Chapter 139 Martial Arts Trial
The imperial examination, which had been delayed due to the falling star, finally began.
The civil service examination was held in the main hall of Xianyang Palace, while the military examination was held in the palace's training ground. Li Si was the chief examiner for the civil service examination, and Xiang Shaolong was the chief examiner for the military examination, while Ying Zheng, accompanied by Gao Yao, inspected both locations.
Not long after staying in the main hall, Gao Yao took a satisfied look at the former "famous ministers of the early Han Dynasty" who would later become the beasts of burden for the Qin Dynasty, and then followed Ying Zheng to the training ground.
Completely ignoring Li Si's pleading gaze behind him. Your Majesty and the Imperial Advisor, could you at least keep one of them? Is this favoritism really necessary? Do you value the martial arts competition more or Xiang Shaolong?
Sure enough, Xiang Shaolong was his lifelong nemesis.
Achoo!
Sitting in the examiner's seat, Xiang Shaolong suddenly sneezed loudly, pretending not to see the stares of those around him. He touched his nose and muttered, "Who's talking about me at a time like this?"
"His Majesty has arrived!"
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Rise." Ying Zheng led Gao Yao to the reserved seats on the high platform, without saying much, only indicating that the martial arts test should continue.
In front of His Majesty, the martial artists on the arena fought even more vigorously, their battles becoming incredibly intense and exhilarating.
Perhaps they were too excited, one person spontaneously combusted, another pierced the arena with his spear, and a roaring tiger-shaped phantom appeared behind another.
The first time, everyone was astonished, and Xiang Shaolong personally took action. He subdued the flame-wielding boy before he could "run naked."
"Setting fire to the palace is a capital offense, punishable by rotten imprisonment. What's your name?"
"I, Zhao Tuo, also do not know why this is so?"
Xiang Shaolong glanced at the guy who wasn't burned but was scalded like a little hard-boiled egg. Oh, he's a celebrity. "His Majesty will decide this matter. Take him away."
Everything seemed to have returned to normal, and the martial arts test continued.
The second time, everyone's eyes widened as they looked at the guy who had been sent flying in an arc, and then at the bewildered boy who had shattered the ring with a single shot and was now standing in the ruins.
"Someone set fire to the house, and someone else destroyed it..." Xiang Shaolong couldn't help but complain. No wonder Gao wanted to warn him, saying that those who could reach the final examination were all martial arts prodigies and might be affected by the spiritual energy.
He was indeed prepared, but the impact is not insignificant.
Xiang Shaolong looked at Ying Zheng and said, "Your Majesty, this is an arena built with your money!"
Is he the kind of person who cares about such a small amount of money?
Ying Zheng, who was sitting calmly on the high platform watching the martial arts test, clapped his hands and laughed: "To have such strength, he is truly a genius."
The young man realized what had happened, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in apology, and said, "Your Majesty, I made a mistake and disturbed Your Majesty's presence. Please punish me."
Ying Zheng waved his hand. "What crime have you committed? I haven't seen such a valiant man in a long time. What's your name?"
"This humble man, Han Xin, greets Your Majesty."
"Oh, another celebrity." Xiang Shaolong raised an eyebrow, turned to meet Gao Yao's amused gaze and His Majesty's thoughtful look, silently shut his mouth, and continued to watch the drama unfold.
"Since the arena is destroyed, let's hold the next competition directly in the training ground."
Seeing that His Majesty didn't hold it against him, Han Xin breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but feel delighted. Although he didn't know why his spear technique had become so powerful, he knew that he had made a name for himself before the Emperor today.
I only hope that the upcoming competition will go smoothly, so that I can realize my ambitions, change my destiny, and make a name for myself in the world of Qin.
Without the arena, the martial arts competition continued.
The third time, everyone felt it was just as expected, something they had anticipated. But they still couldn't help being shocked. This didn't make sense; how could a tiger's phantom appear behind a person, accompanied by a tiger's roar? Was it some new illusion technique?
Fan Kuai couldn't help but exclaim, "The Qin Dynasty truly is a place where hidden talents abound."
Zhou Bo, standing to the side, glanced at him suspiciously. Given Fan Kuai's level of education, it was hard for him not to believe that Fan Kuai was speaking literally, yet he had somehow managed to use it correctly.
Xiang Shaolong's face was contorted with rage, and he lost all interest in watching the show. As the chief examiner of the martial arts competition, he was the one left to clean up this mess!
The first one can be explained by bringing flammable materials, the second one by having outstanding marksmanship, but how do you explain the tiger, the tiger's phantom?
The matter of the spiritual energy revival cannot be announced for the time being. Does that mean he should silence all the people present?
Xiang Shaolong was angry and couldn't help but look at Gao Yao. He knew that this guy was up to no good by trying to trick him into becoming the chief examiner!
Gao Yao walked out unhurriedly, looked at the familiar-looking boy who was stunned in the training ground, and said softly, "This boy is destined to be with me."
The onlookers suddenly realized what was going on, then looked at the boy in the center of the training ground with envy. Xiang Shaolong was astonished. That's it? They believed it? What on earth were they imagining?
Standing there, Zhao Ping'an, a young man who looked refined and not like a martial artist, blushed instantly when he met Gao Yao's still ethereal face.
Following Gao Yao's instructions, he stiffly followed the people from the Imperial Preceptor's residence and left. He thought back to the Imperial Preceptor's fortune-telling. Could it be that saying he "would definitely pass the martial arts exam" meant he wouldn't need to practice martial arts anymore, but could cultivate immortality? Would he suddenly bring glory to his ancestors?
Fortunately, nothing unusual happened afterward. Aside from the fact that the martial artists from Xianyang were stronger, more skilled in martial arts, and looked younger, there were no other problems.
The martial arts test concluded successfully, and Han Xin lived up to expectations by taking first place. However, the self-ignited "hard-boiled egg" Zhao Tuo and the "fated" young Zhao Ping'an never reappeared.
"What is Zhao Ping'an's background?"
On the way back, Xiang Shaolong curiously approached and asked, while Ying Zheng, who was ahead, kept walking but also quietly pricked up his ears.
"What do you think his background is?" Gao Yao asked with a smile.
Xiang Shaolong stroked his chin, thinking seriously, "Besides insurance, I can't think of any other name. It's not a celebrity from this period. Could it be some kind of immortal reincarnation?"
Gao Yao smiled meaningfully: "How can you be so sure he's not a celebrity?"
"Huh?" Xiang Shaolong was puzzled. "Could it be that Ping An isn't a famous name? Famous people with the surname Zhao... Zhao Kuo is impossible, Zhao Tuo has appeared, so it can't be Zhao Gao, right?"
Incredibly, even Ying Zheng couldn't help but turn around and glance at him. Xiang Shaolong smiled ingratiatingly, mistakenly thinking that he had touched a raw nerve by mentioning Zhao Gao.
Seeing Ying Zheng doubt Xiang Shaolong's intelligence, while Xiang Shaolong worried about Ying Zheng's mind, Gao Yao couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth. What a "lively" pair of ruler and minister!
"So, who is it?"
Ying Zheng stared intently at Gao Yao. He couldn't tease Xiang Shaolong anymore; he needed to tell him the answer quickly!
Gao Yin smiled mysteriously, "Ping An may not necessarily be surnamed Zhao. Who else in Xianyang City is so desperately searching for the tiger seal?"
Ying Zheng suddenly realized, "Very good, my general is about to return to his position."
Xiang Shaolong looked up in surprise, "Meng Tian? I mean, Zhao Ping'an is Meng Yi?"
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