The participant who was talking did not know what the officials were thinking. He continued to recount the events of the competition in great detail.
He was so excited and animated that spittle flew when he spoke.
The crowd of officials were bored by his story. Even Emperor Lin Mubai began to sip his tea in boredom.
Finally, he got to the point where they passed the third recording tablet.
All of the officials perked up their ears for this segment.
All of a sudden, the participant became frustrated and depressed. He cried out that the heaven's were toying with him. All of the other participants sighed as well.
Because...
That was a painful memory.
If not for the fact that they had fell for Fang Zhengzhi's trick, Fang Zhengzhi would have never gotten first place and won the Wafting Cloud Shoes.
"Aish... we were all too focused on racing. We just followed the person in front of us. None of us noticed that the directional stone had been moved!" The talent shook his head.
"Piang!" Emperor Lin Mubai's teacup shattered on the floor.
All of the other officials felt their legs turn to jelly.
"He really moved the directional stone?!"
"How is that possible!"
"How can such a trick work?"
All of the officials couldn't believe their ears. Even the spectators were stunned that such a basic trick would work.
"Now that I think about it, the main reason was because Fang Zhengzhi had appeared on the wrong road at the right time. As such, we..." The participant sighed.
Emperor Lin Mubai's expression darkened.
However, no one stopped the participant. Everyone still wanted to know how Fang Zhengzhi passed the first recording tablet.
That was still a big question for them.
After the participant regained his composure, he continued to recount what happened. He began telling the story of how they waited for Fang Zhengzhi at the first recording tablet.
However...
He did not seem to be in a hurry to tell the story of Fang Zhengzhi's arrival. He kept describing their defences and how they spent their time waiting. He talked about what books he read, how long he spent training, and how he made the most of that time...
The Ministry of Rites official lost his patience. "It is not early, please speed up. Tell us about what happened at the first recording tablet."
The participant was stunned. He began sweating profusely. That interruption had caused him to lose his train of thought.
Talk about what happened at the first recording tablet?
The participant thought about what that meant. He understood it quickly. After all, he was an educated person.
He no longer beat around the bush, diving straight into the topic of interest.
"At this point, Fang Zhengzhi appeared!"
The Ministry of Rites official nodded when he heard this, motioning for the participant to carry on.
The participant saw the nod and knew that he was on the right track. Even so, he did not dwell on the details.
He narrated this section of the story very quickly. He first recounted how Xiang Tianying and Tang Zhongming challenged Fang Zhengzhi. Then he told the crowd about how fearful Fang Zhengzhi was.
"Xiang Tianying and Tang Zhongming issued challenges to Fang Zhengzhi concurrently?"
"If that is the case, Fang Zhengzhi should have no chance to win!"
All of the officials frowned when they heard this. They could not figure out how Fang Zhengzhi could defeat both Xiang Tianying and Tang Zhongming.
"Fang Zhengzhi used a flash of white light when Xiang Tianying and Tang Zhongming were arguing!" The participant recalled what happened. "Then, he hid somewhere far and took out Tang Zhongming. Then, through repeated attacks... he defeated Xiang Tianying."
The participant did not continue speaking. He waited for the officials to judge his narration.
However, no one took notice of him. Everyone was too shocked by the story they had just heard.
"Fang Zhengzhi defeated Xiang Tianying and Tang Zhongming?!"
"How is that possible?!"
"Tang Zhongming and Xiang Tianying are ranked eighth and seventh on the Rising Dragon Roll respectively. Furthermore, Xiang Tianying has the Purple Crystal Territory! How did Fang Zhengzhi defeat them? Simultaneously at that!"
"What is going on?"
All of the officials were in disbelief. This result was completely unexpected. Even a series of sneak attacks should not have been able to take them both out.
They had seen Fang Zhengzhi's battle with Yan Xiu.
Fang Zhengzhi definitely had the ability to defeat them individually.
However, to defeat both of them simultaneously was quite impossible.
Ping Yang turned to look at Fang Zhengzhi. "This shameless fella is so powerful? He defeated both of them?"
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's expression darkened. How did this happen?
Emperor Lin Mubai looked at his shattered teacup without speaking. His lips twitched. Fang Zhengzhi moved the directional stone, then defeated both Xiang Tianying and Tang Zhongming?
Fang Zhengzhi...
What are you?
The Ministry of Rites official's expression was also quite ugly. This participant had skipped over all the details and jumped straight to the result.
"Erm... please tell us more about how Fang Zhengzhi defeated Xiang Tianying and Tang Zhongming." The official turned to the participant.
"Yes your honor!" The participant began to sweat again. It was clear that he had misinterpreted the official's words once again.
"It is because Fang Zhengzhi had the Sun Shooting Bow. He used it from afar..."
"What did you say?!" The Ministry of Rites official interrupted.
"Your... your honor, I... I said that Fang Zhengzhi had... had the Sun Shooting Bow?" The participant trembled in his spot.
"Sun Shooting Bow?!"
"How did that happen?"
"Why would Fang Zhengzhi have the Sun Shooting bow?"
