Chapter 333: A True Warrior

Hiss.

A sharp intake of breath echoed across the training ground.

Is this the power of the proctor?

The martial candidates from other provinces stared in utter shock, having assumed all officials in the capital were this strong—truly an eye-opening sight; if every proctor here were as powerful as this old man, the capital was indeed teeming with hidden dragons and tigers.

The nine-yin jiao's strength was plain to see.

Even Xu Yan nearly died—he was the one expected to challenge for the Top Martial Graduate—yet this seemingly ordinary old man subdued him effortlessly, and from the method he used, he was still at the Sea Observation realm.

There existed such a powerful Sea Observation in this world!

The visual contrast made it even more terrifying.

The martial candidates native to the capital understood.

Li Rui was the anomaly.

If all capital martial officers were this standard,

the value of the Top Martial Graduate would rise another notch.

Unlike civil officials, who must serve the imperial court, martial cultivators have more choices: joining the army, entering a sect—there's no need to rely solely on the imperial examination path.

Thus, while the Top Martial Graduate is among the strongest in the fifth rank, he is not among the absolute top few.

And this old man was unquestionably one of those top few.

Too strong!

Li Rui slammed his palm down and subdued the nine-yin jiao.

At the very moment the nine-yin jiao was driven into the ground, all the proctors on the training ground rushed over.

Each held a golden rope in hand.

In barely three breaths,

the nine-yin jiao was bound by the golden ropes and re-imprisoned in its cage.

The commotion settled.

The nine-yin jiao was subdued once more; Xu Yan had merely been injured.

Everyone was pleased.

At this moment,

the voice of Vice Minister Wang rang out across the training ground: "Continue the examination!"

On the podium, Vice Minister Wang cast an appreciative glance at Li Rui and said to Nie Siming:

"Brother Nie, your subordinate is a true warrior."

Nie Siming nodded casually, utterly unconcerned.

Is it hard to be invincible at the same level?

Vice Minister Wang felt immensely pleased. The imperial court holds examinations to select outstanding talent, but also to promote Yu's martial virtue.

These men are martial experts from all regions; after the martial examination ends, today's events will spread as they return home.

Li Rui's act has brought great honor to the Ministry of War—its prestige will surely surge.

It's all political achievement; how could he not be delighted?

Li Rui, after performing such a feat, returned to his original position as if nothing had happened, showing no trace of pride, as though he'd merely done something utterly ordinary.

Had Xu Yan and the nine-yin jiao not come to his front, he might not have acted at all.

The nine-yin jiao was indeed powerful.

Even he had to use eight-tenths of his strength—who could help it, he was the natural nemesis of all demonic beasts.

Lin Hai, Ma Xuan, and the others seized the chance to approach.

All wore expressions of excitement.

"Old Brother Li, you're this powerful?"

"Who knew Yunzhou had someone like Old Brother Li? I've been woefully ignorant."

Even Lin Hai, who knew Yunzhou best, was stunned by Li Rui's move just now.

How did such a powerful figure emerge from Yunzhou?

He had already thought highly of Li Rui—but now he realized he'd vastly underestimated him.

Lin Hai's grin stretched nearly to his ears.

He never imagined his greatest gain from coming to supervise the martial examination would be meeting Li Rui—and that Li Rui had come to him.

Fortune had fallen from the heavens.

'Could it be that the Virtue Heavenly Lord I worshipped at Nanshan Temple just days ago answered my prayer?'

'Good neighbor, excellent neighbor!'

His eyes sparkled with intensity.

He knew Li Rui was no outsider sent to Yunzhou to serve—he was a native of Qinghe.

This shared provincial bond guaranteed a closer relationship with Li Rui.

Li Rui wore a calm, indifferent expression:

"Just minor tricks."

Lin Hai, Ma Xuan, and the others all grimaced.

Slapping away a jiao that nearly killed a future Top Martial Graduate—and this is called a "minor trick"??

What is a true master hiding his light?

Had Li Rui not revealed his power today, they would never have guessed that the old man who drank with them last night harbored such terrifying strength.

Xu Yan, saved, came before Li Rui:

"Thank you, Proctor, for saving my life."

He understood.

Had Li Rui not intervened, he might have died.

Not to mention any hope of the Top Graduate title.

This was a great debt.

Li Rui waved his hand casually: "It's my duty, Young Brother Xu. No need to thank me. Next is the Military Section—no combat required. Prepare well."

Xu Yan nodded and returned to the candidates.

Li Rui's display had dimmed the other martial candidates—the future military graduates—into insignificance.

Though there were still impressive performances afterward,

not a single person dared approach the nine-yin jiao again.

Until dusk fell,

the Martial Examination's Training Section finally ended.

Next came the Military Section, to be held at the Hanlin Academy, testing military strategy and policy—no need for Li Rui or the other martial officers to supervise.

The supervision duties were concluded.

Li Rui was about to leave the training ground

when Lin Hai and the other three rushed over immediately.

Besides them, several other supervising officials also approached to befriend Li Rui—even a fourth-rank martial officer.

Total prestige boost! A world apart from the scene when Li Rui first arrived at the training ground.

