Registration

The Captial City of the Tianxuan Empire has been particularly lively in recent days. Not only is it the day of the triennial imperial examination, but there's also the recent incident in the Flower King's Tomb in the Southern Province. The younger generation from the imperial family managed to give the usually arrogant Yuan Sword Sect a significant setback. 

Upon arriving in the capital city, Mo Qingkuang noticed that the people here were filled with joyful smiles. Even the city guards, who were usually strict in checking outsiders, seemed more relaxed, giving off an atmosphere of welcoming guests from afar. 

This was somewhat understandable. As the power of the imperial family of the Tianxuan Empire is gradually declining, and talented individuals are becoming scarce due to the monopolization by the four major sects. The demand for external talents has reached an almost desperate level. 

As long as someone claims to be a young person coming to participate in the imperial examination, they will receive a warm reception and avoid rigorous inspections. It seems like the arrival of visitors is a source of joy for the city guards. 

With the Empress ruling in the capital, people believe that even with an influx of population, no chaos will arise. 

According to Mo Fan's setting, the imperial examination in the Tianxuan Empire has two parts, one for civil officials and one for military officers. The top scorers in both exams have the opportunity to meet the Empress and receive titles such as Literary and Martial Scholar. 

After all, conquering the world depends on martial artists, but governing it requires scholars. 

Of course, the comprehension of martial arts prodigies is generally good, and their performance in the literary examination is not too bad either. Therefore, there are also many talents who register for both the literary and martial exams. 

However, in the thousands of years since the founding of the Tianxuan Empire, no one has ever achieved top grades in both examinations. The closest was a person named Fu Qing, who, a hundred years ago, was the top scorer in the martial examination while also ranking second in the literary examination. 

This outstanding talent is now serving as the principal of the Imperial Academy. People call him Principal Fu, and his cultivation level is unknown, but it is said to be at least in the realm of Martial Emperor. 

The Imperial Academy is an institution under the imperial court, mainly responsible for cultivating successors. It is divided into literary and martial departments, both under the jurisdiction of Principal Fu. 

Mo Qingkuang's purpose for coming to the capital this time is to take the martial examination and gain the support of the Tianxuan imperial family. 

The registration location for the imperial examination is at the government office in the southern part of the city. The Tianxuan Empire does not inquire too deeply into the information of candidates; they only ask about age and conduct a superficial check. 

As long as the young person is under eighteen, they can participate in the imperial examination. Only those who perform well in the examination and are selected as students of the Imperial Academy will undergo a detailed investigation into their background by the imperial court. 

"Name?" A scribe in a blue robe inside the government office asked expressionlessly. A dedicated artist was by the side, drawing portraits of the candidates. Mo Qingkuang had no choice but to take off his hat, revealing his 'true appearance.' 

The threshold for the Imperial examination was extremely low, so there were many applicants, and each one had to be recorded. How could the scribe in charge remember the face of every candidate? To prevent cheating or impostors, each candidate's portrait would be recorded, and during the exam, they would be compared. If there were discrepancies, the candidate's qualification would be cancelled. 

"Kuang Qing," Mo Qingkuang replied. 

Hearing the name Kuang Qing, the scribe suddenly looked up, carefully scrutinizing Mo Qingkuang, and exclaimed, "Are you Kuang Qing from the Tomb of Nianhua King?" 

The scribe's voice was filled with surprise, and many people inside the government office cast their eyes over it. 

"Do you know me?" Mo Qingkuang was somewhat surprised. 

"Today is the first time we meet, but Young Master Kuang's name is well-known in our capital and even in the entire Tianxuan Empire!" The scribe said with a hint of flattery. 

"Since Young Master left a great record at the Flower King's Tomb, playing around with the senior brother of Yuan Sword Sect, and your name is already on the latest list of the Young Qilin Ranking of Dazhi Gate, ranking forty-ninth!" The scribe continued, trying to please. 

"And you helped Ninth Princess to obtain the Barrier-Breaking Pill. The Ninth Princess always mentions you." The scribe spoke with admiration. 

This genius, far superior to Song Qian of Yuan Sword Sect, and having received the inheritance of King Nianhua, unexpectedly came to participate in the martial arts examination! 

"Really? I just did what I could," Mo Qingkuang nodded. It seemed that the information had been reported to the capital by Zhong Nian from Dazhi Gate. 

But it didn't matter; the more famous he was, the more attention he would receive from Central Province. 

Seeing Mo Qingkuang admit it, the whole place was abuzz with discussions. 

