Mang Shusheng's Ink Painting Practice

Chapter 4 Ah! Hit!

Moyang City, in fact, together with the four counties under its jurisdiction, can be called Mozhou, and when connected with Hudong Prefecture along the east side of Xianren Lake to the south, it becomes Hudong Province.

The Hudong Province was able to support the prosperity of its cultural heritage because of its waterways and the vast fertile fields surrounding it.

Zhao Yifu went down the mountain early the next morning. He didn't have much stuff on the mountain, so he just rolled up a package and went down the mountain into the city.

Because his name was still registered at the Molu Academy, he had to stay in Moyang City even if he went down the mountain. Not to mention that he had to wait for the official announcement of the tribute student results, he also needed to study at the Mozhou Education Office in the future.

The results were announced today, but he was not in a hurry to see the list. Instead, he walked to an alley in the northern district of Moyang City.

It was early morning and the city gates had just been opened, and it was still dark.

Zhao Yifu saw that some people had set up stalls on the street outside the alley, and the aroma of various breakfasts filled the street.

He swallowed and felt hungry.

He got up early today and consumed too much energy yesterday, so he was really hungry.

He simply found a wonton stall and sat down. He gave the owner six cents in exchange for a bowl of wontons, which was just right to warm his stomach and drive away the cold.

After eating a bowl of wontons, he felt much better.

Then he picked up the package and walked into the alley.

He came to the gate of a courtyard and heard some movement inside, so he pushed the door open and went in.

I saw a thin middle-aged man standing there, seemingly practicing martial arts.

Seeing Zhao Yifu pushing the door open, his almost subconscious reaction was to rush to him and stretched out a claw towards his face.

The yard was not big, and Zhao Yifu was frightened, so he quickly retaliated with the same claw technique.

The claw techniques of both sides clearly came from the same source. After exchanging several moves, Zhao Yifu finally showed signs of fatigue after having consumed too much yesterday. He took two steps back and said, "Alright, Uncle Wu, I won't fight you anymore."

Wu Zhong paused, then said helplessly, "Second Young Master, your skills have fallen behind."

Wu Zhong is a close servant assigned by Zhao Yunhe, the head of the Zhao family, to take care of and protect his second son.

Zhao Yifu was very kind to the old servant who had guarded him in Moyang City for eight years. He said, "Okay, Uncle Wu, I can't get the true inheritance of my family, and my father doesn't expect me to pass on the kung fu. It doesn't matter if it's a little worse."

Wu Zhong said, "Second Young Master, although that's true, I have many enemies. Learning more can help me protect myself..."

Zhao Yifu smiled and waved his hands, saying, "I know, I know."

Seeing that he didn't care at all, Wu Zhong sighed helplessly.

Zhao Yifu felt that he was a cultivator and was completely incomparable to those martial artists in the martial arts world. He was from two different worlds.

But to reassure Wu Zhong, he added, "By the way, Uncle Wu, pack up and come with me to the academy to watch the results announcement."

The academy here refers to Moyang Academy, the provincial school of Mozhou. The academy examinations of Mozhou are held and the results are announced here.

Wu Zhong was startled for a moment. He asked, "Second Young Master, didn't you want to go before?"

Zhao Yifu said, "That was because I knew I was not academically competent enough and would definitely fail."

"But I'm sure this time."

Wu Zhong was stunned for a moment, then paced back and forth excitedly, saying, "Of course I have to go and watch over you... If Second Young Master really passes the imperial examination, I don't know how happy I will be."

"Okay, this is a great thing."

Zhao Yifu said modestly, "The results haven't been announced yet. I'm just confident."

In fact, he felt that since Liang Zhongzhi had already told him, it must be a sure thing.

Wu Zhong said, "Then... I'll go check the list. Second Young Master, will you wait here?"

Zhao Yifu shook his head and said, "I'll go myself. I made an appointment with a good friend to go and see the list together. How can I break my promise?"

Wu Zhong quickly agreed, and at the same time hurried to pack himself up, and took the luggage brought by Zhao Yifu and packed them together.

He asked in surprise, "Second Young Master, are you not planning to go back to Yuelu Academy to study?"

