Chapter 15: Are You Testing Me with This?

“Wooden plaque? A newcomer? Your luck truly knows no bounds.”

The Dean of the Academy shook his head with an amused sigh. When putting on a show, one must go all the way; otherwise, it becomes awkward on his part as well.

Li Wenxuan sized up the scholarly man, who appeared to be around fifty, and bowed respectfully. “My fortune has indeed been somewhat favorable, but I suspect there must be some arrangements behind it. I am grateful for your attention, Dean.”

As he spoke, three silver notes of one hundred taels each were silently passed over.

Faced with such a straightforward young man, the Dean was startled. This was none other than the Emperor’s personally appointed individual.

If His Majesty discovered that he had accepted bribes, the consequences would be unthinkable!

The Golden Pavilion was established and directly governed by the Emperor himself.

This place could tolerate scholars seeking fame, but not the slightest impurity.

Reluctantly, the Dean returned the silver notes, though his eyes betrayed a hint of regret.

“Keep your money safe. Come to the Academy at this time tomorrow. Someone will naturally escort you to the Ministry of Revenue for registration. The Golden Pavilion values authenticity; how could it possibly accept bribes?”

Now it was Li Wenxuan who was taken aback.

He had brought worldly knowledge from Earth; if favors did not succeed, that would spell disaster.

Could it be... that the amount was considered too little?

“My humble sword of black iron is worth a hundred gold coins. If the Dean does not mind, please accept it as a token of my gratitude.”

The Dean, being knowledgeable, knew the young man spoke the truth.

Yet, despite his temptation, he shook his head firmly.

Not only that, he fixed Li Wenxuan with a solemn gaze and said,

“Young sir, this is the Golden Pavilion. Do not bring the outside world's ways here and sully this sacred place.”

Li Wenxuan was genuinely stunned this time.

The black iron sword, once wielded by General Li Hu of the Western Front, was a rare treasure across the entire Great Wu Kingdom.

And yet, it failed to impress the Dean?

Or perhaps...

The Dean truly was a man of integrity?

Well?

Who says a Dean cannot be a gentleman?

Li Wenxuan immediately straightened up and bowed respectfully. “I am ashamed, Dean. Your nobility is truly admirable.”

As he watched the young man stride away with a proud bearing, the Dean felt as if his heart was bleeding.

What value of a hundred gold coins?

That black iron sword was crafted by a renowned master in the capital—a priceless treasure with no market value!

In the capital, wealth alone could not buy such a blade; one needed status!

The Dean was certain it must be a sword bestowed by His Majesty himself.

To accept it...

Would be courting death.

“Hey! Don’t leave yet! I haven’t finished speaking!”

The Dean called after Li Wenxuan, who had already one foot over the threshold.

Li Wenxuan turned back. “Please, Dean, do enlighten me.”

“You now have the chance to bypass the iron and bronze ranks and leap straight to silver. If you obtain the silver rank, you may ascend the Golden Pavilion's Golden Terrace and even have the honor of an audience with His Majesty!”

The Dean raised an eyebrow, as if hinting at something.

Li Wenxuan replied, “I still wish to serve at the Ministry of Revenue.”

“You don’t want to meet His Majesty?” the Dean asked in surprise.

Li Wenxuan smiled. “Serving at the Ministry of Revenue means easing the Emperor’s burdens. Whether I hold the silver rank in the Academy or not makes little difference in my eyes.”

The Dean shook his head with admiration. “Truly, the young are to be feared nowadays. But...”

He produced a silver plaque from the side and held it up, shaking it slightly. “If you step forward and claim this now, your position in the Academy will be second only to mine.”

“Mastering both civil and martial arts, one trades with imperial families!” Li Wenxuan smiled with feeling. “I thank you, Dean, for your misplaced favor.”

He bowed respectfully, then without hesitation crossed the threshold and disappeared from the Dean’s sight.

“That boy really thinks I’m blocking his path to promotion and wealth? I just don’t want to see him fall into the Eastern Depot’s inferno.”

The Dean sighed deeply. “Well, this is your choice. Don’t blame others.”

In high spirits, Li Wenxuan went straight to the Martial Emperor and bowed with a smile. “Master Zhao, may I invite you to a small drink today?”

“The young friend’s kindness is hard to refuse!” the Martial Emperor replied with a smile. “Then let us go.”

Li Wenxuan nodded and walked out of the Academy, speaking quietly with the Martial Emperor.

Yet, he couldn’t help but glance toward the Martial Academy a few times.

Originally, the Martial Academy should have been his true home.

But the Ministry of Revenue...

With his knowledge from his previous life, he could not claim he would excel, but he certainly wouldn’t make mistakes.

The rest would be a matter of patience and gaining experience.

“The tavern across the street is one I frequent,” the Martial Emperor said lightly as he introduced the place to Li Wenxuan.

Just as the two entered the tavern, a beautiful young girl suddenly stumbled in, fleeing in panic and collapsing to the ground.

The moment she looked up and saw the young man with the heroic sword at his waist, she cried out desperately, “Young sir, save me!”

Li Wenxuan was slightly taken aback. As he looked at the extraordinarily beautiful girl and was about to ask what had happened, a group of fierce-looking men charged forward, encircling him and the Martial Emperor and Chief Steward Li.

“Kid, if you don’t want to die, stay away. Our master, Prince Jing’s heir, has taken a fancy to this tavern’s serving girl. It’s a blessing for her to warm his bed!”

The Martial Emperor widened his eyes and glanced at Chief Steward Li.

Are you serious?

Starting off by challenging the highest peak?

Such matters, even senior court officials would turn a blind eye to.

You’re testing Li Xiaoyou with this?

You...

You understand how to test, old Li!

Feeling the Emperor’s approving gaze, Chief Steward Li felt utterly pleased. He signaled with his eyes for the Martial Emperor to watch further; the real excitement was yet to come!

“Prince Jing’s heir?” Li Wenxuan was startled.

Prince Jing was the Emperor’s own younger brother; his heir was the Emperor’s nephew...

So this meant the Emperor’s great-nephew was out causing trouble?

“Please, young sir, save me!” The beautiful girl looked at Li Wenxuan with pitiful eyes, pleading incessantly. “If they capture me, it’s certain death!”

She even crawled forward, clutching Li Wenxuan’s trouser leg tightly, tears streaming as she sobbed,

“They will first torment me, then pass me around, and finally throw me into a brothel. Please...”

Li Wenxuan’s heart trembled. This Prince Jing’s heir was truly a beast, tormenting people to death!

“What? You want to oppose my young master? This girl has been claimed by him!”

The leader’s expression darkened, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he fixed Li Wenxuan with a glare.

The others readied themselves to attack on his command.

Seeing this, Li Wenxuan’s scalp tingled. He immediately cupped his hands and said, “Please, you must be mistaken. I am merely passing by for a meal and have no acquaintance with this lady. Please step aside!”

With that, he roughly pulled his trouser leg free from the girl’s grasp and swiftly slipped away to the side.

His demeanor suggested he feared that lingering even a moment longer would see him mistaken for an accomplice and seized.

The Martial Emperor and Chief Steward Li were momentarily stunned.

This...