Fox Demon: Reincarnation of the Ninth Life

The imperial examination system, this unique selection mechanism, is like a fair playing field designed specifically for the younger generation.

It has abandoned the restrictions of family background and wealth. No matter what your background is, as long as you have talent and hard work, you can show your talents here.

This stage carries the dreams and hopes of countless people and becomes an important way for them to change their destiny and realize their life value.

Here, young people competed fiercely with their peers from all over the country with their knowledge and abilities. They passed the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, the palace examination and other levels, and gradually improved their status and identity.

Every exam is a test of knowledge reserves and thinking ability, as well as a challenge to psychological quality and coping ability.

Only through constant honing and accumulation can one stand out in this competition.

Of course, the above is just superficial.

"The imperial examinations don't look at family background on the surface, but they always find fault with family background."

Zhao Hong explained the imperial examination to Chen Baoan.

The imperial examination today is different from the past, because those who practice Taoism emphasize talent, and those who practice martial arts emphasize qi and blood, and those who have talents in these two paths will not choose the imperial examination.

Unless they are really born poor, or are extremely obsessed with power.

The mixed family backgrounds and young generations made the entire imperial examination system a mess.

The number of people who passed these exams and changed their lives was decreasing, so the number of exams was reduced from three to two.

Perhaps in less than ten years, the so-called fair, just and open imperial examination will become a thing of the past.

"All you have to do is answer as many of the exam questions correctly as possible, and try not to offend the children of the rich and powerful who are taking the same exam as you."

"As for the rest, we will take care of it for you."

"Ask a question!"

Chen Baoan raised his hand.

"speak!"

"Why can't we offend the powerful? I don't think Wudang is afraid of them."

When Zhao Hong heard this, his brows furrowed and his expression became serious.

"Chen Baoan, do you understand how big the interests of a powerful family are involved?"

"In the capital, where every inch of land is worth a lot of money, all the powerful families in any place are a collective. If you touch one of them, countless others will be implicated. This will cause you to be caught in the storm of the powerful and be torn to pieces!"

Zhao Hong spoke in a loud voice and in a very serious tone.

"Wudang... can only guarantee that there will be no obstacles on your path to advancement. If you are really targeted by the powerful, we may not be able to save you. In fact... we have no reason to save a 'no relation' person!"

As Zhao Hong spoke, his eyes moved away from Chen Baoan unnaturally.

This is very cruel for a child. If he offends the powerful, the current Wudang will have no choice but to abandon him.

He might have saved him out of humanitarianism, but saving just one person would be like hitting a rock with an egg, and would only result in one more corpse when facing the powerful people in the capital.

"I see."

When Chen Baoan heard this, he did not show any dissatisfaction with Wudang, or rather, he thought this was normal.

Logically, he is not considered a Wudang disciple now.

I never became a disciple.

Second, there was no selection.

Three no records.

How can he call himself a Wudang man?

"Uh... I'm glad you understand."

Looking at Chen Baoan lowering his head and speaking in a deep voice, Zhao Hong actually felt a little heartbroken.

"Okay, let's continue. The imperial examination is held every three years, and the next one will be in two years. For this, you have no time to rest and must start preparing from now on."

"clear."

A little more time will put the village in more danger. Since he has entrusted his future to this fight, he must do his best!

He didn't want to be old and half buried, with the regret of not being able to save his hometown.

"Besides that, this is more important."

Zhao Hong took out a bag with a strong pungent smell.

"Sniff~"

"Is this a medicine bag?"

"That's right. Although you are not a complete Wudang person, for Qing Yan's sake, we will still help you cure your illness."

"I believe the person who sent you here also told you."

"Uncle Tian..."

Chen Baoan thought of Tian Yang's appearance and felt excited.

He may have a very painful and difficult time in the next two years.

Because he needs to study hard every day, which is undoubtedly a huge burden and challenge for a young child. Such a high-intensity study life will not only make him physically exhausted, but also greatly increase his mental pressure.

But he had no choice, he was the best person to do it.

Besides... he was also looking forward to being able to cure his physical illness.

This body is too weak. I will be out of breath after running a few steps.

"Chen Baoan, you must listen carefully to the precautions I'm going to tell you next."

"Ok."

"If trouble comes to you one day, you don't have to come back. There is a temple on the mountain outside the capital. If you are forced to do so, you can go there and become a monk."

Zhao Hong's voice weakened as he spoke.

"Becoming a monk..."

Chen Baoan muttered to himself.

In this vast and complex world, we cannot underestimate anyone's faith. Faith is one of the most powerful forces deep in the human heart, which can drive people to pursue, struggle and even sacrifice.

