Beside them, Nie Meiniang stammered, "Uh..."
"That, that, Sister, actually, it's not necessary."
"What's not necessary?"
"Sigh, I'll just tell you the truth."
"These Mountain Bandits were all found by my subordinates, and the purpose was to force you, Sister, to reveal your identity."
"As for their mountain stronghold and the other people in it, my subordinates naturally won't let them go; they will be slaughtered tonight."
Yue Yao's eyes widened. "What?"
"It was all you playing tricks in the dark?"
"Please spare me, Sister! I accidentally discovered that you might know martial arts and was afraid you would harm my husband, so I resorted to this desperate measure."
"Spare me!"
"You brat, don't run!"
How could Nie Meiniang listen? She bolted towards Tang Bohu, shouting, "Husband, help me!"
Tang Bohu smiled faintly. "I won't meddle in matters between you two sisters."
Soon, Nie Meiniang was pinned to the ground by Yue Yao and thoroughly tormented.
After they had their fill of roughhousing, they returned to the carriage and continued along the main road.
Ten more days passed, and the three finally arrived at the Great Ming Capital.
The carriage stopped in front of an inn called Chuyun Residence, and a Shopkeeper immediately came out to greet them.
Tang Bohu jumped out of the carriage and extended his hand to help his two wives down.
Although they were all Martial Arts Masters and didn't need his help.
But assisting his wives was a gesture of affection, regardless of whether they were Martial Arts Masters.
After getting out of the carriage and entering the inn, the Shopkeeper immediately greeted them with a smile.
"Esteemed Guests, I am truly sorry."
"Our humble inn is full today. If you wish to dine, that's fine, but for lodging, please try another establishment."
Tang Bohu nodded. The imperial court was holding the imperial examination, and Scholars from all over were flocking in, so there probably weren't many empty rooms left in the capital's inns.
In fact, as a Jieyuan, he could have stayed at the post station arranged by the imperial court.
But how would his two wives be accommodated?
Moreover, the conditions at that post station were extremely poor, and Tang Bohu didn't want to go there either.
Just as he was about to leave with Yue Yao and Nie Meiniang, someone behind him suddenly called out to him.
"Young Master Tang?"
Turning around, he saw a young man holding a paper fan, with a handsome appearance and a dashing demeanor.
Tang Bohu had never seen him before and frowned, asking, "Young Master, do we know each other?"
The young man walked over and laughed heartily, "Young Master Tang may not know me, but I, Chu, recognize you."
With that, he cupped his hands and bowed, performing a salute. "I am Chu Liuxiang. When Young Master was competing in calligraphy and painting on the Bian River in Great Song, I was present."
"On that day, Young Master's unparalleled talent truly opened my eyes and left me in awe."
Tang Bohu suddenly understood and quickly returned the bow. "So that's it. However, Brother Chu, you flatter me."
"Bohu's small talent is truly nothing compared to truly knowledgeable individuals."
Chu Liuxiang laughed. "Hahahaha, although I know Brother Tang is being polite with me, you must never say such things publicly."
"Oh? Why?"
"Brother Tang, think about it. If you are so humble, and still say you are nothing compared to truly knowledgeable individuals, then where do you place Xu Weibiong?"
Tang Bohu was stunned and said with a wry smile, "Brother Chu is right to remind me; I will remember that."
"Come, come, come, there are a few friends in the private room who wish to meet Brother Tang; I'll introduce you."
This Chu Liuxiang was naturally familiar with everyone; they had only just met, so a polite exchange would have sufficed.
But he acted like an old friend he hadn't seen in years, putting his arm around Tang Bohu's shoulder and heading upstairs.
There was nothing Tang Bohu could do; he couldn't refuse such enthusiasm, so he simply followed him.
As for Yue Yao and Nie Meiniang, the two women exchanged glances and followed as well.
Inside the private room on the second floor sat several of the young generation of Martial Arts Masters from the Great Ming Jianghu.
Lu Xiaofeng, Hua Manlou, Li Xunhuan, Shen Lang, and Ximen Chuixue.
"Everyone, look who's here?"
"Young Master Tang?"
Several people quickly stood up, cupped their hands, and greeted Tang Bohu.
Although Tang Bohu was just a Scholar, everyone was quite courteous.
Lu Xiaofeng smiled faintly. "This year's imperial examination was specifically set up for you, Young Master Tang."
"I believe Young Master Tang will certainly make a grand showing in the imperial examination and achieve the 'triple yuan' success!"
The so-called 'triple yuan' refers to achieving the titles of Jieyuan, Huiyuan, and Zhuangyuan in one series of examinations.
Tang Bohu was already a Jieyuan, but he was falsely accused by Liu Jin last time and couldn't participate in the metropolitan examination.
If he became a Huiyuan and Zhuangyuan this time, it would also count as achieving the 'triple yuan' success.
Just as Tang Bohu was about to be humble, his two wives walked in.
Their peerless beauty brightened the eyes of everyone present.
What a pair of stunning beauties, capable of toppling kingdoms!
"Young Master Tang, these two are..." Lu Xiaofeng asked curiously.
"Oh, they are Tang's First Madam, Li Yue'er, and Third Wife, Yun Wanwan."
On the way, the group had already discussed not revealing their true identities to anyone.
For no other reason than the terrifying reputation of the two Female Devils!
Their other six sisters were all gentle and kind young ladies from respectable families.
