Fang Ling looked at the seven people standing in a row in the hall with a headache, and it was really hard for him to recommend his own godson as the top scholar. However, thinking that this kind of honor is only available once in a lifetime, he couldnt help but go all out and forget about his old face.

  He gritted his teeth and was about to speak when he suddenly heard someone in the hall speaking up first.

  "I humbly report to Your Majesty, I think that in order to obtain the top honors, one must overpower all others and make them surrender willingly, without any complaints."

  Everyones gaze turned to the person who dared to speak out of turn in the hall, and saw that he had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, unconventional and elegant, it was Cheng Yingtao, known as the number one master of the younger generation of the Cheng family.

  Fang Lingjun furrowed his brow, and among the seven people here, only he had the guts to speak up in this situation. He was a member of the Cheng family, one of the four major families, and his martial arts skills were personally taught by Old Master Cheng Xuanfeng. In the younger generation of the Cheng family, his status was second only to that of the two sons of the family head, Cheng Yinghao and Cheng Yingjie.

  So even if he was reckless and rude, Emperor Xian of Han would not punish him for such a trivial matter. Its just that this person spoke out at this moment, making it clear that he wanted to snatch the title of zhuangyuan from the Prog family, so Tian had to weigh in his heart whether to offend the Prog family because of this.

  "What advice do you have?" Han Xian Emperor looked at Fang Ling Tian, who remained silent. He thought to himself that since this adoptive father of his wasnt anxious, he didnt need to be the bad guy either. So he asked with a smile.

  Cheng Yingtao was overjoyed, he came from the Cheng family and had been taught etiquette since childhood, so he naturally knew that speaking out at this time was not in line with propriety. However, if he waited for Fang Zhongli to mention Xu Haifengs name before opposing him, it would be openly antagonistic towards the Fang family.

  This result is not something he can afford, so he had to take a step ahead and squeeze in a word. Now seeing the success of his plan, he hastily said: "Report to Your Majesty, there are seven people here, we can have them compete against each other in martial arts, the winner will be the king, and the final result will be clear at a glance."

  He claims his martial arts skills are unmatched by anyone else. If it were a one-on-one fight, he would have an extremely high chance of emerging victorious in the end.

  "I beg to report to Your Majesty, I think this method is not suitable." Fang Lian Tian did not speak up, but that didnt mean the Fang family had no one else. Fang Lian De stepped forward and said.

  "Oh, Id love to hear what you have to say." Emperor Han Xian saw that it was this old minister who spoke up, so he naturally had to give him some face.

  Fang Lingde clasped his hands and said, "Since its already the imperial examination, it means that all of you possess true talent and real learning. The top scholar will inevitably become a great general who opens up new territories and establishes extraordinary achievements for our Great Han Dynasty in the future. At this level, what we need to assess is not just martial arts skills. The most important thing is the way of commanding troops, and military merit is also..."

  "General Fang is right." Min Zhitang stepped forward, first flattering Fang Lingde with a sentence. Because when Fang Lingde was young, he was a general who commanded troops, and even now he still held the title of General in the Ministry of War, so he was called General.

  He then changed the subject and said, "However, it seems that in my dynastys imperial examinations, the ranking has always been based on martial arts skills. General Fang has a new idea, so he might as well submit it to the Ministry of War for filing first, and wait until it is discussed and approved in the main hall before implementing it."

  Fang Lingdes eyebrows furrowed, and he said, "If were going to discuss this in the main hall tomorrow, then isnt todays competition just about determining victory or defeat? Between Xu Haifeng and Cheng Yingtao, Im afraid I dont think much of the former. However, as an official for many years, how could he be stumped by these few words? Smiling, he said, "The Prime Minister is right, but I recall that there should be more than just seven people who can win seven consecutive matches this time."

  Min Zhitang had a strange thought in his mind and asked: "Is there anyone else?"

  Fang Lingde smiled and said, "Prime Minister, have you forgotten that there is still Qin Yong, who was conferred by His Majesty as the number one brave warrior in the world? If we really want to show off our bravery, then lets include Qin Yong in the calculation. If someone can defeat him, I will have nothing to say."

  Min Zhitangs mind was not good, and he was speechless for a moment. How could he have ignored this ominous star? If he were to be included, the seven people present might not be his match even if they joined forces. Just looking at Qin Yongs display of divine power on the school field that day, several top masters from the Imperial Palaces Four Great Offerings hid aside and pretended to be deaf and dumb, not daring to intervene, it was clear how formidable he was.

  Fang Lingde saw Min Zhidao open his mouth to speak, but then couldnt say anything, and secretly laughed in his heart. How could these powerful figures from the four great families put this empty-named Chancellor in their eyes? If not for the mutual restraint of the four great families, when would the position of the head of the hundred officials fall on an outsiders head?

  At this time, a young officer came forward with a smile on his face. It was Cheng Yinghao. He said: "General Fang, if Qin Yong is on the stage, then theres no need to compete in this imperial examination. Didnt His Majesty already confer the title of Number One Brave Warrior in the World upon Qin Yong? Since he is the number one brave warrior in the world, how can he condescend to participate in this imperial examination?"

