Chapter 114: Questions and Answers with His Majesty

Only Fang Xian remained calm and collected. He cast cold, furtive glances around him, observing that the golden-armored general possessed a vast aura and vigorous vitality, indicating he was a top-tier master at the peak of his craft.

Furthermore, inside and outside the Taiji Hall, Fang Xian vaguely sensed over a dozen powerful auras. These were likely the Imperial Guards protecting the hall—all of them elite among first-rate experts, with some perhaps even being hidden masters of the Transcendental Realm.

The "Myriad Stars Art" that Fang Xian practiced was a legendary technique; for a thousand years, he was the only one to have mastered it. Not only did it allow for rapid cultivation, but the mysterious energy it produced could completely conceal one's aura. As long as Fang Xian deliberately hid it, no one could detect that he was a martial artist. However, since his identity as a warrior had already been exposed in a previous battle, he did not attempt to mask it entirely. Instead, he suppressed his presence just enough to appear as a practitioner who had only recently achieved the status of a first-rate expert.

Consequently, as Fang Xian ascended the high steps, the golden-armored general turned his gaze toward him, his eyes repeatedly flickering over him with an air of vigilance.

"Summon the scholars to enter the hall." Just then, the shrill voice of Zhang Zhili echoed from within. The monitoring official at the entrance immediately reminded the scholars to enter and whispered instructions regarding court etiquette. In short: one must not look directly at the Emperor, must not approach the throne, must remain still, must not speak out of turn, and must not glance around aimlessly.

Although Fang Xian, like the other scholars, had never met the Emperor, he had watched many historical dramas and was well-versed in the protocols of imperial audiences.

The thirty scholars entered the Taiji Hall with heads bowed. Following the directions of the official, they arranged themselves in three rows and marched forward until they reached the center of the hall, where they halted. Fang Xian caught a glimpse of the surroundings; the hall was truly massive, roughly the size of an indoor basketball court, supported by towering pillars over ten meters high. Despite the hundreds of officials lined up on either side, the space still felt vast and cavernous.

Emperor Wuqing’s throne sat twenty meters ahead, raised on a two-meter-high dais, flanked by guards wielding blades. In front of the ministers and surrounding the dragon throne hung heavy curtains, behind which untold numbers of experts were likely concealed—it was entirely possible that even masters of the Transcendental Realm were guarding the Emperor from the shadows.

"The students pay their respects to the Emperor. May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years," the group chanted in unison, following the instructions they had been given.

"Rise, my subjects." Emperor Wuqing sat high upon his throne, looking down at the gathered ministers and new scholars. A sense of satisfaction washed over him, as if all the talent in the realm were now within his grasp. He gestured with a smile.

"We thank Your Majesty." The group rose slowly, keeping their heads lowered, eyes fixed on their own toes, not daring to meet the Emperor’s gaze.

"You have all worked hard in the palace examinations yesterday and achieved excellent results. After evaluation by the Imperial Academy, the top thirty were selected for this final interview. Regardless of the outcome today, you shall all be granted a position of at least the seventh rank."

Noticing that some scholars were nervous, Emperor Wuqing spoke with a gentler tone. His eyes scanned the group, quickly locking onto a scholar at the head of one of the rows. Unlike the others, this young man stood with an air of refined ease, his expression tranquil—not unlike the great scholars of the Imperial Academy. While others fidgeted or looked around, he stood with his hands folded neatly over his abdomen, calm and composed.

In an instant, Emperor Wuqing identified him as Fang Xian. Aside from being a scholar, Fang Xian was the miracle doctor whose reputation had spread throughout the capital. For over a month, he had treated countless patients with miraculous speed, earning the deep affection of the people. Emperor Wuqing had always assumed this doctor was an elderly man; he had not expected him to be so young, let alone a new candidate for office. Recalling the thick, insightful answer sheet he had read earlier that morning, the Emperor’s gaze softened further. Here was a great talent—a rare genius. To have such a man supporting the Wu Kingdom in the future would be a true blessing.

These thoughts passed through the Emperor’s mind in a flash, while the scholars waited in silence for the testing to begin and for the selection of the top scholar.

"Shi Hongchang," the Emperor said, his face impassive, his inner thoughts hidden from his ministers.

"This student is here," Shi Hongchang stepped forward, bowing respectfully. His heart leaped with joy; being called first meant he was the most important in the Emperor’s eyes. He had placed first in the examinations, so the title of top scholar was surely his.

"I have read your essay, and it was ranked first; you indeed possess unique insights. But I have a question: if the Wu Kingdom were besieged by four nations, and both the court and the people were gripped by panic, what strategy would you propose?"

"Your Majesty," Shi Hongchang replied, a clever thought striking him. "While the Northern Barbarians and Western Xia are hostile, the Eastern Zhou and Southern Liang have remained peaceful. I believe the situation of a four-nation siege will not occur." He felt smug, believing that agreeing with the Emperor’s premise would imply the kingdom was doomed, and in such a situation, no one could save it.

"And if the Northern Barbarians and Western Xia attacked simultaneously? The nation would still be in turmoil. How would you pacify it?" the Emperor pressed.

"I believe that with our excellent commanders and fierce warriors, we can easily repel their attacks without causing any internal unrest," Shi Hongchang answered, thinking he was saying exactly what the Emperor wanted to hear.

Emperor Wuqing gave no indication of his thoughts, waving for Shi Hongchang to step back before calling the next name.

"Xia Zhenghong."

"This student is here." Unlike Shi Hongchang’s somewhat effeminate demeanor, Xia Zhenghong appeared more masculine. He responded in a resonant voice, stepping forward to bow respectfully.

"To the same question: if a four-nation siege plunged the world into chaos, what solution would you offer?" the Emperor asked.