Everyone turned to look at King Duan.
The Sun Shooting Bow was his.
Ping Yang was also confused when she heard this. Didn't King Duan lose the Sun Shooting Bow to her? Why would Fang Zhengzhi have it.
Emperor Lin Mubai turned to look at King Duan, who was nearby. He waited for King Duan to explain.
King Duan smirked.
From the moment he heard the words Sun Shooting Bow, he had already prepared his answer.
"Your highness, I lost a bet to sister Ping Yang a few days ago. Two days ago, I had one of my servants send it to her. However, he told me that someone had snatched it from him along the way. I have sent people to find it! Could it be..." King Duan stopped and looked in Fang Zhengzhi's direction.
Fang Zhengzhi was just relishing his accomplishments. However, he was stunned by what King Duan said.
He had already felt that something was amiss when he got the Sun Shooting Bow.
However, upon seeing Ping Yang and the Ninth Prince at the Fragrance Restaurant, he had put it on the backburner.
It looked like...
He had fell right into a trap!
"Sword Envoy, could you please explain why the Sun Shooting Bow is with you?" The Ministry of Rites Official asked.
"Would you believe me if I told you I bought it for five coppers?" Fang Zhengzhi said honestly.
"Bought it with five coppers?!" The Ministry of Rites official looked at Fang Zhengzhi in awe and doubt.
This excuse was...
Completely unbelievable!
All of the other spectators were also taken aback by Fang Zhengzhi's words.
What excuse could be worse than this?!
Five coppers!
That would only get you a roadside snack.
How can the Sun Shooting Bow be sold for five coppers?
"I would like to know where you got it from? I would like to go buy one as well."
"Exactly, we would gladly pay for such a treasure."
"Five coppers for the Sun Shooting Bow. What a great deal."
All of the officials stepped forward and rebuked Fang Zhengzhi. After all, they were all educated individuals. How can he treat them as idiots?
"There are some things that you can't buy even if you want to. Some things depend on a person. A handsome man may be able to get it, but an ugly one... would find it difficult!" Fang Zhengzhi rebutted.
"You..."
"Fang Zhengzhi, are you calling us ugly?"
"Rubbish, this is an outrage!"
The expressions of all the officials darkened.
"I did not say that. However, if you all have my kind of luck and are able to buy the Sun Shooting Bow for five coppers, then you will be just as good as me." Fang Zhengzhi replied with scorn.
"Audacious! Even if you are a rank four imperial official, you cannot speak rubbish here!" The Ministry of Rites official bellowed.
"Do you have any evidence to prove that what I said was false?" Fang Zhengzhi rebuked.
"King Duan had already made it clear that the Sun Shooting Bow was snatched, not bought!" The Ministry of Rites official's neck was turning red.
"Yes, King Duan did say that the Sun Shooting Bow was snatched. That means that the Sun Shooting Bow was no longer with him. I happened to pass by and buy the bow from the person who snatched it. Isn't that very normal?" Fang Zhengzhi replied calmly.
"You... nonsense!"
"What nonsense?! If someone wanted to snatch the Sun Shooting Bow away, why would they sell it to you for five coppers?"
"How can this be possible?"
All of the officials judged that Fang Zhengzhi was simply finding excuses.
"There are many things that were impossible in this world. When I participated in the county examinations, no one thought I would pass. However, I ended up topping the examination. Then, in the provincial examinations, no one thought I would pass. I also ended up topping the examination. What about the imperial examinations? Did anyone of you think that I could top the theory examination? What about today? Did anyone of you think that it would be possible for me to win?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at them with scorn.
"You..."
All of them were furious. They wanted to rebuke Fang Zhengzhi, but everything that he said was true.
No one had believed in him.
However, he still made it to where he was today.
The competition today was the best example. He had won the competition with a Mud Striped Horse. If not for the fact that they had seen it for themselves, no one would believe it.
"Do you all have any other questions? If not, please announce the results, I am still waiting for my prize!" Fang Zhengzhi looked at all the officials.
"Maverick!"
"Your highness, I think that the issue with the Sun Shooting Bow is not as simple as the Sword Envoy says it is. Please allow the Ministry of Law to investigate this incident. We will give King Duan a peace of mind on this!" Law Minister Wan Chong stepped forward.
He was solemn.
Emperor Lin Mubai looked at Fang Zhengzhi without speaking.
As the emperor, he had to think further and broader than all his officials. Fang Zhengzhi's short speech had struck him.
Just as what Fang Zhengzhi had said...
No one had believed in him ever since he started out. However, along the way, he had proven his critics wrong at every stage.
How did he do it...
A 15 year old Heavenly Reflection State talent.
Even though he was aided by the Sun Shooting Bow, he had defeated both Xiang Tianying and Tang Zhongming.
This man now stood in front of him.
It could be seen as a miracle.
Four years ago, Nangong Hao was the talent that he valued the most. Two years ago, Chi Guyan overtook Nangong Hao as the brightest star.
Even though she was not of royal blood, talent and power were of more importance.
And now...
Yet another star appeared in front of him.
His decision would determine the fate of this star!