Chapter 12

On the eleventh day of the seventh lunar month, before dawn, the door was open, and the wind brought a chill and dampness, making one shiver.

However, looking at the courtyard, the lights were already intertwined and bright, indicating that many had already risen. There was a thin mist in the distance, making the houses unclear.

Ye Qing saw that Qianqian had already packed her bag and even put some old books inside. Ye Qing couldn't help but smile slightly.

Transmigration doesn't necessarily mean a photographic memory, but reaching a certain level in cultivation makes this a basic ability. In his previous life, he had memorized thousands of volumes of Daoist scriptures in his mind. Unfortunately, this time, everything was erased, leaving only the Three Classics and Five Canons and some basic Daoist techniques.

However, reading paper books often triggers inspiration, "reviewing the old to learn the new." Therefore, Qianqian put them down.

The two hastily finished their meal, and it was already dawn. Since there was no dedicated vehicle, they set out early and arrived at the side gate of the Ye residence. Seeing the bright morning light, they climbed the stone steps and heard a voice: "Wait!"

Ye Qing was startled and immediately saw four people coming out, led by Wu Tiesi. With a wave of his hand, they surrounded Ye Qing and Qianqian.

Wu Tiesi, who had apparently received instructions from someone, had improved significantly. He first bowed, showing respect, and then sneered, "The clan has a ban. Young Master Qing is still under house arrest and cannot leave the Ye residence!"

Ye Qing scanned the group, his face turning cold, suppressing his anger: "I am participating in the child examination, which was specially permitted by the county magistrate and approved by the clan leader. Do you dare to block me if you don't want to live?"

Upon hearing this, the servants' expressions froze. The news of five days ago had spread, and the Ye residence was buzzing with it. However, the county magistrate was far away, and this young man, who was alone and weak, was seen every day. They were more surprised than scared.

Wu Tiesi was not afraid, just smiled, and said, "Young Master Ye, please forgive me. I am a servant in the residence. I have not seen the county magistrate or received the clan leader's approval, but I have received the residence's ban. I must follow the rules of the Ye residence! Men, take Young Master Qing back!"

The servants, upon hearing the order, subconsciously looked at Ye Qing, gauging his reaction. Their eyes alternated between fear and impulse. If Ye Qing showed any weakness, they would pounce.

"Ha! Ha! The county magistrate has given his word, and the clan leader has approved. Even Uncle San has tacitly agreed. Where do you little people get the nerve to offend me?" Ye Qing sneered, his eyes cold, but his tone steady: "You all know that the child examination is crucial for my future. If anyone blocks me now, they must be prepared for a fight to the death. Are you prepared?"

As he spoke, Ye Qing coldly scanned the surroundings, including Qianqian, who cooperatively showed a look of disdain!

Pressed by this, the servants looked at each other, hesitant. At their status, they dared not truly defy their superiors or truly make a mortal enemy of Young Master Qing.

But as people in Ye Sheng's courtyard, they could not ignore the master's orders. Weighing the two evils, they hesitated.

At this moment, a green-robed maid and Ye Sheng were watching from a nearby small building. Ye Sheng asked, "What does this mean? The clan has already allowed him to take the exam."

The green-robed maid narrowed her eyes, covering her mouth with a smile, "Young Master, the Daoist examination is not just about literary talent but also about destiny. I let Wu Tiesi provoke him, not to truly stop him. If he retreats, it means he lacks the courage and talent. Even if he persists, the provocation will diminish his prestige, and the clan will know. How much destiny can he borrow from the clan?"

Ye Sheng, hearing this, was delighted, "Ah, Bi'er is smart, truly my good strategist..."

Just as he spoke, things changed below.

Wu Tiesi, having received information about the clan's attitude toward Ye Qing, was not intimidated. His eyes glowed red, and he sneered, "No matter what Young Master Qing says, it is my duty to not let you leave. Please show me the order, and I will immediately bow and apologize."

Saying this, he reached out with a heavy and ruthless hand!

Facing the approaching hand, Ye Qing suddenly became dazed, his eyes instantly deep.

What do the words "child" mean?

In this world, it means having the qualifications of a "scholar," able to practice Daoist techniques, continue in the examination system, and advance in life. One can become a scholar, a juren, a jinshi, and even receive Daoist teachings to achieve immortality.

Not to mention the great calamity to come, this path has been forcibly opened. Now, this small person is willing to die to block him.

If you want to die, I will let you die!

Ye Qing's killing intent arose, staring at the hand that grabbed him. Wu Tiesi grabbed Ye Qing, intending to drag him away, saying, "Young Master Qing, please bear with me. I am following orders!"

