The effect of the Demon Revealing Dew depends on its grade.
Martial-grade Demon Revealing Dew works only when different types are used against specific kinds of demons.
Mysterious-grade Demon Revealing Dew is different. It can force most demon cultivators to reveal their true forms.
Since its effect is much stronger, its value is naturally much higher.
A small cup of mysterious-grade Demon Revealing Dew has a market price of ten thousand taels of silver!
Another reward worth ten thousand taels. Is this the benefit of passing the imperial examination?
Why? Yu Qing suddenly felt his heart ache badly. That feeling of seeing something you can never have made him feel deeply unwilling inside.
But there was no choice. No matter whether he could solve the word puzzle or not, he could not stand out and claim this reward. If the officials present remembered his appearance as the fake “A Shiheng” too clearly, what would happen when A Shiheng’s arm recovered and the real A Shiheng went to the capital for the next examination?
Even though he felt unwilling, the same rule still applied. His principle on this trip was to act low-key and leave no impression on anyone.
Yu Qi had basically offered a prize equal in value to Di Zang’s.
A prize worth twenty thousand taels of silver was truly generous for these candidates.
“Good!” Lu Jiwèi was very pleased. He announced in public, “Since the two gentlemen show such great favour to the talents of Lie Prefecture, how can I do nothing in return? In this way, the prefecture will give every candidate ten taels of silver for their expenses in the capital.” With one sentence, the government spent more than three thousand taels.
An official beside him immediately nudged Zhan Muchun with his elbow. Only then did the top provincial scholar react. He stepped forward first, cupped his hands, and said, “We thank Your Excellency the Prefect, and we thank the two masters.”
“Thank Your Excellency the Prefect, thank the two masters.”
The group of candidates echoed the thanks together. Although the two masters offered bigger rewards, everyone still thanked the prefect first.
Lu Jiwèi waved his hand to indicate they could rise. He turned and asked the chief official in charge of the place, “Is there a place where several hundred people can sit and write?”
The chief official quickly replied, “Yes. There are several large lecture halls available in Yuxiu Garden nearby.”
Lu Jiwèi seemed interested as well. “Good. Lead the way.”
The chief official immediately signalled the candidates to make a path. He invited Lu Jiwèi and the others to go ahead first. At the same time, he followed close to Lu Jiwèi and whispered a few words.
Lu Jiwèi nodded and gave a sound of agreement. He said to Di and Yu, “We should go and prepare the word puzzle first.”
After receiving permission, the chief official stopped. He called over a subordinate, gave a few instructions, then hurried after Lu Jiwèi.
The subordinate who received the order immediately turned around. He spoke loudly to the candidates who were about to follow, “All talents, please wait a moment. Yuxiu Garden has plenty of tables, stools, and paper. However, it is difficult to gather several hundred sets of brushes and ink in such a short time. We are afraid it will take too long to prepare and keep Your Excellency the Prefect waiting. Since everyone should have brought their own writing tools, we kindly ask you to return to your rooms quickly, fetch your stationery, and gather here. I will wait for everyone to assemble.”
“Very well.” Zhan Muchun agreed first. He cupped his hands and led the way back to the rooms.
The group of candidates all agreed and hurried off at a small run.
Yu Qing looked left and right. What could he do? He pretended to head back as well, still sighing inside about that prize worth twenty thousand taels.
After walking not far, he looked up and saw a broad, sturdy figure ahead. He recognised it as Xu Fei, who was rushing back in a hurry. Out of habit, he raised his hand to smooth the ponytail at the back of his head, but touched nothing and had to stop.
Following behind Xu Fei, his eyes flickered for a while. Then he gritted his teeth, as if he had made a decision. Yu Qing suddenly quickened his pace, ran forward, caught up, and walked side by side. He gave an enthusiastic greeting, “Brother Xu.”
Xu Fei turned his head. Seeing it was him, he felt surprised. This unfriendly fellow was actually greeting him on his own, and with such enthusiasm. The sun must have risen in the west.
The sudden warm greeting caught him off guard. He said in astonishment, “Brother Shiheng, what is the matter?”
Yu Qing looked around in all directions, reached out to pull Xu Fei’s arm, and slowed him down. The two changed from a small run to a normal walk. “There are still people living at the very back, farther than us. We do not need to hurry.”
Xu Fei became even more surprised. The man had actually said so many words to him in one go. He asked, “Brother Shiheng, do you have some instructions for me?”
Yu Qing finally showed him a smile. He chuckled and said, “May I ask, what rank did Brother Xu get in this provincial examination?”
Xu Fei looked suspicious, not understanding why he asked this now. He replied, “One hundred and thirty-first. I have made Brother Shiheng laugh.”
“No, no, it is very good.” Yu Qing spoke politely, but his face showed a rather happy smile. One eyebrow lifted slightly, and his eyes looked a little strange. Inside, he was already calculating. One hundred and thirty-first meant almost no hope of making the golden list.
In other words, if this dark-faced scholar failed this time and did not take the capital examination again next time, it was unlikely he would ever meet the real A Shiheng.
