Jiang Ning smiled without saying a word.
At the sa ti.
The commotion caused by Jiang Ning’s appearance inadvertently attracted the gaze of two people sitting diagonally across.
One of them was Yan Youjiao, the second son of Yan Duwei.
The other was Yan Youhu, the youngest son of Yan Duwei.
"Third Brother, congratulations! After today, you can hold your head high before Father!" Yan Youhu remarked with emotion.
A mont of silence followed his words.
He couldn’t help but turn his head to look at his third brother, only to see his third brother’s gaze directed elsewhere.
He followed the gaze.
His eyes instantly narrowed.
It’s him!!
Upon seeing Jiang Ning, he couldn’t help but think of everything that had happened in front of the Martial Refining Tower at the Martial Arts Garden that day.
"Third Brother!" Yan Youhu spoke again.
Yan Youjiao slowly turned his head back.
"Third Brother, are you worried that he might seize the Chieftain position?" Yan Youhu spoke again.
"I’m not worried!" Yan Youjiao shook his head: "He hasn’t beaten in the first three events, and it’s impossible for him to surpass in the essay rating!"
At this mont, Yan Youjiao was filled with confidence.
It seed as if he was speaking to his brother, or perhaps to Jiang Ning not far away.
"Uncle!" Jiang Yiming spoke just then.
Jiang Ning patted his shoulder: "Wait patiently, the result will be announced soon! Whether I am the Chieftain or not, it doesn’t matter to !"
"Okay, Uncle!" Jiang Yiming nodded.
...
Monts later.
The closed gate of the fence was pushed open, and a uniford officer erged.
Everyone’s gaze was instantly drawn to the cloth scroll in his hand.
So began to breathe heavily, others clenched their fists involuntarily, and still others were extrely nervous... expressions varied.
They knew.
Their future was encapsulated within this small list.
A comprehensive evaluation of Class A ant obtaining a title in this martial arts exam, which not only assured future titles but also significantly altered social status.
It also indicated the possibility of further advancing to a Martial Prospective position.
The officer walked to the notice board and, under everyone’s watchful eyes, slowly ascended the prepared steps.
Then placed the yellow silk list neatly, casting his gaze towards the sundial on the east side of the drill ground.
Eight o’clock in the morning was when the rankings would be announced.
As the sun gradually rose, the sundial’s needle also slowly moved.
When the shadow of the sundial pointed to eight o’clock, the uniford officer abruptly struck a nearby gong with one hand.
Amid the reverberating sound, the officer released the hand gripping the yellow silk list.
In an instant.
The yellow silk list unfurled like a cloud dragon, the ink characters shimring with a tallic luster under the morning light.
"How can this be!!!"
Yan Youjiao saw the three enlarged, bold nas revealed at the top of the list and showed an expression of disbelief.
His hands clenched tightly, veins twisting like snakes between his gripping fingers.
Beside him, Yan Youhu was equally stunned.
"Martial Arts Chieftain, Jiang Ning!!" The officer’s voice was as resonant as a bell.
But before he finished speaking, it was drowned out by the voices of many spectators gasping in surprise.
"I knew it, the Chieftain is indeed him!" Soone showed a face full of confident prediction.
"This can’t be! Yan Youjiao is the son of a Capital Commandant, and he was jointly ranked Class A alongside Jiang Ning in the three external rounds, how could he not be the Chieftain?" An experienced individual spoke, filled with confusion.
"I won! I won!!!"
"Haha! I won too! I won too!!!"
In an instant, the cheering voices drowned out those of discussion.
At this mont, Jiang Ning’s face also displayed a surprised expression.
"Uncle! The Chieftain is truly you!!" Jiang Yiming was visibly excited, seeing that he was absent from the list brought him no disappointnt at all.
He had anticipated falling short.
The assessnt from the external rounds indicated that he had no hope of securing the title of Military Scholar.
Jiang Ning shook his head: "I never expected! With Yan Duwei there, the Chieftain position would still go to !"
"Dudu, you’re truly amazing!!" Little Dumpling, held in Jiang Ning’s arms, had her eyes bright and full of admiration.
At this mont, the tiny girl also understood that Jiang Ning ranked at the top of the list.
Jiang Ning heard and chuckled, pinching her chubby cheeks.
"Let’s go, ti to go back!" He said shortly.
"Alright!" Jiang Yiming nodded, following behind Jiang Ning.
