Chapter 360: Chapter 358 The Exam Begins
"Trouble."
Arriving in front of the Nightmare Department’s teaching building, Le Yu looked at the little figure standing on the steps, barely meeting his gaze, and said helplessly.
"I feel the same way."
The Raccoon Slave inspector raised his eyebrows, his large ears twitching slightly. With arms crossed over his chest, he tilted his chin upward to look down at Le Yu, a wild grin on his face.
Aside from this little fellow, the area around the Nightmare Department’s teaching building was filled with agents from the Statistical Department, all dressed in blue uniforms. They stood stalwart every five steps, keeping watch every ten, with long swords on their backs and short rifles at their sides. Their imposing aura caught the eyes of the students.
Many students, about to enter the examination hall, saw the silent agents lining the path and immediately lost their confidence. They walked with trembling steps, anxious and restless, and some even turned around halfway, preferring to waste their registration fee and the once-a-year opportunity than to continue taking the Eye of Omniscience exam.
Though Yanjing’s Statistical Department was notorious, their crimes mainly revolved around abusing the Imperial Court’s backing, wantonly arresting intellectuals and progressive individuals, ransacking homes, committing genocide, and numerous acts of arson, the members were not mere thugs or ruffians. They were either collateral branches of aristocratic families or at least educated commoners who had graduated secondary school.
Moreover, the Statistical Department was known for its strict requirements. Xie Chenyuan, the Director of Yanjing’s Statistical Department, was one of the current martial pillars and a peak-of-perfection powerhouse. He practically managed the department like a military unit, which was how it rapidly rose to power in Yanjing in just two short years.
The official agents of the department were either the poor pursuing wealth or ambitious individuals hoping to use the department as a stepping stone. Ordinary people didn’t even qualify to join and commit misdeeds, as the business of licensed killing was highly competitive; only elites could cross that threshold.
To outsiders, apart from their bad reputation, the agents of the Statistical Department were enviable in every other aspect: they were prestigious, domineering, elite, and even their uniforms were particularly striking. Many people cursed the department for its rampant power and privileges, but in truth, they were really cursing, "Why am I not one of those domineering Statistical Department agents?"
Imperial Academy students, although they wouldn’t admit to admiring the department, consistently cursed it the hardest, with at least one instance of defamation against them on the bulletin board each day. Yet, when facing the agents in person, they couldn’t help but feel intimidated—especially when they were planning to cheat.
"The Principal actually invited you to serve as exam guards?"
"’Even trash has its use, as long as it burns’—that’s his exact words."
Raccoon Slave meticulously mimicked Cha Huan’s way of speaking, perfectly capturing the elder’s disdain, contempt, and arrogance. However, he didn’t seem offended. "To actually receive recognition from Principal Cha Huan is a comfort to our Director, who sees it as an acknowledgment of our efforts. Naturally, we’re more than happy to come over and handle the security for the Eye of Omniscience."
"There’s no reward, just the privilege of eating at your cafeteria—two vegetarian dishes and one meat dish, with unlimited rice and buns."
"Then I suggest you eat scrambled eggs so you can grow up big and strong."
"Thanks for the suggestion, but I don’t intend to eat here." Raccoon Slave said leisurely, "Today I’m going to eat at the Chrysanthemum Downstairs. I’ve recently earned some cash, finally qualifying for Yanjing’s top chef, ’Old Master,’ to personally cook for me."
Le Yu’s face turned dark. The Chrysanthemum Downstairs was reputed as Radiant’s top restaurant; its head chef, the ’Old Master,’ was the national cooking competition champion from decades ago, having won countless disciples. The annual cooking competition was won by Chrysanthemum Downstairs for ten consecutive years until they ceased the contest, announcing it wouldn’t be held again before the Old Master’s passing, making him an undisputed culinary god.
Due to his old age and deteriorating health, the Old Master only cooks five times a month, making one table of dishes, depending on his whim. The ’Monthly Fifth Feast’ of Chrysanthemum Downstairs has attracted countless nobles and wealthy merchants, with skyrocketing prices and often being pre-booked before officially open for reservations—given the vast number of influential people in Yanjing.
