Chapter 431: A Thousand Thoughts
Associate Magistrate Qin stood at the edge of the arena, wanting to step forward and comfort his daughter, but he suppressed the urge. He couldn’t bear to disturb the sweet atmosphere unfolding before him.
Hero saves damsel in distress—what a beautiful phrase! And it was happening right before his eyes, with his own daughter as the rescued.
Truth be told, even if Xu Sanyan hadn’t intervened, Associate Magistrate Qin could have saved his daughter himself. But there was a world of difference.
Who did the saving and how they did it mattered immensely.
If he had rescued her, Qin Shutong would have offered a perfunctory “Thank you, Father.” But Xu Sanyan’s intervention had planted a seed in their hearts—a budding seed of love, ready to bloom.
Undoubtedly, the current outcome was far more perfect.
Associate Magistrate Qin willingly played the supporting role, standing quietly to the side and observing.
Even the gentle breeze seemed reluctant to disturb this tender moment, slowing its pace to lightly brush against Xu Sanyan’s face, causing his pale blue robe to billow. His tall, slender figure stood aloof and dignified, two strands of black hair framing his face, which remained utterly serene.
The scene was deeply etched into the hearts of all the young women present, causing their hearts to race.
Tang Huanhuan stared unblinkingly at Xu Sanyan, a momentary flicker of confusion in her eyes. For an instant, she had truly believed she was seeing her Fourth Brother again.
The resemblance was uncanny.
His eyes seemed to hold no worldly concerns, as still and silent as stagnant water. His thin lips, slightly pale, only accentuated his cold, aloof demeanor.
Apart from this aura, the man before her was nearly identical to the person in her memories.
Yet she knew in her heart that this could not possibly be her Fourth Brother. The single move he had just executed revealed a depth of power beyond comprehension, far surpassing her wildest imaginings.
Even if her Fourth Brother possessed extraordinary abilities, he could never have reached such a level.
On the high platform, Li Wuxing, who had been about to rise, silently settled back down. Since Xu Sanyan had intervened, there was no need for him to act.
Li Wuxing held great respect for Brother Liang’s strength, believing it to be on par with his own.
Shan Zhoushan stared at the splintered wooden chair beside him, then at Xu Sanyan on the distant arena stage, his shock immeasurable. His mind reeled with questions: What kind of power is this? Is this the Perfected Soul Refinement Peak Stage?
Shan Zhoushan couldn’t help but doubt his own abilities. Despite being so close, he hadn’t even seen Xu Sanyan’s movements clearly. Was it simply because of his age? Or had his reflexes dulled from years of inactivity?
It couldn’t be because the gap in their strength was that vast, could it…?
Shan Zhoushan stared at the spot where Xu Sanyan had just sat, lost in thought.
He wasn’t the only one stunned. Zhao Wenshu, Commander He, Patriarch Huang, and everyone else present were equally dumbfounded. They could never have imagined that the young man sitting beside them possessed such extraordinary skill.
Earlier, they had assumed he was seated among them due to his noble status, harboring a degree of indifference toward him. But now they realized that sharing a table with this youth was actually their own honor!
With such power, he could not only sit beside them but even piss on their heads without consequence!
Commander He’s face shifted through a range of expressions as he glared at He Wenshu, his steel teeth grinding audibly. He swore inwardly,
You rebellious brat! I’ll beat the shit out of you today, or you’ll get off easy!
Below the arena, Jiang Longchang stared in disbelief, his gaze instinctively meeting He Wenshu’s beside him. Together, they turned their eyes back to the arena, though their thoughts diverged sharply.
He Wenshu felt certain he was doomed. Forget taking care of Xiao Cui—he’d be lucky if his father showed enough mercy to let him keep a female dog in the courtyard.
His heart sank into despair. Suddenly, the Prefectural Examination seemed utterly meaningless. What was the Emperor’s favor? What was bringing glory to his ancestors? None of it mattered compared to the simple joy of dying peacefully in his own bed.
If time could rewind, he’d rather die on Xiao Cui’s belly than under his father’s iron rod.
Jiang Longchang’s thoughts, however, were different. A deep envy burned in his eyes. How he wished he were the one standing on that arena, the hero saving the damsel in distress!
To bask in the admiration of thousands, to be worshiped by beautiful women, to even earn his father’s grudging respect—that was the life he craved.
From childhood, Jiang Longchang had been the center of attention everywhere he went, all thanks to his father’s position as prefect. He’d assumed the Prefectural Examination would be his stage to dominate, but now someone had stolen all the glory. The shock left him deeply unsettled.
As Jiang Longchang gazed at his father, Prefect Jiang, seated in the central position on the high platform, his heart surged with ambition. He would work twice as hard, determined to one day claim such a position for himself!
The martial arena, filled with over a thousand spectators, fell into a brief silence. No one spoke, but as Xu Sanyan slowly turned around, the stillness shattered.
“Sister Qin, you lost this round. Better luck next time,” Xu Sanyan said with a gentle smile, handing her sword back. His eyes were filled with tenderness and affection.
Qin Shutong instinctively took the sword, her cheeks flushing crimson with overwhelming embarrassment. She wished she could bury her face in the ground.
The young man finally snapped out of his daze, his voice now filled with desperate self-preservation. “This match was inconclusive! It should be declared a draw!” he pleaded, his eyes darting toward the referee with a pleading look.
His family’s influence paled in comparison to the Qin Family’s. A normal victory would have been acceptable, but he had nearly killed the Associate Prefect’s beloved daughter. If he didn’t show proper deference now, his grave would likely be overgrown with weeds by next year.
The referee, unsure how to rule, glanced anxiously at Prefect Jiang, awaiting a nod or shake of his head.
Prefect Jiang pretended not to notice, unwilling to intervene. A draw would be unjust, while declaring the young man the victor would risk offending Associate Magistrate Qin and Xu Sanyan. He decided to remain silent.
Sensing the awkward silence, Xu Sanyan gave the young man a reassuring smile, settling the matter with a single sentence: “No need. A loss is a loss. We’ll win next time.”
Associate Magistrate Qin nodded in agreement. “Exactly. If your skills aren’t up to par, just train harder. This round goes to Xinglu.”
The young man’s cheeks flushed with excitement. He couldn’t believe the Associate Prefect remembered his name!
The referee breathed a sigh of relief and announced loudly, “Contestant B-19 wins!”
Xu Sanyan gave Qin Shutong an encouraging nod before leaping back to the high platform. Glancing at the shattered wooden chair beneath his feet, he felt a twinge of embarrassment.
“How much… for the chair?”
Prefect Jiang waved his hand dismissively with a chuckle. “Heh, it’s just a trivial object. Someone, bring the young man another chair.”
“Yes, sir!”
A new chair was quickly brought, and Xu Sanyan settled back into his original spot. Yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that the atmosphere had subtly shifted.
Previously, Prefect Jiang at the highest point of the platform had been the center of attention. Now, however, all eyes seemed to be drawn to Xu Sanyan, their gazes carrying a hint of curiosity and scrutiny.
As the matches on the arena grew more intense, the focus gradually shifted back to the competition.
(End of the Chapter)