Great Love for All Heavens Begins with Huang Yaoshi

Chapter 169 My words are the words of Heaven, my power is the power of Heaven.
More than two months later.

The capital city of Tianqi is becoming increasingly lively. This year's grand examination at the Jixia Academy has set a record from the very beginning, with forty candidates already nominated by various prestigious Tianqi families and powerful martial arts clans.

By the application deadline, the number of applicants had reached eighty.

Jixia Academy is divided into inner and outer courtyards. The outer courtyard is a large courtyard where both noble sons and commoners can enter. Apart from the sons of prominent families, most of them are the best talents selected from among the hundreds in various prefectures.

Even a prince of the Tianqi Emperor couldn't get into the Inner Academy just by relying on his background.

On this day, the preliminary test for the school's grand examination was held in a very special place: Qianjintai, the number one gambling den in Tianqi City.

Countless people came to witness today's grand event, so much so that Qianjintai was completely surrounded.

In a corner not far from Qianjin Terrace, the young Taoist priest in green robes kept scrutinizing the strange man in front of him:

"Second Junior Brother, if you don't know how to disguise yourself, just get a human skin mask. With just a hood and a mask, and a pseudonym like Zhao Yujia, do you think you won't expose your true identity?"

"This year's preliminary examination at the academy will test both literary and martial skills. As long as I do not use force, who in the world will know that I am Wang Yixing?"

"Furthermore, my outfit is just right for the preliminary test. As for the final test, let it be exposed. Anyway, once I make a move, even if I change my face, people will still be able to guess it."

The young Taoist priest in the green robe lazily waved his sleeve:
“Your name is Zhao Yujia, and mine is Zhao Huanzhen. I’m still wearing a Taoist robe. If you don’t want to be discovered during the preliminary test, you should stay away from me.”

"Senior Brother Huanzhen, you want me to stay away from you because you don't want to be affected by my bloodshed, right?"

Although Wang Yihang was wearing a mask, obscuring his facial expression, his helpless and resentful eyes spoke volumes.

"We see through each other but don't say anything; we're still like brothers."

The young Taoist priest in green robes took the lead and stepped into the passage opened up by the Tianqi soldiers that led directly to the Thousand Gold Platform.

After waiting for a while, Wang Yixing also entered the passage. He saw that this school exam included not only the sons of military marquises and ministers, but also members of various famous martial arts families and well-known martial arts practitioners.

Upon entering Qianjintai, one finds that all eighty candidates have gradually arrived and are standing beside their respective examination desks, with invigilators around them.

Aside from Baili Dongjun, the young Taoist priest in green robes was the most eye-catching.

Firstly, he is young, looking only eleven or twelve years old; secondly, he doesn't seem to know martial arts; and thirdly, his appearance is too outstanding, with an extremely handsome face that makes it hard not to take a second look.

On the high platform, the burly man with a bulky figure was none other than Master Tu, the owner of Qianjintai. His concubines on both sides were constantly waving fans for him.

Beside her was Liu Yue, the fourth disciple of Li Changsheng, the headmaster of the academy. She was famous for her unparalleled beauty and extraordinary chess skills. Because she disliked showing her face in public, she wore a white bamboo hat.

"This year, the little immortal Huangliang from Wangcheng Mountain also came to participate in the school's grand exam. Fortunately, I adjusted his betting odds to be extremely low. I heard that although he has not practiced martial arts, he has received the true teachings of Master Lü and can predict the future and know people's past and future."

"In recent years, the reputation of Huangliang wine has become even greater than that of Qiulubai wine because Huangliang wine is said to be a dream that can intoxicate for a thousand years and can truly enlighten one's mind for three lifetimes."

"Countless people who have drunk the millet wine have found that the insights they gained upon waking up are far greater than those they gained from a great dream."

Looking at the young Taoist priest in the green robe in the distance, Grandpa Tu couldn't help but admire him:
"Standing there lazily, he exudes an air of otherworldly grace, truly deserving of the legendary immortal's destiny with a naturally born Daoist body."

Liu Yue smiled faintly:
"Such a shrewd and calculating individual is the kind of person that gambling dens fear most. No wonder you keep praising him."

Grandpa Tu looked very serious:
"Young Master Liu Yue is too kind. This is my sincere respect."

