Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 55: Chen Lin Promoted to Child Scholar

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Chen Lin Promoted to Child Scholar

No wonder they wanted to kick these people out.

Wherever these nobles show up, they always make an impressive entrance, surrounded by their followers.

Most wealthy households aren’t interested in opera, but when it comes to flattering the Xun Family, they race to outdo one another.

Just as Lu Chang’sheng stepped out of Huiying Building’s main doors, he spotted a group of prominent families hurrying over with their wives and daughters. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Among them were Zhao Qing and Zhao Xinghua.

"Huh? It’s you!"

Zhao Xinghua arched an eyebrow and breezed right past Lu Chang’sheng, her clothes thin enough for everyone to catch more than a glimpse of what she wore—or didn’t wear—beneath, drawing the eyes of a gaggle of men.

After more than two years apart, the once-slightly ripened girl had become a fully mature woman, like a juicy peach waiting to be plucked.

Everyone kicked out had some level of status, so of course there was no shortage of women, yet she still managed to steal their souls, if only for a moment.

Zhao Qing, however, paused to think and lingered for a moment, nodding a greeting to Lu Chang’sheng.

After all, Lu Chang’sheng was a Child Scholar with some promise; if he hadn’t gotten himself tangled up with the Xun Family, by her nature, she’d have already invested something in him.

What a shame—

"Those nobles sure got it made. Look at all those women, doing everything they can to get close!" Wang Heihou’s eyes were practically glowing green with envy.

Jealousy, envy, hate!

Lu Chang’sheng chuckled and said, "If you ever do reach that level, I bet with that many women around, your legs would turn to jelly from nerves!"

"No way!" Wang Heihou flatly refused to believe it, mind full of those dazzling white sights. He recalled a female courtesan he’d just seen inside. The more he thought about her, the more he felt she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Just then, suddenly, a drum and bell sounded from the city gate direction.

Someone on horseback cut a figure in the night, galloping at full speed, scattering chickens and sending people screaming in every direction.

"Urgent military report!"

"Urgent military report!"

A few wealthy young men were about to shout abuse, but when they heard it was a Black Mountain Army soldier, all their complaints died in their throats.

······

By the next day, rumors spread: the Black Mountain Army suffered a crushing defeat in Guangnan County.

If that were all, it might not be cause for panic.

Guangnan County sits beside Red Water County; this latest rebellion had finally crept in, but compared to Red Water, the situation hadn’t yet reached a fever pitch, and the rebels there weren’t yet a real force. So not many Black Mountain Army soldiers had been dispatched there—just three thousand or so.

But—this wasn’t just defeat. There was open defection!

The whole unit—men and armor—joined the rebels, shaking the army to its core in a way no previous loss had.

"Maybe... this could be a decent opportunity!"

Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself in the shadows.

Still, after a moment’s reflection, he shook his head.

"No, our foundation’s too shallow. Just making it this far is already pushing the limits. Take one more step, and we’ll be someone’s target!"

The resources in the Four Gates area—the Martial Artist Council hadn’t dared to stake too heavy a claim, just collecting rent from houses and recruiting people for archery practice.

In these last two years, they’d tried more than once to get into the businesses in the Prefecture City, but Wei Feng stopped them each time.

It wasn’t that Wei Feng didn’t want to help—almost all trades in the city were already carved out, and if the Martial Artist Council wanted a piece, conflict was inevitable.

They were barely holding on as it was.

Even the medical clinic side had been warned off multiple times.

Even if they really managed to grab a spot, it’d be impossible to hold it!

"If Lu Tongsheng wants to get a foothold in the Prefecture City, there are only two paths: winning the Advanced Scholar’s degree, or becoming a True Qi Realm martial artist!"

That night, the key members of the Martial Artist Council assembled. Wei Feng turned up for once, coming under cover of darkness. After hearing Lu Chang’sheng’s thoughts, he immediately warned him:

"This piece of the city is off limits to you for now!"

Everyone knew the reality and didn’t press further; instead, their gaze at Lu Chang’sheng carried even higher hopes.

True Qi Realm is too far off!

Even with Niu Dazhuang’s Root Bone, Li Fei said it’d take ten or twenty years to even hope to reach True Qi Realm.

Right now, aiming for academic honors is the faster route.

