Chapter 67

Hearing these words, Fang Liuxian was taken aback for a moment.

Even in a small place like Linxi County, being the top scorer in the county examination is an astonishing achievement. Anyone with such a result would certainly be eager to inform their family.

On a larger scale, this is a matter of bringing glory to the family, and even for an individual, it’s a moment of pride!

But Jiang Feng said to delay it? Why?

Fang Liuxian's brows furrowed slightly, and he said cautiously, "You have some friction with your family? Don't worry, the notification is issued by the Mingxin Society. No one can stop it or question it, and it has very high authority."

Jiang Feng smiled, "No, I didn't mean to completely refrain from notifying. I just want to delay it."

He spoke slowly, "After the county examination, there is the prefectural examination, and after the prefectural examination, there is the provincial examination..."

Fang Liuxian suddenly understood his meaning, "You plan to wait until all the results are out before informing your family?"

The people around him looked at Jiang Feng in disbelief.

Being the top scorer is indeed a great achievement, but Linxi County is just a small place, a remote county under Yushui Prefecture!

In the county examination, Jiang Feng faced opponents who were just martial cultivators from a rural area like Linxi County. In the prefectural examination, he would face the top talents who passed the county examination from the entire Yushui Prefecture, and in the provincial examination, he would face the geniuses from the entire Zhutian Dong Province!

Jiang Feng had only secured the top spot in the county examination. How could he guarantee that he would achieve good results in the prefectural and provincial examinations?

For a moment, everyone in the side hall had different expressions.

Teng Zhi was extremely shocked. He did not doubt his own ability and had aimed for the top spot this time. Even so, he felt that passing the prefectural examination was already a good achievement, and whether he could obtain the Tianzhao Order for the provincial examination was still uncertain. But Jiang Feng had set his goal so far ahead?

Most of the others had similar thoughts, while the three people from Guten Martial Hall showed obvious ridicule. Fang Liuxian looked at Jiang Feng, his smile growing wider, clearly appreciating this young man even more.

Ping Luan Shan suddenly burst out laughing, "Old Jiang, good brother, you have ambition! But I also think it's better to wait until all three examination results are out before notifying."

He winked at Jiang Feng and said excitedly, "Imagine, when the three announcements come one after another, leaving everyone speechless, it will be incredibly exhilarating!"

Jiang Feng looked at him and laughed, nodding heavily, "Yes, it will be incredibly exhilarating!"

Fang Liuxian also laughed and said loudly, "Good, you truly have ambition!"

He wrote swiftly on the paper in front of him, saying, "There was indeed a precedent in the past. Lin Feibai consecutively won the top spots in three major examinations and finally became the top scholar in the national examination. Four consecutive announcements were sent to the Lin family, which was a grand event across the entire Jiutian Continent! Jiang Feng, I look forward to you recreating that grand event!"

In a moment, a recommendation letter was written, along with a silver Tianzhao Order, which was handed to Jiang Feng.

Jiang Feng looked at Fang Liuxian's smiling face and nodded solemnly in gratitude.

Fang Liuxian stroked his beard and laughed, "When the good news comes one after another, don't forget to invite me to the ceremony!"

Jiang Feng also laughed and promised, "I will definitely do so!"

The silver Tianzhao Orders were also given to Hong Cheng, Ping Luan Shan, and Teng Zhi, each with different expressions.

The three people from Guten Martial Hall took the Tianzhao Orders and left immediately. From beginning to end, they did not even glance at Teng Zhi, as if he did not exist.

Teng Zhi had no way to vent his frustration and could only silently follow behind Jiang Feng.

Jiang Feng did not say much to him and turned to smile, "Let's go, tell Teacher Hua this good news! Although Teacher Hua probably already knows..."

Hong Cheng was grinning from ear to ear, "Right, we agreed to have a meal together. Let's go to Youxi Pavilion!"

Youxi Pavilion was the largest restaurant in Linxi County, with high prices. In the past, Hong Cheng would never have spent money there. But today was different. From today on, his life had completely changed!

The group left excitedly. At this time, the results of the county examination had already spread throughout Linxi County. A crowd gathered at the county office, eager to see the new top scorer.

Qu Chun smiled and looked outside, saying, "If we go out like this, we might not reach home until it's dark."

Jiang Feng smiled bitterly, "Is there any other way to go...?"

A minor official in the county office was watching the commotion with his hands in his sleeves. Hearing Jiang Feng's words, he smiled and pointed, "You can go out through the side door, turn right at the first intersection, and there's a small alley that leads around. If you move fast enough, you might be able to escape this situation."

Hong Cheng, being a local, nodded, "That's right, this small road is more secluded, and I've walked it before."

The six of them followed the official's directions and left through the side door of the county office. It was indeed much quieter here, but they could still hear the noise from the other side.

Ping Luan Shan lowered his voice and teased, "Old Jiang, you've really made a big splash this time!"

