Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 576 - 575: Return to Bianjing, Participate in the Martial Examination
"Yes." Tian Peng had already decided to join the army without the Emperor’s having to ask, but the fact that the Emperor did ask made things much simpler, sparing them a lot of runaround.
"Very well, do you wish to stay here now, or follow the Governor back?"
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness. I have been following the official all along, and naturally, I will continue to do so. I will come to participate in the autumn martial examination," Tian Peng said, bowing his fist towards the Emperor.
The Emperor nodded, thinking that if that were the case, there was no need for further discussion. Confirming that Tian Peng would join the army and considering that such a person, if he excelled in the martial examination, would certainly be immeasurable in the future.
On the way back, a Kaifeng Prefecture official said, "If you stay in Chang’an, being close to the Emperor, perhaps the martial examination will be easier for you."
"I am well aware of that," Tian Peng replied, "It’s just that I believe the Emperor has many matters to attend to, many of which I should not overhear. By following you, sir, I may learn even more."
"Is that so?" the official from Kaifeng Prefecture smiled.
"And..." Tian Peng continued, "I find what you say to be very much to my liking; I can’t just talk to anyone."
"Really?" The official from Kaifeng Prefecture was somewhat surprised. Others would probably have made up their minds to stay even before the Emperor asked, not needing the Emperor to speak at all.
But this young man not only made the Emperor ask if he wished to stay, he even chose to refuse. It made one irresistibly curious to crack open his head and see what he was really thinking.
"Of course," Tian Peng slapped his chest confidently, "I hold myself in high esteem. Even the Emperor doesn’t meet my standards. Those whom I do regard highly are truly dragons among humans!"
After hearing this, the official from Kaifeng Prefecture did not appear pleased but instead, his expression changed. He looked around and then said, "Don’t just say these things anywhere. Speaking so could get you beheaded."
Tian Peng smiled unconcernedly and nodded without saying a word.
The Immortals say that mortals live freely, but he thought that was from the perspective of the Immortals.
If one were truly a mortal, they probably couldn’t even utter such words. With speech so restricted, where was the freedom to be found?
The trip back from Chang’an to Bianjing was much faster than on the way there. Riding on fast horses, they soon arrived at Bianjing City, where everything was as it had always been.
It had to be said that the official from Kaifeng Prefecture was indeed a very clear-headed official. Tian Peng had nothing much to do in Bianjing, so the official recommended him to work as a bailiff at the yamen.
Tian Peng had originally thought that a bailiff’s job was to run around every day, catching thieves and criminals. However, he stayed in Bianjing for a month without ever being called out the door more than a few times.
"Sir, could it be that besides the yamen, there is some other place in Bianjing that solves problems?" Tian Peng asked.
The official from Kaifeng Prefecture couldn’t help but want to laugh upon hearing this, "What do you mean by that?"
"You all really seem too idle. I see that hardly anyone comes to report a crime. Don’t you get bored sitting in the yamen all day?"
"Do you think what I’m running here is not a yamen but a restaurant?" the official from Kaifeng Prefecture counter-asked, "If this place were bustling like a market, what kind of chaos would Bianjing City be in? It is better this way."
After giving it some thought, Tian Peng found this made sense, scratching his head, "Look at me, I’ve become so single-minded that I can’t even think properly anymore. I’ve embarrassed myself in front of you, sir, with my lack of consideration."
The official from Kaifeng Prefecture just smiled, said nothing, and nodded, continuing to read his book.
Three months went by, and when the autumn harvest came, Tian Peng packed his bags and set out for Chang’an with a letter of recommendation from the official of Kaifeng Prefecture.
The road during the autumn harvest was fragrant with the aroma of cornstalks, a scent that made Tian Peng feel his mind and spirit peaceful.
All that he had experienced in Huang’an Town seemed like a dream, and once awakened from it, it was as if it had never happened at all.
He rode the horse pulled out from Kaifeng Prefecture, riding for a day and resting at night, and arrived in Chang’an in just five days; there were still ten days left until the martial examination.
The official from Kaifeng Prefecture had, during his time in the court, learned about the various events that were part of the martial examination.
So whenever he had free time in Bianjing, he would practice the events of the martial examination, and with his exceptional talent, the examination was not a difficult task for him.
Tian Peng was aiming to come out on top, but the official from Kaifeng Prefecture instructed him that it was sufficient to excel in just one thing.
Among those attending the martial examination were the children of officials and even members of the royal family; it was enough to stand out, but becoming the top candidate was absolutely forbidden.
After all, "the leading bird in the flock gets shot first," and Tian Peng was not ignorant of this truth.
He was unwilling to compromise on these matters, but considering he might have a long journey ahead of him in the mortal world, it seemed better to keep a low profile.
Upon arriving in Chang’an, Tian Peng first went to the registration office for the martial examination with his introduction letter in hand.
Although the registration office seemed to exist in name only, it was not entirely a facade; there were indeed staff on duty.
When Tian Peng went to register, the person there felt as if the sky had suddenly darkened, then he slowly lifted his head and locked eyes with Tian Peng.
The man was startled; he had been dozing off, but now he was fully alert, thinking that Tian Peng had come to cause trouble. He mustered his courage and asked, "What, what are you here for?"
Tian Peng smiled, "The martial examination is registered over here, right?"
Realizing he was there to sign up for the martial examination, the man relaxed, nodded, and said, "Yes, this is where you register. Please write your name, age, and hometown here."
Tian Peng took the pen and wrote down what the man had asked him to, "After this, I just need to wait for the start of the martial examination to participate, correct?"
"Yes, that’s correct."
Having received an answer, Tian Peng nodded and prepared to leave.
"Wait a minute," the man called out to Tian Peng, "do you have someone backing you?"
Tian Peng didn’t understand immediately what he meant and, scratching his head, looked behind, "No, why? Is there someone behind me?"
"Ah, no, that’s not what I mean," the man said with some exasperation, and proceeded to explain, "I mean, do you know any influential officials or something like that?"
Now Tian Peng understood what he meant, and handed over the introduction letter he held, "Does this work?"
The man took it and saw that it was from the Governor of Kaifeng Prefecture; his attitude towards Tian Peng improved instantly, "Oh, you’re with the Governor of Bianjing City, I see. Good, I got it."
Tian Peng nodded and then inquired, "So for this examination registration, are there any other requirements? Can’t one participate without having some backing?"
Of course not," the man replied. "It’s just that the participants are mostly the progeny of officials, and among the events are close combat competitions. If you don’t come from a powerful office, I fear you might hesitate to engage."
Tian Peng didn’t see it as a problem and waved his hand dismissively, "Alright, I got it. I’ll be here on the day of the martial examination."
The man thought he was being helpful by pointing out the intricacies involved, but since Tian Peng wasn’t interested in listening, there was nothing he could do about it. Shrugging his shoulders, he turned back to sleep.
After ten days had passed, the day of the martial examination finally arrived, and Tian Peng set out for the martial arts field early.
Aside from soldiers, no one else had come to participate in the event. Tian Peng began to wonder if he had come to the wrong place and asked, "Is this where the martial examination is taking place?"
