The Path of the Sage

"Poetry can increase talent and harm enemies, but it must be based on the classics of all the saints. Without understanding the classics, everything is just empty talk. Once I become an accomplished scholar, I will start studying the various classics that are not found in the Holy Origin Continent, strive to fully comprehend them, and steadily improve my own strength. Then, I will deliberately spread some novel ideas that conform to the Path of the Saints, laying the foundation for the future dissemination of various techniques."

"As long as I become a presented scholar, I can start spreading more knowledge. Once I become an imperial scholar, I can find opportunities to spread books such as 'The Exploitation of Nature' and 'The Complete Book of Agriculture and Politics' to make our human race prosper. These things cannot be faked, as the saints can see through it at a glance. I must learn the relevant knowledge and then write them myself."

After seeing off Feng Zimo, Fang Yun prepared for the prefectural examination tomorrow.

On the first day of June, Fang Yun woke up early.

The weather in June changes as quickly as a child's face.

Regardless of the weather changes, as long as it is the day of the imperial examination, the city where the examination is held always has the most suitable temperature, humidity, and climate.

The morning sun shone on the city of Yuhai, making it much more comfortable than at noon.

Having experienced the county examination once, Fang Yun was much more composed than the first time.

After breakfast, Fang Yun, Yang Yuhuan, and Nunu got on the carriage and headed to the Prefectural Academy in Yuhai City.

Looking at the lush willows outside the window, Yang Yuhuan softly said, "Time flies, it's been three months in the blink of an eye."

"Yes," Fang Yun replied.

"Nyah nyah!" Nunu immediately nodded solemnly, indicating that it feels the same way, even though it has no idea what the two people are talking about.

Yang Yuhuan gently looked at Fang Yun and said, "Thinking back to that day, it feels like a lifetime ago. I was so scared when I sent you to the academy in a cart. I was afraid you would faint in the examination hall, but I couldn't say it, so I could only pick good words."

Fang Yun held Yang Yuhuan's hand and smiled, "I know. I still feel distressed when I think of your desperate look that day. Don't worry, I will never let you experience that again. Those people's actions will surely be met with retribution!"

Yang Yuhuan looked at Fang Yun with concern and asked in a low voice, "Do you want to retaliate against Liu Zicheng?"

Fang Yun said, "It's not retaliation, it's to make him atone!"

"Okay! But be careful."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Fang Yun smiled.

Yang Yuhuan reached out to help Fang Yun tidy his clothes and said, "After becoming a child scholar, you have indeed changed. This is how a man should be."

"Yes, this is the real me. Only then will Sister Yuhuan like me."

"Ugh!" Yang Yuhuan blushed and lowered her head, continuing to help Fang Yun tidy his clothes. Fang Yun, on the other hand, stared at her and liked her more the longer he looked.

Nunu blinked, imitating Yang Yuhuan, turned its head and made a sound of disgust, then lowered its head, secretly glancing at Fang Yun, hoping that Fang Yun would notice it.

Fang Yun and Yang Yuhuan burst into laughter. Fang Yun reached out, grabbed Nunu by the neck, and lifted it up, asking, "What are you doing?"

Nunu looked at Fang Yun and Yang Yuhuan blankly, not understanding why they were laughing.

Fang Yun laughed and hugged Nunu in his arms, gently rubbing its little head. Nunu closed its eyes and made a contented and comfortable hum. This was its favorite moment.

The carriage stopped before reaching the street of the academy. Fang Da Niu outside said, "Young Master, there are too many carriages ahead. We can only get off here."

"Alright, we'll get off here then."

Fang Yun got off the carriage and then reached out to help Yang Yuhuan down.

Fang Yun looked towards the direction of the academy. He saw thousands of carriages parked on both sides of the street, and the wide street of the academy was filled with countless people.

"Why are there so many people?" Yang Yuhuan curiously asked.

