Chapter 84

Li Xing finally stepped down from the stage, but the controversy surrounding him did not fade.

Yang Ji glanced at the dispirited Li Xing and quickly averted his gaze.

"Still okay."

Yang Ji thought to himself, "I hope he doesn't get back on stage today."

Not everyone can calmly face others' criticism, and Li Xing's current state clearly made him unsuitable to continue the competition.

The identity verification area was to the right of the stage, where several elite soldiers stood like long spears, and two officers who looked like squad leaders stood in the middle.

"Sir, please."

Yang Ji walked over and, with ease, handed over the prepared "household register" and "travel permit," along with the wooden token for the competition.

One of the two officers was the "black-faced man" who had presided over the 10th stage competition. With him present, Yang Ji's verification process was very simple. Soon, Yang Ji received a copper token indicating he had passed the verification.

This was the second credential required for the复试 (retest). Without it, even having the wooden token for the competition would be useless.

"Kid, good luck!"

When it was time to return the "household register" and "travel permit," the black-faced man extended his arm and patted Yang Ji's shoulder heavily.

"Ha ha ha, Tie Er, if you lose, you lose. What's there to be ashamed of?"

Before Yang Ji could react, he heard another officer chuckle.

"Shut up. When has the 10th hall ever been worse than yours?"

The black-faced man, embarrassed and angry, retorted, his face red with indignation.

Yang Ji looked at one and then the other, and soon understood.

"Yes, sir."

Yang Ji put away the "household register" and "travel permit," smiling inwardly.

These "squad leaders" might seem stern and impartial in public, but in private, they were secretly competing with each other.

If a "military student" from their hall outperformed everyone else, it would certainly bring them glory. After all, these "military students" had a bright future and could become prominent figures like "generals," "lords," or "martial deities." If such a prominent figure came from their hall, it would be a great honor to mention in the future.

However, if they performed poorly, like Li Xing, the squad leaders would undoubtedly lose face.

"Hmm?"

Just as Yang Ji was about to leave, he suddenly felt a stirring in his heart and vaguely saw two familiar figures at the front of the stage. The crowd was bustling, and they were quickly blocked from view.

Yang Ji took another careful look and finally saw clearly. The two figures were dressed as "students," mingling in the crowd.

But those two familiar figures betrayed their true identities.

"Yang Wen, Yang Wu!"

Yang Ji's eyes showed surprise. He never thought that Yang Wen and Yang Wu could infiltrate the "Martial Hall."

The rules of the imperial martial examination were strict, and only candidates could enter the "Martial Hall."

"How did these two end up here?"

Yang Ji's mind raced, and many thoughts flashed through his head. "Nothing happens without a reason." Yang Wen and Yang Wu must have a sinister motive for disguising themselves and infiltrating the Martial Hall.

"Yang Wen and Yang Wu are imperial martial officials. They must have used their positions to infiltrate."

Yang Ji thought to himself:

"I just had a conflict with them, and now they appear at the martial examination. It's highly likely they are here for me. They might even suspect me, which is why they are here."

The "martial examination" was still ongoing, and before the matter was settled, Yang Ji did not want to reveal any information to "Madam."

"The martial examination is already halfway through. I've endured eight years of humiliation; I can endure a little longer. If I can make a name for myself in the martial examination and earn the title of 'military student,' I will deal with them properly then."

With this thought, Yang Ji quickly left.

"Yang Wen, I think I saw something."

Just as Yang Ji left, at the front of the crowd near the stage, Yang Wu suddenly said. His eyes scanned the area where Yang Ji had been, but the crowd was too dense, and he couldn't see clearly.

"What did you see?"

Yang Wen turned his gaze from the stage and asked.

"Nothing."

Yang Wu frowned and said, "Maybe I was mistaken."

The area around the imperial martial officials was empty, and there was no sign of the figure he had seen.

"Don't overthink it."

Yang Wen shook his head and laughed, seemingly understanding his meaning. "If it really was Yang Ji, we would definitely recognize him as soon as he steps on stage. And at such a close distance, we wouldn't make a mistake."

"If we confirm that boy, it's almost certain he has already reached the Martial Realm. Then we will send a message to Madam. A mere martial practitioner can't cause much trouble. Given Madam's character, once she knows this, it will be the end for that boy."

As Yang Wen spoke, a cold look flashed in his eyes.

From his understanding of Madam, the only reason she held back was out of consideration for the clan's patriarch. If it was confirmed that Yang Ji had reached the Martial Realm and was beyond her control, there would be no need to hold back.

Even if Yang Ji had reached the Second Level of the Martial Realm, if Madam really went all out, he would be nothing more than a small grasshopper, and death would be just a matter of minutes.

