CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 69: TEARING UP

"Hmph."

Looking at Li Ang and Yong Hongzhong as they strolled away, the faces of the noble youths darkened.

One of them snorted coldly, muttering, "Putting on airs, aren’t they? If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was the prime minister’s son."

"Enough."

Chou Jinghuan glanced at him and said, "Let’s wait for the exam results. If he passes, so be it. If he doesn’t..."

"What happens if he doesn’t?"

A middle-aged man’s voice suddenly arose nearby, startling Chou Jinghuan, who turned to find a middle-aged man. He had a gaunt face, a mustache resembling the character "eight," a smile on his face, and he wore a gown shirt—its left sleeve particularly long, completely covering his left hand.

"Mr. Yang Yu."

Chou Jinghuan breathed a sigh of relief, quickly cupped his hands in a salute, and the noble youths beside him also respectfully bowed.

Xi Yangyu, one of the Academic Palace Directors, a Candle Cloud Realm Telekinesis Master.

The Academic Palace was the largest, most prestigious institution in the world,

with one Mountain Master,

one Sacrificial Officer,

four Directors,

and hundreds of Doctors, Honorary Doctors, and Instructors.

Most of the Academic Palace Doctors had been top Academic Palace Disciples or Cultivators with great achievements in certain areas. Most of them were immersed in studying Cultivation and the principles of nature, focusing on practical knowledge and commonly indifferent to power and riches. Even those seeking wealth, like writing Clear Wind Talismans, Cooling Wind Charms, Earth Melt Talismans, Water Travel Talismans, and the like, mostly did so to fund their research.

Xi Yangyu, however, was the opposite; among all the Academic Palace Doctors, he was the one who most enjoyed associating with the powerful. He often visited noble estates, served as a Guest for dozens of households, and acted as a consultant for dozens of merchant guilds, spending and earning money as if it were flowing water. His residence in Chang’an City’s Victory Square was as lavish as a Prince Mansion. It housed many beautiful wives and concubines, and he spent hundreds, or even several hundred, strings of coins daily just on meals.

For the nobles, Xi Yangyu, who adored wealth, was naturally more approachable and easier to deal with than the other colder Academic Palace Doctors, who always spoke of the principles of the universe.

Especially since Xi Yangyu ascended to the Candle Cloud Realm last year and became one of the four Academic Palace Directors, he had become an even better friend to the high officials and nobles. The selection of the Academic Palace Master was determined by both the designation of the previous Mountain Master and the votes and recommendations of all Doctors and Instructors. Historically, most Academic Palace Masters were chosen from the ranks of the current Sacrificial Officers and Directors.

"Right."

Xi Yangyu nodded nonchalantly. Having often visited the manors of various nobles, all these noble youths recognized him. "Let’s go. This year’s re-examination is a bit tough, be prepared."

"Yes."

Seeing that Xi Yangyu appeared not to mind, Chou Jinghuan relaxed, and he and his companions quickened their pace.

As he was about to enter the examination hall, he suddenly paused, another thought striking him.

Xi Yangyu... was also a Guest at Prince Zhao Mansion in Yongjia Square.

"Heh."

Chou Jinghuan’s mouth curved slightly upward as he stepped into the shadow cast by the eaves.

「 」

For the re-examination, there’s only one set, four pages.

Li Ang picked up his pen, wrote his place of origin and name on the upper left corner of the exam paper, and quietly scrutinized the questions.

The re-examination paper was an advanced version of the preliminary exam, omitting the Scriptures and Poetry sections and adding questions on strategies and some rather peculiar topics.

[Regarding the scholars of the Pre-Qin era, which of the following is incorrectly matched?]

A. Communing alone with the spirits of heaven and earth—Xunzi

B. Even if millions oppose me, I will go—Mengzi

C. Knowing it is impossible, yet doing it—Kongzi

D. Grinding one’s head smooth and wearing out one’s heels to benefit the world—Mozi

This... Alright. A.

Li Ang filled in the answer and scanned the questions below.

The questions were varied, including ones on Yu Law.

For example, if an official extorted money from a merchant, should he receive exile, imprisonment, caning, or flogging?