Fang Yun said, "This is where a large number of child scholars from the entire Yuhai Prefecture have gathered in the past twenty to thirty years. There are no less than twenty thousand child scholars here, not to mention their families and relatives. The total number of people is probably over fifty thousand."

"Isn't that equivalent to half of Jixian County's population crowding on this street?"

"Yes, it's half of Jixian County's population. You don't need to accompany me. It's too crowded inside, and it's inconvenient for a young lady like you to squeeze in the crowd." Fang Yun said.

Yang Yuhuan nodded and said, "Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll come to pick you up with Nunu in three days."

"Nyah nyah!" Nunu cried out, with a hint of reluctance in its voice.

Fang Yun chatted with Yang Yuhuan for a while. After picking up his book box, he touched Nunu's head before entering the crowd and squeezing towards the entrance of the academy.

The crowd was bustling and extremely crowded. Fortunately, Fang Yun was wearing the attire of a child scholar, and everyone knew that he was a child scholar rushing to the examination, so they made way for him.

Fang Yun had shone brightly at the Dragon Boat Literary Society that day, and soon some people recognized him, but most people were not sure. After all, there were too many people at that time, and they were far away from Fang Yun.

As Fang Yun walked into the State Academy, more and more child scholars recognized him.

"Fang Shuangjia!" Several child scholars greeted Fang Yun excitedly. Some of them were clearly older than Fang Yun, but when they saw Fang Yun, they treated him like a literary leader, blushing and full of admiration. If the timing was right, they would definitely pester Fang Yun to give them a poem.

The actions of those few immediately attracted more attention.

"Fang Yun is here!"

"The Little Poet Fang Yun?"

"Yes, it's him!"

Fang Yun couldn't help but feel speechless. How did he become the Little Poet after staying behind closed doors for a month?

"Little Poet! You must pass the examination and become a talented scholar! Don't let the collusion between the enemy nation and the Tongli tribe succeed!"

"The Little Poet will surely win! The Tongli tribe is nothing!"

"Fang Yun, don't be careless. The examination hall is not the most important, what comes after, the Book Mountain, is the most important. You must not lose to the people of the Qing Nation!"

"All the scholars in Yuhai Prefecture support you!"

"Yes! We all support you!"

All the child scholars and their families and friends around them encouraged Fang Yun.

Fang Yun was moved and expressed his gratitude continuously.

Everyone tacitly made way for Fang Yun, not because he was the Town Poet, not because he was the top scholar, but because he was the champion of the Dragon Boat Literary Society.

"Thank you all!" Fang Yun expressed his gratitude all the way.The process of over twenty thousand Child Scholars entering the examination hall was an extremely lengthy one. Even if they were divided into a hundred queues, with each person being checked and verified every thirty breaths, it would still take over an hour.

Fang Yun found a queue and lined up. The nearby Child Scholars immediately greeted him, asking him various questions and showing great interest in everything about him.

Fang Yun felt helpless, but he could only patiently answer their questions, glossing over the ones he didn't want to discuss.

Most of these Child Scholars were young and extremely curious. They considered conversing with Fang Yun more important than the Prefecture Examination. After all, the Prefecture Examination was held every year, but the opportunity to talk with Fang Yun was much rarer.

During the queuing process, Fang Yun saw Tong Li. Unlike the lively scene on Fang Yun's side, many Child Scholars avoided Tong Li.

Their gazes met, then quickly shifted away.

After a long queue, Fang Yun finally entered the Academy as he wished.

The square of the Prefecture Academy in Yuhai City was extremely large, and even with over twenty thousand Child Scholars standing, it was not crowded.

Over twenty thousand Child Scholars slowly moved forward, finally stopping in front of the ancient bronze incense burner in front of the Holy Temple.

The Prefecture Examination was just larger in scale than the County Examination. The process of starting the examination with a sacrifice was no different. First, Prefect Dong led the worship of the Sages, then Feng Zimo, the Dean, recited the "Sacrifice to All the Saints", followed by Zhou Zhubu, the Registrar of the State Academy, reading out the rules of the examination hall.

