Improvement of Root and Bones

Riverside Academy.

Zhong Xuan and Zhang Lie sat facing each other, drinking tea.

"Brother Zhong, thanks to your reminder, otherwise I would have been terribly screwed over by the Sand Gang."

A look of gratitude appeared on Zhang Lie's face.

Before the Sand Gang incident, Zhong Xuan sent him a letter saying that the Sand Gang might be involved with the Black Witch Cult and that he should make plans as soon as possible.

He knew Zhong Xuan's personality very well.

Saying it was to make plans early actually meant that he should sever ties with the Sha Gang as soon as possible.

Zhang Lie recalled the unusual behavior of the Sha Gang these past few days.

Without hesitation.

He immediately announced to the public that he was retiring from the gang and resigning from his position as the third leader of the Sha Gang. Even when Shi Fengsha personally sent someone to visit him, he refused to see him. His attitude was undeniably resolute.

This incident caused a great uproar in Baisha City at the time.

Looking back now, it was incredibly wise.

Zhong Xuan chuckled: "We're all brothers, no need to thank me."

Zhang Lie shook his head repeatedly: "This is a big deal for my Zhang family. The autumn examination is just around the corner. If I get involved with the Black Witch Cult, I'm afraid Linchun will also be affected. If Linchun can't participate in the provincial examination because of me, how can I face our ancestors?"

Colluding with the Black Witch Cult can be a big deal or a small deal.

But for those who want to participate in the imperial examinations, it is absolutely forbidden.

They will definitely be disqualified.

For a local tyrant, a bad reputation doesn't matter much, but when it comes to becoming an official in the imperial court, a good reputation is crucial for candidates taking the imperial examinations.

While Zhang Lie was relieved, he also sighed, "The Sand Gang is probably having a tough time lately."

The tree hasn't fallen yet, but the monkeys have already scattered.

The Sand Gang was involved with the Black Witch Cult, and even he didn't want to get involved, let alone the smaller forces that originally relied on the Sand Gang. They all withdrew as soon as they heard the news.

The power of the Sha Gang is not what it used to be.

Nowadays, the Sha Gang can hardly be seen in Baisha County.

After losing his son and apologizing, Shi Fengsha, the leader of the Sha Gang, never left Langzi Bay again.

"Let's not talk about those unlucky things."

Zhang Lie gulped down a cup of hot tea: "The autumn imperial examinations are approaching, Brother Zhong, are you confident?"

Zhong Xuan shook his head: "Who in Baisha County dares to claim they're guaranteed to pass the imperial examination?"

"That's true."

This time, Zhang Lie didn't just say nice things.

This has always been the case in the Qing Kingdom's imperial examinations.

There's a saying that goes, "In literature, there's no first place; in martial arts, there's no second."

Even the military examination was clearly defined, but the matter of literary talent was entirely dependent on first impressions, and no one dared to claim complete certainty.

Don't be fooled by the low entry requirements; anyone with a clean family background can participate.

Those who can truly pass the imperial examinations are one in a hundred, or even one in ten thousand, and most of them come from prefectural schools, state schools, and academies and martial arts schools with renowned scholars presiding over them.

In a small place like Baisha County, it might take ten years to produce even one successful candidate in the imperial examinations.

How rare!

That's why he was willing to go and beg people to kowtow in order to send his son to the prefectural school.

Only when the land is blessed with natural beauty can outstanding people emerge.

"I heard from Lin Chun that a genius has emerged from Yongning Prefectural School this year. He has a superior Earth-rank aptitude and has already reached the late stage of Bone Refinement before he even came of age."

"You monster!"

"Compared to these people, I've wasted my life."

Zhang Lie gave a self-deprecating laugh.

But he soon realized he had spoken out of turn.

Zhong Xuan is decades older than him. If you calculate it that way, wouldn't that be insulting Zhong Xuan as being worse than a dog?

"Brother Zhong, I..."