Le Yu wasn’t one for sophistication, but naturally had an interest in culinary delights, yet he couldn’t secure a spot in the ’Monthly Fifth Feast,’ money being irrelevant. Now, he couldn’t leave the Imperial Academy, and for the next six months at least, he could abandon all hope of savoring this legendary banquet.
As for six months later, who knows if the Old Master would become the Late Master by then. It’s not that Le Yu was cursing anyone, but the Old Master’s health was visibly declining by the day, and people said the ’Monthly Fifth Feast’ was another step closer to the end each time.
Raccoon Slave’s use of the ’Monthly Fifth Feast’ to taunt Le Yu really hit a sore spot. Le Yu might have endless possibilities ahead, but others only have the present life.
However, Le Yu quickly steadied his mind and smiled, "Oh? Are you going with your parents or your siblings? It’s really a shame if you don’t eat at the Academy’s cafeteria, as opportunities are rare. By the way, our Medical Bureau’s officer is a beautiful lady; would you like to check her out?"
The Raccoon Slave’s expression immediately soured. These old people with foul mouths—how could he not sense Le Yu’s mockery: Orphan, huh? Never attended the Academy, huh? Got a problem and not seeking help, huh?
"Non-examination personnel are not allowed inside." He promptly turned and entered the Nightmare building, and the White Night Walker besides him nodded slightly at Le Yu and followed, looking just like an elder caring for a younger sibling.
The students nearby only relaxed and entered the Nightmare teaching building after Raccoon Slave left. Although Le Yu could banter casually with the Raccoon Slave, in truth, the Raccoon Slave’s ferocity was infamous, and his imposing presence at the door deterred most students from daring to walk past him.
Glancing at the Statistical Department agents throughout the Nightmare teaching building, Le Yu secretly cursed that old fox.
He could easily guess why Cha Huan would let the Statistical Department handle the Eye of Omniscience’s security. In detail, it was indeed a marvelously clever move.
First, it markedly increased the exam difficulty. There’s no need to mention the agents’ vigilance; their mere notorious presence deterred any students with guilty consciences from making capricious moves. Though cheating was allowed in the Academy, the best outcome was of course successfully cheating without being caught. Now, with these Yanjing wolves watching, it’s like a groping incident watched by the police, deterring many students from executing cheating plans.
Second, it tested the students’ courage. These very students scolded the villains and swore grand words of vanquishing treacheries at the bulletin board, but now they must face the department offline to see if they dare withstand it.
Third, it diverted conflict, inciting a shift eastward. Teachers catching students cheating arguably upsets relations, and while it’s fine if ordinary students are caught, apprehending the future emperor for cheating might lead to future vengeance. Cha Huan’s move entirely precluded this possibility—he let the Statistical Department handle the capturing of cheaters.
Even if offending people, it would be the department rather than the teachers taking the blame.
Don’t be fooled by Cha Huan’s usual non-interference; whenever he manages, every decision is thorough and precise, benefitting the Academy while tossing the blame entirely to the department.
Though complications arose, Le Yu had no response and could only adapt accordingly.
He didn’t believe the Statistical Department would lend him a hand—let alone the deep-seated hatred between Raccoon Slave and him, ending only with one side locked up for reformation. More importantly, Cha Huan was watching as well, so the department wouldn’t dare play favorites.
The Eye of Omniscience exam was held in the Nightmare teaching building, occupying eight classrooms across two floors, indicating the large number of participants. Le Yu surveyed the area before suddenly hearing a voice from behind.
"Brother Hongle."
Le Yu’s body trembled slightly—the Ice Blood Physique had tried its best to suppress the allergic reaction—as he quickly composed himself and turned to see Qian Yuya and her group of five approaching, calmly saying, "Good afternoon, fellow students."
"Hello, Teacher Qin." They hurriedly responded, with Qin Yueshi saying nothing, only staring intently at Le Yu in contemplation.
Qian Yuya glanced at the Statistical Department agents by the Nightmare building and softly asked, "Is there a problem?"
