Chapter 200 - 149: Beginner’s Qi Sensitivity?
In truth, according to this battle report, if the Martial Scholars had united—it wouldn’t have even taken all of them, just fifty or sixty working together—they could have completely tied down Tenglong Stronghold’s top experts.
They might even have had a chance at victory.
But they were a disorganized mess, and were instead picked off one by one, suffering considerable casualties.
In fact, even now, quite a few Martial Scholars are still trapped in Boundary Mountain.
Only a small fraction managed to break out of Boundary Mountain and escape.
"Mansion Master, the people outside are clamoring to see you and causing a huge scene. Lord Sun can barely hold them back," an official reported, hurrying into the room.
"So they’re already getting antsy. These are the same people who were secretly cozying up to the Blood Dragon Platform, allowing Tenglong Stronghold to grow so powerful. Now they’re the ones in a panic. Hmph. Ignore them. Let them stew for another two days."
Zhu Quan snorted. The Blood Dragon Platform certainly had a powerful backer—one that even he had to be wary of. But for them to have run so rampant in Shanyang Prefecture, they must have had the support of the local Noble Families.
And sure enough, now that their own descendants were trapped in Boundary Mountain, their attitudes changed in an instant.
However, Zhu Quan wasn’t about to make a move just yet.
No matter how strong the Blood Dragon Platform was, if he was determined, annihilating them wouldn’t be difficult.
The difficult part was that the Blood Dragon Platform’s backer was in the Divine Capital, at the very center of power in the Great Wei Dynasty!
~~~~~~
「Yuezhong Mountain Tea House, Shanyang Prefecture.」
"Heh heh... I heard that Fang Yue fellow came back yesterday? Looks like he definitely failed the Prefecture Examination this time."
Steward Wang was lounging on a recliner, sipping tea while a maidservant waited on him. He listened to his subordinate’s report with a smug grin on his face.
He hadn’t known at first that Fang Yue was participating in the Prefecture Examination, but he found out later. He’d even wagered three hundred taels of silver on Fang Yue’s elimination.
He’d had men keeping an eye on things right up until the end of the Prefecture Examination.
He was constantly monitoring Fang Yue’s results. The moment Fang Yue failed, he planned to immediately make his move, transfer ownership of the tea house, and kick that poor country bumpkin out.
Then, using the Bai Family’s name, he would pull some strings with his connections at the Xiahe County Magistrate’s Office and seize all the tea gardens registered under Fang Yue’s name.
’Now that would be a perfect outcome.’
Of course, this all hinged on Fang Yue being eliminated from the Prefecture Examination.
The news had just arrived: Fang Yue had returned to the Prefecture City ahead of schedule. ’He must be just like those other Martial Scholars who came back early,’ he thought. ’Just another lucky one who managed to escape from Boundary Mountain.’
He would have nothing to show for his efforts and would be immediately disqualified by the Government Office.
’Fang Yue must be in the same boat.’
"Excellent. I’ll head over right now. First, I’ll go to the Government Office and get the contract changed today."
At this thought, Steward Wang couldn’t bear to wait any longer. The sooner the contract was changed, the sooner he could start pocketing more silver.
So, without even waiting for the official announcement from the Government Office, he hurried on his way.
He had just left and was on his way to the Government Office when he spotted Fang Yue.
"Well now, if it isn’t Martial Scholar Fang. When did you get back? You’re back so early... Don’t tell me you got scared and ran away from the bandits, did you?"
Steward Wang approached Fang Yue and sneered.
Now that he’d run into Fang Yue, how could he pass up the opportunity? He had to mock the man relentlessly.
It was his own fault for being so shortsighted. If he had just handed over the tea house earlier, it would have been an accomplishment for the steward, a way to prove his competence to his masters.
Then he could have continued his business while kicking back some silver each year as a sign of respect. Wouldn’t that have been a win-win for everyone?
’He doesn’t know what’s good for him. Serves him right for failing.’
"Oh, right. Since you’re here, all the better. Come with me to the Government Office, and we’ll get the contract sorted out," Steward Wang said matter-of-factly.
Fang Yue, on the other hand, just stared at the steward, utterly bewildered.
’Where is this guy’s confidence coming from? Besides, even if the contract were to be changed, it should be Bai Xingqiu or another one of the Bai Family’s decision-makers who came to discuss it.’
’Who the hell does a mere steward think he is?!’
"Heh. Get lost!" Fang Yue’s voice was ice-cold as he snapped.
