Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2: Crossover
Chapter 3: Bandits
Chapter 4: Forest
Chapter 5: Emotions
Chapter 6: To Protect
Chapter 7: Peach Blossom Origins
Chapter 8: Wisdom
Chapter 9: Legacy
Chapter 10: Theft
Chapter 11: To Protect
Chapter 12: Capital
Chapter 13: Banquet
Chapter 14: Spiritual Roots
Chapter 15: Examinations
Chapter 16: Quality
Chapter 17: Wretched
Chapter 18: Silver Dragon Temple
Chapter 19: I Surrender
Chapter 20: Three Questions
Chapter 21: Elementary Scholar
Chapter 22: Patrol Officer
Chapter 23: Sacrifice
Chapter 24: Farewell
Chapter 25: Idol
Chapter 26: Banknotes
Chapter 27: Plan
Chapter 28: Kill Them
Chapter 29: Legacy
Chapter 30: Maiden
Chapter 31: Tang Zhen
Chapter 32: Invitation
Chapter 33: Decay
Chapter 34: Chen Yuan
Chapter 35: Han Lin
Chapter 36: Heaven’S Assistance
Chapter 37: Event On The Boat
Chapter 38: A Disgrace To The Educated
Chapter 39: Revoking A Title
Chapter 40: Sailor
Chapter 41: Into The Water
Chapter 42: Solving The Case
Chapter 43: Mistress Cloud
Chapter 44: Crystal Gaze
Chapter 45: Autopsy
Chapter 46: Into The Examination Halls
Chapter 47: Examination
Chapter 48: Night Ship
Chapter 49: Murder
Chapter 50: Judge
Chapter 51: Suspicion
Chapter 52: First Place
Chapter 53: Check Again
Chapter 54: Realization
Chapter 55: Ancestral Temple
Chapter 56: Spiritual Roots
Chapter 57: Night Attack
Chapter 58: Puppet
Chapter 59: Killing An Official
Chapter 60: Today Shall Be The Day You Die
Chapter 61: Counterattack
Chapter 62: Will You Do It
Chapter 63: The Case Of The Coffin Bearers
Chapter 64: Decision
Chapter 65: Broken Tail
Chapter 66: Respects To Teacher
Chapter 67: Payment
Chapter 68: Entering The Sect
Chapter 69: Retrieve
Chapter 70: Rise Above
Chapter 71: Confer A Title
Chapter 72: Samurai Warrior
Chapter 73: Let’S Drink Up
Chapter 74: The Great Learning
Chapter 75: Pirates
Chapter 76: First Book
Chapter 77: Revenge
Chapter 78: Seven Cups And Seven Steps
Chapter 79: Attack
Chapter 80: A Little Higher
Chapter 81: Rejection
Chapter 82: Exterminating The Pirates
Chapter 83: Imperial Edict
Chapter 84: Send The Memorandum
Chapter 85: Unfilial And Unfair
Chapter 86: Turning Misfortune To Fortune
Chapter 87: Relay Station
Chapter 88: Murder
Chapter 89: Desire
Chapter 90: Six Riders
Chapter 91: Dao Amulet
Chapter 92: Fire On Mountain Deity Temple
Chapter 93: Ji Ai Guo
Chapter 94: A Chance Encounter
Chapter 95: To The Capital
Chapter 96: An Idea
Chapter 97: Hidden Gold
Chapter 98: Gold Is Too Heavy
Chapter 99: Dance Of The Dragon And Fish
Chapter 100: Turn Back In Sadness
Chapter 101: Exchange
Chapter 102: Lovesick
Chapter 103: In A Trance
Chapter 104: The Emperor’S Melody
