The Evil Martial God Chronicles - Chapter 98

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Legend of the Evil Martial God

Chapter 98

 

 

 

Guyang Hu took a seat next to Jeok Wigang.

 

“I was wondering where to sit, and luckily this spot was empty.”

“Don’t think about stealing glances at my answers.”

“I would never do such a thing. This time, I will definitely beat you, Older Brother.”

 

Jeok Wigang smiled at Guyang Hu’s determined gaze.

 

“Sure. Good luck. Though it won’t work out.”

 

Guyang Hu was in a good mood.

He had been worried when Jeok Wigang didn’t show up as exam time approached, but he was glad to meet him again like this.

It was worth searching through all the examination halls on purpose.

 

“You said the Empress is from your family?”

“That’s right. She’s our Elder Sister.”

“What kind of person is she?”

“She’s a kind person. Unlike the men who only caused trouble, Elder Sister always seemed to be cleaning up after their messes. I think it’s probably thanks to Elder Sister that the Guyang Family’s reputation didn’t fall into complete ruin.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Recently, she hasn’t been able to sleep and has been worrying constantly about Imperial Majesty’s poor health. I’m concerned about Her Majesty the Empress’s health too. I worry she might collapse at this rate.”

“Noble Consort Man? Do you know about that person too?”

 

At the mention of Noble Consort Man, Guyang Hu’s expression completely changed.

 

“She’s a damn bitch. Because of that bitch, Elder Sister, who was already having a hard time, is having twice as much difficulty.”

“Why?”

“On the surface, she pretends to show all proper respect to Her Majesty the Empress, but behind the scenes, she’s a crazy bitch who’s pulling every trick in the book to somehow bring down Elder Sister. Fortunately, the Elder Brothers are protecting Her Majesty the Empress, so all her attempts have failed, but even now, there’s no telling what schemes that woman is preparing to attack Her Majesty the Empress.”

“I heard that Dongchang is backing Noble Consort Man.”

“Where did you hear such news?”

“I just happened to overhear it while passing by.”

“That’s correct. This isn’t the place to discuss such matters, so I’ll arrange a separate meeting later to tell you more.”

“Alright.”

 

Before their conversation could fully end, the drum signaling the start of the exam sounded.

When the topic was announced, people all picked up their brushes at once and began writing their prepared answers.

Jeok Wigang completed his answer sheet in an instant and was the first to stand up.

Guyang Hu looked at Jeok Wigang in shock.

 

“Work hard. I’m leaving first.”

 

He smiled and walked forward to hand his answer sheet to the Exam Supervisor.

The Exam Supervisor’s expression was one of disapproval.

His face showed that he couldn’t accept it, since even they themselves couldn’t write an answer sheet this quickly if they took the exam.

Ignoring such gazes lightly, he left the plaza.

Guyang Hu hurriedly finished writing his answer and followed Jeok Wigang out, but he had already disappeared.

 

“I should have asked him to wait if I knew this would happen. I don’t even know where he is, so I can’t find him…”

 

Guyang Hu turned away with regret.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the Exam Supervisors who saw Jeok Wigang’s answer sheet were in an uproar.

The writing on the answer sheet was neat and without any unnecessary elements.

The most important thing in the civil service examination was the Eight-Legged Essay.

As the name suggests, meaning eight frameworks, one must follow eight predetermined writing sequences and structures.

Jeok Wigang had utilized this Eight-Legged Essay perfectly while even adding moving sentences.

 

“This is art…”

 

The Exam Supervisors were moved and carefully set down Jeok Wigang’s answer sheet, unlike their initial disapproving attitude.

In their hearts, Jeok Wigang’s answer sheet was already marked as the top score.

 

 

 

Some time later, after the metropolitan examination ended, the palace examination was held.

Usually it would be held about twenty days after the metropolitan examination ended, but for some reason, the exam began in a hurry.

The palace examination where the Emperor himself came out to oversee the test-taking.

Ju Seo-gi’s eyes were fixed on only one place.

