Chapter 115: Singing to the Heavens

Suddenly, a thunderous shout crashed down like a rolling storm from the heavens, instantly silencing Zheng Huiming, who was still speaking.

Luobin Wang furrowed his brows sharply, finally revealing an expression of unparalleled fury. The hatred in his gaze toward Zheng Huiming was palpable.

The gathered scholars were startled by the outburst and quickly stepped back. Zhang Yuzhi, Cui Xiangrong, and Sun Dianyu—the chief examiner of the imperial examination—all darkened their faces. Especially Cui Xiangrong, who had initially felt some sympathy for Luobin Wang. After all, he was only a boy of about ten, and indeed had done nothing wrong. But now, all sympathy and respect evaporated in an instant.

After all, he was a scion of a prestigious family, descended from a powerful clan. The very least expected was that he would not raise his voice or cause a scene in public, much less openly defy his elders.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Zheng Huiming threw back his head and laughed loudly, a trace of anger creeping into his tone.

“Pitiful and detestable rabble, ignorant wretches like you who come from humble origins will never see the light of day. Child, as the examiner said, you’d best leave Chang’an soon. If you stay, forget about holding office—your very life may not be safe.”

“Hahaha... This is the first time I’ve seen Brother Huiming so openly defied. The boy is reckless, yes, but not without merit. At the very least, before the exam began, he gave us a good show. It added some amusement to this imperial examination.”

“Hehe, Brother Xiding means this child is like a monkey in the tree, baring his teeth and scratching his ears and cheeks? If so, that does sound rather entertaining.”

“Hahahahaha... Indeed, like an inhuman monkey.”

Behind Zheng Huiming, two youths from the Taiyuan Wang clan and the Fanyang Lu clan exchanged teasing remarks that instantly ignited a burst of laughter. Many sons of noble families joined in, followed by scholars from humble backgrounds who had no stake in the matter, all laughing heartily.

Everyone enjoys watching the fallen being kicked when down. Moreover, joining in at this moment might curry favor with noble scions—why not?

At this moment, Luobin Wang was truly isolated in the corner, the sole target of ridicule for all the scholars. Amid the jeering laughter, the boy’s expression shifted from anger to madness. Even Lu Xin, standing beneath a distant willow tree, felt a fierce murderous aura emanating from Luobin Wang, radiating outward in all directions. This deadly intent was not merely directed at Zheng Huiming, Zhang Yuzhi, and the others, but shrouded all assembled candidates!

“Don’t... please don’t fight!”

Lu Xin’s face changed dramatically, nearly shouting in panic. But in the next instant, Luobin Wang suddenly stepped forward, dark energy swirling around him. He gathered his breath and shouted, the sound reverberating in all directions!

“You, with smiles hiding knives, falsely accusing the innocent. You all deserve to die, deserve to die!”

His roar, filled with boundless resentment, soared to the skies. Luobin Wang’s face twisted with rage, his eyes bloodshot, utterly frenzied. No matter how high his cultivation or how vast his knowledge, he was just a boy of about ten, with life experience far less than even Lu Xin. To be accused and condemned by so many when he believed himself innocent, no matter how strong the heart, would shatter.

This time, the intense killing intent, accompanied by a surge of magical power, enveloped the entire open ground outside the Grand Academy. Scholars standing several meters away instantly felt their hair stand on end and instinctively ducked behind Lu Xin.

“Xin... Xin, Brother Xin! That boy—is he... trying to kill?”

“He’s trying to kill, but only those who deserve death!”

Lu Xin sneered grimly at this, causing the frightened scholar to shrink back even further. Meanwhile, Sun Dianyu barked an order, commanding the elite Yuancong Imperial Guards to seize him. Zhang Yuzhi’s face lit with joy as lightning crackled around him and he lunged forward.

Luobin Wang, in a blind rage, had intended to kill Zheng Huiming first, but Zhang Yuzhi swiftly blocked him, his expression growing increasingly savage. After a couple of exchanges, dozens of Yuancong guards surrounded him. These were battle-hardened elite troops, not only skilled warriors but personally appointed by the emperor and transferred from the Northern Court to guard the examination site. Attacking these imperial guards was tantamount to defying the emperor’s edict—a capital offense of rebellion! This was Lu Xin’s greatest fear. No matter how clever a person normally was, in such a moment of fury and lost reason, they would not consider these consequences.

With the Yuancong guards joining, Luobin Wang quickly found himself at a disadvantage, forced back into a corner by Zhang Yuzhi. Though he knocked several down, he was vastly outnumbered and barely hanging on. Meanwhile, Zheng Huiming sneered and approached Sun Dianyu, whispering a few words. Suddenly, he opened his folding fan and waved it toward Luobin Wang. In an instant, a shimmering bronze bell descended from above, pressing down on the boy’s back. Luobin Wang bent over, coughing up a mouthful of blood. Then Zhang Yuzhi’s fist slammed into his right shoulder, the pain making the boy’s face twitch violently as he dropped to one knee.