Chapter 105: Audience
Chapter 106: Heavenly Disposition
Chapter 107: Completion
Chapter 108: Leaving A Memory
Chapter 109: Receiving The Edict
Chapter 110: Sword Fight
Chapter 111: Query In The Night
Chapter 112: Reason
Chapter 113: Divination
Chapter 114: Metal Anchor
Chapter 115: Justice Is Served
Chapter 116: Fairy On The Magpie Bridge
Chapter 117: News
Chapter 118: The Tiger And The Lion Converges
Chapter 119: Avoid The Rain
Chapter 120: Southern Kingdom
Chapter 121: Young Chieftain
Chapter 122: Fisherman
Chapter 123: The Tomb
Chapter 124: Evil Survivors
Chapter 125: Attacking The City
Chapter 126: Controlling Snakes
Chapter 127: Interrogation
Chapter 128: Black Wolf
Chapter 129: Young Master Xie
Chapter 130: Burning The Stronghold
Chapter 131: Assassin
Chapter 132: Urgent Return
Chapter 133: Feelings
Chapter 134: Dragon Tiger Temple
Chapter 135: Shen Wan Lin
Chapter 136: Marriage Upheaval
Chapter 137: Obstruction
Chapter 138: Upholding The Laws Of The Household
Chapter 139: It Doesn’T Matter
Chapter 140: If Only We Met Once In This Life
Chapter 141: Alliance
Chapter 142: Mission Incomplete
Chapter 143: Suspecting Your Neighbor Of Stealing
Chapter 144: Absurdity
Chapter 145: Competition
Chapter 146: Refusal
Chapter 147: Collaboration
Chapter 148: Harmonizing Flute Lullabies
Chapter 149: Forever Gone Are The Old Times
Chapter 150: Retrieving The Pill
Chapter 151: Be Good And Accept Death
Chapter 152: Exposure
Chapter 153: Emergency
Chapter 154: Poison Gas
Chapter 155: Secret Basement
Chapter 156: Breaking Through The Gates Of Heaven
Chapter 157: Kill Them All
Chapter 158: Core Disciple
Chapter 159: Offended
Chapter 160: A Glimmer Of Hope
Chapter 161: Surprise
Chapter 162: Bestowing A Title
Chapter 163: Explosion
Chapter 164: Official
Chapter 165: Network
Chapter 166: Arrest
Chapter 167: Retribution
Chapter 168: Insignia
Chapter 169: The Chase
Chapter 170: Return To The City
Chapter 171: Prestige
Chapter 172: Enchantments
Chapter 173: Kill A Man, Leave A Poem
Chapter 174: Major Incident
Chapter 175: Meeting
Chapter 176: Sin
Chapter 177: A Full Account
Chapter 178: Cracks
Chapter 179: I Won’T Meet
Chapter 180: Peace And Prosperity
Chapter 181: Untitled
Chapter 182: A Truthful Misrepresentation
Chapter 183: Do Some Good
Chapter 184: Obtaining An Imperial Tile
Chapter 185: Leaving The Prince’S Mansion
Chapter 186: Virtuous
Chapter 187: Punished Only Because You’Re Capable
Chapter 188: Spy
Chapter 189: Fate Lantern
Chapter 190: Jade Pendant
Chapter 191: Floating Sphere
Chapter 192: Jian An
Chapter 193: Words From The Heart
Chapter 194: Counter Attack
Chapter 195: Cursed
Chapter 196: All Of You, Die!
