...
Yan Xiu was already at the stage where he had to give it his all. From the two punches to the last of his Dao of Asura, his calculations were flawless. In fact, they were extremely precise.
However, he did not expect Fang Zhengzhi to not retreat at the very last moment?!
"Looks like he is not afraid of pain!" This thought flashed across Yan Xiu's mind. Then, his expression turned extremely pale.
Fang Zhengzhi's final move was to lunge forward. Even though this would aggravate Fang Zhengzhi's injuries, it would also cause a huge impact.
However, this impact was not within Yan Xiu's calculations.
"Ugh!" He couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood. The faint red light around his body slowly disappeared the moment he spat out the blood.
Because...
Yan Xiu no longer had any energy left. In other words, he had fainted.
Thus, the Court Examination preliminaries came to an end. However, no one expected that the decisive battle would end with the two of them flying off the stage.
"Boom!"
Dust flew everywhere.
"Yan Xiu, are you alright?" Fang Zhengzhi immediately climbed up from the ground the moment he fell off the stage, and carried Yan Xiu up from the ground.
"Physician!" Emperor Lin Mubai called out without hesitation.
"Here!" One of the physicians who had been waiting below the stage responded quickly. Then, he took Yan Xiu from Fang Zhengzhi's arms and began to treat him.
The situation on the stage was extremely tense.
After all, Yan Xiu was a direct descendant of the Yan Family. Furthermore, he had displayed such talent. If anything were to happen to him during the competition, the Imperial Court would lose a talent. The Yan Family of Western Liang would not be easy to deal with either.
"Your Majesty, his injuries are not serious. He is only unconscious. He will recover within five days!" The physician checked on Yan Xiu's injuries. He replied immediately.
"Mm, I will leave Yan Xiu to you." Emperor Lin Mubai nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" After the imperial physician finished speaking, he carried Yan Xiu out with the help of a few guards.
The onlookers immediately made way for him.
Seeing that Yan Xiu was about to be carried down, Fang Zhengzhi did not stay idle. After thinking for a moment, he ran towards the Imperial Physician, seemingly ready to leave.
"Fang Zhengzhi, where are you going?" Ping Yang pouted when she saw that Fang Zhengzhi was about to leave. What kind of occasion was this? His Imperial Father hadn't even issued an edict, and the result hadn't even been announced, yet he dared to run away?
She had to stop this unruly fellow.
This was to prevent him from causing any more trouble.
"Your Highness, can't you see that I'm injured? I have to find a doctor! "Fang Zhengzhi turned back to look at Ping Yang, his expression pained.
"Find a doctor?" Ping Yang wanted to ask. You don't look like you're injured at all, but when the words were on the tip of his tongue, he swallowed them back.
After all, Fang Zhengzhi was really injured in that situation.
Fang Zhengzhi looked at Yan Xiu, who was about to disappear, and prepared to leave. However, his luck did not seem too good.
That was because he was stopped by someone again.
The one who stopped him was Xing Qingsui.
"Thank you. Fang Zhengzhi. " Xing Qingsui spoke. He was thanking Fang Zhengzhi for enlightening him. Then, he looked at Fang Zhengzhi's injuries, "The Stabilisation Constabulary has been fighting for many years. We have some medicine in the constabulary, do you want to... "
Xing Qingsui wanted to ask if he should go to the Stabilisation Constabulary to treat his injuries.
However, Fang Zhengzhi waved him off, "No need, I'm quite busy. I'll be leaving first!"
Then. He did not even wait for Xing Qingsui to speak before he skipped away.
Xing Qingsui was left standing there, unsure whether to chase after him or not.
In the eyes of the civil and military officials, this scene was a completely different scene.
"Xing Qingsui is thanking Fang Zhengzhi? What is he thanking him for? "
"Could it be that the Stabilisation Constabulary has some secret dealings with Fang Zhengzhi?"
All of the officials guessed. However, even they did not dare to say this out loud. After all, the Stabilisation Constabulary was the pillar of the Great Xia Dynasty.
The leader of the 13 Constabularies!
Without concrete evidence, who would dare to say such things?
"Imperial Physician Li, follow the Sword Envoy and take a look at his injuries." Emperor Lin Mubai looked at Xing Qingsui, who was rooted to the spot, then looked at Fang Zhengzhi, who had already run far away. A glint flashed across his eyes. Then, he turned to the white-haired royal physician beside him and spoke.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Imperial Physician Li nodded and hurried in Fang Zhengzhi's direction.