"Don’t worry—this time, I won’t fail!"

Lu Chang’sheng grinned, giving them a solid answer.

After two-plus years of study, he felt more confident than ever about the upcoming exams.

The reason he’d promised results in six years rather than three had been to give himself a little wiggle room.

"I figure this time around, there’s at least a fifty percent chance of passing," he thought silently to himself.

······

That night, at the East Gate Traveler’s Inn.

Lower room.

Li Long looked over at Second Brother Ruan Youzhi, opened his mouth, and said, "How about we move somewhere else?"

Ruan Youzhi shook his head, saying, "Little Third, trust me, this year’s exams are a turning point. Once we make it there—"

Li Long’s head suddenly felt itchy, like something was about to break through and sprout.

"Second Brother, we’ve been here almost three years, and what’s our progress? We just moved from the South Gate Traveler’s Inn to the East Gate Traveler’s Inn! Any longer and I’ll be picking out coffins!"

Ruan Youzhi: 0.0!

He did have a point!

But—

"Trust me. It won’t kill us to wait a few more months. The Black Mountain Army’s defection means Big Brother’s situation is improving, but so long as Black Mountain Prefecture stays stable, we don’t stand a chance yet!"

"So, we wait!" He spat the words out, with an unwavering determination that allowed no argument.

Smart people always trust themselves absolutely.

Li Long could only turn aside and count his fingers.

That had become his habit these last few years.

Ruan Youzhi kept him on a tight leash, terrified he’d cause trouble or blow their cover, so his chances for amusement were almost nil.

······

In a blink, it was time for the Child Examination in August.

Even during a famine year, nothing could dampen the scholars’ enthusiasm—their eagerness to sit for the exams was undiminished; in fact, some even came escorted by rebel troops from rebellious areas.

The Great Yuan’s attempts to wipe out the rebels had dragged on for months, and anyone still hanging on was no pushover—they knew that to really succeed, they’d have to win over the people’s hearts.

Especially the scholars and martial artists.

So, of course, they didn’t get in the way of students rushing off to take the exams.

On the contrary, it was the Yuan officials who had a headache: stop the candidates, or not?

If they turned them away, they’d drive the scholars right into the rebels’ arms; let them through, and what if they were actually rebel sympathizers?

With all the schemes and pushing and pulling, the examinations went on all the same in every Prefecture City.

The August Child Examination flew by. At the end of the month, the front of the Jixia Academy exam grounds was abuzz with activity.

Lu Chang’sheng and Zhao Hu arrived, keeping a low profile as they watched the Jixia Academy posting results.

Not long after, a Junior Official from the Academy came out to announce the names.

"Gu Jiang, age forty-nine, from Gao Shan County!"

"Liu Yun, age thirty-seven, from Wenshui County!"

"Chen Lin, age sixteen, from Black Mountain Prefecture!"

······

"Hmm?" Lu Chang’sheng’s thoughts stirred.

"He actually passed? With a Child Scholar father personally teaching him day and night, the advantage is obvious."

Lu Chang’sheng found himself musing, but didn’t dwell on it.

For many, having a Child Scholar in the family dramatically increased the odds for the next generation. That’s why in many households, when one Child Scholar emerged, the second and third soon popped up after.

Under the Champion Scholar Pavilion, Chen Yifu wore a broad grin.

"Congratulations, Mr. Chen! Now the Chen Family has two Child Scholars in one household!"

"Congratulations, congratulations! Deserved of the title Qilin Child. At such a young age, I’m sure he’ll make Advanced Scholar before long!"

Mr. Chen’s smile froze just a little, and for a moment, he thought of Lu Chang’sheng.

But—

Thinking of that Xun Family young master, a smile returned to his face.

With so much talent, yet no light to shine by?

"Old Chen!" Suddenly, a wealthy gentleman sidled over with a grin, "Now that Lin’Er has made Child Scholar, he’ll need some foundation to build on. Have you got any targets in mind?"

A Child Scholar with ambition knows how to gather resources and build power for himself.

Many old Child Scholars wasted their title, ending up as nothing more than dull salary-man types, and these more prominent Child Scholar families really looked down on that sort.

"Not yet!" Chen Yifu replied.

"Well, I’ve got a suggestion: how about the Four Gates traveler’s quarter?" the gentleman offered with a smile.