The Face-Slapping Journey of a Sword Cultivator Male God (QT) Chapter 011: The Rightful Heir's Retaliation in the Story of a Reincarnated Concubine's Son - Part 10

Spring had come around once more, marking the season for the Great Wei Dynasty's metropolitan civil service examination, a grand event held every three years. This prestigious examination was open only to those who had triumphed over the initial hurdles of the imperial examination system. This included passing the scholar exam at the county level and then proving their mettle in the triennial provincial imperial exam. Having successfully made their mark in these, they earned the right to participate in the civil service examination.

Clearing this examination was an acknowledgment of their capabilities, marking them as candidates who had successfully scaled the initial stages of the examination system, but had yet to face the court examination. With this hurdle crossed, they could then vie for the honor of participating in the top-grade imperial exam, an esteemed event that took place in the grand main hall of the imperial palace. The results of this top-grade exam were employed to rank the candidates.

The first tier held the names of the top three candidates, those who had proven to be the crème de la crème of the imperial examination. This was followed by the second tier, consisting of candidates who had secured ranks from the 4th place onward. Finally, the third tier was made up of candidates who, while they had passed the imperial examination, had not been able to secure a place amongst the top ranks. These successful candidates, irrespective of their tiers, were bestowed the prestigious title of Imperial Scholars.

The bright and promising Lin Xuanzhu, guided by the wisdom of Mr. Li from a young age, had already marked his success in the imperial provincial examination before even reaching the age of majority. His initial intention was to participate in the metropolitan civil service examination three years earlier. However, an unforeseen illness, triggered by a sudden shift in the weather, deprived him of this opportunity. Consequently, he had to bide his time until he turned twenty to challenge the civil service examination.

After validating his identity, Xuan Yuan found himself in a rather cramped and modest room, divided by wooden partitions.

This was the examination chamber for the civil service examination. Throughout the three phases of this rigorous test, examinees — many of whom were the scions of noble families — were confined to these austere chambers, forbidden to venture outside.

The chamber was exceedingly tight and low, but luckily, Lin Xuanzhu's slender build meant he could just about fit. Inside the chamber was nothing more than a simple wooden table and stool, with only an inkstone and a candle gracing the tabletop. Apart from these, the room was bare.

Xuan Yuan set down the basket he had brought with him, carefully arranging his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table. Then, he settled in to quietly await the start of the imperial civil service examination.

Unlike his counterparts, many of whom were gripped by palpable nerves, Xuan Yuan seemed remarkably unfazed by the prospect of the impending civil service examination.

For many candidates, the examination was a crucial juncture that could shape the trajectory of their lives. But for Xuan Yuan, it barely held any significance. If it weren't for Lin Xuanzhu's earnest desire to fulfill his ambitions, Xuan Yuan wouldn't have given a second thought to participating in this imperial civil service examination.

"Host, host, what should we do? Are you sure you can handle these questions? What if you don't pass the exam?" In the hushed stillness of the examination room, 0617 fretted anxiously within Xuan Yuan's Sea of Consciousness as they awaited the start of the imperial civil service examination.

Xuan Yuan retorted dismissively, "So what if I don't pass?" His tone implied that the outcome, pass or fail, was hardly worth sweating over.

"How could you fail! Host, you must fulfill the cherished desire of the original owner and achieve his ambition by becoming an official in the imperial court, a highly respected minister! Moreover, in the original story, Lin Xuanzhu was only a second-tier imperial scholar, while Lin Yingjie was the top-ranked scholar. This time around, host, you must seize the top spot as the number one scholar to hold your head high, to fiercely give Lin Yingjie a slap in the face and show him what you're made of!" 0617 rallied, jumping with infectious enthusiasm.

With a raised eyebrow, Xuan Yuan opened his left hand, revealing a faint green hue, and asked in an indifferent tone, "Does he still need to be slapped in the face?"

The soul that was once Lin Yingjie felt deeply aggrieved. It seemed he was not even safe from attacks while down and out.

His current state left Lin Yingjie feeling exceedingly wronged. He had barely made any headway after his transmigration before being reduced to a wandering ghost. He also felt a pang of self-pity; surely he was the most unfortunate transmigrator ever to exist.

0617: "...Well, about that..." Looking at Lin Yingjie, now reduced to a spectral form, 0617 found it difficult to press on with the topic of face-slapping. Instead, it suggested, "However, becoming the number one imperial scholar by acing the exam is not only a matter of family honor but also plays a significant role in the successful completion of our mission."

Xuan Yuan didn't offer a response, either in affirmation or disagreement. He was, after all, a practitioner of sword cultivation. Although he had spent the last half-year delving into the Four Books and Five Classics, even going as far as to commit these classics to memory, that didn't necessarily mean he was capable of crafting outstandingly profound essays.

