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...

There were a few men in black who ran to the Intellectual Loft as news of the court examination results spread throughout the city.

They ran straight to the roof of the Intellectual Loft.

In one of the antiquated rooms within, a lady in a black dress sat behind a study table holding a letter in her hand.

This table was completely empty, a far cry from what it was the previous evening.

"Master!" Before long, a voice could be heard at the door. Then, a servant in a black dress entered.

"What is it?" The lady in black asked flatly.

"Master, Young Master Fang and Nangong Hao are tied for first!" The servant bowed and replied.

"Tied for first?" The lady in black was visibly surprised.

"Yes, the news is currently being spread throughout the city and to the surrounding villages." The servant confirmed.

The lady in black nodded as she looked out the window. Her eyes glimmered. "Never did I expect that this shameless fellow could draw with Nangong Hao! It’s a draw... did the rules of the court examinations change for him?"

"Master, what do we do now?"

"We follow our original plan."

"But... Master, the Intellectual Loft represents decades of hard work by the owner. Furthermore, it is the information source for the entire capital, are we really going to..." The servant in black stopped herself in her tracks.

"Are you questioning my decision?" The lady in black frowned as she looked at the servant.

"I do not dare!" The servant fell to her knees without a second word.

"I want all our operatives out of the city within 15 minutes."

"Yes!"

...

A light autumn breeze blew through the city. The atmosphere around the Imperial Decree Hall was tense.

Emperor Lin Mubai looked at all of the candidates, rage building in his eyes. An intimidating aura emanated from his body once again.

"Where is Fang Zhengzhi?!"

"Your highness, I heard that Official Fang was at the district of fireworks last night. I heard that he spent the night with the top girl in the Intellectual Loft. I am afraid..." An official stepped out.

"What is it?" Emperor Lin Mubai’s gaze turned icy.

"I’m afraid he hasn’t woken up."

"Rubbish!"

"I do not think that Fang Zhengzhi is still asleep. In fact, I think that Fang Zhengzhi has left the Intellectual Loft!" An icy voice rang out.

Then, a figure walked out from the crowd.

He wore an elegant robe and held a fan in his hand.

"Yan Xiu?!"

All of the candidates recognized the person instantly.

Everyone held their breath when the Emperor raged. However, Yan Xiu still decided to step forward.

Because, he was Yan Xiu.

"Young Master Yan, we know that you are friends with Fang Zhengzhi. However, that does not mean that you can protect him and speak rubbish!" The officials were slightly shocked to see Yan Xiu step forward.

All of the other officials also shook their head lightly when they saw Yan Xiu.

"I believe that Fang Zhengzhi is not someone who will be late." Yan Xiu was unaffected by the looks he got from the other officials.

"Haha... Young Master Yan, we would have bought any other reason. But saying that Fang Zhengzhi is never late? Will we believe it?"

"Exactly. We know that you are helping him. However, this is not the first time Fang Zhengzhi has been late."

"Has Young Master Yan forgot about the incident in the throne room?"

All of the officials chuckled when they heard this. Fang Zhengzhi is never late? Despite being ordered to meet the Emperor after coming out of the World of the Sage, Fang Zhengzhi made them wait for a whole hour, claiming that he was still eating.

That was something none of the officials forgot.

"Young Master Yan, do you have any evidence to show that Fang Zhengzhi is not in the Intellectual Loft?" The Minister of Rites stepped forward.

Fang Zhengzhi had antagonized him during the hunting and racing competition.

Of course, this was not the reason why he risked stepping out today. He did so because he knew Fang Zhengzhi had a token.

That token was for Fang Zhengzhi to go to the Ministry of Rites.

He had no idea why the Emperor made such an arrangement...

However, he knew that if Fang Zhengzhi really entered the Ministry of Rites, there would be no way of predicting what would happen.

"I do not!" Yan Xiu shook his head.

"Since you don’t have any evidence, isn’t it inappropriate for you to step out this way? Even though you are from a noble family, you are not an official yet." The Minister of Rites nodded.

Yan Xiu was silent. He knew that his actions were inappropriate. In fact, he could be charged for this.

But could he not step forward?

He couldn’t.

He decided to step forward, regardless of the consequences.

"It’s okay!" Emperor Lin Mubai waved his hand when he saw Yan Xiu fal silent. "Yan Xiu knows Fang Zhengzhi well. I am not surprised that he’s stepped forward today."

"The Emperor is merciful!" The Minister of Rites replied respectfully. Then, he turned to Yan Xiu. "Young Master Yan, you should not take advantage of the Emperor’s kindness. I invite you to step back into position."

Yan Xiu looked at the Minister of Rites, then back at Emperor Lin Mubai. He tightened his grip on the fan, a flash of determination in his eyes.

"I would like to request for permission to go look for Fang Zhengzhi. I am sure something has happened to him!"

All of the officials were stunned. They never expected Yan Xiu to forget the big picture just because of Fang Zhengzhi.

"Young Master Yan, you may be of noble origin, but you must remember your status here! You are a candidate!"

"Let the Emperor settle the issue. Young Master Yan, you should just concern yourself with your own affairs."

"Young Master Yan, get back in line!"

All of the officials began to advise Yan Xiu. They did not want to see someone with such a bright future ruin himself in a moment of folly.

The Emperor was already furious. He only pardoned Yan Xiu because of his noble blood. To push his luck was unwise.

