Chapter 71: Challenge Fang Zhengzhi
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
The venue was naturally still the Qingfeng Academy, however, the location had shifted to the combat square behind the academy. Three huge stages neatly occupied the vast combat square.
Behind the stage, was where the judges of the combat examination sat.
Imperial Messenger Qin sat in the centre seat, while two others sat beside him. One of them wore a black official robe, from the embroidery on his official robe, he seemed like the county head of the Huai An County.
The other was dressed like a scholar, around forty-six to forty-seven years of age, his tiny eyes were half opened and a few crops of white hair were evident at near his temples.
A few invigilators waited below the stage, waiting for the gong signifying the start of the combat examination to sound out.
"The first round of combat examination, based on elimination! We will draw lots to determine Leader and Follower. The person who draws "Leader" will be the stage leader, and can freely choose any person who drew the word "Follower". The winner, will advance a level! The loser, will be eliminated! There will only be one round of competition!" Imperial Messenger Qin quickly announced the rules.
These rules could be said to be simple and rough.
Moreover, luck and chance were also important. Because, the person who drew the word "Leader" very obviously had the power to act.
But, things had always been like this and who was to say that luck wasn’t part of one’s abilities?
The drawing of lots proceeded very quickly, and each of the examinees chose, from ten boxes, a small stone token with words written on it. Then, after the lots drawing ended, names appeared on the two roll stones representing leader and follower.
Fang Zhengzhi’s luck seemed not to bad, drawing a "follower" word.
That meant that his fate was decided by others.
Li Huer and Meng Jiangshan’s luck were not too bad either, and like Fang Zhengzhi, drew a "follower" word. This caused their emotions to become rather pessimistic, sitting on their seats and sighing, Heavens is playing with them, luck isn’t fair.
On the other hand, Fang Zhengzhi’s mood remained the same as always. Because, he realised something strange. The roll stone that represented the "leader" word actually bore Meng Yushu’s name.
"Huh? Meng Yushu still can participate in the combat examination?" Fang Zhengzhi was rather confused, but didn’t probe deeper.
Then, he quickly realised something curious.
A familiar face appeared at the venue.
Wearing a brocade robe, and an icy cold expression on his face - Yan Xiu.
How could Yan Xiu enter the combat examination venue? Fang Zhengzhi was indeed confused. Because, those who could enter the examination venue were very obviously all examinees.
But, Yan Xiu didn’t even participate in the theory examination. And most importantly, when the lots were drawn previously, Yan Xiu didn’t even go up the stage. Yan Xiu’s name wasn’t on the roll stone either.
Here to watch?
Fang Zhengzhi could only use this explanation. But, to be able to enter the combat examination venue to watch was something that was rather stunning. At least, an average person wouldn’t be able to do so.
Just as he thought, a voice sounded out at his ear.
"Challenge Fang Zhengzhi!"
Fang Zhengzhi was slightly taken aback. Hadn’t it just started? Who was so cruel as to select him out of the vast sea of people?
This was the first round, in a real elimination competition.
If one lost, no matter how good the results in the theory examination were, one would instantly be eliminated.
With his reputation as the theory examination roll champion, he still couldn’t scare aoff this person?
Raising his head, Fang Zhengzhi understood. Because, the person that stood on the stage was the one wearing a yellow brocade robe with a sword at his waist - Meng Yushu.
At this moment, the crowd of examinees grew excited.
After the results were released at the theory examination previously, they naturally thought that Meng Yushu and Fang Zhengzhi would definitely fight. But, they didn’t realise that this fight would come so fast, appearing in the first round.
"Meng Yushu challenges Fang Zhengzhi, this luck isn’t normally so good!"
"That’s right, taking into account Fang Zhengzhi’s roll champion results at the theory examination, as long as he doesn’t lose the first round of combat examination, he would be able to, at the very least, pass the Law of Dao examination!"
"Looks like Meng Yushu has hardened his resolve to ensure Fang Zhengzhi doesn’t pass!"
"That’s natural. If it were you, getting reported by him at the theory examination, how would you let him pass the combat examination?"
The examinees discussed spiritedly, each of them lamenting Fang Zhengzhi’s bad luck. Because, the first round of combat examinations didn’t even need to be watched to know that the results were decided long ago.
After all, in their hearts, Meng Yushu was the only examinee who accessed Dao in this Law of Dao examination.
This was a round that lacked the most suspense, but, it was a round that everybody looked forward to most.
"Young master’s decision is indeed somewhat unexpected!" On the judging stage, wearing a black official robe, the county head’s gazed at the middle-aged scholar beside him and smiled gently.
"Young master’s ambition is large. If he challenged some random people, he might be afraid of getting laughed at?" The middle-aged scholar looked at Meng Yushu standing on the stage, and looked as if everything was to be expected.
"Ha ha…" Imperial Messenger Qin laughed gently, clenched the fist he placed below the stage, released it and didn’t speak further.
At this moment, Li Huer and Meng Jiangshan’s gaze was also fixated on Fang Zhengzhi.
They had initially confirmed that Fang Zhengzhi would definitely pass the Law of Dao examination. But, now it seemed that this confirmation was about to turn into a question mark.
Meng Yushu...
That was the power of having accessed Dao, no matter how strong Fang Zhengzhi was, he definitely couldn’t be stronger than him?
Changing their mind, when they looked at Fang Zhengzhi again, they were filled with pity.
"Fang Zhengzhi, don’t be disappointed! Even though you lost, but, you can take the examination again next time. As long as you don’t meet someone like him next time, there will still be a chance!" Li Huer reassured.
"That’s right, Fang Zhengzhi. Losing today is all because luck isn’t on your side!" Meng Jiangshan similarly advised by the side.
"Indeed, luck is not on my side." The edges of Fang Zhengzhi’s mouth curved into a smile. Then, he stood up slowly and strolled leisurely towards the stage.
Three stages hosted fights at the same time, naturally, the other stages had already started to fight.
However, compared to the other two stages, the stage in which Fang Zhengzhi was at was completely surrounded by examinees. Under the other two stages, the number of people could be counted with one’s fingers.
The stark contrast was indeed a little unduly.
In the end, Fang Zhengzhi went up the stage. After the signal was given by the invigilator, the two cupped their fists, representing that friendship came first, while competition came second.
"Take out your weapon!" After cupping his fist, Meng Yushu directly unsheathed his sword, which gave off an icy glow.
"I won’t." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head.
Just as he prepared to snatch the first move, Meng Yushu stopped in his tracks. His gaze landed on Fang Zhengzhi’s coarse blue robe, and a cold smile suddenly appeared on his face.
"If you don’t have any weapons, feel free to choose any below the stage!" An arrogant expression appeared on Meng Yushu’s face.
"I have a weapon, but, against you… I don’t need any." Fang Zhengzhi expressed the truth.
These words not only caused Meng Yushu to be taken aback, even the examinees below the stage were stunned after hearing Fang Zhengzhi’s words.
Immediately after, a wave of laughter erupted.
"Ha ha ha… he actually said that he won’t need a weapon to fight Meng Yushu?"
"Isn’t this overestimating himself a little too much?"
"I believe he thinks that by not using a weapon, his injuries would be lighter?"
The examinees very quickly guessed Fang Zhengzhi’s intentions and doubled over with laughter.
On a seat not too far away, Yan Xiu’s expression didn’t change at all, but the finger he placed on the chair moved very slightly.
On the judging stage, a glint appeared in Imperial Messenger Qin’s eyes.
"Don’t need weapons? Ha ha… interesting!"