All of the officials looked at the few people leaving and the empty arena. They felt that something was amiss.
They all left just like that? In that case, who was the winner of this match?
"Did you see clearly? Who landed first? "
"I think it was Fang Zhengzhi. After all, he was sent flying."
"I can't be sure. Yan Xiu had already fainted. As such, he could no longer suppress Fang Zhengzhi in the air. It is possible that he landed first. Furthermore, Yan Xiu lost the ability to fight after fainting. According to the rules, Yan Xiu lost."
"The invigilator did not announce that Yan Xiu had lost the ability to fight. That means that the duel is still ongoing. According to the rules, whoever lands first will be the winner."
All of the officials discussed amongst themselves. After all, the outcome of this duel would affect the rankings of the imperial examinations. They had to be careful.
"The preliminary court examinations will be conducted according to the rules of the imperial examinations. Three days later, the Imperial Academy and the invigilators will come up with the results and submit them to the imperial examinations!" Emperor Lin Mubai did not express any opinions when he heard the discussions. Instead, he made the announcement.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Duan Ling Xin Jue, Ninth Prince Lin Yun, and the invigilators all knelt down when they heard Emperor Lin Mubai's words.
Emperor Lin Mubai nodded and turned to leave.
Ping Yang's face was filled with resentment at Fang Zhengzhi's departure. Just as she stood up from her chair, she suddenly remembered something, "Sixth Brother, are you going to send someone to deliver the Sun Shooting Bow to me, or should I send someone to retrieve it?"
"Sixth Brother will send it to Sister Ping Yang tomorrow!" Duan Ling Xin Jue's expression changed when he heard this. However, he still gritted his teeth.
"Thank you, Sixth Brother!" The resentment on Ping Yang's face dissipated.
…
The preliminaries of the court examinations ended in a spectacular fashion. However, everyone knew that Fang Zhengzhi was not a match for them. What happened in the preliminary court examinations was not over yet.
How Fang Zhengzhi was able to master both the Divine Constabulary and the Stabilisation Constabulary had already attracted the attention of all the officials.
Most importantly, there was no clear outcome to this duel that would determine the results of the Imperial Examinations.
Who would be the true champion of the imperial examinations?
Fang Zhengzhi. Or Yan Xiu?
The answer would only be announced three days later when the results were announced.
Furthermore, there was something else.
Something that had been suppressed by Emperor Lin Mubai. The massacre of the soldiers in the Northern Mountain Village.
Fang Zhengzhi did not return to the capital. As such, if the Ministry of Law wanted to interrogate Fang Zhengzhi, they would need the Emperor's permission to send troops to the Northern Mountain Village.
Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi had just been promoted to a rank four Sword Envoy. If they interrogated him immediately, it would seem like they had an excuse to retrieve the Traceless Sword.
These were all problems.
However... These problems were no longer problems after Fang Zhengzhi returned to the capital. This was a murder case that involved the lives of over a hundred soldiers.
They could not just let it go like this.
Even Emperor Lin Mubai had no reason to suppress this matter. As such, it was only natural that the Ministry of Law would interrogate Fang Zhengzhi.
In the Eastern Palace Crown Prince's Residence, Minister of Justice Wan Chong handed the prepared memorial to Crown Prince Lin Tianrong with both hands. Once Crown Prince Lin Tianrong gave his approval, he could present the Emperor's will at the morning assembly tomorrow.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yi sat calmly below the Crown Prince, his right hand tapping on the table. He frowned, clearly hesitant.
"What do you think, Prime Minister?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong threw out this difficult question.
"This is a good opportunity, but... it is just a good opportunity." Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping replied after some thought.
"Please enlighten me." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was confused.
"According to my investigations. Other than Fang Zhengzhi, Chi Guyan and Princess Pingyang from the Divine Constabulary were also present. With these two present, it would be impossible to change the nature of this case. At most, he would only be charged with the crime of killing too many people. "
"Does the Left Minister intend to let him off just like that?" Minister Wan Chong furrowed his brows when he heard this. He seemed a little unwilling.
"Since we can't kill him in one go, I think it would be better to let this case be a fishbone stuck in the throats of the officials."
