Chapter 491
Chapter 491
The Madman Lan had always considered himself an unparalleled genius, but before Shen Lang, he felt like a star before the bright moon, utterly losing its luster. He couldn't even imagine that someone like Shen Lang could exist in this world. Was it just a matter of talent? If an ordinary person's talent was a brief shower that dampened the ground for a moment, Shen Lang's was a raging tempest—like a torrential downpour, a relentless tide, a storm that never ceased.
Within a quarter of an hour, the magnificent and profound *Roc Ode* came to life on the paper. Even with the slight modifications to fit the history of this world, the overall quality of the work was unaffected. The Madman Lan read the ode once, then again, and a shiver ran through him. A powerful shock struck his soul, sending a tingling sensation through him and making his stomach churn.
*No, not again. I have to go to the privy.*
The ode was so magnificent that every time he read it, his stomach twisted, and something powerful threatened to surge forth. The Madman Lan flipped the examination paper over, held his stomach, and dashed towards the toilet pot. It had been less than half an hour since the third day of the examination had begun.
***
After relieving himself, the Madman Lan returned to his desk and fell asleep. The invigilator stood before him again, but this time, he didn't even spare him a glance. This piece of trash had slept through the exam for three consecutive days. There was no need to watch him for cheating; he might as well have been invisible. The surrounding candidates no longer looked at the Madman Lan either. This session required them to compose a poem and an ode within six hours, a task of considerable difficulty. Time was extremely tight, and everyone was wracking their brains. Who had the energy to spare for a man who was as good as dead?
More than four hours passed, and afternoon arrived. A dozen soldiers patrolled the examination hall, striking gongs and shouting loudly.
"The examination has concluded. All candidates, put down your brushes."
Every examinee set down their brush. Continuing to write would result in their paper being disqualified.
"Seal the names!"
At the invigilator's command, a hundred soldiers came forward and pasted paper over the names on every examination sheet. This was to ensure the graders would not know whose paper they were marking. Any other identifying marks on the paper would also lead to immediate disqualification. Of course, the imperial examinations of ancient China became stricter in their later stages, even going so far as to have scribes copy every paper to prevent graders from recognizing the handwriting. The State of Yue's examination system had not yet reached that level of rigor.
"Seal the papers!"
After the names were covered, the soldiers placed each examination paper into a large paper envelope and sealed the opening with wax.
"Collect the papers!"
Finally, all three thousand collected papers were immediately sent for grading. Only six or seven officials were involved in the grading process. They had to evaluate three thousand papers in just a few days, an enormous workload. For the next three days and nights, the graders would not be allowed to leave the designated area. They would eat, sleep, and relieve themselves within those confines, only permitted to leave once the grading was complete.
"All candidates, you may now leave the examination hall!"
At the command, the disheveled candidates, looking neither human nor ghost, began to depart. A pungent odor emanated from each of them. Although it was already September and the weather wasn't hot, it wasn't cold either. The examination hall was stuffy and cramped (the private cubicles were akin to tiny rooms in a flophouse), so it was only natural for them to reek after being cooped up for three days and two nights. The Madman Lan was in slightly better shape. He had spent most of his time sleeping or resting, so he hadn't been sweating profusely. But the other candidates were all utterly exhausted. They glanced at the Madman Lan, hesitated for a few seconds, and then scurried away from him as if fleeing a venomous snake or a plague.
"That degenerate scum, Lan! That scourge of humanity, Shen the son-in-law! Both of them are finished. They'll be done for when the list of successful candidates is posted."
"That Madman Lan did nothing but sleep for three days. He must have written nothing on his paper. That's an insult to His Majesty the King's dignity."
"Just you wait. That Madman Lan will soon be torn to pieces, and Shen Lang will surely be thrown into the dungeons of the Supreme Court. The rampant clown will finally meet his end. The world will be free of that human trash of a son-in-law. What a joyous occasion."
***
Half an hour later.
The Madman Lan returned to Prince Ning Zheng's residence, looking vibrant and extremely excited. The examination had gone ten times more smoothly than he could have ever imagined. But there was no one to greet him. The Sword King Li Qianqiu was busy ambushing Big Dummy thirty to forty times a minute, and Big Dummy's wretched screams echoed incessantly. Shen Lang was conducting experiments in the underground chamber, so it was Ning Zheng who came out to meet him.
"Master Lan, you've worked hard. General Wu Lie, if you would be so kind as to fetch Shen Lang."
Ning Zheng ordered Wu Lie, who stood beside him. A short while later, Shen Lang appeared before the Madman Lan.
"Is the examination over?"
Shen Lang seemed to have lost all track of time, engrossed in his experiments for days. The Madman Lan nodded.
"How did it go?"
The Madman Lan was bursting with excitement internally but forced himself to appear calm.
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I will undoubtedly secure the first place."
Hearing this, Ning Zheng was astonished. Wu Lie, Ham Nu, and the others all turned to stare at the Madman Lan.
*Is he serious? First place? He must be bluffing again.*
Previously, Lord Zhang Chong had clearly stated in Prince Ning Zheng's presence that the Madman Lan would certainly pass, but placing in the top three would depend on luck, and first place was impossible. Shen Lang asked him.
"What were the topics?"
"The policy essay was 'On the Enfeoffment System.' The topics for the poem and ode were 'Autumn Goose' and 'The Great Roc.'"
