...
Three weeks later.
The cold winds of winter blew from the Southern Mountain Range to the capital.
Large patches of snowflakes fell, covering the majestic ancient city and all kinds of marks on the city walls, leaving only a silver-white layer.
The cold wind howled.
At the main entrance of the palace, countless people braved the cold wind and wore thick cotton clothes. They stood outside the palace gates in anticipation, their gazes constantly peering into the palace.
At the entrance of the Imperial Decree Hall, led by Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping, there were hundreds of civil and military officials. All of the candidates stood quietly beneath the officials.
Snow fell from the sky, landing on the shoulders and feet of the candidates. However, they did not move.
Because, everyone was waiting.
Waiting for the results to be announced!
In reality, according to usual circumstances, there would only be an element of uncertainty during the Theory Ranking. After all, once the combat examination was over, the overall ranking would already be obvious.
However...
The announcement of the results this time was undoubtedly an exception.
That was because no one knew what the results would be like this time, and no one knew who would be at the top of the rankings this time.
Finally, the doors to the Imperial Decree Hall opened.
The warm scent of charcoal wafted out from within the hall. All of the officials and candidates tensed up as they stood up straight. Even though their heads were lowered, their gazes were directed towards the door.
Without the Minister of Rites and the Chief Imperial Messenger, the Emperor would be the one to announce the results. Or, like the theory examinations, Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping would be the one to announce it.
Unexpectedly, even though the doors to the Imperial Decree Hall were open, Emperor Lin Mubai did not walk out from the Imperial Decree Hall.
At this moment, standing at the entrance of the Imperial Decree Hall were eight Royal Guards in golden armor.
Every single one of them had a solemn expression on their faces. In the hands of the eight imperial guards, there was a huge square-shaped object that was covered by a golden cloth. It was obvious that the square-shaped object was the Roll Stone.
"Should we reveal the results?"
All of the officials and candidates looked at each other. No one said a word, but they all had the same thought in their minds.
The Imperial Decree Hall was where the Emperor passed away or ascended to the throne.
It was also where the Great Xia announced the results of the court examinations. Every time the results were announced, a roll stone would be placed in the Imperial Decree Hall.
This showed how much importance the Great Xia placed on the court examinations.
However...
As the grandest court examinations, the results were usually announced first before the stones were revealed. However, this time around, things seemed to be different.
He actually brought out the roll stone.
The officials did not speak. The candidates waiting for the results to be announced did not speak either. The cold wind blew past. Other than the chill in the air, there was also a sense of pressure.
The eight Royal Guards walked out of the Imperial Decree Hall with steady footsteps. As they stepped on the thick snow, they made crunching sounds, but their bodies did not sway at all.
Soon, the eight Royal Guards came to a stop.
They walked out of the Imperial Decree Hall and stopped at the entrance. Then, they let go of the stone.
The giant roll stone landed on the ground.
"Open the roll!"
A slightly sharp voice rang out from the entrance of the Imperial Decree Hall. The voice wasn't loud, but it was extremely penetrating.
Along with this voice, similar voices quickly followed up.
"Open the roll!"
"Open the roll!"
"..."
This voice traveled from the Imperial Decree Hall to the entrance of the palace. From there, it traveled to all four gates of the capital.
The capital was in an uproar.
Regardless of whether they were in business, politics, or the military, they all stopped what they were doing and looked in the direction of the Imperial Decree Hall.
In front of the Imperial Decree Hall, the golden cloth was slowly lifted.
Names began to appear on the roll stone. There were only 10 names on the court examinations roll. This was a rule that had been set since the founding of the Great Xia.
"I'm on the roll!" An excited voice rang out.
"I'm on the roll too!" Another excited voice rang out. The court examinations roll was an honor that would go down in history. How could they not be excited?
Following the two voices, a third voice, and a fourth voice rang out one after another …
"Nangong Hao is in first place!"
"So that's how it is. Nangong Hao did a great job in the Southern Region. He represented the Great Xia in signing a 10-year peace treaty with the Southern Region. He deserves to be in first place."
"Yes, but... why is Yan Xiu third?"
All of the candidates turned to look at the top of the roll stone. Nangong Hao's name was at the top.
"No, there are only nine names on the roll!"
"Nine?!"
"Look, Nangong Hao's name is not correct!"
"Not correct?!"
"Yes, according to the position of Nangong Hao's name, there should be another name to his right..."
"That means Fang Zhengzhi..."
When the candidates noticed Yan Xiu's ranking, some of them also noticed the change on the roll stone. However, when they heard Fang Zhengzhi's name, the candidate seemed to realize something. He quickly shut his mouth, his expression one of shock.
