บท 13: The Swordbearer is Upright
As Lin Xi stepped out of the tent, the middle-aged matron swiftly surveyed the remaining candidates and declared with unwavering conviction, "We in the Apothecary Department shall take Lin Xi."
"Professor Lan, it is not only your department that is in need of talent," retorted the elderly woman in the black robe, her hair streaked with grey and her complexion ashen, reminiscent of an ancient witch. "You cannot deny that he possesses an innate talent for craftsmanship."
The gaunt old man with golden hair narrowed his eyes at the two, his voice unexpectedly crisp and resolute, "I suggest you yield him to our Spirit Ritual Department; we are in dire need of more members. If this continues, the number of priests in the Yun Qin Empire may dwindle significantly."
Upon hearing the thin old man's words, the middle-aged matron and the black-robed elder hesitated momentarily, but the stern middle-aged man interjected, enunciating each word deliberately, "When it comes to scarcity and demand, it is undoubtedly our Internal Affairs Department that takes precedence."
The most austere of the group, a man with black hair, suddenly spoke up with simplicity and directness, "This individual belongs to our Stopping War Department."
"Professor Qin, what are you trying to achieve?" As soon as the black-haired man spoke, the middle-aged matron and the black-robed elder could no longer contain themselves, bursting out in anger, "Lin Xi's aptitude is merely at level two; why are you so intent on claiming him?"
In the face of their ire, the black-haired man remained composed and unyielding, calmly stating, "Professor Lan, do not forget, he is merely an ordinary youth from Lu Lin Town. Yet, in the presence of the gruesome and terrifying items you deliberately placed before him, he exhibited an innate calmness. Moreover, as you all must have observed, throughout the entire examination, he remained remarkably composed, showing no signs of tension or error. When I asked him to select a weapon, he did so without hesitation… He is calm, decisive, possesses an exceptional memory, and displays integrity as a swordbearer, his heart as clear as a mountain stream. Coupled with his unremarkable aptitude, he is indeed the ideal candidate for our Stopping War Department's covert operations."
After a brief pause, the black-haired man continued coldly, "Furthermore, given his performance, I can assure you that if he joins our Stopping War Department, even with his lesser aptitude, he is bound to achieve great things in the future, even if he does not serve as a covert agent."
The middle-aged matron and the others, familiar with the black-haired man's character, found themselves momentarily at a loss for words, the tent enveloped in an uncomfortable silence.
"Indeed, those she recommended are indeed exceptional… In that case, let fate decide. We must not delay the examination of others, and you need not rush to claim him; perhaps there are other promising candidates yet to come." The one-armed elder, who had been observing quietly, suddenly smiled gently and spoke.
"Agreed." The six professors, all eager for Lin Xi, nodded in unison, acknowledging that this was the best resolution. "Next candidate," the black-haired man's cold voice soon echoed again.
...
"Surely, there should be no issues now."
As Lin Xi entered the room where the previously examined candidates awaited, he thought to himself, immediately spotting Zhang Ping.
Zhang Ping was still seated in the corner, but now his face was slightly flushed, betraying a mix of tension and excitement.
"How did you fare, Lin Xi?" Upon seeing Lin Xi approach, Zhang Ping lowered his voice and inquired earnestly.
Lin Xi smiled gently and replied, "It seems I did reasonably well; I should be able to enter the academy."
"You're quite confident?" Zhang Ping was taken aback, glancing around before whispering in Lin Xi's ear, "Thanks to you, two of the pairings from that professor's questions in craftsmanship were quite similar to what you mentioned."
"Are the refined iron and symbols exchanged each time?" Lin Xi pondered, lowering his voice to ask, "What types of refined iron did that professor present to you?"
Zhang Ping whispered, "One was black, one silver, and there were two bronze pieces."
Lin Xi felt a pang of regret, saying, "Unfortunately, I've only seen a brief record of that and cannot be of much help."
"That in itself is quite fortuitous," Zhang Ping whispered excitedly. "I sensed that the craftsmanship professor appeared satisfied, and since my aptitude test was not lacking, I have a strong chance of entering the Craftsmanship Department."
"Best case scenario indeed," Lin Xi noted, pursing his lips. "During your exam, did they first allow you to select a weapon, then pair the refined iron with symbols, followed by memorizing herbs, and finally guessing which egg could hatch?"
Zhang Ping nodded, "It seems everyone underwent the same process."
Lin Xi replied, "It feels rather trivial; it seems to rely heavily on luck, doesn't it?"
Zhang Ping immediately shook his head with a serious expression, "The professors of the academy are indeed masters; what seems trivial to us must hold deeper significance that we simply cannot comprehend."
