That very night, the outco of the battle between father and son, Chen Shi and Chen Tang, was compiled into a report and delivered to the desks of high-ranking officials in the Cabinet, the Eastern Depot, the Five Armies, the Divine Pivot, the Divine chanism Battalion, and other major factions.
The battle between Chen Shi and Chen Tang had already stirred many hearts.
Chen Shi's strength was difficult to assess, but this battle could be used to gauge his true power.
Forr Chief Grand Secretary Yan Xianzhi also received a copy of the report. He skimd through it rapidly, his expression turning sowhat grave.
"Chen Shi's strength is advancing too quickly. If this continues, it will be difficult for the Young Master to secure victory."
He frowned slightly. Chen Shi was at the Nascent Soul realm, while Chen Tang had employed strength at the Spirit Transformation realm to fight him, yet their combat prowess was evenly matched.
However, although Chen Tang had utilized Spirit Transformation realm cultivation, his vision and insight were far beyond what could be expected of that realm. His true strength could not be asured by the Spirit Transformation realm alone.
"A Nascent Soul realm cultivator going toe-to-toe with Chen Tang, who possesses Spirit Transformation realm strength... this is not to be underestimated."
Yan Xianzhi closed the dossier, unconsciously recalling the ti when Chen Tang first entered the capital to participate in the tropolitan and palace examinations.
Back then, Chen Yindu was not yet the Western Capital Butcher; he was busy searching everywhere for the truth behind the decline of the True King's Era. Chen Tang, leaving his hotown behind, ca to the Western Capital to take the imperial examinations, stunning the entire city.
"Every tropolitan and palace examination, thirteen candidates were always from the Thirteen Great Clans, securing the top thirteen spots. As for the top scholar, it rely rotated among the surnas Yan, Xia, Zhang, and Li. Only that one ti, during the Martial Test of the tropolitan examination, Chen Tang fought to a draw against the thirteen young masters from the Thirteen Great Clans."
His expression turned peculiar. During that examination, every single person who fought Chen Tang ended in a draw, with no clear winner or loser.
Drawing with one person isn't difficult; the difficulty lies in drawing with everyone!
At the ti, so said Chen Tang had accommodated the young masters of the Thirteen Great Clans.
Many of those young masters have now beco high-ranking officials in the court.
The one with the highest status among them is Fei Zhong of the Fei Family, who is now one of the thirteen ministers of the Cabinet, holding a position of great power and influence, serving as the mouthpiece for the ancient Fei Family in the Western Capital.
Fei Zhong is also a strong contender for the position of Chief Grand Secretary.
Back then, Chen Tang had accommodated him.
But Yan Xianzhi knew that among those thirteen, one was the future sect leader of a great clan. That person was Yan Hanqing, the current sect leader of the Yan Family.
Yan Hanqing just turned fifty this year. Fifteen years ago, during the tropolitan examination, he fought Chen Tang to a draw.
At that ti, Chen Tang was a scholar from the countryside, bringing a few fellow provincial graduates from Xinxiang to participate in the tropolitan examination. The man knew his place and understood when to advance or retreat, thus securing the fourteenth rank. The essay he wrote for the tropolitan examination was widely circulated at the ti, driving up the price of paper in the Western Capital. The brilliance of his literary talent was breathtaking.
"The heritage of the great clans is far beyond what others can compare to. The higher the cultivation realm, the greater the gap becos. Chen Tang, after all, is not from a great clan. How large is the gap that has opened between him and Minister Fei? And how large is the gap between him and the Sect Leader?"
Yan Xianzhi murmured softly, "Chen Shi fought evenly with him at the Nascent Soul realm against his Spirit Transformation realm strength. Can he match the Young Master?"
He looked out the window. The Thirteen Great Clans had been constrained for a long ti. Taking advantage of the anomaly of the Celestial True God, supporting the True King was the only way to accumulate strength to contend with them.
And would Chen Shi beco a stumbling block in this great upheaval?
"The descendants sent by the Thirteen Great Clans to participate in the tropolitan examination in the Western Capital have gone missing this ti. This matter is definitely related to Chen Shi. He is too lawless."