This fellow’s expression looked a bit odd. Was he mocking me? Xu Fei tried to ask back, “May I know Brother Shiheng’s rank in the provincial examination?”
Yu Qing deliberately sighed and said humbly, “I did not do well either. Also after one hundred, one hundred and sixth.”
“You are more than twenty places ahead of me. Much better than me. Brother Shiheng is being modest.”
“Hey, Brother Xu is too polite. Both of us are after one hundred. About the same, about the same.”
“Brother Shiheng, I am really not being polite. Passing the provincial examination this time was unexpected even for me and my family. We treated it as if our ancestral graves were giving off green smoke. To be honest, I only passed because I guessed the topics correctly. Otherwise, it would have been impossible. I purely got lucky. I cannot compare to Brother Shiheng’s true talent and learning.”
Guessing topics was something Yu Qing had heard of. Some people would predict possible questions based on the examiner’s writing style and preferences, then prepare specifically in advance. If the prediction was accurate, it meant they had guessed correctly, and the result was obvious.
This was not exactly cheating, but in a way it was a form of indirect cheating. At least it was not something ordinary families could do. Even if ordinary families knew who the examiner was, they might not know his writing preferences. Sometimes, as a human, you have to accept this kind of unfairness in fate. No one can change it.
Yu Qing immediately looked the man up and down. He realised this person’s family background was probably decent. But that was not what he cared about now. He continued politely, “Brother Xu is so humble. It is admirable.” Without letting the other reply, he quickly blocked him with words. “Brother Xu, with our provincial ranks, the metropolitan examination will probably be difficult. If we fail, will Brother Xu try again next time?”
Xu Fei laughed heartily and said straightforwardly, “No more. How can I always have such good luck? But not trying would be hard to explain. After passing the provincial level, the family would not accept it if I did not at least attempt the capital exam. So this time was just to try my luck. If I fail, the family will not expect anything more. The proper path is to honestly seek an official post in Lie Prefecture. Actually, I do not want to be an official. In this world… I would rather ride freely through the rivers and lakes, acting chivalrous and righteous. Haha, but that is just a dream. The family would never agree.”
Yu Qing somewhat believed this man was telling the truth about not wanting to be an official. After all, his dark tan and the way he handled a big blade did not seem like an act.
None of that mattered. What Yu Qing valued and felt happy about was confirming that this man would not take the capital examination next time.
If he failed this time and did not participate again, the chance of meeting A Shiheng in the future was very small. That put him at ease.
In short, he, who had been deliberately keeping a low profile, could no longer stay calm. The huge silver prize had stirred him up. His heart was restless, and he really could not hold back anymore.
Of course, he also knew that, to be safe, it was best not to leave a deep impression on Xu Fei.
But another voice inside him kept persuading him. You are now the leader of Linglong Temple. You have the duty to gather some money for the temple’s expenses.
With no major worries left, Yu Qing’s heart was like a wild horse off the reins. He had no patience for small talk and went straight to the point. “Brother Xu, what do you think about how the prefect will distribute those rewards he mentioned?”
Xu Fei shrugged. “How would I know? But surely the better performers get more.”
Yu Qing said, “Same as I thought. Does Brother Xu also want to fight for first place?”
The two had already turned from the main path into a shaded small road between two buildings. Xu Fei stopped walking when he heard this and laughed. “Who would not want to? Such a good chance. The material reward is secondary. The most important thing is to show your face in front of the prefect.”
Yu Qing stopped as well. He looked a bit confused. “Showing your face in front of the prefect is more important than getting a big reward?” He looked the other up and down. “It seems the pursuits of you rich people are indeed different from us poor ones.”
Xu Fei was stunned by his words. “Brother Shiheng, are you really unaware, or are you pretending to be confused? We study hard for years, travel long distances to take the exam. What do we suffer for? Is it not for our future? Now an extra opportunity is placed in front of us. How can we not cherish it?”
Yu Qing still looked puzzled. “Just showing your face once in front of the prefect can give you a future?”
Xu Fei glanced around, then put one arm around Yu Qing’s shoulder and lowered his voice. “Brother Shiheng, how can this be an ordinary showing of face? No matter what, this is an examination personally hosted by the prefect. Mister Yu Qi also said it is a test of our quick wit. If someone takes first place in this assessment, it will surely become a fine story. Even if the prefect forgets it later, people below will make sure he remembers…
Sigh, let me put it simply. If you take first this time, even if you fail the metropolitan exam, you already have a back path. When you return to Lie Prefecture to seek a post, you only need to tell the responsible official, ‘I am the one the prefect personally chose as first.’ Which official would dare delay or refuse to arrange it? This is far better than running your legs off at home looking for connections. Look at how everyone is rushing. Do you really think it is just for the rewards?”
Yu Qing was not stupid. He had simply never been exposed to these things before. After this explanation, he understood immediately. He was also a little surprised. He had not noticed earlier that this big, dark, silly-looking Xu Fei actually understood these things so well.
On the other hand, the fact that the other man was willing to tell him all this already showed sincerity. Yu Qing became even more direct. He asked, “Then does Brother Xu have confidence to take first place?”