Martial Cultivator
chapter-143

Gu Ming remembered clearly that Xie Nandu's question came from the Lost Records. He had read that book several times and was familiar with the majority of its contents. However, the question Xie Nandu posed was merely a hypothetical situation proposed in the Lost Records and had no definitive answer.

Frowning, Gu Ming looked at Xie Nandu and said, "This question has no answer. It was merely a question raised in the Lost Records that wasn't answered by anyone!"

Upon hearing this, the lakeside erupted with commotion. The young cultivators on the pavilion began speaking one after another, some even hurling insults, expressing their disapproval of Xie Nandu's actions.

Bookman glanced around, furrowing his brows. Though he was somewhat displeased, he could not say anything because this was something permitted in the literary exam.

Xie Nandu glanced at Gu Ming and shook her head, saying, "Since that's the case, let's consider it as you answering correctly."

She paid no attention to the insulting voices, completely ignoring those voices. It was just that she frowned slightly, as if she were somewhat surprised, though it was unclear what surprised her.

After saying this, she gestured for Gu Ming to continue asking questions.

Gu Ming wiped the sweat from his forehead and proceeded with his questioning. This time, his question became more complex, and it took him a long time before he finished speaking.

Xie Nandu gave the answer after just pondering about it briefly. She knew the source of that particular question and naturally knew the answer.

After giving her response, she casually asked another question.

Gu Ming thought about it and then answered.

……

……

Time slowly passed.

The two of them had already asked more than twenty questions, but anyone with keen eyes could see that for every question Gu Ming posed, Xie Nandu had an answer very normally, while the questions raised by Xie Nandu made Gu Ming ponder deeply for a moment. The gap between these two people's states were apparent.

One seemed to be strolling leisurely, while the other was already wracking his brains.

Bookman's eyes held a mix of emotions as he looked at Xie Nandu. Purely in terms of studying, Xie Nandu had already performed exceptionally well. Bookman himself naturally felt more optimistic about Xie Nandu. However, as a member of the foreign cultivators, if Xie Nandu were to claim victory in the end, he would feel somewhat uneasy.

Yet, at this point, regardless of how things unfolded, it was no longer within his control.

Whatever it was, it waited quietly for the will of heaven.

Gu Ming posed another question, but Xie Nandu stared at him for a long time without speaking.

Gu Ming frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"

He had a vague feeling that something was not right.

Xie Nandu looked at him and said, "Your fourth question was about this."

Upon hearing this, Gu Ming's expression changed slightly, and he suddenly remembered that he had indeed asked this question before. He said rather apologetically said, "I'm sorry."

He quickly changed to another question.

Xie Nandu gave the answer easily. Then, she asked a question.

Gu Ming furrowed his brows again. He was already feeling somewhat dazed and it was difficult to focus his mind at this point. These countless exchanges seemed ordinary, but in reality, he had already reached his limit. At least for now, he could hardly bear it anymore.

Pale-faced, he glanced at Xie Nandu and struggled to formulate his response.

Except, after just a few sentences, Bookman let out a sigh.

Xie Nandu did not show any reaction.

Gu Ming stopped in surprise, trying hard to recall the words he had spoken earlier. Then, he felt somewhat silent. After a moment of silence, he said with a tinge of bitterness, "I've lost."

As soon as he said those words, the young cultivators on the pavilion began expressing their dissatisfaction, and a sense of discontentment spread through the air.

Some even clamored that there must be foul play involved and demanded a thorough investigation of the matter.

The faces of the prominent figures standing above became rather ugly too.

However, Bookman paid no attention to those voices. He just quickly opened his mouth, "The top scorer of this literary exam is Xie Nandu from the Academy!"

He was very calm and not surprised by the outcome. His identity as a foreign cultivator did not make him feel much joy, but he would not be too unhappy either. This was an excellent literary exam. Even if it was him, he had no choice but to admit it too.

Especially Xie Nandu taking the championship, it was even more impressive.

This was something unprecedented in the Myriad Willow Convention.

Presumably, the entire Divine Capital would know this news today. Then, the entire Great Liang Dynasty would become aware of it too. It was an unprecedented event that deserved to be celebrated and spread far and wide. It was certain that after the soldiers of the Northern Frontier heard of this, they would forget about the cold winds of the desolate north. Likewise, the people in the southern part of the country would also be overjoyed upon learning this news.

This was an honor for the entire Great Liang Dynasty.

No one could deny it.

Moreover, this was the first reformed version of the Myriad Willow Convention; a crucial moment for the entire Myriad Willow Convention. It was nothing like the ordinary Myriad Willow Conventions of the past.

Xie Nandu became the top scorer of the literary exam at such a crucial juncture, it was undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face for the foreign cultivators. Although it was just the literary exam, it was still the literary examination!

Everyone's emotions were complicated.

But, Gu Min thought of something and looked at Xie Nandu, asking, "Is there really an answer to that question in the Lost Records?"

Xie Nandu said, "Of course."