He looked at the full moon in the sky and whispered, "The Thirteen Great Clans should give Chen Tang a warning, make him discipline his son properly."
During the third watch of the night, Chen Tang left the Chen residence as usual, heading towards the ridian Gate.
The streets of the inner city were empty, devoid of a single person. By the ti he reached the ridian Gate, many officials had already arrived.
The morning court assembly was always the sa old routine: approving morials from various regions, disaster relief, discussing demonic transformations, followed by high-ranking officials attacking and bickering with each other, creating a clamor. Finally, the Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet would speak, reprimanding the civil and military officials, and announce the end of the court session.
This kind of thing had long beco monotonous, yet the civil and military officials never tired of it, managing to co up with many new variations every day.
Beneath the ridian Gate, nurous high-ranking officials chatted and laughed, waiting for the court session to begin. They gathered in small groups of three or five, discussing court affairs and governance.
Chen Tang did not participate. Apart from elaborating on his own duties in the court, he rarely involved himself in other matters.
The court was aware of his temperant and thus seldom disturbed him.
Who were the officials who got things done, who could be moved, and who could not—the Cabinet distinguished these very clearly.
Removing an official like Chen Tang would be like slashing a major artery of the Great Ming Dynasty; it would only spurt blood and cool down even faster.
But few officials were willing to get close to soone with Chen Tang's temperant.
The man was too rigid. He could talk endlessly about official business, but when it ca to private matters or building personal connections, he would fall silent.
"Minister Chen! A mont of your ti, please."
Chen Tang looked at the person approaching and bowed slightly. "What instructions does Minister Xia have?"
Xia Canghai, his face full of smiles, invited him to one side of the ridian Gate and said with a laugh, "Minister Chen, I assu you've also noticed the celestial changes? Night now falls four ke earlier. With the celestial changes arriving early, the climate in various regions has beco abnormal. There are many disaster victims, and evil spirits have also beco unusually active."
Chen Tang nodded slightly. "This humble official intends to speak of this matter in court today, requesting the court to reduce this year's taxes."
"The matter of reducing taxes can be discussed later."
Xia Canghai said seriously, "I sought you out for another important matter. For this tropolitan and palace examination, tell your son Chen Shi not to contend for the top scholar position. This top scholar belongs to the Young Master. Even if he competes, he cannot win against the Young Master. The Young Master needs the title of top scholar for a great purpose. The speed of the celestial changes will only increase. The court can no longer afford to be scattered and disunited."
He said aningfully, "Minister Chen, you should know that the Western Ox New Continent needs a True King."
Chen Tang said, "This humble official does not know. Please enlighten , Minister Xia."
"You!"
Xia Canghai grew angry, lowering his voice. "Haven't you heard of the Young Master's origins? The Young Master's surna is Zhu!"
Chen Tang said, "Isn't his surna Ren?"
Xia Canghai flicked his sleeve, annoyed. "Are you pretending to be ignorant? Tell your Chen Shi not to compete with the Young Master for this top scholar position. This is a matter of great righteousness!"
Chen Tang's expression remained unchanged. "Does Minister Xia perhaps not rember? The court still owes my son a top scholar title."
Xia Canghai frowned, knowing he was referring to the Child Prodigy incident.
Back then, when Chen Shi's Divine Embryo was severed, all Thirteen Great Clans had a hand in it!
"Chen Tang, let's not bring up old matters. You and your son, take care." He flicked his sleeve and left.
Just as Chen Tang was about to return beneath the ridian Gate, another voice called out, laughing, "Minister Chen, please stay."
Chen Tang looked at the newcor. It was Yan Shuhe, the Cabinet Minister from the Yan Family. "What important matter does Minister Yan have?"
Yan Shuhe ca to his side and smiled. "Minister Xia's words just now were not ill-intentioned. If there was any offense, please be magnanimous, Minister Chen. It's just that this year's top scholar position should not be contested by your son."