  Fang Lingde was just about to refute, when Gu Dao saw an opportunity and took a step forward, saluting Emperor Xian of Han: "Your Majesty, since they each have their own views, why not ask the seven arena masters present what they think?"

  The Fang brothers cursed Gu Dao Yans old treachery in their hearts, if according to Fang Ling Des words, compared to leading troops and fighting wars, let alone the unnamed small people in these six armies, even all the generals present did not dare say they could surpass the black flag army that created miracles repeatedly. That is to clearly give the title of champion to Xu Haifeng, and others do not have the qualifications to compete.

  However, if we follow Cheng Yingtaos proposal and have a martial arts competition in front of the palace, then everyone will have an opportunity. Even if it is acknowledged that Cheng Yingtao has the highest martial arts skills, he does not dare to guarantee that he can suppress all heroes, after all, he is not yet a first-class warrior, and if he is careless for a moment, he may capsize in the gutter.

  Its easy to guess how they will choose, and its obvious that Xu Haifeng cant hold a different opinion alone, otherwise he will be ridiculed and labeled as cowardly.

  As expected, under Han Xian Emperors inquiry, the other five people unanimously agreed to the method of archery contest in front of the palace, and Xu Haifeng could only go with the flow and nodded in agreement.

  The Han Emperor said to Cai Zhongjing: "Cai Ai Qing, you go and arrange the martial arts competition method, lets start now."

  Cai Junmou received the decree, but his heart was in a dilemma. The situation just now was clearly a secret struggle between the Fang and Cheng families.

  The two major families are powerful, and although he is the Minister of Rites, he cant afford to offend either one. For now, the only solution is to separate Cheng Yingtao and Xu Haifeng, letting them meet in the final round, where they will be competing based on their own strength, without any external factors interfering. This way, the Minister of Rites wont bring trouble upon himself.

  Just as he was considering how to arrange the order and selection of people, Cheng Yingtao suddenly walked up to Xu Haifeng and said: "General Xu, I have long admired your great name and wanted to ask for your advice. Today is a good opportunity, why dont we two throw bricks to attract jade and make it the first trial?"

  The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of a needle dropping audible. Cheng Yingtaos actions were a blatant provocation to Xu Haifeng.

  Xu Haifeng was not particularly concerned about the title of Zhuangyuan, but when he saw Tang Rouer entering with Cheng Yingtao, although it was unclear whether Tang Rouer took the initiative, he still felt extremely displeased. He had long made up his mind that anyone could get the title of Zhuangyuan, except for this guy.

  At this time, seeing him take the initiative to fight, it was just what he wanted. He smiled and said: "Since it is Brother Chengs order, I dare not disobey, please..."

  Hearing Xu Haifeng readily accept the challenge, Cai Junmang, who was having a headache, let out a sigh of relief. Now he didnt have to worry about it anymore. They were free to challenge each other, whoever won or lost, would be content with their fate, and it had nothing to do with him.

  Fang Lingtian and his brothers looked gloomy, they were very dissatisfied with Cheng Yingtaos relentless pursuit, but at this moment, they had no choice but to secretly cheer for Xu Haifeng.

  The two men walked to the center of the martial arts hall, each bowed, drew out the iron swords sent by the little eunuch, and faced off against each other.

  This is not a large arena, the spectators are all powerful people of the current dynasty, and those who do not have martial arts skills occupy more than half. For safety reasons, their weapons were all left outside the palace, and only unopened high-quality iron swords were used. Although the style and appearance look good, if you really want to take the sword to the battlefield, it would be a dead end.

  If its just a matter of momentum, Xu Haifeng, who rose to fame overnight, cant compare to Cheng Yingtao, who became a master through steady and gradual accumulation.

  But Xu Haifengs cultivation method was one of the worlds most exceptional techniques, the Jing Xin Jue (Heart-Calming Technique), whose greatest function was to calm the mind and quiet the energy. Thus, when Ren Chengyings aura came crashing towards him like a giant wave, he regarded it as nothing out of the ordinary, not giving it any attention at all.

  Cheng Yingtaos expression was solemn, he had witnessed Xu Haifengs successful defense three days ago, and he couldnt help but feel inferior to his strong endurance. He knew that the longer he dragged on against him, the more unfavorable it would be.

  Just like this moment, when the momentum is at a stalemate, Xu Haifeng has already shown a somewhat struggling and precarious appearance, but no matter how he urges his momentum, Xu Haifeng can still support it without any danger, and its strong tenacity gradually reveals, with a hint of counterattack.

  Helpless, Cheng Yingtao had no choice but to take a step forward and make the first move.

  Anyone who is proficient in martial arts will feel incredible, to know that between two masters of the same level, the one who takes the initiative often loses in the confrontation of momentum.

  Like today, Cheng Yingtao was clearly at an advantage, but he took the initiative to take action, which is extremely rare.

  However, only a few masters like Gao Chengwei saw that Cheng Yingtaos move was also inevitable. His momentum had been urged to the extreme and had reached its peak state.

  Its like the saying goes, "One drum makes a sound, two drums weaken it, and three drums exhaust it." Its just like an already fully drawn bow and arrow, unable to sustain itself for long. If it doesnt release its energy soon, its momentum will inevitably decline to the extreme. If Xu Haifengs momentum surpasses his, then this martial arts competition will come to an end here.