A Long River Myth

The skills competition in the autumn examination was nearing its end; it was already the afternoon of the second day after it began.

Although there were many people this year, it ended even faster than the summer exams.

The reason for this is probably related to the intensity of the competition; there weren't many evenly matched contests where players were testing each other.

Often, these are all highly skilled players, and victory or defeat is decided in just a few moments on the field.

With the final battle concluded, this autumn examination has come to a successful end.

By this time, the gazes of the spectators and those in the training ground had long since turned away from the Jia-style arena.

The top three have already been decided; the rest are just supporting characters.

"Uncle Xu, quickly find out information about Li Hong!"

"The Lei Clan's offerings? Is old man Lei Long so desperate that he's extending his reach to the outer city?"

"Defeat Wan Gu... the 56th place on the rookie rankings is about to change!"

These were the inner-city clans and powers who stood by and watched.

The few experts from the outer city had already focused their attention on Li Hong, the "newly appointed" first-class martial arts student in the examination area!

It's perfectly normal for Zhu Wen to be number one; it would be abnormal if he weren't.

It was within expectations that Wan Gu would be able to obtain a first-class martial arts student.

Li Hong was the only one who was previously unknown.

In fact, information about him had already begun circulating as early as that morning when he had won three consecutive matches.

However, when many people learned that he came from the outer city and was already a retainer of the Lei Clan Trading Company, they couldn't help but slap their thighs in disbelief.

Although they occasionally glanced at the outer city, it was like panning for gold in the sand—a losing proposition.

The emergence of someone like Li Hong is ultimately a low-probability event.

.........

Inside the training ground.

The chief examiner has announced the end of the autumn examinations.

Zhu Wen, Wan Gu, and Li Hong were invited to the stage and stood side by side, with guards draping two red silk ribbons over each of them.

Except for the second-class martial arts students, whose results need to be announced.

The top-ranked martial arts students each year are known on the spot.

Boom boom boom!

Twelve large cowhide drums were struck simultaneously.

The prefectural officials in charge of this autumn examination arrived with the examination list.

Congratulations to the three of you!

After the customary tea ceremony, twelve cannon shots rang out in succession, as if to lift the entire training ground up.

Once the rankings of the first-class martial arts students are determined, the prefectural government will issue an approval document in two days, and then the project will be completed!

"Congratulations to the three of you. See you at Hongwu Hall in three days."

After the official, a middle-aged man in a strange martial robe walked onto the stage. He also offered his congratulations, but he was not as enthusiastic as the first man. He simply went through the motions, then walked off the stage with his hands behind his back.

What a profound aura!

As he sensed the other party passing by, Li Hong frowned slightly!

This middle-aged man in martial robes is not a government official; he comes from the Hongwu Hall.

The person walked past him, making him feel as if he were standing on the edge of an abyss; he was definitely not an ordinary master of innate cultivation.

Beside him, Wan Gu noticed his gaze slightly lingering and chuckled in a low voice:

"Brother Li, the Hongwu Hall belongs to the Upper Sect and is responsible for coordinating the martial arts examinations in various regions. It has always been aloof and superior, so there's no need to take it to heart."

Li Hong nodded, but his heart skipped a beat.

It turns out that the Shangzong sect originally had an institution similar to an "admissions office" in the inner city.

This was something he hadn't inquired about before.

Neither the patrol office nor the martial arts hall in the outer city could have predicted that he would win the first-class martial arts student award in the autumn examination.

After a few cups of tea, the necessary rituals were completed.

The three honor guards, which the county government had prepared in advance, are ready to go.

They are just waiting for the order.

The area outside the training ground was already packed with people.

Jiang Tao was overjoyed. He and Liu Ming had spent a dreamlike day in the stands!

It's truly unimaginable that Li Hong, the junior they had already chosen, could become a first-class martial arts student in just one autumn examination!

Even now, looking back, it still feels a bit unreal!

His eyes were filled with extremely complex emotions.

"Quickly! Liu Ming, go back and take some men to Li Hong's house to make contact. Start making arrangements now. Add two more levels to the banquet and ceremony; the expenses will be covered by the department. Go now!"

Jiang Tao's hands were trembling slightly. Even though he had participated in the martial arts examination and had personally passed as a second-class martial arts student, he still seemed somewhat caught off guard.

What surprised him even more was that when Li Hong's honor guard came out, he had not yet taken off the two red ribbons on his body.

The crowd that had gathered outside the training ground immediately surged forward like a tidal wave!

Even he had trouble squeezing in!

"Our Danxin Pavilion congratulates Master Li on achieving the highest rank in martial arts, and we are willing to offer him one thousand taels of silver per month!"

"Master Li, my Xuan Tie Fang would like to present you with a Grade Three Sharp Blade..."

"............."

The various second-rate powers within the inner city have already sent people to wait at the gates!

What does it mean to be a first-class martial arts student?

Only twelve people are produced each year!

Its value goes without saying; for these second-rate forces in the inner city, if they could get their hands on a first-class martial arts student...

Undoubtedly, they benefited greatly, especially Li Hong, who had no foundation and had not yet been deeply involved with any force!

.........

An hour later, on Jinshui Street.

The street has never been this narrow in over a decade!

The streets were already packed with onlookers, and people from several other streets had already gathered!

The martial arts exam was something that originally had nothing to do with these streets in the northern part of the outer city.

How could it have moved so many people?

All because an explosive piece of news came back a little over an hour ago!

Jinshui Street has produced a first-class martial arts performer!

What does this mean?

Second-class martial arts students are already considered to have achieved official rank.

First-class martial arts students in the outer city exist only in legends!

The uproar caused by this news is so great that even now, people are still gathering from all over the streets to talk about it!

The patrol and inspection department, including the martial arts hall, has already dispatched personnel to maintain order, but the number is far too small to be sufficient.

Liu Ming has already dispatched all the personnel from the Inspection Department.

A large crowd surged in front of Fulin Grocery Store.

Congratulations were heard incessantly.

In his excitement, Li Fulin nearly fainted, and was only brought back to his senses by acupressure from Wang Hu and others.

Madam Yao was overjoyed and wept tears of joy, knowing that her son would surely return with honors.

But I never expected that he would be a first-class martial arts student!

I was so excited I didn't know what to do!

"Congratulations, Grandma Yao! Congratulations, Grandpa Li!"

Neighbors came in droves, and some who were not familiar with the place even lowered their generation to curry favor with them!

At the intersection of Jinshui Street and Changhong Street, the area was already packed with people.

"Look, look! Master Wusheng is back!"

The doors on both sides of the street were all open, and many shops were already packed with people!

The procession of gongs and drums was dispatched by the prefectural government. The dull sound of the gongs used to clear the way could be heard for half a mile, shaking the old walls on both sides of the street and turning them to dust!

Many clever children took turns coming over to offer their congratulations and ask for rewards.

Of all the weddings in the outer city, the high school martial arts students encountered the fewest.

Many adults then encouraged their teenagers to test the waters.

At the front of the procession, among the patrol officers, several junior patrolmen were scattering copper coins!

One handful costs dozens of coins! The situation before me is like throwing bait into a fishpond!

Jiang Tao had already made arrangements for these matters in advance!

He was certain that Li Hong would return with honors, but he never expected him to be a first-class martial arts student.

On this day, the name Li Hong caused a great deal of discussion not only in the inner city!

It caused a sensation throughout the entire outer city within half a day!

That evening, everyone on Jinshui Street who came to offer their congratulations was kept behind.

Jiang Tao was very generous, temporarily requisitioning several nearby shops to set up a banquet with over a hundred tables.

Everything has been prepared in advance!