Expecting a sword cultivator — one who has traversed the world with martial prowess and dedicated his entire life to the art of the blade — to suddenly pen insightful essays was indeed a tall order. Even if Xuan Yuan were a cultivator at the Mahayana Ascension realm, this would still pose a daunting task!

"I have my own plans." Before 0617 could voice any further objections, Xuan Yuan finally spoke up. He had a strategy in mind, which was why he had purposefully brought along Lin Yingjie's soul to the examination chamber.

Yes, you interpreted that correctly, Xuan Yuan intended to cheat.

Considering the original Lin Yingjie managed to claim the top spot in the imperial civil service examination and ace the imperial exam, it stood to reason that he should be able to replicate this feat now, right? As for the moral implications, Xuan Yuan was unperturbed; he argued that he was utilizing his own unique abilities to cheat, thus he felt no guilt.

After all, it's not every day you come across someone with the means to commandeer the soul of the top-ranking imperial scholar to serve as their stand-in, right?

Once all the scholars vying in the imperial civil service examination had been escorted into their chambers, the officials responsible for overseeing the exam began distributing the test papers through the small windows of each room.

The initial round primarily focused on interpreting the classics, a phase that spanned three days.

Thanks to Xuan Yuan's eidetic memory, the initial exam sections were a breeze for him to navigate. He was able to complete this part without requiring Lin Yingjie's assistance.

"Host, your handwriting is off!" After Xuan Yuan had completed all the questions answerable through rote memorization, 0617 suddenly interjected.

Upon closer examination, one could see that the script on the exam paper flowed as dynamically as a dragon in flight, as swift as a startled serpent. The handwriting was unrestrained, grand, and imposing. It struck viewers with its striking sharpness at first glance.

The ink strokes were bold, piercing through to the reverse side of the paper, and the nib was extraordinarily sharp and formidable, as unrivaled as a sword.

0617 was nearly in tears, "What should we do, host?" Since Xuan Yuan had only feigned diligent study over the past half year, he hadn't really penned much, so 0617 hadn't at all foreseen that Xuan Yuan's handwriting would vastly differ from Lin Xuanzhu's!

Handwriting mirrors the individual. It would indeed be peculiar if such a significant transformation in handwriting didn't stir attention! Holding the 'Annual Best Collection of Face-slapping and Scum-abusing,' 0617 felt a pang of envy towards the hosts and systems described in the book who seemingly accomplished their missions with effortless grace...

"What's there to panic about?" Xuan Yuan quirked an eyebrow. He wasn't one to overlook such a detail, "Relax, no one will notice."

0617: The host is talking nonsense again, does he think everyone else is blind?

Despite Xuan Yuan's completion of the first round of exams after three days in the examination room, 0617 remained gloomy, consumed by the image of a failed mission it had drawn up in its mind.

"You've endured much, my child, you've slimmed down and look rather wan." As soon as Xuan Yuan descended from the carriage and stepped into the Marquis Manor, Lady Li, who had been anxiously waiting for his return, hurried over. Her face was etched with worry, "Are you hungry? Fatigued? It must've been a harsh ordeal to be confined in the examination room for three continuous days."

Xuan Yuan genuinely didn't see any signs of his supposed wan appearance, but he still nodded in agreement with Lady Li's comments. He allowed her to guide him back to his living quarters, where he bathed and had a meal. Afterwards, following Lady Li's advice, he reclined on the couch to rejuvenate his energy.

——The imperial civil service examination is spread over three rounds and lasts nine days in total. Two more rounds are yet to come!

System 0617 lingered in a state of melancholy, feeling as if there was nothing left to live for.

From the start, until Xuan Yuan finally completed the Imperial Civil Service Examination and returned home to be cared for and rejuvenated by Lady Li, 0617 continued to portray a gloomy and pitiful demeanor. It was indeed a sight worthy of sympathy.

Xuan Yuan exhaled deeply and said, "0617, you need not worry."

Regardless of Xuan Yuan's words, 0617 dismissed them. In its perspective, the host was merely attempting to blatantly mislead. What if the examiners grew suspicious and inspected Lin Xuanzhu's past handwriting samples? Being a gifted youth from a distinguished family in the capital, Lin Xuanzhu's handwriting had been widely distributed.

Observing 0617 still seeming distressed, Xuan Yuan stated, "I've applied an obscuring charm, there's no need for concern."

"An obscuring charm, really? Host, do you see yourself as some sort of sorcerer?" 0617 muttered dispiritedly. Then, it abruptly remembered that the host indeed possessed extraordinary abilities. Prior, the host had managed to infiltrate the residence where Lin Yingjie and his mother lived in broad daylight, and assassinated him undetected.

Wait, after being bound to the host for this long, why did it only just now understand the host's exceptional capabilities?

Xuan Yuan: Because you're foolish.

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