Jeok Wigang.

He sat with a comfortable mind while watching him.

If Jeok Wigang was nearby, that place would be the safest spot in the world.

He heard that Jeok Wigang had also passed the metropolitan examination with the top score.

He had thought he was only strong in terms of physical power, but his mind was outstanding too.

He was a perfect talent who excelled in both literary and martial arts.

He was watching Jeok Wigang with such a pleased expression when suddenly he stood up from his seat.

Had some problem occurred?

He watched with concern, and Jeok Wigang approached the Exam Supervisor holding what appeared to be an answer sheet and handed it over.

 

“Bring me the answer sheet that fellow submitted.”

 

At Ju Seo-gi’s command, a eunuch hurriedly went down and brought Jeok Wigang’s answer sheet.

As he read the answer sheet, a smile formed on Ju Seo-gi’s lips.

The more he read, the more he thought there could be no clearer answer than this.

There was no need to look at other answer sheets.

Although he wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about writing, he was confident there could be no more perfect answer than this.

The scholars from the Hanlin Academy shared the same thought.

Sigang Scholar Lee Jeongwoo looked at the palace examination answers with admiration, following the metropolitan examination.

Truly a perfect talent.

Moreover, as if a heavenly god had descended, he possessed great strength as well.

He was flawless to the point where he couldn’t be more perfect.

After the exam ended, people looked at the Emperor with extremely tense faces.

 

“You have all worked hard. I shall announce the top scorer.”

 

Boom boom boom-.

 

The drums sounded.

 

“Top scholar, Jeok Wigang!”

 

Jeok Wigang rose from his seat upon hearing his name called.

At that sight, Ju Seo-gi smiled broadly.

He was so reliable, too reliable.

 

“Come forward.”

 

Jeok Wigang immediately moved before Ju Seo-gi and knelt down.

 

“I declare this man excellent in learning, bright in literature, and virtuous, making him the top scholar. I appoint him as a seventh-rank Hanlin Academy Editor and command him to take office within three days.”

“Your Imperial grace is boundless.”

 

Thus, Jeok Wigang officially entered the Imperial Palace.

A eunuch hurried down to receive the Imperial Edict the Emperor had handed over.

On the Imperial Edict embroidered with gold thread, the three characters “Jeok Wigang” were written in the Emperor’s own hand.

The musicians waiting behind began playing flutes and shengs.

Amid the gentle melody, red silk flew up and a gold leaf scroll was unfurled.

A jade belt held by a palace attendant was fastened around his waist, and silk official robes were draped over him.

Finally, he had become a perfect official.

Ju Seo-gi said.

 

“Please help me greatly from now on.”

“I, Jeok Wigang, will follow His Majesty’s will.”

 

Countless eyes watched this scene.

Their eyes all contained wariness without exception.

 

 

 

After all the ceremonies ended, Jeok Wigang immediately received the Emperor’s summons and moved.

In the room stood Ju Seo-gi and Sigang Scholar Lee Jeongwoo.

 

“Hahaha! That was truly magnificent writing. Isn’t that right, Sigang Scholar?”

“That’s correct, Your Majesty. Among all the writings I have seen so far, it was the first time I encountered such perfect literature.”

“Right. Though my insight isn’t extensive, even I could see it was tremendous writing.”

 

Ju Seo-gi’s eyes were full of affection for Jeok Wigang.

 

“What will you do now?”

“First, I need to create people on His Majesty’s side.”

“How?”

“Those who are extremely wary of talent going to His Majesty will approach. I’ll give them an opportunity. To see which side they’ll choose.”

 

Ju Seo-gi and the Sigang Scholar had been watching all along.

What choices people made when Jeok Wigang gave them options.

The answer was predetermined.

 

“I just need to sit quietly and wait.”

 

Jeok Wigang spoke with a sly smile.

It should have been time to get used to it by now, but that smile was still frightening.

 

“Then I’ll take my leave now. I need to go to the Hanlin Academy and greet my seniors.”

