The Path of the Sage

"Lord Prefect, we are examiners, reading the papers." Zhou Zhubu coughed lightly.

"The Holy Academy will send someone to take away this essay tomorrow, so we naturally have to carefully comprehend it today!" Prefect Dong said.

Prefect Dong spread out the four pages of the essay one by one on the table, and then focused his attention on reading each word carefully.

Feng Yuanjun and Zhou Zhubu also stood by and read carefully. The three of them read in the same way, not just simply reading and memorizing, but imprinting everything into their minds.

They not only had to understand the content of the article, but also remember the stroke characteristics of each character, because when an article reached a higher level, each character contained the author's charm. Thoughts and words would resonate, and others could resonate with the original author through reading.

In the process of trying to memorize this article, the talents of the three examiners gradually diminished.

Zhou Zhubu was a Presented Scholar, and his talent was the first to be exhausted. It didn't take long for Feng Yuanjun to take a break, while Prefect Dong persisted until the end.

"You should take a look too." After Prefect Dong finished speaking to the other Presented Scholars in the academy, he walked over to Zhou Zhubu and Feng Yuanjun to rest.

Prefect Dong sighed lightly and said, "I used to think that Fang Yun only had talent in poetry and prose, and might not be outstanding in other aspects. But after reading his essay, I realized how terrifying this person is. Although his interpretation of the topic is clever, it is still just a summary of the past. However, when it comes to discussing the future rituals, every word shines like a star, illuminating the sky, capturing the essence of rituals."

"What impresses me the most is his writing. A few months ago, I said that his writing only had the style of a master but lacked substance. Now, his calligraphy has reached the threshold of the first realm, while I am still at this level." Zhou Zhubu said.

Feng Yuanjun nodded and said, "His writing is deeply integrated with the meaning of the text. Especially when it comes to the future rituals, I have a similar feeling to Prefect Dong. I feel like I am in a starry sky, where the stars represent the grand principles of the Path of the Saints, and the black night sky represents the profound truths of the Path of the Saints. And Fang Yun is like someone who casually plucks the stars."

"Indeed. We are Presented Scholars and Imperial Scholars. We can't see through the calligraphy of the Half-Sage when we visit the Holy Land. Fang Yun's essay is more important to us than the genuine calligraphy of the Half-Sage. This Fang Yun is really strange. How old is he? Yet his writing has a sense of 'stars scattered like a chessboard.' It's truly terrifying."

"Stars scattered like a chessboard? Now that you mention it, I realize it too! It is said that only after the Half-Sage flew into the sky and wandered among the stars could he have such a meaning in his writing. Using stars as characters, making the article as intricate as a chess game, one word representing a world, one article representing the universe. Fang Yun seems to know the secrets of that starry space at such a young age, which is truly astonishing."

"Perhaps, this is his talent. But it is too early to call it 'stars scattered like a chessboard' now. He probably doesn't understand it yet, but because he has some understanding of the trajectory of the stars, he is unconsciously influenced, giving his writing the shadow of 'stars scattered like a chessboard.'"

"That makes sense!"

Zhou Zhubu smiled coldly and said, "Now that I think about it, Geng Xuncha was not stupid, but just unlucky. He had the support of the Qiong State, Wu State, and the Semi-Saint families. He thought that even if he harmed a genius and was discovered by the Half-Sage, he would not be heavily punished. But he didn't expect Fang Yun to write this essay with a layout similar to 'stars scattered like a chessboard.' The three Semi-Saints observed millions of Child Scholars, and none of them were left out. They must have been the first to discover Fang Yun's essay spreading throughout the world, and then immediately covered it up, even fooling us."

"Who could have thought that someone's essay in the Prefectural Examination could spread throughout the world? It was impossible to connect the shock in the academy with Fang Yun's essay spreading throughout the world. But, I suddenly want to laugh. Just think about it, when Fang Yun wrote a few words and had an anomaly, it was hidden by the All the Saints. He must have thought something was wrong. What do you think his mood is now?"

The others burst into laughter.

"The All the Saints have deceived the heavenly secrets. This essay that spreads throughout the world will not increase Fang Yun's talent as long as it doesn't reach the Holy Academy. He probably still doesn't know how this essay turned out."

Zhou Zhubu said, "I know Fang Yun too well. He has always been cautious. He is probably still suspicious and won't relax until the results are announced tomorrow."

"It's a pity. I really want to see him worried and afraid. This kid is better than us in everything. It's not easy to have such an opportunity, we can't miss it! Let's go out together before the results are announced tomorrow."

"Agreed!"

While the three unscrupulous examiners were discussing how to enjoy the spectacle of Fang Yun, the banquet at the Fang Residence had already ended. Fang Yun had drunk a lot of wine today and didn't study at night. He lay on his bed, lost in thought.

"Ah, that essay must have had a problem. If there were no problems, it would have appeared in my Palace of Literature and Stars. But until now, my Palace of Literature and Stars has not appeared, just like the ordinary essays I wrote before. It seems that something went wrong."

Lost in his thoughts, Fang Yun fell into a deep sleep.

The next day was the day of the announcement of the results. Fang Shouye specially came over, but Qian Juren and the others wanted to come too, but were persuaded by Zhao Hongzhuang to leave. Zhao Hongzhuang also did not come this morning and went to the academy early, knowing that Fang Yun was feeling uncomfortable and didn't want to see anyone.

At a little past nine in the morning, the group arrived at the street of the academy. As always, it was crowded with people and extremely noisy.

Fang Yun held Yang Yuhuan's hand with one hand and carried Nu Nu in his arms as he walked towards the entrance of the academy.

Fang Shouye followed closely, ready to take action if anyone dared to strike Fang Yun excessively.

