Upon hearing this, Wei Tu couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness.
If everyone was bribing the officials and you alone refused to do so, it was inevitable that your ranking would be lowered.
That was simply how the world worked.
"However, next time you make such a decision, I would appreciate it if Uncle could inform me beforehand, otherwise…" Wei Tu said in a deep voice.
The Huang family had helped him this time, but he didn't believe for a second that Master Huang had done it purely for his benefit.
Master Huang's manipulation of the exam to make him the top martial candidate in the county examination served two purposes.
First, it forced him to owe the Huang family a favor.
Second, once he became the county's top martial candidate, the very act of bribery would become a stain on his record—something that could be used against him in the future.
"Of course," Master Huang chuckled, though he felt a slight unease.
Only now did he realize that he might have underestimated Wei Tu. Upon learning that he had been designated the top candidate, Wei Tu did not react with excitement, but instead, he issued a warning.
From start to finish, his expression had remained calm, showing no trace of anger.
As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Li Manor.
Wei Tu lifted the curtain and stepped down from the carriage. He took the reins of the Qingcang horse from one of the Huang family servants before walking toward the side gate of the Li Manor and knocking a few times.
"Go on, let's return home…"
Inside the carriage, Master Huang watched Wei Tu's departing figure for a moment before lowering the curtain and instructing the driver to set off.
However, after the carriage had traveled for a short distance, Master Huang suddenly sneezed several times in succession. Assuming it was due to the night chill, he pulled a soft blanket over his legs for warmth.
…
The next day.
The strategy examination for the martial candidates.
Unlike the previous tests, this one was not held in the square of Chenghuang Temple but rather in the examination hall used for the civil scholars.
The questions were simple.
Three passages from The New Book of Effective Discipline as interpretation exercises.
And one strategy essay analyzing the Battle of Yaran, which took place a hundred years ago between Zheng Kingdom and Jing Kingdom.
Thanks to Master Huang's bribe, Wei Tu had already received the exam questions before entering the examination hall. As a result, he swiftly completed the three interpretation exercises.
For the final strategy essay, he gathered his thoughts and formulated his response according to the principles taught by Dan Wu Ju.
Before long, he had finished his paper.
However, when it came time to submit, Wei Tu deliberately waited, handing in his exam fourth to last.
…
Two days later.
The county martial examination results were posted.
"Wei Ge'er! You ranked first in the county examination!"
Outside the county yamen, crowds of people gathered. Xinghua, who had taken the day off, had arrived early and secured a good spot near the notice board.
As soon as the results were posted, she immediately saw Wei Tu's name at the top.
The first-ranked martial candidate—top of the county examination!
"When the Dao examination ends, and I obtain an official rank and some money… I'll return to the Li Manor and buy back your contract."
After allowing Xinghua to revel in her excitement, Wei Tu led her away from the yamen and made this promise to her on their way back to the Li Manor.
Even though he had secured the top ranking, he felt no real joy. Nowhere near as much as Xinghua, who was practically overjoyed.
After all… his title as the top martial candidate had been obtained through the Huang family's underhanded methods.
"The prefectural examination…"
"The Dao examination…"
"The Huang family won't be able to interfere in those. The results I achieve then will be completely legitimate."
Wei Tu clenched his fists.
"Mm." Xinghua's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head slightly. She responded with a soft "mm" and did not notice the slight tension in Wei Tu's demeanor.
…
After the rankings were posted, Wei Tu did not linger in Qingmu County for long.
After expressing his gratitude to the Li family for allowing him to stay, he mounted the Qingcang horse and set off for Qingfeng Prefecture's capital city.
He would wait there for the prefectural examination in April.
"Yan Gong Ge."
As soon as he arrived in the prefectural capital, Wei Tu followed the address provided by Dan Wu Ju and headed straight for Dan Yan Gong's residence.
"Wei Ge'er, it's been a long time." Dan Yan Gong sighed with a touch of emotion.
Two months ago, when he left Sanyuan Township, Wei Tu was still just one of his father's disciples, largely unknown.
But now, two months later, Wei Tu had become the top martial candidate of Qingmu County.
