Upon hearing Xing Qingsui's question, all of the surrounding spectators quietened down. This was the exact question on their minds.

With Nangong Mu's results, he should at least be in the first-cla.s.s roll.

Su Qing smiled but did not answer immediately. He turned to look at King Duan.

King Duan did not speak when he saw Su Qing look at him. However, he nodded lightly.

"Young Master Xing's question is warranted. However, Nangong Mu's situation is a little special. I am unsure of the details, but I can confirm that Nangong Mu is not ranked!" Su Qing smiled after seeing King Duan nod.

"What?!"

"Nangong Mu is not ranked?"

"No matter what, Nangong Mu had already qualified for enough rounds to pa.s.s the imperial examinations. He should be ranked even if he didn't partic.i.p.ate in the court examinations!"

"This is against the rules!"

Many people in the crowd were infuriated when they heard those words. After all, the imperial examination rankings were determined by the performance and results of the partic.i.p.ants.

Even though Su Qing did not say it explicitly...

It was clear that Nangong Mu was not on any roll, not even the second-cla.s.s roll.

This did not make any sense.

"Does the Imperial Academy have a right to do that?" Xing Qingsui's gaze turned icy. Even though he did not interact much with Nangong Mu, they had gone through some things together in the World of the Sage as well as in the courts. He would not let this happen.

Many of the talents on the first-cla.s.s roll also reacted to the news.

"Why is Nangong Mu not on any roll?"

"The Imperial Academy does not have the right to do that!"

"Exactly exactly!"

All of the talents echoed.

Su Qing looked at the surroundings and sighed in helplessness.

"Young Master Xing is correct, does the Imperial Academy have the right to do such things?" Su Qing's response was both a question and an answer.

"What you mean is..."

"Young Master Xing, this is not something that you and I can change. Furthermore, this decision was not made by the Imperial Academy. I am sure you know what I mean." Su Qing waved the crowd off. "There will be an explanation about Nangong Mu's case before the court examinations. Everything will be cleared up then."

"Court Examinations?"

"Why must we wait until then?"

"Could it be because..."

The crowd was jolted. Many of those who had expressions of doubt and suspicion shut their mouths immediately.

"Can you guess the reason?" Fang Zhengzhi turned to Yan Xiu.

"I can't be sure. I can only make a rough guess..." Yan Xiu nodded, then shook his head lightly.

"What is it?"

"If I am correct, it should have something to do with Nangong Hao."

"Nangong Hao?" Fang Zhengzhi was confused.

He did not know Nangong Hao before. However, ever since his battle with Nangong Mu, he found out that Nangong Hao was Nangong Mu's brother.

However...

How could these two things be linked?

The rules of the imperial examination would not be changed unless there were extenuating circ.u.mstances. Why would Nangong Hao cause Nangong Mu to drop off the ranking boards?

That did not seem very possible.

Fang Zhengzhi frowned.

It did not matter if Nangong Hao had such powers. Even if he did, Nangong Mu had said that his relations.h.i.+p with Nangong Hao was good. As such, Nangong Hao would have no reason to bring harm to him.

Since Nangong Hao would not harm Nangong Mu, what role did he play in Nangong Mu's failure to make any roll?

"Mm." Yan Xiu nodded lightly without a second word.

"Is Nangong Hao... powerful?" Fang Zhengzhi suddenly remembered his promise to Nangong Mu on stage.

"I am no match for him." Yan Xiu replied with a conflicted tone.

"Even with the Dao of Asura?" This was the first time Yan Xiu had admitted that he was not powerful enough to defeat someone, especially after he had understood the Dao of Asura.

"Yes." Yan Xiu nodded.

Fang Zhengzhi did not probe further. He knew that Yan Xiu would never lie to him. However, if Yan Xiu was no match for Nangong Hao...

What was he going to do?

He had to fulfill his promise to Nangong Mu!

Xing Qingsui did not probe any further. He walked back to his spot.

Su Qing did not want to dwell on it any further. He unfurled the parchment in his hand and looked at the crowd.

The crowd quietened down.

This was the moment of truth. The second and first for the imperial examinations.

"The first place for the combat examinations is... Yan Xiu!" Su Qing announced after the crowd quietened down.

"It's Yan Xiu!"

"It really is Yan Xiu!"

"I already said that Yan Xiu will top the combat examinations! Hahaha... I win!"

"Yan Xiu has both the abilities and the status!"

All of them began to whoop and cheer when they heard Yan Xiu's name. Then, they turned to look at Fang Zhengzhi smugly.

He was just a villager.

You want to top the imperial examinations? Daydreaming.

"Hahaha... Fang Zhengzhi has nothing more to say right? However, he is quite lucky to come in second place. He only managed it because Nangong Mu conceded!"

"Exactly exactly!"

Voices rang out from the crowd.

Fang Zhengzhi did not say anything. He was the only one who knew what actually happened when they fell off the stage.

Yan Xiu was unconscious then.

Fang Zhengzhi could have used Yan Xiu to cus.h.i.+on his fall. However, he did not do that. In order to prevent Yan Xiu from taking additional damage, he chose to have both of them fall together.

Furthermore, in the moment they hit the ground, he lifted Yan Xiu up a little.

As such, even though they landed at the same time, those with poorer eyesight would think that Yan Xiu landed slightly later.

