Huang Lu stood right next to Chu Ming, his eyes staring straight ahead, but without any focus, as if he didn't know what he was looking at.
But in the next instant, his eyeballs suddenly spun, as if he'd realized something monumental.
"Yes, yes, that has to be it, that has to be it—Brother Chu ate my dad's medicine and became enlightened, enlightened, the medicine... Cassia seed... goji berries..."
He muttered under his breath, his voice growing smaller and smaller, as if he was afraid someone might overhear.
That little exclamation immediately hooked everyone's attention.
Chu Ming, first place in the academy exam, became enlightened from eating Huang Lu's dad's medicine?!
Not much information, but absolutely critical!
This year's academy exam may be over, but there's always next year.
Several boys present were still under sixteen, so they'd have another chance next year.
Even Luu Xian's trio, after a moment of shock and disbelief, found themselves drawn to the medicine Huang Lu mentioned.
They'd rather believe Chu Ming got enlightened by taking Physician Huang's medicine, and couldn't admit that he was either more hardworking or simply more talented to begin with.
Guan Chong gently patted Chix Lin on the shoulder, giving him an encouraging look, like he was saying, "Let's battle again next year."
Chix Lin finally snapped out of it, slowly unclenching his fists.
Yeah, I'll just come back next year. Luu Xian and Guan Chong are leaving after this year's exam, so next year, who'll be my rival?
"Brother Chix, tonight's Cyan Bamboo Pavilion banquet...?" Guan Chong lowered his voice to add.
"!" Chix Lin's fists clenched again in an instant.
So, I'm hosting a banquet to celebrate you all—to celebrate that Chu Ming kid, huh?!
Chu Ming couldn't help a hint of resignation at the corner of his eye. Huang Lu's logic was truly unique—he could link absolutely anything back to medicine.
On stage, Luu Hong looked at Chu Ming's calm demeanor, then at the expressions of Luu Xian's trio, and secretly sighed.
Not only were their answers on the test lacking, even in emotional control, the boy named Chu Ming was more composed.
Even upon hearing he'd won first place, he hadn't shown much excitement, almost as if he didn't care about being first at all.
Luu Hong recalled how, just before the exam, Feng Yuan had specially asked Chu Ming questions, and suddenly had some ideas forming in his mind.
Could it be that this boy, Chu Ming, is somehow connected to Lord Feng?
As he pondered, Feng Yuan entered the outer hall with two attendants, and Luu Hong hurried over to greet him, "Lord Feng."
Feng Yuan nodded coolly. "Results announced, I assume?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then let's prepare for the memory exam."
"Yes, sir."
Down below, the boys who'd just been quietly gossiping fell silent as soon as they saw Feng Yuan and his party come in, and watched in surprise as Luu Hong addressed him respectfully as "Lord."
Luu Hong now stood up on stage with a stack of papers copied from the "Poetry, Politics, and Military" excerpts, and spoke respectfully: "Everyone quiet down. This is Lord Feng, Baiyuan County's Lord of the Classics."
Baiyuan County's Lord of the Classics?!
All the boys froze for a second, then their faces flushed red at lightning speed.
They were actually this close to a real Lord of the Classics of Baiyuan County—a Standard Eighth-Grade Official!
Luu Xian looked excitedly at his father, while Guan Chong and Chix Lin exchanged intense glances.
No words needed—they knew this kind of chance to show off their talent was something they absolutely couldn't miss.
Lord of the Classics?
Chu Ming looked up slightly, a strange light flashing deep in his eyes, which quickly faded.
If you compared to official ranks in his previous life, a Standard Eighth-Grade Official in this world was probably the second or third most powerful person in the county—pretty impressive.
Even so, he'd seen higher officials before, so his heart remained unmoved.
But beside him, Huang Lu was again so nervous he nearly shook the whole desk.
Thankfully, Huang Lu now had some experience; he left the desk, tiptoed over to Chu Ming's side, and stared at the stage in excitement.
Feng Yuan strode forward a few steps, his eyes calmly sweeping over the room, pausing first on Luu Xian and the other two, which almost made them lose control from excitement.
Then his gaze moved to the back, where it lingered on Chu Ming—even longer than it had on Luu Xian's trio.
The Lord of the Classics is looking at Chu Ming?!
The boys in the front didn't dare turn around, but they had their suspicions.
Luu Xian's face tensed—if he'd been first, the lord would be watching him instead...
Standing shoulder to shoulder with Chu Ming, Huang Lu was so excited he trembled all over.
The Lord of the Classics is looking at me! The Lord of the Classics is looking at me!
Chu Ming's expression stayed calm; he met Feng Yuan's eyes for a moment, then quickly looked away.
It wasn't fear—just not allowed to stare at an authority figure for too long, that's the rank system in this world.
He didn't want to stir up trouble or invite unnecessary issues.
Luckily, the lord's gaze only lingered briefly before moving on.
Feng Yuan nodded slightly to Luu Hong, signaling him to begin the memory exam.
Luu Hong understood, holding up his stack of papers. "Everyone probably knows the academy exam was different this year. The top three not only get to study at Baiyuan Academy, but will also be rewarded with the 'Poetry, Politics, and Military' volume."
"Therefore, Lord Feng has decided, for fairness, to introduce an additional exam."
An additional exam?
The boys' faces changed; for a single instant, their recently calmed exam anxiety flooded back.
They'd just finished the exam, were waiting for their scores, relaxed, some even about to throw a party, and now they were told there'd be another exam—hard to stomach.
But soon, everyone realized something.
The academy exam isn't over?!
Which meant the results and ranking just announced weren't final!
Luu Xian, Chix Lin and the third boy were stunned for a moment, then their eyes lit up.
Not finished?
That means there's still a chance to grab first place!
That means there's still a shot at getting into the top three!
Safe to say, among all the boys, these two were the most excited.
As for the others, most faces dropped—obviously not keen for another round, since they knew that with their abilities, ten more exams would just mean ten more humiliations.
A handful, like Luu Xian and Chix Lin, rekindled hope in their eyes—including the tall Wu Chun.
He didn't care about getting first, or top three, or A, B, C; he just wanted a D grade—D Middle or D Upper, so he wouldn't be dead last.
He glanced at Huang Lu, who looked dazed, as if he hadn't even realized what "not over" meant.
Damn it, how did I end up behind someone whose brain works like that!
Wu Chun clenched his fists, silently vowing to beat Huang Lu in this round.
He looked up at the stage, his gaze burning, hoping the exam would start soon.
Chu Ming furrowed his brow slightly, but almost at once relaxed it.
Sudden changes mid-test—he'd experienced plenty in his previous life, he could accept them, but still, it felt annoying.
"The extra exam will use passages personally selected by Lord of the Classics from 'Poetry, Politics, and Military.' You'll have two hours to memorize, then write them from memory. Whoever remembers the most wins."
Memorize passages from 'Poetry, Politics, and Military'?
The boys had mixed feelings—some cheered, some groaned.
It wasn't from the three poetry classics they'd studied, but from the brand-new 'Poetry, Politics, and Military'—purely a test of memory.
Luu Xian's eyes sparkled.
The extra exam would test memory—his strong suit!
Guan Chong looked worried. He'd gotten second place thanks to grinding hard; he'd spent more time and effort than anyone, but as for memory...