Chapter 12
The selection process for Chapter 12 has begun, drawing everyone's attention!
The day before the academy's selection competition, Gu Lin returned to Shiyang County.
As soon as he entered the house, Mr. Gu rushed out. Seeing that his son was safe and sound, his tense nerves relaxed.
Since taking the wanted poster, his son has been away from home for many days, and he lives in constant fear, worried that his son might run into a vicious criminal and die.
"Lin'er, where have you been?" Mother Zhou Man asked, her face full of reproach and worry.
"Mother," Gu Lin said, taking out an exquisitely crafted, ornate gold hairpin from his sleeve and handing it to her with a smile.
"I earned the money to buy you jewelry."
Zhou Man was stunned, her nose tingled, and she almost burst into tears.
She never imagined that her son would be so sensible.
"Lin'er, where did you get the money?" Zhou Man wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, hesitating to accept it.
Gu Changchuan was very pleased and laughed loudly:
"Jingming, please take this as a gift."
He had a hunch that his son's friend at the top-tier school district must have killed the wanted criminal and received the reward money.
This was the only time in recent years that Gu Changchuan smiled from the bottom of his heart.
My son has truly turned over a new leaf and completely transformed!
"Then I'll save it for you to get married." Zhou Man was very touched, but she didn't forget her son's important life event.
With his son's cultivation being so mediocre and the family so impoverished, finding a wife would be extremely difficult.
The family of three then dined together, their conversation unusually filled with laughter and joy.
Gu Lin said casually:
"Father, tomorrow is the academy's selection competition. Aren't you going to go and watch the excitement?"
He wanted to give his father a huge surprise.
He remembered his father's words—
"You have never made me proud."
This time, he's going to make his father stand tall and proud!
Mr. Gu shook his head and refused:
"I'm not going."
After he finished speaking, a deep sadness filled his eyes.
Going there will only make things worse.
His son is a student in the worst-performing school, while Li Qingwu, who has ruined his family, is very likely to get a spot in the top-ranked program, which makes him feel even more upset.
"Mm." Gu Lin nodded gently.
He believed that after tomorrow, there would be no more gossip about his father’s Tongxing Escort Agency, his mother’s weaving workshop, or the academy he attended!
After the meal, Gu Lin went to his room to sleep early.
To make the journey faster, he rode at full speed for two nights without sleep, and now he can finally get a long sleep to prepare for tomorrow.
......
......
The next day, before dawn.
Gu Lin woke up, washed up, and went to the academy.
Gu Changchuan had been practicing martial arts in the courtyard since early morning. Upon seeing his son, he remained silent for a while before reminding him:
"After today, Li Qingwu will be famous throughout Shiyang County. Don't repeat the same mistake."
Jingming finally realized that if he saw Li Qingwu shining brightly on the high platform and became unwilling to become a follower again, he would become a complete laughing stock.
Gu Lin didn't answer, he just chuckled and went out.
When we arrived at the academy, it was still dark, and there was still half an hour before dawn.
At this moment, Shiyang Academy is bustling with activity!
All the officials, led by County Magistrate Lu, arrived at the academy.
The powerful local gentry of Shiyang, including the leaders of various gangs, also came to observe. Among them was the chief bodyguard of Tongxing Escort Agency, who was also my father's superior.
A momentous occasion that has garnered worldwide attention!
Inside the academy, led by Master Zhao, all the students of the Huangzi School headed to the academy square.
The most remote place belonged to the Wilderness School, where students lined up in an orderly fashion.
At the very center of the square was undoubtedly the territory of the top-tier school administration.
Every member of the team was dressed to the nines, each looking heroic and sharp-eyed, all their hard work and effort for this day!
In the "Wilderness" team, the chubby Wang Mu turned to look at Gu Lin and asked curiously:
"Where have you been these past few days?"
Gu Lin made up a story to get by.
Wang Mu was about to speak.
"Knock knock knock—"
With a burst of intense drumming, the nearly eight hundred students in the square fell silent, and countless onlookers outside also stopped making noise.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the academy's dean Yan Qingqiu and the county magistrate and assistant magistrate took their seats.