 

At Jeok Wigang’s words, the Sigang Scholar spoke with an earnest voice.

 

“They are not martial artists. So please handle them gently. Gently.”

“Yes. Don’t worry. Then I’ll withdraw now.”

 

Ju Seo-gi watched Jeok Wigang bow and leave, then asked the Sigang Scholar.

 

“Do you think the Hanlin Academy Scholars will listen well to Editor Jeok?”

“I don’t know either, Your Majesty. There are so many stubborn ones… There will be those who would rather die than bend.”

“Surely… he wouldn’t actually kill anyone, would he?”

“From what I’ve observed of Editor Jeok so far, that seems unlikely.”

“I hope nothing goes wrong.”

 

 

 

The Hanlin Academy.

As the supreme literary institution directly under the Emperor, it was a place where only the finest talents could enter, a symbol of officialdom itself.

Since many Hanlin Academy graduates took key positions, their influence was great and strong.

The Hanlin Academy was a place that even the powerful Dongchang couldn’t carelessly touch.

What good would it do for them to seize power?

Without the Hanlin Academy, there would be no one to handle government affairs.

And they couldn’t very well entrust government affairs to eunuchs.

So the Hanlin Academy was an untouchable domain.

Knowing this, the Hanlin Academy Scholars could confidently voice their opinions.

Currently, the Hanlin Academy was divided into two factions: those who believed they should wait for the Empress’s pregnancy, and those who believed Noble Consort Man’s son should be elevated to Crown Prince before it was too late.

They thought the current chaos in the Imperial Palace was because no clear successor had been determined, so to restore stability to the Imperial Palace, a successor needed to be definitively chosen.

On the other hand, the opposing opinion argued that hastily choosing a successor might cause even greater chaos if the Empress became pregnant, so they should wait a bit longer.

In this situation, newly entering talents were more important than anyone.

Therefore, there was tremendous competition within the Hanlin Academy to recruit the talents who passed this examination.

Among them, the certain talent they were targeting was none other than Jeok Wigang.

First, they needed to crush Jeok Wigang’s spirit.

Having achieved top honors, how high must his pride be?

He might look down on his seniors, so the first thing to do was establish discipline.

The Hanlin Academy had one way of establishing discipline.

Namely, literary contests.

Most would swagger around not knowing how high the sky was, then realize they were frogs in a well and submit.

They planned to do the same with Jeok Wigang.

 

“In your opinion, what moves the world – writing or the sword?”

 

Jeok Wigang smiled coldly at the question and said.

 

“The sword.”

“What?”

“What kind of talk is that! How can one who writes say such words.”

“The sword cuts people, but writing moves the heavens! How did such a person achieve first place.”

“Isn’t this what happened because His Majesty didn’t study properly.”

 

Everyone lamented at Jeok Wigang’s answer.

To this, Jeok Wigang said.

 

“If the brush were truly stronger than the sword, then Imperial Majesty wouldn’t be sitting there so lonely right now. Aren’t all of you here cowering because you’re afraid of the sword.”

“Shut up! Don’t judge us carelessly when you know nothing!”

“That’s right! Do you think we’re doing this because we’re afraid of the sword! If even we disappear, this country will fall! We’re enduring humiliation and persevering for the stability of the nation and the people!”

“Humiliation? Perseverance? Those are all just excuses. The reality is that it seems like only cowards who are hiding because they don’t want to die are gathered here.”

“This damn bastard!”

 

The Hanlin Academy Scholars gathered there were enraged by Jeok Wigang’s sharp remarks.

But no one rushed forward.

They were just clenching their fists and trembling.

 

“It doesn’t seem like outstanding people are gathered here either.”

“What did you say?”

“I heard there are two factions in the Hanlin Academy. Those who support the Empress and those who support Noble Consort Man. But… it seems there are none here who support His Majesty.”

 

In truth, those who had supported the Emperor were all killed in the process of stealing the Imperial Seal.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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