Chu Ming nodded slightly. After some deep thought, he understood that it was impossible to hide his identity from the Lord of the Classics of Baiyuan County. It was better to admit it outright.
If the other party truly meant him harm, then...
The Qi and Blood Power surged within his body, and his face remained largely expressionless.
The Classics post belonged to the civil servants, whose martial prowess wasn't particularly high.
This Lord Feng appeared thin and frail, not at all like a Martial Artist who'd trained before.
Feng Yuan tapped his fingers on the table and said with a soft smile, "So, you are enduring in silence? Or did you, after losing your mother's protection, deliberately escape to this remote town to save your own life?"
He had seen Chu Ming's Academy exam papers. Almost all the answers were correct, which meant the young man before him was quite erudite.
Adding to that the astonishing performance in the memory exam, Chu Ming's talent was truly extraordinary.
For a person of such talent to have previously held the reputation of an unlearned, pleasure-seeking scion—it all combined with his mother's fate in the Chu Family. He had reason to believe this youth had been enduring in secret all along.
Enduring in secret?
Chu Ming's heart stirred.
Putting himself in the other's shoes, his current conduct really could fit such a persona.
"Choosing to endure was wise. The Chu Family's waters run deep. It's no easy feat to survive. Here, have some tea." Feng Yuan lifted the teapot, poured a cup, and handed it over. "Will you drink?"
Chu Ming accepted the tea cup respectfully, but merely held it in his hands and did not drink.
He was a bit thirsty, but did not dare to drink it either.
He couldn't yet fathom what this Lord of the Classics had in mind; so long as he was uncertain, he wouldn't lower his guard.
"Heh, to be so cautious yet so talented—excellent, excellent."
Feng Yuan's smile grew broader. He wasn't offended at all by Chu Ming's refusal to drink the tea he poured himself; instead, his gaze revealed even more appreciation.
At the same time, he became more convinced that this youth was truly enduring in silence.
"The Chu Family cares about appearances. Quietly relegating you to this remote town, giving you a chance to tread the path of officialdom—was that part of your calculations?" Feng Yuan continued.
"..." Chu Ming remained silent.
This Lord of the Classics had quite the imagination. If the original host had possessed such vision and depth, it wouldn't have fallen to Chu Ming to come here now.
Well, let him imagine as he pleases. It sounded good enough and saved him trouble.
"Very well." Feng Yuan took Chu Ming's silence as assent, his eyes flashing. "But you are still underestimating the Chu Family."
"As the wealthiest merchants in Baiyuan County, the Chu Family may lack people in court, but their methods are still beyond your imagination."
"You think hiding away in little Liutown, secretly winning first place in the Academy exam, and sneaking into Baiyuan Academy would let you escape the Chu Family's notice?"
"Nothing but self-deception."
Feng Yuan slowly rose, hands clasped behind his back, turning his face toward the pavilion's exterior, his back to Chu Ming, his figure upright, robes fluttering in the light breeze.
Chu Ming's brow furrowed slightly. What this Lord of the Classics described was something he had already considered—otherwise, he wouldn't have spent most of his time on Martial Arts training.
With his current strength...
Text flashed before his mental panel.
[Slapping Wind Palm (Perfection)]
[Tiger and Python Body Refining Technique (Minor Success)]
[Progress: 11/100]
In the ten days before the Academy exam, aside from memorizing three books, all other time had been devoted to Martial Arts training.
After being refined and improved, Tiger and Python Body Refining Technique's progress skyrocketed twice. The cultivation speed increased significantly, and he had condensed three complete Qi and Blood Powers in his body, the fourth currently being refined.
Furthermore, the Qi and Blood Power condensed by the optimized Body Refining Technique was even stronger—twice as thick as his first Qi and Blood Power.
This meant that, in practice, he actually wielded Qi and Blood equal to six ordinary strands.
Within his Sword Gourd Spirit, an internal scan revealed that not only were all his previously damaged meridians and foundations healed, they were even stronger than before.
