Chapter 273: A world of sneak attacks (2/2)

The middle aged man subconsciously glanced at his left palm. He had something hidden there, something that he had spent many years preparing.

If Fang Zhengzhi really did not move, this will be his best opportunity.

However, he thought about the fact that Fang Zhengzhi had saved his life before. Right now, Fang Zhengzhi was also giving him three free attacks. To use such a shameless tactic right now not be right.

Don’t use it?

Use it?

The middle aged candidate felt extremely conflicted. In the end, he grit his teeth. He would do anything it takes to win this and enter the final.

If he managed to get second place here...

Combined with his First Honor Roll result in the theory examinations... he could even make the top three.

The status of being in the top three of the Imperial Examinations was an honor he simply could not give up.

”Fang Zhengzhi, I am sorry! When I make the top three, I will compensate you accordingly!” The middle aged candidate thought to himself as his eyes glimmered.

Fang Zhengzhi was in the best possible position.

He was right at the edge of the stage. Any strike would knock him off.

The middle aged candidate did not hesitate any longer. He raised his sword and charged.

Somethings had to be used when one’s opponent least expected it. Close combat was the best choice. Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi was not going to move.

He thrust his sword.

Fang Zhengzhi swayed to the side, a light flickering in his hands. He pushed the candidate’s blade about a foot from him. The middle aged candidate was also pushed to the right.

”He really didn’t move!” The middle aged candidate was happy with the result of his test. This was the best chance for him to make a name for himself.

He did not hesitate anymore. He turned around, a powerful aura gushing out of his body. He swung his blade from left to right, carving out a blue line in the air.

This was a wave like aura. It contained a subtle white light. That was a lightsword, but a subtle one.

At the same time, he placed his left hand behind his back and opened it slightly.

The moment Fang Zhengzhi blocked his strike, he could attack and knock Fang Zhengzhi off the stage.

The middle aged candidate smiled as he thought of getting the top three spot. However, his smile did not last very long.

Fang Zhengzhi vanished.

Almost like a gust of wind, Fang Zhengzhi disappeared from his sight. There was no one at his original position.

What was going on?

I thought he wasn’t going to move?!

The middle aged candidate was in shock. Then, he felt that something was amiss, but it was too late. He felt a gust of wind just above his head.

”On top?!” The candidate raised his head, his sword prepared to block any attack from above.

However, when he looked up.

His expression froze.

He saw a ball of powder coming straight at him. When it neared his eyes, it exploded.

”My eyes, my eyes!” The middle aged candidate cried out in pain.

Then, he felt a huge force at his butt. It felt as if he had been hit by a huge rock and he lunged forward.

Fang Zhengzhi was at the edge of the stage.

The candidate had chosen close combat. As such, he too was naturally at the edge of the stage.

After being hit, he tumbled off the stage. Having been kicked in the butt, he fell face first onto the stone just below the stage.

”Bong!” The middle aged candidate felt a sharp pain in his nose. His emotions were in turmoil.

All of the officials were stunned to see the candidate at the bottom of the stage. After all, Fang Zhengzhi had said that he wouldn’t move during the three attacks.

But now...

Fang Zhengzhi had moved. Furthermore, he had taken advantage of the candidate’s trust in him.

”Aish... he’s already in his forties, how can he be so naive?”

”Exactly, how can you trust Fang Zhengzhi’s words?”

”Even though he was going to lose, he shouldn’t have lost in such a humiliating way.”

All of the officials shook their head after recovering from the shock. The embarrassed middle aged candidate sighed.

He was sullen. He simply could not understand why someone as powerful as Fang Zhengzhi needed to do something so shameless?

Had Fang Zhengzhi seen through his plan from the start?

Or did Fang Zhengzhi set out to play him?

He was furious!

”Why?” The middle aged candidate bellowed.

”Shouldn’t you be asking yourself that?” Fang Zhengzhi swept the dust off his hands and replied.

”Ask myself?” The middle aged candidate was taken aback.

”Don’t you think that it is very naive of you to try a sneak attack on me?” Fang Zhengzhi said scornfully.

All of the officials were shocked when they heard this.

Fang Zhengzhi was clearly the one who had sneaked in an attack. How was it this candidate’s fault?

”How... how did you see through that?” The middle aged candidate’s expression changed. He knew what Fang Zhengzhi was referring to, but he did not know how Fang Zhengzhi saw through it.

”If you really believed me, you would have attacked me with whatever you had all three times. However, you wasted one attack testing me. That showed your intention to do something underhand.” Fang Zhengzhi smiled.

”The first attack was a test? But... how can anyone trust their opponent fully during a duel? You can’t be sure that I have sneaky intentions just because of that!” The candidate grit his teeth.

”But I also tested you! I asked you to concede!” Fang Zhengzhi continued.

”You tested me?” The middle aged candidate’s expression froze.

”Yes, if you didn’t have any hope to win, you would not come up on stage with your injuries. Furthermore, you want to win, you really want to win. However, you are not powerful enough. Naturally, you have to think of other methods. That was a sneak attack. As such, I gave you a golden opportunity to do so.”

”I see, I was too naive...” The middle aged candidate’s expression darkened. Then, he looked at the item in his left hand. After a moment of hesitation, he grit his teeth, ”Your honor, you saved my life once. Yet today, I tried to attack you with underhand methods. I deserve what I got. However, I have a gift for you and I hope you will accept it!”

”Oh? What is it?”

”It is something very suitable for you!” The middle aged candidate assured.