leonardwarren Chapter 110 On the Clan Princes
Chapter 110 On the Clan Princes
Finally, the final moment arrived.
The cheers on the drill ground were like waves of air, stirring up the rows of banners.
The assistant examiners then distributed additional bronze tokens to the other eight martial arts scholars.
On the main arena in the very center, Kang Yizhi, Yin Wuji, Yan Zhan, and Liu Sheng stood side by side.
They had just gone through a fierce battle, and their bodies were covered in dust and sweat, but at this moment, everyone stood straight, holding tightly the symbol of their identity—the silver token of the martial arts examination.
This is not just a token; it is a stepping stone to a higher level in the future, and an affirmation of their long-term hard work in martial arts.
On the judge's bench, General Wang Jingyi, dressed in a light red official uniform, stood solemnly.
His gaze slowly swept over the sea of people below the stage, then settled on the four young men in front of him. His voice was loud and clear, piercing through the noise:
"The Great Fan Kingdom, by the mandate of Heaven, establishes itself through military prowess! Now, four warriors from Crescent Moon County—Kang Yizhi, Yin Wuji, Yan Zhan, and Liu Sheng—have distinguished themselves in this year's provincial martial arts examination, defeating formidable opponents and displaying unparalleled bravery. They are hereby granted the title of 'Martial Arts Graduate,' awarded a silver token, and their names are recorded in the prefecture!"
The assistant examiners also shouted from the sidelines:
"Congratulations! Four newly appointed martial arts champions!"
"Congratulations! All taxes are waived, no kneeling is required before officials, and you are eligible for a military post in the border army!"
Below the stage, whether they were relatives, friends, or fellow students, or simply ordinary people watching the spectacle, they all erupted in thunderous cheers and applause, the sound almost reaching the sky.
Even the three powerful families of Kang, Yin, and Yan, who were at odds with each other, seemed to have temporarily put aside their prejudices and congratulated each other.
Liu Sheng saw Lu You, Yang Hongliu, Cao Dahuang, Lai San, and many others greeting him, their faces beaming with pride.
Even Xiao Lan was riding on Lai San's shoulders, clapping her little hands and giggling.
On a distant rooftop, Gao Huang, sitting alone and drinking, also finished his last sip of wine.
Liu Sheng felt his chest and abdomen filled with this intense atmosphere. He lowered his head slightly, his fingertips tracing the cool patterns on the edge of the silver token, his mind filled with thoughts of his grandmaster Zhang Tianxing, his weary face, and the heavy Bagua visualization diagram in his arms.
This silver token is a stepping stone, a protective charm.
It can be considered... a last resort.
Just as he was pondering, a sudden commotion erupted in the distance, followed by harsh shouts.
"Get out of the way! Everyone get out of the way!"
"Get out of my way! Can't you see?!"
The sounds of whips, horses' hooves, and wheels pierced the lively atmosphere outside the drill ground.
The crowd was driven away and startled, and they dispersed to both sides like a tide.
A convoy of trains drove arrogantly into the training ground.
Banners fluttered, bearing the clan crests symbolizing supreme authority. Beneath rows of red-tasseled helmets were the faces of demons, some resembling sheep, some monkeys, and some oxen.
His eyes were cold, he held a long spear, a curved sword at his waist, and his felt armor inlaid with iron plates clattered as he moved.
They acted roughly, using gun barrels and whips to push aside the crowd blocking their way, ordering them not to look directly into the field, and quickly taking control of several entrances and main roads of the drill ground.
In the center of the caravan, the walnut wood carriage slowly came to a stop. The carriage was intricately decorated, and a purple silk curtain hung low, blocking the view from both inside and outside.
What is most noteworthy is that the people walking at the front of the caravan, personally leading the way for the carriages, are none other than Lun Ren, the magistrate of Yueya County, and Lord Kang, the county lieutenant!
The two bowed slightly, moved cautiously, and their faces showed undisguised humility and ingratiation.
Even though they were facing away from the carriage at that moment.
This can only be described as a departure from their usual official demeanor.
It's like two people.
On the chariot shaft, besides the driver, sat a young sheep-man general. His leather helmet was decorated with feathers, he wore finely crafted iron armor, and a scimitar inlaid with magnificent gems hung at his waist.
This sheep-man general was none other than Lunsaja, the deputy general who had followed Commander Lunbailang that night.
His eyes were sharp as an eagle's, coldly sweeping across the training ground, which had fallen silent in astonishment. He relished the fearful bowing of the vast human population, and finally his gaze fell on General Wang Jingyi in the judge's seat, his lips curling into undisguised contempt.
Until the last few onlookers who dared to make a fuss and look them in the eye were whipped, the entire drill ground finally became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The jubilation and celebration of just moments ago have vanished, leaving only a heavy sense of oppression.
The onlookers also realized that the demon race could not be looked at directly. They would only occasionally raise their eyes to peek in fear at the murderous demon soldiers and their county magistrate's obsequious appearance.
Liu Sheng frowned. Now that he had the silver token, he was naturally safe, but just in case, he quietly activated his spiritual eyes and scanned the demon soldiers.
Most of them are white and green in varying shades.
But when his gaze fell upon the monk Sakya in the carriage, he was suddenly startled.
It's a red glow!
This... is at least a sixth-grade level!
But he was somewhat relieved when he saw that General Wang Jingyi was also dressed in red.
He couldn't tell who was inside the carriage, so he decided to leave it for the time being.
"Magistrate Lun Ren of Crescent Moon County, along with all the officials and people of the county, respectfully welcomes Young Master Lun, the White Sheep, to the military examination grounds!"
Lun Ren stepped forward and bowed deeply to the carriage, his voice sounding particularly jarring in the silent training ground.
Wang Jingyi pursed his lips, thinking to himself:
"His surname is Lun, so he's a member of the royal family, a young master? He doesn't even hold an official position. Given the magistrate's attitude and Lun Saga's personal escort, could he be a relative of Lun Bailang?"
In the Great Fan Dynasty, the demon race practiced a tribal system, with a total of 61 tribes throughout the country.
In each tribe, the chieftain is naturally the only one who has the final say. Below the chieftain is the most influential position, the "Chief of a Thousand," who is responsible for organizing the tribe's army during wartime and leading the tribe's soldiers into battle.
Therefore, there were only 61 commanders of a thousand households and 122 deputy generals in the whole country, and Wang Jingyi naturally recognized Lun Sajia.
Therefore, it is not difficult to deduce the approximate identity of the young master inside the carriage.
Inside the carriage, a young and languid voice came from:
"Since this is the provincial military examination, have the candidates already been selected?"
Magistrate Lun Ren hurriedly said:
"Yes, young master! The four on the stage are the newly appointed martial arts candidates."
There was a moment of silence inside the carriage, then a slow, deliberate sound finally broke the silence. The sound was not loud, but it carried clearly throughout the entire area.
"A military officer... an official position in the imperial court, that's quite a good title. I'm free today and happen to be looking for a suitable background, so the title of military officer is quite fitting for me."
He paused, as if commenting on something trivial:
"Magistrate and County Commandant Kang, please help me ask around and see who is willing to give me their status as a martial arts graduate. I'm willing to offer a hundred taels of gold in exchange."
These words shocked the entire audience!
What does this mean? This Aries prince who suddenly appeared, with such an amazing entourage, came all this way just to seize the title of martial arts champion?
The people present exchanged surprised glances, as if trying to determine from each other's eyes whether they had misheard.