Immediately afterwards, the three of them stood up together. Dean Lu, with his graying temples, spoke in a deep and resonant voice:
"Welcome to the Four Great Sages' Offices, whose subordinate officials are in charge of knife-wielding, to Shiyang Academy."
clang--
Ding ding ding—
Suddenly, the great bell in the high pavilion of the academy rang out, its sound resounding in all directions, lingering endlessly.
Everyone present held their breath and stared in the direction of the welcoming building.
The first to appear was a group of eight people, all dressed in magnificent official robes embroidered with lotus seeds. The leader wore an orange lotus seed robe, every line of which was exquisite and elegant.
The Wendao Academy has a subordinate office for sword-wielding personnel!
The standard attire of Wendao Academy is lotus-themed, symbolizing the lotus emerging from the mud unsullied and remaining pure and unpretentious.
The person who performed the knife-wielding was dressed in lotus seed robes.
Following them were eight more knife-wielders, dressed in magpie robes, with the leader wearing an orange magpie robe.
The Martial Peak Palace has appointed sword-wielding servants!
Members of the Martial Peak Hall are equipped with the standard three-legged golden crow robes, with a three-legged crow embroidered on their official robes, exuding domineering power and looking down on all living beings!
Following that was the office of the knife-wielding men under the jurisdiction of the Tianxuan Guard.
The eight people were dressed in flying fish robes.
The members of the Heavenly Mystery Guard stand high above, dressed in Qilin robes, looking down upon all living beings!
Finally, the department of sword-wielding officials under the jurisdiction of the East Temple made its appearance.
The eight men wore uniform deer-patterned official robes.
The members of the Toji Temple are the most unique, dressed in robes adorned with the mythical beast Xie Zhi, its fierce fangs bared as if roaring out eight large characters—
Power descended from the heavens, accompanied by furious rage!
Thirty-two people stood below the high platform, their presence overwhelming that of nearly ten thousand.
All the students were captivated. The official robes and waist badges were dazzling. Once they entered the yamen of the "Sword-Holder," they enjoyed the protection and resources of the Feathered Divine Dynasty and were respected by the world.
Isn't this the very moment we're all living for?
High above, worthy of admiration!
While expressing their admiration, the visitors from Shiyang County couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, as they ultimately didn't get to see any members of the four sacred sites.
Of course, the four sacred sites would not condescend to come down to the county academy selection competition.
Only during the selection competition for the Holy Land in the county city will members of the Holy Land appear to coordinate all affairs.
After a long, deathly silence, the leader of the Tianxuan Guard's knife-wielding yamen stepped forward, the morning breeze rustling and a corner of his flying fish robe fluttering.
He first read the silk scroll aloud, then, drawing his breath into his dantian, he proclaimed in a voice that shook the heavens:
"Those from Shiyang Academy with a clean record, no imprisonment, no blemishes in official circles, under the age of twenty-two, and who have never participated in selection competitions before, are eligible to register for the seed qualification selection competition!"
As soon as he finished speaking, one of them stepped forward.
Amidst the intense attention of the crowd, he walked calmly toward the platform.
It is none other than the Kirin Prince Zhao Yao!
The leader of Shiyang Academy, the top student in every subject, is a well-deserved leader!
At that moment, a huge cheer erupted outside the square. His father, County Magistrate Zhao, was beaming with pride.
The magistrate beside him had a tense face, his thick eyebrows furrowed slightly, and finally he sighed helplessly.
As the head of the county government, he actually rebelled against the Heavenly Gang and was suppressed by the second-in-command.
The common people only knew of County Magistrate Zhao, but not of the county's top official.
What can be done?
They have two supreme beings in one family!
The eldest son was already a member of the Martial Peak Hall, and seeing that the younger son also had a chance to join the Holy Land, they were enjoying immense prestige. The cheers grew louder and louder.
When they saw Zhao Yao step onto the high platform, the eight sword-wielding officials of the Martial Arts Hall nodded slightly.
"Greetings, Your Excellencies." Zhao Yao cupped his hands in greeting.
Eight people raised their hands in a gesture of support, their faces smiling.
They certainly knew that Zhao Yao's older brother, Zhao Can, was a member of the Martial Peak Hall, possessing extraordinary talent and a promising future.
Seeing the young master of the Qilin getting along so well with the swordsmen, the students of the top-tier academy showed no sign of jealousy.
They have no right to be jealous!
