Catching Monsters

Chapter 668 Baptism of the Saint
Jiang Yun looked out and could roughly tell from the quality of the carriages that the people who came were of noble status.

If it were just a regular college entrance exam, it would probably only be the families of these important figures who would attend.

But what if a saint is baptized on this holy day?

Whoever stands further forward will receive more trials.

At times like this, what good are your usual academic performance?

Of course, it's all about who your father is and who your background is.

As soon as Jiang Yun stepped off the carriage, someone approached him with a smile and said, "Commander Jiang has arrived as well."

Jiang Yun looked the other person up and down, but didn't recognize him.

Xu Suwen, who was standing to the side, introduced him with a smile: "This is Lord Huang Yuanshen, the Right Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

"Lord Huang, look at my memory! I've heard so much about you, I've heard so much about you!" Jiang Yun hurriedly raised his hand and bowed.

Soon, many people in front of him saw Jiang Yun and made way for him, greeting him.

Besides scholars like Jiang Qiaoqiao dressed in white scholar's robes, many high-ranking officials and nobles also came.

Of course, many students from impoverished families also have their parents accompany them.

Renyi Academy does this quite well; today, for the big exam, all relatives and friends can accompany the students inside.

Treat equally.

This was changed seventy years ago.

Initially, on the day of the holy sacrifice and the major examination, unauthorized personnel were strictly prohibited from entering.

Only students are allowed to enter.

However, later on, many powerful and influential families, relying on their status, entered the academy.

The academy couldn't stop them, but they didn't want to lose fairness.

At the very least, fairness cannot be compromised on the surface.

They then completely opened up the area, allowing any student's relative to enter.

Jiang Yun greeted these people he barely knew as he entered the academy.

Inside the academy, numerous items had already been arranged.

This morning is the big exam.

At noon, the sage was worshipped on time.

Soon, many students went to the school to prepare for the big exam.

"Go ahead, my sister-in-law and I will wait for you here." Jiang Yun smiled and patted Jiang Qiaoqiao's shoulder.

Watching the large number of students enter.

A Confucian scholar came specifically to take a look and estimated that there were probably two or three hundred students and their relatives present.

He announced loudly, "During the major examination, loud noises are prohibited. Everyone, seats have been prepared for you over there. You may attend the ceremony when the saint is worshipped later."

Behind the sage, in the open space, many wooden chairs had been placed, and a red line had been drawn in front of each chair.

When worshipping saints, no one is allowed to cross the red line.

Jiang Yun didn't mind; he had only come to take a look out of curiosity.

Jiang Yun and Xu Suwen casually found a chair and sat down. Soon, Huang Yuanshen, the Right Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review who had greeted them earlier, sat down next to Jiang Yun with a smile.

"Lord Jiang, you are so busy with official duties, what brings you here today?"

Jiang Yun laughed and said, "If a sage were to perform a miracle, wouldn't it be a pity not to come and witness it?"

“That makes sense.” Huang Yuanshen nodded and said with a smile, “As for the baptism of the saint, I, Huang, have also received it.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun's eyes lit up slightly, and he glanced at Huang Yuanshen: "Lord Huang, it seems your cultivation level isn't very high?"

Huang Yuanshen chuckled: "The outside world talks about the baptism of saints in a very mysterious way, but unless you are a truly extraordinary talent who can receive a lot of baptisms, what use is it if you slightly improve your physique?"

"I have only reached the sixth rank in my cultivation so far."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun raised an eyebrow slightly, but nodded nonetheless.

Upon closer examination, that makes perfect sense.

The number of people participating in this sacrificial ceremony at the five major academies probably exceeded a thousand.

How could they all significantly improve their physical constitution?

Quite a few people came to chat with Jiang Yun. Since he had nothing better to do anyway, Jiang Yun accepted all of them and chatted with them.

Time passed slowly, and finally, it was almost noon.

The students finished answering the questions and walked out one by one.

After they came out, many students dressed in white Confucian robes stood quietly in front of the statue of the sage and waited.

Many Confucian scholars from the Renyi Academy also rushed over to make preparations.

Among them, an elderly man dressed in a Confucian robe walked slowly forward.

All the Confucian scholars bowed to him upon seeing him.

Jiang Yun looked over, his eyes flickering slightly. He did remember meeting this old man once before.

Qin Yasheng.

This old man had helped when Shan Wuling led his men to attack the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Qin Yasheng, with his extraordinary demeanor, slowly raised his head to glance at the sky and said, "Let all the students take their seats before the statue of the sage."

"Yes." Upon hearing this, the Confucian scholars standing nearby stepped forward and led the students forward.

"Huang Shanqian, come to the front."

"Hu Yu, go to the back."

"You go forward." "Qiao Haotian, you go to the back. Jiang Qiaoqiao, you go to the front."

Qiao Haotian and Jiang Qiaoqiao were about the same age and both were handsome, but they came from poor families and were of excellent character.