"The Golden Roll is open. According to the rules, the top three will have the opportunity to participate in the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test in seven days. Nangong Hao, do you want to participate?" The voice rang out again. It did not answer the questions of the candidates. It was almost as if the person did not hear their discussion.
"I want to participate!" A white figure stepped out from the crowd. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. The silver sheath on his back glowed faintly.
"Mm, it is the honor of the Great Xia Dynasty and the Nangong Family that Young Master Nangong is willing to participate in the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test!" The voice nodded.
When the other officials and candidates heard this, they were all impressed and envious. The Heaven Dao Pavilion was a true place for cultivation.
"Young Master Nangong will definitely succeed in the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test!"
"Of course, with Young Master Nangong's strength, he could have entered the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test four years ago."
"Congratulations, Young Master Nangong!"
All of the candidates congratulated Nangong Hao.
Nangong Hao returned their greetings one by one. Then, he slowly turned around and returned to the crowd. Everything seemed so calm.
The person at the entrance of the Imperial Decree Hall looked at the crowd once again. His gaze landed on a face that was as cold as ice.
"Yan Xiu, do you want to participate in the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test?" The voice rang out again. Even though it was still sharp, the tone was different.
"Why is Fang Zhengzhi not on the roll!" A figure walked out from the crowd. His face was pale, and it was obvious that he had just recovered from his injuries.
However, his body stood very straight and did not bend at all in the cold wind. His ink-colored robe swayed gently in the cold wind.
His name was...
Yan Xiu!
"Yan Xiu, Eunuch Wei is asking if you want to participate in the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection test. Everything else can wait until the selection test is over." One of the officials said.
"I'm asking why is Fang Zhengzhi not on the roll!" Yan Xiu did not even look at the official. Instead, he looked into the Imperial Decree Hall.
Or, it could be said that from the beginning until the end, his gaze had only been focused on the Imperial Decree Hall, and he had never moved his gaze away.
"Yan Xiu, this is the Imperial Decree Hall, don't be rude!" The Minister of Justice's voice rang out. As the main minister in charge of the Ministry of Justice's laws, he naturally could not allow such a thing to happen.
"Why is Fang Zhengzhi not on the roll!" Yan Xiu's voice rang out once more.
"Yan Xiu!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's voice rang out. His red robes signified his position as the Grand Secretary of the court.
"According to the rules of the court examinations, the combat examinations will end before the battle of the Southern Region. That is, during the battle at the Icy Monkey Settlement. By then, Fang Zhengzhi would already have 50,000 soldiers at the Icy Monkey Settlement. The only remaining candidates were Nangong Hao and me. Why is his name not on the roll?" Yan Xiu ignored Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping. He stared intently at the Imperial Decree Hall as he spoke.
"Could it be that a traitor is qualified to be on the Gold Roll?"
"Everyone knows that he disrespected the Princess of the Southern Region! How can he be a gentleman with such a character? Furthermore, he killed the Southern Region Noblelite and stabbed the Crown Prince. The Emperor is already being merciful by sparing his entire family. What more do you want, Yan Xiu? "
"That's right, Yan Xiu, you're different from Fang Zhengzhi. You're from a prestigious family, and it's time for you to serve the country. Now that the Heavenly Dao Pavilion selection test is just around the corner, you should focus on the selection test instead of arguing for a traitor!"
All of the officials were infuriated when they heard this.
"What crime is there to be guilty of? I just want to know why Fang Zhengzhi's name is not on the roll! "Yan Xiu bit his lips and clenched his fists.
"Yan Xiu, you..." All of the officials were infuriated. Even Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping blushed.
All of the candidates stared in disbelief. They had never expected Yan Xiu to argue with all of the officials in the Imperial Decree Hall.
His motive...
All because of Fang Zhengzhi.
"Kacha!" Just at that moment, a soft sound rang out from the entrance of the Imperial Decree Hall. It was the sound of shoes stepping on the snow.
It was a soft sound.
However, when the officials and candidates heard this voice, all of their expressions changed. Then, they all fell to their knees.
"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor!" The voices were respectful and orderly.
Emperor Lin Mubai looked at the only youth standing in the crowd. The golden dragon robe on his body flapped in the cold wind.
"You are asking me why Fang Zhengzhi's name is not on the roll stone?" Emperor Lin Mubai's expression was calm. However, all of the officials and candidates could hear the coldness in his voice.
This coldness was different from the winter wind. If the winter wind blew on one's skin and flesh, then this coldness would penetrate one's soul.
"Yes!" Yan Xiu nodded, his tone equally cold.
"Okay, then I will tell you. I have left his name on the roll stone. As long as he can prove that he had nothing to do with Princess Shan Yu, Crown Prince Shan Ling and the Crown Prince, I will carve his name on the roll stone. Are you satisfied with that?" Emperor Lin Mubai frowned.
