear the sounds around him.

Dragon Ascent!

That rebellious son had actually achieved Dragon Ascent.

He had fathered a son who achieved Dragon Ascent, yet that son no longer had anything to do with him.

In an instant, Lu Ren’s face turned bloodless.

Xu Yang lifted the red cloth, revealing only a document and a carved wooden token inside.

"Everyone, share in the good fortune! Thank you all for your hard work!"

Xu Qing, acting like a seasoned adult, took out copper coins she had prepared long ago and stepped forward, handing some to each member of the honor guard.

"It’s no trouble at all. Being able to deliver the good news to Master Xu is our honor."

"Congratulations to Master Xu for passing the Licentiate examination!"

These people accepted the reward money while offering auspicious words.

After Xu Yang confirmed that everything was in order, they all took their leave.

"Ah Yang, well done! You’ve brought glory to our Xu family."

His uncle and aunt arrived, their faces beaming with smiles.

"Our Xu clan has finally produced a Martial Licentiate."

The surrounding Xu family members also stepped forward one after another to offer their congratulations.

Xu Daxin stood in the crowd, wanting to step forward but not daring to; he only regretted that when Xu Yang had come to borrow grain back then, he shouldn't have spoken such harsh words.

Even more, he shouldn't have made things difficult for Xu Yang last year for the sake of that short-lived ghost.

More and more people came to offer congratulations. Regardless of whether they had a prior relationship, everyone stepped forward to say a word of well-wishing.

Xu Qing took out the prepared candies; regardless of age, as long as someone came to congratulate them, she would give them some.

Xu Yang was left speechless; he hadn't even known the little girl had gone behind his back to prepare not just firecrackers, but candies as well.

In truth, it was only because he didn't care, and he had no parents.

If he had parents, preparing candies for such a major event wouldn't be enough; he would have had to host a banquet for the neighbors.

The wealthy families in the city would even host banquets for three days, with open tables for anyone to eat; as long as you showed up and offered congratulations, you were fed.

"Ah Yang, congratulations."

Li Yao squeezed through the crowd and also stepped forward to congratulate him.

Her face was unnaturally pale, clearly from wearing powder. She said in a seemingly casual tone, "Ah Yang, you are now successful and accomplished; all that’s left is to settle down. When will you invite the fellow villagers for a wedding feast?"

"That's right, Ah Yang, it's time to find a wife and get married."

"Hurry up and have a child so he can inherit your skills."

"It’s never good without a wife to manage things; it’s just not comfortable sleeping at night."

"My husband's family has a niece who is quite a beauty. Would you like your aunt to play matchmaker for you?"

Her words received unanimous approval from the villagers, who urged Xu Yang to find a woman quickly.

"Thank you all for your concern, uncles and aunts. Everyone knows I have achieved Dragon Ascent, so I cannot marry for the time being," Xu Yang explained.

A look of disappointment flashed in Li Yao's eyes. How had she not realized before that White Stone Workshop was hiding a Dragon Ascent genius?

"The Great River Gang congratulates Master Xu Yang for passing the Martial Licentiate examination and successfully achieving Dragon Ascent. We specially present ten taels of silver, one bolt of brocade, one three-year-old wild ginseng, and two jars of Champion Red wine!" Suddenly, a loud voice rang out.

The people of White Stone Workshop were all shocked. The Great River Gang had actually come to present gifts to Xu Yang, and generous ones at that.

The crowd parted, and Qian Jiaxing was seen walking over with several Great River Gang members carrying gifts.

Qian Jiaxing walked respectfully to Xu Yang and bowed, saying, "Master Xu, I am acting on the orders of our Gang Leader to present these gifts to congratulate you on passing the Martial Licentiate examination. Please, Master Xu, do us the honor of accepting them."

Xu Yang’s expression was calm as he said, "Put the things inside the house."

Toward this former friend, he acted like a stranger. There was no mockery, no sarcasm, and no polite inquiries; he treated him merely as an ordinary member of the Great River Gang.

"Yes!"

Qian Jiaxing’s voice trembled; his heart was still stirred by waves of emotion.

Looking back to the past, the two had practiced martial arts together at the Mighty Distance Hall, returning home together every evening, exchanging insights on martial arts along the way—they had been inseparable.

But he had wanted to climb the social ladder and suck up to Lu Ren, so he had drawn a line between himself and Xu Yang, later even resorting to verbal abuse.

Now, Xu Yang had passed the Licentiate exam, achieved Dragon Ascent in the martial arts division, and even defeated Lu Ren in the provincial examination, becoming a big figure in Qingyuan County.

Meanwhile, he had become a mere lackey of the Great River Gang, an errand boy sent by the Gang Leader to deliver gifts to Xu Yang.

Everything seemed incredibly ridiculous.

Not only had he failed to climb the ladder to Lu Ren, but now even Lu Ren had been defeated by Xu Yang in the martial arts provincial examination.

When he heard the news, he hadn't been able to sleep all night. Why had he been so disloyal back then?

"Put the things in Master Xu's room."

He tried his best to control his voice, ordering his men to take the items inside.

"Master Xu, we shall take our leave."

Once the items were placed, Qian Jiaxing bowed respectfully before leading his men away.

"Brother Lu, congratulations."