When the night fell, this constantly disturbed County Test finally came to an end.
The only strange thing was, no single word about the disturbances happened that day had spread, as if an invisible big hand blocked the passage of relevant information in the dark, which made the whole thing mysterious.
Even the practitioners who took part in the County Test, as well as teachers and students of the Donglin School, all kept silent on this event.
Ordinary people only knew that the County Test was a success, and one thousand excellent practitioners were selected under the supervision of the chief examiner Yao Tuohai.
The ordinary people in Donglin Town would never know more than this.
Soon after the County Test, Yao Tuohai hurriedly left the Donglin Town on the evening of the same day. Instead of having a gala dinner to celebrate the end of the County Test as usual, these big names in the Donglin Town all returned home with heavy hearts.
…
In the Keystone Business, Mu Wansu sat alone in her room, pondering for a long time. What had happened today gave her a big shock.
Now she came to her sense, and she suddenly remembered a piece of news from the headquarters of Keystone Business in the Forbidden City a few days ago——“There will be a big shot arriving in Donglin Town these days. Be Careful!”
Mu Wansu was extremely shocked at the moment. She presumed that the reasons for the sudden appearance of Yao Tuohai in Donglin Town to personally preside over the County Test, and the young man escorted by Blood Guard to Donglin Town were all related to the “big shot”.
But Mu Wansu had no idea who this “big shot” was.
After witnessing what happened today, Mu Wansu finally came to realize that the “big shot” was probably the owner of the black carriage!
But Mu Wansu couldn’t help but wonder why such a big shot showed up in Donglin Town, and even bothered to come to this County Test?
She tried to recall the details of the County Test. Even though she couldn’t tell clearly what had happened, she quickly remembered that when Yao Tuohai was trying to catch Lin Xun and the little girl; however, Yao inexplicably failed in the end.
It was exactly the same moment when the accident occurred!
When the accident came to an end, only an old man wearing black court dress stood in the square, with Lin Xun in his arms…
Wait a sec!
The little girl also seemed to disappear!
A flash of inspiration came to her mind. Mu Wansu wondered whether the “big shot” came here just for Lin Xun and the little girl.
No, the little girl should be the target, since the group of weird men departed, Lin Xun was left behind, but the little girl was taken away, which meant that Lin Xun was saved unintentionally.
Realizing this, Mu Wansu couldn’t help but take a deep breath. Who was this little girl? The “big shot” was even disturbed to personally come to Donglin Town for her.
With no hesitation, Mu Wansu took out a brush pen and a piece of paper, wrote what she saw today in details, and then sealed the paper into a bronze box which she gave to a guard outside, “Deliver this to the headquarters as soon as possible!”
Finishing this, Mu Wansu thought for a while, and then decided to take a look at Lin Xun’s house early in the tomorrow morning. Maybe something new would be found.
…
A treasure boat flew in the sky, left Donglin Town, and rushed into the distant darkness.
In the treasure boat, Lian Fei said with dissatisfaction and hatred, “Dame it! But for what had happened, the bastard Lin Xun could have been killed by Uncle Yao.”
Yao Susu was also in a blue mood. Hearing this she frowned, “Well, are you blaming my father for his incompetence?”
Shaking his head immediately, Lian Fei said gloomily, “I am just a little doubtful whether Lin Xun cannot be really killed.”
Yao Susu sneered, “He was just lucky to escape. He will not always be lucky in the future. Now he passed the County Test, he will surely take the State Test in Green-maple County where is under Yao family’s control. I can guarantee that he will not leave alive if he dares to come!”
Lian Fei sighed, “I hope so.”
Yao Susu softly comforted him, “Dear Fei. When we arrive at Green-maple County, I can provide you with all kinds of resources for cultivation through my family’s power. I believe, with your aptitude, you will soon become stronger.”
Lian Fei’s spirit was lifted, and he said, “Susu, don’t worry. I will never let you and Uncle Yao down!”
At the same time, Yao Tuohai entered, and glanced at him coldly, “Action speaks louder than words. If you can’t pass the State Test and the Province test in one year, stop dreaming about dating with Susu!”
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Lian Fei’s face darkened suddenly. Was he supposed to pass the State Test and Province Test in just one year? What a harsh and cruel requirement!
Yao Susu was also a little anxious, “Dad, maybe this is too difficult.”
Yao Tuohai indifferently glanced at Yao Susu, and said, “If you think you’d chosen a loser, I will kick him out now.”
Before Yao Susu spoke again, Lian Fei exclaimed in a serious voice, “Please rest assured, Uncle Yao. I will try my best. If I am unable to pass the State Test and the Province Test, I will break up with Susu. You don’t need to say anything.”
With a stern look, Lian knew if he couldn’t seize this chance, he wouldn’t have the second one.
Yao Tuohai coldly snorted, “Good, I will wait and see. If you can really do that, I will not only agree to marry Susu to you, but also give you a hand when you fight against Lin Xun!”
…
In the Golden Hall.
Late at night, after meditating for a long time, Gu Yanping couldn’t help but sigh, “It was really marvelous for Lin Xun to have a narrow escape from death.”
Gu Liang said with a heavy heart, “Dad, who saved Lin Xun at last?”
Gu Yanping remained silence for a while, and then he said, “There is no harm in telling you. If I were right, the one who saved him should be the big shot from the Heiyao Shrine.”
“Heiyao Shrine?”
Gu Liang was surprised, as he never heard of this name.
