Chapter 11

The pairing and match went on for about an hour when Xiao Bai was finally called out.

The male teacher announced that Xiao Bai and someone named Guan DingWu are to participate in the assessment of martial arts.

Xiao Bai calmly nodded, and Ming Xue wished him a good luck.

Xiao Bai was the first one to arrive at the center, he calmly looked around a good minute and saw a fine young man walk towards him. He was a head taller than Xiao Bai and also a lot more muscular however he didn't have the aura that Xiao Bai have.

Xiao Bai temperament is like a calm before the storm.

He playfully mocked Xiao Bai while checking him up and down then said, "Its a little unfair, don't you think so? I mean, I clearly looked more powerful than you."

Xiao bai smile twitched at the other's mocking, "Yeah. However there's no need to hold back, what face would you have if you will be defeated by just a feeble looking me?

Guan DingWu also couldn't keep his cool anymore, "Hey, how about we make a bet?"

Xiao Bai, "Mnn. What kind of bet do you want?"

Guan DingWu, "How about the loser have to serve the winner for the whole school year?"

Xiao bai immediately weigh the pros and cons, he hesitated for a while since he promised not make any scene, for now, however the guy seems to be a pain in the ass.

But he also just actually seems to be a little too playful, proud and naive, he may have some use in the future. "Okay, deal."

The student union committee member who was overlooking the event told them to be on their marks and "Go!"

Xiao bai didn't immediately attacked but waited for Guan DingWu. They sized each other for a few seconds before Guan DingWu attacked him at full speed.

The crowd who was watching them felt that this fight is one-sided and isn't a match at all, and got bored watching the other events instead.

Xiao bai's brows knitted. Too slow!

He just turned slightly to side and evaded all the assault, Guan DingWu launched his fists one by one and Xiao Bai was just swaying sideways.

His hair and robes flutter and swayed with him in every movement, the spectators all thought that Xiao Bai is not on a match but was dancing gracefully.

The crowd who thought that it was one-sided was now staring at the graceful movements of someone clad in white.

Guan DingWu, realizing that he could easily dodge his punches, changed his plan and attacked him with his kickes, which xiao bai also dodged perfectly.

"Hey. You're not even bothering to attack me. Is dodging all you know?" he said in between his pants.

Xiao Bai, "If I attack you now, the fight will end as soon as it started, it was just about 3 minutes."

Guan DingWu was enraged and attacked more forcefully.

Just as he thought this Guan DingWu is like a child, just a little provoking and he'll throw a tantrum around. Good, this kind of person is easy to win, just a little coaxing and pampering could gain his trust.

Xiao bai praised himself and smiled victoriously, then with a fast reflex, he stepped back and positioned his fist, concentrating a powerful force into his stance.

He looked towards his opponent with a charming smirk.

Guan DingWu, as a born warrior didn't chose to retreat but stepped forward instead, however before he could recover Xiao bai's fist was already in front of his very eyes, the impact was strong that it created a breeze, making Guan DingWu's hair sway.

DingWu blinked, lost at what's happening. For sure, if that punch landed, his nose would certainly be broken. Now he fully understood, he underestimated this beautiful man too much.

His lips turned up then he raised both his hands, admitting his lose and miscalculation. The crowd who was in full silence suddenly was in an uproar. Some are cheering for the winner, some are in a state of disbelief, some couldn't help but mouth and awe.

In short everyone didn't expect this outcome at all. Who would have thought? Right?

Xiao Bai turned to the crowd and bowed, paced towards Ming Xue and took his sit. All eyes are also following him. Ming xue stood up and bowed down as he congratulated him.

Meanwhile, XuWei who was in some corner was smirking like a proud boyfriend, like literally. Ruo lan couldn't help but face palm, seems like his young master's "pure interest" turned into something else.

He got totally smitten!

And not by some young lady but a beautiful young master instead! And Ming Xue's young master at that!

