Fang Xiao's eyes suddenly focused.
"Chu Ming?" Captain Hou was stunned, the name seemed familiar.
Suddenly, his expression changed drastically, and he shouted, "Say that again, who?"
"Dad..." Hou Wuchun was startled, not understanding why his dad reacted so strongly to hearing the name, "Chu Ming, his name is Chu Ming."
As soon as he finished speaking, Captain Hou turned to look at Fang Xiao, "Brother Fang, isn't your young master also called Chu Ming?"
"Yes." Fang Xiao nodded in response, feeling resigned, the young master practicing martial arts would likely not remain a secret.
But given the young master's steady character, he shouldn't be the type to fight with others.
"That young master also participated in the academy exam today, right?" Captain Hou asked again.
"Yes." Unable to hide it, Fang Xiao decided not to conceal it any longer.
Bang—
Just as he nodded, Captain Hou suddenly slapped Hou Wuchun on the head.
"You kid, couldn't you find a better excuse? That Chu Ming is weak, even walking makes him gasp for breath, won't live for long..."
He stopped mid-sentence, realizing he might have misspoken.
The young master might not live long, but he couldn't say it in front of Fang Xiao.
Hou Wuchun held his head, squatting down in pain, his facial muscles twisted, recalling the moment before he was knocked away.
Weak? Gasping for breath while walking?
More like a tiger descending the mountain!
"Dad, we're not talking about the same person, are we..."
The woman beside saw and, feeling heartache, supported Hou Wuchun: "Chief Constable Hou, even if you don't want to take responsibility, we're truly unlucky..."
Captain Hou felt overwhelmed, this woman was embarrassing him.
"Enough!" he said coldly, his eyes authoritative, "Explain the whole story clearly!"
The arresting office instantly quieted down, the atmosphere tense.
The woman stopped causing a scene, Hou Wuchun stopped pretending.
"Speak!" Captain Hou was satisfied, his voice more confident.
Hou Wuchun trembled as he began: "Dad, that Chu Ming took first place in the academy exam and met with the Lord of the Classics alone. I remembered mom's advice and wanted to make friends, but unexpectedly, he rushed out holding a stack of books as tall as a person, like a fierce tiger, and then I got knocked away."
"..."
After he finished, the arresting office became even quieter.
Chu Ming, first place in the academy exam?!
And knocked away Hou Wuchun, who had practiced martial arts and was more robust than others his age?!
Captain Hou's mind recalled the pale-faced, frail looking youth gasping for breath in the academy.
Was this logical?
Meanwhile, Fang Xiao's eyes focused, a look of surprise sweeping across them.
Young master, first place in the academy exam?!
Calculating the time, from when he sold the travelogue for the young master to buy back three books of poetry, it was less than twenty days.
Young master had an amazing memory, that's true, he intentionally mentioned the exam to make the young master attend, but he'd never expected him to come first.
Also, what's the matter with meeting the Lord of the Classics alone?
"Classics... could it be Lord Feng?"
As he pondered this, the woman sitting on the ground had a rich expression on her face.
"Wu Chun, why didn't you say earlier, Chu Ming came first in the academy exam, he's sure to become a big figure in the future, why are you blocking his way?"
"Mom?" Hou Wuchun looked over with squinted eyes, why wasn't this as planned?
The woman acted as if she didn't see, skillfully climbed up, tidied her clothes and slightly messy hair, and stood beside Captain Hou: "And this must be Brother Fang, Hou Ping often mentions you at home."
The look suggested she was a gentle and kind mother.
Hou Wuchun tugged at the woman's sleeve from behind, but was met with a back kick.
"A few days ago I asked Hou Ping to invite Brother Fang to our home for a meal, but he refused, so here I am myself."
"Mom, didn't you say you'd stand up for me? Why are you inviting people for dinner now?"
"Shut up!" The woman turned fiercely, then turned back with a kind smile again.
