Chapter 199: 152: Encounter with a Demon in the Mountains, The Demon is Terrifying- Part 2
Translator: 549690339
Though he did enjoy the taste of being admired by a crowd, listening to their incessant flattering words day in and day out was too much to bear. In comparison, he found the delicious food in Jiangyang Prefecture more appealing. Consequently, he didn’t respond to any subsequent invites and threw them into the stove to fuel the fire.
Such an unconventional and lofty behavior naturally led to Feng Qing’an “alienating” himself from the literati in Jiangyang Prefecture. Those scholars who couldn’t secure his favor felt they’d lost face. It would practically be a miracle if they spoke well of him after such an ordeal.
However, in Feng Qing’an’s ears, those words were as insignificant as the buzz of flies. They might irritate him, but in a short while he wouldn’t hear them anymore.
What achievements could those people, who hadn’t even achieved anything reputable, expect to gain by forming factions and indulging in intrigues? Some of them might be blessed with talent, but if they did not apply these talents in their studies, how far could they go? Were these the affairs that those who were not even child students should worry about?
“Hmph!”
Feng Qing’an walked into the examination hall. Before long, the Prefecture Exam began. This exam didn’t torment one like the county examination did—it lasted only one day, was divided into three sessions, and it was over as soon as the examination sessions ended.
Three days later, the results were out. Unsurprisingly, he, Feng Qing’an, came in first in the Prefecture Exam. He nonchalantly glanced over the result and left immediately to find some food.
Behind him, the air was filled with cries of agony, hysterical weeping, as well as a mixture of unbridled laughter and shouts of jubilation.
“I made it, I made it!”
“Haha, so did I!”
All kinds of expressions from the candidates were again fully displayed under this list. It was even more pronounced than after the county exam, because those who passed the Prefecture Exam would receive an official title and henceforth, they were considered above the rest.
The Prefecture Exam’s passing rate was vigorous. There were thousands of candidates from Jiangyang Prefecture participating in the exam, but only hundreds were admitted. Only one out of ten candidates succeeded.
This was just to be a child student. If it were the Imperial Examination, it’d be even more brutal. However, given that Feng Qing’an was the top scorer of the Prefecture Exam and had no major moral defects, he basically had a guaranteed spot on the list of the Imperial Examination.
Although Feng Qing’an had already secured the scholar’s title, at the moment, his attention was more focused on the plentiful food laid out before him than on his achievement.
“The Imperial Examination, I recall, is held in Fengtian City. I have tasted almost all the delicacies in the Prefecture City of Jiangyang, so it’s time to venture to Fengtian City!”
After a hearty meal, Feng Qing’an settled his travel plans.
As a child, Feng Qing’an had heard about Fengtian City. It was one of the sub-capitals of Da Jin, and the old capital of the previous dynasty. Even today, its prosperity slightly falls short of the capital, far exceeding Jiangyang Prefecture where he currently resided.
The day after the result of the Prefecture Exam was announced, Feng Qing’an appeared outside Jiangyang City. Beside him were Black and White. However, no one paid any attention to such an exceptional and unique pair because standing in front of him were two imposing figures distinguished as the Civil and Military Judge.
“The Imperial Examination doesn’t start until August. Why are you in such a rush to embark on your journey, young master? Is it due to the food in this city not meeting your taste?”
The Military Judge who had come to see him off had regret and reluctance in his eyes. If possible, he would truly want this young lad to settle down in Jiangyang Prefecture, but he knew that it was impossible.
“I am quite satisfied with the delicacies in Jiangyang. However, I have tasted everything this city has to offer, and there are various other delicacies in the world that I want to try in other places!”
“Then I hope your journey is smooth and you get to taste all the delicacies the world has to offer!”
After a brief exchange, seeing that Feng Qing’an had decided on his journey and could not be persuaded otherwise, the ghost spirits who came to bid farewell could only offer their blessings.