At this moment, Baili Dongjun was also sizing up the young Taoist priest in green robes standing opposite him, and swallowed hard, seemingly lost in thought.

Ye Dingzhi, who was also there for reference, nudged his arm:
"You wouldn't be thinking of drinking millet wine, would you?"

Baili Dongjun said dejectedly:
"I met this little immortal of yellow millet back in Mingjian Manor. At the time, I only knew that he was a Taoist priest from Wangcheng Mountain and did not discover his true identity. Later, when I found out, I was extremely regretful. I had missed a great opportunity and did not ask for a cup of yellow millet wine."

"You're really blinded by alcohol. Don't you think about what would happen if this young master also brewed wine? Your first attempt might be in jeopardy," Ye Dingzhi shook his head and reminded him.

"Oh, right!"

Baili Dongjun suddenly realized that although he prided himself on being second to none in brewing, he really had little confidence in his skills against the miraculous Huangliang wine.

A moment later, on the high platform, a girl of about ten years old, dressed as a child, spoke in a clear voice:
"The school's grand exam begins!"

She spoke fluently and articulately:

"The so-called 'beyond literary and martial arts' means that you are invited to demonstrate your amazing talents in other areas besides literature and martial arts. You have six hours. Within these six hours, if you feel you can hand in your paper..."

"Then stand up and indicate what you want to show. We will then send out the appropriate examiners to test you. If you pass the test, you can proceed to the final test."

“Each candidate is assigned an assistant. You may send your assistant outside the Thousand Gold Platform to retrieve the items needed to showcase your talents.”

After saying this, a servant lit an enormous incense stick on the high platform, and a girl named Lingsu shouted:

"The exam begins!"

In a short while, many candidates called for their assistants to fetch the items they needed, while the young Taoist priest in the green robe asked his assistant:

"So, everything the examinees want is purchased by the academy?"

"That's right, candidates need not worry about any expenses."

Zhuang Buran nodded seriously:

"The most famous restaurant in Tianqi City is Diaolou Xiaozhu Qiulubai. Logically speaking, good wine should be paired with good food. Go and prepare a good meal for me. It doesn't need to be too much, just ten or so dishes will do."

He added at the end:
"Xiaodao is a monk and does not eat beef, black carp, swan goose, or dog meat."

After hearing this, the young examiner, who was in his early twenties, walked out of Qianjintai with some surprise and doubt.

More than half an hour later.

The atmosphere inside Qianjintai gradually changed. More than 90% of the people were busy and bustling about, while a small number of people sat in their seats, concentrating and calming themselves, as if they were adjusting their state. Only one young Taoist priest in a green robe turned his examination table into a dining table and leisurely enjoyed an extremely sumptuous feast.

Seeing this scene from the high platform, Liu Yue sighed inwardly: "This little immortal Huangliang is indeed an extremely interesting person. If my master hadn't discovered him so late, he would definitely have taken him as his disciple."

Wang Yixing, who was relatively far away from the young Taoist priest in the green robe, was speechless and thought to himself:
"Junior Brother Zhen, you truly live up to your reputation!"

Ye Dingzhi, who was preparing to grill the meat, looked up at the opposite side and said to the person beside him:
“Baili Dongjun, you can rest assured, it seems this young master is not planning to brew wine.”

"I suddenly wish this young master could brew wine, then I could drink millet wine. Even if I lose, it would be worth it." Baili Dongjun started craving wine again.

These words left Ye Dingzhi speechless.

Immediately, candidates began to stand up and answer the questions using their skills in playing the zither, playing chess, using light-footed kung fu, and using the art of stealth.

The young Taoist priest in green robes ate and drank while watching the candidates display their skills with great interest.

At this moment, an incredibly beautiful woman stood up, wanting to hand in her paper in a wager. When she introduced herself as Yin Luoxia, it startled Master Tu.

Anyone who runs a gambling den must know one thing: a few years ago, there was a ten-year-old girl who won three consecutive bets against someone, helping her gambling king father win back the fortune he had lost over the decades. This little girl was named Yin Luoxia.

The young Taoist priest in green robes, who was leisurely eating his meal below the stage, knew that although the newcomer's gambling skills were no less than Yin Luoxia's, his actual identity was Yue Yao, the eldest daughter of Yuefeng City.

