Chapter 799 – Side Story – You Wouldn’t Have Known This

He spoke of being the world’s foremost.

This was happening in the new imperial dynasty’s palace.

According to the expression of the traveling troupe from Haidong that Hyeon Won-chang liked, it was like unintentionally throwing taffy.

Whoosh…

The breaths of the civil and military officials grew heavier, infused with the cultivation power mixed into their internal energy. Many were Demon Clan who revered the Northern Emperor, so their excitement and passion were palpable.

There was no anger.

Anyone who had opened their energy sense could feel it. Hwangbo Geon-ryun was already moving his fingers over his booklet.

“The Northern Emperor spoke of being the world’s foremost, yet no one in the imperial court spoke up. The Northern Emperor proclaimed himself first before the emperor of the Forbidden City’s Qianqing Palace. Even in this era of great peace, the Northern Emperor’s spirit presses down on the new nation like the collapsed roof of the Qianqing Palace…”

Jeong Yeon-shin was troubled.

He had almost cut the pages with palm wind while pretending to stroke his chin. Hwangbo Geon-ryun’s Martial Arts Directory would be a problem a hundred years later, and the Demon Clan civil and military officials who revered the Northern Emperor were worrisome for current governance.

‘This era is like Brilliant River. Should the nation also come to its senses?’

Just as Jeong Yeon-shin was questioning this,

After a brief silence, Black Return spoke.

“…Desolate Fortress Lord, courtesy. You were in the middle of announcing the metropolitan examination questions along with the Ministry of Rites as chief examiner. But now it is settled.”

“What is?”

“If you will not make Literary Star your weapon.”

As Black Return paused briefly, the resonance of his voice settled heavily. It had a different feeling than when he was the Northern King.

The moment Jeong Yeon-shin sensed something exciting was about to happen, Black Return’s words continued calmly.

“It would be proper for the Desolate Fortress Lord to present one of the topics. Of course, to let the Central Plains know that you do not cling to Literary Star.”

“What?”

“I speak of the metropolitan examination. Originally, the Desolate Fortress Lord was the imperial Grand Preceptor and equal to a monarch, so even the strong ones of the Forbidden City will not see it as too unreasonable.”

“……!”

Instantly, a stir arose, opposite to when Jeong Yeon-shin mentioned being the world’s foremost. All the civil and military officials became restless, and all sorts of energy transmissions passed like swift swords through lip technique. They were deeply worrying about the court’s future as well as the nation’s later days.

But Black Return remained expressionless. Who knew how great his capacity was. Jeong Yeon-shin gazed at the Southern Emperor’s true successor.

“I present the metropolitan examination question…?”

“Just throw out a good topic. The task of ranking the answer papers will be given to the grand academicians, so it will be easier than crafting divine technique formulas. Fitting this to the eight-legged essay format is solely the scholars’ problem, is it not?”

Here was an emperor who might someday surpass even the chaotic Emperor Qian-ling. Jeong Yeon-shin felt a rare and great excitement.

‘All the talents under heaven will discuss the topic I present…? Including Literary Star?’

Jeong Yeon-shin closed his mouth briefly.

Because declining even once seemed like it would push away the offer. But accepting readily was a matter of face. It was a situation where he should at least count inwardly.

‘Ten… three… two…’

Only after breathing for what felt like an eon did Jeong Yeon-shin nod gracefully.

Black Return asked.

“Do you accept?”

“I am only well-versed in etiquette and law; my academic depth is shallow. All I have studied was while being beaten as a child. Is that still acceptable?”

Jeong Yeon-shin flexibly evaded responsibility in advance. He knew that humility was life’s Radiant Wing Eight Steps.

Black Return’s lips rose.

He said, “Throw out a topic appropriate to the situation. Even just a few characters is fine. No one expects academic depth from you.”

Jeong Yeon-shin could not hear the latter words.

He had been entrusted with work permitted only to renowned scholars. He was already reviewing his jianghu journeys to find an appropriate topic.

‘Literary Star, betrayal, metropolitan examination, new imperial dynasty…’

He supported Literary Star, but it was also true he found him a bit annoying.

Because of what happened in the fourth year after the Great Tree. It was when he had just begun observing three years’ mourning. Literary Star sent correspondence so cold it made the days when he served Jeong Yeon-shin as lord seem meaningless.

<Jianghu has order, I shall establish the way>

“Jianghu’s order is in place, so this humble one will try to establish the way of governance.”

It meant he would make a name for himself.

Being notified without even showing his face caused great disappointment. Naturally, there was no order in the Desolate Fortress he returned to.

‘Even if I can handle that myself, is not a strategist a strategist?’