Chapter 197: Breaking Through Paradise
Chapter 198: Rushing In
Chapter 199: Assistance
Chapter 200: It Doesn'T Matter
Chapter 201: You’Ve Grown Up
Chapter 202: Battle Conclusion
Chapter 203: Overwhelmed
Chapter 204: Position
Chapter 205: Alliance
Chapter 206: County Magistrate
Chapter 207: Hesitation
Chapter 208: Refusal To Meet
Chapter 209: Eyes And Mouth Wide Open
Chapter 210: Asking For Help For A Title
Chapter 211: Ignorance
Chapter 212: The Plan
Chapter 213: Zhao Kuo
Chapter 214: Executed
Chapter 215: Increase In Morale
Chapter 216: Sentry Island
Chapter 217: Breaking The Enemy
Chapter 218: The Day Of The Counterattack
Chapter 219: To Retrieve
Chapter 220: Attacking The Stronghold
Chapter 221: Stability
Chapter 222: Ashore
Chapter 223: Attack
Chapter 224: Defeat
Chapter 225: Urgent Report
Chapter 226: Persuasion
Chapter 227: Invitation
Chapter 228: Cleanly
Chapter 229: Becoming A Dao Master
Chapter 230: To The Capital City
Chapter 231: Recruiting
Chapter 232: Affair
Chapter 233: A Bag Of Pills
Chapter 234: Virtue Of The Crown Prince
Chapter 235: Divergence
Chapter 236: Ambush
Chapter 237: Snow People
Chapter 238: Luring The Snake Out Of A Cave
Chapter 239: Love Never Lasts
Chapter 240: Shameless
Chapter 241: Assassins On Sky Road
Chapter 242: Resolution
Chapter 243: Observation
Chapter 244: Demotion
Chapter 245: Shocking News
Chapter 246: Farewell
Chapter 247: An Audience
Chapter 248: Advisor
Chapter 249: Business
Chapter 250: Suspicion
Chapter 251: Golden Cats
Chapter 252: Killing Officials
Chapter 253: River Deity’S Daoist Field
Chapter 254: Long Arms Of Justice
Chapter 255: Ironclad Case
Chapter 256: Removing The Official Hat
Chapter 257: Rebuilding
Chapter 258: Execution
Chapter 259: Stale Fish
Chapter 260: Records
Chapter 261: Reinstatement
Chapter 262: Wei Family Village
Chapter 263: Map Of The Dragon Veins
Chapter 264: Deep Wisdom
Chapter 265: Wedding
Categories Genre: Action, Adventure, All, Historical, Martial Arts, Ongoing, Romance, Supernatural, Xianxia Status: Ongoing Alternative names: Dao Tian Xian Tu, Path to Immortality: Marauding the Heavens, 盗天仙途, ______
Total Chapters in book: 265
Estimated words: 772462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3862(@200wpm)___ 3090(@250wpm)___ 2575(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 772462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3862(@200wpm)___ 3090(@250wpm)___ 2575(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 265 Page No. 264 Page No. 263 Page No. 262 Page No. 261 Page No. 260 Page No. 259 Page No. 258 Page No. 257 Page No. 256 Page No. 255 Chapter 16: Quality
Chapter 16: Quality
Translator: Translation Nation/chuchutrain Editor: - -
Once he had awaken from his slumber, the sun was already out and shining. Most of the candidates were already up and making rustling noises as they started writing again. Pei Zi Yun stood up and stretched himself. With a patrolling official following him, he went to the toilet and back to the room. He drank some water, taking small sips at a time.
After having more pastries and an egg, Pei Zi Yun felt rejuvenated. He then began to check the answers on the scrap paper and ensured that he had solved the three big questions without mistakes. As he sighed, he knew that if he did not become an Elementary Scholar, something was seriously wrong.
He then started to copy the answers from the scrap paper into the actual answer script.
“The last section is the final part, poetry.”
“Frankly, regardless of which discipline is the emphasis, poetry is the least important. The last question thus tested the candidates literary abilities.”
“All I can say is, if it is an outstanding piece, bonus marks will be rewarded.”
Although Pei Zi Yun was not the most poetical person, he had many poems in his memories.
Between these two worlds, surely there will not be two identical poets.
Looking at the topic, "Start of Spring”, Pei Zi Yun was shocked. This looked familiar to him. His head felt slightly painful from the number of poems he could choose from to write.
As he was thinking, he held the inkstone and his gaze was fixed on the question. He finally decided on which poem he would write, "I shall write the poem by Xi Han Yu”
“This poet was part of the Tang dynasty, and poems from the Tang dynasty are the most expensive. This was because no other dynasties could compete in poetry with them. And this person was conferred numerous titles for his ability in literature. Bring me some luck!”
Pei Zi Yun’s heart was glad with confidence. This time, there was no need for the scrap paper, he decided to write directly onto the actual sheet.
The streets were wet with light drizzle as the grass swayed in the wind.
The best time of the year is spring, infinitely better than having smoke filled skies.
Phew
When he had finished, Pei Zi Yun relaxed every muscle in his body. He checked the entire script three times to ensure no mistakes were made. He looked around him to see everyone was still buried in their writings, each of them looking pale. He had finished before time was up as he shouted, "Submitting my paper!”
The official asked him curiously, "It’s not even dark, yet you have finished writing?”
Pei Zi Yun replied, "I have finished.”