Fang Yun looked forward. During the last County Examination, there was only one chief examiner and two deputy examiners, but now in addition to the three examiners, there was also a middle-aged man in Hanlin robes, who seemed to be on par with the previous three examiners.

Fang Yun guessed that this should be the Imperial Examination Inspector sent by the Holy Academy. He just didn't expect it to be such a coincidence that he appeared in Yuhai City, as the Imperial Examination Inspector only randomly inspected one Prefecture in each Kingdom.

"This Imperial Examination is really strange. Prefect Dong, Dean Feng, and Registrar Zhou are all familiar faces, but I've unexpectedly encountered a strange Imperial Examination Inspector."

After Registrar Zhou finished reading the examination rules, all the candidates should have taken their examination plaques to the examination room, but the Imperial Examination Inspector suddenly shouted, "Wait!"

Everyone looked at the Imperial Examination Inspector.

Tong Li in the crowd looked at Fang Yun, revealing a malicious smile.

Discover the complete story on pawread dot com.

The Imperial Examination Inspector's face was gloomy, "I received a report that among you, someone transferred his student status from Dayuan Prefecture to Yuhai City before the Prefecture Examination in order to secure a place in Book Mountain. Is there such a thing?"

Fang Yun's heart sank, realizing that this person was targeting him.

The Child Scholars were shocked. This matter had already been clarified. Everyone knew that Fang Yun was forced by the rebel literati and the demon race. What was the intention of this Imperial Examination Inspector bringing this up at this time?

Prefect Dong immediately said, "Inspector Geng, this matter has been investigated and cleared by our Yuhai Prefecture and the Prefecture Academy. It was slander and rumor by a villain! Please don't delay the examination time, Inspector Geng. If the auspicious time is missed, who will be responsible?"

Inspector Geng said, "Prefect Dong, you are wrong. As an Imperial Examination Inspector, I naturally have to investigate the matter thoroughly when I receive a report. Who is Fang Yun?"

The people nearby all looked at Fang Yun.

Fang Yun immediately stepped forward, saying as he walked, "Greetings, sir. I am Fang Yun, the Accomplished Scholar before the Sage of Jing Kingdom." Fang Yun's words were firm and powerful, much more composed than the average young man.

"Fang Yun, someone reported that you used your power to secure a place in Book Mountain. Is there such a thing?" Inspector Geng looked at Fang Yun coldly.

Fang Yun guessed that this person was trying to disturb his mind, so he firmly said, "Absolutely not. However, I don't understand one thing. Where is the person who reported me? Where is the report letter? When was it reported? Why didn't you investigate earlier or later, but just before the examination?"

"Sharp-tongued! As an Imperial Examination Inspector of the Holy Academy, I don't need to answer your questions."

Prefect Dong immediately said, "Inspector Geng, as the chief examiner, I demand you to produce the report letter. Otherwise, I will consider you to be slandering the literati of Jing Kingdom. Even if I have to take this case to the Sage, I am not afraid!"

"Inspector Geng, please present the evidence!" Feng Zimo and Zhou Zhubu said in unison.

Inspector Geng's face was dark, but he calmly said, "I just received the news from my subordinates today, and there is no report letter. However, since Prefect Dong confirms that you have no problem, then I don't need to investigate further. Alright, you all can enter the examination room now."

Fang Yun gave Inspector Geng a wary look, then, carrying his book box and holding his examination plaque, he went to find his examination room like the other candidates.

Inspector Geng followed Fang Yun with his two subordinates, and Prefect Dong and the other two quickly followed, keeping a close eye on Inspector Geng.

Fang Yun found his examination room and just put his book box on the table when Inspector Geng immediately said, "Someone, check his book box!"

Two Child Scholar bailiffs pounced on Fang Yun like wolves.

"Wait!" After Feng Zimo finished speaking, he held the official seal in his hand, and a huge force surged out from the Holy Temple, binding the two Child Scholar bailiffs in place. (To be continued.)