Yefutidaolu

Chapter 175 An unexpected surprise
In the ancient battlefield, in the Demon Suppression Division camp, inside Sima’s tent.

It's as solemn here as ever, but not too serious. You can see the guards chatting and laughing.

"Hey, did you see that? The guy over there seems to be the son of the Wang family? I remember that the Wang family practices martial arts, right? They are all warriors. If these guys fight, it should be very fierce, right?"

"Those are from the Liu family. Wow... Look at what's behind them? Is it a person? Or something else? They don't look alive, but there are no signs of mechanisms. We've seen many mechanisms in Yuezhou, but none of them look like this."

"It's called 'Golden Man'. It's a great magical power of the refiners. It's made by melting thousands of weapons into one. It can overcome all weapons."

Being able to become 'tooth soldiers' shows that these people are absolute confidants of Sima of the Demon Suppression Division. Many of them were brought directly from the Gou family of Yuezhou and are quite familiar with the mechanisms. Many of them are even mechanism masters, so their knowledge is quite accurate.

"Those are the people from the Zuo family over there. Three young masters, why do you look so arrogant and in a bad mood?"

"Don't underestimate the Zuo family. They have bad tempers. Be careful if they beat you up. Given their status, you won't be able to complain if they do."

"The young master of the Ximen family is here too. He should be here to make up the numbers, right? How many places are there this time?"

"I heard that there are ten states, ten in each state, and a total of one hundred places for the entire Divine Dynasty to join the Imperial Academy. These ten places are probably going to be divided up by the four families of Shui, Zuo, Liu, and Wang. You see, it's just right, one for the Shui family, three each for the Zuo, Liu, and Wang families, and the others should just be runners-up."

The guards were whispering and guessing the specific situation. After all, this kind of annual drama could not be seen anytime and anywhere. Generally, the selection of the Imperial Academy was held every ten years or so.

In this atmosphere, the young master of the Ximen family, Ximen Gong, looked around and let out a sigh.

There are dozens of aristocratic families in Cangzhou. Except for the top Shui, Zuo, Liu, and Wang families, other families actually have quotas and can run for election.

But most of them are just runners-up.

Just like the huge gap between aristocratic families and the wealthy families in the inner city of Cangzhou, there is also a world of difference between ordinary aristocratic families and top wealthy families.

For example, the Ximen family.

The ancestor of the Ximen family was only in the sixth realm. At the beginning, even Baishanjiang Guicheng could come to threaten them, and they didn't even dare to refute anything. This was because of the power of the Zuo family and also because the Ximen family really couldn't afford to provoke the Baishanjiang water tribe.

Of course, they are a noble family with a complete heritage. To be honest, it is completely enough for Liujing to do whatever he wants in Cangzhou, but they can never compare with those big families.

In this situation, there is nothing wrong with saying that he is here to run as a runner-up.

But it’s always a bit regrettable.

"Imperial Academy." Ximen Gong murmured to himself.

He even came alone to this selection, and the reason was very simple. His family also felt that he was just a runner-up, so they just let him come to see the world. There was no danger anyway.

Since he came alone, he was not so nervous and found a place to sit down.

Ximen Gong sat down near the military tent, and there happened to be a tent next to it.

A man walked out of the tent. He was tall but not muscular, with a well-proportioned body. It seemed that he had just washed his face and was about to pour out the dirty water. He had a long sword slung across his waist, and he never left the sword at this time, looking like a warrior.

He was dressed in black, and looked a bit like a captain.

"Hey young man, please move aside, please move aside, or you will be splashed with water." The man who came out reminded.

"Oh, okay." Ximen Gong immediately stood up and made way for the other party.

But the man found a place to pour the water, and when he came back with the basin, he found Ximen Gong still squatting at the door in a daze, as if he was looking at the situation ahead from afar.

"What are you looking at, young man? Is there anything interesting over there?" the man asked Ximen Gong curiously.

"Nothing, I just looked at those people. Are you from the Demon Suppression Division?" Ximen Gong asked
"Yes, I'm from the Demon Suppression Bureau. What about you? Are you here to accompany us?" the man guessed.

It is normal to guess that he was an entourage, because the young men were talking to each other not far away, and few of them were walking alone.

Ximen Gong also noticed this, so he nodded: "Yes, I am accompanying you."

I don’t know why...he said that he was an accompaniment.

No, that's not right,

He actually knew why.