Zhang Lie felt somewhat embarrassed.

Zhong Xuan waved his hand dismissively: "That's certainly true. The future depends on these young people."

"Brother Zhang, is there any chance for your family in Linchun this year?"

Following the updates has never been so enjoyable.

Speaking of his son, Zhang Lie revealed a proud expression: "Linchun recently broke through to the late stage of Bone Refinement, so he may still have a chance to pass the imperial examination. Even if he doesn't pass this year, he will still have plenty of opportunities."

Zhang Linchun is only twenty years old this year.

There is still plenty of time, and even becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) is not entirely impossible.

"Brother Zhang has truly raised a fine son."

Zhong Xuan praised it.

Zhang Linchun has a high chance of passing the imperial examination. Once he becomes a successful candidate, the Zhang family will firmly establish itself as the most prominent family in the county.

This is a very important matter concerning our ancestors and future generations.

It's no wonder Zhang Lie was so smug.

A son should be like Zhang Linchun!

It is precisely because of his good son that Zhang Lie has been able to thrive in Baisha County over the years; this is a case of judging a book by its cover, not by its father.

Zhang Lie was very self-aware.

He didn't invite anyone to drink, but when the mood struck him, he drank several large jars of wine on his own.

They came with high spirits and left with great enjoyment.

He knew that Zhong Xuan had an unusual capacity for alcohol, but he had no intention of urging him to drink.

Now is the crucial time for preparing for the provincial examination. Zhong Xuan's willingness to talk to him is already a great honor. If he were to waste his elder brother's time, it would be his own fault as the younger brother.

Zhang Lie was not that foolish, and he certainly wouldn't get Zhong Xuan drunk.

"Brother Zhong, when I was born in Linchun, I buried several jars of 'Zhuangyuan Hong' (a type of red wine), thinking that I would celebrate when Linchun passed the imperial examination."

"If you pass the imperial examination this time, I will still open a few jars to congratulate you."

Zhong Xuan laughed heartily: "Then I'll take it seriously, old brother."

Zhong Xuan then continued practicing his skills.

......

......

It is already April, when the willows are in full bloom.

It was closer to the provincial examination.

Zhong Xuan heard that some poor scholars from neighboring counties had already set off early to take the imperial examinations.

Such situations are not uncommon.

For children from ordinary families, the provincial examination was nothing short of a chance to leap over the dragon gate.

As long as one passes the imperial examination, one can obtain an official position.

Even the lowest-ranking scholar who passed the imperial examinations was still at least an eighth-rank official.

That was a figure comparable to a county magistrate, and especially in the eyes of these children in Xiahe Village, it was no different from ascending to heaven in broad daylight.

"Alright, that concludes today's lesson."

"I will take a break for the next few months. If you have any questions, you may ask me."

Zhong Xuan looked at the young faces in the study and spoke.

The hall was packed.

Today, the academy has more than 30 students, including many school-age children from neighboring villages, and even two or three students from the city.

Zhong Xuan needed to prepare for the exam, so he naturally couldn't personally teach anymore.

They were about to leave.

Then, Xu Mao's son, the most clever boy in the academy, winked at the classmates around him. The children understood and immediately stood up and bowed awkwardly to Zhong Xuan, saying, "May you, Master, achieve great success and pass the imperial examination with flying colors."

Zhong Xuan was taken aback, then burst into laughter:

"All my teaching these past few days has been for nothing."

"Only the imperial examination at the palace level results in a place on the list of successful candidates. I only participated in the provincial examination; how could I possibly have a place on the list?"

......

......

That night.

child time.

Since practicing the Eagle Seven Breathing Technique, Zhong Xuan has developed the habit of finishing his practice at midnight before going to sleep.

Moonlight petals fell onto his hair.

Just as Zhong Xuan's chest heaved...

The panel changed subtly.

[Bone structure: Crane-shaped, Dragon-shaped]

[Grade: Mid-grade Human Rank (One pound, one coin)]