The purpose of this trip is to get close to Baili Dongjun and bring his innate martial vein back to the Outer Heaven.

Later, because he fell in love with her, he was unable to complete the mission, which led the people of Tianwaitian to set their sights on Ye Dingzhi.

Before long, Yueyao displayed gambling skills no less impressive than Yin Luoxia's, leaving Tu Erye, the most skilled gambler at Qianjintai, speechless. After that, the young Taoist priest in green robes, having eaten and drunk his fill, slowly stood up.

"Zhao Huanzhen, hand in your paper."

Instantly, it attracted everyone's attention.

"What are we competing in?" Ling Su asked in a deep voice.

The young Taoist priest in the green robe smiled and said:

"Xiao Dao has had excellent luck since childhood, so he might as well rely on his luck."

"Luck?" Ling Su looked doubtful.
"Are you also going to answer with a bet?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of Uncle Tu and Uncle Tu Er, who had just finished gambling, were quite interesting. They never expected that after being slapped on the left cheek, they would immediately offer up the right cheek with a smile.

"The path of gambling seems rather incompatible with the identity of a Taoist monk." Zhuang Buran pondered for a long while:

"If the exam involves magic tricks, such as transforming Qianjintai into a lush, dense forest, it seems that it might affect other people's exam papers."

He paused, then said slowly and deliberately:
"People only know to seek favorable timing, advantageous location, and harmonious relationships, but these three are merely superficial manifestations."

"The true way that runs through heaven and earth is the divine assistance hidden beyond yin and yang. Just as when studying the classics, the words transform into sweet dew that flows into the heart, or when encountering difficulties in life, a sudden flash of inspiration points out the shortcut."

"The road we travel is straight and long, and the things we say are in line with the changing times. Even if we encounter thorns, there will be a gentle breeze to sweep them away. Even if we encounter fog, there will be the North Star to guide us."

"All of this has led me to feel this way: every step I take is in harmony with the secrets of Heaven, and every thought I choose resonates with the Dao."

"On second thought, such smooth sailing is not accidental, but a manifestation of being in harmony with the Tao and breathing in sync with the heavens."

"When you are surrounded by such an aura, you will know that all things are helpful conditions and all places become a place of enlightenment."

"In this way, my fortune can be described as the will of Heaven. At this moment, the sky is clear and the rain is pouring down. It all depends on whether my luck is really good enough to make my wish come true in a hundred breaths."

After he finished speaking, the Thousand Gold Platform fell silent, with everyone casting inexplicable glances at the slightly lazy young Taoist priest in green robes.

"Alright, let's see today if the Little Immortal Huangliang is as prophetic as rumored, and as if divinely aided!"

Liu Yue, who was always reserved and liked to maintain her composure, spoke in a high-spirited tone:

"Ling Su, you count to one hundred."

"Yes."

"Sanqin, you stand at the entrance of Qianjintai and broadcast the weather conditions at any time."

A young man accepted the order, leaped across the sky, and arrived at the entrance of Qianjintai.

Ling Su shouted:
"One, two."

After counting to thirty, Sanqin suddenly exclaimed in surprise:
"The wind is picking up."

Outside Qianjin Terrace, a fierce wind was blowing, leaving the many people outside who were unaware of the situation standing there in confusion, while the atmosphere inside Qianjin Terrace became increasingly strange.

After counting to fifty, the people of Shaanxi were dumbfounded:

"The sky has changed; dark clouds are gathering!"

Immediately, many candidates couldn't contain themselves and ran to the door to peek out. They saw the dark clouds looming overhead and immediately looked speechless.

After counting to eighty, without the need for broadcasting in Shaanxi, the people in Qianjintai heard the thunder rumbling in like a thousand troops.

The moment the count reached one hundred, a torrential downpour began, the rain cascading down with the force of a waterfall.

"It's really raining!"

At this moment, not only did people in the Shaanxi region view the young Taoist priest in green robes as if he were a god descending to earth, but everyone else felt the same way, and there was an indescribable fervor in their hearts.

Suddenly, a feeling arose that this person was even more ethereal and otherworldly than Li Changsheng, who claimed to be a banished immortal. He seemed to be a true deity descended to the mortal world.

(End of this chapter)