Fang Zhengzhi looked at Yan Xiu.

Yan Xiu turned back to look at Fang Zhengzhi.

Fang Zhengzhi's gaze was filled with congratulations. However, Yan Xiu's gaze was filled with rage. His lips twitched as he prepared to speak up.

Then, at this point, another voice rang out.

"..." The crowd quietened down instantly as everyone looked at Su Qing, who raised the parchment.

Su Qing was slightly embarra.s.sed.

He had wanted to finish reading the results, however, the crowd had interrupted him.

The crowd was out of control.

According to the rules, he needed to pause after each name. However, after he paused, he realized that he probably shouldn't have.

He cleared his throat after he saw all the eyes fixated on him.

"First place for the combat examinations goes to Yan Xiu! As well as Fang Zhengzhi from the Northern Mountain Village! They are tied for first place!" Su Qing finished the announcement in one breath.

"Tie... tie for first?!"

Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu are tied for first?"

"That means that Fang Zhengzhi has topped the imperial examinations!"

"And... he topped both the theory and combat components!"

All of the spectators finally recovered from their shock. They suddenly recalled that Su Qing had skipped the second place announcement.

There was no second!

It was a tie for first!

There have only been a few tie for firsts in the history of the Great Xia Dynasty.

"Fang Zhengzhi topped both components again? He has managed to do it for all three examinations that he has partic.i.p.ated in!"

"My gosh... three times!"

"Congratulations to you both!" Wu Feng came over and extended his congratulations to Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu. He did not seem surprised by the results.

"Shouldn't congratulations come with a token or a gift?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Wu Feng.

"Haha... Young Master Fang is right. I have some silvers here, I hope that you'll accept them!" Wu Feng beamed when he heard Fang Zhengzhi. Then, he handed them two cheques.

Fang Zhengzhi's eyes glimmered when he saw them.

What...

10,000 silvers?!

Who is he? Who gives 10,000 silvers at one go?

"This amount is very little to Young Master Yan. I hope that you will not think of it as a joke." Wu Feng smiled as he looked at Yan Xiu's icy expression. Then, he turned and left.

Yan Xiu frowned but did not speak.

Fang Zhengzhi was slightly confused and curious to see Yan Xiu's reaction. He did not seem to like Wu Feng, so why would he greet Wu Feng?

"His master and my grandfather have a good relations.h.i.+p." Yan Xiu said after Wu Feng left.

"I see." Fang Zhengzhi finally understood.

Yan Xiu had told him quite a bit about his grandfather. However, he had never seen Yan Xiu's grandfather in person.

Wu Feng's master was one of the four sages.

For someone to have a good relations.h.i.+p with a sage...

Was he also a sage?

One pavilion, four sages, thirteen constabularies. This was the phrase used to describe the powers in the Great Xia Dynasty. All Fang Zhengzhi knew of the 13 constabularies were the Divine Constabulary, the Stabilisation Constabulary, and the Battle Constabulary. Now, he knew of one of the sages.

He would need to find a time to read up on the history of the Great Xia Dynasty.

News of Fang Zhengzhi's achievements spread like wildfire in the city. The imperial academy also ordered for the news to be spread to the other cities.

At a lake 30 miles outside the capital...

A boat was stopped by the side of the lake. Red autumn leaves floated in the air and landed on the tip of the boat, staining it red.

Inside the boat, a lady dressed in a white dress stroked the Guzheng in her hands. Music filled the air, serenading the talents by the river bank.

"My troubles seem to leave me as I listen to this music!"

"It is a pity that the music is unable to help us out of our situation!"

"Ever since Fang Zhengzhi revealed Qingwu's face at Huai An County, she has not partic.i.p.ated in any other gatherings. How frustrating!"

"I heard that Fang Zhengzhi topped the imperial examinations. Aish... how depressing!"

"Exactly! Why would there be someone like Fang Zhengzhi amongst the ranks of the educated..."

"Zoom!"

Just as these youths were discussing their lives, a ray of red light shot down from the sky. It sailed through the air and impacted one of the youth's chest.

In that instant, he was thrown into the air and against a tree.

"Plonk!" He fell to his knees.

There was a red maple leaf at his chest.

"Who was that! Who dares attack me?!" The youth paled, his tone belligerent.

"People say that a Maple Leaf represents feelings. However, why can't I feel anything from you?" A figure approached from the distance.

She wore a black dress, a shadow of her great figure cast on the ground. A faint scent emanated from her body as she played with a maple leaf in her hand.

"Who are you?" The youth looked at the figure, his expression changing. This was a lady, and a very attractive one.

In any other situation, he would have took some time to admire her.

But...

After being attacked, he had no interest in admiring her.

"You want to know?" The lady's lips twitched as they curled into a playful smirk.

"I do..." The youth nodded, then realized something was amiss. He shook his head, "I have no feud with you, why attack me from the shadows?"

"Yes, why should I attack you from the shadows? I should attack you out in the open!" The lady waved her hand and flung the maple leaf outwards.

The youth was thrown into the air like a kite.

All of the others were stunned when they saw this.

A maple leaf!

Who would have thought that a maple leaf would have such power!

Just as they were thinking about it, the lady disappeared from her spot. She flew towards the the boat by the side of the lake.