"Old Brother Li, say nothing else—I've already set up a banquet at Dongbaoju tonight. You've got to give your little brother this favor."

Lin Hai gripped Li Rui's hand.

Getting Li Rui to attend his banquet tonight mattered more than winning the courtesan of the Entertainment Bureau.

With so many colleagues watching,

if Li Rui accepted his invitation first, his prestige would soar.

Prestige isn't some vague concept.

It's essential for promotion.

Why else do ministers fight tooth and nail for a good reputation?

It's undeniably beneficial to one's official career.

Every single word, every single detail, every single point is spot-on!

Li Rui smiled warmly and bowed to the surrounding officials: "Gentlemen, meeting an old friend in a foreign land is a rare joy. I share a provincial bond with Elder Lin. Tonight, I must decline your invitation—but I have some fine tea stored. You're all welcome to visit the Guest Affairs Office another day for tea."

With so many invitations at once, mishandling them

would breed resentment.

So he needed a reason convincing enough to satisfy everyone, avoiding any appearance of favoritism.

Li Rui decisively deployed the "provincial bond" card.

Officials in the capital, especially those from outside provinces, place great value on provincial ties.

This concerns righteousness.

With Lin Hai as his fellow townsman, he could easily win approval—no one could find fault.

Then he revealed his residence for future contact, and offered tea as a legitimate reason to visit—no awkwardness.

He had covered every angle.

As for the few who remained dissatisfied, Li Rui would simply ignore them.

No one can please everyone.

Choosing Lin Hai not only resolves the immediate trouble but also repays the favor from these past days.

Though I initiated the acquaintance with Lin Hai, he did not treat me coldly; on the contrary, he invited me to dinner—that is a favor, and it must be repaid.

Two benefits in one move.

Upon hearing Li Rui's words, Lin Hai grew even more pleased and chuckled:

"Gentlemen, don't compete with me for Lin Hai today."

With Lin Hai livening the atmosphere, the examiners laughed and scolded a few times, exchanged their family names with Li Rui, and then dispersed.

They learned that Li Rui had no carriage.

Lin Hai therefore invited Li Rui to ride with him.

Soon, they arrived at a magnificent wooden building in the capital.

This was Dongbaoju, famed throughout Yu Kingdom for its rare treasures.

Besides Li Rui, Lin Hai had also invited several close friends who served in the same court.

Hmm.

Exactly a small circle.

This meant Lin Hai was pulling Li Rui into becoming a true "insider."

As everyone knows, the more people at a gathering, the less useful it is.

Gatherings of three or five people, like this one, are ideal; otherwise, not only does noise and chatter multiply, but with twenty or thirty people, just going around the table saying hello takes an hour—and by the next meeting, they might not even remember your name. What use is that?

Lin Hai's friends were all court officials, each from the Six Ministries, Five Temples, Five Armies, or the Five City Military Commands.

Though fifth-rank positions were not illustrious, each held a key post; a single word from them could offer Li Rui considerable advantages.

"This is my brother Li Lao."

"These are my close friends in the capital."

At first they were wary, but when Lin Hai revealed that Li Rui was the martial instructor of the Annan Marquis's household, their expressions softened.

When the topic turned to today's martial examination and the Dragon incident, their expressions turned to hearty laughter.

All of them were sharp-minded men.

Such a major event, they must have heard of already.

Other officials would beg for such an opportunity—Lin Hai brought Li Rui right before them. How could they not be delighted?

With both status and strength present, the atmosphere could not help but grow lively.

"Brother Li Lao, you're staying at the Dianke Bureau of Honglu Temple? That's practically family. Tomorrow—no, right now—I'll order a private courtyard for you. You'll live more comfortably."

Said one of the Honglu Temple's Junior Director.

Li Rui nodded with a smile, agreeing.

Look.

Benefits are already coming.

As Li Rui and the others vividly recounted the story of Marquis Yuan and his Eight Righteous Sons,

several figures appeared at the entrance of Dongbaoju. The leader was a pale-faced man without a beard, possessing dignified bearing.

Lin Hai put down his chopsticks, startled:

"Oh, isn't this Eunuch Zheng? Quickly, bring more chopsticks and tables!"

He called out to Dongbaoju's waiters.

Eunuch Zheng waved his hand: "This old servant is just a hardworking soul, not as fortunate as you gentlemen. Tonight, I've come bearing His Majesty's imperial decree."

Upon hearing the words "imperial decree,"

everyone's expressions turned solemn.

Who didn't know Eunuch Zheng was the Grand Eunuch who accompanied His Majesty?

As the men wondered what decree Eunuch Zheng had brought,

his voice rang out:

"Li Rui, your conduct today was bold and valiant. I wish to meet you."

Everyone in Dongbaoju was startled.

Meet His Majesty?

Enter the palace!

Li Rui rose immediately, only to hear Eunuch Zheng smile warmly: "Master Li, no need to rush. Continue your wine. Meet His Majesty after you've finished eating."

"This—"

Everyone was even more astonished.

Eunuch Zheng kindly explained:

"That last line was also spoken by His Majesty."

(End of Chapter)