They would turn pale and tremble at the sight of blood!
If they found out, how could the sisters get along in the future?
Yue Yao of Yihua Palace had always been mysterious; almost no one in the Jianghu had seen her face.
And Nie Meiniang?
Only a few elders and loyal subordinates within the Demonic Cult had seen her; outsiders knew even less...
Lu Xiaofeng chuckled. "So they are the two Sister-in-laws, please take a seat."
Lu Xiaofeng and the others were so enthusiastic that Tang Bohu and his wives found it hard to decline.
After the three had taken their seats, Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, "People say that Young Master Tang has eight immortal beauties at home."
"Seeing them today, the two Sister-in-laws are indeed exceptionally beautiful and peerless."
"Presumably, the other six are also extraordinary."
"Young Master Tang, you truly have an enviable romantic fortune."
Lu Xiaofeng: "More than just peerless beauties?"
"Look at the two Sister-in-laws; they are refined and courteous, elegant and poised, showing excellent upbringing as young ladies from respectable families."
"To be able to marry them as wives, Young Master Tang is truly ~ fortunate."
Tang Bohu: "..."
If you knew their true identities, you wouldn't say that...
"By the way, why are you all gathered in the capital?"
Although these individuals were all outstanding young talents from the Great Ming Jianghu, they came from all corners of the land.
It was truly rare for them to gather together.
Li Xunhuan: "It's nothing major; we simply met near Bo Chi Mountain some time ago."
"So we agreed to travel the world together."
So that's it... The group chatted briefly, then raised their cups and drank fine wine.
Tang Bohu deliberately steered the conversation towards Duo Ming Shu Sheng, hoping to inquire about his strength from them to be fully prepared.
"I've heard that even among those in the Jianghu, there are people who enjoy literature?"
Lu Xiaofeng nodded and smiled. "Young Master Tang is right; there are quite a few such people in our Great Ming Jianghu."
"For example, Brother Xunhuan, who once passed the imperial examination as a Tanhualang."
"Oh, by the way, among the Shenyou Realm masters of our Great Ming, there is one called Duo Ming Shu Sheng, who is also quite proficient in literature."
Tang Bohu feigned ignorance. "What is the Shenyou Realm?"
"The Shenyou Realm is a division of cultivation realms."
"Upon reaching this realm, one has already touched the threshold of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, and their strength is unfathomable."
"In the Jianghu, all those who reach this realm are, without exception, peerless masters whose mere stomp can shake the world!"
"Especially after the sixth stage of the Shenyou Realm, each advancement in stage increases strength by at least double!"
Tang Bohu said, "Oh," and then asked, "Then what stage is this Duo Ming Shu Sheng in?"
Lu Xiaofeng: "That, I don't know..."
"This person has always been mysterious; no one in the Jianghu knows the details of his cultivation."
Upon hearing this, Tang Bohu felt a little disappointed.
He hadn't expected that even Lu Xiaofeng, who seemed to know almost everything under heaven, didn't know Duo Ming Shu Sheng's cultivation realm.
He didn't dwell on this topic and started discussing other things.
Everyone present was remarkably knowledgeable, and during the banquet, they shared many interesting stories from the Jianghu, giving Tang Bohu a preliminary understanding of the Great Ming Martial Arts world.
Just as everyone was chatting animatedly, an uninvited guest walked in.
"Hahahahaha, Young Master Tang, I, your superintendent, have come uninvited; I hope you don't mind."
The newcomer was a white-haired man with a gentle smile, who looked quite old but had no beard on his face.
A glance at his attire immediately revealed his identity.
Someone from the Eastern Depot?
Tang Bohu frowned slightly. "You are..."
The newcomer cupped his hands. "I am Cao Zhengchun."
So it's him... Tang Bohu understood the man's intention.
The Eastern Depot and the Dragon Guard Manor were both fiercely competing, and both sides were doing their utmost to recruit talent.
And with his talent renowned throughout the land, Cao Zhengchun must have believed that Tang would excel in this imperial examination, becoming a Zhuangyuan and entering officialdom.
So, upon learning of his arrival in the capital, he immediately rushed to meet him, intending to win him over and gain another ally in the imperial court.
In reality, Tang Bohu had no intention of participating in the palace examination, let alone becoming an official.
After passing the metropolitan examination and fulfilling his late father's wish, he planned to return home.
Cao Zhengchun had a bad reputation and was not well-regarded by those in the martial arts world.
In the eyes of Lu Xiaofeng and the others, he was just a dead eunuch!
"Hmph, so it's Cao, the eunuch dog from the Eastern Depot."
Li Xunhuan snorted coldly, his expression full of displeasure.
"Oh?"
"So Li Tanhua is also here? Zhengchun offers his regards."
Superintendent Cao wasn't angry; he maintained a smiling face, cupped his hands, and saluted, his manners impeccable.
But Li Xunhuan completely ignored him... Although Cao Zhengchun found himself rebuffed, he still wore a beaming smile, as gentle as a spring breeze.
He looked at Tang Bohu and continued, "Young Master Tang's talent is unparalleled; your arrival in the capital today to participate in the imperial examination has truly caused a sensation."
"If you succeed, it will also be a blessing for our Great Ming."
"As the Superintendent of the Eastern Depot, Zhengchun naturally pays close attention to the talented Scholars of the Great Ming."
"Zhengchun wishes to host a banquet for you tonight, Young Master. I wonder if you would grace us with your presence?"