"Your Majesty, please calm down!"
All of the officials knelt to the ground when they heard this.
Yan Xiu did not speak. He bit his lip and looked at the roll stone in front of Emperor Lin Mubai. He looked at the blank space beside Nangong Hao's name.
The snowstorm intensified and snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
"Yan Xiu, the Emperor has answered your question. Now, tell me, are you going to participate in the Heaven Dao Pavilion selection examination?" Eunuch Wei's voice rang out.
As one of Emperor Lin Mubai's inner officials, he knew when to say what to say, and even more so, when to say what to say.
"After you carve his name on the roll stone, I will definitely participate!" Yan Xiu knelt down in front of Emperor Lin Mubai.
However, after kneeling, he stood up again. Then, with a turn of his body, he walked out of the Imperial Palace without a moment's pause.
"This..."
"How dare he!"
"Your Majesty, should we..."
All of the officials turned to look at Emperor Lin Mubai.
"Let him be!" Emperor Lin Mubai waved his hands at the officials. Then, he looked at the white snow in the sky and turned to enter the Imperial Decree Hall.
...
...
A year later, Spring.
Within the borders of the Great Xia Dynasty, there was a quiet mansion. Red bricks, green tiles, and hundreds of flowers were in full bloom. A faint fragrance wafted through the courtyard.
On the swing in the courtyard, sat a lady in a black robe. Her skin was as white as snow and her features were as beautiful as a painting. She looked extremely alluring in the midst of all the flowers.
In particular, there was a bright red cinnabar dot between the woman's eyebrows. It was like a bright red dot falling from the white snow, causing the woman's body to give off a kind of charming and enchanting aura.
The lady's body swayed along with the swing. However, her eyes were fixated on a small pond not too far away.
The small pond was filled with flowers that had been blown down by the wind. A few bright red carps swam in the pond, their tails swinging, creating faint ripples.
"Why aren't you out yet? Don't tell me... the door is blocking your head? "The lady spoke in a flirtatious voice. She seemed a little angry.
Just at this moment...
The small pond also began to tremble slightly. In just a short while, the trembling obviously intensified. The waves rolled, and a huge disc-shaped black stone slowly rose from the bottom of the small pond.
"Oh? It's out! " The lady's eyes lit up. Then, the flirtatious expression on her face disappeared. All that was left was a calm expression.
Following the woman's words, a crack appeared on the black stone. It looked like a door had been pushed open from the inside.
The woman subconsciously tightened her grip on the rope of the swing and stopped it. Her eyes were fixed on the pitch-black crack.
Very quickly, the crack was completely opened.
Then...
A human figure walked out from the crack.
It was an old man with a white beard, bare feet, and a loose white robe. His face looked very calm, and there were not many special features on his face. The only thing that could be noticed was that his beard was very white and long, so long that it reached his waist.
"Master!" When the lady saw the old man, she immediately jumped down from the swing. Then, she looked past the old man and behind him.
"Oh, Yu'er is waiting for me?" When the old man saw the lady, his face lit up with a smile. He stroked his beard with a satisfied expression.
"Where is he?" The lady ignored the old man's question and continued to look behind the old man.
"Who?" The old man was puzzled.
"That guy. Why isn't he out yet? Could it be that he was blocked by the door like the last time? "When the lady mentioned being blocked by the door, her lips curled into a smile.
It was as if she had recalled something.
"So Yu'er isn't waiting for me?" The old man was obviously disappointed.
"Of course I'm waiting. Of course Yu 'er is waiting for master. But where is that fellow? Is he still inside? "The lady continued to ask.
"No." The old man shook his head.
"No? How is that possible? If he's not inside, how can he turn into a Fire Plume Chicken and fly away? "The lady was shocked.
"He turned into a Fire Plume Chicken and flew away." The old man nodded solemnly.
"Master, stop joking. Without your guidance, how could he walk out of the 'Water Demon Realm'?" The lady clearly did not believe him.
"That's right. How did he manage to walk out of the Water Demon Realm?" The old man nodded with a puzzled expression.
"Master, you... are you sure? That guy could walk out on his own? "
"I think so!"
"Ah? Then where did he go? Don't tell me he went to the Flame Capital City?! This... I'm not ready yet. If I go to the Flame Capital City now... "
"No, he didn't go to the Flame Capital City."
"Didn't go to the Flame Capital City? Then where else could he go? "
"From what I heard, he said that he had been cooped up in there for too long and wanted to go out and see the scenery."
"See the scenery? Where to see the scenery? "
"I think he said he wanted to go to the Blood Shadow City!"
"Blood Shadow City, oh... as long as it's not the Flame Capital City... wait, Master, did you say the Blood Shadow City?! Isn't... isn't that the capital of the Demon Race? "The lady's expression changed.
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