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke what came to mind.

……

The next moment, the complexions of the civil and military officials changed. They had turned pale as if their skin had been replaced with North Sea ice sheets. Even Hwangbo Geon-ryun, who had been scribbling in the Martial Arts Directory, hesitated.

Only Emperor Black Return smiled with satisfaction.

“That would be good for me too. The harsh topic is like the Northern Emperor’s blade work. The late emperor would have liked it.”

“Then?”

“I will discuss it with the Ministry of Rites’ civil officials. But that bundle…?”

“It is SeniorYong in hibernation.”

“Leave now.”

Desolate Fortress Grand Academician Jeong Yeon-shin left Qianqing Palace with properly moderate shoulders, together with a civil official serving as his guide. It was a man with an egret embroidered on his deep blue official robes.

They said he had been first place in the imperial examination four years ago.

The civil official asked with a smile, “Do you still captivate people with Sword Song these days?”

Jeong Yeon-shin, whose chin hit his own shoulder as he turned his head, lowered his arms a bit more. Then he shook his head and answered, “It has been quite a while since I made a move.”

The civil official waved his hand.

“We are the same age, so speak comfortably. Is not your position higher now?”

Civil official Zhu Yun-myeong.

He was the crown prince during Emperor Qian-ling’s time. The person who became the opportunity for Jeong Yeon-shin to acquire Sword Song.

He was currently serving as a Hanlin Academy Compiler, which was possible because the emperor was from the northern jianghu.

Jeong Yeon-shin asked without declining, “You are supervising the imperial examination like me?”

“That is my work. Ranking examination answers, or recording the nation’s major and minor affairs like that child.”

Ju Yun-myeong pointed at Hwangbo Geon-ryun.

Hwangbo Geon-ryun’s shoulders rose like Jeong Yeon-shin’s earlier. A natural reaction since the Martial Arts Directory was compared to national history.

‘Oh no.’

Jeong Yeon-shin furrowed his brow.

Because it had become difficult to secretly tear or fix Hwangbo Geon-ryun’s booklet. It would not be proper for a Desolate Fortress Grand Academician.

Step.

Something like a huge shrine, the Northern Emperor Palace, approached. It was the largest place under heaven among locations honoring Jeong Yeon-shin.

They walked a path where sunlight fell obliquely. Jeong Yeon-shin and Zhu Yun-myeong’s conversation mixed with the late winter’s transparent wind.

“Prince Qiong-ming?”

“He went to Kunlun Mountain. After you and the Ming Cult Leader visited, Kunlun Sect’s Taoist Empty Void returned. He is the old Taoist you met in the flood dragon’s formation.”

He was an unforgettable old Taoist.

To Jeong Yeon-shin, whose only goal at that time was the World Tree’s fruit, he instead said he might have to cut down the tree.

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded.

“He remained in the formation’s alternate world, but looking back, that place was also a type of Gate. Naturally he would come out.”

“The Ming imperial family owes much to Kunlun Sect. Not only did Kunlun block foreign invasion, but the imperial family also received some of their martial studies. Even Taoist  Dragon Vessel’s studies were passed to Supreme Heaven Sword Emperor Yong Hye-myeong. Some say they might be father and son.”

Ju Yun-myeong glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin’s bundle and then concluded his words. Simultaneously, Jeong Yeon-shin’s steps also paused briefly.

He asked back, “Father and son?”

“Yong.. No … does not everyone say Supreme Heaven Sword Emperor was born from an egg? There was a similar rumor about Taoist  Dragon Vessel from the late Yuan period.”

“He had parents.”

And when they arrived at the palace where he would stay for several days, Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly asked about the last Ming emperor’s well-being.

“Is Emperor Longzheng well?”

Zhu You-ji, who was crown prince for seventy-two Qian-ling years and then proclaimed the nation’s end himself. He alone took responsibility for the Grand Dowager and the World Tree noble clan’s wickedness.

His son Zhu Yun-myeong smiled broadly.

“He is at peace. Last year he was chosen as Shaolin Inner Temple’s Abbot of Burning Incense. The dharma hall seems more comfortable than the dragon throne.”

“Temple food is delicious. Especially Five Cloud Mountain Vegetable Dish.”

“Temples do not have such luxurious dishes, but regardless, I am grateful. Thanks to you, this metropolitan examination will be peaceful.”

These were the words Zhu Yun-myeong concluded while seeing him off.

Jeong Yeon-shin understood that meaning after spending two weeks at the Northern Emperor Palace.

The day of the metropolitan examination.

The day Jeong Yeon-shin eagerly awaited.