The people only calmed down when the male teacher cleared his throat and once again continued the exams, "And for the sword fighting exam! May I call Mr. Ming Xue and Mr. Ruo Lan, please step forward to the third field. "

Xiao Bai smiled and mouthed his good luck to Ming Xue. Ruo lan, however, was cursing his bad luck.

Why do he have to take on Ming Xue this early? Isn't it too early?

While the subordinate is lamenting, the master is laughing.

He patted Ruo Lan's shoulder while trying to hold his laugh for like he second time but still bursted out. Ruo Lan glared at him and stood up wearing a hat girded with a black veil, covering from his forehead down to his shoulder.

He can't let ming xue know him. Definitely cannot let him.

"Wait!", XuWei held his wrist, he's expression, serious. "Win." He continued.

Ruo Lan almost teared up with this, after all the mocking XuWei gave him his master still trust him.

"You need to win in order to destroy his image in Xiao Bai's mind. " XuWei thought.

If only Ruo Lan could hear his thoughts, he wouldv'e spat a mouthful of blood on the spot.

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Ming Xue prepared his stance and Ruo Lan also entered the zone, however he didn't use the technique he learned from their past master or else Ming Xue might discover him, what he will be using is a technique the crown prince thought him on his first year accompanying him.

"Begin!" the student union member who assists the sword fighting area shouted.

In an instant, clashing of swords resounded. Neither of the two are backing up, anyone could tell that the two are on par.

They go on on this pace for about ten minutes, so it's now the time to use one of their trump cards. With a swift turn from the both sides, they ended up pointing their swords at each other's throat.

A tie.

They paused for a good thirty seconds before putting their sword down and retreated a step back.

The student union member went in between them and indicated the end of the match.

Ming Xue, "You have a good sword style."

Ruo lan, "Same to you."

Ming Xue, "I hope we could spar again next time."

Ruo lan, "Mn."

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Xiao Bai, "I wonder why you didn't show off your true skills?" He said while rubbing his chin.

Ming Xue, "I don't intend to excell in this academy, I came here to protect you Young Master. I cannot let anyone know as to how much my capacity is for they might use it against us. However, that man does have some talent and skills I also got a hard time."

Xiao bai, "Hmm. Yeah, he seems to be in a handicapped situation. He seems uncomfortable using his sword style"

Ming xue just nodded.

The exam went on and Xiao Bai won his sword fight with his very unique style . Gaining another praise from the people and the teachers.

XuWei also returned victoriously in his martial arts and sword exam. Ming xue also won easily in the other two events, finishing his overall exam.

"For the archery event, may I call over Mr. Lou Ziyan and Mr. Yuan XiangXin" the male teacher announced. Xiao bai's ears perked up at the names.

Their idle self was now focusing at the two figures, one was clad in blue while the other was clad in purple, whose in front of the target and seems to be bickering.

Ziyan, "Pei! Who knew that I got to be paired with you today?"

Xiangxian, "Don't bark if you can't even bite."

Ziyan, "What did you say?!"

Xiangxian, "I mean what I say."

Ziyan, "Just you wait you little bastard! I'm gonna make you lose your face today."

Xiangxian, "Of course. Please do the honors." He stepped aside and let ziyan shoot first.

Ziyan tsked and took an arrow, placed it on his bow and stretched the string. He aimed for the bull's eye. He then released the arrow and it pierced through the wind, however it landed not on the red spot but just instead just a little outside the bull's eye.

"Not bad." Xiangxin commented.

Yuan XiangXin took his position, got an arrow and prepared to launch. He stayed for a little while, feeling the wind, where it's direction is from and how strong it was.

His purple robe was also slightly fluterring with the breeze. He inhaled a deep breath and released. It flew through the air and hit the bull's eye!

He put his bow down and glanced at the gloomy Ziyan on the side.

Xiangxin, "Seems like I won again."

Ziyan rolled his eyes and walked out with heavy steps. Promising to himself that one day, for sure, he will beat Yuan Xiangxin.

