Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 587 - 586: Hard to Decline the Warm Invitation

Chapter 587: Chapter 586: Hard to Decline the Warm Invitation

Chai Wei also began to persuade, truly wishing for Tian Peng to stay, "Anyway, we’ll be taking the exam together, and though it’s only been a day since we met, I feel like we have a lot in common to talk about."

"Look, young brother, my son is inviting you so earnestly," said Lord Chai Shao as he tried to persuade Tian Peng as well.

Lord Chai Shao felt extremely surprised to see his son change like this; it had been just one day, yet this young brother had managed to alter his son’s temperament so much. He was indeed an extraordinary person.

"Why don’t you stay, Zhu," Chai Wei urged again.

Tian Peng was somewhat swayed by the persuasion; he considered the situation and acknowledged to himself that the inn he was staying at really wasn’t very good.

He had chosen it to save money, but compared to the accommodations at the Lord’s Mansion, it was less impressive even than a lump of clay.

Moreover, the Lord Mansion was quite close to the Martial Exam Venue, so he wouldn’t need to rise so early in the morning, and he’d even have breakfast brought to him.

Tian Peng made a rough calculation in his mind and then pretended to be overwhelmed by their generosity, "Well, then, since both the young master and Lord have urged me so, I shall stay here tonight."

"Not just tonight," Lord Chai Shao said, "The exam lasts two more days, and after it ends, there will still be the issuing of results, an audience with His Majesty, the granting of official positions, and the provision of a residence. Before all that, little brother, you should stay here."

"Then, I will impose upon Lord and young master," Tian Peng said, unable to refuse.

"You’re too polite, little brother. Sit with me, and I’ll have someone tidy up a guest room for you..." Lord Chai Shao said and stood up to leave.

After dinner, Chai Wei had initially wanted to spar with Tian Peng some more.

Tian Peng found it quite uninteresting and directly asserted that one should not engage in intense physical activities after a meal, especially sparring, as it was particularly bad for the body.

Seeing him speak so seriously, Chai Wei believed him and even remembered Tian Peng’s words, deciding to no longer practice martial arts immediately after meals.

Zhu Ganglie was now his target, and Chai Wei greatly admired him. Whatever Zhu Ganglie did, he would do the same, until his own strength was not far behind Zhu Ganglie’s.

The next day, Tian Peng got out of bed leisurely. A servant had prepared toiletries for him, and after grooming and dressing, he went directly for breakfast.

Though Chai Wei chattered nonstop during the meal, Tian Peng hadn’t had a decent breakfast since leaving the Three Demons.

Even with Chai Wei being somewhat noisy, it did not stop Tian Peng from thoroughly enjoying his meal.

After eating, Tian Peng followed Chai Wei onto the carriage heading for the exam venue.

Chai Wei had thought that Tian Peng would be reluctant to take the carriage since he was a martial artist and often preferred self-reliance, but he got on the carriage without persuasion, merely mentioning it briefly.

Seeing Chai Wei’s astonished look, Tian Peng explained, "If I can save the effort, why should I insist on walking myself?"

"You’re right. I don’t really understand some martial artists, willing to walk even for thirty li," said Chai Wei.

Just before Tian Peng had boarded the carriage, Chai Wei had assumed he was one of those types, but unexpectedly, he turned out to be quite pragmatic.

"That’s foolish," Tian Peng commented bluntly.

"Indeed," Chai Wei agreed, keeping to himself the thoughts that had crossed his mind just moments before.

As it was not their first day, they didn’t arrive too early. By the time they reached, many candidates had already arrived. Seeing the carriage from the Lord Mansion, several exam takers who were good at flattery immediately approached.

"The young master has arrived, come quick, we’ve saved you the best seats," one of the candidates lifted the curtain to welcome Chai Wei, but instead of Chai Wei, Tian Peng stepped down from the carriage.

"How... how is it you?"

The prospective candidate who came to meet them was taken aback and took a couple of steps back for a closer look at the carriage. It indeed belonged to the Lord’s Mansion, and the attire the candidate was wearing wasn’t something one would expect of someone who could afford a carriage ride.

He had arrived early the day before, and other candidates didn’t know how he had come, but with a little thought, one could deduce he must have walked.

But why was he arriving in a carriage today, and moreover, one from the Lord’s Mansion? Surely, young master hadn’t favored this person yesterday.

Tian Peng glanced at the candidate’s frozen hand then bypassed him to disembark from the carriage.

After Tian Peng stepped down, Chai Wei followed. This further mystified the candidate, who was already confounded.

"What’s going on?! The young master actually arrived with this commoner?"

"What’s even stranger is that they came in the same carriage. What exactly happened yesterday? Wasn’t it said that this commoner snatched the young master’s first place? How can the young master be so pleasant toward him?"

"He stole the young master’s first place, not only lived to tell the tale but has also arrived with the young master in a carriage this morning. Why on earth is that?!"

The examiners who were in the distance heard the commotion and glanced over.

Tian Peng was tall and robust; even with many candidates crowding around, he was easy to spot.

It must be said that this candidate possessed innate advantages. If he had not been an examiner but the one in the highest position instead, perhaps he would have been unable not to keep such an extraordinary and capable person around.

The examiner had hurriedly presented his calling card to Lord Chai Shao’s Mansion right after yesterday’s test ended.

This was something the young master had decided on his own, and they were merely executors. The examiner actually feared this fire might burn him as well, so he hastened to report to Lord Chai Shao. However, his calling card was rejected.

Lord Chai Shao’s reason was that during the Martial Exam period, he would not meet with examiners to prevent others from suspecting him of bribing them.

This left the examiner worried and sleepless all night.

He had no desire to be branded with the names of bribery or sycophancy; just that he feared Lord Chai Shao wanted both reputation and rank.

Fortunately, the young master had the strength, and even if he had scored first himself, they would not have to face a bribery scandal.

But now it was different; now there was a commoner in the exam who was more formidable than the young master and whom even the young master admired. He was willing to hand over the first place that had already been earmarked for him.

The young master and that commoner might have been satisfied, but the real difficulty was for those officials below them.

If Lord Chai Shao truly did not care, so much the better, and both sides could rest easy.

The young master’s self-respect would be intact, and the commoner would have achieved first place. But if Lord Chai Shao did care, then they at the Martial Exam Venue would be caught in the middle, unable to do right by anyone.

Initially, the examiner was just watching the excitement and thought they had come to welcome the young master, which explained the buzz.

But if it was just to welcome the young master, wasn’t this a little too much fuss? The stir was somewhat abnormal.

The examiner said to a servant beside him, "What’s all the commotion over there? Go check it out; make sure the young master hasn’t had a conflict with someone."

"Yes," the servant nodded and headed over there.

After a while, the servant came running back and reported, "Sir, I’ve just inquired, and there’s been no conflict over there."