For Desolate Fortress Grand Academician courtesy, it was an absurdly long wait. Enough to make Helian Feng-yue and Yelu Zhen, who belatedly came sneaking to enjoy the Forbidden City’s delicacies, seem trivial.

“I am going.”

Jeong Yeon-shin came out, receiving Hwangbo Geon-ryun’s admiring gaze. He even turned his back on those whose academic depth was like that of monkeys.

Helian Feng-yue and Yelu Zhen’s grumbling followed.

“What will become of the nation.”

“Spring flowers will bloom soon.”

There was no reason to listen. Because Helian Feng-yue’s epithet was Revered Martial Traitor Wretch, and the being who bloomed all sorts of resentments was the Ming Cult Leader.

‘Less than an hour left?’

He walked the sky while attending to Return to Origin.

Whoosh…

Jeong Yeon-shin heard all sorts of voices in midair. It became more noisy the closer he got to the examination hall.

“Who do you think will come?”

“Last time it was Divine Sword Lord… his Heavy Sword was transcendently lofty.”

“That candidate who became disabled from that attack, it seems he greatly awakened. Since he is not visible at the examination hall now, he must be in seclusion.”

“The Northern King is excessive. The Grand Warrior would be better. If it goes well, you pass. If things go wrong, at least your knowledge broadens.”

Most voices were spirited, carrying the unique energy wave of martial clans. There was not much tension either. Because even if they committed bizarre cheating, they would not kill people at the examination hall.

Likewise, energy transmissions were also bustling.

–Look there. It is Pangu Scholar.

–His expression… he must have looked like that even when killing ten thousand World Tree demons at once. Truly a fierce evil god.

–His accumulated learning deserves a much earlier success. They say the metropolitan examination is what many scholars challenge their whole lives, but Literary Star should have worn official robes long ago.

–He is looking this way…! My heart is pounding, so let us stop glancing.

And all sorts of cheating ran rampant. Those trying to draw strokes on each other’s backs with formless energy waves, people rubbing their eyes before activating Eye Techniques, some wore sleeveless garments good for Sense Paths regardless of propriety.

Even though numerous imperial masters surrounded them.

It was a place made by demolishing vast halls into a plaza-like space. They said examinations originally held in separate independent spaces changed like this. Because clan members lived carrying grudges, they easily recognized enemies and secretly threw force palms.

The examination’s controllers had to be able to observe everything at a glance. Jeong Yeon-shin understood as soon as he looked down at the examination hall.

“Stop. We will begin now.”

Zhu Yun-myeong ascended the examination hall’s platform and commanded the exam’s start. Even before announcing the first question, as the crazy clan members’ energy waves exploded, Jeong Yeon-shin also descended.

Step.

Zhu Yun-myeong’s introduction continued.

“He is this metropolitan examination’s proctor. He will watch you until the end, so all scholars should only put great meaning in your brush strokes.”

It was a venue where easily thousands gathered.

“……?”

Unlike the Ming Dynasty, there was no limit on numbers. Metropolitan examination takers from the previous stage, provincial examination passers, numbered around fifty per province. Spreading across the entire Central Plains meant about a thousand metropolitan examination takers per year.

More than half failed among them, and those retaking like Literary Star were countless.

Thus they overlapped like Brilliant River until now.

Martial clans had to be numerous to protect newly fertile lands from imperial tribute. They had to pass somehow to make connections and accumulate merit.

‘Even if they receive punishment at the examination hall, they can pursue martial enlightenment. Either way would be good for jianghu clans.’

It was when Jeong Yeon-shin was thinking this.

Rumble!

Instantly, energy transmissions like thunder shook the examination hall. All sorts of topics came and went in a flash. Mainly words mixed in like Desolate Fortress Lord, portrait, three years’ mourning, jianghu’s omen of disaster, Desolate Day Extinction, migration, and evacuation.

Sunlight twisted in all directions for quite a while.

Soon after, silence fell. Like the Sword Star’s tomb Jeong Yeon-shin left behind.

“……”

A subtle ink fragrance… Jeong Yeon-shin looked down at some large Four Treasures of the Study. Literary Star, kneeling before them, had his eyes closed despite the great commotion. As if he had foreseen this.

‘But you would not have known this.’

Jeong Yeon-shin, with his hands clasped behind his back, slowly opened his mouth.

“First.”

In this era when the imperial dynasty changed, a question worthy for Black Return to throw at the Central Plains’ talents. An excuse Literary Star should make to Jeong Yeon-shin out of human decency.

“Discuss the principle of not serving two lords.”

Jeong Yeon-shin threw the taffy.