Chapter 40: I’ll Wipe Out Your Entire Family!
Chapter 40: I’ll Wipe Out Your Entire Family!
At dusk, Wuque settled into a detached mansion belonging to the Shen Clan within Yingzhou City.
There were now only six hours left until the Academy Grand Examination!
This mansion was roughly five miles from the examination venue. It was not large in area, but it was undoubtedly luxurious and comfortable.
Over a hundred warriors from the Shen Clan were stationed to guard every corner of this estate.
Wuque was making his final preparations.
He had already finished memorizing the last fifty-thousand characters of the eleven classics.
Currently, he was reading a mathematics text.
He, of course, understood the material, but he needed to better grasp this world’s mathematical problem-solving conventions and rules. He couldn’t simply rely on Arabic numerals or Latin letters and force his way through.
Meanwhile, Xu Enzheng was writing furiously. He was first predicting potential topics for the Policy Essay Section, then composing a sample essay for Wuque to memorize.
For this Grand Examination, Xu Enzheng had already predicted and drafted one hundred policy essays, all of which Wuque had already memorized.
Around ten o’clock that night, Wuque went to sleep. He slept soundly through the night without any dreams.
…
Around four o’clock the next morning, everyone was up.
Wen Daozi personally prepared breakfast for Wuque and watched him eat it.
At the table, Jiumogang looked as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.
He really wanted to ask, how confident was Wuque?
But every time he thought about asking, Wen Daozi’s stern gaze stopped him.
Wen Daozi said they mustn’t put any pressure on Wuque.
But Wuque suddenly spoke up. “Fifty percent.”
Immediately, Wen Daozi and the others looked up at Wuque.
Wuque stated, “To defeat Fu Tieyi, I must get first place in this Academy Grand Examination. I have a fifty percent chance.”
“There are variables in two of the subjects. The first is the Policy Essay Section. The second is the Martial Arts Subject.”
Xu Enzheng said, “I have read Fu Tieyi’s policy essays. His level is extremely high. That boy’s talent is truly astonishing. At his age, my own essay skills likely wouldn’t have matched his.”
Xu Enzheng had ranked in the top three of the Palace Examination in his year. For him to say such a thing showed that Fu Tieyi’s skill was genuinely remarkable.
Wuque said, “As long as I beat him in the Policy Essay Section, or even just tie with him, then in the Martial Arts Subject, I’d have about a seventy percent chance of beating him.”
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Seventy percent?!
Wuque, you are only at the Eighth Rank in martial arts. Fu Tieyi broke through to the Seventh Rank when he was twelve years old. How high is his martial skill now? Only heaven knows. But there was no doubt that Fu Tieyi’s martial arts far surpassed Wuque’s. How could you beat him?
With your Eighth Rank level, you might not even pass the Martial Arts examination itself.
The martial arts exam offered no shortcuts; its requirements were rigid and extremely strict.
Wuque didn’t provide a detailed explanation, and none of the people present asked for one.
“It’s about time to leave for the examination venue,” Wen Daozi said.
Several people escorted Wuque to the door.
Wen Daozi suddenly said, “Well, that examination venue isn’t very auspicious for a teacher. I’m worried it might affect your luck, so I won’t accompany you there.”
Wen Daozi seemed very embarrassed as he said this. He, a major figure in the Scholarium, was uttering such superstitious words. It showed just how much importance he placed on this examination, to the point of being overly cautious and seeing threats everywhere.
How confident, how composed had Wen Daozi been in the past?
But after the failure ten years ago, he regarded Tianshui Academy as an inauspicious place, not daring to set foot there, fearing it would be detrimental to Wuque’s exam.
“Then… should I go or not?” Xu Enzheng suddenly asked.
Wen Daozi said, “You were the second-place scholar in the Empire’s Palace Examination, a literary star. Of course you should go, to boost Wuque’s luck.”
Xu Enzheng said, “But, but… I once did something dirty at Tianshui Academy. Could it disrupt the Feng Shui for Wuque’s Grand Examination?”
Wen Daozi was startled. “What dirty thing?”
Xu Enzheng said, “I… I once had an affair with Mentor Lin Yiheng’s wife! It was just one time! She seduced me, and I… momentarily lost control, so I committed this shameful act.”
For a moment, everyone was astonished.
There was actually such a private scandal? Truly, you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Xu Enzheng was a veritable model of morality. Back at Tianshui Academy, he had been the very symbol of lofty integrity and purity.
And yet, he had an affair with a married woman.
He had intended to take this scandal to his grave, but today, he was so afraid it might affect the Feng Shui of Wuque’s exam that he revealed this disgraceful secret.
“Then you’d better not go,” Wen Daozi decided.
Jiumogang said, “I will escort him. In my life, I have killed countless people. No evil spirits, no malevolent beings, no filthy things can get close to me.”
Subsequently, Jiumogang, Mo Zhong, Fu Baoshi, Menjif, and the others went out, seeing Wuque off.
Wen Daozi said, “Wuque, don’t feel pressure. Let things take their course naturally. Believe that everything happens for the best.”
Xu Enzheng added, “Yes, do your best and leave the rest to fate.”
Just before leaving, Menjif suddenly asked, “Brother Xu, how was the taste?”
Xu Enzheng asked, “What taste?”
Menjif clarified, “Lin Yiheng’s wife.”
Xu Enzheng replied, “I swallowed it in one gulp, oblivious to the flavor.”
As several mentors escorted Wuque to the examination venue, Wen Daozi immediately rushed back into the room. He opened a chest and took out dozens of Buddhist statues and idols of deities.
From every religion, from every plane or dimension.
Every god or immortal Wen Daozi had ever heard of, he had bought them all.
