Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 58: Master Lu!

In the afternoon, everyone walked into another examination hall to begin the archery test.

Hundreds of child scholars wore varied expressions as they entered the grounds and received bows and arrows from the examiners.

Lu Chang’sheng knew that the feel of a bow mattered, so after collecting his bow and arrows, he stood to the side, repeatedly drawing and releasing the bowstring.

He glanced around and soon sized up the situation.

Of these hundreds of child scholars, only a handful would likely pass the archery portion.

Many of them couldn’t even pull the bow properly—their awkward poses meant hitting the target would be sheer dumb luck.

"Zhang Heng, Ma Li..."

The examiner began calling names one by one after a brief test.

At first, Lu Chang’sheng paid little attention, until he noticed the nobles standing there unfazed, some even receiving special bows and arrows. Suddenly, a sense of unease crept over him.

"Can these nobles really use their own custom bows and arrows?"

Being able to use a familiar weapon gave a huge advantage in a test like this.

Time passed, and soon it was Lu Chang’sheng’s turn.

He walked up to the spot and began displaying his archery skills.

First up was the "White Arrow": after the arrow pierced the target, its tip turned white.

Lu Chang’sheng shot straight into the bullseye; the passing arrow was dusted in a layer of white powder.

Sitting nearby, professors, instructors, the Mountain Master, and a few noblemen from Black Mountain Prefecture all revealed glimmers of amazement.

"Judging by this performance, he’s outstanding in archery!" the Mountain Master of Jixia Academy exclaimed.

He had no impression of Lu Chang’sheng, so he assumed Lu wasn’t the son of any noble family, maybe not even a child scholar worth noticing.

Most child scholars like these had rough backgrounds and no one behind them, so before archery became part of the exams, they wouldn’t have focused on it. Apparently, he’d misjudged this one.

"This young man’s called Lu Chang’sheng; he was a child scholar last year!" Professor Qu, noticing the Mountain Master’s gaze, quickly explained.

Professors at Jixia Academy, also called Mr., were mostly responsible for day-to-day teaching duties.

If he was a child scholar, there was no way they wouldn’t know him.

Hearing this, the Mountain Master just nodded and didn’t think much more of it.

Even the nobles only chatted about it briefly.

To people at their level, being good at archery was a minor merit—they could find several such people in their own households.

But on the following points—Three-in-a-row, Sharpshot, Distance Measurement, Well-Judgment—Lu Chang’sheng performed exceedingly well, so they finally took notice.

"Most likely, this fellow’s archery is near perfection!"

"Gao, are you interested in this one?"

"Our household already has one master archer, but he’s a True Qi Realm martial artist that we can’t invite too often. Getting another wouldn’t hurt!" Patriarch Gao said with a smile.

"Haha, then I’ll leave him to you. The lad’s young, his skills near perfection, and he’s no martial artist—dealing with him should be easy!" Patriarch Xun joked.

Seeing Lu Chang’sheng finish, Patriarch Gao sent someone to invite him, but he was surprised when Lu outright refused.

"Looks like when young people have some talent, they get a bit too proud of themselves!"

A few of the noblemen chuckled and shook their heads at the news.

They were high-born enough not to get angry over one small person’s refusal; otherwise, they’d be breaking the rules.

······

"Gao Family’s nice, but the offer’s way too low!" On the other side, Lu Chang’sheng shook his head and sighed.

The messenger from the Gao Family had acted as if he were doing Lu a favor. Lu disliked that attitude—joining the Gao Family would be as nothing more than a servant with a quirky skill. Otherwise, he wouldn’t mind leaning on them.

"Just a child scholar, such a flimsy background!"

Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself, glancing back at the nobles and officials seated like mountains in the exam hall, and simply wished: hope nothing unexpected happens!

With the archery test finished, this year’s Imperial Examination was basically wrapped up, only waiting until the end of the month for the results to be announced.

No use getting anxious.

As he stepped outside, Lu Chang’sheng saw Li Nangua waiting and felt a little warmth in his heart.

"Here, I made you some soup!"

Li Nangua handed him a bowl of chicken soup she’d prepared.

When Lu Chang’sheng took it, he could still feel its gentle warmth and drank it down.

The girl smiled gently, her eyes like two crescent moons.

With the exam over, Lu Chang’sheng felt a weight lifted from his heart and returned to his courtyard, immediately delving into martial arts practice.

This year’s exam questions were no mystery to him. Based on past results, Lu wasn’t sure he’d take first place, but a spot in the top ten was guaranteed.

The six-year promise? No need for six years!

Of course, until the results were out, he intended to keep his confidence hidden.

When Wang Heihou, Zhao Hu and the others learned Lu Chang’sheng was done, they hurried over to ask how he did, but he brushed them off, saying it would all be clear when the results were posted.

Seeing him act so "unconfident," Liang Yun, Zhao Hu, and the others had expected it, but still couldn’t help feeling let down.

"No worries. If it’s not this year, we’ll try again in three years, and then three more if we have to! You’re still young, don’t be afraid!" Liang Yun said.

Lu Chang’sheng was touched, knowing he had the luxury of waiting for a few more cycles, but Liang Yun, Zhao Hu, and Zhao Fan didn’t—they’d be past their prime after two cycles, and the road ahead would be far tougher.

"I won’t forget the six-year promise! Mr. Liang and Uncle Zhao Fan, rest assured!" Lu Chang’sheng declared earnestly.

······

Two days later, as Lu Chang’sheng was practicing the Four-Sided Blade Technique, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

Before he could stop, Li Nangua had already run over to answer.

"Can I help you?" Outside was a stranger dressed as a servant of a wealthy family.

The servant had clearly investigated this family’s background and, with due respect, said, "My young master has become a child scholar and wishes to invite your master to a banquet!"

With that, he presented an invitation.

Master?

Li Nangua heard the word and, in her mind, pictured Lu Chang’sheng with a head of white hair and a beer belly. She couldn’t help but smile, walked back into the courtyard, and impulsively performed a maid’s curtsy toward Lu.

"Master Lu~"

Lu Chang’sheng, about to sheath his blade, stumbled and nearly poked his own hand.

"Knock it off!"

Li Nangua was startled, her face flushing red as she silently cursed herself for coming up with such nonsense—almost got Chang’sheng hurt. She looked worried.

"I’m fine. Who brought the invitation?"

"No idea!"

As they spoke, Lu Chang’sheng took the invitation and unfolded it—

"Mr. Chen respectfully invites you!"

"It’s the Chen Family," Lu Chang’sheng said quietly.

"Could this be dangerous?" Li Nangua knew Lu and Mr. Chen didn’t get along and asked anxiously.

Lu Chang’sheng smiled and replied, "Danger’s unlikely. If he wanted to kill me over what happened before, Mr. Chen wouldn’t have made it this far!"

"Are you going then, Chang’sheng?"

"I’ll go," Lu Chang’sheng mused, then answered.