Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 577 - 576: The Peculiar Martial Examination
"Yes," the guard glanced at him, "you’re here to participate in the martial examination?"
"Right," Tian Peng nodded, "What’s the matter? I don’t look the part?"
"It’s not that you don’t look the part, it’s just..." the guard didn’t finish his sentence.
In fact, the martial examination had long since become a mere formality. Those who came to participate were all children of government officials who had grown up together in Chang’an. Nobody really competed seriously. It was indeed very unusual for a commoner to participate in the martial examination.
Tian Peng felt his gaze and asked, "What is it? Just say what you want to say."
"I didn’t really want to say anything," the guard replied. "It’s just that, are you participating in the martial examination because you want to become an official?"
Although he guessed incorrectly, Tian Peng didn’t deny it, "What about it? Is that not allowed?"
"It’s not that it’s not allowed. It’s just that if you want to be an official, it’s better to join the military and rise through the ranks step by step. This martial examination, well, it’s really just the children of officials playing around. You look strong and healthy; you’d be great material for the military."
Tian Peng smiled, "I can’t help it; becoming an official through military service is too slow for me, I still want to do it quicker, so I chose to take part in the examination."
"Ah, you..."
The guard wanted to give more advice but didn’t know how to start, so he could only sigh and say, "You’ll know once you participate. These children of officials might not be very imposing, but after all, they are from official families, and some are even imperial relatives. Their scores are all predetermined. Your sudden appearance will disrupt their plans, and even if you do become an official, it won’t lead to anything good."
If Tian Peng cared about these things, he would have directly asked the Emperor for a position instead of participating in the martial examination.
He waved his hand and didn’t say anything more, then entered the martial examination courtyard.
Tian Peng stood in the middle of the courtyard, and there really wasn’t anyone there except for the guards.
He had waited for about half an hour when the Judge of the examination finally arrived at the scene in a leisurely manner by carriage.
Seeing Tian Peng standing in the combat area, he was startled for a moment, and then, noticing his attire, he immediately understood.
When tallying the numbers earlier, it had been mentioned that a commoner would be participating in the martial examination and had even registered at the enrollment office. Upon inquiry, it turned out he was from out of town, which wasn’t surprising.
After all, the true nature of the martial examination was known only by those within Chang’an City; it wasn’t strange that someone from another place wouldn’t know.
It was just unfortunate for this young man. He looked young enough, yet he was misguided enough to participate in the martial examination. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
He didn’t bother to ask around; the martial examination wasn’t meant for just anyone to participate.
All present were children of officials. Even those with minor official positions were reluctant to come, so what was a commoner doing, sticking his nose in?
Fortunately, the examination didn’t just involve brute strength; there were other skills such as horse riding and archery included as well.
A commoner probably hadn’t even touched a horse before, and here he was, thinking of participating in the martial examination. It would be laughable if word got out.
When Tian Peng saw a middle-aged man in a blue robe and several attendants enter, he instantly understood that the man was an examiner for the martial examination based on his appearance and attire.
"Greetings to the Examiner," Tian Peng greeted the examiner.
However, since he had come, they were not going to send him away. After all, he had already arrived; if they didn’t let him participate in the martial examination, he might end up making a complaint somewhere.
In the end, even if he took the examination, this commoner would likely retreat in the face of difficulty.
The proctor also nodded to Tian Peng, didn’t say anything, and went inside.
Tian Peng could tell what the proctor was thinking just by looking at him; the officials from Kaifeng Prefecture had mentioned this matter when he arrived.
However, he didn’t feel much about other people’s opinions, as long as they didn’t come to trouble him.
If those sons of officials and nobles attending the martial examination sought to make trouble for him, they couldn’t blame him for not being polite.
The proctor had sat inside for half an hour, and Tian Peng was feeling a bit embarrassed on the outside.
But if he left now, it would probably be playing right into their hands; even just to avoid giving them the satisfaction, he would stay put until the martial examination began.
After another length of time that it took to drink a pot of tea, the proctor emerged, followed respectfully by his attendant.
Initially, Tian Peng didn’t know what was happening; he just curiously watched the proctor standing nervously at the doorway,
but when a luxurious carriage arrived, Tian Peng finally understood the situation.
He found it amusing, yet upon reflection, such behavior seemed quite normal; after all, everyone needs to make a living, and to show such attitude was typical of human nature.
A figure descended from the carriage amidst a throng of attendants.
The youth was dressed in brocades and adorned with jewels, his face bearing the marks of wealth, he stepped down from the carriage with an air of arrogance, and glanced casually at the venue. "Is the martial examination held here?"
"Yes, every martial examination has been held here," the proctor said reverently. "Does the young master find this place unsatisfactory?"
"Not at all," the youth who had just stepped down from the carriage said. "Since you said that it has always been held here, then surely my father also took part in his martial examination at this place. If I express dissatisfaction, wouldn’t that be disrespectful to my own father?"
The proctor wiped the sweat from his forehead, having made an offhand remark without expecting the young master to react so; had he somehow acted incorrectly before, angering the young master?
While the proctor questioned internally whether he had offended the young master, he forced a smile and said, "The officer here merely made a casual comment; the martial examination is just a stepping stone, after all. Your career will be marked by endless glory, which cannot be proven by a mere martial examination."
This flattery was well-received; the young master nodded approvingly and went inside.
Upon entering, he immediately noticed Tian Peng standing in the fighting arena and became curious. "Why is that man so tall? Looking at his clothes, are all your servants who clean the fighting arena this tall?"
The proctor glanced at Tian Peng, his expression slightly embarrassed as he explained, "Young master, he isn’t the one cleaning the competition stage."
"Oh?" The young master’s curiosity grew. "If he isn’t here to clean the competition stage, what is he here for? Your new guard?"
"Not that either," the proctor explained. "He is here to participate in the martial examination."
"Oh." The young master’s curiosity faded as he observed Tian Peng, perhaps thinking him adept at mounted archery and combat. But then,
"Whose family son is he? Why is he dressed like that? Doesn’t he know to change into something else, standing here, making himself a laughing stock?"
"He’s not the son of any noble," the proctor explained. "He’s just a commoner, holding a recommendation letter from the Governor of Bianjing City, and has no other status."
The young master had initially been a bit curious about Tian Peng, but now, he had lost even that.
A mere commoner, holding nothing but a recommendation letter from the Governor of Bianjing, dared to come to Chang’an to participate in the martial examination; indeed, it was hard to say whether he was incredibly bold or just a naïve calf not fearing the tiger.