Without delay the official called for the official in charge of receiving scripts. He checked that everything was in order before saying, "Release!”
All these submitted scripts will then be stamped with the candidate’s names to prevent fraud of any sort. Several officials will then transcribe the contents of the paper and pass the copies for marking. Only after the top percentile of candidates have been selected will they be able to view the actual papers. At this point if it was well done, marks can be added. Before this process nobody was allowed to see the actual test scripts, not even the officials collecting the papers.
Pei Zi Yun exited the examination hall and realized how stuffy and stifling the atmosphere had been. He did not want to stay longer than he had to. It was rumoured that the next tier of examinations required three days to complete and candidates were not allowed to leave early. He wondered how blank he would be if he had to do that.
He recalled that just as he was copying the answers down onto the actual answer sheet, a student had to be carried out. He had an entire head of white hair and was wailing to be let back in again. Pei Zi Yun watched from afar and felt somewhat distressed.
That was how it was for the examinations. If you did not pass the Elementary Scholar examination once, and succeeded even after several attempts, you will end up like that.
Unless the candidate is exceptionally lucky, or exceptionally talented, the higher tier examinations would usually require a few attempts. Pei Zi Yun felt completely drained and exhausted but completely relieved as well.
Since the examinations are over, and he should become an Elementary Scholar with the relevant status, the Plum Blossom mission would be completed.
As he stepped out, Pei Zi Yun realized how blank his mind felt.
Apart from a High Scholar’s family, scholars, servants and cart drivers, everyone else traveled by riding. In the history of examination candidates, many have collapsed from exhaustion and sickness. Walking under exhaustion like this would not be safe, and since he did not feel like walking anyway, he waved his hand for transport.
An oxcart stopped beside him, as Pei Zi Yun said, "Safe Travels Inn!”
“Sure, have a seat, passenger.”
The ride back to the inn was very bumpy, but at least the hotel serving staff were on the ball. As soon as they saw him, they shouted, "Prepare the hot water!”
Pei Zi Yun immediately took a warm shower before coming out to some meat porridge. After having his meal and some tea, he started seeing candidates returning from the examination hall. He noticed that Tang Zhen looked extremely pale. The moment he saw Pei Zi Yun he hurriedly approached him and bowed.
Pei Zi Yun was shocked and said, "Brother Tang why do you have to be so formal?”
He looked up and saw Tang Zhen looking embarrassed as he said, "I am thankful for the scolding you gave me a few days ago, and forced me to revise in my room before the examinations. One of the questions that came out, I had just revised during that period. And so I have to thank you.”
“Haha, that really happened? Then it is your destiny.” Pei Zi Yun smiled as he spoke sincerely. This man truly has some good fortune, having a question that came out during his revision.
As he finished his porridge, he noticed a few more candidates returning but was not bothered. He went up to his room and lay on his bed. Within moments he was immersed in sweet dreams.
…………
School, Marking Hall
The top papers had already been arranged by merit, but had to wait for the rest to be sorted before they could be released. The marking hall consisted of people who recorded the marks, script collectors and seal affixers. In the west hall, officials were in charge of reading and internal circulation.
The script collectors will ferry the scrips to the seal room, where they will be stamped to protect the integrity of the papers before they are delivered to the recording room to be copied.
Once copies had been made, both the original and copies would be transported across the hall to reading rooms. The officials will read both documents to ensure that they are exactly the same. They will retain the original and pass the copied version to the great hall.
The great hall was some distance away and the scripts have to be handed outside. Within the great hall, an official would be reading the scripts behind a screen, making it resemble an office of sorts.
When every official had finished reading the scripts and were satisfied with its quality, they would each indicate with a circle on top, before handing it to the room chief.
After the room chief was satisfied, he too would affix a circle onto the top of the script before sending it over to the deputy chief examiner. Likewise, when the deputy chief examiner was content with the quality of the script he would indicate with a circle and finally send it to the chief examiner.
The night sky was littered with an abundance of stars. Just as the room was littered with candles, illuminating the entire place.
