Chapter 230 - 114: You Sure Know How to Fan the Flames

Chapter 230: Chapter 114: You Sure Know How to Fan the Flames

Zhao Ci had to give it to Zhao Huan, that Lao Liu.

He put on a great show of treating him well, but in reality, he wasn’t willing to give him a single real benefit.

Everyone in Lingge knew he was the only person who could go have a meal with the Emperor whenever he pleased.

It made them think the Emperor doted on him.

But in truth, when it came to tangible benefits, he hadn’t received a single thing.

Even the reward of two hundred thousand taels was something he had to fight for himself.

The only thing that could be considered a real benefit was the Heaven-Suspended Spider Silk.

And even that was intercepted by the Imperial Clan Court.

If Kan Luotang hadn’t been so capable, it would have long since fallen into someone else’s hands.

If all of that could be explained away as mere oversight...

...then this "Grand Gift of the Yun Dynasty" couldn’t be anything but intentional.

He was certain now.

Old Deng’s "kindness" toward him was all just an act.

’Otherwise, why would Zhao Yong and Zhao Xie both know about this "Grand Gift of the Yun Dynasty," but he was the only one left in the dark?’

’Old Deng doesn’t know that I’ve already formed a united front with my young aunt.’

’My image is still that of a son who worships him unconditionally.’

’My mother’s side of the family isn’t weak either—the Xiang Family, one of the seven great Merit Clans.’

’And yet, I’m still being isolated.’

Before, Zhao Ci might not have understood.

But now, he felt this was inextricably linked to Xiang Tiange’s death.

’Old Deng’s kindness toward me is very likely a show for those who are suspicious about Xiang Tiange’s death.’

In other words...

...it was all a scam from start to finish.

’And after all that...’

’You still want to trick me into working for you, to donate my Waizi for you?’

’In your dreams!’

’But what exactly is this "Grand Gift of the Yun Dynasty"?’

’Could it be that Old Deng has really figured out how to rebuild the Yun Dynasty?’

’If that’s true, the pressure on me is even greater.’

"Boss, what’s wrong?"

Seeing Zhao Ci’s gloomy expression, Zhu Li clenched her fair fists and shook them in the air. "Did Zhao Yong bully you? If he did, I’ll go burn him!"

Zhao Ci pursed his lips and chuckled, ruffling her hair buns. "Don’t worry! If anyone’s going to beat him up, it’ll be me!"

Feng Kucha, on the other hand, was unconcerned. He rubbed his hands together and said, "Father Ci, the Merit Library opens after the Prefecture Examination. Don’t forget my Ten Thousand Wood Roots!"

Zhao Ci grinned. "Call me ’Father Ci’ a few more times, or I’ll definitely flake on you."

Feng Kucha: "Father Ci! Father Ci! Father Ci! Father Ci!"

Zhao Ci: "..."

Zhu Li: "..."

Yang Mo: "..."

Zhao Ci waved his hand in resignation. "Relax! If there’s one thing we have, it’s more than enough merit. When we go in later, everyone picks one item. Don’t be polite with me."

Partway through yesterday’s events, he had someone from the Imperial Clan Court check. The Tenth Prince’s Mansion currently had a total of 107 merit points.

The vast majority of those came from military orders, which were mandatory tasks, so the points were awarded in advance.

Given the Xingyu Pill Association’s production capacity, military orders accounted for half at most.

That meant he could earn another hundred merit points or more from selling pills to the public.

Although he needed to save some for a spot in the War God Tower, he couldn’t be stingy with this kind of early investment.

After a wait of about fifteen minutes,

Everyone had arrived. It was the same crowd as yesterday, but the venue had changed. Below, a full sixteen fighting arenas were arranged in rows.

The main actors on stage had changed, all of them now the Scholars participating in the Prefecture Examination.

Although it was also a Martial Arts Competition,

Compared to yesterday, it was just a bunch of amateurs pecking at each other.

Plus, many of the selections had already been decided behind the scenes.

No wonder no one was particularly enthusiastic.

However...

Zhao Ci glanced toward the high platform. Besides Zhao Yan, who was hosting the Prefecture Examination, the same three people were there. Zhao Huan was seated shoulder-to-shoulder with King Qin, Zhao Dezhu, and the Heir of Prince Qin, Zhao Wen, was still standing behind them.

He found it a bit strange. "Why is Zhao Wen still on the platform? Didn’t he recruit any Mansion Officials yesterday?"

Yesterday, Kan Tianji had urged him to quickly take Kan Luotang back to the Tenth Prince’s Mansion for treatment, so he hadn’t watched the rest of the event.

"Hah!"

Feng Kucha slapped his thigh. "All those small-fry fighters went to him, but Zhao Wen didn’t accept a single one."

Zhao Ci grew even more confused. "But..."

To be honest,

...those who had managed to score points, while a bit weaker than the average proper Mansion Official, were still definitely among the standouts of the younger generation.

That included many from the list of recommendations Kan Luotang had given him, who had proactively come forward to issue challenges.

’If Zhao Wen doesn’t want these people, where else can he find young experts?’

’Without any Mansion Officials under him, how can he participate in the mansion competition?’

’It’s truly baffling!’

He shook his head, feeling that everything about the appearance of the King Qin and his son was strange.

「At this moment.」

Zhao Yan also stood up. "This Prefecture Examination will use a drawing system for matchups, same as in previous years. The first to win three matches will pass the examination, and the first to lose three will be eliminated. At the end of each round, those with the same win-loss record will draw lots together. All you Householders and Mansion Officials should observe carefully and choose the Mansion Officials most to your liking."

Below the platform, a group of Martial Scholars were rubbing their hands together, eager for a fight.

They were clearly prepared to face a series of brutal battles.

Zhao Ci was rather surprised by this tournament format. It was similar to the Swiss-system rounds in the esports competitions of his past life—both brutal and fair. Unless someone had extremely bad luck, anyone whose skill was above the median would generally pass.

In this Prefecture Examination, out of 316 participants, 158 would pass.

Then, the eight mansions would select forty of them, and the rest would remain in Lingge to serve as Junior Officials.

In the arena,

A large group of Junior Officials in charge of the drawings immediately swarmed in. After an efficient round of drawing lots,

...two people ascended each of the sixteen arenas and began their one-on-one battles.

To be honest,

...it really wasn’t much of a show.

Zhao Ci only paid close attention when his own five subordinates were on stage. He also carefully observed Zhang Da Yong, wanting to see how Huangfu Song would react, but the man’s behavior was completely normal.

After watching a few matches, he lost interest and started to doze off.