Because if he said 'I'm here to participate in the competition', he would seem out of place and would not be able to fit in at all into the circle of those young masters.

But what can be done?

The Ximen family was originally only 'barely' admitted into the ranks of aristocratic families, a hereditary position, and the work they did was nothing more than miscellaneous tasks such as official records and paperwork. Their status was not high, and their skills were not strong either.

His skills and methods come from Confucianism, but they are not the orthodox Confucian "Hao Ren Qi", but the "Numerology" among the six arts of a gentleman.

Bao Shi says: "Raise the sons of the state with the Way. Teach them the six arts: the first is the five rituals, the second is the six musics, the third is the five archery, the fourth is the five chariots, the fifth is the six books, and the sixth is the nine numbers."

The Nine Numbers are divided into square fields, millet, difference, less width, commercial work, equal distribution, equation, surplus and deficiency, and side requirements. Together, they are also called numerology.

The Ximen family is proficient in these nine numbers... I can't really say they are proficient, but they are good at arithmetic, so they are quite good at managing documents and calculating various strategies. Their skills mainly open the divine gate, and they can predict and calculate the enemy's actions. Their weakness is that they are very weak and do not have strong frontal combat capabilities. They basically exist as an auxiliary.

Taking part in the Imperial College selection basically means being a runner-up.

The Divine Dynasty actually does not discriminate against those techniques that focus on auxiliary abilities, but to be honest, he is not very strong in auxiliary abilities... There is a reason why he has fallen to the bottom of the aristocratic family.

At this time, Ximen Gong heard that the officer of the Demon Suppression Division who never left his sword took the initiative to talk to him: "Those young masters from noble families are very powerful. Look at the three from the Zuo family. It feels like they have dozens of gods hidden on their bodies, and they are all in the third and fourth realms. Is this considered cheating?"

When Ximen Gong heard this, he knew that it was said by someone who didn't understand aristocratic families.

So he explained: "Being able to subdue the gods is a skill in itself, so why cheat? This is the specialty of witches and shamans. Not allowing them to seek help from gods outside the venue is actually a limitation."

"It's fine if you conquered them on your own, but does it also count if you conquered them through family background?"

"Haha, who said family background is not considered talent?" Ximen Gong laughed.

He continued, “Some people are born with strange signs, with hundreds of beasts worshipping them and the blazing sun in the sky.”

"Some people are born with double pupils, and can be as strong as a ton of pounds at the age of ten without any training."

"Some people are born with a flying dragon sitting on their door, and they are willing to be driven by it."

"Since these are all normal, what's the difference if some people are born rich and have high status? In the end, they are all the same. Who says that what your parents give you is not yours? Being born as a human is already beyond almost all monsters. According to what you said, aren't monsters more wronged? They are born inferior to humans because they are not fully developed."

"This world is unfair." After saying this, the officer from the Demon Suppression Division did not intend to refute.

Yes, birth itself is unfair.

However, the sword-carrying officer of the Demon Suppression Division said: "Although it is true, some things cannot be changed, and some things can be changed."

"Born as a human, born with double pupils, born with strange bones in the brain, born with all beasts worshipping you and dragons submitting to you, these are talents that cannot be changed, but being born rich, born to be a superior person, these things can be changed."

"How can you change what you said?" Ximen Gong sneered.

"It's very simple. Isn't it enough to let everyone enjoy sufficient resources for cultivation? Apart from anything else, the skills can be made public, right? If everyone has good skills, the matter is half done." said an officer from the Demon Suppression Division.

"What a fantasy! The martial arts technique is a family heirloom, how can it be made public?" Ximen Gong said with disdain.

"Well...it depends on the person. Maybe somewhere, every child can get enough education and learn the knowledge summarized by the top masters hundreds of years ago?" said the officer of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Ximen Gong shook his head: "You really don't understand, but that's all. You are from the Demon Suppression Division, so it doesn't matter. But I can tell you that if you go to every corner of the world and search through everything in heaven and earth, you will only find the human world."

These words stunned the officer from the Demon Suppression Division.

Go to every corner of the world, search heaven and earth, and all you can find is the human world.

"Haha, what you said makes sense." The officer from the Demon Suppression Bureau nodded.

However, he immediately added: "But there are differences among people too."

Hearing the officer's words, Ximen Gong shook his head with a subtle expression.