He smiled slightly. "I also know the court owes your son a top scholar title. What happened eleven years ago, no one wanted it. As compensation, have your son wait another three years. If he takes the exam again in three years, he will still be the top scholar. As for this year's top scholar, let it go to the Young Master."
Chen Tang said solemnly, "Is Minister Yan suggesting examination fraud? Do you know what cri examination fraud is?"
Yan Shuhe grew angry and flicked his sleeve as he left. "You, you're utterly unreasonable!"
No sooner had he left than Lord Cui Zhegui ca to Chen Tang's side, smiling. "Minister Chen, please stay. Today, I co as a diator."
Chen Tang treated him with courtesy.
Cui Zhegui said much the sa, essentially persuading Chen Tang to have Chen Shi not contend for the top scholar position this year.
Chen Tang said, "My son has already decided to contend for the top scholar. If he does not contend now, others will not know he is abstaining; they will only think he is inferior to the Young Master. Using my son's reputation to bolster the Young Master's—as his father, how could I tolerate that? Lord Cui, please do not ntion this again."
Afterwards, Cabinet Ministers from the Jiang, Zhai, Fei, Ma, and other families ca to persuade him, all urging Chen Tang to have Chen Shi give up the fight for the top scholar.
Chen Tang refused them all.
Among the thirteen Cabinet Ministers, only Chief Grand Secretary Zhang Fuzheng did not co to persuade him.
Finally, the court session began. The civil and military ministers began moving, walking towards the Hall of Supre Harmony.
"Minister Chen."
Minister of War Ren Xiao fell back a step, coming to Chen Tang's side. He walked forward unhurriedly, looking ahead calmly, and said in a flat tone, "My son is participating in the tropolitan and palace examinations this year. He wants this first place. Please have your son yield, and not contend for the top scholar."
He was tall and large-frad, with broad, thick shoulders, graying hair, a majestic appearance, and a deep, resonant voice. As the commander of the empire's military forces, he possessed an imposing aura that commanded respect without anger.
His words carried the weight of inevitability, as if it were only natural. If Chen Tang did not yield, it would be like opposing the entire world.
"Minister Ren, a father honored by his son."
Chen Tang looked straight ahead, not glancing sideways. "For surnas outside the Thirteen Surnas, reaching the level of Vice Minister is already the peak. The surna Ren is not among the great clans, yet you, Minister Ren, have beco the Minister of War, holding a second-rank official position. This is truly rare. The main reason you could ascend to this second-rank position is largely due to your son's face."
Ren Xiao looked at the entrance to the Hall of Supre Harmony, climbing the steps in sync with the others. "What are you trying to say?"
His voice carried anger, causing the surrounding officials to quicken their pace, avoiding the two of them.
Chen Tang said, "Your surna is Ren, but your son's surna is Zhu. Has Minister Ren ever considered that the Young Master might not be your son? Raising another man's son, you are indeed magnanimous."
Ren Xiao clenched his fist, then suddenly laughed heartily. "Chen Tang, I command the empire's military forces, holding imnse power. My cultivation has reached the peak of the Refining Spirit Realm, half a step into the Return to Emptiness realm. I command a million cultivators. Where my sword points, everything turns to dust. Where my long blade points, demons bow their heads. Now, my son, the Young Master, wants this top scholar position as a gift for his twenty-fourth birthday. It is perfectly reasonable. You, will you yield?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the civil and military officials of the court heard them clearly, yet they all acted as if they hadn't heard, continuing to chat and laugh as they walked towards the Hall of Supre Harmony.
"I will not yield."
Chen Tang said, "My son also wishes to contend for it. Let us each rely on our own abilities."
"You will not yield?"
Ren Xiao suddenly turned his body sideways and slamd heavily into Chen Tang.
Xia Canghai, Yan Shuhe, and the others each frowned but did not look back.
They knew Minister of War Ren Xiao had a violent temper. This ti, Chen Tang had provoked him and was sure to suffer greatly.
However, since Chen Tang was so stubborn, suffering a bit might be good, saving them the trouble of wasting their breath trying to persuade him.
