Chapter 55

"Go!"

Yang Ji spurred his horse, ignoring the crowd, and galloped straight toward the exit.

The people behind him looked at Yang Ji's back with complicated expressions.

"Who is this guy?"

One voice muttered, speaking the thoughts of everyone.

Originally, although everyone was on Yang Ji's side, they didn't really think anyone was particularly strong. But at this moment, Yang Ji's figure suddenly seemed towering and full of mystery in everyone's eyes.

"Go!"

The crowd spurred their horses and followed, without speaking, the atmosphere becoming much more solemn.

Following the winding mountain path, after thirty miles, they finally reached the exit of Shuangjiling.

"Go! ——"

Not far from the exit of Shuangjiling, a thunderous shout came from behind, and in the blink of an eye, dust rolled up as several riders galloped over like lightning.

"Quick, the Black Wind Bandits, the Black Wind Bandits..."

"We've been ambushed!"

"Those bastards! Bastards! ——"

...

A group of people, covered in blood, their eyes red with anger, fled from the direction of the fork. They looked both shocked and furious, filled with sorrow and indignation.

"It's them!"

Han Bin was startled and quickly turned his horse to meet them. The others hesitated for a moment and then followed.

"It's you! Those few people... those few people weren't actually going to take the exam, they are the Black Wind Bandits!"

Six or seven people recognized Han Bin and approached, gasping for breath.

"We've been ambushed, ambushed..."

The group was filled with sorrow and indignation, their chests and backs, arms and thighs, all cut and bleeding profusely, even Han Bin and the others couldn't bear to look.

From the intermittent narration of a few people, everyone finally learned what had happened. It turned out that after they entered the fork, they were indeed ambushed. The first to attack were those few people who claimed to have been ambushed in "Shuangjiling" and were covered in blood, the "survivors." Caught off guard, several people were killed on the spot.

Then the Black Wind Bandits quickly emerged from the woods on both sides of the road, and without any preparation, the group suffered heavy losses.

If it weren't for the arrival of more examinees from the rear, who joined forces and fought their way out, they would have been completely wiped out.

Although those who could participate in this "Wu Ke Kao" were not weak, and those who reached the tenth level or even the Wu Dao realm were people of extraordinary will, the sudden blow had a significant impact on both their bodies and minds.

Some people, when talking about the intensity of the battle, even shed tears, angrily cursing the "Black Wind Bandits" as bastards, despicable, and shameless...

However, after venting their frustrations, they noticed that although Han Bin and the others showed some sympathy, they were not particularly shocked.

"What? You... you already knew?"

The group looked at Han Bin and the others with suspicion.

"This... we indeed already knew. Including the fact that those few people were the Black Wind Bandits!"

Han Bin hesitated for a moment but still told the truth.

The fork entrance fell silent, and the six or seven "students" who had escaped even forgot to curse, just staring in shock at the four in front of them.

"You knew? How is that possible! ——"

The faces of the few people were filled with disbelief.

They had just escaped from the ambush by the "Black Wind Bandits," and it was impossible for anyone to know earlier than them, unless... they were in league with the Black Wind Bandits.

"Don't misunderstand, we do know, but not in the way you think."

Han Bin explained, recounting everything he knew:

"You all misunderstood him. He was actually trying to save you, but none of you believed him! That road was wrong from the start, not the one you thought it was."

"!!!"

The group was stunned, even more so than when they were surrounded by the Black Wind Bandits.

When you choose a "path" and it hasn't even officially begun, and the other party already knows your fate, the feeling is indescribable.

"Don't blame him. Given the situation, he did his best. And even if he had told you, would you have believed him? That would have been of no help and would have endangered himself."

Han Bin said, with a hint of sympathy in his eyes.

Everyone chooses their own path, one thought leads to heaven, another to hell. Seeing the state of these people, he was somewhat relieved that he had chosen the same path as Yang Ji.

"Hmph! Don't feel wronged. Think about how you reacted when he asked you to go with him! Now that something has happened, you want to blame him. Aren't you ashamed?"

The dark-faced youth was not so polite, directly pointing out their faults.

The few bloodied and seriously injured "students" were initially agitated by Han Bin's words, their eyes bloodshot and faces filled with anger. But after hearing the dark-faced youth's words, they fell silent, and the anger in their eyes faded.

Indeed, when they heard that Yang Ji could have "saved" them but didn't, they were very angry. But upon reflection, when those few people disguised as "Black Wind Bandits" insulted Yang Ji, they had all watched coldly, even gloating.

