Farewell

"Brother Zhong, how confident are you?"

Zheng Yue paused in his actions and looked at Zhong Xuan.

"About 70%."

Zhong Xuan pondered for a moment.

"That's already excellent."

Zheng Yue rarely showed a smile.

foreign.

He was known for his strictness, even towards his junior brother Qian Hong, but he could only reveal some of his true feelings to Zhong Xuan.

For no other reason than that.

Only Zhong Xuan was over sixty years old, the same age as him.

Apart from Zhong Xuan, the oldest person in the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School was thirty years younger than him. They would be his grandsons if they were outside the city. Because of the age difference, it was boring to talk to them for more than a few words. Only Zhong Xuan could be talked to for a while longer.

"Do your best and leave the rest to fate."

Zhong Xuan has a very calm mindset.

After all, he had already participated in the academy examinations more than ten times, and the excitement he once felt was long gone.

"My junior brother's Flying Eagle Martial Arts School has had pretty good luck in martial arts. In the past ten years, it has produced three martial arts scholars, and one of them is even a candidate for the imperial examination. However, its literary luck is poor, and it has not produced a single literary scholar to this day."

"It all depends on Brother Zhong."

Qingguo Martial Arts School is a private school.

To establish a strong reputation, in addition to cultivating martial arts masters, the imperial examination system was also extremely important.

How many people at the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School aren't there for the imperial examinations?

If Zhong Xuan could become a scholar, it would be quite beneficial to the reputation of the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School.

Zheng Yue looked at Zhong Xuan, his eyes filled with emotion.

That day, he sold the initial explanation of the Eagle Style Sword Technique to Zhong Xuan. Besides recognizing Zhong Xuan's special talent, he also saw a reflection of himself in Zhong Xuan.

Although he wasn't as exaggerated as Zhong Xuan, who only started learning martial arts at sixty, he was still accepted as a disciple by the previous master when he was well into his forties.

So at his age, he should have been mentoring the younger generation, but instead, he inexplicably placed his bet on Zhong Xuan.

Unexpectedly.

A casual act led to a windfall.

"I can't help you with your studies, older brother."

"But I can still find a way to help you improve your swordsmanship to another level."

That's all.

Zheng Yue then led Zhong Xuan to the small courtyard behind the shop.

"Watch closely."

Zheng Yue let out a loud shout.

With a clang.

He drew a soft sword from his waist.

Zhong Xuan was shocked. He had always been curious why Zheng Yue, who practiced swordsmanship, did not carry a sword. It turned out that he had hidden it at his waist.

Zheng Yue flipped his wrist.

In the blink of an eye.

A sword net was formed in mid-air, and a buzzing sound echoed in the courtyard, like eagles patrolling.

"This is... the transmission of the Dharma!"

Zhong Xuan held his breath and concentrated, not daring to blink.

He joined two fingers of his right hand together to form a sword-finger gesture, mimicking the swordplay of Zheng Yue.

Zheng Yue was unleashing the complete version of the Flying Eagle Nine Strikes.

A martial artist at the Bone Refining Realm, having integrated breathing techniques, stance training, and swordsmanship, possesses power far surpassing that of Zhong Xuan.

Each move may look similar, but the difference lies in the subtle details, which can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Zhong Xuan was completely absorbed in watching it.

Fifteen minutes later.

Zheng Yue then slowly sheathed his sword, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"I'm getting old after all."

He sighed inwardly, then looked at Zhong Xuan, who was still savoring the memory with his eyes closed, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

The old master stipulated that this information could not be shared with outsiders.

But it didn't say that you can't practice it for others to see.

Zheng Yue's actions did not violate the rules set by his master. As for how much he could learn, that would depend on Zhong Xuan's own comprehension.

"At seventy, one can follow one's heart's desires without transgressing the rules... It seems that my state of mind has improved again over the years of self-cultivation."

Just as Zheng Yue was feeling triumphant.

Zhong Xuan slowly opened his eyes.

He bowed respectfully to Zheng Yue and said, "Thank you for your kindness in teaching and guiding me, Brother Zheng."

