Chapter 36

As usual, Xun Yi woke up, washed up, and sat in the hall to have breakfast.

Liu Ziming reported the situation of the past two days to him and asked, "Young Master, what’s the schedule for today?"

"I’ve taken leave from school to focus on preparing for the imperial examination on the third day of the sixth month. There are only a few days left." As he spoke, he glanced at the lunar calendar beside him.

Today is the twentieth day of the fifth month, leaving only a little over ten days until the examination.

"It’s already summer." Suddenly, looking at the weather outside, Xun Yi sighed, "The climate this year is very hot. After a few more days, it will be Minor Heat, and the examination will take place. I wonder how high the temperature will be then."

Liu Ziming thought for a moment, "This time, the imperial examination is short, but it still consists of three sessions: the third, sixth, and ninth days. Each session lasts three days, and apart from the first day of entry and the third day of exit, you have to stay inside for two nights. This might be a bit..."

Given that Xun Yi had been pampered since childhood, how could he endure the hardship of staying inside for a few days?

Li Lan, with a worried look, gazed at her young master. "Should we find a way through, since Lord Ying and Third Master are both officials in the court—"

"Nonsense!" Xun Yi’s expression changed, and he scolded his maid. Then he said, "It’s only nine days. If I can’t even endure this, I shouldn’t expect great achievements in the future."

"You’re right. Jade unpolished is not a gem. If the young master wants to become a person of high standing, how can he rely solely on the favor of his ancestors?" Aunt Xue smiled as she entered, "Only by enduring hardship and tempering one’s mind can one ultimately reach the pinnacle."

Li Lan and the others thought Aunt Xue was referring to the imperial examination, but Xun Yi understood. Aunt Xue was referring to cultivation. If he truly wanted to pursue the path of cultivation, it would be fraught with difficulties and obstacles, requiring great perseverance.

"Since the young master has already taken leave, should we start studying immediately? Or should we go to Mr. Tao’s place?"

Xun Yi had once studied under the current Grand Tutor, which was a favor from Xun Yu. He had his retired brother serve as Xun Yi’s teacher to pave the way for his future.

"Mr. Tao has been in seclusion at Qiuhua Manor for many years. It’s just a minor imperial examination; there’s no need for the teacher to give guidance." Xun Yi said casually, "Besides, the journey to Lushan County is not short. If something happens and delays the examination, it would be counterproductive."

After some thought, Xun Yi added, "However, we should inform the teacher. Later, you can take my note and send someone to Qiuhua Manor to tell him that the student is sending his regards."

Aunt Xue agreed. Xun Yi then remembered something else, "I lost a sword yesterday. Later, Ming, go and post a notice to help me get it back."

"Lost a sword?" Everyone said in unison, looking at the wooden sword on Xun Yi’s waist.

Because of the Maolin Sword Technique, Xun Yi had always used a wooden sword. Moreover, the sword on his waist was the one he had worn since childhood. Where could there be another sword?

Aunt Xue thought for a moment, "The young master’s sword refers to—"

"Boyang Sword. I bought it a few days ago, but I lent it to someone named Meng Han. Post the notice and ask Meng Han to return the sword as soon as possible."

Boyang? Meng Han? Aunt Xue pondered in her heart but showed no expression, "Understood. I’ll post the notice shortly."

Boyang and Meng Han were naturally part of Xun Yi’s dream, and he wanted to meet Meng Han to compare their dreams.

After finishing breakfast, Xun Yi took Bai Shan out.

"I’m going out for a bit. I should be back for lunch at noon."

Liu Huai was sweeping the yard and secretly glanced at Xun Yi, "This time, he’s probably going to Qiu Lan’s gambling den. The news from Miaoxian County should be coming soon." Liu Huai pondered the benefits he could gain, but no matter how he thought about it, as long as he was still a slave, even if he had supernatural abilities, the Xun family could easily catch him.

