Chapter 181: Topping the Theory Examination
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
King Duan naturally knew what Han Zhangfeng meant.
Even though Han Zhangfeng was the Chief Examiner, he was still a King. As such, Han Zhangfeng would not willfully announce the top three names.
In actual fact, King Duan had not wanted to announce the top three. He had tried to push it away, but Han Zhangfeng vehemently refused, even falling to his knees.
"King Duan, please let me off. I am already very old, I cannot take this kind of trauma!"
This exasperated King Duan.
As for the Ninth Prince "Lin Yun", he was next to useless. All he did usually was race horses and gamble.
He clearly could not take on such a responsibility.
King Duan cleared his throat and retrieved a gold card.
There was a saying that the top names must be written on gold.
This was all the more so for the Imperial Examinations. Writing their names on a gold card emphasized their value.
Seeing the gold card, the entire crowd quietened down.
"As everyone can see, there is one less name on the First-Class Roll. That is because, for the first time ever, there had been a tie in the top three!" King Duan quickly allayed everyone’s worry.
"A tie!"
"That means that there are three others other than Nangong Mu in the top three?!"
"Oh gosh, another three people managed to better Su Donglin and Xing Qingsui? How is that possible..."
The chatter below intensified following the announcement.
Su Donglin’s expression darkened. He did not mind being beaten by someone like Nangong Mu. But being beaten by yet another three people? That was something he could not swallow.
"The tie this time is for third place. The two people are Nangong Mu from the Nangong Noble Family and Qing Yang from the Qing Clan!" King Duan opened the gold card and announced.
"Nangong Mu is third place?!"
"And who is Qing Yang? Why haven’t we heard of him?"
"Where is the Qing Clan? Is that a location or a residence? If he can take top three in the Imperial Examination, why does no one know him?"
The discussions intensified after the announcement.
There were way too many surprises in this edition of the Imperial Examination. First, Xing Qingsui and Su Donglin had failed to make the top three, and then, an unknown named Qing Yang had made it.
King Duan could guess who this Qing Yang was. However, he could not say it because he knew that even the emperor knew about this.
Since the emperor had not said anything, he had to keep his mouth shut as well.
Nangong Mu, who was standing in the shade, had the first glimmer of emotion in his calm eyes upon seeing his name on the roll.
"Third?"
King Duan knew the impact that this ranking would cause. As such, he did not interrupt the discussions, letting them die down on their own instead.
Finally, all their gazes returned to him.
"For this edition of the Imperial Examination, the second place goes to Yan Xiu of the Yan Family!" King Duan unconsciously in Yan Xiu’s direction as he announced the name.
Everyone looked in that direction as well.
Yan Xiu was just 16 and at the pinnacle of the Star Conglomerate State. Because of his second placing at the River of Trust Provincial Examination, he moved to 13th place on the Hidden Dragon Roll.
That was quite a good result.
However, no one was too surprised. After all, he was from the Yan Family.
However, today...
The 16 year old Yan Xiu had managed to take second place in the Imperial Examination. This took the world by surprise because he hadn’t even attained the Heavenly Reflection State.
A Star Conglomerate cultivator can get second place?!
At this point, everyone looked at Yan Xiu with shock. This meant that Yan Xiu’s potential had not been fully harnessed.
When he finally broke through, he may be even better than many of the Heavenly Reflection State cultivators in the city.
Did the Yan Family manage to cultivate yet another talent?
But...
Why would such a talent stay together with Fang Zhengzhi, who did not even make it? That was so confusing. As everyone looked at Yan Xiu, they looked at Fang Zhengzhi as well.
When one person did well, it was only natural for others to compare him with those around him.
But the difference was way too big.
One was the second place in the Imperial Examination. The other was a greedy, obnoxious, reputation driven boy. It defied reason why the two would hang out together.
At this point, Su Donglin came over with two of his servants.
"Congratulations! The fact that Brother Yan is able to come in second place surprises me. I heard that you are still in the Star Conglomerate State. For the combat examinations, you can travel with me. I can make sure you make the First-Class Roll!"
"It’s okay." Yan Xiu glanced at Su Donglin expressionlessly, almost as if he was talking to a stranger.
