Chapter 167 – Two Drawn-out Matches (1/2)
Some of the people present, saw Tang Thirty-Six hand over a piece of paper to Zhe Xiu, but no one imagined that it would be a banknote, this was because the impression that wolf-tribe youth left on others, could in no way be associated with something like money; just as with Luo Luo and Xuan Yuan Po, even having witnessed this with their own eyes, it was hard to believe.
Zhe Xiu entered the Tower of Purging Dust.
Zhe Xiu exited the Tower of Purging Dust.
His opponent didn’t leave the tower. In the same way as Gou Han Shi had, he obtained an uncontested victory, but this similarity was only in terms of its results, its process was a lot more contentious than Gou Han Shi’s, because his opponent, once again, had been sent out of the Education Palace after being heavily injured.
The examinees gazes followed him as he walked down the steps and arrived at the woodlands where the group from Orthodox Academy were.
Tang Thirty-Six was a little speechless, saying: “You’re using the status of a student from Star Seizer Academy to participate, and even now, you’re using the false name of Zhang Ting Tao; that gentleman can be considered your fellow-student, did you have to fight so mercilessly?”
Zhe Xiu remained quiet for a while, it seemed he couldn’t really understand why Tang Thirty-Six was so concerned about this, he then said: “I said I will fight well.”
Tang Thirty-Six’s banknote made him very satisfied, thus, he did a rare nod in conveyance and promised that he would fight well.
For the wolf-tribe youth who couldn’t understand, neither cared to understand about human relations, fighting well means exerting his full strength in fighting, the outcome for his opponent was only to be expected.
“What are you here for?”
The gazes of all the examinees congregated upon the woodlands, this made Tang Thirty-Six feel a degree of pressure, he didn’t want to let others know of the deal made between Orthodox Academy and Zhe Xiu. It didn’t have anything to do with reputation or such, but was simply because he wanted to preserve this secret, the secret that Zhe Xiu could be bought out with money.
Zhe Xiu was currently the equivalent of a mercenary for Orthodox Academy, for such a powerful mercenary, it was naturally best to ensure no one knew of this.
“To discuss the price,” said Zhe Xiu.
Tang Thirty-Six understood that he meant the next match.
Without any surprises, Zhe Xiu was matched against Gou Han Shi.
Luo Luo and Xuan Yuan Po were inspecting the grass on the ground with their heads hanging, without saying anything, they were using this action to hide their embarrassment.
Chen Chang Sheng didn’t join them, that’s because this was his own affair, if it was to bring about derision afterwards, then he believed the target of that derision should be himself and not Tang Thirty-Six.
“The thing that you want, I can’t guarantee if… if I have it or not, but I will do my best to obtain it for you,” he looked at Zhe Xiu while saying this.
Zhe Xiu stared at him straight in the eyes and said, in a detached tone: “You must have it.”
Chen Chang Sheng replied: “If I do, I’ll give it to you.”
Zhe Xiu remained quiet for a long while before saying: “I accept.”
He then looked towards Tang Thirty-Six, remaining quiet again for a long time, then said: “Three times?”
Tang Thirty-Six was startled, before finally regaining his senses, strongly suppressing his glee and calmly said: “No problem.”
Zhe Xiu once again nodded his head towards him in conveyance, he then turned around and headed beyond the crowd.
“It seems that fellow only knows how to kill and doesn’t know how to bargain,” said Tang Thirty-Six emotionally as he watched Zhe Xiu’s back.
The price for battling Gou Han Shi was only three times the price for battling that Star Seizer Academy student, Zhe Xiu’s asking price really did make him feel rather surprised.
He then thought of something, turning to look at Chen Chang Sheng, frowning as he asked: “Do you know what he wants?”
It was obvious that being very short on money was only partially the reason why the wolf-tribe youth was willing to help Orthodox Academy, the most important reason was that he wanted something from Chen Chang Sheng.
Chen Chang Sheng gave Luo Luo a glance and said: “I can more or less guess what he wants, I just can’t be sure if I can help him or not.”