"Such matters don't need our concern. Just keep your eyes open and watch carefully."

Yang Wen said.

"Okay."

Yang Wu nodded, suppressing his thoughts and not saying more.

...

In a secluded corner of the hall, where it was less likely to be seen, Yang Ji quickly changed into the "brocade clothes" he had bought on his way.

Yang Ji's usual clothes were simple, and this silk brocade was originally prepared for future use. But at this moment, he couldn't afford to be picky.

Just changing clothes wouldn't fool Yang Wen and Yang Wu. Yang Ji thought for a moment and then took out the golden mask he had obtained from Zhou, the head steward.

The mask had two sides, one golden and one silver. The silver side had many patterns, and Yang Ji still hadn't figured out the secret of the silver patterns.

Yang Ji picked up the mask and put it on without hesitation, then untied his hair, letting the black strands fall and tying them back with a silk ribbon.

"This is still not enough. Clothes can be changed, but temperament is hard to change. If it's just this, Yang Wen and Yang Wu, who know me well, would still recognize me."

Yang Ji thought to himself. He subconsciously recalled the time he had infiltrated the Bai Cao Hall in black clothes and a mask. Under those circumstances, whether it was the bandits or the third son of the Li family, they all recognized him without seeing his face.

That was his first and most failed attempt at disguise!

In the future, when he was alone, he would face various situations and would inevitably need to hide his identity. If he couldn't change his temperament, he would surely be exposed, causing many troubles, or even endangering his life.

Yang Ji slowly closed his eyes, silent, and many thoughts raced through his mind.

In the past, he had no support in the clan and endured all kinds of cold looks and exclusion. Faced with others' bullying, Yang Ji had to tell himself, "Endure for a moment, and the storm will pass; take a step back, and the sky will be clear."

At that time, in the eyes of other Yang clan members, he might have seemed weak and easy to bully.

But Yang Ji knew that wasn't the real him. Perhaps he didn't need to disguise himself at all... but rather, he needed to awaken the true, powerful self within him!

The self who broke free from constraints, fearless, and fully revealed his sharpness!

Yang Ji closed his eyes and remained still. Slowly, it was as if a seed was taking root in his heart, and a subtle change began in Yang Ji.

At first, the change was not obvious, but in a short time, Yang Ji's temperament underwent a complete transformation, as if he had become a different person.

"Whoa!"

Several candidates closest to Yang Ji felt a sudden unease. When they saw Yang Ji's appearance, their eyes were filled with doubt, and they instinctively stepped back.

Yang Ji had been changing clothes here, and they had all seen it. During the martial examination, all kinds of strange attire and behavior were common, so this was nothing unusual.

But now, they couldn't help but doubt whether the person they had just seen was the same person.

Buzz!

Yang Ji's eyelids trembled, and he suddenly opened his eyes, a bright light flashing in them. At that moment, he was full of confidence, free from any constraints, and no longer afraid.

This was the real him!

Yang Ji took a step forward and, under the surprised gazes of the crowd, walked confidently toward the front of the stage. But he knew he had succeeded!

At that moment, even if he removed the mask, Yang Wen and Yang Wu would find it hard to believe it was him.

"Stop!"

Near the stage, two guards in black heavy armor blocked Yang Ji. Several officers also looked over.

Yang Ji didn't speak but showed his wooden token and copper token and pulled down a corner of the mask.

"Let him through!"

The "black-faced man" spoke, a look of surprise in his eyes, and waved his hand.

He had supervised Yang Ji's exam and knew him well. Besides, the copper token was issued by him just now.

Every year, there were many candidates with strange attire and behavior. He had seen stranger things. But these were the candidates' freedoms, and as long as their identities were confirmed to be genuine, the court never interfered.

The black-faced man's lips moved, and he wanted to ask Yang Ji, but he changed his mind. Everyone had their own preferences and reasons, and there was no need to pry.

"Boom!—"

At that moment, a loud noise from the stage caught everyone's attention. A figure, bleeding profusely, flew off the stage like a broken kite.

"Number 1776, Zhao Qi, wins!..."

A stern voice announced the winner.

"It's Li Xing again!"

"...He couldn't even withstand one move!"

"The people from Unit 10 are too weak!"

"He looks like a clown!"

"Get lost. How did he even pass!"

...

The crowd below the stage was in an uproar, with angry shouts. Not only were the onlookers cursing, but the people from Unit 10 were also cursing. They cursed Li Xing on the stage and the others around them, causing a chaotic scene.

"Li Xing is back on stage!"

Yang Ji frowned as he looked at the stage.

In the second round of the retest, each candidate could appear on stage a maximum of three times a day. In the time it took for him to turn around, Li Xing had already returned to the stage and lost three times. His luck was truly terrible!