Chapter 68: Leaving Behind a Legend
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
…
Nearing the release of the results, crowds began to form at the entrance of the Qingfeng Academy. Just as Fang Zhengzhi returned to the entrance of the Qingfeng Academy, the sound of Li Huer shouting entered his ear once again.
"Fang Zhengzhi, quick, come here. I reserved a place for you!"
Fang Zhengzhi looked, then continued to walk to the side as if he hadn’t noticed at all.
"Huh? Why is he going there? He must be scared of us seeing his expression when he misses the roll, ha ha ha… reserve this spot for me, I will go get him here!"
Li Huer evidently had been waiting for this moment, without caring whether Fang Zhengzhi was willing to or not, he forcefully dragged Fang Zhengzhi to the spot he reserved for him.
Fang Zhengzhi let out a long-drawn sigh. I treated you so kindly, yet you remain indifferent and didn’t bother appreciating me. Why is there people who had to stick their faces out to be slapped?
"Zhengzhi, don’t be worried about missing the roll, you have already entered the First-Class Roll once and can return to the village with a peace of mind!" When Li Zhuangshi saw Fang Zhengzhi walk over, he called out.
When the other examinees saw Fang Zhengzhi, they began to discuss heatedly. Although their voices weren’t as loud as the first time, it was only a comparison.
Faker, lecher, he will definitely miss the roll! Swearing such as these were still unavoidable.
In a restaurant opposite the Qingfeng Academy, Meng Yushu, wearing a yellow brocade robe, looked at Fang Zhengzhi within the crowd with a dark expression. Unlike before, he didn’t openly run in front of the roll stone to humiliate Fang Zhengzhi, instead, he chose a good seat to look from afar.
But it was exactly this that made him even unhappier.
As a great Young Master from the Meng Family, he was actually afraid that a country bumpkin would make the roll again? This was downright shameful!
…
The appearance of the result official was always prompt and on time, neither early or late, as if he had already calculated everything well beforehand.
The examinees began to grow excited. Because, the second round of theory examination decided who among them would be able to qualify for the combat examination.
As of last time, the result official pressed the square-shaped stone into the depression in the roll stone, and faint golden rays of light were emanated.
What was different was that the names on the Second-Class Roll were exactly half the number compared to before, and the names were bigger. But, the examinees felt very cold inside.
The competition in the Law of Dao examination was too large!
Li Huer and Meng Jiangshan at this moment also stared hard attempting to search for their names. On the other hand, Fang Zhengzhi maintained his leisurely expression.
Second-Class Roll?
That was meant for others, he didn’t have any interest in that.
"Ha ha ha… I made it, I made it again!" Li Huer finally found his own name on the roll, and was delighted beyond imagination.
"I also made it!" Meng Jiangshan’s name very close to Li Huer, and was even two names ahead of Li Huer.
Then, their gazes shifted towards Fang Zhengzhi. Just as they prepared to speak, the examinees beside them began to cry out.
"Fang Zhengzhi missed the roll!"
"Ha ha ha, Fang Zhengzhi’s name isn’t on the roll!"
"Don’t rush, don’t rush, there’s still the First-Class Roll!"
A few of the examinees began to shout, even though somebody managed to reminded them about the First-Class Roll, but his tone and expression were as if saying, First-Class roll? This faker can enter the First-Class Roll again.
Dream on!
"Zhengzhi, don’t worry, there’s still the First-Class Roll! You might be lucky and make it there again!" Li Zhuangshi similarly reassured Fang Zhengzhi by the side, but his expression was that of pure delight.
After a wave of discussions, the First-Class Roll was finally released.
The twenty names were as big as a bucket, it was hard not to notice.
"Not in the First-Class Roll!"
"Fang Zhengzhi’s name is not on it, ha ha ha… this time, he really missed the roll!"
"His lucky stint has finally ended!"
"A faker definitely should miss the roll!"
After a moment, the crowd grew impassioned, as if they were celebrating the new year, each of them almost crying out tears of joy.
One examinee was even brave enough to walk towards the result official.
"May I ask, is anybody missing from the First-Class Roll?"
"Naturally there isn’t!" The result official shook his head, then added in, "There is a total of fifteen people on the First-Class Roll, twelve names would be released, while the rest of the top three names would be personally announced by the Imperial Messenger!"
After the result official finished his sentence, the crowd began to laugh.
The top three in the theory examination, could it even be applicable to Fang Zhengzhi? Naturally, it wasn’t related to him at all. The top three of the theory examination wasn’t the result of a single round, but the combination of results of both rounds of theory examinations.
The previous round, Fang Zhengzhi was lucky enough to fill out a vacancy in the First-Class Roll.
Even if he managed to top this round of theory examination, combining the results from the previous round, he definitely wouldn’t be able to make it into the top three.
In reality, this was also the reason why Meng Jiangshan didn’t participate in the second round of theory examination. Because, after his results from the first round was forfeited, it was pointless to participate in the second round.
"Ha ha ha… top three in the theory examination, if Fang Zhengzhi can enter the top three, I’ll strip naked and run one round around the Huai An County!" The examinee who previously pledged to finish drinking the entire River of Trust instantly changed to a new one this time.
"One round? Even running ten rounds isn’t a problem to me!" The other one similarly continued, wearing a smile on his face.
"Really?" Among the crowd, a weak voice called out.
The examinees looked. It was Fang Zhengzhi.
"Naturally! I always keep my word!"
"Everyone can bear witness, I won’t go back on them!"
The two took one look at Fang Zhengzhi and instantly began to laugh. If they were previously afraid that Fang Zhengzhi would be lucky, they weren’t worried at all now.
"Do you dare to sign a declaration?" The edges of Fang Zhengzhi’s mouth curved into a smile.
"I dare, why wouldn’t I? What if you don’t enter the top three?" When one of them heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words, he instantly replied.
"These two hundred pieces, you can have them!" Fang Zhengzhi fished out two hundred silver notes from his pockets.
"Alright! Everyone bear witness, I will make a bet with Fang Zhengzhi today. If he can enter the top three, I will strip naked and run one round around the Huai An County city!"
"I’ll run ten!"
The two weren’t afraid at all. They had full confidence that the first round, Fang Zhengzhi was only filling a vacancy in the First-Class Roll, no matter what, he had no way of entering the top three in the overall results!
Fang Zhengzhi was also fully confident. Because, he knew very well why he entered the First-Class Roll the first round. Since this Imperial Messenger who marked the papers was able to turn his fake certificate into a real one.
He naturally was a "man of wisdom".
Based on the examination paper he submitted in the second round of theory examination, missing the roll was impossible. But, he didn’t make the Second-Class Roll, nor did he make the First-Class Roll!
The results were obvious.
He was definitely among the top three.
"Zhengzhi, don’t be impulsive. This is two hundred silver pieces, the fact that you missed the role is already made clear, you must face reality!" When Li Zhuangshi saw Fang Zhengzhi fish out two hundred silver pieces, his expression instantly changed.
Two hundred pieces! Even if it was to release his anger, it was still not worth it.
"There’s no harm!" Fang Zhengzhi waved the two hundred silver pieces.
On the other hand, the two examinees that made the bet quickly retrieve paper and ink and wrote down their names, as if they were afraid that Fang Zhengzhi would go back on his words. Then, they each imprinted on it their handprints.
"A new ancient legend is about to emerge from the Huai An County…" Looking at the undulating river waters in the distant River of Trust, he let out a long drawn sigh. Being able to leave behind a legend in this ancient city, he gave himself a thumbs up.