The layout of the room was very simple. There were a couple of tables and chairs. The table was full of examination scripts. The chief examiner was called Ye Xiang Gao and he was a 50 years old man with an entire head of white hair. He was looking at the reading officials, "Today you are here grading examination papers, do not forget those hard years of studying. But more importantly, do not forget the trust invested in you by the dynasty. Be alert when marking the scripts, if there are any discrepancies, be sure to voice it out.”
The officials acknowledged and proceeded with their duties.
The reading officials were all professors in the relevant subjects, and there were fixed answers to the first section, so the grading for this part was straightforward.
After a short while, one of the officials shouted, "Question five of the justice segment had been answered wrongly. Everyone was able to get this question right but this candidate made a mistake.”
As he said this, he threw that script into the bottom percentile.
In this examination, there were around two thousand seven hundred scripts. But with many marking officials, within moments the first part of it had been graded.
“Your excellency, of two thousand seven hundred and forty one scripts, three hundred and ninety one had fallen behind due to error in answers and are at the bottom of the cohort.
Those scripts that had fallen to the bottom are deemed hopeless and will only receive attention when all the scripts had been marked. Unless a miracle happens, chances of these scripts making it are very slim.
“Two thousand three hundred and fifty scripts shall now be marked on the next segment.” Announced the chief examiner.
“Yes!” Now that they were marking the big questions, the speed would be much slower. Late in the night, one of the officials yawned. Even if there were many marking officials, with so many words to read, they would surely feel dizzy and see stars after some time. Holding on to one script, he read the contents before shouting, "What rubbish is he writing.”
It was then tossed to the bottom of the cohort.
Moving on to the next script, he straightened up and smiled, "Not bad, this is a good piece!”
He then circled the top of the paper and was about to put it aside but could not bear to, "A script of this quality is hard to come by. I shall enjoy reading it once more.”
The white haired official read it through once more, sampling the quality and sighed, "Rare, a rare quality piece.”
He then wrote, ‘top quality’ below the circle. The official in the room will take a closer look. In a heartbeat, the script had been delivered to the inner room.
If the reading officials were likened to tired dogs, the official in the room was as free as a cat. All he had to read were scripts with a circle on top.
The official in the room was not tired, as he read the scripts without expression. He then called out to the official outside and asked, "This script, was it you who deemed it to be top quality?”
“Yes it was.”
The room official considered for a moment before drawing a circle on top too. He then wrote, "Matured piece of writing, possible top scorer.”
The reading official saw and was shocked. The room official then told a scribe, “Take this to the assistant chief examiner.”
There were only a few scripts with circles, and even fewer were those that had two circles. When the assistant chief examiner picked up the essay he smiled and said, "There is indeed an outstanding script.”
After reading it, he paused for some time and was stumped. He then drew another circle before handing it to the chief examiner.
When the chief examiner saw three circles on the paper, he knew that it had been justified by the reading official, the room official and the assistant chief examiner. He then started to read it.
Before long, the chief examiner sank deep into thought.
“How is it?” Asked the assistant chief examiner.
The chief examiner paused for some time before saying, "This piece had a certain maturity and depth to it. It is not treacherous, and was written wisely. As for discussion, he has the potential to become a High Scholar. In this examination, he would at least be in third in the first band. However, I noticed a certain regret and self reproach. I am afraid this candidate is not young anymore.
The assistant chief examiner paused for a second before understanding, "What a shame.”
To say that the road to becoming a High Scholar is free of discrimination is not true. Although merit is important, the candidate in question matters too. Awarding High Scholar status would mean that the dynasty has selected the candidate to potentially become a government official. If the candidate is too old, he would face some discrimination.
You are already forty five, how many years can you serve after appointing you as an official?
It is evident that an old age comes with a lower chance of scoring well. Many old candidates actually do not stand much chance in succeeding.
There is some depth to the essay. But someone like this, might not be good for the dynasty. The chief examiner was not satisfied, "So he shall drop?”
“That is so, he shall drop.” The chief examiner considered for some time before saying, "Place him in the middle of the second band!”
Total Chapters in book: 265
Estimated words: 772462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3862(@200wpm)___ 3090(@250wpm)___ 2575(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 772462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3862(@200wpm)___ 3090(@250wpm)___ 2575(@300wpm)
______