Chapter 674: Change

Bai Lang knew that this year would be one of rapid change, with his martial arts becoming higher day by day. Over the years, the Huashan Sect had remained in that half-dead state. Yue Buqun might have had some small thoughts, but overall, in Bai Lang's view, he was actually a good person—after all, he was a government student, had read books, and the Northwest Central Plains were relatively simple and honest. He truly used the Master's words to regulate himself.

Calling him a hypocrite was not quite right; this person was actually a true gentleman in normal times—it was a pity he had never passed the imperial exam. And now Bai Lang was going to take the exam with him; this was the third provincial examination for the two government students of Huashan. This Sect Leader Yue was still willing to reach out and manage the tragic and unjust things that appeared before him—sometimes using the methods of a martial arts swordsman, but more often using his status as a government student to write petitions...

And the main target of Bai Lang, this government student, was the Beggar Sect members—the Beggar Sect was filthy and not entirely an orthodox sect, and there were no lack of people among them who engaged in "harvesting life and breaking limbs." Bai Lang had long detested these animals and was completely merciless when he took action. The deaths of these people were also equally miserable—if they didn't die immediately at Bai Lang's hands, they would be subjected to impalement by this guy.

For those children who were rescued, Bai Lang had to learn to "rob the rich to help the poor" over the years and opened a charity hall, finding a few kind widows to adopt the homeless children. A fierce general who could charge and kill, cutting down generals and flags on the battlefield, also had a kind heart. Although he had forcibly taken women, those were barbarians, and he had also slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Tartars. But even when he gave the order for "wheel-cutting," he pardoned all children under fourteen in the end.

Bai Lang had indeed killed quite a few evil beggars over the years, and there were at least twenty children he had rescued. As for the future of these children—Bai Lang had also thought about it; at worst, he would spend some money to send them to be apprentices, learn a trade to support themselves, and if one day they could find their parents, that would be even better.

These were all trivial matters. The two arrived in Xi'an and entered the examination compound. Yue Buqun was not as nervous this time; it seemed that two failures had restored his calm mindset—and his martial arts had improved greatly over the years, which had brought him quite a bit of confidence. As for Bai Lang, he didn't take the matter of passing the exam to heart. Winning fame in the midst of swords and guns was what he was used to.

After entering the examination hall, he still wrote casually. Anyway, he had learned the eight-legged essay over the years, and the name of a government student wasn't just for show. After the three rounds of exams, the entire Huashan Sect almost moved out and came to Xi'an this time, because they had some spare money recently, so all the disciples came to Xi'an to see the world.

This time, when the results were posted, Bai Lang saw Sect Leader Yue sitting in the restaurant in front of the inn, motionless, as if he had plenty of "cultivation of qi"—"Finally, he's half-trained, hahaha." This Junior Preceptor Bai laughed secretly, because he saw the sect leader's hands trembling slightly, which meant he was still very nervous inside. As for Bai Lang himself, he wasn't nervous at all; he hadn't thought about passing.

Bai Lang, Yue Buqun, and Ning Zhongze all heard the sounds outside, which seemed to be people announcing good news and asking for rewards. Only then did Linghu Chong hear it. Bai Lang was indifferent, while Yue Buqun had already stood up, his expression one of anxiety, hoping it was good news but fearing it was actually someone else. Sure enough, people ran in from outside, holding red notices, "Which one is Mr. Yue?"

Yue Buqun was already unable to speak, his "cultivation of qi" having flown to the nine heavens, his mouth moving, but he couldn't say a word of "I am." Ning Zhongze grabbed Yue Buqun's hand tightly, and she couldn't speak either. Only Bai Lang was calm and at ease, saying to the person holding the notice, "This is Mr. Yue Buqun."

After that, just as he wanted to watch a good show, a few more people rushed in from outside, "Which one is Mr. Bai Lang from Huayin?" Bai Lang was stunned for a moment, "I have one too? It can be seen that the chief examiner this time has no eyes!"

Yue Buqun was already overjoyed, "Ah! I passed!" Ning Zhongze shouted for rewards one after another, not caring at all and grabbing the money she had on her to distribute. Here, Bai Lang also had to take out broken silver to reward them, because he had also passed as a provincial graduate. This was the greatest happy event since the founding of the Huashan Sect. Both master and disciple passed, and Huashan immediately became a famous and powerful family in Huayin County.

Both of their rankings were quite dangerous. Looking at the list, Yue Buqun was relatively low, and Bai Lang was most likely a lucky one found by searching the papers. However, no matter what, a provincial graduate degree was in hand. Yue Buqun looked completely relaxed. A provincial graduate, eh? What was a Huashan Sect Leader worth? Could it be as valuable as a provincial graduate? Now Yue Buqun could say he had brought honor to his ancestors and added glory to the Huashan Sect's door.

He could say, "Wherever I am, that is the Huashan Sect!"

As for Bai Lang, as long as he was willing, he could immediately kick out Linghu Chong and become the sect leader's disciple—who told Linghu Chong not to have any academic status? He could read quite a bit, and he had read the Four Books and Five Classics, but he couldn't even pass as a child student. Linghu Chong, on the other hand, had read quite a few miscellaneous books. Fortunately, Yue Buqun didn't really value this much. Since Bai Lang didn't want to be the sect leader's disciple, it didn't matter if Linghu Chong continued to be one—Yue Buqun ultimately treated Linghu Chong as a son.

Linghu Chong himself didn't mind at all that Bai Lang almost became the sect leader's disciple. It had to be said that this confused fellow was not bad in this regard; his desire for power was really quite small. Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze also understood Bai Lang—this disciple definitely didn't want to waste away in the Huashan Sect. He had passed the provincial exam, and he had passed it when he was less than twenty years old. His future was immeasurable.

At that time, this disciple would definitely leave the sect and form his own—and Yue Buqun knew very well about the martial arts Bai Lang had practiced over the years. Except for a few sword techniques, his fist and palm techniques and internal energy were all brought by himself. Now Yue Buqun and Bai Lang could be called "same-year, same-hometown" graduates. If they passed the metropolitan exam together, they would have to support each other in the officialdom...

However, Bai Lang's observation was that Yue Buqun was very likely to have no spirit to continue taking the metropolitan exam—although the metropolitan exam was much easier to pass than the provincial exam, fortunately, Mr. Yue would at least take it once. Now in Huayin County, Yue Buqun was definitely a gentry with status, and the county magistrate had to look at him with respect. They couldn't return to Huayin yet; they still had to attend the Luming Banquet in Xi'an Prefecture.

At this time, the entire Huashan Sect was shaking—it was foreseeable that the Huashan Sect would definitely prosper, and everyone would get rich, especially Bai Lang. Before he even returned, the Huashan Sect's door would be trampled by matchmakers. In fact, there was no need for the local gentry of Huayin County to take action; the officials and provincial graduates of Xi'an Prefecture had already started picking sons-in-law from among the new provincial graduates.

And Yue Lingshan would definitely have her door trampled by suitors, so she immediately said she wanted to go play elsewhere... for example, to Jiangnan to see the sea.