Chapter Ninety: On the Eve of the Imperial Examination

Spring passed and autumn came; the years flowed by in their unhurried course.

Half a year had quietly slipped away in a life of calm and serenity. In his daily routine, apart from the contemplative cultivation of his energy, Yi An’s world was left with nothing but the companionship of poetry and books.

On this day, Master Xuan Yang returned. After half a year apart, the old Daoist showed little change; the only difference was in his cultivation. He had already broken through to the Day Wanderer realm—his energy now restrained and subtle. Combined with the air of a man who believed himself a transcendent sage, he could not have been more conspicuous.

“Why is the young Daoist not seeking immortality within the temple? What brings you here to Hangzhou with such leisure, like the master himself?” Yi An asked with a gentle smile.

Indeed, accompanying Master Xuan Yang was his disciple, Yan Chixia.

Before Yan Chixia could reply, Master Xuan Yang spoke first: “My young friend, when do you plan to set out for the imperial examination?”

Yi An pondered for a moment before answering, “There is still some time before the metropolitan examination. Were I an ordinary candidate, it would be time to depart, but with the wonders of the Five Elements Daoist arts at my disposal, I can afford a slight delay.”

The metropolitan examination was held in Chang’an. For those from other provinces, it was necessary to set out well in advance for the journey to the capital.

This journey was fraught with danger and hardship. Many lost their lives along the way.

When speaking of the perils on the road to the capital, most would imagine the threat of mountain bandits, highwaymen, and robbers. In truth, such villains rarely targeted examination candidates. Bandits took to the hills for profit, but examinees were typically impoverished scholars. As for candidates from wealthy families, they did not travel in this fashion at all. Their privileged status meant they were escorted by swift horses and professional guards—ordinary bandits would not dare approach them.

After all, few outlaws dared to act with reckless abandon. Petty crimes might be overlooked by the authorities, but open defiance of the law was tantamount to courting death.

Though the imperial court in Yanbei was corrupt, it had not yet rotted through. High-ranking officials cared little for minor details; only results mattered. Should banditry run rampant under an official’s jurisdiction, it was proof enough of incompetence. Without powerful connections, such an official’s career would be over, perhaps even resulting in prosecution.

Those with influential backers might survive, but in politics, exceptions always existed. Should matters spiral out of control and fall into the hands of political adversaries, the consequences would be dire. Even their patrons might abandon them for self-preservation.

This was the realm of factional strife, where princes contended in the shadows and daylight alike.

Thus, thieves rarely courted disaster by preying on examination candidates.

The greatest dangers along the road were wild beasts and disease.

Poor scholars could not afford swift horses or hired guards. Having spent years secluded at home in ceaseless study, seldom venturing beyond their doors, their bodies were frail and untrained—utterly powerless to defend themselves. Should they encounter a beast in the wilderness, survival was unlikely; they were more apt to be devoured or slain.

Medical care was equally poor. Even minor illnesses were difficult to cure, especially on long and arduous journeys. The shortcomings of such times were all the more pronounced in these circumstances.

Though those headed for the capital might already possess the title of scholar, without official appointment they remained impoverished. To profit from the status of a licentiate required much time and effort. Advancement and fortune could only be realized through the metropolitan examination—the swiftest path to prominence.

In this world, nearly every scholar was determined never to turn back, even in the face of daunting odds. Only after failing the examination, with no other recourse, would they return to their hometowns to slowly build up their fortunes, like Master Chen, who amassed a great enterprise in just a few years.

With a smile, Master Xuan Yang said, “My young friend, here is the situation: Chixia happens to need to travel to Chang’an. Since you are also going for the examination, I thought you might journey together and look out for one another. What do you think?”

Yan Chixia offered Yi An a kind smile. He had no objection to his master’s arrangement.

Moreover, his curiosity about Yi An was considerable; anyone his master valued must be extraordinary.

Yi An was surprised, but replied at once, “Of course I have no objection. But may I ask, young Daoist, what business takes you to Chang’an?”

“I’ve told you before,” Master Xuan Yang explained, “this old Daoist is the head of the House of the Unusual. But now I am aged and can no longer manage all its affairs. Chixia, as my true successor, must take up these duties without hesitation.”

“So that is the reason. If matters in Chang’an are urgent, we might as well depart a few days early,” said Yi An, suddenly understanding. He could not help but glance at Yan Chixia with sympathy; being the disciple of such a master was no easy task.

“I am much obliged, then,” Master Xuan Yang replied. “Chixia has seen little of the world and is inexperienced in its dangers. On the road, I must trouble you to look after him.”

For Yan Chixia, who had long practiced in the mountains and only rarely entered the mundane world, it was as though he were a flower raised in a greenhouse—hardly fit for great responsibility. How could Master Xuan Yang trust him with the vast inheritance of Jade Void Temple?

It was precisely this fatal flaw that Master Xuan Yang hoped to address by sending Yan Chixia out into the world. Only by witnessing the myriad facets of humanity, both bright and dark, could he mature swiftly.

Yet, despite these intentions, Master Xuan Yang could not rest easy letting his only disciple travel alone.

In this, the first person who came to mind was Yi An. Upon reflection, he realized that Yi An was about to journey to the capital for the examination, and the House of the Unusual was also based in Chang’an.

Years without a leader had left the House of the Unusual beset by instability and scheming. Moreover, compared to many places, Chang’an was less fraught with danger, making it ideal for Yan Chixia’s current stage of training.