Free Web NovelChapter 40: Chapter 38: List Rankings
As Wei Tu and the others were talking, a few servants waiting for their masters in a neighboring alley outside the Government Office saw them. They quickly approached, clasping their fists in salute to Wei Tu and his companions, and asked why the Government Office had summoned so many Martial Artists so late at night.
"Young Master Fu, is my young master in any danger inside the Government Office? The master and the old mistress are still worried sick."
The servant in the lead recognized Fu Zhizhou and asked anxiously.
"The Lord Prefect just wanted to meet us Martial Artists from this year’s examination and make our acquaintance."
"Your young master will be out soon."
Fu Zhizhou exchanged a look with Wei Tu and the others before giving the servant a casual, evasive answer.
Although they had sternly refused Hex Prefecture and avoided getting involved, the matter concerned Wuyun Tower. They didn’t dare speak carelessly and bring disaster upon themselves and their clans.
All four of them understood the principle that a secret leaked could cost them their lives. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have risked offending the Prefect by so decisively refusing him.
Hearing this vague answer, the servants didn’t dare press for more details. However, they felt a little more at ease. At least... their young masters weren’t in any danger at the Government Office.
Just then, the servants from the homes of Fu Zhizhou and the other two, as well as a servant sent by Shan Yanggong, also hurried over to attend to them.
After telling the servants to return home and report that they were safe, the four men finally set off, heading down the main street toward Xuanhe Tower.
...
「An hour later.」
Xuanhe Tower.
After a few rounds of drinks, with dawn approaching.
Seeing that Wei Tu and the other two had eaten and drunk their fill, Fu Zhizhou didn’t hesitate. He immediately had a waiter summon the Shopkeeper and asked him to prepare an incense altar and all the other items needed for a sworn brotherhood ceremony.
’He’s actually going through with it?’ Wei Tu was inwardly surprised at the sight. He hadn’t expected Fu Zhizhou to be serious; he was really going to become sworn brothers with the three of them right after leaving the Government Office.
People of that era placed great importance on trust and righteousness.
Especially among Martial Artists, sworn brothers bound by a blood oath were often considered closer than one’s own flesh and blood. To violate the "Golden Orchid Oath" was to earn the contempt of the world and be cursed for eternity.
After all, one is born with blood brothers, but those who become sworn brothers are kindred spirits who have chosen one another.
However, this would be quite beneficial for Wei Tu, so he didn’t try to stop it. On the contrary, he was happy to see it happen.
Fu Zhizhou and the other two had been able to perceive the danger of the Wuyun Tower affair back at the Government Office and had also resisted the pressure from Hex Prefecture—this undoubtedly proved that their judgment was sharp and their willpower was strong.
Furthermore, like him, all three were Martial Artists who had ranked high in this year’s Daoist Examination, which showed their considerable potential.
The four of them had similar starting points and shared the same goals. They had also built a foundation of trust by resisting Hex Prefecture together...
It could be said that no group was better suited to become sworn brothers and plan their futures together.
「A short while later.」
In a private room at Xuanhe Tower, an incense altar had been set up. On it were placed the three sacrificial animals, an incense burner, a live chicken, a jar of wine, and a register book.
On the cover of the register were the three large words "Golden Orchid Register".
Next, the four men established their seniority according to age.
Among the four, Kou Liang was the eldest at twenty-four, so Wei Tu and the others acknowledged him as Eldest Brother.
Weii Fei was the second eldest at twenty-three, becoming the Second Brother of the group.
After them came Wei Tu and Fu Zhizhou.
When Fu Zhizhou stated his age, Wei Tu and Weii Fei were dumbfounded. They never imagined that Fu Zhizhou, the most skilled in Martial Arts among them, had not yet reached the age of maturity and was only eighteen.
’No wonder he has such youthful vigor,’ Wei Tu mused to himself.
"Fourth Brother was a renowned Martial Arts genius back in Xiaoyi Prefecture. I originally thought he would wait for the next Military Examination, but I never expected him to participate in this year’s alongside me..."
Kou Liang said with a faint smile after seeing the expressions on Wei Tu and Weii Fei’s faces.
After speaking, Kou Liang wasted no more words. He drew a dagger from his waist, grabbed the wings of the live chicken on the altar, and made a swift cut.
