"Master..." Chu Ming’s heart stirred, for he had secretly given the Star Silkworm Armor to Fang Xiao.

Xiang Yue did not blame him; instead, he offered something even more powerful to him.

"Once it’s given to you, it’s for you to decide its use. I will not interfere," Xiang Yue waved his hand and said, "But I still must say, protecting your life is always more important than attacking, the Star Silkworm Armor suits you better."

Chu Ming fell silent.

It was precisely because he knew the Star Silkworm Armor could save lives that he chose to give it to Housekeeper Fang.

For him, Fang Xiao was truly family.

The tent fell silent for a short moment.

"Master, this is the cultivation technique I optimized." Chu Ming presented the Blood Python Body Refining Technique that he had deduced a few days prior.

"Oh?" Xiang Yue took it and flipped through the pages, his eyes growing deep, "Not bad, it indeed consolidates a thicker Qi and Blood Power. Your talent is truly remarkable."

"Alright, it’s getting late, go ahead."

"Yes."

Chu Ming left Xiang Yue and returned to his own tent. After explaining some matters to Fang Xiao, he took Little Shan and began the journey to Xirong County City.

Responsible for escorting were Ten Thousand Soldiers Commander Meng Zhen, Chiliarch Ling Hao, and Centurion Ji Yong from the Seventh Tiger Camp.

The journey from the Tiger Armor Army’s station to Xirong County City wasn’t extremely far, yet not close either. Chu Ming and Little Shan bounced along the road for a whole day before arriving at the County City.

Huo Buyan arranged a separate small courtyard for Chu Ming, in a location similar to when they were in Liuu Town, at the edge of West City.

The County City was different from small places like Liuu Town or Baiyuan County, with land being highly priced.

This temporary resting courtyard was not large, consisting of three rooms, with an outer yard, incomparable to the mansion in Baiyuan County.

Chu Ming and Little Shan rested overnight, and the next morning, the Commandery Mansion sent personnel to them.

...

Commandery Mansion, a courtyard.

"Mr. Shen..."

"Since we’ve been apart for only a few days, why act distant, call me Brother Shen."

"Brother Shen."

"Hmm."

Shen Yu sat in the pavilion, with Chu Ming bowing before him.

"Did you suffer any grievance?" Shen Yu asked.

Chu Ming shook his head, "No."

Shen Yu poured a cup of tea and handed it over, "The County Magistrate’s special tea, it tastes quite good, must be thirsty."

"Thank you, Brother Shen."

Chu Ming was genuinely grateful to Shen Yu.

The person was already at the age of gray hair, yet upon knowing there was a chance Chu Ming might be accused of rebellion, he rushed to Xirong County City to plead on his behalf.

This sentiment was engraved in his heart.

Shen Yu lightly nodded, his gaze flashing as he said, "The charge against you cannot be solidified, rest assured."

"However, there is a condition, you need to demonstrate sufficient talent, higher than mine in the Ancient Shell Script."

"Old Xiao plans to test you... Old Xiao is the County Magistrate of Xirong County."

"The test is quite simple, he’ll select ten Ancient Armor Script characters from the Mountain Scripture and provide you with some radicals and explanatory text for you to deduce and recognize."

"As long as you can identify six of them, that so-called charge of rebellion will basically have nothing to do with you."

Shen Yu sipped his tea and spoke lightly.

"Thank you, Brother Shen!"

Chu Ming bowed deeply in thanks.

No matter how casually Shen Yu spoke, Chu Ming knew this Brother Shen had undoubtedly spent much effort to secure this opportunity for him.

"I know that your housekeeper Fang Xiao has gained insight, becoming the Personal Attendant of Xiang Yue, the Tiger Armor Army Commander, but Brother Shen still wants to remind you."

Shen Yu put down the teacup, his expression grave, "The status of Personal Attendant can indeed ensure your safety, but that’s only due to the deterrence of the Tiger Armor Army. If you wish to advance further in the official journey, you must display stunning talent."

