Chapter 13

The efficacy of the Demon-Identifying Dew varies according to its grade.

For the Martial-grade Demon-Identifying Dew, different types are effective against different kinds of demons.

However, the Mystic-grade Demon-Identifying Dew is different; it can force the majority of demon cultivators to reveal their true forms.

Since its effect is more powerful, its value is naturally higher.

A small vial of Mystic-grade Demon-Identifying Dew is worth ten thousand taels of silver in the market!

Another reward worth ten thousand taels, is this the benefit of passing the imperial examinations?

Why? Yu Qing suddenly felt a deep sense of discomfort, the feeling of seeing something he couldn't have, making him feel quite resentful.

But there was no way around it. Regardless of whether he could guess the riddle, he couldn't take the limelight and claim the reward. If the officials here remembered his fake "A Shiheng" appearance, how would the real A Shiheng be able to come for the next examination in the capital after his arm was healed?

Despite his resentment, he still adhered to his principle of keeping a low profile and not leaving an impression on others.

Yu Qi had basically put up a prize equivalent to Di Cang's.

A prize worth twenty thousand taels of silver was no small amount for these candidates.

"Good!" Lu Jigui was quite pleased and announced to the crowd, "Since the two gentlemen have shown such generosity to the talents of Lizhou, how can I not show some appreciation? This way, the state will give each candidate ten taels of silver to cover their expenses in the capital." With one sentence, the government spent over three thousand taels of silver.

An official nearby nudged Zhan Muchun with his elbow, and the top scholar finally reacted, leading the way with a bow, "Thank you, Governor, and thank you, the two masters."

"Thank you, Governor, and thank you, the two masters."

The group of candidates thanked them in unison, even though the two masters had offered more rewards, they still thanked the governor first.

Lu Jigui waved to dismiss the formalities and turned to the official in charge, "Is there a place where several hundred people can sit and write?"

The official hurriedly replied, "Yes, there are several large halls in the nearby Yuxiu Garden that can be used."

Lu Jigui seemed interested, "Good, lead the way."

The official immediately signaled the candidates to make way, inviting Lu Jigui and the others to go ahead, while also whispering a few words to Lu Jigui.

Lu Jigui nodded and said to Di and Yu, "Let's go prepare the riddles first."

With permission, the official stopped, called over a subordinate, and gave him some instructions before chasing after Lu Jigui again.

The subordinate immediately turned and loudly said to the candidates who were about to follow, "Gentlemen, please wait a moment. Yuxiu Garden has plenty of tables, chairs, and paper, but it will take some time to gather enough ink and brushes for several hundred people. To avoid keeping Governor Lu waiting, please go back to your rooms and fetch your writing tools. I will wait here for you to gather."

"Alright." Zhan Muchun responded first, bowed, and led the way back to his room.

The group of candidates all agreed and ran off.

Yu Qing looked around, what could he do? He pretended to go back, still sighing over the twenty thousand taels of silver prize.

He hadn't walked far when he saw a tall, muscular figure ahead, recognizing it as Xu Fei, who was rushing back. He instinctively reached up to smooth his ponytail, but found it missing and gave up.

Following Xu Fei, his eyes flickered for a while, then he clenched his teeth, seemingly making a decision. Yu Qing suddenly quickened his pace, ran up, and greeted him warmly, "Brother Xu."

Xu Fei turned his head, surprised to see him. This cold and distant person was actually greeting him warmly, it was like the sun rising in the west.

Caught off guard by the warm greeting, he was taken aback, "Brother Shiheng, what's the matter?"

Yu Qing looked around, reached out to grab his arm, and slowed him down. They changed from a jog to a normal walk, "There are still people staying further back than us, we don't need to rush."

Xu Fei was even more surprised, he was actually speaking so many words to him, "Brother Shiheng, do you have something to ask?"

Yu Qing finally smiled at him, chuckling, "May I ask, Brother Xu, what rank did you achieve in this year's provincial examination?"

Xu Fei was suspicious, not knowing why he was asking this, and replied, "131st place, I'm ashamed to say."

"There's no need to be ashamed, that's quite good." Yu Qing said politely, but his smile was a bit too wide, one eyebrow slightly raised, his eyes showing something else. He was already thinking, 131st place, there's little hope of making the golden list.

In other words, if Xu Fei, this dark-faced scholar, fails this time and doesn't come to the capital again, he is unlikely to meet A Shiheng again.

