Gate of God
chapter-80

Chapter 80: Serene Ink Pond

…

Two days later, Fang Zhengzhi prepared to journey to the River of Trust Capital to participate in the capital examination.

Compared to the previously time when he left quietly, this time, when they heard the news that Fang Zhengzhi was leaving, the entire village rushed over in the early morning.

Stuffing food and drinks of all kinds into Fang Zhengzhi’s bag.

“Zhengzhi, don’t worry! You have the village to take care of you, it doesn’t matter whether you pass the capital examination. Whatever Double Roll Champion, don’t think too much, just do your best!”

“Yes! What’s important is that you do your best. You are young and still have many years ahead of you!”

Qin Xuelian swept her gaze across the chatty villagers, then, placed the bundle she wrapped onto the Silver Scale Horse and walked in front of Fang Zhengzhi.

“Zhengzhi, do your best! Even if you don’t pass, don’t feel embarrassed! Is that clear?”

Fang Zhengzhi was rather gloomy. He had already attained Double Roll Champion, why didn’t his own mother believe in him? He was her blood son!

But, he instantly understood.

Just like the first time he went hunting on the mountain, Qin Xuelian didn’t expect him to be able to hunt something. All she wanted the word “safety”, hence, she didn’t want Fang Zhengzhi to have any stress at all.

Maybe, this was the true love a mother showed to her son, a selfless love.

“Zhengzhi, take care on the way!” Fang Houde stood beside the Silver Scale Horse and fed the horse feed into the horse’s mouth, and used his remaining hand to caress the Silver Scale Horse. His expression was that of heavy reluctance and unwillingness to let go.

A father, no matter how reluctant he was, cannot reveal it. Maybe, Fang Houde was someone like that. He would rather express his unwillingness to the Silver Scale Horse.

After bidding goodbye to the villagers, he was stopped once again at the village entrance by Zhang Yangping.

“Take these pieces of silver, you would definitely have to spend some along the way, don’t be too prudent!” Zhang Yangping threw over a bulging wallet.

Fang Zhengzhi didn’t reject it. Even though he still had a hundred tael silver note in his pocket, but this wallet represented the hope Zhang Yangping had in him.

“Thank you Uncle Yangping!” Fang Zhengzhi expressed his thanks.

“Go on!” Zhang Yangping waved his hands.

Fang Zhengzhi pulled on the horse reins. The Silver Scale Horse neighed loudly and galloped forward.

“You must remember, even if you can’t pass this capital examination, it’s alright! The entire village and I will always support you! Don’t be embarrassed to return!”

Zhang Yangping’s shouts came from behind him.

On the other hand, Fang Zhengzhi twitched his mouth. What ‘being unable to pass’?

…

Normally, among examinees there was the culture of being accompanied on the way to the examination. This was not only because they could take care of one another, but also due to safety.

From the Huai An County to the River of Trust Capital, it required half a month on horseback, and along the way were many mountain paths and barren lands.

Due to being delayed for a few days at the Huai An County, and then making a return trip back to the Northern Mountain Village, hence was rather rushed for time.

When he managed to return to the Huai An County, most of the examinees had already formed groups and left.

Left without a choice, he could only ride alone.

Wilding galloping all the way, clouds of dust were raised behind him. His luck was indeed rather good, only after galloping for eight days did he meet a group of mountain bandit robbers.

“Robbery!” A few bandits wielding sabres blocked Fang Zhengzhi’s path.

At the same time those few bandits opened their mouth, over ten bandits with their bows drawn appeared from the bushes on both sides of the mountain road, each of their metal bows pulled into the shape of a full moon.

Arrows glowing with an icy glint aimed directly at Fang Zhengzhi’s throat.

Maybe, Fang Zhengzhi only needed to say the word “no” for him to understand the bitter beauty of an arrow rain…

…

Just as Fang Zhengzhi was being robbed, the River of Trust Capital was exploding with activity.

The River of Trust Capital was the source of the River of Trust, backed by a tall mountain. On the mountain was a large green pool, its name was Serene Ink Pond. It was the source of the River of Trust, and a white jade statue was constructed in the middle of the pond, set quietly in the pond and being bowed to by scholars from every place.

And today, the countless scholars dressed in brocade clothes gathered around the Serene Ink Pond.

Some were smiling, walking along calmly and occasionally drinking a mouth of pond water and singing a few words of praise. Some sat down gracefully, admiring the mountains, the water, and the flow of people.

Water, was the soul of All Creation.

Anywhere there was water, naturally there would be ancient and elegantly-constructed restaurants.

It only had to hang up a few words of poems like “The Serene Ink Pond’s unique water, high on the mountains, were people” in order to cause all the scholars to gather. Even though the price was many times higher, it couldn’t affect their refined and elegant attitude of minds.

Yan Xiu, wearing his brocade robe, was different from the group of scholars visiting the Serene Ink Pond. Even though he didn’t paint nor recite poetry like those scholars, but, he had money.

Hence, the best sightseeing garret at the Serene Ink Pond was occupied by him.

And he even reserved it for an entire month at one go.

After following someone for a long enough time, his personality would be more or less affected by him. For example, the strong bearded man’s current manner was silent, neither happy nor angry.

Of course, compared to Yan Xiu’s coldness, the strong bearded man’s success still lacked behind a little.

Within the garret, a maid sat respectfully in front of the table. Her hands flew about, pouring tea for Yan Xiu. On the other hand, Yan Xiu was gazing coldly at the scholars appearing non-stop by the Serene Ink Pond’s sight.

Below the garret, at a rather lively table, a few brocade-clothed scholars bobbed their heads and discussed excitedly.

“Quick look, another person from the Hidden Dragon Roll arrived at the River of Trust Capital!”

“Are you talking about Kang Xingping? Even though Kang Xingping is number eighty in the Hidden Dragon Roll, but, compared to those few at the River of Trust Capital now, the difference is still huge!”

“Indeed, I never thought that just a capital examination would attract so many people from faraway lands to participate! Tang Yucheng, number thirty-five in the Hidden Dragon Roll, with the enlightenment state of Divine Seal Peak State, I heard that he had already touched the threshold of the Star Conglomerate State.”

“Especially that Hua Kangan! Number twenty on the Hidden Dragon Roll, with the enlightenment state of the Star Conglomerate State. At the same time, his name is also on the Rising Dragon Roll! Who would have thought that he would actually come to the River of Trust!”

The few scholars sighed heavily as they discussed.

“Looks like this time’s River of Trust Capital examinations wouldn’t be easy to pass. Even I wish to change to some other capital. Taking the examination in this River of Trust capital is really a form of torture!”

“This thought is good, but changing capital now? How do you change? Just the distance alone is too long to make it in time! Furthermore, even though the number of participants in this time’s River of Trust Capital is large, but, the good thing is that this is a very rare occasion! Else why do you think all these people would all come to the River of Trust Capital?”

“Brother Li is indeed right, ha ha ha… I was just making a joke, if we didn’t want to try, why would we be here?”

Yan Xiu quietly sat in the garret and listened. His expression was cold, and he didn’t speak a word. He also didn’t bother paying any attention to the maid pouring his tea. But, he instinctively tightened the grip on the Golden Bone Silver Thread Fan in his hands.

…