Lin Xi rubbed his temples, recalling how exhausting it was to memorize those herbs, and he mildly agreed, "Do you know what the black-haired man's intention was in having us select weapons at the outset?"
"No idea," Zhang Ping replied, looking at Lin Xi. "I chose a pair of long spears; what about you?"
"I selected a sword," Lin Xi responded.
As the two conversed quietly, two more candidates emerged from the professors' tent in succession.
"Meng Bai, Meng Ren is your grandfather?! You actually wish to join the Apothecary Department! You…"
At that moment, a sudden furious shout erupted from the previously amiable middle-aged matron, her voice booming so loudly that it penetrated the heavy curtains, audible even to Lin Xi and Zhang Ping.
The two exchanged glances, fully aware that the tone of the matron could only imply her profound rage.
After a moment, a pale-faced Meng Bai stumbled into Lin Xi and Zhang Ping's view, looking as if he had been startled.
"What on earth happened? What connection does your grandfather have with that professor from the Apothecary Department?" Lin Xi and Zhang Ping asked Meng Bai, their curiosity piqued.
The six professors seated behind the long table in the tent, along with the one-armed elder observing from the side, exuded an extraordinary presence; one could only imagine the strength of character required to provoke one of them to such a state of agitation.
"I have no idea," Meng Bai panted, his breath steadying but his face still a mask of despair. "I merely mentioned that I liked the Apothecary Department, and she looked at my face and erupted in anger… Logically, my grandfather is much older than her; there shouldn't be any conflict."
"She called out your grandfather's name, and from what you said, she became furious merely after glancing at you. It must be related to your grandfather," Lin Xi countered, shaking his head in disagreement. "Is it possible that due to their high cultivation, these professors appear much older than they truly are?"
"That seems likely," Zhang Ping nodded vigorously. "I've heard that the professors in the academy are ancient relics, and those overseeing the examinations… must also be professors."
"If it were merely a minor dispute, there shouldn't be such an uproar. Could it be that your grandfather…" Lin Xi and Zhang Ping simultaneously realized what they were about to say: Could it be that Meng Bai's grandfather had a close relationship with this professor and then spurned her? But upon seeing Meng Bai's face turn ashen, they both chose to remain silent.
...
Over a thousand candidates came to take the exam, and it was not until the following day, nearing noon, that the examinations were fully completed.
Despite the continuous day and night without rest, the six professors in the tent and the observing one-armed elder showed little sign of fatigue, with several of them displaying an unmistakable glimmer of excitement in their eyes.
"This time, there are indeed many exceptionally talented individuals, even members of the Wen family have come…" As the last candidate exited, the elderly man with a white beard spoke eagerly, "If Lin Xi, the chosen one, does not enter our Wen Governance Department, then you need not compete with me for that boy from the Wen family. After all, he has not shown significant aptitude in other areas."
"Such aptitude will surely accelerate his training; he would fit perfectly in our Stopping War Department," the black-haired man retorted mockingly.
"You!" The elderly man with the white beard spluttered, momentarily at a loss for words.
The black-haired man continued leisurely, "However, if Lin Xi, the chosen one, does not enter our Stopping War Department, I will settle for that lad with the surname Li; the Wen family boy can be yours."
The elderly man with the white beard paused, "Which Li are you referring to?"
"Is it the one from Jinghua Tomb, Li Kaiyun?" The middle-aged matron asked curiously, glancing at the black-haired man. "His aptitude is level three; I fail to see what makes him special."
The black-haired man's gaze flickered, "Loyalty and honor; I see the spark of a most qualified soldier in his eyes, a near-religious devotion."
"What of the young lady from the Gao family? I presume you'll be vying for her as well," the stern middle-aged man enunciated.
"Let Wen Xuan Yu and Gao Ya Nan also join the chosen ones," the observing one-armed elder interjected, "Let Lin Xi proceed first; whatever he selects, the two shall forfeit. If Lin Xi does not enter the Spirit Ritual Department, when Wen Xuan Yu and Gao Ya Nan choose, they will also take the Spirit Ritual. Professor Yu Hua, after all, your young one from the Yu family possesses considerable talent; how does this arrangement sit with you?"
"Let it be as you suggest, Vice Dean Xia." The six professors rose, bowing to the elder, and began to gather their belongings from the long table.
An hour later, all the candidates assembled before a tent.
The stern black-robed middle-aged lecturer held a long sheepskin scroll and stood before the thousand candidates, beginning to read in a calm and solemn voice: "Zhang Qin, total score 15, admitted to the Academy's Wen Governance Department… Deng Xin, total score 15, admitted to the Academy's Apothecary Department… Wang Xinglun, total score 16, admitted to the Stopping War Department…"
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