Supreme Martial Venerable: Starting with the White Ape Cloak Hammer skill point allocation

Zhuo Wangsun was filled with joy.

Has a good son-in-law? Could it be that Qin Wu won first place in the county examination?

After the county-level military examination, Zhuo Wangsun hosted a special banquet for Qin Wu.

Qin Wu patted his chest and said that he had performed very well in the county examination and that passing the martial arts examination was a sure thing.

However, being just an ordinary martial arts scholar probably wouldn't earn Deputy General Pang's special attention.

Which family here doesn't have a martial arts scholar?

Even among those who passed the imperial examinations for military service, several families have produced such individuals.

For Deputy General Pang to treat someone with such special regard, they must be a county magistrate.

There are two types of martial arts scholars: one is the county-level scholar, and the other is someone else.

The county magistrate has direct access to the prefect, and his future prospects are limitless.

Zhuo Wangsun's gaze swept over the scroll, and he secretly regretted that he should have given Qin Wu more silver last time.

After the county examination, he only gave Qin Wu one thousand taels of silver, which now seems a bit stingy.

It's worth mentioning that the Qin family's martial arts school was too small, so it wasn't summoned by Commander Pang this time. Otherwise, Zhuo Wangsun would have already decided to help the Qin family with their congratulatory gifts.

They thought they couldn't save their copper mine and dock, but who would have thought Qin Wu would be so helpful?

Some are happy, some are sad.

Unlike Zhuo Wangsun's ecstatic joy, the other families were devastated.

If they were to "send" the congratulatory gifts according to Vice General Pang's scroll, they would suffer heavy losses and become completely subservient to the Pang family.

However, if they don't "give" it, the Sun family patriarch serves as a cautionary tale.

The city guards surrounding them were no pushovers; even a martial artist who had broken through four levels of cultivation would perish under their powerful crossbow bolts.

This is blatant robbery!

Everyone was angry but dared not speak out.

"Don't feel like you're at a disadvantage."

Deputy General Pang said coldly, "My Pang family patriarch is about to become the master of the Divine Weapon Valley. Your congratulatory gift at this time will be remembered by my Pang family."

Once the patriarch becomes the valley master, a small reward he bestows upon you will be enough for you to enjoy for a lifetime.

Putting everything else aside, within Jiangzhou, any business you do will be protected by the Pang family. How much money can't you earn back?

Protecting and escorting? I'm afraid the Pang family will get a share of all the profits.

Everyone inwardly grumbled, but they could only grit their teeth and agree, suppressing their disgust.

After everyone signed the contracts and left, only Li Lin remained in the room, along with Deputy General Pang and the city guards.

Li Lin frowned, his eyes filled with surprise and doubt.

"Master Li, aren't you curious why your name isn't on the scroll?"

Deputy General Pang approached Li Lin and said with a smile.

"That's exactly what I wanted to ask you."

Li Lin bowed slightly.

Previously, it was Lin Jingsheng who had been targeting him, even though everyone knew that Lin Jingsheng was backed by the Commander's Mansion.

However, the Commander's Office was still very polite to Li Lin on the surface.

After all, Li Lin had just killed Xu Nian, which was considered a meritorious act, and Pang Yunlong also had to consider the impact.

"Let's not beat around the bush."

Deputy General Pang said in a deep voice, "Master Li, I've heard that you have a jade sword forged by Elder Luo Baiyan when he was young. Name your price."

Li Lin's heart sank. Although he had known Pang Yunlong's purpose before, the other party had not made it clear.

As long as it's not explicitly stated, he still has room to maneuver.

Now that the other party has brought it up directly to his face, he has no room to back down.

Either agree, or—

The body of the Sun family patriarch was still on the ground and had not been taken away.

"I'm not afraid to tell you."

Vice-President Pang continued, "You're lucky that your only remaining disciple passed the county examination; otherwise, I wouldn't be wasting my breath talking to you today."

But my commander is determined to have the Jade Blade; you can name your price.

The change from outright robbery to a transaction was, in Pang Yunlong's view, already a huge concession.

"Deputy General Pang, could you give me some time to consider this?"