The crowd parted under an invisible force, and Jiang Ning walked out of the bustling center with Jiang Yiming.
...
Elsewhere.
From the county governnt gate.
A procession beating gongs and drums headed towards the residence of Jiang Ning.
This was a team sent to deliver good news and a plaque to the residence of the Martial Arts Chieftain.
Being the Martial Arts Chieftain is a great honor.
When Jiang Ning and Jiang Yiming returned to their residence.
They already saw many people surrounding their residence, including many children.
"Uncle, it seems the team delivering the good news has arrived before us!"
Jiang Ning nodded: "That should be the case!"
"Young master!" Lv Yi, who was waiting at the door, quickly ca to greet Jiang Ning.
"Give these children so candy and copper coins!" Jiang Ning said.
"Yes, young master!" Lv Yi responded quickly.
Then she returned to the residence to prepare.
Afterwards, the two of them crossed the threshold and stepped into the front yard.
"Higher, a bit higher!!" Jiang Ning imdiately saw Jiang Li continuously giving instructions in the front yard.
Two workers were holding up a plaque to hang it right above the main hall entrance.
On the dark plaque.
The words ’Chieftain’ were prominently displayed.
At this mont, Jiang Li’s face was flushed with red, showing a proud expression.
"Father, Mother!" Little Dumpling, holding Jiang Ning’s finger, was the first to speak.
As the voice sounded, Liu Wanwan and Jiang Li imdiately turned around.
"Little brother, you’re here just in ti!" Jiang Li, still full of red color, strode over.
Jiang Ning’s acquiring of fa made him happier than any previous ti.
Even though Zhao Yulong’s previous visit had brought an honor that actually surpassed that of the Martial Arts Child Test Chieftain.
But to him, gaining fa was entirely different in significance.
"Elder brother, sister-in-law!" Looking at Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan, Jiang Ning let go of Little Dumpling’s small hand, letting the child cheerfully run towards Liu Wanwan.
"Little brother, the ssenger bringing the good news is already waiting for you in the hall!" Jiang Li spoke again.
Jiang Ning nodded imdiately: "Then I’ll go over first!"
"Alright!" Jiang Li nodded.
...
Entering the front hall.
An old man with a goatee and a moustache saw Jiang Ning’s arrival and imdiately stood up to welco him.
"Congratulations to Commander Jiang!"
As the words fell, the old man pulled a note from his sleeve and handed it over to Jiang Ning with both hands.
"Commander Jiang, tonight’s Chieftain Banquet is on the eighth floor of the Star-picking Tower, starting sharply at 8:00 p.m. Commander Jiang, please don’t miss the ti!"
Jiang Ning took the note and then nodded: "I will be on ti for the banquet."
He knew that the Chieftain Banquet was about tradition and customs.
Though he wasn’t very interested in this, there was no need to go against convention!
Furthermore, as he understood, at the Chieftain Banquet, the esteed guests attending would need to give gifts, which altogether made for a substantial inco.
Seeing Jiang Ning nod and take the note, the old man imdiately clasped his hands in respect.
"The task is completed, I shall take my leave!"
"Wait!" Jiang Ning spoke up.
The old man paused, then saw Jiang Ning pulling out a silver note.
"The ssenger has had a hard journey here, please accept this!"
The old man discreetly glanced at the denomination of the silver note.
Seeing a value of one hundred taels, his face imdiately showed a trace of joy.
He accepted the silver note handed by Jiang Ning with both hands, quietly tucking it into his sleeve.
"Commander Jiang, generous!!"
The old man then walked out of the front hall with a full smile.
At the sa ti.
Jiang Ning also heard cheers from the children outside the courtyard wall and the pleasant sound of copper coins hitting the ground.
He couldn’t help but show a faint smile.
...
On the other side.
In the tent of the military camp.
"Father, I don’t understand!!" Yan Youjiao clenched tightly, veins snaking through the knuckles of his clenched hands.
"You don’t need to understand!" Yan Duwei looked at his second son, speaking calmly.
"Father, I’m your son!!" Yan Youjiao glared, holding his hands tightly.
"I know!" Yan Duwei nodded.
"Since Father knows, why not help !" Yan Youjiao spoke, filled with an accusatory tone.
"Since you know I’m your father, you shouldn’t speak to in this way!" Yan Duwei said calmly.
"Father, I won’t accept it! I won’t accept!!!"
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