Whether it is religious belief or a firm belief in a certain concept or value, it can give people meaning and direction in life.

Especially for those people from poor families, faith is undoubtedly the spiritual pillar that enables them to live their lives.

Although Taoists are respected in this world, because of the people's faith, Buddhism has taken root here and occupied a high position.

The Taoist Alliance can naturally protect Chen Baoan, but unfortunately they will not recruit people who have no power or talent.

Moreover, Zhao Hong is from Wudang, so he naturally would not let Chen Baoan go to the Taoist Alliance to save his life. In comparison, only Buddhism is suitable.

"I understand."

Chen Baoan nodded solemnly.

"Very good. This is the book you need to study in the next two years. I will go and make some herbs for you. You can read it first."

"Ok."

After Zhao Hong finished speaking, he went inside.

No one would have thought that there was a large basement under the old tavern.

Chen Baoan will spend most of the next two years here.

Through the crack in the door, Zhao Hong glanced at Chen Baoan who was studying seriously, and couldn't help feeling distressed.

Is it too cruel to let a child like this bear the responsibility of a village?

"Qing Yan, maybe we are wrong..."

Zhao Hong said this and left to make medicine for him.

He couldn't stop a child from disappearing in the future, but all he could do was help him treat his illness and give him a relatively healthy body.

Two years passed in the blink of an eye. In this small basement, countless sweat and tears were intertwined together, like a starry night sky.

Every drop of sweat represents unremitting efforts, and every drop of tears contains the desire for knowledge.

Those books that were once brand new have now become tattered, with wrinkled pages and worn corners from frequent turning, but these are proof of hard work.

Chen Baoan has grown a lot taller, and his life of plenty of food and drink has made his body grow rapidly.

Not only that, Zhao Hong did not forget to let him go out for a walk, and even secretly taught him martial arts in the dead of night.

Even though he is only in his prime, his aura is already worlds apart from his peers.

There is even a tendency to surpass Zhao Hong.

'Snapped. '

"Hmm~"

Chen Baoan stood up, stretched, relaxed his body, and took out a roll of parchment from the side.

The handwriting above is very beautiful, and the delicate strokes are like the finishing touch.

These are the letters he and Dongfang Huaizhu exchanged over the past two years, each letter expressing their longing for each other.

Perhaps their acquaintance was just a misunderstanding, but this misunderstanding came too suddenly and was too coincidental, and it coincidentally left the impression of the two in each other's minds, which is hard to erase.

"Ahem, Baoan, are you reading your girlfriend's letters again?"

"Sir? Please stop teasing me."

Hearing the voice, Chen Baoan knew who was coming. Who else could be so boring except Zhao Hong?

The two years of teaching and getting along have formed a subtle relationship between the two.

But no matter how subtle this relationship is, it indicates that the distance between the two is getting closer.

"What did they say?"

Zhao Hong said with a teasing look.

"Nothing, when did you become so gossipy?"

"Go away, go away. I am just concerned about the emotional life of my beloved disciple."

It has to be said that although Zhao Hong is a warrior, his knowledge reserves are indeed not low.

"When did you become so concerned about this? I remember you were extremely opposed to it at the time."

Chen Baoan joked.

You have to know that when Zhao Hong found out that Chen Baoan and Dongfang Huaizhu were secretly writing letters to each other, he was furious.

These two years are extremely critical and are an absolute period for improving your knowledge. You cannot be careless just because of your romantic feelings.

So he resolutely criticized Chen Baoan, locked him in the room, and starved him for three days and three nights. If he hadn't been so reluctant, it would probably have been more than just three days and three nights.

Thinking about it now, I feel so sad.

"Okay, an old man like me won't get involved in your affairs."

"If you miss her so much, why don't you go find her?"

Zhao Hong raised his eyebrows.

"I want to go too, but will you agree?"

“Haha, even if I would agree, would you go?”

Facing Chen Baoan's attack, Zhao Hong directly turned from defense to offense.

"……Won't."

Now is a critical moment, the imperial examination will soon begin, and he has to wait here.

Shenhuoshan Villa is in the northwest, and it takes two days and two nights to get to the capital city at the fastest speed. If the imperial examination starts at this time, all the hard work of the past two years will be wasted.

The loss outweighs the gain, and he is not that stupid.

"You just need to understand. This is the imperial examination. Since the provincial examination was cancelled, the interval between the imperial examination and the palace examination has become six years."

"You must pass the imperial examination, and then prepare for the palace examination. If you pass, you may have a chance to go out and look for her."

Zhao Hong also gave Chen Baoan hope.