"You—insolent! Hmph, you country pauper! If that’s how you want it, you just wait! I’d like to see who you’ll sell your tea to without the Bai Family!"
Steward Wang flew into a rage out of sheer humiliation and roared furiously.
After venting his anger, he turned to leave, but at that exact moment, two burly men blocked his path.
"Bai Qi, Bai Jiu? You two are just in time! This scoundrel is unbelievably arrogant and has been slandering our Bai Family! We must teach this ungrateful wretch a lesson."
But no matter how Steward Wang tried to fan the flames, Bai Qi and Bai Jiu remained completely unmoved.
Just then, a clear, cold female voice rang out:
"A lesson? Who do you intend to teach a lesson? A mere servant, disrespecting a Martial Scholar in the middle of the street. The Bai Family’s reputation is being ruined by the likes of you!"
"You two, what are you waiting for? Slap him!"
As soon as she spoke, the men, who were built like iron towers, immediately seized Steward Wang.
Immediately, a series of sharp SMACKS echoed through the air.
Steward Wang, who lived a life of comfort, had never suffered such abuse. He immediately let out a string of miserable shrieks.
Furthermore, Bai Qi and Bai Jiu were both Martial Artists at the Bone Forging realm; their strength was immense.
They were already holding back most of their strength with each slap; otherwise, a single blow could have killed the steward on the spot.
"Heh, you must be Fang. You truly are a fine talent. I’ve heard Xingqiu speak of you. You came all the way to the Prefecture City and didn’t stop by the house. Were you afraid your aunt wouldn’t be a proper hostess?"
The speaker was indeed Bai Xingqiu’s mother, a graceful and noble woman who addressed Fang Yue with a kind smile.
Although Fang Yue had visited the Bai residence a few times, he had never met Bai Xingqiu’s mother.
"You are too kind, Aunt. With the Prefecture Examination..."
Her attitude was so warm that Fang Yue naturally responded politely, explaining why he had been unable to visit.
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before Mrs. Bai cordially invited Fang Yue, insisting he must visit their home when he had the time.
She also promised that there would be no repeat of incidents like Steward Wang acting on his own authority.
After watching Mrs. Bai depart, Fang Yue went to the Government Office. He found the official in charge of the Prefecture Examination and submitted the heads of the bandits he had slain as proof of his accomplishments.
Once the official had verified his kills and issued the corresponding paperwork, Fang Yue left the Government Office and returned to his inn.
In the days that followed, Martial Scholars began to trickle back into the Prefecture City.
And with them came more news.
There were stories of which Martial Scholars had died, and which ones had slain enough bandits to be certain of passing the Prefecture Examination.
As for Fang Yue, his life returned to a state of peace.
He spent his days practicing martial arts to improve his cultivation, waiting for the Prefecture Examination to conclude.
One day, Fang Yue returned to the grassy clearing to practice.
He hadn’t been there in many days, but not much had changed; it looked almost identical to the last time he was there.
He was still practicing the Qi Nourishing and Health Cultivation Skill, wondering if he had finally accumulated enough progress.
As he began to practice this time, Fang Yue noticed a distinct difference—the process was much smoother than usual.
The Primordial Qi within his body seemed to have become more nimble as well.
Fang Yue had a feeling that today was the day he would achieve a breakthrough in this Cultivation Technique.
Slowly concluding his practice, Fang Yue focused his thoughts, and a series of text floated into view before him.
[Cultivation Technique: White Tiger Fist (Marrow Transformation) (Mastered); Earth Element True Skill (Qi Sensing) (Entry-Level); Qi Nourishing and Health Cultivation Skill: (Mastered)]
Looking at the words before him, he saw that, just as he’d expected, the Qi Nourishing and Health Cultivation Skill had gone from Entry-Level to Mastered.
He then read on.
[Consume 200 Talent Points to form the Talent: Beginner’s Qi Sensitivity]
’Talent: Beginner’s Qi Sensitivity?’
Fang Yue froze for a moment, not having expected this. ’What kind of Talent is Beginner’s Qi Sensitivity?’
’Is it the reverse of Qi Sensing?’
~~~~~~
「A few more days passed in the blink of an eye.」
More Martial Scholars continued to trickle back into the Prefecture City, and with them came a growing flood of news.
Finally, Mansion Master Zhu Quan dispatched the Guard Army. Led by Zhu Weilei, the most elite of the Guard Army was deployed and crushed Tenglong Stronghold.
And with that, the Prefecture Examination finally drew to a close.