425: State Exam

Within an unnamed street in Yuquan District,

Tang Huanhuan was tugging at Wu Mang's sleeve, pleading bitterly, "Sir, please, I beg you, help me find a way. I don't care how much it costs."

Wu Mang looked troubled. "Alas, it's not that I don't want to help you. The State Trial requires an initial assessment. You didn't participate in the initial assessment, so your name isn't on the list. It's very difficult for me to handle."

What Wu Mang said was 'difficult to handle,' not 'impossible to handle,' which carried a completely different meaning.

Tang Huanhuan naturally understood the implication of his words—he simply wanted to extort money. She cursed him inwardly, calling him an old geezer. She had wanted to participate in the initial assessment, but who knew it was arranged privately? A Loose Cultivator like her didn't even have the qualifications to enter!

How could anything good fall to someone like her?

But no matter what she thought, she still had to maintain a smiling face. "Your influence reaches the heavens, and you are deeply trusted by Junior Lord of Fate. Besides you, I'm afraid no one else can accomplish this. Please, just help me."

As she spoke, she twisted her body and leaned against him, her voluptuous figure rubbing against him, making Wu Mang's heart restless. He wanted nothing more than to take her right there, but he never dared to take the final step, only indulging in some handplay, fully illustrating what it meant to 'have the heart of a thief but lack the courage.'

"Alas, I'll do my best, but let me be clear, even if it doesn't work out, you'll still have to spend money."

Tang Huanhuan was overjoyed when she heard his words loosen. "I understand. Just put in the effort. Even if it doesn't work out, I'll remember your kindness."

The reason she pleaded so humbly with Wu Mang was simply to secure an Opportunity!

According to the news Wu Mang brought, this State Trial was different from previous ones. In previous years, those selected through the State Trial would mostly stay locally as officials,

either assigned to the Prefectural Yamen or entering the Tai Chang Palace. If they were less fortunate, they might be assigned to serve in a nearby small city.

But this time was different. Those who performed exceptionally well in this State Trial would have the chance to enter the capital, and outstanding individuals would receive strong cultivation from Gan Country!

There were also requirements for participating in the State Trial: age must be under forty, gender unrestricted, and cultivation must be at Foundation Establishment or above, with no upper limit.

If one possessed other skills, such as proficiency in Dao of Formations, Dao of Alchemy, Artifact Refining, or Talisman, it would be an added bonus.

Although Tang Huanhuan was not skilled in these, she did have an advantage—

—battle intuition honed through life-and-death situations.

She had fought her way to her current achievements. If she were to compete with the children of the great Families in the city, although there might be some disparity in the power of their techniques, her combat experience was enough to compensate.

Every one of those great Family scions was a pampered treasure; how could they constantly walk on the edge of life and death?

So Tang Huanhuan was confident that as long as she had the Opportunity to participate in the State Trial, she would be able to stand out!

Wu Mang withdrew his hand, suppressing his inner agitation. "Wait for the news. The State Trial begins the day after tomorrow. I need to hurry and make arrangements."

Tang Huanhuan squeezed her voice, took out a Storage Pouch, and put it in his hand. "Please exert yourself."

...

After Wu Mang left, the smile on Tang Huanhuan's face disappeared, and her eyes turned cold. She vigorously rubbed her chest, as if wanting to wipe away his lingering scent.

She had a deep entanglement with people named Wu her entire life. In her early years as a bandit, she was controlled by her adoptive father, Wu Jue, and now she was extorted by Wu Mang. In her heart, no one named Wu was a good person.

But for this Opportunity, she had already given up her entire fortune; all the money she had accumulated over the years had just been handed over.

She was going all in!

Born a bandit, she never lacked the courage to risk her life. As long as she could secure this Opportunity, everything she had paid would be worth it.

Once successful, what Wu Mang swallowed today, she would make him spit out twofold in the future!

"State Trial..."

Tang Huanhuan secretly clenched her fists, her heart filled with resolve.

For someone like her, with no background, every step she climbed required unimaginable effort, and every decision was like a huge gamble.

Win, and everyone is happy; lose, and start over.

Or perhaps there would be no chance to start over...

...

Two days later,

Qin Shutong bounced as she knocked on the door, her voice clear as she called out, "Liang gege, hurry up! The State Trial is about to begin!"

"Coming."

Xu Sanyan opened the door, his gaze sweeping over her, and his eyes immediately lit up.

Today, Qin Shutong's attire was particularly dashing; a black and red martial uniform exuded heroism, a black sash hanging from her waist added a touch of carefree elegance, and it also accentuated her full bosom.

She wore sky-blue ankle boots, making her small feet look incredibly delicate, making one want to take them off and admire them carefully.

Qin Shutong saw him staring at her unblinkingly, and her face immediately flushed with shyness. The two looked at each other in silence, the atmosphere slightly ambiguous.

"Liang gege, let's go, we'll be late," Qin Shutong whispered.

"Oh, oh, let's go." Xu Sanyan seemed to have just come back to his senses, smiling awkwardly as he walked out quickly, as if a little embarrassed.

"Hehe~"

Qin Shutong found his fleeing appearance very amusing and covered her mouth, chuckling. She hadn't expected this Liang gege to be quite pure. So, feeling playful, she jogged to catch up,

"Liang gege, slow down, wait for me."

From an angle she couldn't see, Xu Sanyan slightly curled the corner of his mouth. He had learned this acting skill from Lin Fan; pretending to be pure was actually quite simple.

The two chatted and laughed all the way to the front of the Prefectural Yamen. Xu Sanyan composed himself, appearing more solemn, and Qin Shutong also became less lively, obediently following beside him.

There were an unusually large number of people at the Prefectural Yamen today; almost all the large and small Families in Fu City had come to cheer on their Family members.

"Shutong?"

A shout came from not far away. The two turned to look, only to see a handsome young man smiling and waving. The young man's gaze fell on Xu Sanyan beside her, and his brow instinctively furrowed, then he quickly smiled again, though his smile lacked a bit of warmth and carried a hint of hostility.

Qin Shutong pouted, her expression seemingly helpless, and quietly introduced, "This is He Wenshu, He Shubie's son. He's also here to participate in the State Trial."

Xu Sanyan slowly nodded, not caring in the slightest. Let alone his mere son, even his father would have to be respectful to him.

Although they were of similar age, their actual statuses were already worlds apart, not on the same level at all.

He Wenshu straightened his back, casually glancing at Xu Sanyan without bothering to acknowledge him further, and smiled at Qin Shutong, "Shutong, do you feel confident today?"

Qin Shutong's lips curved upward, and she said confidently, "Of course. If you encounter me, you must be very careful, I won't go easy on you."

"Hehe, if you encounter me, my dear sister, you can rest assured. I wouldn't bear to hurt you."

He Wenshu conversed with Qin Shutong as if no one else was present, as if he hadn't seen Xu Sanyan standing beside them, or rather, simply didn't put him in his eyes.

He recognized most of the young talents in Fu City; even if they weren't close, he had met them. He couldn't recall this person. He probably was a relative from some obscure corner of the Associate Prefect's mansion, shamelessly coming to see the world.