Chapter 102: Entering the Sect Examination

Back in Gao Liu County, Li Yuan had once carried County Magistrate Liu Bin's sedan, and at the time it had felt nothing but jolting and cramped, with no comfort to speak of.

But Young Master Shao Fangbai's sedan was entirely different — the space inside was quite large, and extremely steady, with refined steel for the frame, stuffed with all manner of woods and unnamed beast hides.

"Now this is what an eight-man sedan is. A sixteen-man sedan, a thirty-six-man sedan must be even more comfortable. When it comes to the finer things, the poor wretches of Gao Liu County really can't compare…"

Li Yuan sighed in admiration as he fed piece after piece of hundred-times-refined steel and various weapons into the person-high incense burner before him.

Before leaving, he had sorted through all the weapons in the smithy. At this moment, aside from three incense burners of varying sizes, there were over thirty weapons on the gray stone platform.

Once a weapon has been graded, it's never light — let alone the fact that most of his were hammer-type weapons.

"Carrying a sedan, you really need martial artists — strength enough, steady enough."

Li Yuan couldn't help but marvel, adding weight bit by bit, and regretting somewhat that the sedan still wasn't big enough.

Otherwise, if he brought out the large incense burner and the long-handled hammer weapons, he could immediately crush these eight retainers flat.

"How— how can it be this heavy?!"

The eight retainers carrying the sedan sweated buckets, gritting their teeth and holding on, half-dazed. What kind of person was this? Even the great stone statues in temples weren't this heavy.

Even a perfected-stage Thousand-Pound Drop couldn't be this heavy, could it?

"Hoo, hoo~"

The two lead retainers exchanged a glance, veins bulging on their foreheads.

Several times they wanted to turn around and lift the sedan curtain for a look, but they were afraid that if they set the sedan down, they'd never be able to lift it again.

Thus, when they finally struggled to Hundred Flowers Pavilion and set the sedan down, all eight retainers dropped onto their backsides on the ground, gasping for breath, utterly wretched.

Drawing the gaze of passersby.

"Bastards!"

Watching this scene from a third-floor window, Young Master Shao Fangbai felt his face could hardly stand the shame.

It wasn't even ten li from Tiger Roar Tower to Hundred Flowers Pavilion — carrying one person could wear them out like this?

Simply throwing his face away completely!

"M-Master Li, we're, we're here…"

Li Yuan raised a hand to recall the incense burner, and as he stepped leisurely out of the sedan, several retainers looked at the now-empty sedan in unison, their expressions shifting, eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.

The two leaders forced themselves to stand, legs trembling.

"Thank you for your trouble."

Li Yuan smiled his thanks and stepped into Hundred Flowers Pavilion, turning back as he crossed the threshold:

"Oh, by the way, I'll still need to trouble you gentlemen to see me back later…"

"Huh?"

The faces of the retainers went white in an instant.

……

The difference between Hundred Flowers Pavilion and Spring Breeze Tower was considerable.

The moment he stepped inside, Li Yuan noticed — not only were the girls here prettier and the decor finer, but the atmosphere was different.

The patrons and girls of Spring Breeze Tower were more direct; Hundred Flowers Tower was far more subtle. He could hear the sound of flutes and stringed instruments — a touch of, refinement?

"Listening to music at a pleasure house?"

The moment he entered, someone came forward to lead the way. Li Yuan looked around — faintly red candlelight, white gauze draped outside, mostly patrons here for the music.

"Spring Breeze Tower sells bodies; here they sell art… and if you've enough silver, bodies too."

Li Yuan had sussed out the difference.

For him, this was a rather novel experience. As for the girls' dancing and the music, he felt little — decadent tunes, clumsy technique, plenty of room for improvement.

"Brother Li!"

Still being led in, before Li Yuan could take a careful look around, he saw a date-red, horse-like face beaming at him, seemingly quite enthusiastic.

"And you are?"

Li Yuan swept a glance — the room reeked of cosmetics and powder, four or five people sat drinking across from each other, girls danced to one side, and by the window a richly dressed youth stood with his back to him.

"I'm Zhao Zhao Yunsheng. This is the young master of the city's Huang family, Huang Baoxiang. This is the young master of the Luo family, Luo Luo Renshu — sixth place in last year's Dragon Hibernation Prefecture examination…"

The red horse-face introduced them one by one with a smile.

Li Yuan's heart stirred, however.

This man's name had appeared in the account book Cao Yan had recorded — a young master of the Zhao family of Dragon Hibernation Prefecture?

