Chapter 17: The Empire’s Talented Scholars Gather in the Capital

“Brother, though I cannot gift you my prized steed, I have no shortage of exquisite wines and fine spirits!” Cheng Zhe smiled as he signaled his servants to bring several jars of strong liquor. These rare vintages had been purchased at great expense from the Great Wu Empire.

“Indeed, fine wine!” Though he had not yet tasted it, just a faint sniff was enough for Lü Shenmo to accurately judge the quality of the spirits.

In his lifetime, Lü Shenmo cherished three things most: first, martial prowess; second, divine weapons and fine horses; and third, the finest wines of the realm. Especially strong liquors—they were his favorite.

“How can you appreciate such strong spirits in these tiny cups? Bring me a large bowl!” Lü Shenmo disdainfully tossed aside the small wine vessel on the table.

Cheng Zhe smiled and promptly instructed his servants to follow Lü Shenmo’s wishes.

“Brother, in these past few days, all the talented youth of the realm have gathered in the capital. Have you noticed anyone particularly interesting?” Cheng Zhe casually asked while savoring the wine.

Upon hearing this, Lü Shenmo glanced deeply at Cheng Zhe. Born from humble origins, yet now the foremost war god of the Great Cang, he was no reckless brute but possessed a unique wisdom.

Cheng Zhe’s question was no idle curiosity; Lü Shenmo immediately sensed his intent.

“Zhe, I know you have close ties with the Crown Prince, but this matter is best left alone,” Lü Shenmo sighed.

“What do you mean, brother? I truly do not understand,” Cheng Zhe feigned ignorance, masking the slight unease at the corner of his eye with a sip of wine.

“The Imperial Guard has lost three hundred soldiers. Do you think I, the commander of the Imperial Guard, am unaware?” Lü Shenmo spoke with a trace of anger.

Lü Shenmo, the top war god of Great Cang, was responsible for guarding the palace in times of peace—a vital shield protecting the emperor. As the chief of the three commanders of the Imperial Guard, he stood at the pinnacle of military might.

Though the other two commanders were formidable generals, none could compare to Lü Shenmo’s level. Even the lowest among them was still a divine general.

“Today, as I left the city, I encountered the Deputy General of the Eastern Garrison. Behind him stood a man of unfathomable strength!” After years of brotherhood, Lü Shenmo did not withhold his answer, revealing what Cheng Zhe wished to know.

“Brother, you jest. With your strength, who could truly be called unfathomable?” Cheng Zhe feigned indifference but was already alert, eager to hear more.

“If my senses are correct, that man has reached the late Celestial stage—and a very strong one at that. Even I, though confident I could defeat him, it would be a hard-fought battle,” Lü Shenmo recalled the seemingly ordinary man, a hint of caution flickering in his eyes.

External martial skills—such as strength, speed, power, reflexes, and technique—combine to form a person’s combat capability. Each martial artist is unique, and aside from broad classifications, there is no finer subdivision.

Perhaps only Wang Yu, who possesses a system, can accurately assess the external strength of others based on combat attributes.

Internal cultivation, however, differs. Each realm is divided into early, mid, late, and peak stages. Between the Grandmaster realm and the Celestial lies a half-step Celestial tier. Legend speaks of a Celestial Limit beyond the peak Celestial.

Lü Shenmo knew little of this Celestial Limit, only that those who reach it are terrifyingly powerful—akin to the absolute pinnacle of external martial skill. With his strength, Lü Shenmo could match a peak Celestial, but the Celestial Limit would still surpass him.

Though Lü Shenmo’s external prowess was rare in the world, his internal cultivation was merely at the Grandmaster level, leaving him with limited understanding of true Celestial power.

Cheng Zhe, listening intently, finally showed a trace of astonishment. Late Celestial was beyond his expectations.

According to prior intelligence, the Wang family had only one early Celestial, who was still likely confined within their estate. So where had this late Celestial suddenly appeared?

Still, the presence of another Celestial-level expert near Wang Yu was not entirely unacceptable. After all, those who should not be here had arrived, while those who should have returned remained absent.

But the late Celestial stage—this was truly unexpected. The gulf between early and late Celestial was vast.

A late Celestial was among the elite of the entire Great Cang Empire.

“Well then, though the horse was your gift to Chong’er, I, as the elder, shall take this opportunity to ride it a while longer!” Lü Shenmo stood and said, seizing a chance to leave briefly, granting his sworn brother Cheng Zhe a moment alone. He knew this brief respite would be needed.

“Take him to His Highness!” Hastily penning a letter, Lü Shenmo summoned a trusted aide and spoke sternly.

Just as Lü Shenmo had suspected, today had been carefully orchestrated. The timing of Wang Yu’s arrival in the city was arranged so that he would encounter Lü Shenmo, thereby allowing His Highness to probe Wang Yu’s background through Lü Shenmo’s keen senses.

If there truly was a powerful figure accompanying Wang Yu, Lü Shenmo would surely notice.

If even Lü Shenmo detected nothing, then it meant no noteworthy experts accompanied him. Could there possibly be a force so strong that even Lü Shenmo could not perceive it?

Yet, the identity of this so-called His Highness remained unknown.

…

“So many people!” Though he had heard rumors, even Wang Yu was stunned by the throng when he arrived at the registration point.

This was the enrollment period for the academy’s entrance exams. Numerous locations—such as the capital prefecture, the garrison office, and the academy itself—had registration points to disperse the crowds. Without such measures, who knew how far the lines would stretch.

Still, each station was packed with people.

This was inevitable. The Great Cang’s territory was vast and its population abundant. Talented individuals—whether literary or martial—gathered here in droves. How could it not be crowded?

Moreover, foreign visitors—whether earnest scholars traveling, wandering adventurers, or spies from other nations—added to the bustling throng.