The Song An Prefecture was located in Jiangnan. There were mountains and rivers, bridges, and well-paved roads, with mulberry trees and rice fields.
As Sun Mo’s group traveled here, they could occasionally see young girls playing in the shallow creek waters bare-footed, chatting leisurely and teasing each other before leaving behind joyous laughter.
There would occasionally be bold married women who waved hands at Sun Mo, wanting to introduce their daughters to him.
Although the weather in March was still a little cold, groups of young adults were already going for a walk in the spring outside Song An City.
Numerous kites flew in the sky, reflecting the clear and fine weather.
“Isn’t the Golden Cherry Academy an ‘A’ grade famous school? How did it become the examination grounds for the 1-star great teacher examination? A 1-star exam does not match up to its level, right?”
Xianyu Wei felt that an examination of this level was dragging down the prestige of a top-level famous school.
“Junior sister, all the large schools would fight intensely for a slot to host such an event!”
Lu Zhiruo smiled sweetly and explained.
The lower the star for an examination, the more participants there would be. There would at least be several thousands to even several tens of thousands of participants. If you added their teachers, students, and servants, how many people would there be?”
“With so many people entering a city, they would at least have to stay there for half a month. How much money would they spend for lodgings and food then?
“The authorities can gain a large amount of tax money, while the local merchants would enjoy greater sales and profits. They would naturally feel gratitude for the school that hosts the event!
“Naturally, the most important thing is that the school can allow its fame and reputation to be spread broader. For example, Guangling Academy and Westmountain Academy only have fame in their respective provinces. But as our teacher became a three-time champion, the two famous schools also gained glory from being associated with him.”
The papaya girl seemed to be very familiar with these matters.
“So this is the case!”
Xianyu Wei understood now.
“In the entire Nine Provinces, there are only 18 ‘A’ grade famous schools and they basically wouldn’t need such boosts to their reputation. They are doing this so the local businesses can thrive.”
Li Ziqi interjected.
“Senior sister, are there any impressive rising stars this year?”
Helian Beifang was very worried. For the martial exam segment, it would most probably be very difficult.
“There are too many examinees, so it’s impossible to collect all their information.”
Li Ziqi’s lips twitched.
Actually, given her wealth, she could really do so if she wanted to collect it. However, she felt it was too troublesome and there wasn’t a need to.
“When Eldest Martial Sister is taking the examination, there’s basically no need for her to bother with those new rising stars. In any case, no matter how impressive they are, they won’t be more impressive than her.”
Lu Zhiruo’s tone was filled with confidence.
“Haha!”
The papaya girl’s words caused everyone to laugh uproariously.
Sun Mo glanced at his students and felt very satisfied.
This time around, he originally planned to bring everyone here to widen their horizons and see if there would be anyone else comprehending the ‘self-taught’ halo. However, Xuanyuan Po and Ying Baiwu didn’t tag along with them.
The combat addict had no interest in things like this and was currently cultivating with all his might. As for the iron-headed girl, she was preparing to fight on behalf of her teacher at the 4-star great teacher examination that would be held at the end of the year. Hence, she was also training arduously.
The carriage entered the city and they headed straight for the Pinewind Hotel, the hotel closest to the Golden Cherry Academy.
About a month ago, Prince Consort Qi had sent people here to settle the down payment.
Every two students would share a room. As for Sun Mo and Li Ziqi, they would each have their own rooms.
“Isn’t this too luxurious?”
This was the first time Xianyu Wei had entered this type of big hotel. She had always stayed in tents and hence, she was instantly shocked. Her eyes darted around rapidly with interest.
“I’ll tell you secretly. If it wasn’t for the fact that our eldest martial sister wanted to be more low-profile and had rejected the kind intentions of Prince Consort Qi, he would have directly bought a large mansion in Song An City and arranged 100 servants to serve us.”
Qin Yaoguang exposed one fun fact.
“Ah?”
