Chapter 79: The Great Exam (Part 3)

Bai Fan left the Brothel, breathing in the fresh air outside as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his chest, leaving him feeling much lighter.

He walked slowly along the street, his mind still repeatedly pondering the Ninth Prince's attitude and intentions from earlier today.

Although the Ninth Prince had not shown any hostility, Bai Fan couldn't shake the feeling that there was an unfathomable purpose hidden within the prince's "goodwill" toward him.

He shook his head, casting these complex thoughts to the back of his mind.

Regardless of the Ninth Prince's intentions, he was currently just a scholar; focusing on the upcoming imperial exam was the Righteous Path.

He quickened his pace, moving forward along the bustling streets of the capital.

Pedestrians were like a woven fabric, and the calls of various vendors were endless.

After passing through several long alleys and walking for about a quarter of an hour, Bai Fan finally arrived at his destination.

The Imperial Exam Hall.

The exam hall was located in the heart of the capital, covering a vast area with a magnificent Aura.

Two stone lions stood at the entrance, their eyes bright and spirited, as if majestically watching over the scholars coming and going.

The characters "Imperial Exam Hall" on the plaque were written in a style like a flying Dragon and dancing Phoenix, vigorous and powerful, exuding an air of solemnity and gravity.

The square in front of the exam hall was already bustling with people; as far as the eye could see, it was filled with scholars just like Bai Fan.

Some carried scrolls on their backs, while others held scriptures in their hands, reciting them in low voices.

A faint scent of ink permeated the air, intertwined with a tense atmosphere.

Bai Fan walked quickly to the registration point, where a long queue had already formed.

Every scholar who came to register had to first register their name and receive a jade token symbolizing their identity.

This jade token was not only a pass for the examinees to enter, but also an important identifier recording the examinee's identity information; once lost or damaged, it would be considered an automatic withdrawal from the exam.

Looking at the winding queue, Bai Fan couldn't help but sigh. He had no choice but to silently join the end of the line and wait patiently.

"Next."

The steady voice of the official in charge of registration came from the front.

The line moved slowly forward, and after about an hour, it was finally Bai Fan's turn.

He stepped forward, respectfully handed over his scholar's certificate, and stated his name.

"Name?"

"Bai Fan."

"Place of origin?"

"Baishui Town, Luozhou."

After carefully verifying, the official wrote Bai Fan's name in a thick dossier.

Then, he took a jade-green token from a wooden box on the side and handed it to Bai Fan.

"This is your identity jade token. The exam date is approaching, so please keep it safe. The exam venue is at 'Wenlin Hall'; you must carry this jade token when entering. If it is lost, you will bear the consequences yourself."

Bai Fan received the jade token with both hands and bowed slightly: "Thank you for your guidance, sir."

"Go, and prepare to face the test in three days." The official glanced up at him and said indifferently.

Bai Fan nodded, feeling a slight tightening in his heart. He carefully put away the jade token and walked slowly away from the registration point, his mood somewhat complicated.

"Wenlin Hall" was one of the main venues for this imperial exam and was a venue that many examinees dreamed of.

It was said that those who could take the exam at Wenlin Hall were mostly people of outstanding talent, and they were very likely to catch the eye of famous teachers in the capital, thereby rising to prominence in one step.

Bai Fan knew that his being assigned to Wenlin Hall this time certainly had the reputation of Medicine God Valley behind it, but it was more due to his own hard work and diligent study along the way.

He looked down at the jade-green token in his hand, and a long-lost fighting spirit suddenly rose in his heart.

"No matter what, I must achieve good results this time!"

He secretly clenched his fists, his gaze looking firmly ahead.

The coming days would be a time of intense preparation and testing; he had to give it his all and could not afford the slightest negligence.

"Wenlin Hall, wait for me!"

He exhaled softly, composed himself, slowly stood up, and walked outside the exam hall, beginning his path of preparation for what was to come.

Bai Fan left the exam hall, his mind still recalling the solemn and majestic scene of Wenlin Hall.

He wandered through the streets and alleys of the capital and finally arrived at a quiet alley. This alley was secluded and sparsely populated, which perfectly met his need for a quiet environment.

Bai Fan did not choose to stay at an inn again. Because of his previous experience, he was well aware that his few coins were simply not enough to stay in a decent inn, and it was even difficult to barely make ends meet.

Fortunately, although this alley was narrow, the eaves on both sides were wide enough to shelter him from the wind and rain.

"Let's settle down here." Bai Fan looked up at the grey tiled roof and made a silent decision.

He chose a clean corner, sat down against the wall, and used his luggage as a pillow.

A gentle breeze blew, and the alley was quiet and soundless; occasionally, a few strands of moonlight penetrated the narrow entrance of the alley, spilling onto the ground and casting faint spots of light.

In this quiet environment, Bai Fan no longer distracted himself with external disturbances, but focused entirely on his exam preparation.

He took out his scrolls and, by the moonlight, recited them word by word.

Just like that, he spent three intense and fulfilling days in this alley.

"I won't read tonight; I'll get a good night's sleep and take the exam tomorrow!" Bai Fan said to himself.

He stretched his somewhat stiff arms and looked at the darkening sky, feeling an indescribable sense of relaxation and anticipation in his heart.

Just as he was about to pack up his belongings and rest against the wall, a sudden, hurried sound of footsteps came from the other end of the alley.

The sound was hurried and chaotic, mixed with a few low gasps, as if someone was being chased.

Bai Fan's expression tightened, and he looked up.

"Ninth Prince, you go first, I will hold them off!" A lowered, anxious voice came from not far away.

Bai Fan frowned slightly, a trace of doubt rising in his heart.

Ninth Prince? Could it be the Ninth Prince he met at the Brothel earlier?

Before he could think it through, a figure quickly rushed into his field of vision.

The person was wearing a luxurious robe, but the hem was stained with mud and dust, looking disheveled.

He walked with a limp, his face was pale, but his eyes revealed tenacity and unyielding spirit.

"It really is him…" Bai Fan recognized the luxurious robe, and his heart couldn't help but stir.

The Ninth Prince noticed Bai Fan's gaze, and his own gaze suddenly locked onto him.

Their eyes met, and a trace of surprise flashed in the Ninth Prince's eyes, then he revealed a complex smile.

"It's you again…" the Ninth Prince said in a low voice, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"Ninth Prince?" Bai Fan was stunned for a moment, then stepped forward, "Why are you here?"

"Ninth Prince, you go first!"

The attendant beside the Ninth Prince suddenly shouted sharply, anxiously shielding the Ninth Prince.

Before the words fell, several black shadows rushed out from the other end of the alley.

They were dressed in night-traveling clothes, holding blades that gleamed with cold light in their hands, their movements swift and ferocious; they were clearly well-trained assassins.

"Ninth Prince, this time you can't fly away even with wings!" The leading assassin sneered, his eyes flashing with grim killing intent.

He approached step by step, the blade flashing with a cold, eerie gleam in the moonlight.

Bai Fan's heart sank. He realized that the Ninth Prince had likely been schemed against by someone and was now in a huge crisis.

"Young Master, leave quickly, do not get involved!"

The Ninth Prince's attendant turned to block in front of Bai Fan, roaring anxiously in a low voice.