Zhao Zhao Yunsheng placed particular emphasis on introducing the richly dressed youth who was slowly turning around:

"This is the young master of the Cloud View Commandery Governor's household, Shao Shao Fangbai. Though not yet sixteen, he has already achieved Body Tempering, and has long been valued by Elder Withered Moon — a genius certain to enter the inner sect…"

"Shao Shao Fangbai!"

The richly dressed youth turned, cast a cold glance at Zhao Zhao Yunsheng, lifted his chin slightly, and corrected him:

"My father's surname is Shao, my mother's surname is Fang, my surname is Shao, given name Fang!"

Good heavens…

Li Yuan's mouth twitched.

He had always assumed "Shao Fang" was some rare surname — who would have thought the man himself had simply reversed it?

Once Shao Shao Fangbai said this, Li Yuan did recall.

Gao Liu was one of the counties within Cloud View Commandery. He knew the Bai family of the commandery — for generations, members of the Bai family had entered the inner sect of Divine Weapon Valley. The Fang family, meanwhile, was one of the great families of Fucheng.

Shao Shao Fangbai's background was far better than that of everyone else in the private room combined.

"Ahem~"

Thoughts flashing through his mind, Li Yuan gave a light cough and cupped his fist in greeting to the group. Even though several of them hadn't bothered to rise, his manners remained thoroughly proper:

"Li Yuan greets all the young masters, and Brother Shaofang."

When it came to his attitude toward people, Master Li always had it well in hand—if there was real business, he preferred bringing a hammer on a rainy night to talk it over.

"Brother Li, you're too kind."

Seeing that the three others besides Zhao Zhao Yunsheng and Luo Luo Renshu had not risen, Shao Shao Fangbai's expression darkened slightly; only then did those men stand and cup their fists in reply.

Not even as good as a child...

These young masters of Fucheng—questionable breeding, aren't they? They can't even be bothered to put on a show?

Li Yuan shook his head inwardly and took his seat as invited. He had only just entered the city and hadn't specially gone to buy clothes; compared to the others present, he looked positively shabby.

Those young masters were clearly somewhat displeased and quietly distanced themselves, but the Misses pouring wine and serving wore bright smiles, nothing amiss on their faces.

Shao Shao Fangbai extended his hand and said:

"Brother Li, no need for ceremony—please eat first..."

Li Yuan really didn't stand on ceremony. Though he had just eaten a meal, his appetite was enormous; he could still pack it in.

Mainly, the food and wine at this Hundred Flowers Pavilion were genuinely excellent—far better than those at Tiger Roar Tower.

His utterly unceremonious manner made those young masters even more disdainful, but Shao Shao Fangbai nodded—he quite liked people who listened to him.

Still, this was a bit too obedient...

Shao Shao Fangbai was somewhat dumbfounded. After Li Yuan arrived, he truly just buried himself in eating and drinking, not even asking why he'd been invited.

"Brother Li, do you know why I've invited you?"

Shao Shao Fangbai could hardly contain himself.

"Isn't it to attend a banquet?"

Li Yuan wiped his mouth. He'd attended enough banquets to have picked up a thing or two—when the host didn't speak up, he wouldn't either; the one suffering wouldn't be him.

"Uh..."

Shao Shao Fangbai was stunned for a moment; the cold composure he'd deliberately maintained nearly cracked.

It was Zhao Zhao Yunsheng who gave a light cough and spoke:

"Brother Shao Fang has thrown this banquet because he's heard of Brother Li's reputation..."

"Elder Han is the senior I most admire. Anyone a man like him values must be a hero—naturally worth befriending!"

Shao Shao Fangbai raised his wine cup.

"How could I compare to Brother Shao Fang's great renown? Li Mou only knows how to forge iron—what kind of hero is that?"

Li Yuan raised his cup as well; he never refused a toast and occasionally initiated one himself, answering every question the men put to him one by one.

'This kid is far too slippery? Is he really a blacksmith?'

Zhao Zhao Yunsheng frowned inwardly. He had meant to make things difficult, yet couldn't find an opening.

Li Yuan drank heartily and got drunk very quickly—so quickly that even Shao Shao Fangbai hadn't reacted.

"This..."

Looking at Li Yuan sprawled across the table, Shao Shao Fangbai was rather speechless. If you can't hold your liquor, why drink so readily?

He had things he wanted to say, but naturally couldn't bring them up at this point.