Zhao Yifu nodded and said, "If you pass this annual exam, you will then enroll in the provincial school and prepare for the imperial examination next autumn."

Wu Zhong nodded repeatedly and said happily, "It seems that this time is really different. Second Young Master, you are very confident."

Zhao Yifu refused, but simply glanced at the sky and said, "Let's go. My friend must have gotten impatient and is waiting at the results announcement. We can't keep him waiting any longer." Wu Zhong hesitated and said, "What gift should I bring?"

Zhao Yifu said, "No need. There are so many stalls at the door. Just buy him a few more pancakes and bring them over."

He was very familiar with the temper of the old man Fan Jin. He seemed poor and timid, but he was actually quite ambitious. If he invited him to have an ordinary breakfast, it would be fine, but giving him gifts or money would be considered an insult.

……

Half a day later, in front of the wall where the rankings of this year's exam were posted, some people were ecstatic with joy, some were indifferent, some were dejected, and some were neither arrogant nor impatient.

"Ah! Hit!"

Wu Zhong was going crazy.

Zhao Yifu covered his forehead and eyes, looking as if he couldn't bear to watch.

He said to the lost, frail old man beside him with a look of apology: "Brother Zichang, my family has never seen the world. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you."

Fan Jin looked at Wu Zhong, who was so overjoyed, and was filled with envy. He said, "It doesn't matter. If I win, I will probably be as happy as he is."

Zhao Yifu said, "Don't be discouraged, brother Zichang. I believe that if you persist, you will definitely get what you want."

Fan Jin nodded and said, "I will. Thank you, Brother Junxin, for your advice."

As he spoke, he bowed to Zhao Yifu and said, "My dear brother, I have to go back to study. I will say goodbye now."

Zhao Yifu said quickly, "Wait a minute, brother. Take these leftover cakes from this morning."

Fan Jin's expression changed and he asked, "Brother Junxin, what do you mean?"

Zhao Yifu understood what he was thinking and said, "Brother, take it. You've been away for half a day, and I'm afraid my sister-in-law hasn't prepared food at home yet."

Fan Jin thought of his fat wife and sighed helplessly, "Okay, thank you, brother Junxin, for your kindness."

As he said this, he felt even more depressed as he took the cake given by Zhao Yifu and walked back.

Zhao Yifu did not stop him, knowing that this was the limit of what Fan Jin could accept.

At this time, the servant Wu Zhong was finally overjoyed and came to his side and said, "Second Young Master, you have won the title of husband!"

Zhao Yifu said unhappily, "I know, it's just a scholar's title, is there any need to be so happy about it?"

Wu Zhong said excitedly: "A scholar! The Zhao family has finally produced a scholar after three generations. The master will be so happy."

"Second Young Master, you are now the Zhao family's literary star!"

"No, you have to tell the master immediately."

Wu Zhong spoke a lot in a fast and excited tone.

Zhao Yifu shook his head and said, "Alright, now that the results are out, let's go back."

Wu Zhong nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, we have to go back. I will go to Zui Xiang Lou to prepare a banquet immediately..."

Zhao Yifu said, "No, I don't want to bother."

Wu Zhong: "But Second Young Master, we have to celebrate."

Zhao Yifu: "Then order a table of food and we can just have a simple celebration."

Wu Zhong suddenly realized: "Second Young Master wants to continue studying!"

Zhao Yifu walked back and said, "No, didn't you say my Kung Fu has declined? I want to start practicing."

Wu Zhong's expression froze, and he quickly said, "No, Second Young Master, it's better to strike while the iron is hot and study harder."

Zhao Yifu: "I've passed the exam, please let me take a break. I want to practice martial arts now."

Wu Zhong's face immediately fell, but he didn't know what to say. But overall he was still happy, after all, Zhao Yifu was a real scholar.

As for Zhao Yifu himself, he really needed to practice hard. After all, his lost Qi had not yet fully recovered, and he also needed to practice the two new magic techniques he had acquired.

Of course, the most important thing is that he has to think carefully about how to continue practicing.

(End of this chapter)