My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

This was the first time Jiang Xiaobai had heard of it.

Turns out, a single kick really can send someone flying ten meters!

This was the first time I'd ever seen what a forty-meter-long broadsword really looked like!

"boom!"

A muffled thud.

Jiang Xiaobai was kicked away like a tattered sack, crashing heavily into a pillar in the hall, his back scraping against the bluestone floor with a screeching sound.

The intense pain caused his vision to go black for a moment.

Before he could catch his breath, a bone-chilling cold was already upon him.

Jiang Xiaobai struggled to lift his head.

The next moment, he was completely stunned.

In the center of the hall, a middle-aged man was holding a long knife.

The blade was slightly raised.

The blade's light extended out as if it were a tangible entity.

It stretched from the center of the hall all the way to him.

With a surge of cold light, it seemed as if just one more inch forward would be enough to cleave him in two.

Is this... a dream?

Jiang Xiaobai had only one thought left in his mind.

But the next moment, the intense pain throughout his body instantly brought him back to his senses.

This is definitely not a dream!

"Could it be... that I've traveled through time?"

The thought had barely formed when, in the next instant, a vast flood of unfamiliar memories surged into his mind like a tidal wave.

"boom!"

Jiang Xiaobai felt as if someone had hit his head hard with a hammer.

Countless unfamiliar images kept flashing through my mind.

A moment later.

Jiang Xiaobai sat blankly on the ground, his expression somewhat dazed.

He really did time travel.

I was transported to a dynasty called Dahua.

His identity is that of the heir apparent of the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion.

Even more coincidentally, the original owner of this body shared the same name as him.

The person who just kicked him away was his father in this world.

Marquis of Zhenbei, Jiang Jingcheng!

A martial arts master whose strength has reached the seventh level of the Origin Realm.

Martial arts actually exist in this world?

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but swallow.

Here comes the problem.

As a father, why did you hit him so hard?

Before he could even examine his memories, Jiang Jingcheng's deep, angry voice rang out: "Which of our ancestors, generation after generation, didn't roll through mountains of corpses and seas of blood?"

"But when it comes to you, instead of thinking about practicing martial arts and making meritorious contributions, instead of going to battle and killing enemies, you're just trying to gain a literary reputation!"

"And what's more, you bought the top scorer's ticket!!"

"Are you trying to bring glory to your ancestors? You're slapping me in the face, and slapping the faces of our forefathers!"

what?

Buy the top scholar?

Can this top scorer still be bought?

He immediately checked his memories and then he understood the reason.

That's right. In Dahua, there was no provincial examination or palace examination. Whoever ranked first in the imperial examination was the top scholar!

He also learned why his father was angry.

In Jiang Jingcheng's eyes, most of the so-called civil officials were nothing more than a group of guys who only knew how to hide in the court and talk big.

When fighting, they dared not take up their swords and go into battle; when defending the city, they dared not put on their armor and climb the tower.

After the war is over, they will hold the books of sages and stand in the Golden Palace, discussing and exchanging ideas.

The credit goes to the imperial court, while the infamy goes to the military generals.

A pen and a mouth are enough to make up for ten years of bloodshed by border soldiers.

Secondly, according to his memory, his predecessor was a genuine spoiled brat and good-for-nothing.

He's an expert in everything from eating and drinking to having fun.

But if we're talking about reading...

As far as I can remember, this guy probably can't even write his own name properly.

But now, such a person has actually become the top scorer in the exam.

Who believes?

Isn't this treating the entire court and all the students in the country like complete fools?

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai broke out in a cold sweat.

No wonder his father was so furious; this could lead to a major disaster!

"Master! Master!"

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded. Jiang Xiaobai looked up and saw a middle-aged woman rushing over.

The woman was dressed simply and had a gentle face, yet she possessed a dignified air.

The woman entered the hall and, upon seeing this scene, her expression changed drastically. She immediately stepped in front of Jiang Xiaobai, exclaiming, "Master, if you have a problem, come at me!"

