34: Fork in the Road of Fate

The person before him was none other than Luo Maocai, whom he had met at the Third Miss's wedding.

"Brother Luo, it's been a few years, but your demeanor is as splendid as ever, and you look even younger."

"Hahaha, Brother Jiang is truly a delightful person..."

Below the stage, over two hundred young men looked at the two on stage with both longing and fear.

Each of them pursed their lips, their eyes flickering with ambition.

One day, they, too, wished to become such figures, conversing with ease and grace.

Through their conversation, Jiang Hanwen learned a trivial piece of information.

Fang Tong, who had entered the Zhuang family at the same time as him, had met him once, and had mocked him at the wedding banquet.

He had died four years ago during an external hunting expedition.

At that time, the Zhuang family had organized people to catch scaled horses in the mountains, but an Achi Fire Fox had suddenly appeared, and a great fire had engulfed everyone.

"I heard you were coming today, so I specifically saved a gift for you." Luo Maocai's squinting eyes blinked, and he pulled out an exquisite dagger.

Clang!

Jiang Hanwen drew the dagger, and saw two words engraved on it: Fang Tong.

Fang Tong'sRelics was in Luo Maocai's hands.

Could it be that this squinting man had played a part in Fang Tong's death?

It was very simple for a Steward with real power to kill a guard; he wouldn't even need to lift a finger, and no trace would be found.

He would only need to arrange for them to go on dangerous external assignments.

One who often walks by the river cannot avoid getting his shoes wet.

As long as they went often enough, death was only a matter of time.

In this way, a Steward could eliminate his opponent without anyone knowing.

"I wonder, Brother Jiang, are you satisfied with this gift?"

Luo Maocai reminded him once again, a subtle curve on his slightly drooping lips, showing pride and benevolence.

Jiang Hanwen understood that even if he hadn't directly intervened, it was almost certain.

He had thought that Fang Tong, after being dealt with by Luo Maocai, would try to retaliate against him.

He hadn't expected to wait for retaliation, but rather for the news of Fang Tong's death.

I did not kill Bo Ren, yet Bo Ren died because of me.

Jiang Hanwen slightly cupped his hands towards Luo Maocai.

"Thank you."

Seeing Jiang Hanwen accept his favor, Luo Maocai nodded in satisfaction.

"Brother Jiang, I am in charge of the first round of this assessment, to see if there are any weaklings among them;

The second round will be overseen by Xu Yanwu, to test their standing in the Zhuang family;

The third round will be handled by you, the chief examiner. Please tell me in advance what you plan to test, so I can prepare."

Xu Yanwu?

Jiang Hanwen blurted out:

"Someone from Young Master Zhuang's side?"

"Precisely. Young Master Zhuang was originally going to supervise in person.

But yesterday, he was notified to participate in the Qinglan Sword Sect's selection, so Xu Yanwu is replacing him."

Xu Yanwu was someone who had entered the Zhuang family with him nine years ago.

At that time, there was an option to follow Young Master Zhuang Jun.

The opportunity was initially presented to Jiang Hanwen, but he declined. Later, after several inspections, Xu Yanwu successfully won Young Master Zhuang's favor and became his companion reader.

He himself was busy day and night with research and farming in the fields, and also had the favor of Elder Du, plus Wu Qinghe trying him out.

With so many buffs stacked together, it was finally his turn, Jiang Hanwen, to serve as an examiner.

But Xu Yanwu, simply by following Zhuang Jun, could transform and issue commands on behalf of his master.

It is true what they say: when one person achieves the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

If Zhuang Jun could surpass the Third Miss and become a disciple of the Qinglan Sword Sect, then Xu Yanwu, his deeply attached companion reader, would likely become a figure like the Zhuang family's general manager.

Interesting!

"Steward Luo, everyone is here, a total of two hundred and sixteen people!"

Two guards stepped forward, cupped their fists, and indicated that the selection could begin.

"Please."

Luo Maocai stepped to the front without hesitation, looking down at the crowd:

"From now on..."

Luo Maocai's selection process was still the same old routine.

First, a strength test, using a fifty-jin stone lock to screen out the weak, followed by a running test for endurance.

After ten laps, the endurance of the crowd began to show a clear division.

Some kept up closely, while others fell dozens of meters behind.

Among them, two figures caught Jiang Hanwen's attention.

They were two young men who looked about seventy percent alike, with clear eyebrows and large eyes, presenting a good appearance.

Their running posture and breathing were almost identical, as if copied.

As he watched, a greeting broke his thoughts.

Luo Maocai was greeting Xu Yanwu, and the three of them turned their attention back to each other.

Xu Yanwu wore a dark red brocade robe with a jade pendant at his waist, his hands clasped behind his back, exuding an imposing air.

Over the years, Xu Yanwu had even forgotten Jiang Hanwen. Standing on the stone platform, he looked down, imperiously directing:

"These people have no endurance at all, unlike me back then, who started with twenty laps.

It seems the Zhuang family will have to raise their requirements in the future; they can't just let any Tom, Dick, or Harry in."

"Yes, yes, Manager Xu is right. People nowadays are nowhere near as good as you all; they are all pampered." Luo Maocai smiled fawningly, his flattery making Xu Yanwu narrow his eyes, clearly enjoying it.

Only Jiang Hanwen next to him struggled to hold back his laughter.

You back then?

I was in the same selection as you. When I took first place, where were you?

If I remember correctly, some people barely passed in the last few spots.

How is it that now, when it comes out of your mouth, it sounds like you were so capable back then?

After the run, the second round was Xu Yanwu's written test.

Xu Yanwu stood on the stage and subjected the youths below to a brainwashing session of motivational talks and manipulation.

Luo Maocai quietly asked Jiang Hanwen.

"Brother Jiang, what was Manager Xu's ranking back then?"

"Very good. Manager Xu is a hardworking person." Jiang Hanwen replied casually and skillfully.

Luo Maocai's palms tightened, and he turned with a smile, his face full of disappointment.

He had the records of the top ten runners from back then, and Xu Yanwu was not on it at all.

And on the record, Jiang Hanwen was clearly first!

"I'm leaving first." Luo Maocai chuckled, then followed Xu Yanwu, taking the remaining people away.

Jiang Hanwen smiled gently, watching their retreating figures with a cold expression.

This Luo Maocai is a complete scoundrel!

His question about his ranking just now was a trap for him; as long as he mocked Xu Yanwu a couple of times.

He was afraid that this mockery would immediately become Luo Maocai's Magic Treasure for pledging loyalty to Xu Yanwu.

Words kept to oneself can be pieced together in any way, but once they leave the mouth, they become labels attached to a person.

This Luo Maocai is disgusting, but he might be useful.

Jiang Hanwen's eyes gleamed with excitement. The more eager one is to climb higher and resort to any means, the more extraordinary things one can accomplish. Such a person is a rare commodity.

The next day, more than seventy youths who had passed both the martial and literary tests arrived at the training ground.

Scanning the entire field, Jiang Hanwen saw that one of the two brothers with similar appearances from yesterday was missing.

"Today, I will give you your final assessment.

I will ask three questions. Those who can answer them, do not speak the answer, just stand to my left.

First, when does rice ripen?

Second, where do peanuts grow?

Third, is it good to water flowers at noon?"

Instantly, half the people stood on the left, and half on the right.

Jiang Hanwen pointed to the people on the left and said to the nearby guard:

"Give everyone a piece of paper, write three meters apart, and give it to me when you're done."

"Yes!"

The guard took another look at Jiang Hanwen, his expression complex.

Jiang Hanwen was about to turn his head, but suddenly twisted back, staring blankly at the other person's back.