Although they didn't curse, their looks at Yang Ji were as bad as cursing, full of ridicule. Now that something had happened, who could they blame?

"Where is he?"

One seriously injured "student" asked, seeing Han Bin and the dark-faced youth exchange glances, he explained:

"Don't worry, we're not here to cause trouble."

Phew!

The four breathed a sigh of relief, about to introduce Yang Ji, but turned around to find him gone.

"Indeed, he's not an ordinary person, his actions are different from the norm."

The dark-faced youth smiled wryly and then turned back:

"Don't worry, the Wu Ke Kao is in Pingchuan City, we'll meet again eventually. As for what happened here, don't think about going back for revenge. That's just a rash decision. The power of the bandits is not something we can oppose. The most important thing now is to inform the court, and let the court handle it."

"Right. That's the only way."

Everyone nodded.

The Great Han Dynasty's military might was formidable, and although the border regions were isolated and information was limited compared to the heartland, the "Wu Ke Kao" was a major event held every three years.

If something like this happens to the "students" on their way to the exam, the court will definitely intervene.

Although the Black Wind Bandits are powerful, they are like chickens and dogs in front of the court.

"Go!"

The group spurred their horses and galloped away...

...

Yang Ji listened for a while and then left Shuangjiling. Compared to the other participants in the "Wu Ke Kao," his time was much more urgent.

"Only a little time left."

Yang Ji pushed the Black Tiger to its limits, galloping toward Pingchuan City. Unconsciously, he had covered several dozen miles, and in the distance, he saw a magnificent city with yellow bricks and golden tiles, standing tall and shining. Outside the city, the crowd was bustling, and the streets were bustling with activity, a scene of prosperity.

"This is Pingchuan City!"

Yang Ji was secretly amazed.

This was his first time in Pingchuan City, and the grandeur of the city made his hometown, Jin'an City, seem like a small village in comparison.

At the city gates and on the walls, the soldiers of the Great Han Dynasty, clad in gray armor, were full of vigor and dignity. From a distance, their eyes were sharp and piercing, making one feel a chill.

Inside Pingchuan City, there were countless martial experts. From a distance, Yang Ji could feel a strong blood aura emanating from the city, as if the entire city were on fire.

"When I was in the clan, I heard that the general of Pingchuan City had a sea of blood aura and immense strength. He once kicked open the earth and casually threw two hundred fully armored soldiers, and his intense blood aura could even melt metal. I wonder if it's true."

Yang Ji thought to himself.

There were many legends about the general who guarded Pingchuan City. Some said he had offended a powerful official in the heartland, others that he was ostracized by his colleagues. All the rumors aimed to show that the general was very low-key and rarely appeared in Pingchuan City, making it unlikely to see him.

But one thing was certain: the general was decisive and powerful. His greatest achievement was the suppression of a powerful cult in the border region eight years ago. The army surrounded and killed all the cult members, from the leader to the followers, totaling seven or eight thousand people.

Even some ordinary citizens who had just joined the cult were killed. The entire city of Pingchuan was in a state of fear and silence after that.

Since then, no one dared to speak ill of the general in private!

— The Great Han Dynasty's suppression of cults was that severe!

Yang Ji composed himself and dismounted from the Black Tiger.

"Let's go!"

Yang Ji patted the Black Tiger's back, put away "Xiao Ji," and walked toward the city.

Wild beasts are wild beasts, and their ferocity has not been completely tamed. Although Yang Ji had subdued the Black Tiger with Xiao Ji, it was far from being fully domesticated. Moreover, the Black Tiger was a carnivore, and Yang Ji didn't have the time to find food for it.

"Roar!"

The Black Tiger growled and then turned around, galloping into the vast mountains...

...

Passing through the city gates guarded by the soldiers, Yang Ji saw a grand and imposing row of buildings, clean and wide stone streets, and taverns with fluttering banners. On the streets, young men in fine clothes rode by... but Yang Ji had little time to appreciate the scenery. After stopping a few people, he finally found out where the court registered the students.

"I hope it's not too late."

Yang Ji was anxious and hurriedly headed toward the registration place.

On the east side of Pingchuan City, in front of an ancient and elegant archway, there was a rectangular table with a banner that read "Wen Yi Zai Dao" (Literature Carries the Way). Behind the table, a few rattan chairs were empty.

"No one!"

Yang Ji's heart sank when he saw this.

The "Wen Ke Kao" registration was set up on the street for the convenience of the students and because the civil office was too small. Now, the place was empty, and there was no sign of any civil officials.