"No problem. Pay them no mind, simply focus on your exams," Le Yu remarked, "Are you all prepared?"
Lin Xue nodded, "We are ready."
Li Ying and Kui Nianruo, oblivious to the implications, nodded in panic, trying to hide behind the others and reduce their presence. Amused, Le Yu said, "Classmate Kui Nianruo, might I have the honor of seeing you in the next class?"
Kui Nianruo’s face instantly went pale, stammering, "Teacher Qin, listen to me..."
"Listen to your excuses?"
"Yes, listen to my excuses!"
Kui Nianruo nodded vigorously but quickly covered her mouth and made a muffled "mm" sound, shaking her head repeatedly like a wronged puppy. Li Ying, unable to stand it, shielded Kui Nianruo and spoke up, "Teacher Qin, it’s not that Nianruo intentionally skips class, she just didn’t have time to leave and didn’t notify you. She had me attend in her place, quite a favor to you—unlike me, who simply didn’t show up!"
"Well, then I really must thank you for your appreciation."
"Just as well you know, don’t you think about bullying Nian Ruo, it’s merely an elective course, we can skip it!" Li Ying said firmly, "Our Nian Ruo is one of the top three students in the Guards Department, definitely has enough credits, doesn’t need your one or two points!"
Le Yu was momentarily stunned—Li Mingsheng’s daughter from the White Night Walkers was protecting Kui Zhao’s daughter.
That night, Li Mingsheng died in the schemes of Lan Yan, Kui Zhao died by his own hands. Those seemingly long-gone matters, those seemingly rotten memories of life and death, suddenly bloomed beautiful flowers deep in his heart, awakening his softness, and gentling his resolve.
Almost simultaneously, the five of them sensed it, Qin Le Yin suddenly became gentle. He took out a bottle of wine from his arms, took a light sip, and said, "Li Ying, are you interested in taking my course?"
"How could I bow and scrape—"
"You don’t need to attend classes, your final won’t be a perfect score, but you can pass."
"Good day, Teacher Qin!"
Everyone was not surprised at Li Ying’s change of attitude, Le Yu smiled slightly and said to the others, "The same goes for you, even if you don’t take the class, I won’t make it difficult for you. There’s not much I can do to help you, all I can do is look after you in this matter."
"No need, no need." Kui Nian Ruo quickly said, "I’ll attend the classes seriously in the future."
Lin Xue also said, "Teacher Qin, your class is very interesting, I’m already looking forward to the next session’s ’Two Wonders Listening to History’. Can you share a little, what are the famous strategies of Two Wonders? Or does he have a signature strategy like ’Qing Fu Persuades Drinking’?"
Le Yu shrugged, "I can only tell you, the first half of Two Wonders’ strategy is ’raise an army for a thousand days’. As for the second half, I look forward to your answer."
"Raise an army for a thousand days, raise an army for a thousand days... ah, the Eye of Omniscience exam is coming next, Teacher Qin, you’re distracting me." Lin Xue said with a wry smile.
At this moment, commotion was heard from afar, everyone looked and found that the Imperial Academy’s top girl group had arrived—the Radiant Celestial Maidens entered the Nightmare Tower almost like an entourage. As they entered, they all glanced over at Le Yu’s side, with varied expressions, but Ming Shuiyun confidently waved at them and, when meeting Le Yu’s gaze, even winked with a hint of provocation.
Le Yu found it puzzling, thinking to himself that he was secretly helping her and the other five sword scabbards, if the genders were switched, it’d be like Liu Bei sacrificing his charm for a courtesan for her husband’s career.
Here I am, struggling under weight, your world serene, yet you act so arrogantly?
It’s time to take a bite back, to let her know that all gifts from fate have long been labeled as loans!
With sinister thoughts swirling in his mind, Le Yu checked the time on a pocket watch, "It’s almost time, you all go into the exam room first. Don’t be scared by the people from Yan Administration, if you encounter Raccoon Slaves, don’t be afraid, try lifting his hat and patting his head, just say I told you to do it, he definitely won’t get angry."