The Madman Lan's answer startled Shen Lang.
*Seriously! Am I just incredibly lucky? Or am I just that amazing?*
Predicting the topics for the poetry and ode wasn't particularly strange. One could hit the mark by casting a wide net. But to predict the policy essay topic required extraordinary luck. Of course, Ning Yuanxian had been mulling over this issue for a long time, so its appearance now wasn't entirely a matter of luck. He had lacked the courage to pose the question before, but now, with Su Nan annihilated and the State of Yue achieving a great victory, he was so elated that he couldn't wait any longer and presented the topic.
Shen Lang looked at Ning Zheng and said.
"Your Highness, he might actually take first place."
"Zhu Hongbing is a scion of the Zhu Clan and known as the foremost talent in the capital. He is a formidable candidate."
Shen Lang had recently reviewed Zhu Hongbing's writings. His policy essays, poems, and odes were all top-tier; he was truly exceptional. Frankly, Zhu Hongbing's talent in these areas was something Shen Lang, who had not systematically studied them, could not hope to match. But no matter how great he was, could he compare to the masters Liu Zongyuan, Li Bai, or Jia Yi? Did he know how brilliant Master Jia Yi was?
Li Shangyin had marveled at Jia Yi in one of his poems, "Jia Sheng's talent is without peer!" Lu Xun himself had acclaimed Jia Yi as the great literary master of the Western Han Dynasty. His political treatises were ranked among the top three in all of Chinese history. *The Faults of Qin* and *Ode to Mourn Qu Yuan* were both his works. With the works of these three masters now unleashed at once, they would sweep the field. Not just Zhu Hongbing, but all three thousand candidates would be crushed. Had Lan taken the exam elsewhere, he might have had to worry about being suppressed for cheating. But since he took it with Zhu Hongbing, that examination was guaranteed to be fair, just, and free of any foul play.
Zhu Hongbing was the direct grandson of Zhu Hongzhu, a pillar of the State of Yue. His life's record had to be flawless, and any examination he participated in had to be free of scandal. Moreover, with the King himself backing Shen Lang, who would dare suppress him for cheating? It was impossible. The King, Ning Yuanxian, would be the one to finalize the rankings.
Right now, everyone was waiting for the Madman Lan's results to be posted on the streets, so the King would lose face. To be honest, even the King himself didn't dare to hold out much hope at this point. But deep down, he desired the Madman Lan's success even more than Shen Lang did. That would be the release for all of Ning Yuanxian's pent-up frustrations. The King's mind was on the verge of collapse.
*How did I get roped in with Shen Lang again, for reasons I don't even understand? And this time, I'm tied to the Madman Lan as well?*
Shen Lang emphasized again.
"Your Highness, first place in the civil examination is in the bag! Madman Lan, go get some rest. I have to continue my experiments."
Suddenly, Shen Lang sniffed the air and asked him.
"Hey, you didn't... do *that* in the examination hall, did you?"
At his words, all the women present retreated ninety *li*. Ham Nu, in particular, shot the Madman Lan a look of disgust. Prince Ning Zheng pretended not to have heard anything.
"Shen Lang, Master Lan. I shall take my leave."
Ning Zheng departed hastily. He didn't have the courage to stick around and listen to what might be said next. But Ham Nu and Wu Lie did not retreat like the other women, feigning ignorance. What kind of degenerate had they not seen before? The Madman Lan, despite being exposed by Shen Lang, showed no shame and retorted indignantly.
"How embarrassing. Master Shen, you wrote *Boundless Wind and Moon* so well that the image of Lady Ham Nu naturally appeared in my mind. I couldn't contain my overflowing feelings!"
Ham Nu's face turned crimson as she said coldly.
"Lan, if you mention my name one more time, I'll beat you to death!"
The Madman Lan changed his tune.
"The image of my dream lover appeared in my mind, and I found it difficult to suppress my overwhelming feelings."
Shen Lang couldn't help but marvel.
"Impressive. You will surely be remembered for ages to come. I just hope your examination paper doesn't have a peculiar smell."
Then, Shen Lang looked at Ham Nu and said.
"Once the list of successful candidates is announced, the Madman Lan will be the top scholar in the capital. Ham Nu, you'll have to snatch him up then."
Ham Nu couldn't bear to listen any longer. She turned and ran, the ground shaking with her steps. After Ham Nu left, the Madman Lan looked at Shen Lang and said.
"Master Shen, you must truly be a deity. When I was memorizing the policy essay and odes you gave me, I was just learning them by rote. But today, when I wrote them down on paper, they were so brilliant I couldn't help but be amazed. Your insight into His Majesty the King's mind, in particular, is unbelievable. Master Shen, you are like a god; I cannot even hope to follow in your footsteps."
Shen Lang stepped forward, about to pat the Madman Lan's shoulder, but hesitated and stopped.
"I am merely standing on the shoulders of giants. But you are quite remarkable yourself. Still, my talent is greater, so don't compare yourself to someone like me. As they say, when you stand atop the highest peak, all other mountains seem small!"
The Madman Lan was even more impressed. Not only was Master Shen overflowing with talent, but he was also so straightforward, so utterly without pretense in declaring his own greatness... A phrase came to his mind.
*Exquisite. Truly an exquisite man!*