Gu Yanping looked complex and seemed to fall into memories. He said, “When you were strong enough, you would know the Heiyao Shrine. They come from the darkness of the empire and hardly showed up in the world. There are only two kinds of people who can keep touch with them. The most powerful people in the empire and the enemies of the empire.”
Gu Liang were shocked and said, “If so, does Lin Xun have an unusual identity?”
Gu Yanping shook his head, “Don’t guess about it. He shouldn’t be one of them. However, I have a hunch that it would be hard for you to maintain the friendship with Lin Xun in the future.”
Gu Liang said in dismay, "Why?"
Gu Yanping said meaningfully, “Clan of Wu and the president of Donglin School are not so mighty, but Yao Tuohai is a kittle cattle. Prime minister is his backer who associates with a lot of forces. What do you think the result would be if Lin Xun became Yao’s enemy?”
Gu Liang was horrified and his face changed slightly. After a long time, he ground his teeth and said, “Although Yao Tuohai is powerful, he didn't catch Lin Xun in the end. No one knows who is the final winner as long as Lin Xun keeps working hard in cultivation.”
Gu Yanping said, “Although you don't have enough confidence in speaking these words, as your father, I praise you. Power and situation are changeable. We can’t despise anyone when he is young and poor. Who can foresee all the changes in this world?”
“We can’t despise anyone when he is young and poor...” Gu Liang felt his blood boiling with excitement.
“Let’s go and see Lin Xun tomorrow…” Gu Yanping said, “Since you won’t give up your friendship, how can you stand by while your friend is in danger?”
Gu Liang nodded seriously.
…
At the same night, in the Courtyard 49 of the Civilian Area.
Lin Xun woke up from coma and found himself lying in a familiar room. He was confounded for a moment and finally realized what had happened before.
Who sent him back?
Lin Xun got up and lit a candle on the windowsill. The desk was shrouded in dim light, and the books that Shia Zhi had read in these days were neatly arranged on the desk.
It was late at night. Shia Zhi should have come back in usual times, then washed herself and laid quietly in bed.
But now, the bed was empty.
Lin Xun was in a daze for a long time. He pushed the door open and walked into the courtyard. Bright stars were shining in the night sky, sprinkling wisps of soft silver sheen, and the night was so quiet.
Lin Xun remembered that the bone spear of Shia Zhi also diffused a wisp of silver lights which was as beautiful and illusory as the stars in the sky.
“Would you like a drink!”
Suddenly, a gentle voice arose, as a gourd with liquor flew to Lin Xun.
Lin Xun caught it and saw an old man in a black court dress sitting under the old locust tree in the middle of his yard.
He recognized the old man who had followed the strange team to the Donglin School, and apparently it was the old man who had sent him home.
Lin Xun opened the gourd and took a few sips of the liquor silently. Although the liquor went through his throat like a knife, Lin Xun felt that the taste was still not strong enough.
“Thank you so much.”
Lin Xun returned him the gourd. “Thanks also to that...” He did not know how to call that mysterious, classical and noble woman for a while.
But the old man seemed to know who he mentioned about. He was a little surprised and asked, “You don’t hate my Lady?”
Lin Xun kept silence for a moment and said, “Hatred is useless, so I choose not to hate her.”
The old man seemed to understand Lin’s paradoxical words, and could not help nodding, “You are a smart boy.”
Lin Xun grinned bitterly, “Cleverness is also useless, and I can only passively accept everything ultimately.”
Speaking of this, Lin Xun seemed reluctant to mention it again, and said, “I haven’t known your name, my senior…?”
The old man waved his hand and said, “My name is not worth mentioning.”
Then he got up and looked directly at Lin Xun, “I am waiting for you here, to fulfill my Lady’s promise to give you a chance.”
Lin Xun frowned and said, “What’s it?”
The old man responded meaningfully, “A chance to get stronger.”
Lin Xun flatly refused, “Sorry, I won't accept it.”
The old man sighed and said, “Boy, stubbornness is not the choice of wise people. You have not known what this chance means. If you can seize it, you may see the little girl again in the future.”
Lin Xun squinted and thought about it for a long time. Finally, he said a word, “Fine.”
...
The next morning, when Gu Yanping and Gu Liang arrived at the Courtyard 49, they had only visited the empty building, and even the books and other articles in the room had been cleared out.
“Come on, he's gone.” Gu Yanping sighed.
“That's it?” Gu Liang said angrily, “He never regards me as a friend at all!”
Gu Yanping murmured, “Maybe he has some problems we haven’t known.”
Gu Liang gritted his teeth and said, “Anyway, I will find him one day and give him a good beating. Otherwise, I will never forgive him for not saying goodbye!”
...
Soon later, Mu Wansu arrived at the yard too and she went back with a trace of sadness.
The little bastard who bothered her so much had gone now, which made her moods a little complicated.
Maybe at some day, they would meet again?
...
In the bright sunshine of early morning, an ordinary measure boat rose high into the air outside the Donglin Town, as the dense spiritual tattoos carved on its surface suddenly worked, giving out the spiritual light like ripples. The boat rushed into the distance instantly, like an arrow detaching from the string, crushing the clouds.
The treasure boat had a large space inside, but it was very shabby. A middle-aged man with whisker, exposing his hard bronzed chest, was sailing the boat. He was carrying a can of liquor and drinking constantly. He was sleepy-eyed from drink, with a red face, showing doughty and uninhibited momentum in his laziness.
When Lin Xun walked into the cabin under the guidance of the old man, he saw a young man who looked familiar.
At the same time, the young man saw Lin Xun and shouted angrily after a slight shock, “You little liar!” A punch came for Lin Xun heavily.
…