Jiang Feng said, "It's a big splash, but also a big headache..."

Wang Erhu envied, "I'd like to experience such a headache too!"

Hong Cheng patted his back and smiled, "Today's result is already very good. What do you plan to do next?"

Xiang Sheng did not hesitate, "I've already chosen a college. Linjian College just approached me, saying that although my score is not up to standard, they are very optimistic about me and have invited me to join."

Linjian College was the largest martial cultivation college in the area. Xiang Sheng ranked 26th this time, and it was indeed a good opportunity to enter.

Wang Erhu was a bit hesitant. He said cautiously, "I'm thinking of trying again next year..."

He was younger than Hong Cheng and Xiang Sheng and had only taken the county examination twice so far, indeed having one more chance.

He said, "I feel I still have room for improvement and want to aim for the top ten next time!"

Xiang Sheng looked at him in surprise and asked, "Do you want to try the prefectural examination? The prefectural examination usually only takes 50 people. If you barely passed the county examination, you might not pass the prefectural examination. Didn't Linjian College also approach you? Why don't we go to school together?"

Hong Cheng shook his head and said loudly, "If you want to try, then try! If you're worried about your family's income for the year, I can help! Think about it, if we hadn't tried again this time, we might have just muddled through our lives! Now I feel that if there's a chance to advance, we should take it!"

His eyes sparkled with unusual light, and Jiang Feng smiled at him. Ping Luan Shan leaned in and whispered, "I think the leader has changed..."

Indeed, compared to the hesitation and pessimism of the morning, he now seemed like a completely different person!

While they were talking, Teng Zhi just followed silently behind, without a word.

At this moment, they had already walked out of the small alley to a more secluded part of Linxi County. After one more street and a few more alleys, they would reach the Yuanshan Martial Hall.

Suddenly, Jiang Feng raised his head and shouted, "Be careful!"

Next to them was a small hill, half covered with shrubs and half with soil, looking very quiet. As soon as Jiang Feng spoke, several figures appeared on the soil slope, descending from the sky and pouncing down viciously!

These figures were backlit, and only their clothes could be seen, not their faces. Jiang Feng recognized the clothing immediately and his eyes narrowed!

These people were all dressed in black, with half their faces tightly covered by black cloth, leaving only their eyes exposed. A red ribbon was tied to their right arm, fluttering in the wind.

This appearance was extremely familiar to Jiang Feng.

It was they who followed behind the Thorny Wood and took away the young lady!

The subordinates of Fuliujun!

These people were all silent, holding black daggers, and silently rushed to them, immediately aiming for their faces.

Except for Jiang Feng, who was somewhat prepared, the other five were caught off guard. Ping Luan Shan and Teng Zhi reacted the fastest, dodging and instinctively counterattacking!

Hong Cheng and Wang Erhu both dodged, falling to the ground and rolling several times to avoid the attack.

Only Xiang Sheng, who instinctively stepped back to avoid the attack aimed at his face, did not realize that he had fallen right into the enemy's trap. The black-clothed man followed up, slashing downward, aiming for his throat!

In an instant, a streak of blood appeared on Xiang Sheng's throat, and he made a gurgling sound before collapsing.

The other five were shocked and shouted in unison, "Xiang Sheng!"

Jiang Feng rushed over from the side, using the Thunderfall Palm to push away the black-clothed man and touched Xiang Sheng's chest, checking his breathing.

Xiang Sheng's breathing disappeared visibly, his eyes wide open, staring at the sky, as if he never understood how he died.

A moment ago, he was still happy about his county examination results and excited about entering Linjian College, but in the blink of an eye, he was dead!

Compared to Jiang Feng, Hong Cheng and Wang Erhu had known Xiang Sheng since childhood and had studied together at Yuanshan Martial Hall, so they were deeply attached. Their eyes turned red with rage, and they shouted and rushed forward, engaging the black-clothed men in battle.

They were like young bulls, fearless and driven by Xiang Sheng's death, momentarily forgetting the disparity in strength. However, these black-clothed men, although not of extremely high rank, were far more experienced and cunning than the two.

Hong Cheng was still okay, but in no time, Wang Erhu's body was splattered with blood, half of his clothes stained red!

Jiang Feng shouted in a deep voice, "Ping Luan Shan, run!"

Ping Luan Shan's eyes were red, and he was about to rush forward, but upon hearing this, he immediately roared, "Am I the kind of coward who abandons his friends?!"

Jiang Feng glared back fiercely, "The enemy is too strong. You are fast, go back and call Teacher Hua!"

Ping Luan Shan finally understood and glared at the enemy before turning and running.

Two black-clothed men tried to intercept him, but Ping Luan Shan, once determined, was incredibly fast. In a few breaths, he disappeared down the small road, and one of the black-clothed men shouted, "Quick, finish this!"

The black-clothed men all responded in unison. As the leader spoke, a fist appeared in front of him, striking his nose heavily!

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