Robbery and Murder

Hearing these words, Fang Liuxian was taken aback. Even in a small place like Linxi County, emerging as the top scorer in the county examinations was a remarkable achievement. Anyone else with such a result would have rushed to inform their family without delay. Broadly speaking, it was an honor to one's lineage, and even on a personal level, a moment to bask in glory.

Yet Jiang Feng wanted to postpone the announcement? Why?

Fang Liuxian furrowed his brow and asked cautiously, "Are there some disagreements between you and your family? Don’t worry, the notice is issued by the Mingxin Society. No one is allowed to obstruct or question it. Its authority is absolute."

Jiang Feng smiled. "No, I don’t mean not to notify them at all—I just wish to delay it a little."

He spoke softly, "After the county exams come the state exams, and after those, the provincial exams..."

Fang Liuxian suddenly understood. "You wish to wait until all the results are out before letting your family know?"

The others looked at Jiang Feng in disbelief. To be top scorer was already extraordinary, but Linxi County was, after all, only a remote corner under Yushui Prefecture! In the county exams, Jiang Feng’s competitors had only been local martial artists from the countryside. In the state exams, he would face the best from the whole of Yushui Prefecture, and in the provincial exams, the geniuses from all of Zhu Tian East Province!

Jiang Feng had only claimed the top spot in the county exam—how could he be so sure he’d repeat his success in the state and provincial exams?

For a moment, the expressions in the side hall were varied. Teng Zhi was deeply shocked; he didn’t doubt his own strength, and his goal had been the top spot as well. Even so, he felt that merely passing the state exam would be an accomplishment, and whether he could earn the Tianzhao Order in the provincial exam was anyone’s guess. Yet Jiang Feng was already aiming so much higher?

Most others had similar thoughts. The three from the Guteng Martial Hall openly sneered, while Fang Liuxian’s gaze towards Jiang Feng grew ever brighter, clearly appreciating the youth’s ambition.

Ping Luanshan suddenly burst out laughing. "Old Jiang, my good brother, you have spirit! But I agree—you’d best wait until all three exam results are out before you notify your family."

He winked at Jiang Feng, excitement in his voice. "Just imagine—when you fire off three salvos in a row, catching everyone off guard, that’ll be a thrill!"

Jiang Feng laughed too, nodding firmly. "Yes, it’ll be truly exhilarating!"

Fang Liuxian joined their laughter and declared loudly, "Excellent! That’s true ambition!"

With a flourish, he wrote swiftly and boldly on the paper before him, saying, "There is precedent for this. Back then, Lin Feibai took first in three successive major exams, and finally topped the national exam as well—four congratulatory notices were sent to the Lin family in a row, becoming the talk of all Nine Heavens Continent! Jiang Feng, I look forward to you recreating that grand occasion!"

In no time, a letter of recommendation was complete, along with a silver Tianzhao Order, both handed to Jiang Feng.

Jiang Feng looked at Fang Liuxian’s smiling face and nodded in solemn thanks.

Fang Liuxian stroked his beard and laughed, "When the joyous news is delivered one after another, don’t forget to invite me to witness the celebration!"

Jiang Feng laughed and promised, "I certainly will!"

The silver Tianzhao Orders were also handed to Hong Cheng, Ping Luanshan, and Teng Zhi. Their expressions were each different.

The three from Guteng Hall, upon receiving their state exam orders, turned and left immediately. They didn’t spare Teng Zhi a single glance, as if he didn’t exist.

Teng Zhi, with nowhere to vent his frustration, could only silently follow behind Jiang Feng.

Jiang Feng said little to him. He turned and smiled, "Let’s go share this good news with Teacher Hua! Although I suspect he already knows..."

Hong Cheng grinned from ear to ear. "And as promised, it’s my treat today—let’s go to Youxi Pavilion!"

Youxi Pavilion was the largest restaurant in Linxi County, expensive and usually out of Hong Cheng’s league. But today was different. From this day forward, his life had changed completely.

The group left, excitement in their steps. By now, the county exam results had spread throughout Linxi—crowds had gathered at the county office, eager to catch a glimpse of the new top scholar.

Qu Chun glanced outside and said with a smile, "If we go out that way, we might not make it home before nightfall."

Jiang Feng forced a smile. "Is there another way out?"

A minor clerk, standing to the side watching the commotion, overheard and cheerfully pointed them in the right direction. "You can use the side gate—turn right at the first intersection, there’s a small alley that’ll take you around. If you’re quick, you might escape the crowd."

Hong Cheng, a local, nodded. "That’s right—the alley is out of the way. I’ve used it before."

Following the clerk’s directions, the six of them left through the side gate. It was much quieter here, though the distant noise still drifted over.

