The moment he stepped into the inn, Fang Yue was stunned by the price quoted by the attendant.

Even the worst room cost one tael of silver a day.

The Martial Scholar examination was still eight days away, and he would have to wait for the results to be posted after that.

That meant waiting another three days.

In total, he would have to stay for about eleven days, costing at least eleven taels of silver.

He had only brought ten taels of silver with him for this trip to Xiahe County.

’I really can’t afford an inn,’ he thought.

’Do I really have to go and impose on Master Zhang?’

As if sensing Fang Yue’s predicament, the attendant continued to explain with an enthusiastic smile:

"Sir, there’s nothing to be done about it. The county is holding the Martial Scholar examination, which is the first of its kind since the founding of the Great Wei. People started arriving in the county town a month ago, so of course the room prices have shot up."

"However, our inn’s woodshed is still empty. If you don’t mind, you could stay there. It’s cheap—only three taels of silver for half a month, and it even includes two meals a day."

"That works. I’ll take the woodshed," Fang Yue readily agreed.

Generally, in an inn like this, the woodshed would be south-facing.

It would also be quite spacious—a separate room. With a bed and a little tidying up, it wouldn’t be bad at all.

As for any loss of face from staying in a woodshed, he couldn’t care less.

Heroes aren’t judged by their origins, and the Martial Scholar examination didn’t care where you slept.

After two days of travel, Fang Yue was covered in dust.

Once he was settled in, he had dinner, drew a bucket of water to wash away the grime, and then went to bed early.

The next morning, the eastern sky was aglow with faint golden clouds.

Fang Yue pushed open the door and stepped out, feeling refreshed and full of vigor.

Today, he needed to register for the examination and also visit Master Zhang. Even though he wasn’t staying at his home, over the past year—thanks to his master, Fang Hu—he had made it a point to visit every time he came to Xiahe County Town.

Some relationships had to be maintained. Besides, setting aside Zhang Shu, Master Zhang himself was a good man who cared for the younger generation and truly treated him like a nephew.

He left the inn. It was still early.

The streets were sparsely populated, with only breakfast vendors setting up their tables. The morning mist had not yet dissipated, lending Xiahe County Town a unique charm.

Xiahe County Town was built alongside the Xiahe River. An immense amount of labor had been spent to divert the river to encircle the town, with channels flowing through its center, creating a picturesque scene.

Fang Yue walked along the bluestone-paved streets toward the County Magistrate’s Office.

By the time he arrived, the County Magistrate’s Office was just opening for business.

Fang Yue announced his name and affiliation, presenting himself as a disciple of the White Tiger Boxing Hall who had come to register for the Martial Scholar examination.

He was easily admitted into the administrative office of the yamen and didn’t encounter any of the rumored bribery or obstruction.

Just as Fang Yue finished the registration process and was walking out of the County Magistrate’s Office, a voice called out.

"Brother up ahead, wait a moment!"

At that moment, a person in a tight-fitting blue martial arts uniform appeared before Fang Yue.

Lifting his gaze, he saw it was the young man on horseback from the day before. Not far from him, Fang Yue also spotted the two young women from yesterday.

Compared to yesterday, the two young women had changed their clothes.

Their disheveled appearances were gone, replaced by a gentle and lovely charm that made it hard to look away.

"I am Chen Cheng’an. Have we met somewhere before?" Chen Cheng’an asked, cupping his fist.

"We met yesterday on White Stone Mountain. Your impressive bearing left quite an impression, Brother Chen," Fang Yue replied with a slight smile, and then introduced himself.

"It seems Brother Fang is also here for the Martial Scholar examination. We are fellow travelers on the same path. Let me be the host tonight—we won’t go home until we’re drunk," Chen Cheng’an invited enthusiastically.

"I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Brother Chen. I have to visit an elder today," Fang Yue politely declined.

Seeing this, Chen Cheng’an didn’t insist. After asking for Fang Yue’s address, he entered the County Magistrate’s Office to register.

~~~~~~~

In the afternoon, judging the time was right, Fang Yue took the gift he had prepared and went to Master Zhang’s home.

Since he had visited several times before, the gatekeeper recognized Fang Yue and immediately opened the gate to let him in.

Fang Yue met Master Zhang in the main hall.

"You’ve come all this way, and you still bring a gift? Worthy Nephew, you are always so formal. It makes us seem too distant," Zhang Boyang said with his usual warmth.

"It’s just some roasted tea leaves I made myself. It’s nothing special."

The gift Fang Yue brought was, of course, the roasted tea he made himself. It didn’t cost any money, was much better than the tea sold in the market, and served perfectly as a present.

Master Zhang accepted it with a cheerful laugh, his attitude growing even friendlier.

"Worthy Nephew, are you here this time to participate in the Martial Scholar examination?" Zhang Boyang asked.

A year ago, when the boy had first visited his home, he had only just begun his martial arts training.

Based on past experience, it should have taken him three to five years to even have a chance at participating in the Martial Examination.

And that was only if he had decent Talent, allowing him to reach the third stage of the Martial Dao, the Bone Forging Pass, within that time frame.

He just hadn’t expected the imperial court to change the era name and add a Martial Scholar examination.

But the fact that Fang Yue had managed to cultivate the second stage, the Skin Grinding Pass, to a respectable level in just one year proved his Talent in the Martial Dao was not lacking.

Furthermore, his martial sect was now interested in starting a roasted tea business, and the very boy before him had invented the method.

This was a young man who was skilled in both scholarly and martial pursuits. Someone who was both learned and capable. In the future, he would definitely not be a small fish in a small pond.

With this, the idea in his heart grew even more resolute.

"Master Zhang, I’m mostly here to broaden my horizons," Fang Yue said with a nod.

This was something Fang Hu had already mentioned in a letter, so Zhang Boyang was naturally aware.

"Haha, it’s good for young people to broaden their horizons."

Zhang Boyang laughed, then suddenly changed the subject. "If I recall correctly, Worthy Nephew, you’re seventeen this year. I wonder, are you betrothed?"

Fang Yue was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a question from Zhang Boyang. He quickly recovered and replied, "My older brother is not yet married, so naturally, neither am I."

Ancient customs emphasized order based on seniority. Even in marriage, the older brother had to marry before the younger. To do otherwise would disrupt the proper order and invite ridicule.

"Haha, that’s excellent, excellent," Zhang Boyang laughed again before continuing, "Worthy Nephew, what do you think of my Shu’Er?"

Hearing this, Fang Yue instantly understood Zhang Boyang’s intention. ’Is he trying to set me up with Zhang Shu?’

’It makes no sense. Zhang Boyang dotes on Zhang Shu, and besides, look at the Zhang family’s status.’

’They own hundreds of acres of fertile land alone, not to mention their businesses in the city. Their annual income is over a thousand silver taels.’

’On top of that, he himself achieved Great Success in Marrow Transformation long ago. He’s a Martial Scholar and holds an official post in the County Magistrate’s Office.’

’For a family of such standing, his only daughter should be matched with someone of equal status.’

’How could Zhang Boyang possibly want to set me up with Zhang Shu?!’

However, despite thinking it was impossible, Fang Yue braced himself and said against his better judgment:

"Senior Sister Zhang is, of course, a woman of great virtue and character. Her temperament is excellent."