"Xiao Bai... Xiao Bai is still a child!"

what?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai was taken aback at first, and then the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

However, he soon understood the reason.

Because the person in front of him was his mother, Shen Yun.

Jiang Jingcheng looked at Shen Yun blocking his way, his face dark. After hesitating for a moment, he finally put away his long sword, but the anger on his face did not diminish at all.

"child?"

Jiang Jingcheng sneered, "His behavior is a direct result of your spoiling him!"

As he spoke, Jiang Jingcheng's gaze fell on Jiang Xiaobai again, and his anger flared once more: "Who doesn't know that I, Jiang Jingcheng, despise civil officials the most!"

"As a result... this rebellious son secretly bought his way into the top spot in the imperial examination! Can you believe it? Where does this leave my reputation?!"

"Sir, you're too old-fashioned!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yun couldn't help but mutter, "Our son is trying to surprise you!"

"Me, old-fashioned? Surprised? I think you're the truly foolish one!"

Jiang Jingcheng retorted angrily, "I can put aside the matter of face for now, but... but who doesn't know our son's capabilities?"

"When the results are released, if even one person raises a question, that will be irrefutable evidence of bribery and corruption!"

"This is not only deceiving the emperor, but also telling the world that the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion has become so shameless in its pursuit of appearances!"

"Sir, is it that serious?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yun's expression changed slightly.

"nonsense!"

Jiang Jingcheng coldly replied, "Buying an official position is a serious crime, let alone for the top scholar!"

"Sir, then you should think of a solution!"

Shen Yun panicked immediately: "We only have this one son now. If anything happens to him, I won't live anymore!"

"Your Jiang family will be completely wiped out!"

"you……"

Jiang Jingcheng looked at the sobbing Shen Yun, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

At this moment, Jiang Xiaobai quickly understood why Shen Yun said that, based on his memories.

Because above him were two older brothers.

However, both of his elder brothers had died on the battlefield, and if something happened to him, the Jiang family would indeed be completely wiped out.

But buying an official position... doesn't seem to be that simple.

According to memory, it was the Vice Minister of Rites, one of the chief examiners, who took the initiative to find the predecessor of this imperial examination.

The other party kept tempting him, saying that as long as he could become the top scholar, the Jiang family's position in the court would be more secure.

And he will transform from a despised good-for-nothing into a revered prodigy.

Under the constant inducement of the other party, his predecessor... actually believed it.

What followed went almost too smoothly; getting the exam questions and taking the exam for someone else was almost without any obstacles.

Looking back now, it seems like all of this was a scheme orchestrated by someone long ago.

When the results are released, the list will be irrefutable proof.

At that time, not only him, but the entire Zhenbei Marquis's mansion will probably be dragged down.

The question is, why would the Vice Minister of Rites, who was the chief examiner, do such a thing?

Jiang Xiaobai pondered for a moment.

A possibility vaguely surfaced in my mind.

Their Jiang family, the Marquis's Mansion, holds military power over the entire northern border and wields immense influence in the court.

If something happens to the Jiang family... who is most likely to benefit from it?

Could it be... His Majesty the present?

The moment the thought crossed Jiang Xiaobai's mind, he couldn't help but shiver.

But he quickly suppressed the speculation.

Indeed, matters of the imperial court are inherently complex, and there may be other forces at play behind this.

However, resolving this crisis is not difficult for him.

He was a PhD in humanities in his previous life, so he should just focus on being the top scholar!

But... the problem is that the Jiang family already has a large army. If they really produce another top scholar, then even if the emperor didn't orchestrate this, it would be a huge success.

Even the Emperor himself probably wouldn't tolerate him.

Just as he looked slightly troubled, Jiang Jingcheng sighed, "Alas, it seems there's only one way to go now..."

Jiang Xiaobai looked up from the side, his eyes lighting up: "Oh ho, a rebellion?"