The soldiers, charging forward in a wedge formation, gradually separated from the crowd, moving swiftly along the side of the wide official road. They no longer needed to worry about those lagging behind; they posed no longer a threat. Zhang Kuang commanded from the center, Fang Jie spearheaded the attack, and the wedge formation, like an arrow released from a bow, swept unstoppably towards the training ground.
Slightly behind them was Xie Fuyao from Jiangnan. This handsome young man, dressed in fine clothes, moved with the grace of a soaring cloud, yet he didn't rush to overtake Fang Jie and the others. He simply lagged behind the wedge formation. Although his expression was calm and showed no hostility, Fang Jie perceived Xie Fuyao's position as extremely crucial, like a predatory beast lurking at any moment, constantly threatening the rear of the wedge formation.
The wedge formation was one of the twenty-odd basic formations of the Sui Dynasty army, an extremely sharp and effective assault formation. This formation, in theory, is suitable for cavalry tactics. However, the Sui Dynasty had very few pure cavalry units. In foreign wars, infantry was the primary force relying on this formation for overcoming enemy strongholds and breaking through enemy lines. For over a century since its founding, the Sui Dynasty had never lost a foreign war, relying solely on its well-trained infantry and its sharp and versatile battle formations. Whether against the Shang Dynasty, Eastern Chu, Southern Yan, or Nanzhao, the Sui infantry was invincible.
Regarding military rank, Zhang Kuang was the highest among the dozen or so men. According to the Sui Dynasty's military system, a squad consisted of fifty men, with one squad leader and one deputy squad leader. Two squads formed a brigade, with one brigade commander. Three brigades formed a regiment, with one captain. Fang Jie was merely a deputy squad leader in Fan Gu, two ranks lower than Zhang Kuang.
Therefore, according to the Sui Dynasty's military regulations, even if this wasn't a battle, command still rested with the highest-ranking officer.
Fang Jie charged at the forefront of the wedge formation, like the sharp tip of a wolf-tooth arrow.
Those at the forefront were already accelerating frantically, fearing being overtaken. Fang Jie didn't want to make contact with those in front so soon before reaching the training grounds. If they clashed, those behind could easily overtake them.
In fact, those at the front shared the same thought: obstructing others before seeing the finish line wouldn't do much good.
The training grounds gates were wide open, and several professors in moon-white robes stood on the city wall. Seeing the examinees rush to the gates, the leading professor suddenly unfurled something in his hand, like releasing a giant python. It was a huge banner. Unfurled like a python, it hung down from the city wall; the large characters written in thick ink were clearly visible even without close inspection.
"Anyone who reaches the finish line without fighting will have their results invalidated."
When Fang Jie saw these words, he couldn't help but curse. How could the professors of the Martial Arts Academy be so insidious? The moment the banner was hung up, it immediately extinguished the idea of those at the forefront who were only focused on speed and avoiding direct combat. There were only a few dozen people at the front, and almost everyone shared the same thought: as long as they remained in the first group to reach the finish line, there was no need to provoke those around them.
After all, those still in the first group were hardly weaklings.
Just as Fang Jie and his group paused slightly, Xie Fuyao, who had been trailing behind them, suddenly soared into the air. Like a soaring eagle, she swept across the arrowhead formation, arriving at the entrance of the training ground in the blink of an eye. Zhang Kuang, who was commanding from the center of the arrowhead formation, hesitated for a moment, glanced at Xie Fuyao, but did not order an attack.
"Find someone else!"
He made his decision after only a moment's hesitation. A mere exchange of blows was enough; there was no need to provoke Xie Fuyao, whose strength ranked among the top of all the examinees. This thought coincided with Fang Jie's, and upon hearing Zhang Kuang's shout, he immediately rushed towards the densest part of the crowd. He had already observed the strength of these individuals beforehand.
Fang Jie directly approached a group of six or seven examinees gathered together. These individuals appeared to be from the same prefecture and seemed to have pre-arranged an alliance for the competition. For easy identification, each had a red ribbon wrapped around their right arm. They had remained together from the beginning, and while there wasn't exactly seamless teamwork, each position was clearly assigned, indicating they weren't inexperienced rookies.