"This is the first time Brother Yan is participating in the Imperial Examinations. I am afraid you do not know the dangers of the combat examinations. Furthermore, this edition will be different from the others. It would be unwise for you to travel alone as a Star Conglomerate cultivator." Su Donglin advised again.
"You’re... very naggy!" Yan Xiu’s tone became incredibly icy.
"Naggy?!" Su Donglin’s expression changed and he clenched his fist before lightening his grip.
The Yan Family...
No one dared to antagonize them, even in the capital.
"Why don’t you tell him that you already have a partner?" At this point, Fang Zhengzhi looked at Su Donglin and Yan Xiu.
"Even if I told him that you would be travelling with me, I doubt that he would be able to comprehend it based on his intelligence." Yan Xiu replied.
"That’s true!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
When Su Donglin heard the conversation, his expression darkened significantly and was filled with disbelief.
"Fang Zhengzhi is travelling with you? Hahaha... you’re telling me Fang Zhengzhi is travelling with you?! How can someone who didn’t even make the list travel with you?!" Su Donglin looked at Yan Xiu and chuckled.
Even though he did not dare antagonize the Yan Family, he still dared to throw in a few words of mockery.
At this point, King Duan’s voice rang out again.
"The top scorer on this edition of the examination is the River of Trust Province, Huai An County, Northern Mountain Village’s... Fang Zhengzhi!"
Su Donglin’s laughter ceased.
He couldn’t even close his jaw. His entire face was contorted into an unrecognizable mess. This was a face of immense sadness and disbelief.
At this moment, the entire crowd went silent.
All of those who were just discussing why Yan Xiu would hang around with Fang Zhengzhi all stared in disbelief.
"Fang Zhengzhi is the top scorer on the Theory Examinations?!"
"How can he possibly top the Theory Examinations?!"
"This must be wrong, it is definitely wrong. He completed six different papers, how can he possible top the exam? Does the theory exam value quantity over quality?"
"We want to examine the papers!"
"Yes, we don’t believe that he can top the exam!"
No one was willing to believe that Fang Zhengzhi could top the Theory Examinations even though the announcement came from king Duan.
How can someone so greedy and unfocused top the examinations?
How can someone possibly finish six papers in four hours and still manage to top the examinations? That is impossible.
King Duan’s expression was quite ugly. In fact, announcing that last name was incredibly difficult for him.
He knew the impact that this announcement would cause.
When he had heard the news, he was in greater disbelief than anyone in the crowd.
However...
That was the truth.
Fang Zhengzhi had finished six papers in four hours. Furthermore...
Every word was flawless!
Full marks.
There was nothing to fault in any one the papers.
When King Duan had saw Fang Zhengzhi’s answer sheet, he was incredibly conflicted. He had never expected that someone could be this good.
Han Zhangfeng was trembling slightly.
He knew that he had defied an order, but, he did not regret.
In fact, whilst he was in the Imperial Academy, he had plenty of time to alter Fang Zhengzhi’s script.
However, he hesitated. He hesitated upon seeing Fang Zhengzhi’s script. The script was too perfect. It was a flawless work of art.
For some like Han Zhangfeng who spent his life amongst books, this work of art was of extraordinary value.
This represented a piece of history.
This was one of the greatest moments in the entire history of the empire.
In four hours, a candidate managed to complete six sets of papers flawlessly. His handwriting was immaculate and his answers were well thought out. It was almost a replica of the answer sheet.
How can he let such a script disappear simply because of a personal feud?
Han Zhangfeng raised his pen again. He had dipped it in ink, but he could not bring himself to alter the script, finally dropping the pen to the ground.
At that point, Han Zhangfeng was stunned.
But he was incredibly happy.
He had personally sent this script into the annals of history for the entire populace to see.
This script was now available to all the officials, all of the noble families...
It was possible to finish all six sets of papers!
"King Duan, my lord, please release the papers!" Han Zhangfeng bowed. He was unwilling to let Fang Zhengzhi pass. In fact, he did not want Fang Zhengzhi to live.
However, he had to respect the script, the script that could bring the entire empire to its knees.