"I also do not think that Fang Zhengzhi would be absent without reason!" At this moment, another voice rang out. This voice was extremely close to the officials.

All of their gazes froze.

They turned to look at the figure at the entrance to the Imperial Decree Hall.

The figure was in a white shirt, hi expression calm.

This was Nangong Hao, the top of the court theory examination. He was neither an official nor of noble blood. Yet, when he spoke, all of the officials fell silent.

The reason why...

Was because they had no idea why Nangong Hao would say this.

For Yan Xiu to speak up for Fang Zhengzhi was expected. However, Nangong Hao’s reaction was inexplicable. Why? Aren’t they rivals?"

"Imperial Ranger Squad" Emperor Lin Mubai frowned as he glanced at Yan Xiu and Nangong Hao.

"Here!"

"Go to the Intellectual Loft... bring Fang Zhengzhi back!"

"Yes!"

The reply was swift. Five of them shot out of the palace gates like rays of golden light.

Yan Xiu looked at the Imperial Ranger Squad.

He wanted to say something but he could not bring himself to speak. He bowed to the Emperor and prepared to return to his spot.

"You do not need to return. Come forward." Emperor Lin Mubai’s expression became rather warm as he beckoned Yan Xiu forward.

"Come forward?"

"What was the Emperor trying to do?"

"Isn’t this the announcement of results? Could it be..."

All of the officials were stunned when they heard the Emperor. Then, they thought of only one possibility.

Then...

The officials looked at the Minister of Rites awkwardly.

They had guessed what was about to happen. If Yan Xiu was just of noble blood, it would have been nothing.

However, if Yan Xiu was in the top three of the court examinations.

His status would be completely different.

All of the other candidates were also confused when they heard the Emperor. Did Yan Xiu make it into the top three?

How is this possible?!

Yan Xiu didn’t meet with the Emperor either!

"Ranked third, Yan Xiu!" Emperor Lin Mubai smiled affectionately as he looked at Yan Xiu.

"It really is Yan Xiu?!"

"Yan Xiu is ranked third in the court examination!"

"Incredible! How did three people who didn’t meet with the Emperor top the examinations?"

All of the candidates were stunned. They were shocked that Nangong Hao, Fang Zhengzhi, and Yan Xiu all did not meet with the Emperor.

Now that the results were released, this was a surprise within a surprise.

This was completely unexpected!

Wu Feng paled... Yan Xiu was third?!

Wu Feng was more affected by this news than Nangong Hao and Fang Zhengzhi stealing his top spot.

When he was already reading, Yan Xiu was still a baby who only knew how to cry.

When he was easily breaking small trees with his hand, Yan Xiu was still enviously looking at him whilst sitting on a stone stool.

Being able to become a disciple of one of the four sages was something that he prided himself on. Furthermore, he would always ask Yan Xiu, "Young Master Yan, what did you learn from this book?"

"Young Master Yan, how is your progress? Did you breakthrough? Do you need me to guide you along?"

"Young Master Yan, you cannot force a breakthrough. You must ensure your foundation is good!"

More than a decade had past.

That infant, that child that he once mocked and teased... that kid was now better than him. In fact, that kid had mercilessly defeated him.

How could this happen?!

He didn’t meet with the Emperor!

No way!

Wu Feng could no believe his ears.

However, Yan Xiu was already by his side. He bowed deeply, "Thank you your highness!"

"Ranked third, Yan Xiu!"

"Ranked third, Yan Xiu!"

"Ranked third..."

Voices reverberated throughout the entire palace as Yan Xiu stepped forward to say his thanks. Then, golden armored guards began spreading the news throughout the city.

The entire capital was in uproar.

"Yan Xiu is third?"

"Yan Xiu is only 16 years old this year!"

"How powerful!"

Just as the capital was engulfed by the news, there was a spark in the firework district.

Before long, columns of flame shot skyward. It stained the entire sky red.

...

At the entrance of the Imperial Decree Hall, Emperor Lin Mubai looked at Yan Xiu satisfactorily. Even though Yan Xiu was a little rash...

This did not affect his liking for Yan Xiu.

However, at this moment, a ray of golden light shot towards him. The moment he reached the entrance to the Imperial Decree Hall, he fell to his knees.

"Your highness, there was a fire at the Intellectual Loft, the entire place has been burnt to ashes!"

"..."

"What?! There was a fire at the Intellectual Loft?!"

"How did that happen?!"

"How is that possible? The Intellectual Loft has never caught fire in its decades of existence!"

All of the officials were in disbelief when they heard this. More importantly, it was all too coincidental.

Emperor Lin Mubai’s expression changed. He blamed Fang Zhengzhi for being audacious, for disrespecting him by being absent. However, he never wanted to execute Fang Zhengzhi.

If he did, he would have used ‘catch’ instead of ‘bring’ when he gave the order!

"There was a fire in the Intellectual Loft... it has been burnt to ashes!" Emperor Lin Mubai frowned. Things were not as simple as they looked.

All of the other candidates were also shocked. The Intellectual Loft was one of their favorite hangouts. For it to have been burnt down...

What a pity...

However, Yan Xiu’s shock was completely different. He paled, his grip on his Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan tightening.

"Ah!" A deep, icy, hellish voice rang out throughout the Imperial Decree Hall.