"As for the provincial examination in August, I won't be participating this time."
"I'll wait for the next one instead."
Wei Tu made his decision in silence.
In the short term, his Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation and Tiger and Crane Twin Form Fist wouldn't see any significant breakthroughs or improvements.
Unlike the Dao examination, the provincial-level martial examination was far more brutal. It didn't just include the newly appointed Martial Scholars but also past candidates who had retained their qualifications.
These veteran Martial Scholars were formidable, and some were even stronger than certain martial examination graduates.
Even if Wei Tu participated in this year's provincial examination, he would struggle to secure a high ranking.
And rankings were crucial—they determined the future assignments of local martial officials.
He only had one opportunity.
But if he waited three more years, by then, he would have completed five full years of practicing Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation and would undoubtedly have stepped into the Qi Perception Realm. With the advantages of internal martial arts, he would have a real chance at securing a top-ten ranking in the provincial examination.
…
Five days later.
Qingfeng Prefecture.
Inside the martial tribute courtyard, atop the training field's combat platform.
"Qingfeng Prefecture's Wei Tu."
"Tonglin Prefecture's Deng San Dao."
Wei Tu and the martial candidate opposite him cupped their fists in salute and exchanged names.
After paying their respects, the two men walked toward the weapon rack beside them, each selecting a weapon suited to their style.
"What a fierce blade technique!"
As soon as Deng San Dao reached for a Nine-Ring Broadsword from the rack, he saw Wei Tu surge forward like a charging beast, his momentum like that of a tiger pouncing through the forest.
At the same time, the three-foot-seven-inch black saber in Wei Tu's hands spun into a deadly arc, slashing horizontally toward Deng San Dao's shin.
Seeing this, Deng San Dao's eyelids twitched. He quickly retreated two steps, putting some distance between them, and raised his broadsword to parry.
The moment their dull-edged training weapons clashed, Deng San Dao felt a sharp jolt of impact, his right hand going numb. But he used the force to his advantage, ducking low and rolling to Wei Tu's left, thrusting his Nine-Ring Broadsword diagonally upward toward the weak point on Wei Tu's left leg.
However—
Wei Tu seemed to have anticipated this move. Instead of dodging, he executed a swift aerial maneuver, flipping like a hawk taking flight. His blade technique shifted entirely, now resembling a crane elegantly dancing over water.
The Tiger and Crane Twin Form Fist-influenced blade technique combined the ferocity of a tiger with the agility of a crane.
After several dozen exchanges, Deng San Dao made a critical mistake. He failed to adapt to Wei Tu's fluid change in blade forms and left himself open. Wei Tu seized the opportunity and delivered a powerful kick, sending Deng San Dao flying off the platform.
"His blade technique has improved even further since the county and prefectural examinations."
From the stands, Wei Fei, a fellow candidate from Qingmu County, frowned as he observed the fight.
He wasn't sure if his suspicions from the county examination were still valid.
Could someone truly achieve such rapid mastery of blade techniques in just two months?
He found it hard to believe.
…
Meanwhile, at another section of the venue.
On a high platform on the southern side of the martial tribute courtyard, a middle-aged official in a purple robe sat at the center of a group of officials clad in crimson and green robes. He watched the duels below with amusement, nodding approvingly.
"This year's Dao examination candidates are stronger than in previous years."
The purple-robed official sighed with satisfaction.
"That's all thanks to your efforts, Lord Wang. Ever since you took office as the governor of Southern Mountain Dao, you've emphasized the recruitment and training of martial talents. Without your leadership, our martial culture wouldn't be thriving as it is today."
One of the crimson-robed officials flattered him.
The Zheng Kingdom governed two capital cities and thirteen Dao jurisdictions.
Southern Mountain Dao was one of them.
And the "Lord Wang" they referred to was Wang, the Grand Governor of Southern Mountain Dao—a second-rank official responsible for both military and administrative affairs.
Even within the Zheng Kingdom, he was a powerful figure, a key figure in the imperial court.
"I would say my efforts only account for thirty percent of this success. The other seventy percent belongs to the Martial Luck Pavilion."
