Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 56: Corrupt Official

Chen Yifu’s expression shifted slightly, and he said, "Old Yu, you’re joking."

Compared to Prefecture City, the four-way posting grounds are like a chicken’s rib—there’s some profit to be made, but the nature of it is entirely different.

The land there holds no real guarantee; perhaps in a few years it’ll just get dissolved, and then development starts anew.

The city gentry would never let that sort of place truly thrive—if it did, it’d cut into business inside the prefecture itself.

Though they might call themselves great households, in front of the truly elite and nobility, they’re not worth mentioning at all.

"But if we could just take up something that’s ready made? It wouldn’t be a loss to us, would it?"

Chen Yifu went silent for a moment, glossed over the topic, and said, "Let’s speak no more of it."

Right as his words faded, the academy’s junior official on stage had already finished announcing the examination names.

Suddenly, a shriek ripped through the air, cracking like thunder—a scholar leapt out, crying at the top of his lungs, "Corrupt official! This is a corrupt official!"

Everyone who thought this year’s Child Examination had settled into dust now stared in stunned disbelief at the scholar storming the high platform.

The man flailed his arms and legs, face flushing red, veins bulging grotesquely across his temples.

At the shout of "corrupt official," the crowd’s faces all changed; in their midst, a number of scholars who’d failed the Child Examination wore looks of sudden realization and excitement.

So-called "corrupt official" accused cheating, not just in the test hall, but in the final results as well.

This included officials covering for each other, altering outcomes, impersonation—every kind of exam scandal under the sun.

Such things were hardly rare in the history of the Great Yuan’s imperial exams, but all were crimes punishable by death. Thus, unless one was absolutely certain, no one dared speak out.

The junior official’s face turned crimson with anger as he barked, "How dare you! Slandering Jixia Academy!"

With that, he sprang forward, swift as a tiger or leopard, and pinned the man down in a flash.

Jixia Academy had many who trained in Martial Arts—even a mere service official, professor, instructor, or Mountain Master could best ten men alone.

Lu Chang’sheng couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, thinking of his own slow-going Flood Stake training, and felt a wave of helplessness.

If one wanted to become a junior official at Jixia Academy, none of scholarship, martial prowess, or connections could be lacking.

Otherwise, he’d be tempted to try for it himself.

"Luckily, right now, all my other talents are decent enough!"

Four-Sided Blade Technique, medical arts—he’d achieved Minor Achievement in both. Now, when Lu Chang’sheng used his blade, even three or five common men couldn’t get close.

As for his medical skills, that was even rarer—Minor Achievement in medical arts meant that, in all of Black Mountain Prefecture, if not the best, he at least ranked among the top physicians in the craft.

Only, over the past two years, so as not to provoke his peers from local medical halls, he’d deliberately kept himself hidden; otherwise, the Black Mountain healers would’ve come knocking at his door by now.

The other medical halls all had their own connections—if they all came pressing down, he’d have to either change his approach or slip away with his tail between his legs.

"If I really want to establish myself in Black Mountain Prefecture, I still need a recognized title."

Child Scholar was half a title at best; with some luck and time, he might slowly climb, just like Mr. Chen had. After running the family for a few generations, maybe they could even reach the heights of the Lin Family.

But that road would take far too long.

He’d be better off traveling the path of a Martial Artist instead.

"Corrupt official! You’re corrupt officials, targeting our rebellious lands with your schemes!"

The junior official thought he could silence the scholar he’d caught, but the man stubbornly pressed his face to the ground, howling with all his might.

"Trouble!"

Lu Chang’sheng’s heart gave a jolt.

Even the prominent families, long seated at the Champion Scholar Pavilion, all changed color, standing in haste and heading for the exits.

In an instant, angry faces flared across the field among the scholars.

"I knew it! That’s why I didn’t pass—so that’s how it is, that’s how it is! The Great Yuan should fall; the way of sages trampled into dust. Our failure as Child Scholars comes not from lack of diligence, but from corrupt officials branding us as rebels!"

Countless scholars in the crowd had given their lives chasing the title of Child Scholar. Hearing this, they felt the examinations had never been fair, that their suffering was all in vain. With things in chaos as they were throughout the land, a herd mentality took hold, and dozens of them leapt forward, joining the outcry in a heartbeat.

"Let’s go. Home."

Lu Chang’sheng muttered quietly.

The rest quickly took advantage of the remaining order in the crowd, turning away and squeezing out, lest they be swept up by the mob—if that happened, there was no telling if they’d get free.

A mob out of control is like a flood-beast—unless you’ve mastered the Martial Dao, going against the current would be nearly impossible.

Once at home, all shut their doors and dared not venture out.

It wasn’t until the next day that they emerged, eager to hear what news had come of last night’s events.

Lu Chang’sheng, for his part, had half-expected bloodshed; strangely enough, the situation turned out far better than he imagined.

"When the crowd was nearly out of control, a detachment of Black Mountain Army troops rushed in from the West Gate, encircling the rioting scholars. Those scholars, furious as they were, refused to listen to advice and shouted, ’Behead us if you must, but do not disgrace the books of saints!’"

"The Black Mountain soldiers are hard men, used to wind and rain. Seeing the scholars so obstinate, their captain went to draw his saber for blood, but then Lord Xu Yuan stepped forward and stopped him. When the scholars wouldn’t listen, Xu Yuan barked, ’Very well. Since you claim justice is on your side, I shall argue reason with you!’ With that, he had the panicked Mountain Master fetch a stack of scholar exam essays from Jixia Academy."

"Lord Xu Yuan deliberately chose the essay of the first to mount the stage, opened it in front of all, and read aloud, word for word. At the end, he jeered, ’With essays like this, if you could pass the Child Examination, the very sages would be shamed!’" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"When those words fell, the scholars all withered on the spot, standing still as eggplants struck by frost."

On hearing the news, everyone heaved a long sigh of relief.

"That Lord Xu Yuan is truly a capable man!"

Lu Chang’sheng said with a smile.

It would be easy to kill the scholars, but the consequences would be huge—it might even shake future imperial exams and current affairs alike.

But Xu Yuan, acting in time, eased the crisis and let the scholars of Great Yuan vent their grievances elsewhere.

"Tomorrow is the Imperial Examination for Advanced Scholars."

Lu Chang’sheng said.

"The Imperial Examination is a different beast from the Child Examination, Chang’sheng—you shouldn’t carry too much pressure."

"Indeed! It’s normal to fail the first time. Really, even if you don’t pass after six years, we wouldn’t mind."

Liang Yun thought for a moment before speaking.

The more time he spent with Lu Chang’sheng, the more he recognized the youth’s extraordinary nature; thus, this six-year promise no longer seemed so important in his eyes.

Lu Chang’sheng nodded.

The next day, he rose early, practicing Flood Stake and Four Gates Saber Technique once through. He felt entirely invigorated.

Li Nangua prepared a hearty breakfast for him and escorted him to the examination hall at Jixia Academy.

Only then did she stand quietly in the shade of the trees, whispering her prayers.

"May the immortal gods above help Chang’sheng pass with top honors!"

······