Chapter 122: An Eyesore

"Indeed, compared to us ordinary martial scholars, these veterans from the military have far more combat experience and hands stained with blood. However, their weakness is also quite obvious: they generally lack formal education."

As the martial scholars chatted animatedly while passing through the inspection—some old acquaintances, others new—Fang Xian listened in. He gathered information about several prominent figures among the candidates, all of whom were top contenders for the title of Martial Champion.

Before long, Fang Xian presented his credentials, which had been delivered to his medical clinic by the Ministry of War. The junior officer on guard duty checked them and asked respectfully, "May I ask, are you the renowned Physician Fang, the Scholar Champion?"

As an officer of the Imperial Guard, he was familiar with the Martial Guard, who also protected the capital. News had spread recently from the Martial Guard that the famous Physician Fang had tamed that male Akhal-teke horse, and shortly after, rumors circulated that the same physician had placed first in the civil service examination. That was why he asked.

"Does the commander know me?" Fang Xian asked curiously, though the man spoke in a low voice so those behind them would not hear.

"I heard the brothers from the Martial Guard mention it. The story of you taming that steed spread throughout the capital's three armies, and hearing that you recently topped the civil examination has earned you our deep respect," the officer said with reverence.

"You are too kind, Commander. I am simply here to try my hand. What man doesn't dream of joining the army? Who doesn't want to protect their home and country? However, I ask that you keep this quiet to avoid unnecessary trouble." Fang Xian smiled.

"Rest assured, Scholar Fang, I understand." The officer nodded and allowed Fang Xian to pass through the gate.

Leading his horse, Fire King, into the grand drill grounds, Fang Xian saw a vast, open expanse. Ahead stood rows of massive, neatly arranged tents, their guide ropes pegged into the ground. Further out lay an enormous training arena, larger than several football fields, spacious enough for hundreds or even thousands of warhorses to gallop at once.

At that moment, the arena was filled with fluttering banners and thunderous drumming. Aside from the sentries stationed every few paces, a large crowd of martial scholars had already gathered beneath a towering platform.

As Fang Xian led his horse toward them, a soldier approached to remind him: "Please tie your horse in the stables nearby. The physical trials will not begin until this afternoon."

Had it been an ordinary horse, Fang Xian might have let the soldier assist, but Fire King only obeyed him; no other soldier dared to approach. He nodded, led Fire King to the stable to secure him, and then headed toward the platform.

"Brother Fang, why are you only just arriving? The exam is about to start!" No sooner had Fang Xian walked over than someone greeted him loudly. Looking closer, he saw it was Xia Zhenghong.

"Brother Xia, you arrived quite early," Fang Xian said, relieved that the man had not used his titles.

"I know my own limits; I only hope to place in the top thirty. I haven't thought much beyond that. Since you are here for the imperial martial exam, you must be confident in becoming the Martial Champion as well, right?" Xia Zhenghong said with a smile.

"That’s a bold claim." Just as Fang Xian was about to offer a modest reply, a cold laugh erupted nearby. A martial scholar had overheard their conversation and let out a disdainful scoff.

"Guo Shunsheng, what is it? Are you dissatisfied? Do you dare boast about taking the title of Champion?" Xia Zhenghong recognized the man.

"Xia Zhenghong, don't think you're so capable just because you placed second in the civil exam. If you have the guts, let's step into the ring. If I can't knock you down within ten moves, I’ll consider myself the loser," Guo Shunsheng retorted with a sneer.

"I placed second because I have the ability. If you have the guts, why don't you try taking the civil exam and see if you can even qualify for the imperial round? But I suspect someone like you, with nothing but muscle in his head, wouldn't even pass the county exam," Xia Zhenghong countered.

"This is a military camp, a place for martial exams. Who’s trying to compete with you in literature? Don't think I don't know your plan—come here, participate in the martial exam, and then go back to succeed your father as the Governor of the Prefecture. Keep dreaming!" Guo Shunsheng did not back down.

"If I have no chance of becoming Governor, then a brute like you doesn't even have the qualifications to be a commander. Whoever ends up as your soldier will be the unlucky one; you only know how to charge like a wild ox, and you might get them killed one day." As an educated man, Xia Zhenghong’s mockery left Guo Shunsheng flushed with rage.

*Boom, boom, boom...*

At that moment, the drums sounded loudly, putting an end to their argument. As he left, however, Guo Shunsheng glared fiercely at Fang Xian. Fang Xian was left bewildered, wondering why he was the target of such animosity when the conflict was clearly with Xia Zhenghong.

Ignoring this, Fang Xian was pulled by Xia Zhenghong to stand at the back of the queue. The drums continued to beat—a signal for assembly. Fang Xian watched as many soldiers rushed out of the tents, fully armored and armed, and began to form ranks.

"Who was that man? Do you have a history?" Fang Xian asked in a low voice.

"His name is Guo Shunsheng, son of Guo Changfa, commander of the Guangyuan Garrison. We were classmates, but I excelled in my studies, and his father often used me to belittle him. He’s been disciplined many times because of it. The only thing is, he has more talent for martial arts than I do, and he often uses his physical strength to pick fights," Xia Zhenghong said nonchalantly.

Fang Xian understood immediately. They were rivals since childhood; Xia Zhenghong surpassed him in academics, while Guo Shunsheng had the upper hand in martial arts. They were a pair of adversaries who refused to concede to one another.

However, Fang Xian had a gut feeling that while Xia Zhenghong’s dislike for Guo Shunsheng was purely superficial, Guo Shunsheng harbored a genuine hatred for him. Although hidden deep, the brief flashes of malice in his eyes had not escaped Fang Xian.

Since he was not particularly close to Xia Zhenghong, he didn't offer a warning. Besides, he had no intention of interfering in their grievances, trusting that with the intellect of a second-place scholar, Xia Zhenghong would eventually figure it out for himself.

The drums beat over a hundred times until all the candidates had gathered beneath the platform. A group of high-ranking imperial officials ascended the stage, led by Chen Lin, the Minister of War, followed by several vice ministers from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel, along with the officials responsible for overseeing the exam.

"Fellow martial scholars, there are three hundred and eighty-six candidates participating in today's imperial martial exam. The top thirty will be directly commissioned as military officers. Others may also join the army and will receive at least the rank of Guerrilla General," Minister Chen Lin announced. He was a martial artist himself, though only at the peak of the second tier. While not exceptionally powerful, he projected his voice so that everyone inside and outside the arena could hear him clearly.

"This exam is not merely about recruiting soldiers; it is about selecting young commanders with leadership skills. Therefore, one must be proficient in both literature and martial arts—you must possess both strategic insight and physical prowess to be qualified."

"The rules for this imperial martial exam are the same as in previous years: the morning session will test military strategy, and the afternoon session will test martial strength. Please proceed to the designated tents to answer your papers according to the sequence numbers on your credentials."