After hearing what the Confucian scholar said, he lowered his head and was about to walk to the back when Jiang Qiaoqiao hurriedly grabbed his hand: "Qiao Haotian, come with me to the front."

Upon hearing this, the Confucian scholar frowned and said in a deep voice, "Jiang Qiaoqiao, you cannot be allowed to act recklessly during this grand ceremony to honor the saints!"

He quickly stepped forward and said to Qiao Haotian, "Go to the back."

"You!" Jiang Qiaoqiao was a little angry when she heard this.

"Miss Qiaoqiao, you should listen to Master Ru. It doesn't matter whether you go to the front or the back." Qiao Haotian smiled awkwardly and quickly sat down at the back, not daring to have too much to do with Jiang Qiaoqiao.

Jiang Qiaoqiao is beautiful and well-educated, and her family background is worlds apart from his.

Qiao Haotian was somewhat moved.

But he didn't dare to think too much about it, knowing how powerful Jiang Qiaoqiao's family was.

His parents were just ordinary people in the outer city, making a living by doing odd jobs for others.

He was able to enter the academy entirely because of his extensive knowledge and understanding of Confucian classics.

Jiang Qiaoqiao, fuming, sat down next to Qiao Haotian.

"I'll sit here too."

Upon seeing this, the Confucian scholar subconsciously glanced at Jiang Yun, who was not far away. With so many people around, he dared not break the rules.

Anyway, I've already helped her. What can I do if Jiang Qiaoqiao doesn't want to go to the front?

At the same time, Jiang Yun also noticed this scene, frowned slightly, and asked, "What is Qiaoqiao doing? Why did she go to the back with that person?"

"We didn't offer enough benefits?"

Upon seeing this, Xu Suwen was slightly taken aback and said in a low voice, "That young man should be Qiao Haotian, whom Qiaoqiao mentioned."

“Qiaoqiao has been mentioning this person to me a lot since she got home recently.”

"Qiaoqiao seems to like him a little, but he doesn't want to talk to her."

Jiang Yun was taken aback and touched her hair: "What kind of family does he come from? Our family isn't even close enough to qualify?"

Xu Suwen rolled her eyes at Jiang Yun and said in a low voice, "I had someone investigate his family, and they are very clean. This young man is also good, honest and reliable."

"Just."

"He probably felt that there was too much of a gap in status between Qiaoqiao and him, and he felt somewhat inferior."

Jiang Yun frowned: "Young people these days, when I first met you, did you ever feel inferior?"

"That's because you're shameless. He's a scholar," Xu Suwen said jokingly with a laugh.

Jiang Yun: "I am also a scholar, I am also a learned man."

“I don’t know how you got your scholar title,” Xu Suwen said, leaning on Jiang Yun’s shoulder.

Jiang Yun frowned: "Why didn't you tell me about this kid's matter sooner?"

“You’re so busy, you haven’t had many good opportunities, and Qiaoqiao won’t let you.” Xu Suwen paused, “She’s afraid you’ll look down on Qiao Haotian because his status is too low.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun couldn't help but mutter, "Am I that petty?"

However, the way Jiang Yun looked at Qiao Haotian made it seem like he wanted to investigate Qiao Haotian's ancestors for eighteen generations.

He certainly didn't mind that Qiaoqiao had someone she liked, and he was willing to respect Qiaoqiao's wishes.

Of course, the premise is that it absolutely cannot be a blond-haired kid.

These Confucian scholars, with expressionless faces, instructed the students to stand in line according to their status, while those with insufficient family background could only stand at the back.

Qin Yasheng remained calm and unmoved upon seeing this scene, as it was the same every year.

Although the Renyi Academy was a place for the study of sages, it was still subject to the customs and practices of the capital city.

All the students sat cross-legged in front of the statue of the saint, row by row.

Qin Yasheng then took a deep breath, slowly stepped forward, and shouted loudly, "Offer sacrifices to the sage!"

Bang bang bang.

Soon, the large drums that had been prepared beforehand began to be beaten continuously inside the courtyard.

Qin Yasheng personally presided over this ceremony.

As the high priest, he had fasted for three days in advance.

The entire sacrificial ceremony had strict requirements.

The sacrificial offerings were the Tai Lao, supplemented by Bian, Dou, Gui, and Jue.

The quantity and placement of the offerings are subject to strict requirements.

Then came the playing of ritual instruments and music.

During the music, the chief priest, Qin Yasheng, loudly chanted the saint's achievements.

From the life of the sage to his attainment of sainthood, sweeping away demon saints and creating a peaceful and prosperous world for the human race.

Jiang Yun didn't quite understand it, since he wasn't very familiar with Confucian rules and only knew that the sage was named Gongxi Yuru.

Jiang Yun yawned.

As the ceremony proceeded, Jiang Yun's gaze suddenly locked onto the statue of the saint.

At this moment, a faint power was surging within the statue of the saint.

Then, a dazzling light shone out.

"Is this the baptism of a saint?" Jiang Yun looked at the scene before him with curiosity.

(End of this chapter)