Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Letter Arrives (Requesting Recommendations)

"Steward Xie, stabilize the situation here for now. I have matters to attend to and will return later," Yang Ze instructed before leaving.

He left in such haste because he was heading to the yamen to find Yuan Heng. With only nine days left, he had finally completed Yuan Heng’s task and was now ready to claim his reward. If not for the sake of securing a spot in the upcoming examination, he would not have gone to such lengths, risking his life to kill Feng Lixuan and Fan Yongnian.

When he arrived at the yamen, he was surprised to see that Yuan Heng was already there, waiting, and even came forward to greet him.

"Hahaha! Young Master Yang, you truly are extraordinary. I haven’t been waiting long, and here you are," Yuan Heng said with a broad smile.

Yang Ze returned the greeting and asked, "How did you know I would come? If I hadn’t come, wouldn’t you have been waiting in vain?"

"When you led your men to sweep through Wenjia Street today, I knew the situation in Sitong Ward was bound to change. Then I heard you moved on to Chenglan Street, and I knew you were about to succeed. How could I not wait for you here? Otherwise, it would show a lack of sincerity on my part."

Though Yang Ze had met Yuan Heng several times before, this was the first time he had seen such a genuine smile on the man’s face. It only made him realize how bleak Yuan Heng’s past had been. By weakening the Feng and Fan families, Yang Ze had, in effect, strengthened the authorities. If Sitong Ward eventually fell into official hands, the government’s power would grow considerably.

Having rendered such a service, it was no wonder Yuan Heng was pleased.

However, Yang Ze was also aware that he had damaged the interests of the martial world this time. If other martial artists learned of it, he would be infamous—and perhaps even marked for death, for he had, in a sense, colluded with the authorities.

Yet Yang Ze felt no regret. He had to do this. He knew he was more capable than Yang Hai, so why should he be denied a place? It rankled him deeply.

If he left Yuyang City to forge his own path, it would be nearly impossible to make a name for himself here. Only by entering the Martial Academy could he find the quickest route forward.

He hadn’t been in this world long and felt little attachment to it. Why should he suffer injustice and refuse to seize opportunities that lay before him?

"Lord Yuan, your information network is impressive. I was indeed anxious and came to see you as soon as I finished," Yang Ze said.

"It’s natural for the young to be impatient. Come, let’s continue this conversation inside."

Yuan Heng led Yang Ze in, lavishing him with praise all the while, nearly raising him to the heavens.

Only after they were seated and alone did Yang Ze interrupt, "Lord Yuan, there’s no need for such praise. You know the true reason I’m here."

Yuan Heng paused. "Of course, as the head constable of Yuyang City, I am a man of my word. Here is what you wanted. I have prepared it for some time—catch!"

With that, Yuan Heng sent out a palm strike. A surge of force shot from his hand, and a black object flew toward Yang Ze.

Yang Ze’s eyes flashed as he raised his right hand, catching the black object mid-air. At the moment of contact, there was a faint sound—a soft collision.

A force traveled into his palm, but Yang Ze’s expression remained unchanged. He quietly expelled a breath of true energy, dissolving the force, then opened his hand to reveal a small black token.

The token was about half the size of his palm. The front bore the characters "Yuyang," while the back was blank, save for a single circle.

"And this is?" Yang Ze examined the token, feeling its cold weight, finding nothing remarkable about it.

"This is your token for the examination. There are only a hundred places this time. The exam will take place within the yamen, and whether you have a spot depends on this token. Only those with a token can participate; without one, you cannot. These have been distributed to the various martial factions, and you are the first to receive one outside those circles," Yuan Heng explained.

"I see," Yang Ze replied, now realizing how precious the token was. He gripped it tightly in his fist.

"Many thanks, Lord Yuan. Do you know what the examination will involve?"

"The specifics are not for me to know. The test will be set by the Martial Academy of Wuyang. When the time comes, all will be revealed. There’s no need for you to worry. Whatever the content, I am confident you will pass."

"Lord Yuan, you have great faith in me. I know you care about Sitong Ward, but perhaps my abilities are not as great as you imagine."

"Young Master Yang, I may not know the exam content, but I do know the first requirement: the age limit is set at twenty years old. In Yuyang City, among those under twenty, there is no one who can compare to you—not even half your equal. If you cannot pass the examination, I fear no one in Yuyang City could."

Hearing this, Yang Ze realized he’d been thoroughly maneuvered by Yuan Heng. Indeed, among the city’s younger generation, none could match him; he was the favorite to pass the exam.

"I did not expect your calculations to be so deep, Lord Yuan. I underestimated you," Yang Ze said with a wry smile, not at all angry.

"Are you not angry at my scheming?"

"What’s there to be angry about? We each get what we need. I want the spot; you want Sitong Ward. That’s all."

"Good. You are truly magnanimous. There’s just one thing I must ask: were Feng Lixuan and Fan Yongnian killed by your own hand?" Yuan Heng’s tone dropped.

Yang Ze burst out laughing. "Lord Yuan, I don’t know where you heard such rumors. I could never accomplish such a feat. I only just broke through to the high stage of Qi Induction; facing peak practitioners, I wouldn’t last long. How could I possibly have killed two peak experts?"

"Then why did you spread the news of their deaths?"

"Is that all? I heard those two peak warriors had disappeared, so I took advantage of the situation to spread the rumor and stir up trouble. Otherwise, how could I have seized Sitong Ward?"

"I see," Yuan Heng replied, a meaningful note in his voice.

"Otherwise, what else could it be? Lord Yuan, you give me too much credit. I’m just a high-stage Qi Induction warrior, nothing special," Yang Ze said with a hearty laugh.

"Enough of that. Young Master Yang, let me take you to meet someone. Are you interested? It took me a long time to arrange this meeting—he normally doesn’t see just anyone," Yuan Heng said with a hint of mystery.

Yang Ze’s heart stirred. This was the first time he’d seen such a demeanor from Yuan Heng. Given the man’s status and strength, who in Yuyang City could warrant such respect from him?

"Lead the way, Lord Yuan." Yang Ze did not refuse. At this point, there was no reason to turn back.

Yuan Heng stood and led Yang Ze deeper into the yamen. The two wound their way through corridors and passageways, journeying quite a distance. The farther they went, the more surprised Yang Ze became.

Clearly, the person they were about to meet held a position and power surpassing even Yuan Heng’s. A thought arose in Yang Ze’s mind, and he quickly guessed who it might be.

Finally, at the end of a narrow lane, Yuan Heng stopped, pushed open a small door, and stepped inside.

Yang Ze followed him through the door and saw a small, elegant building ahead—its beauty surpassing even the Yang family estate.

A corridor stretched before him, and at its end sat a man in black robes, calmly watching Yang Ze and Yuan Heng approach.

Even across the distance, as the man’s gaze fell upon him, Yang Ze felt a heavy pressure, a sense of imminent danger.

He glanced at Yuan Heng and saw that his expression, too, had grown solemn. Despite their similar ages, Yuan Heng’s face now bore an unusual gravity.

"Could this be..." Yang Ze began, only for Yuan Heng to silence him with a look, then continued forward. Yang Ze followed.

They walked to the end of the corridor. Before they could speak, the man’s eyes fixed on Yang Ze, making his hair stand on end as an intense sense of danger washed over him.

Fortunately, the man’s gaze soon shifted to Yuan Heng, and a hoarse voice emerged.

"This is Yang Yuanzhen’s second son?"

Yuan Heng nodded.

The man’s eyes returned to Yang Ze, calm and indifferent. "You don’t look like him at all," he said.