Xianyu Wei was dumbfounded. She knew that their eldest martial sister was a princess of the Great Tang Empire and had a noble status. But spending so much money just for an examination? Wasn’t it too much of a waste?
(As expected, I completely cannot understand the thoughts of the rich.)
The guests who could stay in such a luxurious hotel were all wealthy and respectable. The staff here didn’t dare to slight or neglect anyone and used their most passionate behavior to service them.
“Don’t look around anymore, your luggage won’t be lost!”
Qin Yaoguang saw that Xianyu Wei kept staring at a male staff member who was carrying her luggage, and she couldn’t help but smile.
“I have money in my luggage!”
Xianyu Wei covered her mouth with her hand and mumbled in a low voice.
“Even if there’s a problem, Teacher will help us to handle it. You should just relax and enjoy this trip.”
Jiang Leng persuaded his junior martial sister. He was very at ease.
“After you guys finish cleaning up in your rooms, gather in the great hall and we will go for a meal together.”
Sun Mo instructed.
…
“Junior sister Xianyu, move quicker.”
Lu Zhiruo hurriedly tidied up and went downstairs with Xianyu Wei. They headed to the great hall. She had long since heard that the steamed perch of Song An Prefecture was very delicious, and she was determined to taste it this time around.
Xianyu Wei was a foodie as well. She had gulped down a few mouthfuls of saliva in anticipation.
“Are there no more rooms?”
At the reception desk, a white-robed young man stood there and was speaking with the manager. “In that case, I’m willing to pay you three times the price.”
“It’s useless even if you want to pay me five times the price.”
The manager bitterly smiled. (Do you think I wouldn’t want to earn your money? I do, but I don’t dare to!)
Those who could book rooms in advance were all wealthy people with statuses. It would be huge trouble no matter whose room he canceled.
“In that case, I will pay a hundred times more!”
The white-robed young man smiled faintly.
The heart of the manager thumped wildly as he subconsciously started to survey this young man seriously. He then laughed. “Sir, can you not tease me?!”
The young man didn’t waste words and directly took out a stack of banknotes from his pocket. “Is 500,000 taels of silver enough?”
“Please take a seat!”
The manager saw that the young man didn’t seem to be joking, and so he decided to try his luck. “Let me report this to the owner first. Little Li, what are you waiting for? Serve the tea!”
The young man waved his hands and indicated that there was no need for that.
“How rich!”
Xianyu Wei was envious. How many sheep could 500,000 taels buy?
“Mn!”
Lu Zhiruo nodded and no longer paid attention to this. She had never cared whether she had a lot of money or not.
Her father said before that money was just a tool and shouldn’t be one’s target.
After the white-robed young man saw Lu Zhiruo, his brows pricked as he surveyed her carefully. In the end, his eyes landed on her chest.
(So huge? Are there two papayas stuffed within?)
But when the young man’s gaze swept past Xianyu Wei, his eyes instantly brightened. Even his body tensed like he had just discovered an extremely rare and precious treasure.
Beside the young man, there was another girl about 17 to 18 years old. When she noticed her teacher’s expression, she followed her gaze.
“Good afternoon to you two, young misses.”
The white-robed young man walked over. His attitude was relaxed and casual; his manner was graceful. “I’m sorry for disturbing you all. I’m a 3-star great teacher and my name is Lu Feng.”
“Hello, Teacher Lu!”
Lu Zhiruo and Xianyu Wei greeted.
“What are you guys doing here?” Lu Feng guessed, “Could it be that your personal teacher is here to participate in the examination?”
“Nope, the person participating is our eldest martial sister!”
Xianyu Wei was a very forthright person and completely had no wariness in her heart against strangers.
Lu Zhiruo’s attitude was respectful because Lu Feng was a great teacher. However, she secretly tugged on Xianyu Wei’s sleeves.
“Let us leave and wait upstairs!”
Although this Great Teacher Lu looked very handsome, the papaya girl somehow felt a sense of loathing and disgust toward him.