Pang Juren followed from a distance, scanning the people around Fang Yun from time to time, being very vigilant, but on the surface, he seemed indifferent to everything.

Before they reached the entrance of the academy, Fang Yun was recognized by someone. The people still treated him warmly, but many of the Child Scholars waiting for the results couldn't help but show regret and began to whisper.

"It's a pity. I heard that Fang Yun's essay had problems and was humiliated by Shi Dehong and Tong Li."

"Everyone makes mistakes. We can't blame Fang Yun."

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"The problem is, if Fang Yun doesn't rank in the top ten of the Accomplished Scholars, he won't be able to go to Book Mountain. It's equivalent to losing, and he will definitely destroy his Palace of Literature. It's such a pity."

"But you can't say for sure. Maybe Fang Yun didn't have any problems."

"Ah, as a person from the Jade Sea, who doesn't want him to do well? It's just that I heard that Shi Dehong and Tong Li have already celebrated in advance."

Fang Yun silently walked forward. Although these people sympathized with him and didn't mock him because of this incident, he still felt a bit stifled in his heart.Yang Yuhuan tightly held Fang Yun's hand, leaning against him, hoping to soothe his mood.

Nunu also noticed Fang Yun's mood, stopped playing around, and silently accompanied him, occasionally sticking out her tongue to lick Fang Yun's hand.

The entire Yu Huan City was paying attention to Fang Yun's Book Mountain bet, and the Child Scholars who participated in this year's exam were well-known. Therefore, as soon as Shi Dehong and Tong Li spread the news yesterday, all the Child Scholars knew about it.

"Fang Yun, we believe in you! Don't be slandered by those villains!"

"Yes, we believe in your great talent!"

Some Child Scholars who didn't want to see Fang Yun fail encouraged him one after another. Some were very excited and didn't believe that Fang Yun couldn't even pass the Accomplished Scholar exam.

Fang Yun could only force a smile and nod in thanks to these people.

The Child Scholars very tacitly made way for Fang Yun, allowing the two to quickly reach the wall where the golden list was posted.

This was almost the most crowded place, but the people around very politely made a little space for Fang Yun and Yang Yuhuan. This was the only way the Child Scholars of Yu Huan Prefecture could express their gratitude.

"Brother Fang, I heard that your moral essays are excellent. At least in Mingzhou, you are the most talented scholar in Yu Huan Prefecture this year!" A familiar voice suddenly sounded from the side.

Fang Yun turned his head to look at Tong Li, his gaze cold.

Tong Li continued loudly, "Congratulations, congratulations, Fang the Talented! If I'm not mistaken, from today on, your new nickname will be Fang Wu Jia! Tsk tsk, this is unprecedented in the Ten Nations! The day you become the top scholar, you will definitely become the famous Fang Quan Jia."

The Child Scholars on the side all heard that Tong Li was mocking Fang Yun. One of them couldn't help but angrily said, "Tong Li, how can you be so shameless? You collude with the people of Qing Nation to harm the people of Jing Kingdom, do you have any conscience left?"

Tong Li asked in surprise, "Brother, are you a spy sent by the Demon Barbarians to sow discord among the human race? The Ten Nations used to fight each other, but ever since the thousand-year non-aggression pact with the Demon Barbarians expired, we Ten Nations are not allowed to wage war against each other, and can only occupy each other's territory through literary competitions. You can say that the Ten Nations are all in this together. Over the years, Qing Nation has also sent troops to help Jing Kingdom kill Demon Barbarians. Now that I'm learning from Brother Shi, how can I be shameless?"

"You..." The Child Scholar was so angry that his face turned red. Although Tong Li's words were sophistry, they were all reasonable. Qing Nation and Jing Kingdom had national hatred, but that was decades ago. The Holy Academy has been trying to dilute the conflicts between the nations, striving to unite the human race before the Demon Barbarians invade in large numbers, so as to exert greater strength.

Therefore, even if Tong Li and Shi Dehong frequently interacted, many high-ranking officials of Jing Kingdom were not convenient to criticize Tong Li, to avoid being labeled as sowing discord among the human race.

"Brother Fang, don't you agree? I, a person from Qing Nation, have traveled a long way to come here, just to cooperate with your country's literati and jointly resist the Demon Barbarians." Shi Dehong, the disciple of the Poetry King, said with a smile.

Fang Yun was in a very bad mood. He looked at the two of them but didn't say anything. These two were obviously trying to provoke him to speak, then make him angry, and deliver the most fatal blow when the list was released.

Just then, the main gate of the Academy of Literature opened, and many officials dressed in black walked out from inside to separate the crowd, isolating a path to the place where the notice was posted.

After a while, several officials walked out from the Academy of Literature.

Among a group of people in official uniforms, a young man in casual clothes stood out with his extraordinary temperament, like a crane among chickens. His eyes and eyebrows were filled with a faint desolation, which was not at all like the demeanor a young man should have.

Everyone was respectful to the young man, only a few officials were extremely obsequious, but the young man didn't even look at those obsequious officials.

Many people didn't recognize him, but Shi Dehong's face showed joy, and he proudly glanced at Fang Yun and others, held his head high, and walked towards the young man.

Tong Li hurriedly followed and asked, "Brother Shi, do you know this person? His temperament is so extraordinary, he must be a Hanlin Scholar, right?"

"Hanlin Scholar? You underestimate him. He has been a Grand Academician for four years, even earlier than my teacher."

"How can you compare him with the Poetry King? Don't let your teacher hear this." Tong Li advised kindly.

"Hahaha, it's not me comparing him with my teacher, but my teacher always says that he is not as good as this person." (To be continued.)

PS: Third update.