Free Web NovelChapter 468: Chapter 208: Grand Ambition, the Triple Champion Scholar (Part 2)
The third disciple, Li Murong, lacked initiative. Fortunately, he was diligent, hardworking, loyal, and honest. With Yang Shaorong’s guidance, he was unlikely to cause any trouble.
The fourth disciple, Wang Chao, was too clever for his own good. Surrounded by a pack of unsavory friends, he spent his days goofing off and used all his wit on cutting corners. In the end, he only managed to become a Martial Scholar. If Yang Shaorong hadn’t taken him in, he might have lost more than just an ear.
As for the fifth disciple, Hei Hu, he had lofty ambitions and great drive, single-mindedly focused on achieving great deeds, gaining official rank, and making the Hei Clan rise to prominence. Instead, he almost became the leader of a gang on Wine Street. Impatient, restless, and shortsighted, he had sent Guo Wei into a rage more than once in the past three years. If it weren’t for Guo Wei’s profound Inner Strength, he might have been driven into a Qi deviation by his anger.
In Chu Lingguang, however, Guo Wei saw a reflection of Yang Shaorong. Not only was his Heart Guarding Skill impressive, but he was also grateful, diligent in his studies and training, and capable of pursuing a single task to the point of perfection. Guo Wei could find no fault in him now. The only thing that troubled Guo Wei was the feeling that Chu Lingguang would gradually drift away. However, for a student to surpass their master is a master’s greatest glory. Guo Wei both feared that day’s arrival and hoped it would come soon.
"Yes."
Wang Chao obediently complied. He had long understood that although Guo Wei was strict, it was for his own good.
Yang Shaorong, Wu Feihong, and Li Murong had to train the troops. Especially during the Martial Arts Examination period, they had to lead by example, frequently taking soldiers out on patrol. They couldn’t easily leave their posts, so the three martial brothers hadn’t returned in days.
In the days that followed, Chu Lingguang tried to establish a connection with the power in his Dantian to better utilize the strength of Little Red Horse.
Two days later, some distinguished guests arrived.
It was Yan Chengdu, Emperor Yue Xuan, Chen Jin, Qi Shiwei, Gao Yimu, and Lin Longde.
The group came to the General’s Mansion, where his sister-in-law, Wei Fanghua, gave them a warm reception. She had the kitchen prepare a grand feast and brought out her treasured fine wine, letting Chu Lingguang and his friends drink to their hearts’ content.
「After they had eaten and drunk their fill.」
Chen Jin spoke up. "Emperor Yue Xuan and I are both planning to wait another three years before taking the Provincial Examination."
"With our current strength, even if we manage to pass, we won’t get a good ranking. We certainly wouldn’t be able to stand out in the Imperial Examination," Emperor Yue Xuan agreed.
"I also plan to take the Provincial Examination in three years. The Imperial Examination is only half a year after that, and I don’t have enough time to prepare," Gao Yimu added.
"Like Chu, I plan to take the Provincial Examination this year," Qi Shiwei said.
"I’m planning to take it too," Yan Chengdu chimed in.
"Your brother waited three years. Why don’t you?" Lin Longde asked Yan Chengdu with a puzzled look. The others were all curious as well.
"My brother is exceptionally talented and has lofty ambitions. Achieving the title of Triple Champion Scholar is his life’s goal," Yan Chengdu explained. "My aptitude is far inferior to his. Even if I waited another three years, I wouldn’t be able to win the title of Jie Yuan. I might as well take the Martial Arts Examination as soon as possible and start earning merit for the Court."
Hearing this, everyone gasped.
The Triple Champion Scholar: winning the title of Jie Yuan in the Provincial Examination, then Hui Yuan in the Imperial Examination, and finally Martial Champion Scholar in the Palace Examination. Many people had only thought Yan Zhen was waiting for this year’s examination just to secure the Jie Yuan title representing the Qiling Governor’s Mansion.
They never expected to have underestimated him so greatly. Yan Zhen actually had such audacity—he was aiming for the Triple Champion Scholar title all along.
The Imperial Examination was only half a year after the Provincial Examination, and the Palace Examination was only a month after that. With Yan Zhen’s talent, he might have achieved a top rank in the Provincial Examination if he had taken it three years ago, but standing out in the Imperial and Palace Examinations would not have been so easy.
Now, after three years of lying low, his Martial Arts were unfathomably deep. The Triple Champion Scholar title might be a pipe dream for others, but for Yan Zhen, it might actually be within reach.
"If your brother achieves the Triple Champion Scholar title, it will bring honor to all of us candidates from the Qiling Governor’s Mansion," Chen Jin remarked with a sigh.
"Come, here’s to your brother’s victory and the Triple Champion Scholar title!" Emperor Yue Xuan said, raising his cup.
"Yes! To Yan Zhen’s victory and the Triple Champion Scholar title!"
"May he bring glory to our Qiling Governor’s Mansion!"
Everyone raised their cups to celebrate. If anyone else had claimed to be aiming for the Triple Champion Scholar title, the group might have scoffed. But hearing that this was Yan Zhen’s goal, although they had their doubts, they were mostly won over by his bold ambition.
"On my brother’s behalf, I thank you all."
Yan Chengdu stood up and downed the wine in his cup.
After finishing his wine, Chu Lingguang looked at Lin Longde. "Lin, what about you?"
"I’m taking it," Lin Longde said simply. "If I can pass, I’ll also take the Imperial Examination. If I fail the Imperial Examination, I’ll wait a few years and try again. The Lin Family may not be able to produce a Martial Champion Scholar, but we must produce a Military Scholar, no matter what."
The Daoist Examination, the Provincial Examination, and the Imperial Examination—as long as one met the age requirement, they could continue to take these three stages as many times as they failed.
But some people, in order to have a more impressive resume and a smoother career path, would lie low and bide their time. After thorough preparation, they would try to pass all three stages in one fell swoop and enter the Palace Examination hall.
Martial Scholar, Martial Arts Scholar, Martial Scholar, Military Scholar—these were the honors every candidate in the Martial Arts Examination strived for.
Chu Lingguang didn’t dare hope he could become a Triple Champion Scholar, but after becoming a Martial Arts Scholar, he was determined to take the Imperial Examination, earn the title of Martial Scholar, enter the Palace Examination hall, and ultimately become a Military Scholar.
If he failed along the way, he would do as Lin Longde planned and continue to take the Martial Arts Examination in the future.
"Here’s to your success, Lin!"
"Thank you!"
Everyone cheered for Lin Longde, offering their support.
"Chu Lingguang, you’re the strongest among us right now. We also know that Yan Zhen has challenged you to a showdown at the Provincial Examination. I’d really like to hear your honest thoughts."