In terms of cultivation level, Fang Jie's group might not be a match for these individuals in a one-on-one fight. However, Fang Jie wasn't worried. A soldier's combat skills come entirely from real combat, not from studying books alone. Even though they weren't from the same army, their teamwork was surprisingly smooth. In a team battle, Fang Jie had confidence in these dozen or so soldiers.
"Break!"
Fang Jie led his spearhead formation, crashing fiercely into the group of men. He leaned forward to dodge the man's oncoming fist, his left leg trailing behind, his right knee bent, and his left shoulder slammed into the man's chest with a noticeable swing. The instant of contact, Fang Jie's right leg straightened abruptly, his shoulder thrusting upwards, sending the man flying backwards.
The man's companion, startled, couldn't help his friend and could only grit his teeth and throw a punch at Fang Jie's chest. Fang Jie, just straightening up, clearly didn't have time to dodge.
But Fang Jie seemed to have no intention of dodging.
Just as the man's fist was about to strike Fang Jie's chest, a soldier on Fang Jie's left slashed down with a punch to the man's abdomen. The punch was powerful, and the man's body immediately bent over like a shrimp. Without even glancing at his opponent, Fang Jie leaped forward, charging ahead. The border troops shifted positions, deflecting attacks from both sides to allow Fang Jie to focus all his attention on his opponent directly in front.
This was the coordinated attack of the Sui army; once activated, their formation moved like a precisely functioning machine. Fang Jie's two flanks blocked all attacks, while the soldiers behind him deployed their formation, the wedge formation instantly transforming into a triangle. The rear of the formation suddenly widened, further expanding the opening Fang Jie had created.
It was like a wedge being driven deep into the enemy's formation.
Although the individual strength of the opponents was considerable, their coordination was no match for the well-trained soldiers. After Fang Jie tore through the defensive formation of six or seven men, the wedge formation sliced them in half within a minute. Fang Jie didn't use excessive force, using his shoulders and elbows to take down those blocking his way one by one. Now, Fang Jie's attacks carried a confidence that no longer required the same awe he felt towards a mere second-rank cultivator in Fan Gu.
In a matter of moments, they had broken through the crowd and reached the entrance to the training ground. "Don't linger, charge in!"
Zhang Kuang shouted to Fang Jie, then commanded the formation to change direction.
But just as Fang Jie turned around, his steps abruptly halted.
Jiangnan Xie Fuyao stood ramrod straight at the entrance of the martial arts arena, hands behind his back, watching with interest as Fang Jie and his group broke through an obstacle.
...
...
Fang Jie was someone who enjoyed learning about anyone who could potentially become his opponent. Just before the martial arts academy's entrance exams, he went to the Sanjin Marquis's residence, shamelessly asking numerous questions about the popular candidates, extracting almost everything Wu Yidao knew. But the information Wu Yidao gave him wasn't enough; he even resorted to the despicable tactic of preventing Mu Xiaoyao from returning to the Imperial Guard to extort more information from Zhuo Buyi.
Therefore, he knew that this young man named Xie Fuyao, blocking the way at the entrance of the martial arts arena, was somewhat formidable. Xie Fuyao was renowned for his talent even in his youth, but what truly intrigued people was his other identity: a nominal disciple of Zhang Zhenren of the Sanqing Temple on Wudang Mountain. The term "nominal disciple" made it seem as if he were merely an outer disciple of the Sanqing Temple. Many scions of noble families would associate themselves with famous sects to enhance their reputation. But Xie Fuyao was different; he was actually Zhang Zhenren's closed-door disciple.
That year, Zhang Zhenren was traveling in Jiangnan when he encountered Xie Fuyao and pointed at him, saying that this young man would surely shine like a star in the future.
From then on, Zhang Zhenren would send his most outstanding disciple to Jiangnan every year to spread his teachings. Over the course of more than ten years, he even personally descended the mountain four times to guide Xie Fuyao's cultivation.