Gu Ming asked, "Where?!"

If there was an answer to that question, then he should have been defeated long ago, and it would have been impossible for him to hold on until now.

Xie Nandu glanced at him and said, "You definitely read it before, it's just that you can't remember."

She did not say it explicitly, but it only made Gu Ming feel even more agonized. He knew that the girl in front of him would not lie, yet it was this very fact that made him suffer.

Xie Nandu did not say anything, turned around, and walked toward the lakeside. But, she encountered many foreign cultivators by the lake..

They looked at Xie Nandu with unfriendly expressions.

"You think you're worthy of being the champion?"

Someone stepped forward and spoke bluntly. Furthermore, his voice was icy-cold.

"I wonder what kind of price the academy and the Great Liang Dynasty had to pay for you to become the top scorer of this literary exam. Truly shameless!"

That person stared at Xie Nandu with a mocking gaze.

Xie Nandu did not speak, she did not even look at the person. However, her current path was blocked by the crowd, she could not leave for a moment either.

"What's the matter? Do you realize you're in the wrong, so you dare not say anything?"

The person sneered and stared at Xie Nandu as he mocked, "I've said it long ago, you could never become the top scorer on your own!"

Seeing Xie Nandu remain so quiet, laughter erupted from the surrounding crowd. Harsh words were constantly being thrown out, then it was accompanied by the ridicule of countless people.

"Make way, make way!"

A voice suddenly rang out from the back of the crowd.

Soon, it caught the attention of these young cultivators.

Then, all eyes fell upon a young man in black standing at the back of the crowd. The crowd had to part at this moment because that youth was forcing his way to the front.

Soon, he arrived in front of these people.

The young man in black glanced at Xie Nandu who did not speak the entire time. He then turned to the person who had spoken earlier and asked, "Which sect are you from?"

The person was taken aback and replied, "What do you mean?"

The young man in black who was precisely Chen Chao said with a smile, "Nothing much, I just wanted to ask if you're participating in the martial exam and what's your name? When the time comes, I can take care of you."

"You're Chen Chao?!"

That person suddenly reacted. There were only a few young men in black with a saber in the entire Divine Capital. After all, even if there were other youths, they probably would not come to protect Xie Nandu at this moment. It could only be Chen Chao.

"You know me? Then you must tell me your name, right?"

Chen Chao stared at that person with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

The person's expression became rather ugly. He was naturally taking part in the upcoming martial exam and hoped to bring some honor to his sect too. If he was already being targeted by this person before participating in the martial exam and faced further hostility once inside that microcosm, it would definitely not be a good situation for him.

He was not a genius listed on the Latent Dragon List, nor could he be placed in the same category as characters like He Yi. Now that he was questioned by Chen Chao, he clearly lacked confidence.

He looked at Chen Chao and asked, "Is this how the Great Liang Dynasty treats its guests?"

He did not dare answer that question, finding another excuse to speak.

Chen Chao smiled and said, "Of course! Since you're a guest, I'll take care of you. Isn't that perfect?"

Although Chen Chao said that he would be taking care of him, everyone present understood the underlying meaning.

That person's complexion turned pale. He looked at Chen Chao and opened his mouth, but could not find the words to respond.

Chen Chao stared at him and said, "If you won't tell me, do you think I can't find out?"

He waved his hand towards a distance and said, "Please help me find out the name of this fellow daoist. Be quick!"

The Left Guard constables stationed nearby immediately nodded upon hearing this. They made an effort to carefully observe the person's appearance before hastily walking away.

Looking at this scene, that person's expression turned ugly. He merely came from a small sect and had no big shot backing him. He was merely egged on by someone, and now, Chen Chao's arrival put him in a difficult position. It was hard to clean up the mess.

Although he looked down on martial artists like Chen Chao, he also understood that he was no match for him.

But now, with so many people watching, how could he possibly back down?

As for Chen Chao, he was the target of public criticism in the first place. He did not think about hiding anymore. With so many enemies, one more enemy did not matter at all.

The person's face turned green and did not say anything, but his momentum was no longer as strong as before.

As for the other onlooking cultivators, they had no interest in getting involved.

Soon, a constable from the Divine Capital's Left Guard rushed over.

It was precisely Weng Quan. He carried a list in his hand, "Deputy Commander, here's what you asked for."

Chen Chao looked at the list brought by Weng Quan. Soon, he smiled and said, "So, it's Fellow Daoist Zuo Qing from the Qingshan Sect."

His identity being exposed, his expression became even uglier, but he still did not say anything.

Chen Chao nodded and said, "I'll remember you."

When he spoke, he was very calm and devoid of emotions. But everyone could sense the chilling intent in those words.

Zuo Qing said, "I'm not afraid of you! You're just a mere martial artist!"

Chen Chao stared at him and emphasized each word, "If you're really not scared of me, there's no need to wait until the martial exam, how about we have a life-and-death battle right now? I can immediately sign the paperwork so that we can let everyone see whether I'll really beat you to death or not."