Chapter 63

Yang Ji entered a bookstore and quickly found the *Wu Dian* (Martial Canon) at a prominent location.

The *Wu Dian* is an auxiliary book related to martial arts, covering geography, human customs, weapons, military strategies, and both domestic and foreign lands.

According to rumors, the *Wu Dian* even includes information on the military distribution and armories of the Han Dynasty, as well as data on barbarian tribes, other dimensions, and evil deities and cults, compiled by several high-ranking 'Martial Saints' of the Han Dynasty.

The *Wu Dian* that Yang Ji bought was just a simplified version, only a thin layer. Over time, the *Wu Dian* has been continuously updated, spawning countless versions.

The one Yang Ji purchased was the simplest, and the higher-level versions could only be bought after passing the 'Wu Tongsheng' (Martial Scholar) examination at the county government office.

There were noble versions and commoner versions, and the original *Wu Dian* was said to still be stored in the Han Dynasty's armory.

The 'Wu Tongsheng' level *Wu Dian* was relatively simple. With his strong foundation in literature, Yang Ji could quickly get a handle on this abridged version of the *Wu Dian* with a bit of time.

After paying, Yang Ji quickly returned to the inn where he was staying.

*Creak!*

The moment the door opened, Yang Ji's vision blurred, and a row of figures appeared before him, each with a sharp gaze fixed on him.

"Yang Ji?"

A joyful voice asked tentatively.

"Yes, I am. Who are you?"

Yang Ji raised an eyebrow, looking at the strange formation before him with some surprise. Fang Butong, who shared the room with him, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, four or five people in blue robes, exuding an official air, were sitting stiffly in the room, having waited for him for a long time.

"Ha! Great!"

Upon hearing Yang Ji's response, the clerks stood up happily, their faces beaming.

"Finally, we've found you. It wasn't easy. Yang Ji, will you come with us?"

"Are you clerks from the government?"

Yang Ji asked, looking at them in surprise.

These people were weak and wore blue robes, exuding an official air. In Pingchuan City, they could only be clerks.

However, Yang Ji was a bit puzzled. The literary examination had already ended, so why were these clerks in his room? And they seemed to have been waiting for him for several days.

According to the rules of the Han Dynasty, clerks and candidates should not interact before the results of the literary examination were announced. This situation seemed to violate the regulations.

Seeing that Yang Ji stood there unmoving, the clerks were slightly taken aback. They quickly realized something and smiled.

"Don't overthink it. The results of the literary examination have already been announced, so it doesn't violate the regulations. And the person who wants to see you is not us, but someone else. His status represents the government."

"Oh?"

Yang Ji was surprised, a hint of astonishment flashing in his eyes. The literary examination was strictly off-limits to military officials. Even the city lord had no authority to interfere.

As far as Yang Ji knew, the highest authority in Pingchuan City for this matter was the chief examiners. However, the results of the literary examination had not been officially announced, so even the chief examiners could not claim to represent the government.

However, Pingchuan City was well-guarded with soldiers, and Yang Ji was not afraid of any unexpected events. Without hesitation, he followed the clerks out.

On the way, the clerks asked him all sorts of questions, clearly excited and showing a particular fondness for Yang Ji. This left Yang Ji puzzled, not knowing what was going on.

However, from their conversation, Yang Ji vaguely guessed what had happened. It turned out that more than twenty days after the literary examination, the results of this year's 'Wu Tongsheng' examination were almost finalized.

However, this information had not been made public, and only the chief examiners knew the details. Even the subordinate clerks were unaware.

This time, they were summoned by higher-ups.

Finding Yang Ji among the many candidates in Pingchuan City was not easy. Fortunately, the clerks knew that Yang Ji must be staying at an inn, so they searched each one by name and finally found him. Unfortunately, he was not there when they arrived.

Yang Ji was training in a deep pool outside the city, and these clerks waited in the room every day, taking turns, until they finally caught him.

"Hard work pays off. Eight years of effort have not been in vain."

Yang Ji thought to himself.

Even if he were not very smart, he knew that he had likely made it to the final list of the literary examination. However, he did not know his exact ranking.

"This year's 'Wu Tongsheng' examination is strange! Compared to previous years, it seems to have an additional final review stage!"

Yang Ji thought to himself.

Although the clerks were vague, Yang Ji could sense something unusual.

According to the usual rules, if the results of the 'Wu Tongsheng' examination were finalized, they would be announced directly without the need to search for candidates house by house.

This clearly indicated that they wanted to determine the final rankings through face-to-face interviews, adding an extra 'review' stage to the 'literary examination.'

This was clearly an exception!

Additionally, according to the clerks, their fondness for Yang Ji seemed to be related to something that had recently happened in the government hall, but he did not know the details.

Led by the clerks, Yang Ji soon arrived at his destination. However, it was not the government hall as he had initially thought, but a simple residence with green tiles and blue bricks next to the city lord's mansion. The walls of the residence were covered with grayish-brown moss, indicating that the house was quite old.

At the entrance of the residence, a refined middle-aged man in a blue robe stood tall, accompanied by two young men.

"Is this one of the chief examiners of the literary examination?"

Yang Ji was startled when he saw the "middle-aged man in a blue robe." The three chief examiners of this year's literary examination had been widely discussed among the candidates.

Although Yang Ji had not paid special attention, he had heard a lot about them on the streets and had even seen them at the "Literary Hall," so the memory was fresh.

For the chief examiner of the imperial literary examination to be standing outside, waiting for someone, the person inside must be of extremely high status.

In that moment, countless thoughts raced through Yang Ji's mind. However, his actions were swift.

"Student Yang Ji greets the teacher."

Yang Ji said respectfully.

The three chief examiners of Pingchuan City were all well-known for their literary and artistic achievements, highly respected in the literary world.

"Ha ha, no need for formalities. How is Yang Du related to you?"

Meng Zan suddenly asked.

"Ah!"

Yang Ji was shocked, as if struck by lightning, and looked up in surprise. "Yang Du is my late father. Sir, you..."

"Ha ha ha, nothing. Go on in."

Meng Zan stroked his beard, laughed heartily, and waved to interrupt Yang Ji's words.

Although Yang Ji was full of questions, he could only follow the two young men into the courtyard.

Watching Yang Ji and the others disappear into the courtyard, Meng Zan smiled with satisfaction and murmured, "Indeed..."

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