Is this person mocking me? Xu Fei tried to counter, "Brother Shiheng, what rank did you achieve in the provincial examination?"

Yu Qing deliberately sighed and humbly said, "Not very good, also after the 100th place, 106th."

"Twenty places ahead of me, much better, Brother Shiheng is being modest."

"Ah, Brother Xu, you're too kind. We're both after the 100th place, it's about the same."

"Brother Shiheng, I'm not being modest. Passing the provincial examination this time was a surprise to me and my family. We thought it was a stroke of luck. To be honest, I guessed the questions right, otherwise, I wouldn't have passed. I just got lucky, I'm not as talented as Brother Shiheng."

Guessing the questions, Yu Qing had heard of this. Some people would predict the questions based on the examiner's writing style and preferences, and then study accordingly. If they guessed right, it meant they had hit the questions, and the results were obvious.

This wasn't cheating, but in a way, it was a form of cheating. Not everyone could do it, and even if they knew the examiner, they might not know their writing style and preferences. Sometimes, life was unfair, and no one could change that.

Yu Qing immediately sized up the person, realizing his family background was decent. But that wasn't what he cared about at the moment. He continued politely, "Brother Xu, your modesty is admirable." Not letting the other person argue, he quickly added, "Brother Xu, with our ranks in the provincial examination, the capital examination will be tough. If we fail, will you try again next time?"

Xu Fei laughed, "No, I won't. How can I always be so lucky? But not trying would be a waste, especially since I passed the provincial examination. My family wouldn't agree if I didn't try. So, this time is a gamble. If I fail, my family won't expect me to try again. Finding a position in Lizhou is the right path. To be honest, I don't want to be an official. In this world... I'd rather ride the rivers and lakes, doing good deeds, but my family won't agree."

Not wanting to be an official, Yu Qing believed him. After all, the dark-skinned, big-armed appearance wasn't an act.

These details weren't important. What Yu Qing was happy and relieved about was confirming that this person wouldn't take the capital examination again.

If he failed this time and wouldn't try again, the chances of meeting A Shiheng again were slim, and he was relieved.

To be honest, the low-profile Yu Qing was getting restless, stirred by the large reward. His heart was racing, and he couldn't hold back.

He knew that to be safe, it was best not to leave a deep impression on Xu Fei.

But another part of him was convincing himself, "You are now the head of Linglong Temple, and it's your duty to accumulate funds for the temple."

With no major concerns, Yu Qing's heart was like a wild horse, losing patience. He got straight to the point, "Brother Xu, what do you think about how the rewards the governor mentioned will be distributed?"

Xu Fei shrugged, "Who knows, but the winners will definitely get more rewards."

Yu Qing: "That's what I thought. Are you going to compete for first place?"

The two had turned into a shaded path between two buildings. Xu Fei stopped and laughed, "Who wouldn't? Such a good opportunity, the material rewards are secondary. The most important thing is to get noticed by the governor."

Yu Qing stopped too, a bit confused, "Getting noticed by the governor is more important than the rewards?"

He looked Xu Fei up and down, "It seems the goals of the rich and the poor are indeed different."

Xu Fei was taken aback, "Brother Shiheng, are you really unaware or just pretending? We study hard and travel far to take the exams, all for our future. Now, with this opportunity, how can we not cherish it?"

Yu Qing still looked confused, "Getting noticed by the governor will secure our future?"

Xu Fei glanced around, put his arm around Yu Qing's shoulder, and whispered, "Brother Shiheng, is this just any kind of getting noticed? This is a test personally hosted by the governor. Mr. Yu Qi said it's a test of quick thinking. If you win, it will become a famous story. Whether the governor remembers it or not, there will be people who will make sure he does...

Let me put it simply, if you win this time, even if you fail the capital examination, you'll have a backup plan. When you return to Lizhou to seek a position, just say, 'I am the one personally chosen by the governor as the first place winner.' Which official would dare to delay or refuse? This is much better than our families running around to find connections. See how everyone is rushing, do you really think it's just for the rewards?"

Yu Qing wasn't stupid, he just hadn't been exposed to this before. With this explanation, he understood immediately and was a bit surprised. He hadn't realized that Xu Fei, with his simple and straightforward appearance, understood these nuances.

On the other hand, since Xu Fei was being honest with him, Yu Qing became more direct, "Do you think you can win first place?"

Xu Fei smiled, "I'll do my best, but it's not easy. The competition is fierce, and the rewards are significant. Everyone is trying their hardest."