With the level of skill he had displayed, securing the title of Martial Scholar in the Dao examination was practically guaranteed.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Dan Yan Gong led Wei Tu into the inner residence, where he paid respects to Madam Gao and was introduced to Dan Yan Gong's wife.
"My wife is in poor health and has long held grudges against my younger sister. To avoid unnecessary conflict, she decided to stay home during the New Year and sent a letter to my father instead."
Hearing this, Wei Tu nodded. He was well aware that Dan Fang's personality was not well-liked. The fact that she had taken in a live-in son-in-law had given her the right to compete with Dan Yan Gong for the family inheritance. Over time, it was only natural that the relationship between the two women had soured.
After the introductions, Dan Yan Gong took Wei Tu to a courtyard in his residence and assigned him a maid and a servant to assist with his daily needs during his stay.
That evening, Dan Yan Gong hosted a banquet to welcome him.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, Dan Yan Gong suddenly asked, "I have to say… Wei Ge'er, you've become the top martial candidate of Qingmu County. But why do you seem… not very happy?"
He looked puzzled.
By "not very happy," he didn't mean that Wei Tu was outright upset, but rather that he showed no sign of excitement or pride at having secured the top martial ranking.
Even considering how mature and composed Wei Tu was for his age, this reaction seemed unusual.
Hearing this, Wei Tu thought for a moment before explaining the methods used by the Huang family.
Dan Wu Ju was his teacher, and Dan Yan Gong was Dan Wu Ju's son. Their fates were closely tied—one's honor or disgrace affected the other.
To put it bluntly, if the Zheng Kingdom's court were to investigate this case of exam fraud, both Dan Wu Ju and Dan Yan Gong would undoubtedly be implicated. At best, they would lose their titles; at worst, they could be imprisoned, and their family could be reduced to government slaves.
For that reason, Wei Tu had no concern that Dan Yan Gong would expose this matter.
"Master Huang truly lives up to his reputation as a businessman. He's far too cunning." Dan Yan Gong sighed.
A clear attack could be blocked, but hidden schemes were harder to guard against.
Since Wei Tu had publicly acknowledged his ties to Master Huang, anything the Huang family did would inevitably be linked to him. More importantly, Master Huang's scheme wasn't just about making him the top martial candidate—it was outright fraud.
"But you don't need to worry too much, Wei Ge'er. As long as you perform well in the Dao examination's combat trials, even if people suspect fraud, they'll dismiss it as baseless rumors."
Dan Yan Gong offered words of reassurance.
The combat trials in the Dao examination were far more intense than those in the county examination—ten times more brutal. At that level, ranking was determined purely by martial prowess.
"I understand." Wei Tu nodded firmly.
He was determined to prove himself in the Dao examination and wipe away this disgrace.
…
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, it was already June, and the Dao examination was about to begin.
During these four months, Wei Tu had easily passed the prefectural examination due to his status as the top martial candidate of Qingmu County. He even secured sixth place in the rankings.
"It's a pity… My Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation is still incomplete. I haven't yet stepped into the Qi Perception Realm."
"If I had, I could have easily taken the top martial rank in the prefectural examination as well."
At the Dan residence in the prefectural capital, Wei Tu had just finished practicing his cultivation technique for the tenth time that day. He wiped the sweat from his brow and focused his mind inward, examining his Late Bloomer destiny.
'Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation (91/100): Practicing nine times a day, completion in five years.'
'Tiger and Crane Twin Form Fist (33/100): Practicing seven times a day, completion in three years.'
"But at least I've broken through to Minor Accomplishment in Tiger and Crane Twin Form Fist, and my blade technique has improved as well. That makes up for my last major weakness."
Wei Tu reflected.
The county examination had taken place in February, while the prefectural examination had been in April.
That had left him with two months to refine his blade skills.
Through persistent training, he had finally pushed Tiger and Crane Twin Form Fist to the Minor Accomplishment stage before the prefectural examination.
With that breakthrough, his blade technique had improved as well.
As a result, he had achieved First-Class rankings in both the blade performance test and the combat trial during the prefectural examination.