Xiao Bai, "In terms of talent I think they are on the same level however yuan xiangxin's skills are already honed while lou ziyan is still green. Is that right, Ming Xue?"

Ming Xue, "Yes. Young master is right. Earlier Lou Ziyan was disicive and he let his emotions get the best of him forgetting that they are in an open field and the wind could affect the arrows trajectory.

On the other hand, Yuan Xiangxin was calm and could make decisions depending on all the surrounding factors."

Just before Xiao Bai could not his head, his name got called out.

"Mr. Wang Bai and Mr. Qin WeiXu, please step forward in the archery field." Xiao bai and Xuwei stood up and went on the field. The other was in full white while the other was in full red.

The two people immediately stood out as soon as they arrived in the center. Since earlier this two was the most magnificent performers.

Be it movements, techniques, styles and so on, the both of them can be called perfect. They are excited to see, who was going to win.

Xiao bai, "Aren't you that person who bumped with me and ate lunch with us?"

XuWei, "I told you didn't I? That we'll definitely meet again?"

Xiao bai raised his brows then suspiciously asked, "Did you set this up?"

XuWei immediately refuted, "No. I don't have that kind of power, even if I am an emperor, I cannot order the academy around as I please."

'I really wish I could though.'

Xiao bai, "Well. That makes sense. By the way, do you want to go first?"

XuWei, "I'll go first."

Xiao bai okayed and stepped aside. Giving XuWei the spotlight. XuWei like Xiangxin earlier was also very calculative, with a swoop his arrows pierced through the wind and hit the very center of the target.

Xiao Bai smiled at him, "Nice shot."

XuWei, "Thanks, now your turn."

Xiao bai heaved a deep sigh concentrated and aimed at the center. The crowd was holding their breath, no, they didn't even dare breath.

It was that thrilling.

Xiao let the string go and the arrow flew.

The crowd was in uproar once again. It actually also hit the very center, both the arrow's head buried are side by side at the very center.

XuWei didn't feel dismay or disappointment, it was more likely that he felt pride. Finally an equal!

Xiao bai bowed down and XuWei also returned the gesture. Xiao Bai waved him goodbye and returned to his sit, XuWei also did the same, it's just that there was a weird smile plastered on his face.

The headmaster, Mr. Yang, was also overlooking the exam in a secluded area. He smiled at his outstanding students. Picking this year's champion might be hard.

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At the end of the event, Headmaster Yang informed them to come back next week for the opening ceremony.

The exam's top notcher or the Champion, will receive a letter from the academy and shall deliver a speech.

The students bid their farewell to the stages and went home, exhausted.

"Young master Wang, Mr. Ming, welcome back." Steward Nan RuZui welcomed them, Xiao bai also smiled at him and requested to prepare a bath.

Nan RuZui then called Mu YiFan to help prepare the bath for the young master. While Ming Xue excused himself and went to his room.

Upon entering his room, Ming Xue directly went to the table beside his bed and grabbed a paper and brush.

In the letter he wrote his report to the general. About their arrival, the living conditions, the exam and a suspicious fellow, "General Zhao, there seems to shadow guards following us around. They don't have any killing intent but I'm still at lost for what is their motive."

He then folded it and whistled. A dove immediately flew towards his window, he placed the letter on the bird's little box attached at it's feet.

After securing that the letter won't fall down, he freed the little one to deliver his message.

Ming xue watched the bird until it disappeared, then sighed and went to lay lazily on his bed, his two arms used as a pillow, staring at the ceiling.

'That WeiXu and Ruo Lan are quite an unforgettable character. WeiXu seems to like making trouble to young master, however he does have the skills. But what bothers me the most is that Ruo Lan.

In the middle of the match, he looked like he had trouble with the technique he's using and changed into another technique in a split second.

The audience might not notice it but I did. And that move was a little bit similar to what my late master has thought us...Ruo Lan? Ruo lan, is it that idiot Ruo Lan? There's a big possibility that it's him.

