Dual Transmigration: American Prison, Surviving to a Fantasy Development Stage

Immediately, Zhao Boli's gaze swept over Lin Feng, lingered for a moment, and then quickly moved away.

Although it happened quickly, Lin Feng still managed to catch it. He remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was puzzled, wondering why this old man was paying so much attention to him.

Zhao Boli withdrew his gaze and faced the remaining thirteen people below the stage, his expression becoming solemn.

"I have a few words to say to you."

He paused, his voice softened, becoming less bureaucratic and more sincere, like someone with experience.

"Life is not just about taking the martial arts exam."

It has been no easy feat for you to get to where you are today.

There's a long road ahead, and many opportunities to come.

Tomorrow's match: if you can win, then fight; if you can't, don't force it.

There's no shame in admitting defeat. As long as you preserve your usefulness, you might succeed next time.

After looking around, he said again:

"Alright, that's all for today."

The finals officially begin tomorrow.

"Go back and get some rest, and adjust your condition."

"yes!"

The thirteen people responded in unison.

Zhao Boli nodded, turned around and stepped off the stage.

The hem of the blue official robe brushed against the steps and quickly disappeared behind the curtain.

Lin Feng was about to say goodbye to Zhao Erniu and the others before returning to the inn when, just as he turned around, an adjutant rushed over and stopped in front of him.

"Lin Tongsheng, please wait." The adjutant lowered his voice, his attitude extremely respectful, "The Prefect requests your presence."

Lin Feng was slightly taken aback.

He was just a student who had passed the imperial examination, while the other party was an official appointed by the imperial court, a prefect of the fourth rank. Logically speaking, they had no connection.

Little did Lin Feng know that although he was only a novice scholar, it was obvious to anyone with eyes that Lin Feng was extremely powerful.

Becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations) or even a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest level of the imperial examinations) is within one's grasp.

Their future prospects are limitless.

Therefore, the adjutant's attitude was also very good.

"What business does the Prefect have with me?" Lin Feng asked.

"Well... I don't know either," the adjutant said with a forced smile. "Please, Mr. Lin, come this way."

Lin Feng hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Lead the way."

He turned around, waved to Zhao Erniu and the others, and then left with his adjutant.

Zhao Erniu stood there, watching Lin Feng's retreating figure, and exclaimed, "Brother Lin is truly amazing; even the prefect personally invited him!"

Yuan Chun didn't speak, but just stared at the receding figure with a complicated expression.

I envy you, of course I envy you.

But more than anything, it's a feeling that's hard to describe.

The former handyman at the charity hall is now someone he has to look up to.

The adjutant led Lin Feng across the training ground to a group of tents at the rear.

This is the garrison's camp, usually used for daily drills, but it has been cleared out for the prefect to use as an office and rest area these past few days.

Soldiers were on duty outside the tent. When they saw the adjutant leading his men over, they didn't question them but simply made way.

The adjutant stopped in front of a slightly larger tent and lifted the curtain: "Lin Tongsheng, please."

Lin Feng bent down and went inside.

The tent was simply furnished with a low table, a few stools, and a charcoal fire burning in the corner.

The flame on the candlestick flickered gently, casting shadows that were sometimes long and sometimes short.

Zhao Boli was sitting behind a low table when he saw Lin Feng enter, and a smile immediately appeared on his face.

He pointed to the stool opposite him, his tone as warm as if he were meeting an old friend:

"Lin Feng, come and sit down."

Lin Feng nodded without hesitation and sat down on the stool.

Zhao Boli's adjutant waved his hand: "Go down. No one is allowed to come in without my orders."

"Yes, sir."

The adjutant bowed and withdrew, and the tent flap fell, cutting off the sounds from outside.

Zhao Boli withdrew his gaze, picked up the wine pot himself, and poured a cup for Lin Feng.

The amber-colored liquor was poured into the celadon cup, creating fine bubbles and releasing a rich aroma.

Lin Feng looked at the scene before him and was puzzled for a moment.

A dignified fourth-rank prefect personally pours wine for a mere student?

His enthusiasm is something I can't handle.

"Your Excellency," Lin Feng said directly, "what brings you here?"