Even Qian Yuya, who trusted Qin Le Yin the most, didn’t nod to say ’just try it’, but they also didn’t think that Qin Le Yin had grudges with Xian Chan Chen, thinking maybe Qin Le Yin had a good relationship with Xian Chan Chen in private? Li Ying directly asked, "Teacher Qin, are you friends with the Xian Chan Inspector?"
Le Yu: "He and I are father and son."
Everyone was more confused as they listened, at this time the bell rang, urging the examinees to quickly enter the exam room, so they let this matter go and hurriedly entered the Nightmare Tower.
Qin Yueshi walked halfway then suddenly turned back to find Le Yu, said without any preamble, "Big brother, our family is wealthy now."
"Huh?"
"Second brother let me take a look at the accounts, the profit share from the Unrivaled List is out, not mentioning other losses, our family earned 150 gold coins in the last two months." She said softly, "Second brother said that the Unrivaled List business will only get better and they can even publish other lists, what we earn in the future will surely increase. With money alone, we can stand securely in Yanjing, just manage it well, becoming a Public Councilor is only a matter of time, even becoming a central staff is not difficult..."
Le Yu understood Qin Yueshi’s meaning halfway through and laughed, "Don’t worry, I’m not the loyal patriot type to fight desperately. My foolish sister, do you think your profit-driven brother would choose to become a martyr hero?"
"I don’t know." Qin Yueshi shook her head, "You... the you in the classroom is so scary, sometimes I suspect, have you been replaced by someone else..."
Le Yu’s expression remained unchanged, "In what way?"
"You used to despise those members of the Silver Blood Association, but that was disdain not to mingle with them, looking down on their vulgarity, stupidity, being fossilized, shortsighted... But the you in the classroom, doesn’t merely despise the Silver Blood Association, but sees those promoting this system, using those tactics for fools, the high and mighty rentiers as enemies."
"Although it’s still full of disdain and contempt, now there’s a... indifference that’s hard to describe." Qin Yueshi said, "The past you scorned the mice from the perspective of a tiger; now you look down on ants from the perspective of a god, commenting on their rise and fall."
"I feel like you’re getting further and further away from us."
"Aren’t you using too exaggerated adjectives?" Le Yu laughed.
"Perhaps." Qin Yueshi said, "But could you... for the sake of second brother and me... give it up?"
Le Yu chuckled slightly, "Go on in, the exam time is near."
Qin Yueshi was silent for a while, shook her head, "Maybe you haven’t changed after all."
"You still don’t care about your family."
"Come persuade me when you no longer hate me because of Jing Zhengwu." Le Yu said.
Hearing this, Qin Yueshi momentarily paused, then walked into the Nightmare Tower without looking back.
This is one of the wonders of "substitute life through death": Even though Le Yu merely took the blame of Qin Le Yin for eliminating a brother-in-law, the fact is he, as the third machine, was indeed one of the culprits causing Jing Zhengwu’s death, so Qin Yueshi’s grudge, albeit a three hundred and sixty-degree twist, was not misplaced.
However, Qin Yueshi’s suggestion truly intrigued Le Yu. Previously, he was afraid that the Qin Family would sit idle and lack backing, so he willingly accepted the task of becoming a sword scabbard.
But now, he himself is the backbone of the Qin Family, and the Qin Family has a continuous flow of money, Le Yu’s path to prosperity and wealth is already clear, he can now retire anytime and enjoy life with Qing Lan.
But still—
Le Yu lifted his head, squinting at the radiant sun, feeling warm all over while basking in the sunlight.
He thought of Bai Yu, thought of Qing Lan, remembered the enemies who had died by his hand, recalled the guards who died under Mr. Jian’s sword for Jing Zhengwei that night... also remembered Li Ying who just protected Kui Nian Ruo.
He still wanted to try.
Because he still had a long life ahead, with plenty of time to regret later.
Click.
Hearing familiar footsteps, Le Yu put away the Blood Bottle and turned to see Niruo, armed with the teeth cherry long knife.
Ding—
The Eye of Omniscience exam begins!