He then said to the servants, "Come, help Young Master Qing!"

Seeing Ye Qing being held, the servants became bold and immediately rushed over. But at that moment, Ye Qing grinned and reached into his robe, pulling out a dagger.

In the next moment, the dagger stabbed straight into his heart, then he twisted it and pulled it out, dodged, and gently pushed.

A "pu" sound was heard, and Wu Tiesi's heart spurted blood, splattering the wall. He fell to the ground, convulsing, his eyes wide open in disbelief.

Everyone was shocked, some stretching their necks, others bending over, frozen like puppets.

Ye Qing, not a drop of blood on him, coldly snorted, "This scoundrel tried to block me, so I killed him. You can inform the clan. Qianqian, let's go!"

Qianqian, pale-faced, subconsciously responded and followed.

The servants watched Ye Qing leave calmly and then "boom" scattered like birds and beasts.

On the small building, the green-robed maid and Ye Sheng looked at each other, both disbelieving and fearful!

Speaking of Ye Qing and Qianqian, they walked a mile and encountered a cart carrying goods to the county town.

Ye Qing extended his hand to stop the cart, "Old man, are you going to the county? Let us ride with you, and we'll pay the full fare!"

"Sure, get in!" The driver, seeing the elegant young man and woman, stopped the cart and let them in.

"Scared, right? Come, have some cake." Ye Qing, seeing Qianqian still in a daze, tore off a piece of cake and handed it to her, patting her comfortingly. She trembled, took the cake, and said, "Young Master!"

"Don't talk. You are smart; you will understand." Ye Qing said, knowing from his previous life that Qianqian was intelligent and strong. He gave her half the cake, kept the other half, and ate it, saying, "This Shen family's cake is really good!"

The Shen family's cake was famous in the area, and even people from other regions came to buy it. Normally, eating this cake would make Qianqian happy, but now, as she bit into it, a wave of bloodiness rose, and she had to use all her strength to suppress it.

The cart swayed, moving forward.

At this time, the side gate of the Ye residence was crowded with people checking. Ye Mengqiu stood at the front of the road, calmly watching the shocking and bloody scene.

The servants were pale, the body on the ground, blood everywhere, the cruel scene terrifying. Even the managers were uneasy, only Ye Zifan remained calm.

Soon, the clan's inspectors arrived, "Sir, Wu Tiesi was stabbed in the heart and killed on the spot, with no resistance. The strike was ruthless and precise!"

Swallowing, he continued, "What is more noticeable is that the blood splattered only on the wall and ground, not anywhere else."

This statement made everyone change color, and even Ye Sheng, who didn't understand, trembled violently. Ye Qing's reaction far exceeded his expectations.

Ye Mengqiu, with a stern face, ordered, "Clean up, move the body inside, and clean the area thoroughly. You have half an hour!"

"Yes, sir!" At the order, over a dozen servants came forward, dragged the body away, washed it with water, and covered it with lime.

In less than half an hour, everything was clean. If it weren't for the lingering blood smell, there would be no trace.

Seeing it done, Ye Mengqiu said calmly, "This is no small matter. Do not spread it. Handle Wu Tiesi's funeral as if he died in the line of duty—Zifan, come with me!"

Reaching the corridor, with no one around, Ye Mengqiu asked, "What do you think of this?"

Ye Zifan trembled, his face pale, and after a moment, sighed, "I didn't expect Sheng to use this move, nor did I expect Qing to react like this. I am confused now."

Ye Mengqiu slowly paced, his eyes dark, and said, "Others can be confused, but you cannot. Qing is not an ordinary person. His character, methods, and literary talent... hehe!"

Ye Zifan, instead, calmed down, saying, "I understand. Such a person, either we strike now or we cannot be his enemy. I know this in my heart. But the death of a servant and Sheng's actions do not create an unresolvable grudge. Ye has the spirit of a hero, and I think we should prioritize the clan's affairs."

Hearing this, Ye Mengqiu's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "Good, Zifan, you are right. I, as your father, am very satisfied!"

This was the first time in over a decade that he publicly praised him!

Ye Zifan, however, just smiled bitterly, saying, "I don't deserve the praise. I am anxious and want to return early to teach Sheng a lesson."

"Teach him, teach him. You have been trained in the residence for over a decade. If you could become a juren, I would risk my reputation to make you a fifth-rank Mingtang!"

A juren could become a governor, the highest praise.

Ye Zifan, hearing this, just said, "I will go now."

"Go ahead!" Ye Mengqiu smiled, watching his son leave. Gradually, the smile faded, his eyes turned cold, and he looked into the distance, deep in thought.

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