"So, he's Kuang Qing, the one who played with Song Qian and eventually received the inheritance of King Nianhua!" 

"I heard he is handsome and talented. Why does he look like a country bumpkin with that dark face?" 

"What do you know? Is it more important to be able to fight or to have good looks?" 

"With his talent, he could go to any sect and become a leading figure among the new generation. Why would he come to participate in the imperial examination?" 

"Hush —be careful with your words! This is the capital; watch your mouth." 

"Indeed, indeed...Thank you for the reminder, Brother. However, if he participates in the imperial examination, wouldn't the position of the top martial scholar be in the bag?" 

"Yes, ranked forty-ninth on the Young Qilin Ranking. Remember, the last martial scholar was just over seventy!" 

Most of the talents coming to participate in the imperial examination from all over the country were those who had no hope of entering a sect or were at the bottom among the disciples of the four major sects. That's why they came to the capital for the imperial examination. 

The treatment the imperial family provided to the Imperial Academy was not worse than that of the four major sects. Moreover, those who came here became key training objects. It was much better than being unnoticed in the four major sects. 

Unfortunately, with Kuang Qing showing up in this imperial examination, everyone felt immense pressure. 

Seeing everyone pointing fingers at him, Mo Qingkuang, who had been a playboy for many years, was accustomed to it. However, in the past, people cursed him, and today they praised him. 

He felt quite pleased. It was good to be a genius. 

"Are you Kuang Qing?" While Mo Qingkuang was secretly enjoying himself, a voice full of hostility reached his ears. 

Mo Qingkuang turned to look. It was a wealthy young man dressed in luxurious clothes, with delicate makeup, scrutinizing him with an unfriendly expression. 

"It is. May I ask if you have something to discuss?" Mo Qingkuang didn't know who the other party was, so he cupped his hands warily. 

"I am Li Ang, the son of the Minister of War. I heard that you displayed your power in King Nianhua's Tomb. Your name is well-known." Li Ang responded with a perfunctory bow, his expression carrying a false smile. His tone was neither friendly nor hostile. 

"I've heard that Li Ang is a genius in our capital, not inferior to Ninth Princess. He's participating in the imperial examination this year too, and he's said to have the cultivation of a first-rank Martial Master, ranking eighty-seventh on the Young Qilin Ranking." 

"Let's enjoy the show. There's only room for one tiger on one mountain, especially when there's a grudge over a woman." 

"What grudge over a woman?" Someone asked in confusion. 

"What else could it be? Li Ang has always admired the Ninth Princess. He has asked Minister Li to propose to the Ninth Princess several times, but was politely rejected by the Emperor, citing the young age of the Ninth Princess." 

"But Li Ang has been persistent. Just a few days ago, when the Ninth Princess returned from Southern Province, Li Ang expressed his affection again. The Ninth Princess declared that her husband should at least be a genius like Kuang Qing to be worthy of her." 

"That night, Li Ang went home, and it is said that he was so furious that he smashed quite a few things." 

*** 

"Kid, how does it feel to be a shield for the first time?" Mocking laughter echoed in Mo Qingkuang's mind. 

Mo Qingkuang couldn't help but smile wryly. He didn't believe that this momentary connection could make the renowned Ninth Princess have any feelings towards him. 

In the past, he was the one harassing women, a well-known reaper of Cupid in Tiannan City. 

He did not expect that one day he would become someone else's shield. Perhaps Han Yan'er didn't expect that the Kuang Qing she casually mentioned would actually come to the capital for the imperial examination. 

He had truly brought himself a big trouble. 

"Ancestor, don't make fun of me. Now trouble has come knocking at my door." 

Mo Fan chuckled nonchalantly, "What if they come? Beat the crap out of them! Let me tell you, based on my many years of experience, the most capable shields tend to win the beauty. Look at Lin Yang." 

"..." 

"Let me tell you a secret. Han Yan'er is indeed very beautiful, even more so than Chu Yanran." Mo Fan continued to encourage. 

If Mo Qingkuang could snatch Han Yan'er as his wife, they would be considered a good match. After all, Han Yan'er's ancestor, the Great Empress, was his secretly chosen wife. 

Ancestors should match their ancestors, and descendants should match with their fellow descendants. 

Match made in heaven for generations to come. 

Mo Qingkuang rolled his eyes, responding to Li Ang with a courteous nod, "So it's Young Master Li." 

Li Ang smiled with feigned seriousness, "Young Master Kuang, I've heard about your extraordinary strength, even manipulating Song Qian with ease. I truly admire you. How about taking some time to give me guidance?"

***

How about some stones, guys?