"There is a difference. The difference between the inner city and the outer city is like this. Climbing up, falling down, and pulling other people's belts, this is the world." Ximen Gong said with a forced smile, as if he remembered something.

The officer of the Demon Suppression Division looked at the other party and said, "You don't sound like a follower when you say this."

"Is it important to have an entourage?" Ximen Gong said casually, "Anyway, everyone is just here to watch the show and won't stay long."

"Hmm... you seem quite pessimistic. By the way, what you just said makes sense. Let's be friends. What's your name?" Gao Jian suddenly said.

"Making friends? You? Well... that's fine, but I like you too, so tell me your name first." Ximen Gong said.

He was afraid that if he revealed his name, he would scare the officer from the Demon Suppression Division.

After all, he is the son of the Ximen family. Even if the Ximen family is at the bottom of the aristocratic families, the gap between them and ordinary officers of the Demon Suppression Division is too big. If he makes his name known first, he is afraid that the other party will not be able to cope with him.

The officer from the Demon Suppression Division did not doubt him and looked at him, smiling and said, "Me? My name is Gao Jian, what's yours?"

"Gao...Poof! A better idea?!" Ximen Gong suddenly blurted out, then immediately stood up, and ran away without saying a word!

Oh my god! Great idea!
This name is well-known in the inner city!
Is he the one who stayed in the Shui family for two days, disturbed the Zuo family's peace, destroyed the Baishanjiang Dragon Palace, and it is said that the power behind it is the East China Sea, and has various connections with the Gou family?

Run away quickly, getting involved with this kind of person will lead to death!

It would be fine if I were just a follower, but I am a young master from a noble family.

This person has a lot of opinions about the aristocratic families!

"Don't run! Hey! You haven't said your name yet!" Gao Jian took two steps at a time and grabbed the other person twice.

Ximen Gong's heart stopped beating.

But he had no choice. He had opened three of the spiritual gates, but none of the essence gates. He would definitely not be able to outrun Gao Jian and would be caught by Gao Jian.

So, he stopped with a stiff face, turned around like a wooden man, and his voice lost its previous indifference and became a little awkward: "Gao... General Gao Ya, why are you here?"

"No, I really think what you said makes sense. Let's be friends..." Gao Jian was a little embarrassed. The other party ran away as soon as he heard his name, making him look like a devil. It was not good.

"I... General Gao, since you heard my name, can you forgive me?"

"Forgive me? What crime have you committed?" Gao Jian was confused.

"Uh, well, nothing...it's just that my name is, Ximen Gong." Ximen Gong stammered for a long time and finally said his name.

"Oh, you are not a follower, you are the young master of Ximen family? No wonder, I was wondering how a random follower could say such a thing." Gao Jian suddenly realized.

"Then don't be afraid. You make me look like a jackal, tiger or leopard." Gao Jian let go of the other person and said with a helpless look.

"General Gao? You won't hold me accountable?"

"Why should I pursue you? Okay, it looks like you don't want to talk to me more. Now that we know the reason, let's go." Gao Jian waved his hand.

I originally thought what the other person said was interesting, so I just asked. Since Ximen Gong didn't have any intention of communicating, there was no need to force it.

So Gao Jian turned and left.

But at this moment, Ximen Gong suddenly gritted his teeth, as if he had made up his mind, and turned to Gao Jian and said, "General Gao—ah no, Gao Jian!"

"Ah?" Gao Jian was startled when he heard the words behind him, and turned around: "What's wrong? Master Ximen."

"Just call me by my name. If you think my last name is too long, you can call me Xiao Gong. Didn't you just say you wanted to make friends? Then we know each other." Ximen Gong took the initiative to step forward: "Although you may think this is a polite remark, it's pretty much the same meaning."

"Gao Jian, you should also take part in the Imperial College selection, right?" Ximen Gong said.

"Ah, yes, Master Ximen should also be qualified, right?" Gao Jian nodded.

"In that case, then, Gao Jian, do you know the specific procedures and rules of the Imperial College selection, as well as some conventions?" Ximen Gong asked.

"I have read it beforehand, but I may not know everything," Gao Jian replied.

"Now that you know all this, Gao Jian, you should know that the selection is actually a battle between each team... You need to understand all your opponents... Do you know any information about other families?" Ximen Gong said.

"Oh?" Gao Jian showed interest.

He realized what Ximen Gong was going to do.

(End of this chapter)