Then, a beam of red light shot into the sky from the entrance of the Imperial Decree Hall. It was as red as blood, and a chilling aura permeated the air.
"Yan Xiu!"
"Young Master Yan, what are you doing? This is the Imperial Decree Hall! "
"All of the previous emperors of the Great Xia Dynasty rest here. Young Master Yan, do not be rash!"
All of the shocked officials were shocked by this voice once again. All of their gazes quickly focused on Yan Xiu.
At this moment, Yan Xiu's eyes shone with a faint red light. His entire body was wrapped in a red aura. Beneath his feet, two whirlpools that were spinning continuously appeared bright red.
"Dao of Asura!"
"It's only been a few days, but the faint red has turned into a bright red?!"
"The Dao of Asura is a combination of good and evil. Even though it is a benevolent Dao, its source of power is anger. Yan Xiu was provoked by Fang Zhengzhi's death, but..."
"But what?"
"Yan Xiu has only been in the Dao of Asura for a short period of time. If he is too aggressive, he will fall under the control of the Dao of Asura and become an evil Asura... that will be a disaster!"
"It is rare for the Great Xia Dynasty to have mastered the Dao of Asura at the age of 16. He must not be destroyed! Stop him!"
All of the officials started to worry as they looked at Yan Xiu, whose eyes were glowing red.
When the other candidates saw this, they were all in awe.
"Is this the Dao of Asura?"
"16 year old Yan Xiu, third in the court theory examination, and mastering the Dao of Asura! How insane!"
"With such strength, I'm afraid that even if the three of us join forces, we won't be a match for him."
"He is indeed powerful."
As the scholars discussed amongst themselves, Wu Feng's expression also became extremely ugly. He was standing right beside Yan Xiu, so naturally, he could deeply feel that powerful force.
It was an aura that seemed to come from hell. It was cold and sharp. Even he had no choice but to retreat to the side.
"Yan Xiu!"
Following Wu Feng's swift retreat, the other scholars who were ranked fifth to tenth on the scholarly roll similarly retreated to one side.
However, one person did not retreat.
It was Nangong Hao.
Nangong Hao was also standing beside Yan Xiu. It could be said that he was closer to Wu Feng than Wu Feng. However, he allowed the red aura to wreak havoc around his body.
His white robes fluttered in the wind.
However, Nangong Hao's expression was not calm. There was even a tinge of excitement in his eyes as he looked at Yan Xiu with a slightly brighter gaze.
"Yan Xiu?"
Emperor Lin Mubai waved his hand lightly.
A golden ray of light shot into Yan Xiu's forehead. Instantly. The red light in Yan Xiu's eyes dissipated, and the aura on his body gradually stabilized.
"Nephew Yan, if you are truly concerned, then you can come with me to take a look at the Intellectual Loft!"
Yan Xiu's body trembled slightly as he retracted his aura into his body. He looked at Emperor Lin Mubai, then at the shocked officials and candidates around him.
Finally, he nodded.
"Your Majesty, according to the rules, after the theory examination results are announced, the rules for the combat examination will be announced... are we going to the Intellectual Loft now?" The Minister of Rites saw Yan Xiu nodding. He then asked.
"Rules are dead, but people are alive. Let's go to the Intellectual Loft first."
"Yes!"
...
The Intellectual Loft, after decades of trials and tribulations, had become a beautiful sight in the capital. Countless candidates had left a deep impression on this place.
Other than memories, the Intellectual Loft also contained the writings of the scholars who had come and gone over the past few decades. That was the true value of the Intellectual Loft.
And now... All of the memories and writings had been reduced to ashes.
The originally elegant Intellectual Loft was only left with a few broken stone pillars. All of the wooden pavilions had been reduced to a patch of black dust.
Other than that, there were many charred corpses in the ruins. Based on their figures, most of them were young ladies. There were also a few males.
Countless guards and soldiers surrounded the ruins. Long spears were placed horizontally in front of the soldiers' chests, preventing people from entering.
In the middle of the guards and soldiers...