Palm Technique at Perfection, its power was astonishing.
According to Housekeeper Fang, the Chu Family had dozens of Martial Artists at the early Blood Circulation Realm—that is, three or fewer Qi and Blood Powers—more than a dozen with four Qi and Blood Powers, all requiring a great deal of silver taels for upkeep each month.
Five Qi and Blood Powers—there were only two such people in the Chu Family.
The Chu Family was still a threat, but for Chu Ming as he was now, handling one or two wasn't out of the question. On paper, he even surpassed those Martial Artists.
"May I ask, Lord of the Classics, what you have told me today—what is it for?" After thinking a moment, Chu Ming decided it was best to ask directly what this Lord of the Classics wanted.
Feng Yuan turned around, narrowing his eyes at the calm-faced youth, his tone suddenly turning rather stern. "With that attitude, I could easily charge you with disrespect."
"A dignitary such as yourself can convict whomever you please, can't you?" Chu Ming replied unhurriedly.
Were he truly to be so accused, Feng Yuan would be wearing a very different—far more severe—expression than this forced sternness.
"Heh, such temperament and willpower make you a strong prospect." Feng Yuan relaxed his brow, chuckling softly, "For you taking first in Liuu Town Institute's exam, I will personally help you conceal it."
Chu Ming's heart stirred, and he replied in a low voice, "Thank you, my lord."
"Is that how you express thanks? Not even a proper bow?"
"Oh, thank you, my lord." Chu Ming complied.
"..." Feng Yuan's face darkened. Looking at the emotionless, calm youth, he suddenly felt a strange sensation inside.
As if he'd accomplished something worthy of praise, only to receive a flat reaction.
First, he'd praised Chu Ming, then emphasized the Chu Family's complexity and highlighted the dangers surrounding Chu Ming—then extended a hand to help.
By rights, the other party should have shown gratitude.
Yet, in front of him was just a single, emotionless word of thanks, as if it meant little to him at all.
"The Chu Family's reach is long. Though they are merchants, their ties to powerful figures are strong. My helping you hide your admission to Baiyuan Academy will not be easy..."
Feng Yuan emphasized this once more.
"I'll just pretend I didn't hear that." Chu Ming was inwardly amused. Such tactics from the Lord of the Classics might fool a sheltered youth, but as for himself...
Still, this was a great figure of Baiyuan County—he couldn't show it too plainly.
His indifference to Feng Yuan's offer to cover for him was, in fact, based on two considerations.
First, his own strength was growing by the day. Soon enough, the Chu Family would be no threat at all.
If things could be concealed, so much the better; if not, he had his own countermeasures.
Second, this Lord Feng occupied a high station; verbal promises were just that—words. Hardly trustworthy.
He'd been in this world for less than a month, and would not easily trust someone he'd only met once.
Upon hearing this, Feng Yuan was momentarily stunned, taking several breaths to recover his composure.
"Fine, for the sake of your stubbornness, even if I offend people, I'll see this matter covered up for you," said Feng Yuan.
Stubbornness?
Chu Ming raised his eyes slightly, glancing at the middle-aged man.
That complicated expression—was it frustration or unreciprocated goodwill?
"Thank you, my lord."
This time, Chu Ming infused his tone with emotion, clasped his hands in front, and did his best to play the grateful role.
No matter the other man's motives, keeping up the necessary act was important, given the man's status.
"Good, good!" Feng Yuan seemed very pleased, his face finally breaking into a gratified smile.
Soon after, he waved toward the pavilion entrance, and two figures approached from afar.
"Come, let me introduce you." Feng Yuan turned to a taller youth among the two. "This is Xu He. He studies in the Middle Courtyard of Baiyuan Academy—he is your senior."
"And this, Xiaang Changgu—the top scorer of Jade Town Institute's exam. He flawlessly recited three sections of 'Poetry, Politics, and Military' and is about to enter the Upper Academy of Baiyuan Academy. He is younger than you."