“Examiner, the madman has been captured; please issue your judgment.”

“Hmph, this child is possessed by evil, causing havoc at the Grand Academy and attempting to murder an official. His crime is unforgivable. With the imperial examination imminent, to avoid disrupting this grand ceremony and to honor His Majesty’s grace, this fiend shall be executed on the spot as a warning!”

Sun Dianyu’s cold killing intent was clear now. He no longer questioned the circumstances, issuing a direct order to kill. The Yuancong guards raised their blades without hesitation.

At this moment, Lu Xin no longer cared for anything else. With a swift movement, he blocked in front of Luobin Wang just as the guards raised their swords. A flicker of sword light flashed, and in the next moment, one of the guards’ blades shattered into two pieces.

Lu Xin’s action startled the scholars into covering their mouths. A murmur rippled through the crowd—none had expected anyone to stand up for someone who had incited such fury, let alone risk death by severing an imperial guard’s sword.

Zhang Yuzhi’s face darkened immediately; being closest to Luobin Wang, he had witnessed everything clearly. The noble youths exchanged knowing glances and sly smiles, except for Cui Xiangrong, who merely narrowed his eyes without revealing malice.

Two seconds later, Sun Dianyu recovered from his shock, stepping forward with a flushed, strained face.

“Who dares aid the enemy and spread chaos? Do you know what you have done?”

“Heh heh heh, Examiner, please calm down. If I recall correctly, throughout the ages, the death penalty has always been handled with great caution. Even the most heinous and indisputable criminals must have their cases reviewed repeatedly and receive the emperor’s approval before execution. Everyone knows His Majesty is merciful and kind, loving his people like his children and would not lightly kill anyone unjustly. Your actions here disregard imperial law and falsely implicate the emperor as cruel. Tell me, should I not intervene?”

Lu Xin’s words, spoken without fear, left Sun Dianyu momentarily speechless, his face draining of color. Even Zhang Yuzhi and Zheng Huiming frowned deeply, their expressions grave.

As Lu Xin said, the death penalty was an extremely serious punishment in ancient times, and every dynasty treated it with utmost care. From the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern dynasties onward, a system of death penalty review was established. Executions required reporting to the central government, often requiring the emperor’s direct approval. Local officials theoretically had no right to execute prisoners on their own. By the Sui dynasty, a triple appeal system was formalized: “In the fifteenth year of the Kaihuang era, death sentences must be approved three times.” These approvals were made by the emperor himself. The Tang dynasty Emperor Taizong further softened the laws, expanding the review to five appeals for death sentences within the capital to prevent wrongful executions. Officials who executed without approval faced severe punishment, even death. This cautious approach to the death penalty was upheld by successive dynasties thereafter.

Lu Xin did not fully understand Tang law but had studied ancient history under Lu Tingfang and watched many dramas, so he had some knowledge. Seeing the reactions of Sun Dianyu and the others, he knew he had struck a nerve. His earlier hesitation gave way to newfound confidence.

“Hmph, what you describe applies to criminals already captured and convicted. This child harbors demonic magic and rebelled during the imperial examination—a crisis situation not to be compared lightly. Should we wait until he kills people before acting? You dare not confuse beasts with men.”

Zheng Huiming frowned, staring at Lu Xin for a moment before speaking first. The tall, slender man standing beside him lightly touched the sheng (mouth organ) hanging from his waist and smiled faintly.

“May I ask your name and origin? It would be an honor to behold you.”

“Oh? You want my name? Then who are you?”

Lu Xin sneered coldly, slowly sheathing his Youxian Sword, his expression innocent and harmless. The more humble he appeared now, the more inscrutable he seemed—a deliberate tactic to protect himself. Luobin Wang had been too straightforward and unguarded, which made him a target.

“Heh heh, I am Wang Xiding, a descendant of Crown Prince Ji Jin of the Great Zhou.”

“Oh? So you claim to be a royal descendant of the Zhou dynasty? But this is no longer the era of Great Zhou. Brother Wang, why do you keep speaking of the Crown Prince of Zhou? What are your intentions?”

“You! Hmph, smooth-talker, who exactly are you? How dare you be so insolent before the examiner!”

Wang Xiding’s anger flared seeing Lu Xin’s shameless, defiant demeanor. Lu Xin just smiled inwardly and fell silent, bowing his head as he carefully helped Luobin Wang to his feet. Suddenly, a strong murderous intent swept over from a distance, enveloping the scene.