Instantly, the chicken’s neck was severed, and its Blood Water splashed into the wine jar.
Then, Kou Liang slit his own palm with the dagger.
Crimson blood dripped from the blade’s tip into the wine jar.
Afterward, Wei Tu, Weii Fei, and Fu Zhizhou took the dagger in turn and repeated Kou Liang’s actions.
The blood-mixed wine in the jar was swirled and poured into four coarse porcelain bowls.
The four men drank the blood-wine together, beginning their blood oath as they recited the vow in unison.
"We four become sworn brothers here today. With Heaven above and the Earth below as our witness..."
"...we form a bond of brotherhood, entrusting our lives to one another, aiding each other in fortune and disaster, sharing both blessings and calamities, and facing adversity together..."
Once the verses of the oath were recited, the four men addressed each other according to their new seniority and named their four-man Alliance the "Yee Society".
The name "Yee Society" was Wei Tu’s suggestion, and it received unanimous approval from Kou Liang, Weii Fei, and Fu Zhizhou.
Just as they finished speaking, at that very moment, the sky outside the window brightened with the light of day.
"The results are posted!"
"The results for this year’s Military Examination’s Daoist Examination are posted!"
Outside Xuanhe Tower, a sudden clamor arose from the crowd. Many Martial Artists emerged from their rooms, rushing excitedly toward the Martial Examination Hall to see the results.
"Congratulations, Martial Artist Fu, on achieving the rank of Bangyan, second place in this year’s Military Examination, a First-Class Martial Scholar..."
Just then, the Shopkeeper of Xuanhe Tower knocked on the door of their private room and began congratulating Fu Zhizhou from the doorway.
Xuanhe Tower was a famous establishment in Qingfeng Prefecture, offering a full range of services. It not only provided the basic food and lodging of an inn but also offered a results-checking service for Scholars and Martial Artists.
Four hours ago, Fu Zhizhou had paid some silver coins to have Xuanhe Tower check the results for him.
Therefore, as soon as the results were posted and he learned of Fu Zhizhou’s rank, the Xuanhe Tower Shopkeeper immediately stopped what he was doing and came to the private room where Wei Tu and the others were to offer his congratulations.
"Congratulations, Fourth Brother."
"You’ve taken second place in the Daoist Examination and become a First-Class Martial Scholar."
Wei Tu and the others offered their congratulations.
Although they already knew Fu Zhizhou had performed well in the Daoist Examination, having the rank officially confirmed was still a cause for celebration.
"I just wonder about the rest of us..."
Weii Fei’s face showed a hint of worry.
Although he didn’t think Hex Prefecture had the power to interfere with the Daoist Examination rankings, there was always a chance. What if they didn’t pass this year’s Military Examination and failed to earn a title...
Hearing this, a hidden worry also surfaced in Wei Tu’s heart.
"Don’t worry."
"Hex Prefecture wouldn’t dare do anything rash. An official like him seeks stability. Even if he had the ability to alter the Daoist Examination list, he wouldn’t risk it."
Fu Zhizhou’s smile faded as he offered a few words of comfort to his three newly sworn brothers.
"Shopkeeper, wait up!" Just then, the voice of a Xuanhe Tower waiter sounded from outside the room.
The waiter said breathlessly, "I’m not finished announcing the ranks for the guests in Heaven-Three Room!"
"What?"
’The other three also made it onto the Daoist Examination list?’
Hearing this, the Xuanhe Tower Shopkeeper’s face showed his astonishment. He didn’t say the words, but the expression was plain to see.
The Daoist Examination was no simple matter. For one person out of four to be selected was already a stroke of great fortune. How could there possibly be a second?
"All the guests in Heaven-Three Room are on the Daoist Examination list posted at the Martial Examination Hall."
The waiter replied hurriedly.
Then, he read out the rankings of Wei Tu and the other two.
"Martial Artist Wei Tu, twelfth place in this year’s Military Examination, a Second-Class Martial Scholar."
"Kou Liang... seventeenth place in this year’s Military Examination, a Second-Class Martial Scholar."
"Weii Fei... thirty-fourth place in this year’s Military Examination, a Third-Class Martial Scholar."
