Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior

"Just being able to enter the building and have a chance to meet Miss Qinglan truly makes one envious."

"Hmph, today, the only ones who can directly enter the building are the Scholars about to take the autumn examination or the offspring of the major influential families in the Commandery City, which is beyond envy."

The Scholars have the right to not bow to officials, exemption from corvée, and the ability to establish private schools, which is an existence most commoners can only dream of achieving in their lifetime.

The Scholars have emerged from the county, prefectural, and Academy exams, and if they pass the autumn examination, they will be future officials.

As for the officials and the formidable power of the Noble Family in the County Mansion, they are an existence regular people can only look up to in awe.

In the crowd, a man with an average appearance, about twenty-five years old, stood silently in the assessment line, and shortly, it was finally his turn.

"You may speak."

A student from the Academy spoke with a cold and indifferent voice.

"My counter-couplet is: Within Donglai County, talented scholars ascend the ranks riding cranes."

With these words, two students from the Academy who had previously been indifferent showed surprise, finally seeing a perfectly matched and meaningful couplet.

Both of them lifted their gaze to look at Su Mu, taking in his ordinary face and coarse clothing, their initial enthusiasm lessening. Although they refrained from extending any invitations, their tone was considerably more polite than before.

"May I ask for your name, esteemed brother?"

"Wang Chan."

Learning from the previous lesson with ’Lin Langtian,’ this time Su Mu avoided the surnames Tao, Li, Lin, and Zhou, and whimsically came up with the name Wang Chan.

"Brother Wang, your counter-couplet is impressive..."

Just as another student took a Token from the table and was about to hand it to Su Mu, a commotion arose in the crowd.

"Make way, everyone, make way!"

"Quickly make way, it’s the Tao Family, someone from the Tao Family has arrived."

"And members of the Zhou and Lin families are here too."

The tightly packed crowd parted to open a passage to the building, as several well-dressed noble young men and women approached, surrounded by guards.

"Clang!"

The student handing out Tokens hurriedly put down the Token, stood up immediately, and approached Su Mu with a fawning expression.

"Fifth Young Master Tao, Third Miss Tao, Young Master Zhou, Young Master Lin,... please enter quickly!"

However, this flattering stance failed to win the favor of the young gentlemen and ladies. The leader of the group, Tao Han, upon hearing the words ’Fifth Young Master Tao,’ cast a cold glance and snorted disdainfully as he brushed past.

"Where does this country bumpkin come from, daring to enter Qingyue Tower, truly shameless and ignorant."

"Young Master Tao is right. Good dogs don’t block the way. Let’s go, we mustn’t spoil our mood. I heard Miss Qinglan will personally attend and play the zither today!"

As Tao Han spoke, he glanced at Su Mu waiting before the two students’ table, but it was evident to all that his words were not aimed solely at Su Mu, but also included the two students.

However, being today is the Deer Feast, and the two students representing the Donglai Academy, Tao Han was not foolish enough to directly insult them.

Upon hearing ’Miss Qinglan,’ a gleam of passion flashed in Tao Han’s eyes.

The two students stood frozen, pale and trembling in fear, not daring to speak.

Once these young nobles entered the building, the other students from the Academy cast gloating glances at the two, who then returned to reality and sat down in despair.

Remembering Tao Han’s earlier words, one of them immediately shot Su Mu a fierce glare, speaking in a cold tone.

"Here, your Token."

Su Mu calmly accepted the Token, his expression unchanged as he stepped into Qingyue Tower, though a cold light flashed in his eyes.

In the first-floor hall, before the stage leading to the second level, people gathered in a dense crowd. The stage was occupied by several aged Academics with frosted hair, sitting upright and formally.

Many talented women surrounded the stage, some pondering, others chatting in groups of three or five, or engaging in networking.

"That must be the poetry talent assessment for ascending the building."

Uninterested in this, Su Mu entered the building, found an unoccupied corner, and sat down. On the table were already some snacks, preserved fruits, and tea. Su Mu poured himself a cup of tea, ate the snacks, and his gaze casually swept over the crowd and the entrance.

Soon, a gleam appeared in Su Mu’s eyes, directed at a person dressed as a scholar entering the building.

"This person’s Destiny doesn’t surpass Hai’an."

After a glance, Su Mu withdrew his gaze, casually picking up a piece of preserved fruit to eat. The candied golden dates were sweet as honey, the fruit aroma filled the air, and when chewed, the walnuts added a crisp texture, countering the sweetness and making the flavor quite exceptional.

In ancient times, honey was a luxury item, and these exquisite preserves, made with fruit honey and spices, were expensive. In the marketplace, one tael of candied golden dates could fetch a pound of meat.

Even in Donglai County City, it was considered good for ordinary people to eat meat once every few days, whereas in Qingyue Tower, a small plate of snacks alone could equal two weeks, or even a month’s worth of food for three families.

"Behind the red doors, meat and wine rot... while on the road, the bones of the frozen and starved die."

Su Mu couldn’t help but murmur softly, his expression suddenly tensing. He felt as though he was being watched, soon seeing a stumbling figure coming into view.

A shabby old man in a tattered gray robe, with a wine gourd hanging from his waist, unkempt, walked over with a smile and took a seat across from Su Mu without a care in the world.

Seeing this, Su Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly, a sense of intrigue chilling his heart, fearing that the person had seen through his disguise.

"It’s still quiet here. Young man, why don’t you go up and give it a try?"

"Elder, I am but a humble young man with shallow knowledge, so I’ll refrain from making a fool of myself."

Su Mu’s expression remained unchanged, speaking with composure. However, in the next instant, his eyes tightened once more, as he suddenly felt the remnant Blood Seal of the Tao Family heating up on his chest, and he could clearly sense a similar Blood Seal’s presence nearby.

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