Li Lin pondered for a moment and said.

"Master Li, face is mutual. If you don't give my commander face, then don't blame my commander for not giving you face in return."

Do you think your disciple can rise to the top just by meeting Lord Yue?

You should know that my commander simply doesn't want trouble, not that he's afraid of it.

"I said in a chilling tone," said Deputy General Pang.

The city guards around them raised their crossbows again, the arrowheads gleaming coldly.

"I did not mean that"

Li Lin said, "Deputy General Pang, don't blame me for being greedy. As you know, my martial arts cultivation is half ruined, and now my body is even having difficulty forging iron."

I need to use the Jade Blade to secure my future, so I'm thinking about what I should trade it for with Commander Pang...

Deputy General Pang glanced at Li Lin, pondered for a moment. He didn't really want to cause any trouble, otherwise he could have just sent people to ransack Li Lin's house.

"I'll give you one day. I'll bring men to collect the jade knife tomorrow. I hope you won't disappoint me, Master Li."

"I said coldly."

…………

"Someone, light lanterns and decorate the house! Send someone to invite the son-in-law!"

When Zhuo Wangsun returned to his residence, he loudly ordered, "Bring a congratulatory gift when you go, and bring that sharp weapon from my study!"

My son-in-law has become the top scholar in the county; I'm going to throw a month-long feast so that all the neighbors can eat to their hearts' content!

Zhuo Wangsun was in high spirits; the mountain that had been weighing on his mind for days had suddenly been lifted away.

Qin Wu is quite something; he actually passed the county examination with top honors!

With the son-in-law of a county magistrate, there was room for maneuver in the matter between the eldest and second sons.

Didn't you see that Commander Pang was even more courteous to him?

The weight of a county-level scholar is three times greater than that of an ordinary military officer.

"Sir, which son-in-law are you referring to?"

"I asked the butler."

"My Zhuo family has only ever had one son-in-law! Qin Wu of the Qin Family Martial Arts School!"

Zhuo Wangsun's face darkened. Compared to Qin Wu, a dragon among men, what was that peasant blacksmith?

Does he even deserve to be my son-in-law?

…………

When the Zhuo family steward delivered the congratulatory gifts to the Qin family martial arts school, Qin Wu had just woken up from a hangover.

Zhuo Changqiong, the eldest daughter of the Zhuo family, is helping him get dressed.

"Congratulations, Miss! Congratulations, Young Master! The Master has just returned from the Commander's Mansion. He learned from Commander Pang that the Young Master has achieved the highest rank in the county examination."

"The Zhuo family steward said loudly, with Qin Lie standing beside him, looking excited."

Qin Lie never expected that his greedy and lustful good-for-nothing son would actually become the top scholar in the county!

Perhaps it's because of the precious medicine the Zhuo family sent last time.

Although this guy is useless, he's good at sweet-talking and managed to win over a good wife.

With the title of county champion, the Qin Family Martial Arts School is about to take off!

Qin Lie stroked his beard, already envisioning a bright future.

Since his in-laws were going to hold a banquet, the Qin family martial arts school couldn't be left behind. Although he didn't have enough money, he would hold a banquet for ten days.

Qin Wu, sporting dark circles under his eyes, felt physically and mentally weak. Had he passed the county examination?

Can't you?

He performed well, but he was already thankful to have passed the exam; he never even dared to dream of becoming the county's top scholar.

"Did I really pass the county-level imperial examination with top honors?"

Qin Wu asked timidly.

"How could this be false? Commander Pang said it himself, saying that our master has a good son-in-law."

The steward of the Zhuo family said with a smile, "For your sake, young master, Commander Pang has stopped making things difficult for our family. When you meet with the Prefect later, young master, please plead for our family. Perhaps the matter between the eldest and second young masters can be resolved."

The master sent me with a congratulatory gift of three thousand taels of silver, and a priceless weapon…”

Qin Wu's head was buzzing, and he didn't hear a word the steward of the Zhuo family said.

A figure flashed into his mind, a figure standing with a knife, the blade stained with blood...

Zhuo Wangsun did have a good son-in-law, but a good son-in-law is not necessarily him.

…………