Free Web NovelChapter 496: Chapter 215: Well-Deserved Honor, A Glorious Homecoming (Part 2)
When the results were announced, some celebrated while others despaired.
Da Wang and Xiao Wang had both failed. Though they were mentally prepared for it, seeing Hei Hu, Jin Shan, and Chu Lingguang all on the list still left them feeling dejected.
Xiao Wu, standing to the side, was completely silent. At least his brother had made the list, but he himself had missed the cut. He was happy for his brother, but also felt stifled and miserable about his own failure.
"Yuan, focus on recovering. You’ll pass next time, I promise. I’ll do everything I can to help you."
Seeing his name on the list, Teng Qingshan was so excited he practically danced for joy. He and Lin Yuanfu had already formed a deep friendship. Now that he was a Martial Arts Scholar, as long as he declared he wouldn’t continue on to the Imperial Examination, the Court would grant him an official post. He would start as a Deputy at the very least, which meant he’d finally have a place to stand on his own. He could also exempt his friends and family from taxes and labor duties, allowing him to help Lin Yuanfu.
"Yes... Thank you!"
Lin Yuanfu nodded, his voice thick with emotion, overjoyed that Teng Qingshan had passed. Now that he was injured, having a Martial Arts Scholar like Teng Qingshan to look out for him would make his life a little easier.
"Master, I passed."
Wang Chao knelt and kowtowed before Guo Wei.
"Master, I passed!"
Hei Hu and Chu Lingguang also rushed to kneel and kowtow to Guo Wei.
"Get up. All of you, get up. Quickly now."
Only Guo Wei himself knew just how thrilled he was at that moment.
With three new Martial Arts Scholars under his tutelage, all it would take was a little maneuvering to receive a title from the Court and become a true Martial Arts Grandmaster. Then, he could go to Wolf Valley Pass to ransom and rescue Guo Xiaotian.
"Congratulations, Master Guo!"
"A great master produces brilliant students! Congratulations, Master Guo!"
Everyone congratulated Guo Wei.
"Hahaha, thank you, thank you all!"
Guo Wei repeatedly clasped his hands in thanks to the crowd. He hadn’t expected all three of his disciples to pass this year’s Martial Arts Examination. The fact that Chu Lingguang had even placed in the top three would make it much easier for him to receive a title from the Court.
"Master, I’ve already arranged for a celebratory banquet at my residence. Everyone, please come!"
Yang Shaorong said.
"Excellent."
Guo Wei naturally wouldn’t refuse. He brought Leader Ma and the others along as they all headed toward Yang Shaorong’s residence.
Everyone knew this was a day of incredible celebration for Guo Wei, so no one refused the invitation. The General’s Mansion was bustling with excitement. Wei Fanghua was thrilled to see that Chu Lingguang and the other two had passed. She also offered her congratulations to Yan Zhen for winning the rank of Jie Yuan.
And so, Chu Lingguang, Guo Wei, and their group celebrated at Yang Shaorong’s residence for a full day and night. The next day, the Yan Family hosted a banquet for everyone. Chu Lingguang and his martial brothers all attended as promised to celebrate Yan Zhen earning the rank of Jie Yuan.
The Yan Family received the master and his disciples with the highest honors.
Yan Yusheng was also at the banquet. He knelt before Guo Wei once again, thanking him for saving his life years ago. A joyous and harmonious atmosphere filled the Yan Family residence, with laughter echoing in every corner.
Zhang Tao also brought Zhang Yan to attend the Yan Family’s celebratory banquet. The Yan residence was festooned with lanterns and colorful banners. Throughout Qiling Prefecture and beyond, tales of Yan Zhen’s accomplishment were spreading like wildfire.
Subtly, Yan Zhen had become the most outstanding young prodigy of the Qiling Governor’s Mansion, completely unrivaled.
People always remember first place and tend to forget who came in second.
Watching Yan Zhen receive everyone’s support, with even Zhang Tao speaking to him so respectfully, Chu Lingguang would be lying if he said he wasn’t envious. But there was no jealousy in his heart. He understood better than anyone that all the honors Yan Zhen received today were completely earned—there was nothing inflated about his achievements.
’Yan Zhen is like a towering mountain waiting for me to climb,’ Chu Lingguang thought. ’He puts pressure on me, but he can also shelter me from the storm. He’s like a bright lamp, illuminating my path and urging me ever forward.’
’I’ve never wanted to tear down this mountain or extinguish this lamp. I only hope that one day, I can become someone like him. And if he ever feels lost, I can be the one to guide him.’
「Three days later.」
Guo Wei, along with Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu, bid farewell to everyone.
Having placed in the top three, Chu Lingguang would soon be escorted by Court officials to the Imperial City Academy to continue his training. Now that they had passed the Martial Examination, both Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu needed to return home to share the good news.
Guo Wei was also missing Guo Fang and wanted to return to see her as soon as possible. Besides that, he also had to prepare for his official investiture by the Court.
"Hei Hu, don’t forget what we told you," his third senior brother, Li Murong, said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Stick with us on the front lines, and you’ll have a much better chance of getting promoted and earning a title."
"Yeah, I’ll talk it over with my dad when I get back."
Hei Hu grinned, revealing a set of large, yellow teeth. There were only six months between the Provincial Examination and the Imperial Examination, and passing the latter was exponentially more difficult. Hei Hu planned to accept a position from the Court for now, train for a few more years, and then attempt the Imperial Examination in a future session.
Guo Wei didn’t object to this plan.
’Even though his attitude has improved, it’s best not to rush things now. If he were to be completely outclassed at the Imperial Examination, it could push his mindset to an extreme.’
’It’s better to let him cultivate for a few more years and get some real-world experience alongside his senior brothers.’
As for Chu Lingguang, he just wanted to use the next few days to reunite with his Second Aunt and her family, and then rack up some Favor Points once he got back.
And just like that, the master and his two disciples left Qiling Prefecture. Master Yan, for his part, had already departed for South City on the second day after the Martial Arts Examination. He had business to attend to, so staying in Qiling Prefecture for so many days had already been a significant commitment.
The master and his two disciples rode hard, reaching South City in three days. After having lunch at Master Yan’s home, they continued on their journey. As they passed through Fishing Town, they found Nie Maocheng and a group of Martial Artists who had been waiting for them for some time.
With his recent string of incredible successes, Guo Wei’s fame had spread far and wide. Nie Maocheng and the others were all vying to be the first to congratulate him.
