From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

On the first day of the ninth lunar month, the second semester of the Zhechong Academy began.

It was also the day the results of the autumn college entrance examination were released.

"Hurry! The results are out!"

"Let's go take a look!"

"Let's go together!"

Early in the morning, Chen Shi had just arrived at the Yizi canteen when he heard a commotion. A group of recommended students rushed out and hurried toward the command platform.

Those who were recruited through the imperial examinations came from powerful and wealthy families, and their families had usually already arranged where they would go after graduation.

But the candidates who passed the imperial examinations were different. Without any background or powerful connections, the only way for them to find a good place to go was through their results in the autumn and spring examinations.

Chen Shi glanced at the departing crowd and didn't join them in the fun.

He had already decided where he was going, so the results of the autumn exams were not very meaningful to him.

At most, I'm a little curious whether he can make the list based on his efforts over the past month, but it's not to the point that he can't even eat.

I'll take a look when I have some free time.

As usual, after breakfast, Chen Shi went straight to the No. 3 drill ground.

In the second half of the academic year at the Zhechongyuan Academy, the mornings were still dedicated to martial arts training, as martial prowess was fundamental for soldiers.

Chen Shi plans to use the remaining six months to master the Dragon Claw Hand technique!

At that time, with the Heaven-Supporting Divine Body and the Dragon Claw Hand, he will be invincible among those below the fifth rank.

"Um?"

Although Chen Shi arrived early, there were already several people there. If it were any other time, they would probably have rushed up to "spar" long ago.

After all, if we arrive any later, we'll have to wait in line once everyone else has arrived.

But for some reason today, those people stood to the side without moving, showing no intention of sparring with Chen Shi. Their gazes towards Chen Shi lacked their usual mockery, instead carrying a hint of wariness.

What happened?

Chen Shi frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

That's definitely not right.

A few moments later, the others arrived one after another.

Still, no one stepped forward to spar with Chen Shi. Instead, they pointed at him and whispered among themselves. But like the first few people, there was no mockery or contempt; instead, they looked at Chen Shi with considerable apprehension.

"Chen Shi!"

Just as Chen Shi was puzzled, a loud shout rang out, and Feng Qi rushed angrily toward them.

Upon reaching him, he grabbed Chen Shi by the collar.

"You despicable scoundrel!"

"Brother Feng, what has made you so angry?"

Looking at Feng Qi, whose eyes were bloodshot, Chen Shi asked a question, becoming even more puzzled.

Feng Qi, a scholar, actually made such an impolite gesture as "pulling at someone's collar." What he did to deserve such wrath?

It should be noted that the last time Feng Qi wanted to fight him was at Lan Yue Tower, because he ordered Chen Bi Yuan Hong.

"What is it? How dare you ask!"

Feng Qi was so angry that he laughed, glaring at Chen Shi through gritted teeth.

"You did such a despicable thing, and now you want to pretend nothing happened!"

"I really don't know."

"Haha! Scholar Chen has such great acting skills, it's a real shame he doesn't go into opera!"

"Top scholar?"

Chen Shi was taken aback again, and frowned as he looked at Feng Qi.

"What top scholar?"

"Isn't the top scorer in the first-class ranking the same as the top scholar?"

"Which team came in first place?"

"What else could it be! The autumn exams, of course!"

"Autumn……"

Chen Shi's eyes widened slightly, his face showing surprise.

The next moment, he came to his senses, shook off Feng Qi, and strode away.

Feng Qi stumbled; being a frail scholar, he was nearly knocked over by Chen Shi.

Watching Chen Shi leave, Feng Qi let out a heavy snort and straightened his slightly disheveled clothes. He glanced around at the assembled officials, his gaze hardening, before finally departing.

With a serious expression, Chen Shi went straight to the command platform.

There was a large red paper pasted on it, which showed the rankings for this autumn exam.

The competition was divided into three categories: the first category had three people, the second category had seventeen people, and the third category had thirty people. Of the more than one hundred and fifty students from the Jiangnan Military Academy this year, only fifty made the list.

And the top-ranked player in the top category was none other than Chen Shi!

"That's really true..."

After repeatedly confirming, Chen Shi frowned.

He felt he did well on the autumn exam, but that was based on the fact that he had only studied for a month.

Even if he has good comprehension and high talent, he has only just begun to learn about strategy. It would be good enough if he could make it onto the list. If he made it into the second rank, there would be some element of luck involved, but he would definitely not be able to reach the top.

"What exactly happened?"

Chen Shi frowned as he looked at his name.

How did he get first place in the top class?

There must be someone behind this, and Chen Shi immediately thought of Gu Tingshu.

But the question is, why did Gu Tingshu do this?

Or rather, what benefit would it bring to Gu Tingxu if he won first place in the top class...?

I really can't understand it.

If you can't figure it out, stop thinking about it for now and keep reading.

No wonder.

The second place in the first division is Nangong Caiyun, and the third place in the first division is Feng Chi.

Feng Chi was Feng Qi's alias.

Chen Shi smiled helplessly. No wonder Feng Qi was so angry. If he hadn't cheated, Feng Qi should have been second, and Nangong Caiyun should have been first!

In Chen Shi's eyes, although Feng Qi was a pedantic scholar, he would not be so furious just because he had gone from second to third. Feng Qi was speaking out for Nangong Caiyun.

"This is really like mud falling into your crotch."

Thinking of this, Chen Shi shook his head and sighed again.

This first place in the top division was definitely not what he intended.

But if he tells people, who will believe him? As the beneficiaries, everyone will surely blame him, just like Feng Qi.

Being wronged for no reason is infuriating enough, let alone the fact that this first place in the top class is useless to him and even harmful.

But since things have come to this, there's nothing we can do.

After reading it, Chen Shi returned to the No. 3 drill ground. Everyone looked at him with increasing apprehension.

"really!"

Seeing everyone's gaze, Chen Shi sighed inwardly again.

It seems that no one will seek him out for sparring anymore.

The Zhechongyuan, as a place for the imperial court to cultivate talents, seemed similar to the Guozijian (Imperial Academy), but in reality, its status was even higher. After all, graduating from the Guozijian did not guarantee an official position, but graduating from the Zhechongyuan at least guaranteed a position as a squad leader in the army.

The fact that Chen Shi could completely control the Imperial Academy and arbitrarily change the rankings in the autumn examinations demonstrates the strength of his background.

Although those selected through the imperial examinations all came from prominent families, most of them were from collateral branches. The true direct descendants did not need to go through the Zhechongyuan (a government office for selecting officials) to enter officialdom.

How could one not be wary of Chen Shi's background?

In this way, who would dare to offend him, let alone "spar" with him?

In reality, they simply didn't know Chen Shi's background. The court was full of factions, and they were afraid of choosing the wrong side. Otherwise, someone would have already come forward to curry favor with him.

"I hereby declare that the matter concerning that one hundred taels of silver is hereby terminated, effective immediately!"

Xiao Yunhu was also in the crowd. Suddenly, he stood up and shouted loudly to everyone.

No one reacted to this.

Although it was a pity to waste those hundred taels of silver, even if Xiao Yunhu hadn't said anything, they wouldn't have dared to offend Chen Shi again.

"My lord, you've really put me in a difficult position."

Hearing Xiao Yunhu's words and seeing everyone's reaction, Chen Shi smiled bitterly to himself.

It's rare to find a fool willing to spend money to help him practice his skills, but now it's all gone to waste.

How can we continue to refine our Dragon Claw Hand technique?