The Martial Saint rose to power starting as a substitute bridegroom.

Chapter 53 High School

The bustling martial arts examination has officially come to an end.

Under the notice board in the center of Wumiao Square.

Gu Qi'er's head bobbed like a chicken pecking at rice, dozing off repeatedly.

Gu Laoqi looked at the sun gradually setting in the west, its light carrying a hint of anxiety.

I wonder how Yuan-ge'er did in the martial arts exam, whether he made the list, or if he got injured.

Why hasn't the notice been posted yet at this point?

At this moment, several minor officials walked out from the side door of the examination hall.

"Sir." Gu Laoqi mustered his courage and called out softly with a fawning smile to one of the men holding a case file.

The clerk looked somewhat impatient. "What is it?"

He looked down at the two peasants, one old and one young, with a hint of scrutiny in his superior gaze.

"May I ask if the Wuhan University entrance exam is over? Have the results been released yet?"

The clerk frowned, his expression changing. "This is none of your business, stop nagging."

After saying that, he added, "The martial arts examination is a major event; how could it be leaked?"

That's not entirely wrong.

But the audience knew perfectly well what the result of the martial arts exam was.

In fact, it's hardly a secret.

"Sir, there's a contestant inside named..."

"What are you yelling about? Get the hell out of here, or I'll sue you for interfering with official business."

'

...His name is Li Yuan...

""

The clerk instantly straightened up. "Which Li Yuan? What's your relationship with Li Yuan?"

"It's... Li Yuan from the Green Ox Martial Arts Society," Gu Laoqi said, his face showing excitement. "I am Li Yuan's adoptive father."

The clerk's expression brightened again. "So it's you, Uncle! I was blind to your greatness, please forgive me, please forgive me."

This minor official is very shrewd.

Li Yuan ranked fifth in the imperial examination and obtained the title of martial arts master. The worst outcome would be to enter the imperial court as an official.

These petty officials, even standing on tiptoe, couldn't reach someone's ankle.

If he offended the relatives of this martial arts master, they could easily say something that would cost him his job, or even cost him his head.

Fortunately, he hadn't gone too far with his words. The minor official felt a chill run down his spine and broke out in a cold sweat.

"What a remarkable child from a humble family! Congratulations, Uncle!"

The minor official clasped his hands in a fist salute, and his expression underwent a complete 180-degree change.

"Li Wushi is fifth in high school!"

"Really?!" Gu Qi'er was instantly wide awake, her eyes shining with an unprecedented brilliance. "My brother won!"

My brother won!

Gu Laoqi confirmed in his mind once again that he hadn't misheard, and two lines of hot tears welled up in his eyes.

"Great! Yuan-ge'er has finally made it! Yuan-ge'er has finally made it!" he murmured to himself.

Glug glug—

Gu Qi'er's stomach growled again at an inopportune moment.

He quickly covered his stomach and gave an embarrassed smile.

"Uncle, your nephew hasn't eaten yet, has he?" As he spoke, the clerk took out two taels of silver from his purse. "Here, consider it my treat for you two to a bowl of tea."

"No... how can this be..." Old Gu quickly declined.

Recalling his earlier rude behavior, the clerk stuffed the loose silver into his hand without saying a word.

"I won't feel at ease if you don't accept it."

The atmosphere at the Green Ox Martial Arts Club has completely changed.

Lu Qing regained consciousness after being seriously injured. Although he survived, he seemed like a completely different person.

He is taciturn and indifferent to everyone. Sometimes he stares at the treetops outside the window for an entire day.

Chen Ting has not appeared for several days and has not made any attempt to visit Lu Qing.

Qi Xiuyuan became even more diligent at the training ground.

He would occasionally gather with a few disciples, laughing and joking. But when he saw Lu Qing in the distance, he would immediately fall silent, as if he were hiding something.

Yang Cheng, as always, was warm-hearted and took over Lin Zhong's role in instructing everyone in their training, treating everyone equally.

Lu Qing returned from the clinic and moved into the front yard.

Their bedrooms were located at opposite ends of the room, one to the east and the other to the west.

Second Grandma also took on the important task of taking care of Lu Qing.