Zhao Boli waved his hand and smiled kindly: "No rush, let's drink first."

He pushed his wine glass towards Lin Feng, then picked up a glass himself, gesturing for Lin Feng to drink with him.

Lin Feng looked down at the glass of wine, his mind racing.

Poisoned?

That seems unlikely.

But the defensive heart is indispensable.

What if this old man poisoned it?

Lin Feng picked up his wine glass, brought it to his lips, and pretended to drink it all in one gulp.

With a perfectly timed flick of the sleeve, the wine in the glass silently dripped into the air.

He put down his glass, smacked his lips, and gave a "good wine" look.

Seeing that he drank it all without any hesitation, Zhao Boli's eyes showed even greater satisfaction.

He tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass, then put the glass down and said with a smile:

"Lin Feng, back in Yongguan County, I knew you were no ordinary person."

When you first showed promise, I knew you would amount to something great.

He paused, his tone tinged with emotion.

"I didn't expect you to give me such a big surprise when we arrived in Huayang Prefecture."

I've watched all the matches these past few days; they were clean, efficient, and decisive.

Especially in today's match, he defeated a mid-stage Houtian expert in just two moves, handling the situation with effortless ease.

He stared intently at Lin Feng.

"I knew I hadn't misjudged him."

Lin Feng lowered his eyes and smiled modestly: "You flatter me, Prefect."

It was just good luck; the opponent happened to have a counter.

Zhao Boli waved his hand, "Excessive humility is arrogance."

Your talent is evident to all, and I have high hopes for you.

As he spoke, he picked up the wine pot again, intending to pour wine for Lin Feng.

Lin Feng reached out to stop him, but seeing that he couldn't, he let him fill the cup.

This time, Lin Feng didn't rush to raise his glass.

He looked at Zhao Boli and, without beating around the bush, asked directly, "Prefect, what brings you here?"

If it's just a few words of praise, then I've already received your meaning.

It's getting late, and there's the final tomorrow, so I want to go home and rest early.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Boli paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Good, that's straightforward!" He clapped his hands. "I like your directness."

He stopped smiling and looked at Lin Feng with a more serious expression in his eyes.

"Lin Feng, don't be so formal."

In private, just call me Brother Li.

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow slightly.

"How can this be?" he quickly declined. "You are a fourth-rank prefect, while I am merely a student. How dare I..."

"Hey, what's there to be afraid of?" Zhao Boli interrupted him. "An official is an official, and a person is a person. Although I am the prefect, it doesn't prevent us from being friends."

He sighed, his tone now more sincere.

"To be honest, when I was your age, I was far worse than you."

My achievements are due to my family.

But you, on the other hand, relied on your own abilities to fight your way to the finals, easily crushing your opponents.

He stared into Lin Feng's eyes and said again:

What does this mean?

This shows that your talent far surpasses mine, and your future is far brighter than mine.

Today you call me Prefect, tomorrow I might have to call you Your Excellency. While we can still build a relationship, shouldn't I try to win you over beforehand?

Lin Feng was somewhat confused after hearing these words.

Zhao Boli's words sounded like he was praising him and trying to win him over.

But given his status, is it really necessary for him to lower himself like this?

I just can't believe it no matter how I look at it.

"Your Excellency," Lin Feng asked tentatively, "did you summon me just to discuss these matters?"

Zhao Boli smiled, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip.

He put down his cup, looked at Lin Feng, and finally revealed his true purpose.

"Of course, it's not just these."

He paused, carefully considering his words.

"Lin Feng, you know Huayang Prefecture is a poor and remote place, so it's not easy for a talented person to emerge from it."

Those who make it to the finals are extremely rare.

As the prefect, I hope you all achieve good results in your exams, and I also hope you all stay safe and sound, and that nothing goes wrong.

Lin Feng listened quietly.

"What I mean is—" Zhao Boli looked at him with a meaningful look in his eyes, "If you and Wu Changning meet in tomorrow's competition, you must conserve your strength."

If you can win, then fight; if you can't, then admit defeat. Don't fight so stubbornly.

"If either of you were to injure, it would be a huge loss for Huayang Prefecture."