"How about tonight, Brother Fang, bring along young master Chu Ming, and I'll cook personally..."
"Madam!"
Captain Hou couldn't stand it, interrupting: "Brother Fang, it's getting dark, let's call it a day."
Fang Xiao nodded slightly: "Your kind offer is appreciated, but there have been frequent murders in Wheat Alley, I need to go and have a look."
"It's just a meal..." The woman tried to persuade, but Fang Xiao dared not look back and hurriedly left.
...
At the end of West Street, small courtyard.
"Grandpa Fang is back."
"Hmm."
"Young master, it's time to eat."
Chu Ming closed the "Poetry, Politics, and Military" book, stretched lazily, and walked into the hall.
The wooden table was set with steaming dishes, just a glance made him feel hungry again.
"Young master." Fang Xiao greeted without a change in expression.
"Eat, eat."
Chu Ming waved his hand, took the main seat, and Little Shan and Fang Xiao sat down with him.
Though they were servants, he was indifferent to formalities like separate seating arrangements.
One meat, two vegetables, and a soup constituted dinner, specifically instructed by Chu Ming.
Otherwise, with just steamed buns and thin porridge, he'd be hungry before midnight.
Under sparse lamplight, Chu Ming ate silently.
Little Shan didn't reach for the dishes, just ate two bites of rice and stopped.
She wanted to save the food for the young master.
Fang Xiao only ate rice, not touching the dishes.
As they nearly finished eating, Fang Xiao couldn't resist any longer.
"Young master, how's your practice of Tiger and Python Body Refining Technique? Used up the medicinal soup? I'll go and get more tomorrow?"
"Not bad." Chu Ming finished two bowls of rice, drank a bowl of soup, and felt quite comfortable.
"Young master has extraordinary talent, but don't rush, medicinal soup shouldn't be lacked, with young master's comprehension, the second Qi Blood will be condensed soon enough."
The second Qi Blood?
Chu Ming continued to eat.
With Tiger and Python Body Refining Technique optimized, the fourth Qi Blood was almost condensed.
After Fang Xiao finished speaking, he served Little Shan some soup, pretending to casually ask: "Young master went to the academy exam today, how was it?"
"Not bad."
Not bad?
Fang Xiao's brow arched, was the young master not intending to share the good news with him and Little Shan?
"When does young master plan to go to Baiyuan Academy?"
Chu Ming slightly raised his gaze, looking at Fang Xiao, he hadn't expected the steward to know about his academy exam situation, "In a few days."
With the Identity Token in hand, he could go to Baiyuan Academy anytime.
However, he did not plan to go just yet.
Baiyuan Academy was an unknown new environment, he needed to prepare well.
Mainly regarding his own strength, he wished to condense Five Qi Blood Power before going.
The fourth Qi Blood Power was more than halfway condensed, two days would complete it, and the fifth would take just three to five days.
Each Qi Blood he condensed was twice the usual martial artist's, Five Qi Blood equaled the power of ten Qi Blood martial arts.
Ten Qi Blood Power, equivalent to Blood Circulation Realm late stage, would be a master in Baiyuan County.
At that time, whether in front of the Chu Family or unknown danger, he would cope better.
Additionally, before entering Baiyuan Academy, he wanted to read more of "Poetry, Politics, and Military".
That way, he could make time to borrow books from Wenlan Garden, expanding himself.
"What? Young master you're going to Baiyuan Academy?" Little Shan's face changed suddenly, "wasn't it said only the top three in the academy exam could go..."
While speaking, she suddenly realized: "Young master you placed top three in the academy exam?!"
"Yes." Chu Ming's gaze fell on the rice next to Little Shan, which she had barely touched. He stood and said, "I'm full."
Upon his words, he directly left, returning to his small room.
"Young master..." Little Shan's eyes reddened.
"Stop looking, eat."
"I saved it for young master."
"Young master saved it for you."
"Really?"
"Yes."