Their competitor wasn't Prince Qilin; Prince Qilin didn't need to compete at all, he could simply issue seed tokens directly.
As soon as he entered the house, Mr. Gu rushed out. Seeing that his son was safe and sound, his tense nerves relaxed.
Since taking the wanted poster, his son has been away from home for many days, and he lives in constant fear, worried that his son might run into a vicious criminal and die.
"Lin'er, where have you been?" Mother Zhou Man asked, her face full of reproach and worry.
"Mother," Gu Lin said, taking out an exquisitely crafted, ornate gold hairpin from his sleeve and handing it to her with a smile.
"I earned the money to buy you jewelry."
Zhou Man was stunned, her nose tingled, and she almost burst into tears.
She never imagined that her son would be so sensible.
"Lin'er, where did you get the money?" Zhou Man wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, hesitating to accept it.
Gu Changchuan was very pleased and laughed loudly:
"Jingming, please take this as a gift."
He had a hunch that his son's friend at the top-tier school district must have killed the wanted criminal and received the reward money.
This was the only time in recent years that Gu Changchuan smiled from the bottom of his heart.
My son has truly turned over a new leaf and completely transformed!
"Then I'll save it for you to get married." Zhou Man was very touched, but she didn't forget her son's important life event.
With his son's cultivation being so mediocre and the family so impoverished, finding a wife would be extremely difficult.
The family of three then dined together, their conversation unusually filled with laughter and joy.
Gu Lin said casually:
"Father, tomorrow is the academy's selection competition. Aren't you going to go and watch the excitement?"
He wanted to give his father a huge surprise.
He remembered his father's words—
"You have never made me proud."
This time, he's going to make his father stand tall and proud!
Mr. Gu shook his head and refused:
"I'm not going."
After he finished speaking, a deep sadness filled his eyes.
Going there will only make things worse.
His son is a student in the worst-performing school, while Li Qingwu, who has ruined his family, is very likely to get a spot in the top-ranked program, which makes him feel even more upset.
"Mm." Gu Lin nodded gently.
He believed that after tomorrow, there would be no more gossip about his father’s Tongxing Escort Agency, his mother’s weaving workshop, or the academy he attended!
After the meal, Gu Lin went to his room to sleep early.
To make the journey faster, he rode at full speed for two nights without sleep, and now he can finally get a long sleep to prepare for tomorrow.
......
......
The next day, before dawn.
Gu Lin woke up, washed up, and went to the academy.
Gu Changchuan had been practicing martial arts in the courtyard since early morning. Upon seeing his son, he remained silent for a while before reminding him:
"After today, Li Qingwu will be famous throughout Shiyang County. Don't repeat the same mistake."
Jingming finally realized that if he saw Li Qingwu shining brightly on the high platform and became unwilling to become a follower again, he would become a complete laughing stock.
Gu Lin didn't answer, he just chuckled and went out.
When we arrived at the academy, it was still dark, and there was still half an hour before dawn.
At this moment, Shiyang Academy is bustling with activity!
All the officials, led by County Magistrate Lu, arrived at the academy.
The powerful local gentry of Shiyang, including the leaders of various gangs, also came to observe. Among them was the chief bodyguard of Tongxing Escort Agency, who was also my father's superior.
A momentous occasion that has garnered worldwide attention!
Inside the academy, led by Master Zhao, all the students of the Huangzi School headed to the academy square.
The most remote place belonged to the Wilderness School, where students lined up in an orderly fashion.
At the very center of the square was undoubtedly the territory of the top-tier school administration.
Every member of the team was dressed to the nines, each looking heroic and sharp-eyed, all their hard work and effort for this day!
In the "Wilderness" team, the chubby Wang Mu turned to look at Gu Lin and asked curiously:
"Where have you been these past few days?"
Gu Lin made up a story to get by.
Wang Mu was about to speak.
"Knock knock knock—"
With a burst of intense drumming, the nearly eight hundred students in the square fell silent, and countless onlookers outside also stopped making noise.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the academy's dean Yan Qingqiu and the county magistrate and assistant magistrate took their seats.
Immediately afterwards, the three of them stood up together. Dean Lu, with his graying temples, spoke in a deep and resonant voice:
"Welcome to the Four Great Sages' Offices, whose subordinate officials are in charge of knife-wielding, to Shiyang Academy."
clang--
Ding ding ding—
Suddenly, the great bell in the high pavilion of the academy rang out, its sound resounding in all directions, lingering endlessly.