Governor Wang glanced at one of the crimson-robed officials beside him, his lips curling into a faint smile.
"I heard that several of the top martial scholars from the last Dao examination weren't assigned to official positions but were instead recruited as disciples of the Martial Luck Pavilion?"
"The Martial Luck Pavilion has been very active in Qingfeng Prefecture. Prefect He, are you aware of this matter?"
Governor Wang's tone was calm, but there was an underlying pressure in his words.
"This matter… this matter… I truly have no knowledge of it…" Prefect He felt sweat forming on his forehead as he quickly shook his head in denial.
In truth, as the Prefect of Qingfeng Prefecture, the administrative center of Southern Mountain Dao, he did know a little about the Martial Luck Pavilion.
However, this organization was not under government control, and it had recruited a significant number of martial artists…
Since ancient times, those who wielded martial power often challenged authority.
The very existence of the Martial Luck Pavilion was a direct provocation and potential threat to the government. If he admitted knowledge of it, it would mean acknowledging his failure in governing his jurisdiction properly—a dereliction of duty.
"Very well. Since Prefect He claims ignorance, I won't press further." Governor Wang shook his head and shifted his gaze back to the combat trials taking place in the martial examination grounds.
Prefect He's heart tensed upon hearing these words. He quickly followed up, "However… I do have a method to gather some intelligence on the Martial Luck Pavilion."
"Oh?"
Governor Wang narrowed his eyes and turned to Prefect He. His imposing build, square jaw, and neatly trimmed beard gave him a naturally authoritative air. Combined with his years of martial training, his gaze alone carried enough weight to make those around him uneasy.
This was the presence he had cultivated over years of holding office.
"Since the Martial Luck Pavilion actively recruits top-ranking Martial Scholars after the Dao examination, we could counter them by offering lucrative incentives to those with strong potential. If we can entice some of these martial talents into government service, they could act as informants within the Martial Luck Pavilion…"
"After all, martial candidates are loyal subjects of the kingdom. Given a clear choice, they should know where their allegiance lies."
Prefect He spoke carefully, pausing to gauge Governor Wang's reaction.
Loyalty to the kingdom was an undeniable truth. With the promise of official positions and wealth, Prefect He was confident that most Martial Scholars would choose to serve the government rather than join an independent martial sect.
"This is indeed a viable strategy," Governor Wang nodded slightly, stroking his beard in thought.
Since time immemorial, independent martial sects had been a persistent concern for the imperial court. If he could eliminate the Martial Luck Pavilion, which had been entrenched in Southern Mountain Dao for years, it would be a major achievement in his tenure as governor.
…
After completing his combat trials in the Dao examination, Wei Tu returned to the Dan residence, waiting for the official rankings to be released.
He was confident in his performance. Even if he didn't make it into the top ten and secure a First-Class Martial Scholar title, he was certain that he would at least earn a Second-Class ranking.
After all, during the prefectural examination in Qingfeng Prefecture, he had ranked sixth among all martial candidates.
Qingfeng Prefecture was the administrative heart of Southern Mountain Dao, a gathering place for elite scholars and warriors alike. In both the civil and martial examinations, the candidates from Qingfeng Prefecture consistently ranked among the best.
For the past three consecutive Dao examinations, the top-ranking Martial Scholar had come from Qingfeng Prefecture.
"Wei Ge'er, there are yamen officers and clerks here from the prefectural government. They're waiting in the main hall and said they need to escort you to the prefectural office…"
On the final day of the rankings being posted, just before dusk, Dan Yan Gong knocked on Wei Tu's door, his expression filled with urgency.
Since ancient times, commoners feared government officials.
There was a saying: "The yamen gates open to the south, but without money, don't bother stepping inside."
Even those with righteousness on their side feared dealing with the authorities.
And for Wei Tu, this situation was even more concerning. His past was not entirely clean.
Now, being summoned by yamen officials… there was a high probability that it wasn't for something good.
Dan Yan Gong worried that the prefectural government had uncovered evidence of the fraud during Wei Tu's county examination. If that were the case, their arrival could mean an official summons for questioning—or worse.