Emperor Lin Mubai, dressed in a golden dragon robe, stood in front of the ruins. His expression was solemn. His eyes were constantly searching the ruins.
The officials stood behind Emperor Lin Mubai, craning their necks to take in the sight of what was once the most famous place in Flame Capital City.
"How did it burn to this state?"
"There is no way to rebuild it."
"Aish... what a pity."
The officials sighed as they stared at the ruins. After all, many of them had left behind beautiful memories in the ruins.
"Father!" At this moment, a fiery-red figure dashed over from afar. In an instant, it created a gap in the army and quickly arrived in front of Emperor Lin Mubai.
"Ping Yang is here." Emperor Lin Mubai nodded his head and stretched out his hand to comb the loose hair on Ping Yang's forehead.
"Where is Fang Zhengzhi? Where is that guy? " Ping Yang's face was filled with anxiety as she looked at Emperor Lin Mubai expectantly with her crystal clear eyes.
Emperor Lin Mubai did not reply. He stood silently in his spot.
Yan Xiu was also standing on top of Emperor Lin Mubai. His face was cold, extremely cold, as though it was covered with a layer of frost that would not melt for a thousand years.
Not long after, a golden-armored guard arrived in front of Emperor Lin Mubai.
"Your Majesty, we found a total of 36 corpses inside. They were all burnt to a crisp. Other than being able to identify their genders from the bones, there is no way to confirm their identities."
"Unable to confirm their identities? What was the cause of the fire? "Emperor Lin Mubai frowned slightly.
"We can only deduce that the fire spread from the inside. Logically speaking, it should have been a natural fire in the Intellectual Loft. It was not set by someone from the outside." The golden armored guard concluded.
"Understood, you may leave."
"Yes!" The golden-armored guard responded and quickly retreated.
"Father, I heard that Fang Zhengzhi did not attend the Imperial Decree Hall today. Is that true?" Ping Yang looked at the golden armored guard and asked.
"Mm, he did not come." Emperor Lin Mubai nodded.
"That is not possible … that guy would not dare to miss the Imperial Decree Hall … Yan Xiu, is Fang Zhengzhi still sleeping in the inn? Answer me! Yan Xiu, why aren't you speaking? "
"Guards!"
"Yes!"
"Pass down my order. Search the entire capital. Even if you have to flip the entire capital upside down, you must find Fang Zhengzhi! Search every residence! "
"This … yes!"
…
Autumn was approaching. The air was chilly. Winter was about to arrive. A light drizzle fell from the sky, landing on the streets of the capital.
There were many people on the streets. Some were holding umbrellas. Some were wearing straw raincoats. Many were hiding in the teahouses and restaurants.
Everyone's topic of conversation revolved around the life and death of a certain person.
That person was Fang Zhengzhi.
As the champion of the theory examination, he was ranked first with Nangong Hao. This was supposed to be a great honor. However, the heavens were jealous of his talent. He was buried in a sea of fire.
King Duan's residence was much livelier than usual. Today was much livelier. All of the officials walked around the residence.
In the study, King Duan Xinjue was dressed in a luxurious robe. He savored the fragrant green tea in his cup, his lips curling into a smile.
"In the past, I only cared about the fragrance of green tea. Today's strong tea tastes extraordinary!"
"King Duan is happy. Strong tea is naturally more suitable." One of the officials chimed in when he heard King Duan Xinjue's words.
"You're still too shallow. This King isn't happy about what you're thinking. Father has already ordered for the drill to be held in the Southern Mountain Range. He has even sent the Crown Prince to lead the army! "
"Congratulations, Your Highness, congratulations!"
"I would like to see. How will the Crown Prince lead the army? Hahaha … "
…
The Eastern Palace's Crown Prince Residence was just as happy as King Duan's residence. There were even more officials. There was an endless stream of people coming and going, each of them carrying a pot of different flowers and plants.
In the conference room of the Eastern Palace. Countless courtiers were in the midst of a heated discussion.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping sat at the head of the table, his expression calm. He squinted his eyes, but there was a glimmer of light in them.
"The Crown Prince has been appointed to lead the army. He can seize control of the army now!"