He could only summon people to carry him into a sedan, and on the way out the door, gave a fierce scolding to a Retainer whose face had gone deathly pale.

"Young Master..."

Some Retainers wore long faces. By the time they'd carried him here, their shoulders already ached and their legs were weak; carrying him back, they'd probably drop dead from exhaustion...

"Hm?"

Shao Shao Fangbai's face darkened—he disliked anyone who disobeyed him.

That Retainer's face went white; he hurriedly lifted the sedan and hurried off toward Tiger Roar Tower...

"That man is treacherous and cunning!"

Zhao Zhao Yunsheng also stepped out the door, watching the sedan recede, his eyes flickering.

Shao Shao Fangbai frowned in silence.

"That man..."

Zhao Zhao Yunsheng wanted to say more, but Shao Shao Fangbai had already turned and gone back into Hundred Flowers Tower. A flock of beauties swarmed around him, only to be driven back by his glare.

"Young Master Bai's root bone is too good, his age too young."

Luo Luo Renshu spoke little:

"Smiling to their faces, sneering behind their backs—you're too much like a petty man. He won't like that."

"What did you say?"

Zhao Zhao Yunsheng's face instantly turned ugly.

Luo Luo Renshu, however, was unafraid of him and added coolly: "A petty man with no depth, at that."

"Luo Luo Renshu!"

Zhao Zhao Yunsheng flew into a rage, but before he could draw his sword, his arm was already pinned.

"Li Yuan does indeed have some depth—using feigned drunkenness and playing the fool to dispel Young Master Bai's hostility. But this also proves he has no backing whatsoever!"

Luo Luo Renshu swept a glance around; the night had grown deep, the streets empty of passersby, before lowering his voice:

"Han Han Chuijun's favor may not be entirely a good thing. Over the years, those pursuing the 'Mystic Whale Hammer' have not been limited to him alone..."

"You mean?"

Zhao Zhao Yunsheng's expression shifted slightly.

"Let's enter the Valley first. With root bones like ours, miss this chance and there may not be another!"

Luo Luo Renshu sighed.

No matter how good one's family background, without the root bone and talent, martial training is hard to achieve. He had taken the imperial examinations not because he loved literature...

"Difficult..."

Zhao Zhao Yunsheng couldn't help but sigh.

Even with the Divine Weapon Valley's gates wide open, not just anyone could enter; at thirty-three with mediocre roots, even with his Body Tempering fully accomplished, he had no chance of joining the Inner Sect.

As for the Outer Sect and Servant Disciples, he simply looked down on them.

"With Young Master Shao Shao Fangbai present, it might not be impossible."

After a few words of conversation, both men's furrowed brows smoothed out; otherwise, at their age, why would they be willing to accompany Young Master Shao Shao Fangbai in the dead of night?

"Brother Zhao."

Before turning back, Luo Luo Renshu reminded him:

"Speak less, do less, or better yet, say nothing, do nothing. Whatever happens, wait until you've entered the Divine Weapon Valley!"

"Sixteen years old with Body Tempering; a Small Dragon-Form Root is indeed extraordinary."

Inside the sedan, Li Yuan opened his eyes.

Practicing martial arts isn't just about having good roots; lineage and medicinal pills are equally important, and Young Master Shao Shao Fangbai lacks nothing in any of these aspects.

Hearing the panting outside the sedan, Li Yuan didn't continue tormenting this group of Retainers, instead pondering that tonight's banquet was mainly about Zhao Zhao Yunsheng and Young Master Shao Shao Fangbai.

"With Cao Yan dead, all the price he paid to move into the Hiding Dragon Manor was wasted; this surnamed Zhao is subtly hostile—could he think I've come to collect a debt?"

Li Yuan frowned inwardly; he had always been the type to prepare for danger while safe, so he decided to have someone investigate later.

If that shop was indeed swallowed by Zhao Zhao Yunsheng, his guess was highly likely.

Shaking his head slightly, Li Yuan began analyzing that renowned genius, the Bai family young master not yet sixteen years old.

'A bit simple-minded...

At night, Li Yuan returned to the Tiger Roar Hall.

In his room, as usual, he tore off a few pieces of shredded meat to feed the little rat; having raised it for so long, he was reluctant to let the little thing test the medicine.

"Switch to another one? No, just prepare more Antidote Pills..."

After swallowing the pills and pressing down the rag, Li Yuan guided the fundamental diagram of the Mad Lion Blade Technique, enduring the numbness and stinging within his body.

He began the fourth alteration of his roots.