「The next day.」
For the first ti in many years, the Zuo Family estate was decorated with festive lights and bright red lanterns hung high. The last ti such a grand spectacle had taken place was for Zuo Fan's coming-of-age ceremony at eighteen. Because their courtyard was large enough and the Zuo family preferred to avoid public displays, hosting a grand banquet at ho was the most suitable choice.
Today, Zuo Long was the man of the hour. He wore a set of red robes with gold trim, a custom-made outfit that not only suited his role as the protagonist of the day but also made the young man appear vibrant and imposing.
Just after nine in the morning, a stream of guests began to arrive, each bearing hefty gifts. Zuo Long and Zuo Fan stood on either side of the main gate, clasping their hands in continuous thanks.
No formal invitations had been sent for this celebration; the family had rely spread the word. Those who were ant to co would naturally do so, while those of insufficient standing wouldn't dare to show up uninvited.
In just half an hour, dozens of guests had already entered. Following them were Yu Feng and the other high-ranking leaders from the academy. With the sole exception of Su Yan, every single one was present.
Zuo Yuanfei hurried over as soon as he heard of their arrival, greeting them with a smile. "Dean Yu, please, co right this way."
Yu Feng smiled. "Family Head, you're too courteous."
Standing beside his father, Zuo Long pointed at Yu Feng and declared with undisguised pride, "I only managed to get first place in the unified exam thanks to him swapping my score. Otherwise, you wouldn't even find my na in the top five hundred! Hahaha!"
As he finished, Zuo Long felt not a shred of embarrassnt. Instead, he let out a proud, booming laugh. "What good is individual strength against true power? It's nothing!" he added.
So what if you're impressive? So what if you dominated the school's top rank for years? All I need is a single word—or even just a glance—and soone will eagerly handle things for , perfectly. You don't like it? What can you do to ?! As soone at the apex of the pyramid, I have the right to enjoy the finest things in life. Whether you accept it or not, that's just the way it is. This is reality.
"For you to use his score, his ancestors must have done sothing truly incredible to deserve such luck," Zuo Fan said with a casual smile. "By the way, who is this fortunate fellow?"
Zuo Long scoffed. "Who cares who he is? I have no interest in finding out," he said with disdain. "All I need to know is that I'll be entering the Elders' Court soon. That's enough for . Hahaha!"
The two brothers exchanged a look, their smug satisfaction clear without a word needing to be said.
Zuo Long then stepped forward and said with a smile, "Dean, I will definitely be raising a few glasses to you later."
"There's no need for such formality," Yu Feng replied with a polite but detached smile.
For n of their station, keeping a placid expression was second nature. He might be smiling, but Yu Feng's mind was on an entirely different track. What will beco of the Zuo Family, with all its bustling and impressive fanfare? Using such a disgraceful thod to steal soone else's score is fine as long as they don't cross a real powerhouse. But if soone is targeting them over this, whoever dares to show up must have so serious backing. Even the Zuo Family might end up losing a layer of skin.
"Co, let's go inside and sit," Zuo Yuanfei said, leading the way.
With hearts full of unease, Yu Feng and the other academy leaders followed slowly.
Zuo Long stepped to the side and lit a fine cigar. He held one hand behind his back and took a leisurely puff, his expression one of indescribable satisfaction. As the old saying goes, one must enjoy the good tis to the fullest.
"And who might you be?"
Before long, a discordant voice shattered the festive mood at the main gate.
Zuo Long turned his head. A man and a youth, both in martial attire, were being blocked by the guards at the entrance. The young man looked spirited and full of vigor. The middle-aged man, however, wore an old, worn set of martial robes of so forgotten style. Even his shoes gave off an air of poverty.
Seeing Zuo Long approach, the guard at the gate hurriedly reported, "Young Master Zuo Long, these two strangers are trying to barge their way in!"
"Give them so money and tell them to get lost. They're an eyesore," Zuo Long said with a dismissive wave, his face etched with disgust.
So beggars specialized in showing up at the celebrations of wealthy families, knowing most would offer them money just to avoid a scene. Zuo Long had clearly mistaken Wei Yunhai and his son, who had co for an explanation, for a pair of such beggars.
"You are Zuo Long?" Wei Yunhai asked, his voice steady.
Zuo Long frowned impatiently. "I'll give you a piece of advice: take the handout and be on your way. If you continue to be this shaless, then even though it's an auspicious day, I won't mind personally crushing two pieces of trash like you!"
"How domineering," Wei Yunhai chuckled. "But when it cos to being shaless, who can possibly compare to the Zuo Family?"
His words struck a nerve.
SWISH.
In an instant, all eyes in the courtyard turned toward the gate.
Is he saying the Zuo Family is shaless? What gall!
Zuo Long's deep-set eyes darkened instantly. Even a fool could see these two weren't here for money; they were looking for trouble. And it was rare indeed for anyone to dare seek trouble with the Zuo Family.
"I don't care who you are. Vanish from my sight imdiately, or else…" Zuo Long lifted a hand and drew a thumb across his throat.
Faced with Zuo Long's threat, Wei Yunhai remained unmoved. He pointed to a large banner celebrating the exam results. "Young Master Zuo Long, for years, your total score in the two subjects has never once broken one hundred points. How did you suddenly soar to first place? Perhaps you could offer an explanation?"
The words were designed to stun, and they did.
Is he questioning Young Master Zuo Long's exam score?
At the sa ti, the crowd began to understand. These two n who had appeared from nowhere were likely here because of that very score.
Now that they thought about it, Zuo Long achieving first place was indeed baffling. It was like soone who earned three thousand a month suddenly claiming to have made ten million. There had been no sign of extra effort, no changes at all. He was the sa as he'd always been. It was clearly suspicious.
The guests began to whisper amongst themselves, their expressions shifting subtly.
"You…"
Zuo Long was still young, after all. He couldn't stop a flush of red from creeping up his neck. Flustered and enraged, he bellowed, "Guards! Get these two loud-mouthed beggars out of here! You're so unscrupulous you'd say anything to extort more money!"
In his panic, Zuo Long could only double down on the accusation that they were beggars.
"The Zuo Family stole my son's score, turning his three years of hard work into nothing! Is that not the definition of unscrupulous? Huh?! On what grounds did you do it?! HUH?!"
His words struck like a thunderclap, freezing the atmosphere of the entire celebration. The courtyard fell deathly silent.
Zuo Long was speechless.
Instead, it was Zuo Fan who reacted first. He whirled on the nearby guards and roared, "Are you all dead?! Throw these two pieces of trash out now!"
WHOOSH.
Seven or eight guards imdiately sward forward.
Wei Yunhai raised a hand. The cloth-wrapped Longsword in his grip swept out with the force of a technique called Sweeping a Thousand Armies.
BOOM!
The guards at the front collapsed, their chests caving in as they were sent flying backward like kites with their strings cut.
THUD.
The tip of the Longsword slamd into the ground, shattering the paving stones and kicking up a cloud of dust and debris.
Zuo Fan stared, dumbfounded.
The crowd was rendered utterly silent.
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