But he entered Xin's Palace a long time ago? If he's in the academy right now, then that Qin WeiXu is Xin XuWei?', Ming Xue's thoughts came one by one, his brows knitting together. He stood up frustrated at his theories.

'No. It's too early to assume a conclusion. I need to observe more, I need more proof.' He just faced palmed, it's a good news if they really did find the prince however he doesn't want to be tangled with Ruo Lan again.

He already prepared himself to meet ruo lan as soon as he became Xiao bai's guard, however he didn't expected that it would be too early.

Amidst his thoughts, someone knocked on his door.

"Mr. Ming. Dinner is ready." Nan RuZui's voice came from outside.

Ming xue shouted and told to wait for a minute, changed his clothes then paced towards the door and followed the steward to the dining area.

Ming xue sat at one of the tables but saw that his young master isn't present, "Where's Xiao Bai?"

Nan ruzui, "Mu Yifan is currently on his way to call for him." Ming xue just nodded and waited for Xiao Bai.

After a few minutes the door opened, "Good evening Ming Xue, Steward Nan." Xiao Bai greeted and went to his table.

Nan RuZui and Mu Yifan went to the kitchen and fetched the dishes then places them on the their tables, the aroma wafting around.

While eating Ming Xue seems to stuggling about something and would often steal glances at Xiao bai, "Ming Xue, what's bothering you? You look a little restless."

Ming xue was hesitating whether to tell him or not so he just chose the latter and said, "Xiao Bai, you haven't wrote a letter for Madam Xiao right? I just want to remind you."

Xiao bai scartched his head, "Ow. That's right. I completely forgot about it."

Ming xue, "Then please write it tonight and give it to me tomorrow so I could send it."

Xiao bai, "Okay, thanks for reminding me."

Ming xue heaved a sigh. Why is he even hesitant? It's just letting Xiao Bai know what his hypothesis is.

Is it because he doesn't want Xiao Bai to know his past? His heart trembled a little at the thought.

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In Yang Gui academy, a new legend is about to be written.

The teachers are arguing here and there. This has never happened before. They actually have two students who managed to have the same results, and they didn't know how to break the tie.

In the past, no one would ever have the same results.

Firstly, because they don't have the same wavelength on wits or on brawl. Everyone will always have something where they are lacking, however this two students are the exception.

The headmaster Yang is just observing them from his sit, his head resting on the back his two hands, his eyebrows upward.

"Just let the two of them be the champions." Headmaster yang suggested.

"That's impossible. The champion is an important figure who stands as the representative of all. There's no two champions in the history of Yang Gui." a teacher opposed.

Headmaster yang stood up and went to the window, peeking at the twinkling stars, "Don't you all think it's time to change Yang Gui? It's time to make a new history, a new legend, a new story to be passed down generation by generation."

He looked back at the people inside with a confident smile, then looked back at the stars, coincidentally he saw two stars shining the brightest among it's peers, shining side by side.

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☘Mini theater☘

Teacher, "Mr. Wang Bai and Mr. Qin WeiXu, please step forward in the archery field."

Xiao bai, "Did you set this up?"

Xuwei, "No. I don't have that kind of power, even if I am an emperor, I cannot order the academy around as I please."

XuWei in his mind: I really wish I could though. Because I would rather choose an event with physical contact.

I'm very happy to be in the same field and frame as you are but this sucks!

I can only see but can't eat, what kind of torture is this?! I demand to see the headmaster, this is unfair. I mean I also want to be punched by that slender fingers, can't I?

Ruo lan who was watching from his sit: Your highness, please don't do anything stupid! You're staring at him like a wolf watching his prey.

Ming xue who was also watching in his sit: What's wrong with him? Does he plan something evil on Xiao Bai? Anyway, he sounds like trouble, I don't like him.

(XuWei: Well I don't like you too! Pei!)