Chapter 23: Entering the Martial Examination

As Dan Fang stepped out of the courtyard, her face darkened. She vented her frustration by viciously kicking the snow piled up against the wall and scolded the maids sweeping the snow from the courtyard. Her sharp and harsh words were loud enough for Dan Wu Ju and Madam Dan Min inside the room to hear clearly.

Then, without looking back, she took her son Dan Yi Wu by the hand and left, not even caring that her dress was stained with slush.

The imposing man in fine robes followed closely behind. From the moment he entered the Dan household to the moment he left, aside from offering a few polite greetings while paying respects, he had not spoken a single word.

…

"A misfortune upon my family," Dan Wu Ju murmured as he watched Dan Fang leave, his face unusually weary.

He stared blankly at the courtyard gates. Decades had passed since this residence had been newly built, and now it had begun to show signs of age and wear.

The walls, once pristine, had become weathered, yellowed, and covered in moss creeping up from the base, entwined with dry vines, their brittle remains entangled with patches of withered weeds.

His gaze shifted to the corridor railings, where the lacquer had peeled away in places, exposing the dark, rotting wood beneath.

This home should have stood as a testament to the family's enduring prosperity, a legacy he could boast of to his ancestors, a source of envy for the people of the village.

But at this moment, Dan Wu Ju felt none of that pride.

"Master, I will take my leave now," Wei Tu spoke, bowing slightly. He had seen enough to understand that now was not the time for him to linger.

Dan Wu Ju nodded in acknowledgment.

—The first day of the new year was meant for family. As an outsider, Wei Tu knew it was best not to overstay his welcome.

A disciple, after all, was not the same as a son.

…

Stepping out of the chamber, Wei Tu inhaled the crisp, frigid air. The cold seeped into his lungs, bringing clarity to his thoughts.

Earlier, as he uttered those words of refusal, his mind had been conflicted. It was never an easy thing to deny someone's request, especially when he was still under another's roof.

But deep inside, he knew he no longer wished to be bound by anyone's will. The day he had bought back his indenture papers, he had considered two paths—either the martial examination or the life of a wandering blade.

His freedom, secured with the silver he and Xinghua had painstakingly saved, now lay safely stored away in Li Manor.

Here, in the Dan household, he had no intention of trading one invisible contract for another.

"Just over a month left," Wei Tu muttered to himself as he gazed at the snow swirling in the wind, then turned and strode back toward his quarters.

Today's events were but a minor disturbance. They would not shake his resolve.

He would continue.

Turtle Breath Energy Cultivation.

Tiger and Crane Twin Form Fist.

His training would not cease.

…

Ten days later.

Dan Fang found an excuse to leave the Dan household, taking her husband and son with her.

Before departing, as per the prior agreement, she took one of the fine horses from the family stable.

A few days after that, Dan Yan Gong and Madam Dan Min also left. But unlike Dan Fang, Dan Yan Gong took the time to bid farewell to Wei Tu before he left, even inviting him to stay at his residence when he traveled to the prefectural capital for the exam.

Wei Tu accepted without hesitation.

He had no fondness for Dan Fang, but Dan Yan Gong was different. If circumstances allowed, he would not mind mending ties with the Dan family.

Dan Wu Ju's kindness in taking him as a disciple was something he would never forget.

…

Time passed swiftly.

Finally.

In the second month of the 24th year of Qing'an, as the county-level martial examination drew near—

Wei Tu bid farewell to Dan Wu Ju and prepared to leave the Dan household to embark on his journey.

However—

Just as Wei Tu slung his luggage over his shoulder and stepped out of the Dan household, Dan Wu Ju suddenly rode out on horseback, blocking his path.

"A martial examination includes horseback archery. Without a horse you are familiar with, how do you expect to achieve a good result?"

Dan Wu Ju dismounted, tossing the reins of a fine blue roan horse to Wei Tu.

"I know you don't want to take anything from the Dan family, so think of this horse as a loan. Return it after your exam." He smiled, adding, "By then, with your title, you might just be able to buy this horse yourself."

Wei Tu hesitated for a moment, then firmly gripped the reins, silently agreeing to his master's offer.

In the Dan household, he had never been overly reserved. When the maids refilled his daily necessities, he did not refuse. But a warhorse—such a valuable gift—was another matter entirely.

His ransom fee had only been eight taels and eight qian. This blue roan horse was worth as much as ten or more skilled laborers like himself.

A treasure like this, he did not dare to accept lightly. But the martial examination was too important—without a well-trained mount, his performance would suffer. It would be foolish to risk failure over unnecessary pride.

"I know that because of my youngest daughter's words, there is now some tension between us," Dan Wu Ju walked up, patting Wei Tu's shoulder before scolding, "But we are warriors! How can we be so petty? It's disgraceful."

"Once you return victorious, I'll host a feast for you. We will drink from large bowls, eat great slabs of meat, and to hell with the concerns of women and children!"

His voice was bold and full of vigor, echoing like a battle drum. Standing directly in front of him, Wei Tu felt his ears buzz from the sheer force, nearly losing his hearing for a brief moment.

"Yes, Master…" Wei Tu paused briefly to recover, then looked at Dan Wu Ju and laughed.

Over the past half a year, the old warrior had visibly aged, his temples streaked with more white hairs. He was still sturdy, but the man before him was not as invincible as when Wei Tu first arrived.

With a deep bow, Wei Tu mounted the horse, turning the reins before galloping away from the Dan estate, riding along the riverbank.

Seven or eight miles later, his pace slowed.

Letting out a sigh, he recalled Dan Wu Ju's words.

He was not a man who lived solely for martial arts. His training, his participation in the martial examination, all of it was a means to rise above his status.

Yet, if a simple round of drinking with Dan Wu Ju could erase the past and clear away old grievances, he was more than willing to do so.

"I wonder if the children Xinghua and I will have one day will turn out like Dan Fang…"

"If so, then I suppose I will feel just as powerless."

Shaking his head, Wei Tu pushed aside his thoughts, flicked the reins, and urged the horse forward.

…

Upon arriving at Qingmu County, Wei Tu planned to first find an inn, rent a small room, and stable his horse until the martial examination began in a few days.

Now, he was no longer a stablehand for the Li family—it would not be appropriate to impose upon them.

However, as soon as he stepped into an inn, the quoted prices made him pause in surprise.

Room rates had multiplied several times over.

Even the cost of staying in a woodshed was now higher than what a proper guest room used to cost.

The innkeeper explained the situation, and Wei Tu quickly understood.

Just a few days ago, the county's civil service examination had taken place. Scholars from all over Qingmu County had flooded into the city.

Currently, lodging was scarce and overpriced.

"The county examination is divided into the main test and three rounds of secondary tests," the innkeeper continued. "Yesterday, the results of the first round were posted at the county yamen. Three days from now, the secondary tests begin, and many scholars will be eliminated. After that, prices should drop again."

"Do you still want to rent a room?"

Wei Tu shook his head, left the inn, and turned toward the Li family estate.

It seemed he would have to set aside his pride for now and rely on old connections.

He already owed Li Yaozu a favor—what was one more?