10. Surprises

"Wait, you want me to do what?"

"Studying."

"Studying?!" The man was half spatting, as if he was uttering something so deviled it tainted his mouth. "YOU want ME, Feng Xinian, the number one dandy in the capital city.. to study? Freaking studying?! Are you out of your goddamn mind?!"

"I just thought you'll help me get revenge."

"What? What.. What is studying got anything to do with taking revenge on Cheater Zhang?"

"He tried to kill me, Xinian. He killed my father and he also tried to drag your family into the cusp of the power struggle. Killing him is too easy, after everything he did? He deserved a long, tortured life where he was deprived of every chance of survival."

"Look, Linzhi. I hear you, but I have no idea what you're talking about."

Linzhi pinched a chunk of his cheek, "I want you to take over the Feng family and help my revenge plan."

"What the hell?!" He had no idea which one was more shocking, the fact she still pinched his cheek at this age or her request just now. On second thought, it's the latter. "I'm not heir material, okay? Grandpa is ready to let the side branch inherit everything."

"Exactly. I need you to study and excel in this Royal Exam," Linzhi pulled his front collar, "I need you to be the heir and use that power to raise an army."

"Nie Linzhi, what are you planning?"

"Zhang Siyuan's biggest dream is making his cousin the crown prince. With your help, I'll crush his dream and make the first prince the crown prince."

No matter how ignorant he was, the word army was uttered.. how could he not know her meaning?

"Are you planning a rebellion?," he squeaked.

"Of course not, it's just a safety net. I will screw Zhang Siyuan's plan so bad, the second prince might be itchy."

Feng Xinian spent over a decade of his life with her, what kind of temperament and mindset she had.. he knew it better than anyone else. She was the same girl planning an elaborate plan to refuse a wedding proposal from two neighboring princes. The same girl that kidnapped those rascals from their childhood and locked them in a cage while a pack of wolves were staring at them. The very same person disguised herself as a man just to ask him for help.

His best friend.

"What do you have in mind?"

It was just dawn, with crystal dew still hanging on the leaves. A carriage quietly drove out of the inn and set foot on the official road leading to the capital city.

Spring has just begun, the sky was clear and the wind was refreshing and pleasant.

However, the carriage was covered with a thick curtain. Not the light colored or see through material, but a very dark gray blue - hiding the figure inside.

If Linzhi saw the man in the driver seat, she would know him as Han Ji.

The burly man had the rein in his hand and a long sword at his waist. Although he looks simple and honest, he always has a stern face. He has an inexplicable aura of chilling that makes people dare not approach him.

The horse galloped at a steady speed, and the majestic city walls of the capital city were already in sight. It would be reached in about two hours. Han Ji turned around and reported, and the people in the car nodded almost invisible, indicating that they understood.

Suddenly, there was a commotion in the woods on both sides.

Han Ji sensed something was wrong and immediately stopped his horse. He glanced for a moment, and a dozen black shadows came out of the shadows with a cold light flashed forward.

"Here we go again, it's so close to the Capital, and they haven't given up yet."

Han Ji was half sullen and half disdainful, but he didn't move at all, as if he was waiting for orders from the people in the car. Soon, a low voice And a calm voice reached his ears through the curtains.

"Catch someone alive this time."

"Yes, My Lord."

Han Ji turned around and jumped out of the carriage, slightly opening the scabbard with his thumb, revealing a snow-white blade, which reflected the rising sun and gave off little golden light. It was both dazzling and intimidating.

Seeing him standing alone in front of the carriage, the leader of the men in black thought that there was nothing to be afraid of, so he slowly surrounded the carriage. Han Ji looked at them coldly, with murderous intent gradually rising in his heart, but he still did not move.

"Charge!"

The leader of the men in black shouted suddenly, and everyone immediately rushed forward, with murderous intent immediately present.

Han Ji chopped open the one closest to the carriage with his bare hands, and immediately jumped up to the leader of the men in black like a ghost, holding his long sword. He took out his sheath and stabbed the opponent's chest.