Feng Qing’an waved goodbye to the two spirits. He didn’t follow the main road, but led Black and White into the dense forest, choosing to travel through the deepest parts of the wilderness where few people ventured. Looking at the route chosen by Feng Qing’an, the two spirits exchanged a glance, their expressions were complicated.
“This Young Master Feng indeed has the temperament of his elder brother!”
The Civil Judge, whose Yin God Method Body had faded significantly since a month ago, suddenly sighed.
“I heard that when you first met this young master, you didn’t evaluate him this way! ”
“Did I see that wrongly?”
“Hahaha, I can’t believe you’re actually willing to admit it!”
“What’s there to be ashamed of? I’m just a minor deity of a small Prefecture
City. How could I recognize a heavenly being?”
“Speaking of which, if this young master truly has the qualities of his older brother, I wonder how many ghosts and ghouls in these mountains and forests will suffer!”
“Indeed!”
The two deities look at each other, both suddenly at a loss for words.
The reputation of this young master’s elder brother is so grand that even the gods and goddesses dare not mention him excessively, for the number of spirits who have fallen under his sword is simply too many to count.
At the moment, amidst the mountains and forests, Feng Qing’an, who is riding on the back of Black Mountain with a white wolf following behind him, feels exhilarated, relaxed, and looking at the wide and endless stretches of mountains and forests before his eyes, his mood has vastly improved.
For ordinary mortals, this forest dense with shade, a no-go zone, is a place where every step could end your life.
However, for Feng Qing’an, this place is much more liberating than the human city. There’s no need to hide, no need to restrain himself, and he can freely use all his divine powers.
Gugugu! Gugugu!
Flame Sun Fire is rising from his shoulders, transforming into two peculiarly shaped firebirds. The Golden Scaled Flood Dragon peeks out from his collar, then a cloud forms and lifts it up. The dragon grows with the wind to nearly two meters long, coiling in the air, closely following Feng Qing’an and flitting between the trees.
The thriving life and fresh vitality of the green forest brought high spirits to Feng Qing’an and to everything that followed him.
However, even the highest spirits would eventually wane with the repeating scenery of the forest. The firebirds returned into Feng Qing’an’s body, and the Golden Scaled Flood Dragon also retreated back into Feng Qing’an’s robe.
Even Feng Qing’an began to ponder what he should eat next. Away from the human city, there’s no hope of having a lavish meal just by spending some mundane gold and silver in these mountains and forests.
While Feng Qing’an was pondering what delicacy he should hunt to satisfy his hunger, Bai Yao let out a cautionary growl, followed closely by Black Mountain, who also sensed something wrong.
It wasn’t that Black Mountain was less vigilant than Bai Yao or had weaker sensing abilities, but the differences were due to the disparate paths they’ve taken. As a spirit beast, Bai Yao naturally blends in with the creatures in the forest, and so her senses are fortified by the natural setting.
Demon Qi!
Feng Qing’an looked in the direction that alerted the two wolves. Soon he saw a dense demon qi billowing through the forest, and a unique group appeared in his sight, sparking his interest.
It’s quite normal to encounter ghosts and goblins in these remote forest areas, but such special goblins as these were a first for Feng Qing’an.
In front of the young man was a group of “people” dressed in festive red robes, their faces beaming with joy. Some “people” in the group were carrying gifts, the most noticeable of which were two flapping geese.
Such attire, along with the gifts they were carrying – anyone would know if they encountered this in the human world, they were undoubtedly from two wealthy families and they were engaged in a marriage process, following the Three Letters and Six Etiquettes.
However, encountering such a scene in the forest was extremely bizarre, especially considering that these people appeared to Feng Qing’an as two completely different, yet overlapping groups.
A group of foxes dressed in human clothing, standing upright and walking like humans, led by an old fox whose fur was dark red and whiskers long.
Feng Qing’an halted due to the sudden appearance of this group of foxes, while the foxes who seemed to be betrothed were also taken aback by the young man riding a wolf.
The previously jovial procession was suddenly thrown into chaos. Startled, some foxes carrying gifts even lost control of their magic, their clothes falling off to reveal their true forms as they dashed into the forest….
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