Meeting the Teacher

Mo Qingkuang followed Tang Yu and Gu Hongyi up the stairs, and there were already many people who had passed the examination present in the Scholar's Tower. 

As the top sixteen participants in the palace examination, they were arranged to gather on the top floor of the Scholar's Tower. 

The remaining seats were arranged based on rankings. 

This applied to both literary and martial exams. Therefore, the top floor was actually only for the top sixteen in martial arts and the top sixteen in the literary exam. 

"Is that Gu Hongyi? The third place in martial arts this year? She's really beautiful." 

"Beautiful indeed, but that's a thorny rose. If you dare bring her home, she'd beat you to death." 

"Who's the tall one, Tang Yu, right? Who's the one in the middle? Why haven't I heard of him?" 

"You don't know Mo Qingkuang! Do you know, Kuang Qing? He's the Martial Champion of this session, the one who outsmarted Lin Yang, the lackey of the Yuan Sword Sect. Our role model!" 

"Oh, so he's Mo Qingkuang? I heard his real name is Mo Qingkuang, and Kuang Qing is just an alias." 

"Yeah, I heard Mo Qingkuang is from Southern Province. During the apprentice selection, he was abandoned by the Yuan Sword Sect, so he came to Central Province incognito. He defeated the most outstanding disciple of the Yuan Sword Sect in one fell swoop. Now, I just want to see the expressions on those arrogant guys from the Yuan Sword Sect." 

"Hahaha, me too." 

*** 

Mo Qingkuang, accompanied by Tang Yu and Gu Hongyi, entered the Scholar's Tower and immediately became the subject of discussions and speculations. 

As he had discarded his disguise and revealed his true appearance, which had undergone a significant change, even those who frequently interacted with him, like Han Yan'er and others, found it challenging to recognize any resemblance to his previous self. 

"Listen, they are all discussing you," Tang Yu led Mo Qingkuang up the stairs, teasing him. 

"Right now, they still admire him. Once they understand him, I wonder if they'll believe that their hero is such a person," Gu Hongyi responded with a wry smile. 

Tang Yu was puzzled. His father hadn't thoroughly examined the confidential reports from the court, and Han Yan'er and Zheng Tao hadn't specifically provided information about Mo Qingkuang's background. 

Thus, Tang Yu knew very little about Mo Qingkuang, and his impression was limited to the image of Kuang Qing. 

Occasionally, he'd feel jealous in his heart, 'You're already so strong, and your brain is so sharp. I thought you were a bit ugly to balance it out, but who knew you originally looked this handsome!' 

Mo Qingkuang had black lines all over his head but didn't respond, just continuing to move forward. 

Amidst greetings echoing around, they reached the threshold of the top floor. 

The top floor of the Scholar's Tower was different from the other floors; there were only two round tables, each with sixteen seats arranged for the top sixteen in the literary and martial exams. 

On the main stage above the hall, two dignified tables were set, reserved for the deans of the Imperial Academy's literary and martial departments. 

Only the top sixteen in both exams had the chance to dine with the deans. 

Mo Qingkuang looked up, and most of the people were already seated. In the literary exam, all sixteen were present, seated at the left round table. At the table of the dean for the literary exam, there sat a spirited and sharp-looking young man with short, black hair. 

He looked exceptionally handsome, dressed in scholar's robes but with an open chest, and he casually held a feather fan. He appeared like a charming young man stepping out of a book. 

Surprisingly, he didn't sit properly but instead pulled up a reclining chair, leaning on it as if he had no bones in his body. 

Seeing Mo Qingkuang's surprised expression, Tang Yu whispered in his ear, "Don't look too much; that one is the dean of the literary department, Dean Hua. Don't be fooled by his appearance; he's about the same age as Dean Zheng." 

Mo Qingkuang, astonished, hadn't expected this seemingly frivolous and carefree young man to be the dean of the Imperial Academy's literary department. 

"Dean Hua is friendly and cares about appearance. The way he looks now is the same as when he took the imperial examination. As his cultivation advanced, Dean Hua intentionally maintained his appearance to look young." 

Tang Yu continued in a hushed tone, "Let me tell you, Dean Hua is very easygoing. In casual situations, he prefers people to call him 'Brother Hua.' He says it makes him feel younger." 

"Of course, he also likes young people with literary talents. If you can impress him with some poetry, he might give you a gift —both in literary and martial aspects. Dean Hua is also a King-level powerhouse." 

Before Mo Qingkuang could speak, Gu Hongyi mocked in a low voice, "Should we let our dear Mo try his hand at poetry? What do you think, Young Master Mo?" 

Mo Qingkuang rolled his eyes, "Yes, yes." 

Gu Hongyi wasn't wrong. He had been unruly and mischievous since childhood. He had troubled many teachers, and even though he recognized most characters, asking him, Mo Qingkuang, to compose poetry was genuinely difficult. 

Turning his gaze to the martial exam side, there were still five vacant seats at the round table. Among them, facing the direction of the dean's seat, two were reserved. 

The best position among them was for the martial champion, and it happened to be Mo Qingkuang's seat. 

To his right was Han Yan'er, who had arrived some time ago and was currently being flattered and conversed with by many. 

On his left was the seat reserved for Gu Hongyi. 

The remaining three empty seats were for Tang Yu, the one who had suffered severe injuries and couldn't attend, Li Ang, and Lin Yang, who was taken away by Sword Emperor Qin Wufeng. 

Lin Yang naturally couldn't attend the feast tonight. 

Seated at the dean's table was the dean of the martial department, Zheng Tao. 

Interestingly, despite being the dean of the martial department, Zheng Tao wore a rigorous warrior's robe. His long hair, interwoven with strands of silver, was meticulously arranged. He sat in a very dignified kneeling position, with a finely crafted jade pendant hanging from his waist, giving off a formal air. 

In contrast to the unrestrained demeanour of the dean of the literary department next door, it created a noticeable contrast. 

At this moment, Zheng Tao was also looking at Mo Qingkuang, his eyes revealing undisguised admiration. 

Without a thought, Mo Qingkuang quickly walked across the passage between the two round tables and came before Zheng Tao. He knelt down and respectfully bowed, saying, "Disciple Mo Qingkuang pays respects to the teacher."