"No, I can’t leave now. I must learn all twelve flower laws and then go to the Flower Palace to seek the legendary Flower Deity’s inheritance. Once I reach the pinnacle, the Xun family’s power won’t be able to bind me." Liu Huai bowed to Xun Yi and stood silently to the side.

Xun Yi took Bai Shan to Qiu Lan’s gambling den. Instead of immediately looking for Mr. Qiu, he went to a random table, grabbed a handful of silver, and threw it down carelessly, "This young master bets on the big!"

The gamblers in the den, upon seeing Xun Yi, immediately lit up and quickly followed his bet.

Those who had already placed their bets, especially those on the opposite side, wanted to change. The dealer quickly said, "Once the bet is placed, it cannot be changed."

The gamblers who had bet against Xun Yi hurriedly took out the rest of their money and placed it on Xun Yi’s side.

"Xun family’s young master is here! Place your bets quickly!" Someone suddenly shouted, and the people from the other tables rushed over to Xun Yi’s side.

"Bet on the big!" They placed their bets, and the dealer was terrified, his face pale: How did this little money god come out today? According to the schedule, shouldn’t he be in class?

Xun Yi was seen as a money god by the gamblers. As long as they followed his bets, everyone could make a fortune. But this was not good news for the gambling den.

"This young master hasn’t been here for half a month. I was thinking of making more profits today. It looks like I’ll have to take a big loss today. I can only hope that the young master will show some mercy and not be too harsh."

The people in the gambling den were thoroughly convinced of Xun Yi’s incredible luck. Since Li Junde first brought Xun Yi to the gambling den, as long as Xun Yi wanted to win, he never lost.

Seeing so many people follow his bet, a mountain of silver formed in front of him, and more people wanted to place their bets. Xun Yi slowly said, "Aren’t you afraid that I and Old Qiu will team up and take all your money? We can split it fifty-fifty, and I’m sure Mr. Qiu would be happy."

A few people hesitated, silently taking back their silver and standing aside to watch. Yes, they had done this before.

"Young Master is always fair. Why would he bully us poor people?" A ruffian grinned and placed all his silver on Xun Yi’s side, "This is all I have for the past few days. If I lose it all, I’ll come to your house to beg for food tomorrow."

"You, Xue Laizi, be careful, or my Ming will beat you to death." Xun Yi laughed and scolded, then asked, "A few days ago, I came here to inquire about Yang San and the others. What do you know about them?" As he spoke, he casually gave Xue Laizi some silver from Bai Shan.

Xue Laizi put it in his pocket and smiled, "Yesterday, I searched the city. Those two are from the East Street ‘Tiger Head’ gang. But they’ve been missing for several days."

"What about their families?"

"They’re all the type who can feed themselves and their families with just one person."

Xun Yi sighed, feeling more confident.

"Then help me find someone else. A man dressed as a wandering knight, about my age, named Meng Han." He would use the street ruffians to find Meng Han and then go to Mr. Qiu for help.

At this moment, the dealer, fearing more people would place bets, quickly opened the cup.

Sure enough, it was the big.

"I clearly fixed it to be the small." The dealer was a bit helpless. If Xun Yi hadn’t even approached the table, he would have suspected Xun Yi of tampering with it.

The people in the gambling den had tested Xun Yi’s strong luck many times. Even if they adjusted the results beforehand, as long as the final result wasn’t revealed, after Xun Yi placed his bet, it would automatically become what Xun Yi wanted. It was as if a deity was secretly controlling it.

Such a person, you can’t afford to offend! Mr. Qiu decisively befriended Xun Yi, thus avoiding a major disaster for the gambling den.

"Strange, why is it 4-5-5?" Xun Yi was puzzled. Although he won, he wasn’t particularly happy. Normally, if he wished for something, it should have been a straight or a flush, right?

The dealer’s lips twitched, hurriedly dismissing the gamblers who wanted to follow the bet. The dealer respectfully invited Xun Yi to the inner room, "What kind of person is the young master? Why play outside? I’ve prepared some tea for you and can find some people to keep you company?"