Chapter 75

"Legend has it that a martial saint once passed through our area and immediately saw a dragon-shaped spiritual vein underground. Later, to suppress this dragon-shaped spiritual vein, the court built this Pingchuan City. And this inn is located at the dragon's eye position of the vein. It is said that the innkeeper has a handwritten note from the martial saint, which reads 'Earth Dragon Inn.'"

"However, the old innkeeper was reluctant to part with it, so he kept the note. Based on the martial saint's handwriting, he had a signboard made, which is those four characters."

In the inn, Han Bin poured a cup of wine for Yang Ji, pointed to the signboard above the railing, and smiled.

"This kind of thing is just hearsay. The essence of Pingchuan City is no different from other places. If there were really a dragon vein underground, it wouldn't be like this."

Yang Ji said calmly.

"Rumors are unreliable, but what you see with your own eyes is real." Although Yang Ji didn't disbelieve all legends, his attitude was very cautious, and he didn't easily believe what others said.

Moreover, compared to vague legends, Yang Ji trusted his own judgment more.

"Hehe, I don't know if there is a dragon vein underground. However, in Pingchuan City, the court strictly prohibits digging deep wells. They even went to great lengths to divert a river for water. This is an indisputable fact."

Han Bin said.

Yang Ji was silent, lost in thought. Digging wells for water was normal in any place. Even in Jin'an City, where there was a river, many people still dug wells at their homes for water.

But Pingchuan City was different. Digging wells within the city was strictly prohibited, which was completely unreasonable. Moreover, violators were severely punished, not only having to fill in the well but also face imprisonment and heavy fines.

This was a unique situation in Pingchuan City, and compared to other places, this law was indeed somewhat strange.

"You just said you know a lot about this year's martial examination. What exactly do you know?"

Yang Ji glanced around and whispered.

The "Earth Dragon Inn" was enormous, almost the size of three large inns, and was filled with "candidates" dining inside. It was very close to the "Martial Hall," and as Han Bin said, if you wanted to gather information about the martial examination, this was indeed a good place.

"Hehe, this year's martial examination is indeed unprecedented in terms of talent. Do you see that person over there, yes, the one in the corner."

Han Bin indicated with his eyes and whispered.

Yang Ji glanced over and saw a young "student" sitting in the corner of the second floor of the inn. He had a determined expression, his back straight as a spear, and even when he was picking up food or eating, he never bent his back, exuding a sense of uprightness.

However, what left the deepest impression on Yang Ji was the large table in front of him, which was filled with at least thirty dishes, all beautifully prepared and densely covering the table. The entire table was for him alone.

Although he was picking up food, his gaze was fixed straight ahead, unfocused, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

"That table of dishes is worth at least five taels of silver. Ordinary people can't even afford five taels of silver, let alone finish all thirty dishes. But I've seen him several times, and each time he eats everything clean, like a whirlwind, truly worthy of his military family background!"

Han Bin said.

"From a military family?"

Yang Ji frowned and couldn't help but look again.

The candidates for the "martial examination" were diverse, coming from all kinds of backgrounds. But overall, people like Yang Ji and Han Bin were quite ordinary, including "Shen Tong," the son of a wealthy merchant.

Compared to Yang Ji and others, the identity of a "son of a military family" was very special, almost completely different from others.

"With his background, he should be able to join the military easily and get promoted. He doesn't necessarily need to participate in the martial examination."

Yang Ji said.

"Money can move even the dead," a military background was also a resource, a kind of alternative "money." With such a background, reaching at least the rank of "Du Wei" (a military officer commanding thousands of soldiers) should not be a problem!

A Du Wei could command thousands of soldiers, which was no small feat, and could be considered a prestigious and powerful position. It was not necessarily inferior to the background of a martial examination graduate.

"With a military background, he certainly has an advantage. However, what he wants is clearly not just that. Without the background of a martial examination, the military is ultimately not the orthodox path."

Han Bin said.

Yang Ji was silent. A military background was indeed not as orthodox as a martial examination, and the court's strategy of selecting talent through the martial examination was consistent. If one only relied on military achievements, it was almost impossible to become a high-ranking official!

"By the way, I forgot to mention. His name is Wang Xian, and he is a prominent figure on Platform 20. This year's martial examination has several candidates from military families, but he is the strongest among them."

"He is said to have cultivated the 'Black Fiend Fist,' a powerful and extremely difficult martial technique in the military. His killing aura is so heavy that many people can't even withstand his presence. However, his most formidable feature is his five steel fingers, which are said to have been tempered with a special secret technique, capable of piercing through stone."

Han Bin whispered, his expression somewhat wary.

"Hmm?"

Yang Ji's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he began to reassess this candidate named Wang Xian. He had just seen his fingers, which were white and slender, showing no particular characteristics.

If Han Bin hadn't mentioned it, Yang Ji might not have known about his ability. After all, human fingers are made of flesh and blood, and while Yang Ji could shatter tree trunks with his strength, he couldn't pierce through stone at his current stage.

This was no longer just martial technique but fell into the realm of secret techniques!

"This year's martial examination has a diverse group of participants, not just from military families, but also disciples of sects, children of wealthy families... all aiming for the seven ranks of 'Wutongsheng.'"

Han Bin lowered his voice:

"It is said that the 'important person' has an even more terrifying background than these people. But when I asked around privately, many people didn't even know about this 'important person,' as if he didn't exist, which confused me. However, this year's martial examination has indeed attracted attention from above. Just look at the number of guards this year; there are far more than in previous years, and the security is much stricter."

"So it's an increase this year."

A thought flashed through Yang Ji's mind. He had always assumed that there were so many elite guards in previous years.

"The martial examination has only been going on for two days, and you already know so much."

Yang Ji said.

"Hehe, if you spend more time in places like this, you won't be surprised. People here talk a lot, and if you pay attention, you can gather a lot of information. It's not just me who collects information."

Han Bin smiled, pulled out a notebook from his pocket, and pushed it over:

"This is what I've recorded over the past few days, bits and pieces, but it might be useful to you."

"Thank you."

Yang Ji thanked him and did not refuse. Clearly, he wasn't the only one using a notebook to gather information about the martial examination.

Han Bin's notebook didn't have much content, but it was very diverse. It included things he had observed and noted during the competition at the "Martial Hall," as well as many things he had heard from others.

"This kind of information is indeed useful to me."

Yang Ji didn't touch his chopsticks and immediately started reading Han Bin's notebook. Although Han Bin's records were not as detailed or profound as his own, they were still very enlightening for Yang Ji.