Ping Luanshan lowered his voice and teased, "Old Jiang, you’ve really made a splash this time!"

Jiang Feng replied, "It’s both fame and trouble..."

Wang Erhu said enviously, "I’d love to have this kind of trouble!"

Hong Cheng clapped him on the back and laughed. "Today’s outcome is already wonderful. What are your plans now?"

Xiang Sheng answered without hesitation, "I’ve chosen my academy. Linjian Academy just approached me—they said my score isn’t quite up to their standard, but they’re optimistic about me and invited me in."

Linjian Academy was the largest martial academy nearby. Xiang Sheng had ranked only twenty-sixth, so it was a lucky break.

Wang Erhu, however, seemed hesitant. He said carefully, "I’m thinking of trying again next year..."

He was younger than Hong Cheng and Xiang Sheng and had only taken the county exam twice, so he had one more chance.

"I feel I can improve a bit more and want to try for the top ten next time!"

Xiang Sheng looked at him in surprise. "You want to try the state exam? They only take fifty candidates, and if county results are borderline, the state exam may be out of reach. Didn’t Linjian just invite you? Why not attend with me?"

Hong Cheng shook his head and spoke up. "If you want to try, then go for it! If you’re worried about income at home for the year, I’ll find a way to help! Think about it—if we hadn’t tried again this time, we might have drifted through life forever. Now I believe, if there’s a chance to go further, take it!"

His eyes shone with a newfound light. Jiang Feng watched him with a smile, while Ping Luanshan whispered, "Our leader has changed..."

Indeed, compared to his earlier hesitation and gloom, he was like a new man.

During their conversation, Teng Zhi followed in silence.

By now, they had wound their way through the alley and reached a quiet part of Linxi County. A few more streets and alleys, and they would arrive at Yuanshan Martial Hall.

Suddenly, Jiang Feng looked up sharply and shouted, "Watch out!"

Beside them was a small hillside, half covered in shrubs, half in bare earth, the place eerily quiet. As Jiang Feng’s warning rang out, several figures appeared atop the slope, leaping down with murderous intent.

Silhouetted against the sky, their faces were obscured, but their clothing was clear to see. Jiang Feng’s eyes narrowed at once.

All were clad in black, half their faces veiled with dark cloth, only their eyes visible. A red ribbon was tied around each right arm, fluttering in the wind.

Jiang Feng recognized this garb instantly.

They had followed Thornwood and taken the young lady!

These were the followers of Lord Fuliu.

They did not utter a word. With black daggers in hand, they advanced silently, striking at their faces without hesitation.

Only Jiang Feng was somewhat prepared; the other five were caught off guard. Ping Luanshan and Teng Zhi reacted fastest, dodging immediately and instinctively counterattacking.

Hong Cheng and Wang Erhu rolled aside, scrambling desperately to avoid danger.

Only Xiang Sheng, who instinctively stepped back to evade the attack aimed at his face, unwittingly fell into the enemy’s trap. The black-clad assailant advanced, blade flashing, slashing at his throat.

A crimson line blossomed across Xiang Sheng’s neck, and he collapsed, gasping.

The other five were horrified and cried in unison, "Xiang Sheng!"

Jiang Feng dove in from the side, driving away the attacker with his Thunderclap Palm, then checked Xiang Sheng’s vitals.

Xiang Sheng’s breath faded visibly. He stared wide-eyed at the sky, as if unable to comprehend how he had died.

Moments before, he had been celebrating his results, excited to enter Linjian Academy. In the blink of an eye, he was gone.

For Hong Cheng and Wang Erhu, who had known Xiang Sheng since childhood and trained together at Yuanshan Martial Hall, the grief was profound. Their eyes reddened with rage as they charged at the black-clad attackers.

They were young and fearless, driven by loss, heedless of the odds. But though these assassins were not the highest rank, their cunning and experience far outstripped the two youths.

Hong Cheng fared a little better, but within moments blood blossomed on Wang Erhu, half his clothes stained red.

Jiang Feng shouted in a deep voice, "Ping Luanshan, run!"

Ping Luanshan’s eyes blazed with fury—he was poised to charge, but at Jiang Feng’s command, he roared, "Do you take me for a coward who abandons his friends?!"

Jiang Feng glared back fiercely. "The enemy is too strong. You’re the fastest—go and fetch Teacher Hua!"

Ping Luanshan suddenly understood. With a hateful glance at the assailants, he turned and fled.

Two attackers tried to intercept him, but Ping Luanshan, in desperation, moved with astonishing speed. In a matter of breaths he vanished down the path, and one of the black-clad men called out, "Finish this, quickly!"

The others responded as one. Even as he spoke, the leader found a fist flying toward him—Jiang Feng’s punch landed squarely on his nose.