If a swordsman, holding a treasure sword, challenged his father’s killer to a duel on the street and killed him, would it be considered premeditated murder, intentional homicide, duel killing, or accidental killing?

A woman, during her parents’ mourning period, was sold by her uncle for one hundred strings of coins to an old, ugly widower in the same village. On her wedding night, she resisted fiercely, wounded the widower with scissors, and fled. The widower, pursuing her with a knife, accidentally fell due to bleeding from his wound and died after hitting a stone on the roadside. The woman later voluntarily reported the incident to the officials.

The question was whether the woman should be sentenced, and if so, to what kind and degree of punishment. This problem tested not only the understanding of Yu Law but also the student’s moral and legal principles.

Moreover, there were logical reasoning questions.

Three travelers stayed at an inn, paying a total of thirty cents for the room, ten cents each. The innkeeper, feeling a kinship due to their accent, discounted five cents and instructed his staff to refund this amount to the travelers. However, the staff member kept two cents for himself and gave each traveler only one cent back. Thus, each traveler spent nine cents, totaling twenty-seven cents, and the staff member took two cents. Together, this amounts to twenty-nine cents, which is one cent less than the original thirty cents room rate.

The question asked who took the missing cent.

Another example: In a merchant guild with fifty people, forty-eight could use a bow, forty-seven could ride horses, forty-five could steer ships, and forty could whistle.

The question asked for the minimum number of people who possessed all these skills.

Li Ang quietly and rapidly worked through the questions until he reached the last one.

A ruler of a barbaric country in the Endless Sea recently acquired twelve exquisitely crafted gold coins from Fulin Country, but one of them was counterfeit, mixed with other metals. Vehemently displeased, the ruler demanded that the island’s sage—a captured Zhou Kingdom sailor—find the counterfeit gold coin.

The conditions were: all twelve gold coins appeared identical; the genuine gold coins all weighed the same, while the counterfeit coin’s weight was slightly heavier or lighter than a genuine one. The sailor could not pick out the counterfeit by feel alone, and his only measuring tool was a balance scale, which could not determine exact weight but could only show if both sides were equal or which side was heavier. Additionally, after five uses, the balance scale would break and could not be used a sixth time. The sailor’s other tool was a brush pen. He could use the brush pen to mark any of the gold coins, which would not alter their weight. If the sailor could use these two tools to identify the counterfeit coin, the ruler would grant him a ship to return to his homeland and reunite with his family. Moreover, the sailor was not a Cultivator, did not initially know the weight of a genuine gold coin, could not bribe the ruler or his guards, and could not seek help from others—he had to rely solely on himself.

The question asked: Can the sailor use the balance scale to find the counterfeit gold coin? If so, what is the minimum number of weighings required? Write down the weighing process and describe the specific situations that might occur during it.

This question...

Li Ang raised his eyebrows slightly, leaned back a little, and scanned the examination hall with the corner of his eye.

The students in the examination hall were still struggling with the previous questions. Some were biting their pen tips, deep in thought; some were fidgeting restlessly, scratching their ears and cheeks; some had numb, lifeless expressions; and there were even some who had burst into tears on the spot.

Tsk, it’s a pity Willow Leaf Eyebrow isn’t in this examination hall; otherwise, I’d really like to see her expression when tackling this question.

Li Ang thought casually as he began to write in the answer space—

"Yes."

As Li Ang’s pen flew rapidly, detailing the derivation process, the Haotian Bell rang again.

The two proctors in the examination hall, one tall and one short, suddenly walked to the front and clapped their hands loudly three times.

All the candidates, including Li Ang, looked up in confusion.

One of the taller Academic Palace Instructors smiled and said, "There is an hour left before the exam ends. If any candidates truly cannot solve the problems, you can try another method to pass the re-examination. That is... to destroy the examination paper."

The shorter Academic Palace Instructor added with a smile, "The examination paper used this time is specially made. You candidates can try to destroy the exam paper in any way without leaving your seats or seeking help from others. Tear it, pull it, cut it, poke it, crush it... even use Spiritual Energy—some of you might have already sensed the presence of nature’s spiritual energy after reading Shangqing Linggan Chapter. As long as you can cause damage to the examination paper, you will receive points during grading. The greater the destruction, the higher the final score. If the damage reaches a certain extent, you can directly pass the re-examination."