The men in black's leader blocked it with his sword, but unexpectedly Han Ji changed his footwork and floated behind him again. Such a speed was simply too fast for people to parry. He leaned forward and could not stand it. He was able to avoid it, stepped back a few steps and stood still. He was about to call for help when he looked up and was instantly shocked.

A dozen shadow guards appeared out of thin air on the empty official road!

The previous advantage suddenly disappeared. Not only were the men in black unable to get close to the carriage, but they were also beaten by the shadow guards who were skilled in martial arts and were unable to fight back.

The leader gritted his teeth slightly and was about to give an order of retreat, but as soon as he turned around, a hand was clasped on his shoulder, almost crushing his bones like a steel claw.

"Want to leave?"

As soon as he finished speaking, his waist went numb, and he couldn't move anymore.

Han Ji walked out from behind him, easily killed the two men in black who came back, and then stood there until those men in black were killed by the shadow guards.

Seeing that something was wrong, the leader of the men in black immediately bit the poison hidden in his teeth.

Han Ji's face changed slightly, and he stretched out his hand to clamp the leader's jaw, but it was still a step too late.

Blood gushed out wildly, staining Han Ji's palms red, and the men in black's leader fell to the ground, splashing countless flying dust.

He knitted his eyebrows and wiped off the blood, then walked to the curtain and whispered: "My Lord, this subordinate made a mistake and all of them died." "That's it, pack up and continue on the road."

"Yes."

Han Ji raised his eyes. Around him were corpses of men in black.

They were so scattered that they were an eyesore. He gestured to his men, and they immediately began to clean up the scene. He himself kicked away a few corpses blocking the road and walked towards the black.

The secret guard bent down and explored the pocket of the opponent's leader.

With a thud, a silver medal fell to the ground with a crisp sound. He picked it up and took a look.. Han Ji's face was instantly covered with frost. The event from a couple years ago resurfaced on his memories.

"My Lord, please look at this."

He held the silver medal and handed it into the carriage.

Duke Li didn't take it, but glanced at it lightly in the light, and then said two words coldly: "Lu family."

Han Ji nodded, with fire in his eyes, "It's the emblem of the Lu family."

"Put it away and wait until we enter the capital. This should be the last group of people."

"Yes."

Han Ji put the silver medal into his waist and picked up the reins.

After a roar, the horse spread its hooves and ran towards the front, while the dozen or so shadow guards hid in the woods and continued to secretly protect Duke Li.

Time quietly came to noon, and the sky was already bright. The huge capital city stood under the blue sky, with no end visible at a glance, extremely grand and majestic.

The empty main street was actually overcrowded today. The sun reflected on the leaves, paving the stone road with a layer of gold foil. From time to time, the shadows of wild geese flew by, heading south with the early spring's wind. Soon, the street was full of people and drowned in the crowd.

There was a batch of city guards on both sides of the street, all wearing armor and standing upright, guarding every five steps.

Their silver spears overlapped in the air, locking the crowded crowd tightly. Whenever there was any movement, the silver light would follow closely, and the people would be oppressed by the unstoppable power. To prevent making mistakes or offending anyone, you can only whisper to each other in a low voice.

Of course, the children of the aristocratic family were not among them. They have already booked seats by the window in the restaurant, and they could have a panoramic view if they turn around.

Such a grand occasion was because today was the announcement of the Royal Exam's List.

Over the years, Chu kingdom has produced so many young talents in literature and military through this exam.

For the nobles, it was the day their children prove themselves to get the right into their clan's business. The commoners were waiting for the result of one thing that could turn their life around and make their ancestors proud.

"Be careful, Zhi."

The girl with the veil didn't take the young man's hand and talked to the other young man instead, "I've booked the third floor, let's go Rui."

"Hey, wait for me!"

Feng Xinian was oblivious to the knowing and ridiculing smiles around them, while the attendant could only sigh.