Zheng Yue slightly turned his body to avoid Zhong Xuan's bow.

"I was merely practicing swordsmanship on a whim while seeing my younger brother off; how could I be preaching?"

Zhong Xuan said solemnly:

"Thank you for the journey, brother. I will remember your kindness."

......

......

On the 21st day of the fourth month of the fourth year of divine revelation, it is auspicious to travel.

There are only two days left until the college entrance examination.

Despite the vicissitudes of five hundred years, the city wall of Yongning Prefecture remains sturdy and towering.

Zhong Xuan looked up at the mottled city wall, feeling a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both emotion and reflection).

A long line formed in front of the city gate, with hundreds of people waiting to enter the city. The soldiers guarding the city of Yongning Prefecture were only relieved after verifying the documents.

"Sir, this is my proof of identity."

Zhong Xuan handed the soldier a letter he had prepared long ago, written in delicate, small regular script.

If Qingguo wants to participate in the academy examination, he needs a student from the Imperial Academy to act as his guarantor.

There is none in Baisha County.

The guarantor's certificate was purchased by Zhong Xuan from a neighboring county for a full eight taels of silver. It was only because he was experienced and found the right person that it was possible; otherwise, it would have cost at least ten taels of silver.

Zhong Xuan entered the city smoothly, and the streets were bustling with activity.

In recent months.

Yongning Prefecture was more bustling than ever before, with students from various counties coming to take the imperial examinations in every street and alley. As a result, the prices of inns in the city rose again and again, but it was still difficult to find a room.

Zhong Xuan carried the trunk and arrived at an inn on the outskirts of the city.

This is where the Xu family settled down.

Since he was going to stay in Xiahe Village, he would inevitably have to interact with the Xu family. Xu Tian had made goodwill gestures time and time again, and if he did not respond, the Xu family would see it as estrangement and might even make enemies because of it.

Zhong Xuan had lived for decades, so of course he understood this principle long ago.

Moreover... the room rates in Yongning Prefecture are really expensive.

After explaining to the innkeeper that he was looking for the Xu family.

Not long after.

A middle-aged man walked down from the second floor with a smile.

"Uncle Chung, we've been waiting for you for so long."

Xu Tian's eldest son came to greet them.

He was also the leader of the Xu family's delegation this time.

When Zhong Xuan was three years old, he once held Xu Tuo in his arms. Later, the Zhong family fell into decline, and their contact almost ceased.

Zhong Xuan did not feel looked down upon by this.

This is often the case with relationships between people. People from different backgrounds and social statuses may become like strangers in the end.

Now that he has become an instructor at the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School, the Xu family has been able to re-establish good relations with the Zhong family.

"Children are like their parents..."

Xu Tuo was a gentle and approachable person, much like Xu Tian.

"Xu Tiansheng's son is indeed capable."

Zhong Xuan sighed inwardly and said with a smile, "It's Atuo."

Xu Tuo pulled Zhong Xuan upstairs: "Uncle Zhong, the inns in the city are too expensive. Please make do with me and share a room. You can have the bed. Anyway, I'm not going to take the exam. I'll just make do on the floor for the next two nights."

Zhong Xuan didn't stand on ceremony.

He really needs to ensure that his energy and spirit are at their peak these two days in order to be able to take the exam.

"Nephew, then I won't stand on ceremony with you."

......

Every day, students preparing for the imperial examinations flocked to Yongning Prefecture.

Even in the room.

Zhong Xuan could hear the clear sound of reading aloud and the sound of people practicing standing meditation.

at last.

The day of the provincial examination arrived.

Both the civil and military examinations were held in the examination hall in the southeast corner of the city.

Most of the Qing Kingdom's examination halls were located in the southeast, taking advantage of the auspicious omen of purple aura coming from the east.

"This is it."

Zhong Xuan arrived at the examination hall with a group of young people from the Xu family.

Looking at the familiar green bricks and tiles, and the dignified four characters "Yongning Gongyuan" at the entrance, Zhong Xuan's heart was stirred once again.

"In the end, I still can't let go..."