Master Zhang's position within the Daoist sect was second only to Master Xiao of Qing Le Mountain. However, rumors circulated that Master Zhang's cultivation was perhaps no less than Master Xiao's, and some even said that if it weren't for Master Xiao's connection with the Emperor before his ascension to the throne, the position of leader of the Daoist sect might not have belonged to him; it would most likely have been Zhang Jiuzhi of Wudang Mountain.
With such an extraordinary master, Xie Fuyao's cultivation level was undoubtedly high.
Therefore, from the beginning, Fang Jie had no intention of engaging in a direct confrontation with such a person; this could be understood as fear. Admitting to apprehension and fear is not shameful. If a useless person like Fang Jie, who couldn't cultivate, only displayed a death-defying spirit when facing a master, that would be foolish and somewhat shameful. This was an exam, not a fight to the death. Even if it were a fight to the death, Fang Jie would still choose to avoid an opponent like Xie Fuyao if possible.
But Xie Fuyao was now standing at the entrance of the martial arts arena; avoidance was impossible.
Looking at Fang Jie and the soldiers standing not far in front of him, Xie Fuyao gave a slight, indifferent nod. It was a polite and somewhat friendly gesture, but Fang Jie didn't see it as a gesture of goodwill. Sometimes a greeting has no complicated meaning; it's simply a greeting.
"You're quite good," Xie Fuyao said, looking at Fang Jie.
"If it weren't for these annoying rules, I'd like to see how high you can climb. Although your excellent grades in the five humanities subjects were a reward from His Majesty, someone without ability shouldn't expect His Majesty to be so generous. So, unlike others who feel jealousy and resentment towards you, I have a genuine appreciation for you. I'm curious how much effort a lowly border army deputy from an ordinary background needs to put in to earn the attention of the supreme ruler standing at the pinnacle of humanity? However… I've never considered you a rival."
Fang Jie was taken aback, not expecting this handsome and refined young man to say such things to him.
"Then we'll go in."
Fang Jie hesitated for a moment before saying, "Actually, I'm very reluctant to be your opponent."
Xie Fuyao shook his head slightly and said calmly, "No."
Fang Jie asked, "What's wrong?"
Xie Fuyao said, "It's not that I'm unwilling to consider you an opponent. On the contrary, what you've shown, while not at a very high level, has already impressed people. What I say is wrong... is that just the dozen or so of you as opponents isn't enough."
Fang Jie's heart tightened suddenly, and he subconsciously glanced back at Zhang Kuang.
This Young Master Xie from Jiangnan actually intended to hold off all of them alone. And... it wasn't enough.
Xie Fuyao, his robes flowing, stood with his hands behind his back at the entrance of the martial arts arena. Although he was standing in the same spot as everyone else, there was always an illusion that he was looking down on them from a higher place, and yet, his posture didn't evoke any sense of affectation or disgust.
"Before yesterday, I intended to enter the Martial Arts Academy unremarkable. Rankings held no allure for me. But today I changed my mind. Your performance yesterday was so dazzling that many who should have been more capable than you were overshadowed. The burning gleam in their eyes when they saw you receive His Majesty's reward made me suddenly realize something."
"If you have the strength, why deliberately keep a low profile? My previous desire to enter the Martial Arts Academy unremarkable was actually due to overconfidence. Showing what you inherently possess isn't arrogance; my previous disregard for rankings was true arrogance. After understanding this, I realize I'm indeed less intelligent than you."
He slowly raised a finger towards Fang Jie: "You make me feel arrogant and clumsy, and that doesn't feel good. My lack of competitiveness stemmed from believing I was stronger than you, and having such thoughts before even fighting was indeed my fault. So… let's have a fight."
The moment he raised his finger, Fang Jie's expression changed drastically!
"Retreat!"
He shouted without hesitation, then retreated rapidly. However, the first group of candidates were almost all blocked at the gate by Xie Fuyao at this point, so where could they retreat to?