The last match of the top 8, happened between Luo Luo and that young scholar from Scholartree Manor, Zhong Hui.
Living up to his rank of being ninth upon the Proclamation of Azure Clouds; while inside the tower, Zhong Hui displayed an extremely formidable True Essence cultivation and sword ability, he successfully persevered… for about the time it took for half a stick of incense to burn.
The Li Palace clergyman announced the result, Zhong Hui silently left the tower.
Staring at that young scholar’s slightly forlorn looking back, Luo Luo didn’t feel anything in particular, quietly watching the entrance, awaiting the next opponent’s arrival.
She didn’t leave the tower, she had requested to fight the top 4’s first match, the personages up on the second floor had to at least give her some face.
The door to the tower closed and after a short period, once again opened.
Hearing that creak, Luo Luo ran over, then carefully locked her arms around her opponent’s arm.
Her opponent for this round is Chen Chang Sheng.
The floor that had been washed out by the rainwater, had remnants of wet sand left behind, the stone steps near the perimeter wall in comparison, were relatively clean and much drier.
Luo Luo supported Chen Chang Sheng as they went over to sit upon the stone steps, she then passed over some clean water and had him drink a mouthful, before saying: “How much longer till the medicine starts to show its effect?”
Chen Chang Sheng looked at the gold wire that that was wrapped around his left ring finger and said: “It’s already slightly better, you don’t have to worry, if it’s still not enough later on, I’ll think of something else.”
Luo Luo said: “Then you should rest a little more, Sir.”
Chen Chang Sheng looked at the second floor, wondering if this was appropriate.
The Tower of Purging Dust is the arena for duels in the Grand Examination, examinees that entered the tower had their concentration focused upon battling, rarely having the opportunity to observe the tower’s appearance.
At this time, he could have a good look.
Yet in the end, he still felt a little uneasy.
“Someone will say something won’t they?” he asked, while looking at Luo Luo.
Luo Luo wanted to say that she didn’t care what others said, but thinking of his cautious personality, she lightly rolled her eyes and then said: “Then let’s just talk to each other.”
What should they talk about? Has the great banyan tree at the academy become even larger? Can you still see the convenience store at the entrance to the Hundred Blossom Lane when standing atop the tree’s branches? How thick was the snow at the academy last winter?
“Sir, how did you win against Zhuang Huan Yu?” Luo Luo asked a question everyone was interested on.
Chen Chang Sheng gave it a thought, recounting to her in detail as to what happened in the previous match, without missing anything significant.
Luo Luo was naturally taken aback, saying, as if she was still fearful: “Luckily there was that spell of rain…”
Chen Chang Sheng nodded, thinking back on it, if it wasn’t for that cold, icy rain from the heavens, even if he hadn’t burned to death from the Star Brilliance, he would have been heavily injured by the high temperatures.
That spell of rain, where did it come from?
“The Education Palace is within His Holiness’ Green Leaf World, only His Holiness can make it rain here.”
It was unknown as to what Luo Luo had thought of, she remained quiet for a long time, then said: “Sir, this seems to be getting more and more complicated.”
Chen Chang Sheng remained silent, if the person that instigated that spell of rain really was His Holiness, what was the explanation for it?
Chen Chang Sheng and Orthodox Academy are targets of nurture for the tradition faction of the Orthodoxy.
Everyone knew that the Orthodoxy’s tradition faction, or more specifically, those figures that supported the Imperial Chen Clan, were opposed to Her Divine Majesty and His Holiness.
Why would His Holiness help him? Or more accurately speaking, save him?
Everyone upon the continent knew that both, the academy’s new students, and His Eminence’s declaration, concealed a lot of problems.
As one of the involved parties, Chen Chang Sheng was obviously aware of this, but he had never deliberated over this before.
Firstly, he didn’t want to concern himself with it; his aim in the end, is first place in the Grand Examination, the aims of those personages within the Capital were unrelated to him.
Secondly, he couldn’t understand; the thoughts of those personages wasn’t something a youth like him could guess.