Chapter Seventy-Two: Entering the Venue

Yang Ze had already gathered his internal energy in his hand, ready to end the man's life at any moment. But upon hearing that voice, he withdrew some of his strength, though his hand remained poised. Looking to the side, Yang Ze saw a man in a blue robe hurrying out of the yamen, heading straight toward him.

Seeing this unfamiliar figure, Yang Ze held onto the officer, keeping the other soldiers intimidated and at bay. He then called out to the approaching man, “Stop. Do not come any closer.”

The blue-robed man, seeing Yang Ze's icy expression, let out a hearty laugh. He stopped in his tracks, a smile spreading across his face as he said, “Brother Yang, please show mercy. The official inside has sent me to invite you in. Please, do not act impulsively.”

“The official inside? And who are you?” Yang Ze asked.

“My name is Lu Qing, a constable in this yamen. Magistrate Yuan heard that you had arrived and sent me to fetch you without delay, lest we jeopardize important matters. As for these soldiers, they train in the barracks and rarely venture into the martial world. They do not know of your reputation, Young Master Yang. I beg you to forgive them.”

Lu Qing’s demeanor was anything but arrogant; instead, he pleaded on behalf of the others.

At that moment, more soldiers arrived near the yamen. Seeing Yang Ze holding an officer hostage, weapons drawn, they quickly encircled the area.

Lu Qing’s smile faded at this sight, and with a powerful shout, he commanded, “None of you move!”

His voice rang out with such force that even the onlookers heard it. Yet, the soldiers did not withdraw; instead, they tightened their encirclement.

Lu Qing’s anger flared. His aura surged as he roared, “What are you doing? Let Young Master Yang through! This is not only Magistrate Yuan’s order but also Lord Ouyang’s command. Are you planning to defy Lord Ouyang?”

At the mention of Ouyang Xin’s name, the soldiers’ expressions changed. Lately, Ouyang Xin’s reputation had spread throughout Yuyang City—there was no one who did not know of him. The city’s foremost martial expert, the chief constable of the yamen, known to all.

Lu Qing displayed a token, Ouyang Xin’s insignia. At once, the soldiers stepped aside, clearing a path.

Ouyang Xin’s status in Yuyang City was unmatched by any of these soldiers. Without the command of the garrison commander, none dared to disobey Ouyang Xin.

Satisfied, Lu Qing put away the token and turned to Yang Ze with a smile. “Brother Yang, will you release the officer now? After all, he acted without ill intent.”

Yang Ze frowned at him, but then tossed the officer aside. “Very well, I’ll do this for your sake.” Capturing the officer posed no difficulty for him; even letting him go was no cause for concern.

“Haha, thank you for your consideration, Brother Yang. Let us go in,” Lu Qing said with a polite gesture.

Yang Ze walked up to Lu Qing, and the two entered side by side.

Only when they drew near did Yang Ze have the chance to observe the young man, who appeared to be about his own age. When Lu Qing had flared up earlier, Yang Ze sensed his energy and could tell that Lu Qing had reached the intermediate stage of Qi Induction.

Yang Ze found this quite remarkable. Lu Qing’s cultivation might be one level below his own, but Yang Ze was not a man to be measured by common standards. Compared to ordinary people, Lu Qing’s talent was exceptional. Take Yang Hai, for instance—at nineteen, he had reached the early stage of Qi Induction and was already one of the most outstanding youths in Yuyang City. Lu Qing, seemingly of similar age, had reached the intermediate stage, surpassing Yang Hai. Such a figure would hold a significant position in the government.

As they walked into the yamen, Yang Ze observed Lu Qing, who in turn studied Yang Ze. The more Lu Qing looked, the less he could fathom Yang Ze’s depth, and his wariness grew.

Not to mention anything else—just outside the yamen, had it been him, Lu Qing doubted he could have handled the situation as Yang Ze did: facing a siege by hundreds, yet remaining at ease.

The two walked on in silence, heading ever deeper into the yamen. After a considerable distance, they arrived at a vast courtyard at the rear.

Soldiers still guarded the area, yet these men were visibly more disciplined and formidable than those outside. Fully armored and gripping weapons that gleamed coldly in the sunlight, they surrounded the expansive square, exuding an air of lethal intent that would deter any intruder.

Standing there, Yang Ze’s gaze grew solemn. These, he realized, were the true elite troops of Yuyang City.

With such soldiers on watch, even he could not be certain of storming through unscathed.

Lu Qing, noticing Yang Ze’s expression, maintained a calm exterior but inwardly smirked. So what if he was the city’s most promising young martial artist? Even he would be suppressed before the elite garrison.

Lu Qing stepped forward and displayed the token again. Immediately, a middle-aged officer approached.

Lu Qing spoke with him briefly. The officer then swept a stern gaze over Yang Ze, as if trying to see through him.

Yang Ze met his eyes unflinchingly, not yielding in the slightest. Their gazes clashed, and after a moment, the officer’s eyes flickered. With a wave, he ordered, “Let them pass!”

At his command, the armored soldiers stepped back in unison, clearing a narrow passage.

The officer led the way, Lu Qing followed, and Yang Ze brought up the rear. Only when passing close by could one truly sense the murderous aura these soldiers exuded. It was this elite force that enabled Yuyang City to stand firm, no matter the turmoil; the government’s grip on the city had never loosened.

Once inside the square, the officer returned to his post. Yang Ze, standing beside Lu Qing, scanned the area and spotted a massive tent at the far end.

In the center of the square, a broad platform had been erected, spanning perhaps fifty yards. To one side of the platform stood a raised dais with several chairs, and on either side rows of benches stretched out.

Already, many people had taken their seats on the benches beside the dais. Among a group of youths, Yang Ze recognized a familiar face and knew at once that these were those bearing the examination tokens—the candidates for the Muyang Martial Academy assessment.

On the opposite benches sat several dozen distinguished figures, all prominent members of Yuyang City’s elite. Yuan Heng was among them.

As Yang Ze and Lu Qing entered, Yuan Heng rose to greet them.

“Young Master Yang, this is my oversight. I neglected to inform you of the necessary precautions. As soon as I heard you were outside the yamen, I sent Lu Qing to fetch you. I hope you won’t hold my carelessness against me,” Yuan Heng said with a hearty laugh.

“Sir Yuan, you have countless affairs to manage. I can hardly expect you to concern yourself with me. Such a trifle is of no consequence,” Yang Ze replied indifferently, his tone unmistakably cold.

Yuan Heng’s smile faded, but he continued, “Since you are here, Young Master Yang, there’s no need to stand around. Once everyone has arrived, the first round of assessment will begin. Lu Qing, take him to his seat.”

With a wave of his sleeve, Yuan Heng departed. Lu Qing glanced at Yang Ze, surprised by his boldness in speaking so bluntly to Yuan Heng.

He led Yang Ze to the benches for the candidates, taking him directly to the highest seat.

“As the foremost among Yuyang City’s young generation, Brother Yang deserves this highest seat,” Lu Qing said, giving Yang Ze the central place and sitting beside him.

As they took their seats, many below turned to stare at them. The commoners’ children, untrained in martial arts, quickly averted their eyes and shrank back. In contrast, the scions of martial and official families looked on with undisguised hostility. They, too, were paragons among their peers, and to be so publicly overshadowed was not easy to accept.

Facing these hostile gazes, Yang Ze and Lu Qing remained silent, and no one below dared make a move. With the assessment about to begin, none wished to stir trouble now.

Yang Ze, however, turned to Lu Qing and asked, “Brother Lu, may I ask—are you a disciple of Magistrate Yuan or of Ouyang Xin?”