Lin Chong kept blaming himself, believing that he was also responsible for Lu Qing's situation.

If their relationship with Tianlong Martial Arts School hadn't become so strained, they might not have gone so far as to kill them.

Therefore, Lin Chong always felt a sense of guilt towards Lu Qing.

Li Yuan became a special case.

The attitude of all the disciples of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society towards him underwent a complete change.

Everyone knows that although the results haven't been posted yet, it's almost a certainty that Junior Brother Li Yuan will obtain the title of Martial Master.

Although it is unclear why Junior Brother Li Yuan withdrew midway and gave up the chance to compete for the championship, the strength he displayed in the previous tests and competitions should not be underestimated.

Martial arts masters are important figures in the eyes of ordinary people.

Even among the wealthy and powerful officials of Linjiang City, it was a force to be reckoned with.

Everything has changed.

When Li Yuan entered the training ground, all the disciples would stop what they were doing, respectfully clasp their hands in greeting, and say "Greetings, Junior Brother Li," and would give him the best spot.

Even the instruments and utensils that Li Yuan might use are kept spotless, as someone will clean them thoroughly every morning.

During his breaks from meditation, someone would always hand him a towel at just the right time;

During his rest time, someone would always bring him tea.

When he was about to go home, someone had already prepared clean water for him to wash up, neither too hot nor too cold, and his yellow-maned horse had been groomed and brought over to wait for him.

People.

When you are weak, your silence is seen as rigid and dull, your consideration for the big picture is seen as cowardice and weakness, and your honesty is seen as inflexibility.

But when you become strong, your silence becomes calm wisdom, your consideration for the big picture becomes noble character, and your honesty becomes humility.

The stronger you are, the more tolerant the world will be of you.

Even your irritable temper will be described as a display of individuality; your stubbornness will be described as adhering to principles.

Your laziness and slackness will be described as having a good balance; your lack of respect for others will be described as being easygoing and approachable...

Even your scolding of others may be interpreted by them as "disappointment that they are not living up to their potential."

This is the way of the world and human nature.

This is the rule of survival.

This is the truth and the law.

It can't be torn or broken.

This is ingrained in our genes.

Passed down from generation to generation, forever.

When you reach a high enough position, you will be surrounded by good people.

One day.

After finishing practicing the Azure Dragon Silk Entangling Technique, Li Yuan walked up to a senior brother who had just come out of the west wing and asked with concern, "How is Senior Brother Lu's injury? Will he recover?"

"Completely cured?" The senior brother shook his head with a wry smile. "It's good enough that you survived, but you can forget about practicing martial arts for the rest of your life."

""

"Why...why?" Li Yuan's eyes widened, his expression one of disbelief. He deliberately lowered his voice and said, "Aren't those doctors all highly skilled? Treating Senior Brother Lu shouldn't be a problem for them, right?"

"Ha." The senior brother seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. "Treat him? How can you treat him? Xiao Yichen clearly used lethal force, leaving no room for maneuver. Junior Brother Lu's spine is confirmed to be shattered segment by segment, and his meridians are broken inch by inch. Even a god in the world couldn't save him! He's already incredibly lucky to have survived..."

""

"Perhaps Junior Brother Lu is destined for good fortune," Li Yuan remarked at the opportune moment.

It seems that Lu Qing is truly beyond saving.

However, Li Yuan dared not let his guard down in the slightest. In addition to paying close attention to "Senior Brother Lu's" injuries, he also had to be more cautious in dealing with the challenges from the outside world, whether overt or covert.

He was no longer the unknown kid he used to be; he had become a highly sought-after figure in the entire Linjiang City.

Whether it's a giant serpent demon or the Tianlong Martial Arts School, regardless of whether there are open or covert attacks, we must be wary.

"Junior Brother Li, you passed the exam! You made it onto the list! Fifth place!"

A clear shout broke the silence of the entire training ground.

A disciple of the Green Ox Martial Arts Society came running in, sweating profusely and shouting all the way.

The entire training ground erupted in cheers.

The crowd surged toward Li Yuan like a tidal wave.

Congratulations, Junior Brother Li!

"Senior Brother Li is amazing!"

"This is truly a joyous occasion for our Green Ox Martial Arts Club!"