"You mean to wait a little longer?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong heaved a sigh of relief.
"Mm, we have already waited for so long. We don't mind waiting a little longer. The results of the imperial examinations are coming out soon. King Duan must be having a headache right now. Let's see how he decides on the results!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping nodded.
"Alright, then let's do as Prime Minister says. Minister Wan's memorial should be suppressed for now!"
"Yes! Your Highness! "
…
Today's Imperial Academy, compared to its usual tranquility, was more or less noisy.
The results of the imperial examinations had not been finalized yet. The Emperor had only given them three days. This was a headache for the imperial messengers.
What was even more troublesome was that the former Chief Imperial Messenger Han Changfeng was still locked up in jail. The acting Chief Imperial Messenger was sick and had no leader.
In the streets and alleys of Yan Capital, in the restaurants and inns, the talents and beauties were all guessing the results of the imperial examinations in three days.
Under the big red signboards of the major gambling houses, there were also bets being put up.
"Come on, bet on the results. Come on, bet on the results! The results will be released in three days. Don't miss this opportunity. Yan Xiu or Fang Zhengzhi, get rich on this! "
"I bet 50 silvers!"
"50 silvers, move aside! I bet 200 silvers that Yan Xiu will top! "
Loud voices rang out in the Flame Capital City, adding another layer of noise to the already bustling Flame Capital City.
And in the restaurants and inns.
A group of well-dressed young masters could be seen crowding around. They were all here to participate in the court examinations. As such, they were extremely concerned about the results of the Imperial Examinations.
"Young Master Li, what are your thoughts on the results?"
"I dare not speak of my thoughts. However, it is not difficult to guess."
"Oh? Young Master Li, please enlighten me! "
"Actually, this can be done the other way around. This is a duel with no results. As such, the results can be decided by the people. As such, we only need to guess the results that most people want."
"The results that most people want? Does Young Master Li mean that Yan Xiu will top the imperial examinations? "
"The strength that Yan Xiu displayed in the competition was overwhelming. Furthermore, from the Emperor's concern, it far exceeded that of Fang Zhengzhi. This time, the Emperor has given the right to decide the rankings back to the Imperial Academy. In fact, the results are already clear.
"Young Master Li is indeed the First-Class Roll of the previous imperial examinations. Your words are indeed sarcastic. From what I know, after Han Changfeng was imprisoned, the results of the imperial examinations were decided by King Duan. Previously, Fang Zhengzhi killed more than a hundred soldiers. I believe that King Duan will take this opportunity to give the army an explanation."
"That's right. For a commoner to reach this stage, he must have accumulated a few lifetimes of good fortune. How could he possibly top the imperial examinations? All of the previous imperial examinations top scorers were famous people. Chi Guyan was the last one, and Nangong Hao was the year before that. They were all geniuses! "
"The Yan Family has been quiet for close to a decade. Who would have thought that they would shock the world with a single brilliant feat!"
"Hahaha, that's right! A few years ago, my cousin was the governor of the Yan Family. He should be arriving at Yan Capital by tomorrow. At that time, we can get to know him in advance. "
"I heard that Yan Xiu is as cold as ice. I will have to trouble Brother Chen to lead the way."
"Sure thing, sure thing …"
…
While the people of Yan Capital were discussing, King Duan's residence was eerily quiet. Rows of armored soldiers patrolled the area. Within a hundred meter radius of the residence, only the sound of birds chirping could be heard.
"Mister Hua, King Duan has been waiting for you in the study ever since he returned. He hasn't had a sip of water or soup. Mister Hua, can you …"
"Mm, leave it to me. I will carry it in!" Mister Hua took the food from the housekeeper and nodded, indicating that the housekeeper could leave.
"Sorry to trouble you, Mister Hua." The housekeeper bowed and left.
Mister Hua looked at the food in his hands. He did not rush into the study. Instead, he turned and walked towards a pavilion at the side.
"His Highness usually discusses matters in the Patrol Barracks. Today, he is in the study. Looks like this problem is not something I can solve. Let's wait!"
Just as Mr. Hua sat down in the pavilion, a figure covered in a cloak walked over from afar.
"So fast? Mr. Hua looked at the approaching figure, and a sneer that was hard to detect appeared on the corner of his lips.
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