"Make the County Magistrate respect your talent, the talent that makes him personally wash away your charge."

"Chu Ming, do you understand?"

The deterrence of the Tiger Armor Army only prevents certain people from openly targeting Chu Ming, but secretly?

Moreover, if the charge isn’t cleared, Chu Ming would always bear the accusation of rebellion, which could be used against him later.

Chu Ming nodded heavily.

The reasoning was something he naturally understood.

Shen Yu opened the Mountain Scripture on the table and said with a deep voice, "Yes, the County Magistrate’s ten Ancient Armor Script characters are quite difficult, even I, Brother Shen, may not be able to recognize all of them. There’s still some time, let me talk you through them."

Can’t recognize all?

Does this mean Brother Shen also doesn’t know what those ten Ancient Armor Script characters are?

Chu Ming respectfully sat beside him, listening to Shen Yu decode the middle section of the Mountain Scripture.

Though he’d long deciphered the entire Mountain Scripture, he nodded intermittently, pretending to understand.

...

In the inner hall of the Commandery Mansion.

Shen Yu led Chu Ming here and found a place to sit down.

"Chu Ming, remember all the combination methods I taught you?"

Shen Yu whispered.

He wasn’t sure which ten Ancient Armor Script characters Xiao He would select, so he could only draw up some possible characters for Chu Ming based on his understanding of Xiao He.

"Yes," Chu Ming nodded, "I remembered them clearly."

Shen Yu helping him circle the characters was an act of kindness; even though the Ancient Armor Script characters he deciphered in his mind were more than the entire Mountain Scripture, Chu Ming still showed great respect, genuine respect.

Not long after, footsteps were heard outside.

Chu Ming looked over to see two men in official robes and black hats entering.

Both men appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

"Mr. Shen."

As soon as they entered, they respectfully saluted Shen Yu.

Shen Yu raised an eyebrow, surprised, "Why have you come?"

"Reporting to Mr. Shen, Lord County Governor asked us to wait here," one of them replied.

Shen Yu stared at them for a few seconds before saying no more.

Once the two sat across, Shen Yu leaned toward Chu Ming’s ear, saying with a frown, "Today’s test might not be simple..."

"That one," Shen Yu glanced at the man on the left, "is named Chen Yi, first in last year’s trial examination."

Subsequently, he glanced at the man on the right, "Named Wang Wenmo, first in the trial examination two years ago."

"They, like you, are Senior Ninth Grade, and have high talent in the Mountain Scripture; picked by Old Xiao, the County Magistrate of Xirong County."

Both are first places?

Chu Ming was slightly astonished.

The Great Qin Dynasty’s imperial examination system consists of academy trials, county trials, and commandery-level trial examinations.

But strictly speaking, the trial examination differs from academy and county trials.

The trial examination is not considered a test, more like an assessment before being assigned an official post.

The participants of the trial examination have mostly undergone three years of academy study and one year of commandery-level competency training; they are destined to embark on an official career.

As for what kind of office to assume, it’s decided through the trial examination.

In essence, those who top the trial examination are the most talented in all of Xirong County.

Both top placers present...

As Shen Yu implied, today’s test will be complex.

Shen Yu appeared anxious, his eyes frequently looking outside.

After about half an hour, another silhouette walked steadily in.

"Old Xiao, what’s happening?"

As soon as Shen Yu saw the newcomer, he immediately approached to inquire.

The newcomer was indeed Xiao He, the County Magistrate of Xirong County.

Xiao He was indifferent, not responding to Shen Yu but looked towards the inside of the hall.

"Lord Xiao." Chen Yi and Wang Wenmo bowed.

"Lord Xiao." Chu Ming followed suit and bowed.

Xiao He nodded slightly, pausing his gaze on Chu Ming, but only gave him a brief look before moving on.

"Old Xiao..." Seeing Xiao He’s demeanor, Shen Yu grew more anxious.