He arranged them on a table.
Then, he lit dozens of incense sticks.
Instantly, the entire living room became so filled with incense smoke that one could barely see anyone.
Wen Daozi and Xu Enzheng knelt down with utmost sincerity. “Buddha, Taoist Patriarch, founding ancestors of the Scholarium, and all deities from every path, we implore you to please ensure our disciple Wuque’s success in the examination.”
Xu Enzheng prayed, “All spirits of heaven and earth, hear my words. Please bless our disciple Wuque in the Grand Examination, that he recalls everything he studied and guesses correctly on everything he doesn’t know.”
These two Grandmaster-level figures were now as superstitious and seemingly foolish as unsophisticated village farmers.
Suddenly, Xu Enzheng noticed that among the many idols, there was even a Virgin Mary from the Western Theocracy. He exclaimed in shock, “Why did you even invite gods from the Western Theocracy? It might cause trouble! Are you trying to start a war between the Eastern and Western deities?”
Wen Daozi explained cautiously, “This was my thinking. A significant portion of Alchemy was transmitted from the Western Theocracy. If we don’t invite their gods, what if something goes wrong during the Alchemy Subject exam?”
Xu Enzheng thought for a moment, then nodded. “Hmm, that makes sense. The Mountain Master’s consideration is indeed thorough.”
…
The sky was still dark. The road leading to the examination venue was packed with examinees, each holding a lantern, their lights twinkling like scattered stars.
For this Grand Examination, examinees from over a dozen academies across three southern provinces, totaling eight to nine thousand people, were all gathered at the Yingzhou examination site.
This was the examination that decided their fate.
Basically, only one in thirty would pass. Once they passed, it meant leaping through the Dragon’s Gate.
Countless youths from humble backgrounds, through the Academy Grand Examination, had become pillars of various states and members of the ruling class.
Wuque was among the group of examinees.
Apart from being more handsome, there was not much that set him apart.
“By the way, do any of you know who the most unusual examinee is this time?” one of the examinees said.
“Of course, it’s Fu Tieyi, the favored child of heaven, destined to be number one.”
“Fu Tieyi shines brightly like a star in the sky. But when it comes to being unusual, there is another person.”
“Who?!”
“Shen Gong’ao’s third son, Shen Wuque.”
“Shen Wuque? That lowly lapdog, he actually came to take the exam? Back at Tianshui Academy, he ranked last in every subject. Isn’t he embarrassed enough?”
“A lapdog ends up with nothing. Fu Caiwei just got married this year, to Mi Shaojun.”
“Shen Wuque, that lapdog, fawned over her for years and never even touched Fu Caiwei’s finger. Yet Mi Shaojun can easily play with every part of her body. This world is truly unfair.”
Hearing these words, Wuque did not get angry; instead, he smiled warmly.
Others, seeing how handsome and flawless he looked but not recognizing him, couldn’t help but ask, “You look unfamiliar, brother. May I ask your name?”
Wuque bowed politely and said, “Seniors, I am Shen Wuque.”
Everyone was stunned.
One of the examinees said, “You… you are that…”
“Yes, I am that lapdog,” Wuque said with a laugh.
Immediately, everyone looked embarrassed and awkward.
At that moment, a serious voice rang in their ears.
“Examinees, quiet down. Line up and enter the examination hall in order.”
Thousands of examinees lined up in several rows and were searched by the Examination Guards before entering the hall.
If this were ancient China, the search would have been very strict. But in this world, it was not necessary because there were special Three-Eye Magicians at the entrance. No hidden items could escape their eyes.
So the body search was just a formality.
Soon, it was Wuque’s turn.
“Untie your hair,” the Examination Guard said to Wuque expressionlessly.
Wuque untied his hair, removed the white jade hairpin, and let the guard inspect it.
“Take off your robe.”
Wuque was startled. Because of the Three-Eye Magicians, the search didn’t need to be this thorough. Although some examinees around him had been stripped for inspection, they were very few. Why was he being singled out?
But after a moment’s hesitation, Wuque complied and took off his outer robe.
“Take off your inner garments too,” the Examination Guard said coldly.
Wuque narrowed his eyes. Was this… intentionally making things difficult for him? Who had ordered this?
This was clearly meant to humiliate Wuque.
“Are you trying to make things hard for me? Who sent you?” Wuque said slowly.
The Examination Guard shouted sharply, “Who do you think you are? Why would I trouble you? This is examination hall discipline. Will you take it off or not? If not, you will be suspected of cheating, and I can expel you from the hall.”
Wuque instead smiled and said, “What’s your name?”
The Examination Guard sneered, “What do you mean? Are you trying to retaliate against me later?”
Wuque replied slowly, “My father is Shen Gong’ao. If you say one more word, I… will kill your entire family.”
Wuque said this with a smile, but the Examination Guard’s face trembled. He wanted to act tough.
But… in the end, he did not dare.
“Get inside,” the Examination Guard waved his hand. He had been instructed to give Wuque a little trouble but dared not push too hard. Finally, using the word “get,” he tried to save some face.
Wuque smiled and said, “Wait a moment, I forgot something.”
With that, he stepped out of the line and waved his hand.
Immediately, the shadow of a warrior from the Shen Gong Family stepped forward and bowed. “Third Young Master.”
“Please keep this hairpin for me,” Wuque said. “Remember the face of that Examination Guard who gave me trouble. Investigate his identity. If there are any evil deeds in his family, find a way to kill them all.”
The shadow was slightly startled. “Yes!”
Then, Wuque returned to the line and entered the examination hall. As he passed the Examination Guard, he gave him a smile, very gentle and friendly.