Everyone present held their breath and stared in the direction of the welcoming building.
The first to appear was a group of eight people, all dressed in magnificent official robes embroidered with lotus seeds. The leader wore an orange lotus seed robe, every line of which was exquisite and elegant.
The Wendao Academy has a subordinate office for sword-wielding personnel!
The standard attire of Wendao Academy is lotus-themed, symbolizing the lotus emerging from the mud unsullied and remaining pure and unpretentious.
The person who performed the knife-wielding was dressed in lotus seed robes.
Following them were eight more knife-wielders, dressed in magpie robes, with the leader wearing an orange magpie robe.
The Martial Peak Palace has appointed sword-wielding servants!
Members of the Martial Peak Hall are equipped with the standard three-legged golden crow robes, with a three-legged crow embroidered on their official robes, exuding domineering power and looking down on all living beings!
Following that was the office of the knife-wielding men under the jurisdiction of the Tianxuan Guard.
The eight people were dressed in flying fish robes.
The members of the Heavenly Mystery Guard stand high above, dressed in Qilin robes, looking down upon all living beings!
Finally, the department of sword-wielding officials under the jurisdiction of the East Temple made its appearance.
The eight men wore uniform deer-patterned official robes.
The members of the Toji Temple are the most unique, dressed in robes adorned with the mythical beast Xie Zhi, its fierce fangs bared as if roaring out eight large characters—
Power descended from the heavens, accompanied by furious rage!
Thirty-two people stood below the high platform, their presence overwhelming that of nearly ten thousand.
All the students were captivated. The official robes and waist badges were dazzling. Once they entered the yamen of the "Sword-Holder," they enjoyed the protection and resources of the Feathered Divine Dynasty and were respected by the world.
Isn't this the very moment we're all living for?
High above, worthy of admiration!
While expressing their admiration, the visitors from Shiyang County couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, as they ultimately didn't get to see any members of the four sacred sites.
Of course, the four sacred sites would not condescend to come down to the county academy selection competition.
Only during the selection competition for the Holy Land in the county city will members of the Holy Land appear to coordinate all affairs.
After a long, deathly silence, the leader of the Tianxuan Guard's knife-wielding yamen stepped forward, the morning breeze rustling and a corner of his flying fish robe fluttering.
He first read the silk scroll aloud, then, drawing his breath into his dantian, he proclaimed in a voice that shook the heavens:
"Those from Shiyang Academy with a clean record, no imprisonment, no blemishes in official circles, under the age of twenty-two, and who have never participated in selection competitions before, are eligible to register for the seed qualification selection competition!"
As soon as he finished speaking, one of them stepped forward.
Amidst the intense attention of the crowd, he walked calmly toward the platform.
It is none other than the Kirin Prince Zhao Yao!
The leader of Shiyang Academy, the top student in every subject, is a well-deserved leader!
At that moment, a huge cheer erupted outside the square. His father, County Magistrate Zhao, was beaming with pride.
The magistrate beside him had a tense face, his thick eyebrows furrowed slightly, and finally he sighed helplessly.
As the head of the county government, he actually rebelled against the Heavenly Gang and was suppressed by the second-in-command.
The common people only knew of County Magistrate Zhao, but not of the county's top official.
What can be done?
They have two supreme beings in one family!
The eldest son was already a member of the Martial Peak Hall, and seeing that the younger son also had a chance to join the Holy Land, they were enjoying immense prestige. The cheers grew louder and louder.
When they saw Zhao Yao step onto the high platform, the eight sword-wielding officials of the Martial Arts Hall nodded slightly.
"Greetings, Your Excellencies." Zhao Yao cupped his hands in greeting.
Eight people raised their hands in a gesture of support, their faces smiling.
They certainly knew that Zhao Yao's older brother, Zhao Can, was a member of the Martial Peak Hall, possessing extraordinary talent and a promising future.
Seeing the young master of the Qilin getting along so well with the swordsmen, the students of the top-tier academy showed no sign of jealousy.
They have no right to be jealous!
Their competitor wasn't Prince Qilin; Prince Qilin didn't need to compete at all, he could simply issue seed tokens directly.