“You are someone from the Xianyu Tribe?”
Lu Feng chortled.
“Eh?” Xianyu Wei was astonished. “How do you know that?”
Although Xianyu Wei was clad in clothes of the Central Plains, her appearance and behavior emitted a heavy smell of someone from the plains.
But while it was easy to guess that she was from the plains, it was difficult to guess that she was from the Xianyu Tribe.
“I once received an invitation and went to 20 tribes in the plains to lecture. Hence, I’m familiar with the accent of your Xianyu Tribe.”
Lu Feng smiled and seamlessly postured, acting cool.
“Let us leave!”
Lu Zhiruo urged. She kept feeling that this young man had some bad intentions in his mind.
“Wait a minute!”
Lu Fang stretched out his hand to stop them. His eyes were filled with admiration as he looked at Xianyu Wei. “I admire you very much, do you want to be my student?”
“Ah?”
Xianyu Wei started.
Actually, Lu Zhiruo was very scared of strangers, but at this moment, she subconsciously stepped forward and blocked the area between her junior martial sister and Lu Feng. She was like a fierce, protective mother hen.
“As expected, this fellow has errant thoughts!”
Lu Zhiruo glared at Lu Feng angrily. (You actually dare to steal a student from my teacher? How despicable!)
All of a sudden, the papaya girl’s body stiffened like she was being eyed by a venomous snake. She turned her head and saw that the girl who was following behind Lu Feng was giving her a death stare.
“Scram. My teacher is speaking with her. Who are you to interrupt?”
Huang Meibo berated, her temper was extremely irascible.
“You…”
Tears immediately filled Lu Zhiruo’s eyes. She was not proficient in matters like scolding people.
“Sorry, I will only be my teacher’s student in this entire life!”
Xianyu Wei rejected Lu Feng first. After that, she grabbed Lu Zhiruo’s wrist and pulled her behind herself. She then faced Huang Meibo directly. “Apologize to my senior martial sister.”
Huang Meibo’s lips curled and she clenched his fist. “Teacher, can I beat her to death?”
“Don’t be so fierce!”
Lu Feng patted his disciple’s shoulder. “Sorry, it was my student who acted discourteously.”
Upon hearing the apology, Huang Meibo’s face instantly turned ashen. Her gaze turned extremely fierce and ruthless, as though she wanted to kill someone.
(Making my esteemed teacher whose kindness to me was as heavy as a mountain apologize? Can you guys accept it?)
“Alright, let us leave!”
Lu Feng patted Huang Meibo’s shoulder. After walking for a few meters, he turned and smiled. “If you follow me, I can make you become the number one boxer in the world.”
“Would you want such a profiteering student who would change her personal teacher just to become number one in the world?” Xianyu Wei counter-asked. “Also, I follow my teacher not because I seek to be famous. Rather, it’s because I like to listen to his lecture and enjoy being with him.”
“Well-spoken!”
Lu Zhiruo applauded.
“Hehe, youths are frivolous and daring!”
Lu Feng wasn’t angered. He brought his student and retreated to the side.
“Teacher, if I encounter their eldest martial sister in the martial exam, I will kill her to vent for you!”
Huang Meibo vowed.
“How many times have I told you not to be so fierce?”
Lu Feng’s lips curled. “Just beat her until she’s half-crippled.”
That girl from the Xianyu Tribe was truly a good seedling, and he was really keen on having her as a personal student
As for the big papayas at the side?
He couldn’t see through her!
Money could even make the Devil turn millstones, so in the end, the manager eventually still gave Lu Feng two rooms.
…
Time passed swiftly. Reporting at the venue, verifying their identities, obtaining the examinee plates…When everything was prepared, only a single day was left before the exam would officially begin.
Li Ziqi suddenly began to feel nervous.
She wasn’t afraid that she would lose face if she failed. She was afraid that she might lose face for her teacher.
