Chapter Thirty-Five: Xuanzi Wins

  Luocheng, one of the nine major cities within a single country's borders, is incomparably grand. The entire main city of Luocheng spans over fifty miles in circumference and can accommodate a population of one million people. Within the territory of Luocheng, there are also many smaller towns, with vast expanses of land stretching out endlessly. However, perhaps due to its distance from the imperial capital, this place has fewer powerful individuals compared to the cities closer to the capital.

  In the nine major cities of Shan Guo, except for the imperial capital, each city has a city master. The city master of Luo City is Wu Ding Shi. Since the founding of Shan Guo, the city masters of the eight major cities have been fixed and are all great contributors to the country's founding period. These eight city masters' positions are hereditary. It can be said that within a city, the city master is like an emperor, except for tasks issued by the imperial capital, generally speaking, the words of the city master are true.

  Wudeng clan, originally the main vein of a sect, but 500 years ago, with the founding emperor of the Single Kingdom, Shan Xiong, conquering this vast territory, it became the overlord within the borders of Luocheng.

  The current Lord of Luo City, Wu Ding Wenqiang, is 42 years old and is said to be a strong man from the early days of the Martial Emperor. He has three sons and one daughter under his knees. His eldest son, Wu Ding Chengfeng, is already 20 years old and is in the middle period of the Martial King. His youngest daughter, Wu Ding Yue Lü, is only 14 years old, but she is also a strong martial artist in the middle period.

  In the city of Luo, apart from the local tyrant Wu Ding Shi, there are also Chen Shi, Niu Shi, Ming Yang Palace and Luo Sheng Pai. Among these forces, at least six martial emperors exist, making them the strongest forces in Luo City after Wu Ding Shi. However, Wu Ding Shi is not overbearing and is even somewhat low-key, so gradually, the four major forces are considered to be on the same level as Wu Ding Shi.

  Under these five major forces, Luocheng still has many large and small forces. Some have the strength of several martial emperors but no more than six. They are in the second tier, below which are forces without any martial emperor strongmen. There are at least a hundred such forces in Luocheng. Although there are many, they can't be compared to those small families with one or two martial king strongmen in small towns.

  The great powers attach importance to their foundation, and under that deep foundation, no matter when they will not lack the existence of a strong martial emperor.

  After leaving Jiuzhaigou, Xu Hua went down the Iron Mountain and headed to Luocheng. Of course, he encountered some bandits on the way, but none of them survived as Xu Hua killed them all, turning them into a stream of vital energy.

  After two days of traveling, Xuhua finally arrived outside Luocheng.

  Looking at the three-zhang-high city wall made of bluestone in front of him, those pedestrians coming and going one after another, the sound of horseshoes from time to time, the soldiers standing motionless like statues in front of the city gate, Xu Hua couldn't help but sigh: "It's indeed Luocheng, a small town like Qingshan can't be compared with it at all, it's totally different!"

  "But I believe that one day, I will also conquer you." However, Xu Hua did not have a hint of despair, but was instead filled with passion. After all, his future prospects were limitless and glorious, and perhaps one day he could become a powerful martial artist, at which time he might even be able to take control of a magnificent city like Luo City.

  Mixed in the crowd, Xu Hua prepared to enter the city, paying an entrance fee of one or two silver coins. Xu Hua entered the city. One or two silver coins could make a poor family in Qing Shan Town worry-free for a month, but in Luo City, it was just an entrance fee, and the difference between them was really indescribable.

  Drive, drive, drive!

  On the other hand, three people rode horses galloping on the road. The pedestrians who were originally on the road hurriedly gave way to the side of the road. Xu Hua also followed and walked to one side. The horse in front was a young nobleman, and the two men behind him seemed to be his guards. At this time, he heard the voices of people around talking.

  "Chen Feng Chen San Shao is going out of town again, seemingly to hunt and kill monsters in the Taihang Mountains, he's really too strong."

  "Chen Feng not only looks extremely handsome, but is also the third young master of the Chen family, and himself has a rare talent. At just eighteen years old, he is already a strong martial artist in the middle period of the Martial King realm. It's said that he is the top candidate to be the next head of the Chen family."

  "Who says it's not? Chen Xuanwu, the eldest brother of the Chen family, is already 21 years old this year. Although he has only reached the mid-term strength of the Martial King, he will be surpassed by San Shao in less than two years. By then, perhaps the Chen family will announce San Shao's succession qualification!"

  Most people are very optimistic about Chen San Shao, but there are still some people who are optimistic about Chen Xuan Hu.

  "It can't be said like that, although Third Young Master has a stronger talent, he doesn't have the stability of Chen Da Shao. I still think Chen Da Shao is more qualified to become the next heir of the Chen family than Third Young Master."

  "Actually, Chen Da Shao is not bad either. He has always been meticulous in his work and has never made any mistakes. His talent is also good, but it was overshadowed by San Shao."

