"Boss, what do we do?"

Heng Yi's men barely dodged the attack and gathered around him, saying...

"Split up. If anyone escapes, tell the leader not to take the job. It would be best to arrange for someone to leave the capital."

Hengyi spoke in a deep voice. The attack just now gave him a bad feeling that he might really not be able to escape tonight.

But we still have to say what needs to be said; maybe someone will manage to escape.

"Boss, we're not as strong as you. We'll hold him off while you get out of here."

The men spoke up one after another, then exchanged glances and drew their swords to attack Shadow Six.

"Your opponent is us."

They really didn't believe that Shadow Six alone could take down all of them.

"Heh, you two seem to have a good relationship, but it's okay, they'll all stay. It's better to have them all together."

Without even drawing a weapon, Shadow Six caught the incoming swords and blades with his bare hands.

"Clang clang clang!"

Even though he was empty-handed, the clash between his hands and the swords produced a metallic clanging sound.

This scene left Hengyi and the others with expressions of shock.

A few minutes later, Hengyi and the others all collapsed to the ground, questioning their existence.

They were among the best in the organization, yet they were all taken down by some unknown expert.

"Lord Shadow Six, are you alright?"

Seeing that there was no more movement outside, Yan Yongning went out to take a look.

"I'm perfectly fine, so don't call me 'sir' anymore. In a few days, you will be appointed to official positions, and then I should be the one addressing you as 'sir'."

Ying Liu is a natural at making friends wherever he goes, and he's also gotten to know Yan Yongning and the others better these past few days, so he's become more casual in his speech.

"Sixth Brother, you were really amazing just now! You took them all down in just a few moves. Could you teach me how?"

Ji Chun, displaying his clinginess, ran to Ying Liu with eyes full of admiration, begging to be taken in.

If it had a tail, it would be wagging nonstop.

"Xiao Chun has a good eye. This was specially taught by the little princess. Ordinary people don't have this opportunity to learn. As for you, you should focus on dominating the court."

Shadow Six knew that the other party was just curious and would find it difficult to actually learn martial arts.

Meanwhile, Heng Yi and the others on the ground had their pupils constricted. The little princess?

Could it be Princess Anle, who has been making headlines recently?

Damn it, we've really messed up this time.

The fact that Princess Anle specifically sent people to protect the three of them indicates that these individuals are of great use and may have already caught Emperor Jing's eye.

"Brother Chun, please don't make things difficult for Sixth Brother. By the way, what should we do with these people?"

Wu Yan also walked over and looked at the people on the ground.

"It's alright, I'll take these people with me. Don't worry, I'll have Fifteen come over in a bit."

After Shadow Six finished speaking, he sent out a signal flare. Not long after, the guards on duty in Anle City came over and helped to take the person away.

After what happened that night, no one came after that.

After two quiet days, the three of them finally stepped into the palace gates.

All the successful candidates, dressed in official robes and wearing three-branched, nine-leafed crowns, stood respectfully in front of the Taihe Gate, awaiting summons.

The princes and officials entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony and lined up on the left and right, standing solemnly to listen to the reading of the names and rankings of those who had passed the imperial examinations.

"Yan Yongning was the top scholar in the imperial examination."

"Ji Chun, the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination."

"The second-place finisher in the first-class ranking is Wu Yan."

"......."

The person whose song was being sung entered the palace to meet the emperor.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Yan Yongning and the other two stepped forward and knelt down.

"Yan Yongning was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy of the sixth rank, Ji Chun was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy of the seventh rank, and Tan Hua was appointed as a reviewer in the Hanlin Academy of the seventh rank."

Emperor Jing looked down at the audience and spoke with an air of authority.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."

While the solemn induction ceremony for all the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) was taking place here, the scene outside the palace at the Liu residence was quite different.

Following Jing Le's orders, Ying San and his men began to close the net.

In his study, Headmaster Liu waited almost all night for Hengyi and the others' results, but there was no news at all.

Instead, three officials arrived with three sons demanding an explanation, saying they had almost been arrested as swindlers when they went to the palace.

Although they were indeed the ones taking the blame, the guards said that Yan Yongning and the other two had already entered the palace.

Enraged, the group stormed the Liu residence.

Headmaster Liu dared not make a big fuss, because if people found out about these things, he would lose his head.

"Gentlemen, please don't be angry. Since we couldn't accomplish this, the money will naturally be returned to you."

Headmaster Liu quickly returned the silver notes, which made them feel a little better.

"Father, if we just let this matter go like this, won't I be unable to become an official?"

"Yes, we've been waiting for this long."

"That's right, if the top three aren't good enough, then let's try something else."

The three young masters acted as if these officials were owned by Liu Shanzhang and his family, replacing one with another if one didn't work out.

The arrival of Shadow Three and his companions elicited cold laughter.

"You don't need to argue anymore. If you want to go to the palace so badly, then come with us. We'll take you all with us."

With a wave of his hand, Shadow Three and his men tied them all up, stuffed them into the carriage, and drove away.

The remaining few searched the study and discovered a secret room there, bringing all the evidence back to the palace.

Meanwhile, Emperor Jing sent Yingyi to inform Zhao Gan, the commander of the Imperial Guards, to lead his men to imprison all the personnel of the Jingzhao Prefecture and await their fate.

Outside the palace.

"Who are you? This is the Prefect's residence! Hey, guards! Someone's trespassing on an official's property..."

"We are the Imperial Guards, here to arrest the family members of the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture by imperial decree. Anyone who disobeys will be killed!"

Take them all with you.

"yes."

Zhao Gan led the way into the mansion, and Ming paid little attention to the questions raised by the servants in the mansion.

Instead, he directly stated his purpose and ordered his men to take away all of the prefect's family members.

"Ah, let me go! My father is the Prefect, aren't you afraid of offending him?"

"Ah, my hand, be gentle, be gentle, my hand is going to break."

The sounds rose and fell, echoing throughout the mansion.

Then, the sight of the large contingent of Imperial Guards escorting the family of the Prefect of Jingzhao away was witnessed by the people, who began to speculate about what crime the Prefect had committed.

"Do you think the Prefect of Jingzhao is finished? Otherwise, why would his family be taken away?"

"Didn't you hear what the Imperial Guard Commander said earlier? They were acting under orders, so they must have made a mistake and were punished. They might even lose the lives of everyone in the mansion."

"Who says it isn't true? This official position isn't that easy to hold; one's entire family won't be wiped out."

...

The Imperial Palace.

Jing Le did not go to the Golden Palace to disturb Emperor Jing, but instead taught Duan Feibai cultivation in his Yongshou Palace.

As a result, two messages popped up in my mind.

[Ding! Rescued the top scholar Yan Yongning, the third-ranked scholar Ji Chun, and the second-ranked scholar Wu Yan. Reward: Merit Points. Strength restored to late-stage Nascent Soul realm. Total Merit: .]

[Ding! The system shop has met the upgrade requirements and is currently upgrading. Please stay tuned...]