The instructors’ explanation left all the candidates dumbfounded, and the voices of proctors from other examination halls at the same time confirmed that all of this was real.

The tall Academic Palace Instructor nodded. "Now, regarding this rule, if any candidates have questions, you may raise your hands to ask."

A student immediately raised his hand and asked, "Excuse me, Instructor, what is the purpose of this rule?"

"To discover different types of talents," the shorter instructor replied with a smile. "The Academic Palace embraces all streams and incorporates all. There have been similar segments in previous years. It’s just that this year, it’s this particular method."

So, as long as you can destroy the exam paper, you’re also considered talented?

Li Ang raised his eyebrows and tugged at the edge of the exam paper. Indeed, he found that the four sheets of exam paper were extremely tough and difficult to damage; ink applied to it did not soften or deform the paper.

This tearing sensation... it’s like some kind of beast’s hide? Does it come from some kind of Mutated Object?

Li Ang thoughtfully put down the paper.

The purpose of this rule was actually to give the many candidates an alternative way to pass besides solving problems. Those who could damage the paper either possessed innate Divine Power or had already revealed their talent for Spiritual Power—whether through talismans, Magic, or Mind.

The candidates in the hall, especially those who had previously looked ashen, perked up again.

One of them raised his hand to ask, "Then, Instructor, if we attempt to solve problems and also succeed in damaging the exam paper, can we get extra points?"

"Of course, as long as you don’t damage the part of the paper with the problems you’ve already solved," the tall instructor smiled and said. "Also, pay attention to properly allocating your time, energy, and physical strength. And don’t think about completely destroying the paper to get first place in the re-examination—only a Rain Listening Realm Cultivator could tear the exam paper completely."

"So, I suggest that all candidates prioritize solving the problems before trying to destroy the exam paper. The points for the questions take precedence over the performance in damaging the paper. If your score is high enough, you can naturally pass the re-examination more smoothly."

The shorter instructor finally said, "If there are no further questions, then please continue. In this Academic Palace re-examination, two thousand five hundred candidates will be selected from five thousand."

After speaking, the two instructors walked down the steps, leisurely returning to the back of the examination hall, and continued to sip their tea.

How leisurely.

Seeing this, Li Ang hesitated for a moment, then grabbed both ends of the exam paper and tore forcefully.

The exam paper tensed but showed no signs of tearing.

How about folding then?

Li Ang repeatedly rubbed a corner of the exam paper but still couldn’t cause any damage.

Well, as expected. The Academic Palace isn’t here to hand out free points. Better continue answering the questions; I’m nearly done anyway.

Li Ang shook his head and continued writing the answer to the last question.

"HUP! HA!"

"HYA!"

"HNNNNGH! AAAAAARGH!"

Muffled groans from the candidates began to echo intermittently throughout the examination hall. A physically strong and muscular candidate was clenching his teeth, straining with all his might as he pulled at a corner of the paper. The student recommended by the Ministry of War to his left had stuffed the paper into his mouth, literally "eating the book," and was biting down hard. The student recommended by the Ministry of War to his right was smarter—he first poured ink on the paper, attempting to soften it, then used the head of the brush pen issued by the Academic Palace to poke at it.

They’re definitely Body Refiners.

At the back of the examination hall, the two instructors savored their fragrant tea, observant and all-hearing. They exchanged a smile, a silent understanding passing between them.

RUSTLE.

The sound of an exam paper sliding across a desk was heard. Li Ang picked up all his completed papers, stood up from his seat, and walked to the back of the classroom. He handed his papers to the two astonished instructors and respectfully asked, "Instructors, may I leave now?"

"Ah..." The taller instructor’s mouth fell open. He glanced at the neat papers, smacked his lips, and nodded. "Li Ang, is it? Yes, you may leave. Remember to keep quiet outside the examination hall."

"Okay."

Li Ang nodded, turned, and headed towards the exit of the examination hall, disappearing around the corner under the complex gazes of the other candidates.