"That's not appropriate. Most of the people in the military are Duan Wang's wings. If we hastily seize power before the wings are removed, it might cause a mutiny. Also, with His Highness the Crown Prince's power today, whether we seize military power or not, it won't affect the overall situation."
"Official Liu is right. However, this is a rare opportunity. It would be a pity to miss it. I think that the Crown Prince should go to the Southern Mountain Range to lead the army. We can cut off King Duan's wings and use them in the future!"
"Official Wang is right!"
While the courtiers were discussing, a figure walked through the door.
"King Duan has thought of what all of you have thought of. I think King Duan has already made arrangements for the army. The Crown Prince's trip to the Southern Mountain Range will be dangerous! "The figure's voice rang out.
He was dressed in a black official robe. It was Su Qing.
"Dangerous? Su Qing, what do you mean? Do you think King Duan will kill his own brother? "
"Official Wang, do you think that killing one's own brother … is not a problem?" Su Qing's expression did not change at all. Instead, he smiled calmly.
"You … according to what you said, I can't go to the Southern Mountain Range?"
"Of course I can. However, Your Highness needs to make some preparations before heading to the Southern Mountain Range. Else, if anything happens, the consequences will be unpredictable."
"Official Su, do you have any suggestions?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong put down the pot of flowers in his hands and turned to look at Su Qing.
"If you want something, give it first!"
…
While King Duan's residence and the Eastern Palace were bustling with activity, there were figures sprinting through the rain.
They were as fast as ghosts.
In Tranquil Sun Manor, a sharp cry rang out. A bird beast with snow-white wings and a body like an eagle soared into the sky. It flapped its wings and soared high into the sky, transforming into a streak of light as it flew into the distance.
In an inn in the Flame Capital City, Yan Xiu stood in front of the window, quietly looking at the raindrops falling from the sky.
"Young Master, everyone has been sent out and the letter to Western Liang has been sent. However, it will take at least ten days to send the letter to Western Liang and then from Western Liang to Yan Capital."
"Mm." Yan Xiu nodded.
"But Young Master … the combat examinations are about to begin in five days."
"I know."
"Young master... Old Master had told me that no matter what happens, you have to finish the court examinations."
"I will, don't worry."
"Young Master …"
"Uncle Tie, I want to watch the rain alone."
"I will take my leave!"
…
The rain in the Flame Capital City wasn't heavy, but it lasted for a long time. The rain continued for a full five days, forming a thin stream of water in the middle of the streets.
The final round of the court examinations, the combat examinations, was about to begin.
However, the person that everyone paid attention to didn't make an appearance at all. Just like how the Intellectual Loft had been reduced to ashes, it had instantly vanished into nothingness.
At the gates of the Flame Capital City, a hundred thousand soldiers stood quietly in the rain. They were like a patch of dark clouds receiving the baptism of the rain. Their jet-black armor was stained with rainwater, but their bodies were still as strong as ever.
The 100,000 strong army was arranged in a huge rectangle.
This rectangle was then divided into 29 smaller rectangles and one larger rectangle.
Each row of the small rectangles was made up of 2,000 soldiers, and in front of each rectangle was a leader on horseback.
They were the top 30 candidates in the court examinations.
Of course, there were only 29 people who came today, and one person was missing.
Each of the 29 scholars led 2000 soldiers. Behind them, there was a huge square formation of 42,000 soldiers.
On top of the city gate, Emperor Lin Mubai, who was wearing an armor engraved with golden dragons and cloud patterns, scanned the soldiers and scholars standing quietly in the drizzle. His expression was solemn.
"Your Majesty, it's almost time!" Eunuch Wei reminded softly at this moment.
"Hmm …" Emperor Lin Mubai nodded his head. Then, he looked up at the gloomy sky and muttered to himself, "What an audacious fellow. Is he still not coming?"
"Your majesty, are you thinking about Official Fang?"
"Yes, I don't think he will die so easily. He didn't die in the World of the Sage when it was so dangerous, and he didn't die in The Vast World when it was so dangerous. How can he die in the Intellectual Loft?"
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