  Listening to the people around him talking, Xu Hua was surprised. Although he didn't know what kind of power Chen Shi was, being able to have mid-Wang level strength at just over 20 years old was truly not ordinary. Such a strong person might be able to sweep through some small towns.

  At last, this so-called Chen San Shao rushed out of the city gate and disappeared from everyone's sight. Xu Hua continued to move forward, seeing and hearing a lot along the way.

  At this time, it was less than a month before the imperial examination in Luocheng. Many scholars from all over the country had already arrived, so there were many more people inside Luocheng than usual. However, after walking for hundreds of feet, Xuhua found that many scholars were carrying book bags and wandering around on the streets, apparently having just arrived not long ago.

  Through inquiry, Xu Hua learned that since the entire city of Luo was divided into four parts: east, south, west and north, at this time Xu Hua was only in the marginal area of the East City. The place for the imperial examination was in the West City. However, Xu Hua did not plan to go to the West City immediately, after all, there was still a month before the imperial examination, and it was not necessary to go too early.

  Continue to move forward, and find that many bookstores around are crowded with scholars from all sides. Of course, even if there is a position, Xu Hua is not willing to go in now. In the past few years, Xu Hua has made great efforts in reading books, and his main purpose of coming to participate in the Luocheng Imperial Examination this time is not to be on the list, but to see if it is worth his hard work.

  "Everyone has their own way, perhaps everyone's way is not wrong, but it's not that every way will be accepted. This world is still controlled by the strong, only the ways they accept are allowed to spread. These principles may seem simple, but not everyone can grasp them..." Xu Hua sighed faintly, wasn't he just like these bookworms a month ago?

  "This brother, you're also here to take the public exam, right?" Suddenly, a handsome young man with red lips and white teeth, and a smile that was pleasing to the eye, appeared in front of Xu Hua. Perhaps it was because Xu Hua's body had been nourished by the essence of life, but he looked several years younger, like an eighteen-year-old youth, so the handsome young man in front of him called him "brother".

  Xu Hua couldn't help but admit that the young man in front of him was far more handsome than himself, and perhaps if he were to wear women's clothes, he would be a beautiful woman! "Indeed, I suppose you are too, brother!"

  "Of course, otherwise wouldn't all these years of studying the classics be a waste?" The young master suddenly turned serious and said.

  "Learning is useful and won't be wasted." Xu Hua replied with a faint smile.

  "Learning to apply...". The handsome young man lightly touched his lips with his finger, and suddenly his glasses lit up. He looked at Xu Hua and said: "Brother, you don't seem to be one of those bookworms who only read dead books."

  "Hmm?" "Hmm?"

  As soon as this was said, many people around them came over to watch. The handsome young man smiled awkwardly and said, "I didn't say it was you."

  Those people turned around and continued to busy themselves with their own affairs, when the handsome young man suddenly exclaimed: "I am Xuanzi Yun, I don't know your honorable surname and great name?"

  "Xu Hua" Xu Hua responded.

  "So it was Brother Xu, I wonder what Brother Xu's lofty views on reading are?" The handsome young master's sparkling eyes were quite captivating, but Xu Hua took a glance and didn't pay much attention afterwards.

  "Why read books? Some people read to accumulate knowledge and experience; others read to gain fame and fortune. I think reading is just a way to survive."

  Xuanzi won't understand its meaning, and asked in doubt: "What does it mean?"

  "In this world of martial artists, the strong are revered and the most powerful ones hold the highest authority. To control one's own destiny, one must become a peak-level strong martial artist. However, this is no easy feat, as most people only possess abilities that barely exceed those of ordinary individuals. To live a better life, one needs to have a deeper understanding of the rules governing this world. Only by ensuring not to violate these rules can one live a better life and avoid dying in vain."

  "Scholars, having read extensively and being well-versed in the past and present, are merely following the experiences and principles of their predecessors. It's a way to live better without offending those in power," Xu Hua explained calmly.

  Mysterious one smile, Xu Hua said: "I also just recently enlightened to these principles, but have already started practicing martial arts, I suppose Xuan brother should see it too!"

  Just now when Xuanzi was about to win, Xu Hua activated the "Life Devouring Technique" to sense the life energy inside his body and found that his life energy was extremely dense. Xu Hua judged that he should be a strong martial king.

  Xuanzi was slightly startled, he didn't believe that a young martial artist could see through him. Before his surprise had settled, he smiled again and said: "It seems that Brother Xu is not simple either, I've never met anyone as interesting as Brother Xu before, I wonder if we can become friends?"

  "Friend?" Xuanziying glanced at himself again, and after a pause, Xu Hua revealed a brilliant smile, saying: "I think I won't refuse."

  "Good." Xuanzi looked very happy and stretched out his hand. Xu Hua understood the meaning and also stretched out one hand, with their palms meeting together.

  Bang!

  "I'm glad to meet you today, Brother Xu. Why don't we go have a drink together?" Xuanziying invited.

  "Great, I just arrived in Luocheng and haven't found a place to settle down yet."

  The two of them vanished into the crowd instantly.