Ren Xiao was the Young Master's adoptive father, a general responsible for protecting the imperial bloodline, fiercely loyal to the royal family.
The Young Master was nominally his son, but in reality, he was of royal blood. He first lived with the Ren family, then was sent to be fostered in Prince Zheng's mansion in Yudu. After the Young Master ca of age, he contacted the Thirteen Great Clans and promoted Ren Xiao, placing military power in his hands.
Ren Xiao practiced cultivation techniques taught by the Young Master. He had once manifested his sanctity before the Five Barracks. His cultivation and strength were profound and unfathomable, fierce and overbearing.
When the two collided, it was as if thunder rolled through the void before the Hall of Supre Harmony. The sound was dull and shocking, like the collision of two ancient behemoths, shaking everyone's steps, making them feel unsteady, their blood and qi fluctuating accordingly.
"Boom!"
A loud crash ca from the distant Zhongji Hall. The civil and military officials hurriedly looked towards the sound. They saw the tall, burly figure of Minister of War Ren Xiao plastered against the wall of Zhongji Hall in a spread-eagle position. The impact shook that heavy artifact, which suppressed the fate of the Western Ox New Continent, causing it to radiate brilliant, multicolored light that shot straight into the clouds!
Ren Xiao thudded to the ground from the wall, his body twitching twice before he fell unconscious.
The civil and military officials were horrified, all turning to look at Chen Tang.
Chen Tang still stood on the stone steps leading to the Hall of Supre Harmony, his body completely unmoved.
Just now, when Minister of War Ren Xiao crashed into him, it was like crashing into a copper wall or an iron barrier. Ren Xiao had severely injured himself and been sent flying!
The civil and military officials were filled with shock and doubt.
What exactly was Chen Tang's cultivation level?
The Minister of War, at the Great Completion of the Refining Spirit Realm, half a step away from Return to Emptiness, seed to have no power to resist before him!
Chen Tang lifted his foot, continuing to walk up towards the Hall of Supre Harmony above. He said calmly, "Accommodating others is my kindness. Don't force to get rough."
Yan Shuhe and Xia Canghai exchanged glances, each frowning.
At that mont, Zhang Fuzheng turned back and smiled at Chen Tang. "Minister Chen, please."
Chen Tang bowed slightly. "Minister Zhang, please."
The civil and military officials were awed. They glanced at each other surreptitiously and silently entered the court chamber.
Outside, warriors from the Divine chanism Battalion hurried over, placed Minister of War Ren Xiao on a stretcher, and quickly carried him away.
In the morning, Chen Shi arrived at Chang'an Street, Three-Way Intersection Alley, beneath the Listening Rain Pavilion. Just as he was about to go upstairs, a child's voice called out, "Hey—are you here to see Chen Wu?"
Chen Shi followed the voice and saw it was that child who often played cuju with Creation Little Five, nad Yuan Xiaoye, if he rembered correctly.
"Yes," Chen Shi nodded. "Where is he?"
"He's gone!"
Yuan Xiaoye ran over, holding the ball under his arm. "He asked to tell you that he's very happy you defeated Chen Tang. The Western Capital isn't fun anymore; he's going to go search for so secrets. He asked to give this to you."
Yuan Xiaoye took out a bronze mirror from his clothes, about the size of a palm. It was precisely that Fox Grape Mirror containing the minor heaven.
Chen Shi was stunned, feeling an empty hollowness in his heart.
He looked up at the sky. A cloud was missing, though he didn't know when it had disappeared.
That familiar cloud had vanished without a trace, gone to who knows where.
"Did he say where he was going?" Chen Shi inquired.
"Don't know."
Yuan Xiaoye put the ball down and began juggling it with his foot. "He just said for you to take the exam boldly and confidently, get the top scholar title, and take back what you lost. If you can't pass, then just kill yourself to avoid disgracing the Chen surna. Is the top scholar exam that easy? So strange. My father worked himself to death and only managed to beco a xiucai."
Chen Shi laughed.
"The top scholar exam is very easy. If you have hands, you can pass it. In a few days, I'll go take the exam and co back as the top scholar!"
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