He passed!

Top scorer in the county examination!

The entire Peach Blossom Village was abuzz with excitement. 

As fellow villagers, they had heard about the Li family's second son's scholarly talents, but who could have imagined Li Ping'an would become the county examination top scorer?

"This must be the reincarnation of the Literary Star!"

"The Li family is about to rise! Why can't my son be like this?"

"With this, the Li family's second son is practically guaranteed to become a xiucai! He'll receive imperial stipends from now on!"

The villagers were overjoyed. There was an unwritten rule that county examination top scorers could bypass the prefectural examination and proceed directly to the provincial examination, almost never failing under the examiners' scrutiny.

"What wonderful news! I always knew your Ping'an would achieve great things." 

The old village chief leaned on his cane, proud of his foresight years ago. A thirteen-year-old "xiucai" - once he passed the provincial examination and became an immortal official, he'd be right-hand man to the immortals!

Beaming, he called to Li Rongzhou, "Hurry and give the examination messenger his reward!"

"Yes, yes! I'm so overjoyed I forgot!"

Li Rongzhou quickly brought out two taels of silver wrapped in red paper for the messenger, then scattered copper coins for the villagers to share in the good fortune.

The crowd cheered with continuous congratulations, the air filled with jubilation. 

Lady Qin, smiling warmly, stopped her youngest son and pressed copper coins into his hand. "Can'er, go tell your second brother at school the good news. Give these to his classmates."

"Yes!" Li Pingcan answered brightly, his face alight with excitement.

His second brother was now a tongsheng, exempt from the prefectural examination. After passing the provincial examination, he'd officially become a xiucai.

No wonder they'd heard magpies heralding good news at dawn - it had come true! From now on, Little Black mustn't scare away any more magpies that came bearing auspicious signs!

…………

Li Village Schoolhouse.

"Second Brother! You topped the county examination! Father, Mother and Eldest Brother are overjoyed - they're waiting for you to come home!"

Li Pingcan knocked lightly on the schoolhouse door, delivering the happy news with visible delight.

The classroom stirred as classmates turned to look at Li Ping'an, their faces filled with unconcealed admiration and excitement.

Such a young county examination top scorer - and from their own school! It brought them all reflected glory. 

And they even received copper coins to share in his scholarly aura - what a windfall!

"Excellent, excellent." Old Master Xie's normally stern face showed a rare smile as he stroked his white beard. "Ping'an, you may go home now."

"Yes, thank you, Master." 

Li Ping'an remained composed, calmly bowing first to his teacher, then to his classmates before exiting the classroom.

Second Brother was so unfazed even now - truly the demeanor of a top scholar!

Li Pingcan marveled inwardly.

But just as Li Ping'an stepped over the threshold, he stumbled awkwardly, nearly tripping on the doorstep before recovering with embarrassment.

Li Pingcan burst out laughing.

Surely Second Brother hadn't been too excited to watch his step!

…………

"Second Brother, it's okay to show you're happy. No need to pretend otherwise."

On the path home, Li Pingcan said through suppressed laughter.

Li Ping'an glared at his younger brother in mock anger, only for their eyes to meet and both burst into laughter.

"Haha! I'm the top scorer!" 

Wonderful. 

Years of effort and anxiety had finally borne fruit. With his mind at peace, even the flowers smelled sweeter, the sky bluer, the distant birds flying higher and farther than ever before.

Li Ping'an felt completely relaxed.

But long accustomed to hard work, this lightness soon passed as he steeled himself for the final hurdle - the provincial examination that would secure his xiucai status.

"Second Brother, do you have any enemies at school?" Li Pingcan suddenly asked.

Li Ping'an grew serious, knowing his brother never spoke idly. After consideration, he answered, "Though proud, I've treated classmates well despite my academic success. Only Li Yuan, son of Li Dahu, has been antagonistic."

After the Purple-Gold Blood Centipede incident, he'd secretly made trouble to teach Li Fang's younger brother Li Yuan a lesson.

Li Pingcan nodded. Through the mushrooms' surveillance, he'd seen Li Yuan glaring at his brother's back with the same venomous hatred Li Fang once displayed.

'Should we strike first and eliminate Li Yuan immediately?'

The thought came and went - with their history of conflict and at this critical juncture, any accident befalling Li Yuan at school would immediately implicate his brother.

If they acted, it must be at the perfect moment - silent, clean, leaving no traces that could tarnish Second Brother's rising star status.

'First have Little Black monitor Li Yuan's movements. He's no real threat - nor even Li Dahu. But that immortal official cousin...'

No one knew if the official could use immortal methods through artifacts to trace things back to the Li family.

Returning home, Li Pingcan informed his father and brothers. While remaining vigilant, they decided to bide their time.

…………

"I must cripple Li Ping'an!"

At home, Li Yuan brooded darkly. Already Li Ping'an overshadowed him completely - if he became a xiucai, Li Yuan would never lift his head again!

As Li Dahu's favored youngest son, his father's doting had peaked three years ago when Li Fang's mistake led to losing the Purple-Gold Blood Centipede.

Now Li Dahu treated him as sole heir.

Summoning a family guard, he ordered, "Find me a Blood Qi Realm expert. When Li Ping'an travels for the examinations, break his legs."

A cripple couldn't take exams - Great Yu Dynasty barred the physically disabled from becoming immortal officials.

The guard frowned. "If you hate him so, why not kill him and be done?"

"Death is too merciful." 

Li Yuan sneered. "I want him alive to suffer. Once crippled and useless, let's see if his family still wants him!"

His eldest brother had become worthless, losing their father's favor entirely - abandoned to live or die as he would.

Killing Li Ping'an was too simple. He wanted to feast on the boy's misery, making each meal more delicious!

……

"Young Master Li, we've found someone. He demands forty taels."

"What? Forty taels? Damn bandits might as well rob me!"

Gritting his teeth, Li Yuan secretly sold some fine family porcelain to raise the sum, warning the guard, "Do this well and you'll be rewarded."

The guard bowed deeply. "Thank you, Young Master!"

……

"Afterwards? Who cares about afterwards - I want my cut now."

The guard smirked, pocketing thirty taels before telling an underworld contact, "Ten taels to find a Blood Qi Realm fighter to break someone's legs - both legs! Do it well and there's more!"

The man groveled gratefully. "True brother, remembering me! I'll handle it perfectly!"

……

"Find two lackeys. Tell them the boss pays two taels to break legs."

……

In a wilderness ruin, someone arrogantly addressed filthy refugees: "Ten steamed buns to break Li Ping'an's legs."