Monarch Night

But now with these huge benefits, many experts guarding the Guardian Hall couldn't hold back any longer: there hadn't been a big catch in the nets for such a long time, why not just pull the nets now? Maybe there'll be an unexpected gain?

Of course, there were also those who stayed calm and continued to guard the nests.

In short, it was all in chaos.

And the senior students of Baiyun Martial Academy were cooperating with the action, and all over the city, you could often see several people flying back and forth.

Fang Che had nothing to do that day.

Just waiting to get off work.

In the meantime, he used the time to observe the people in the Steward Hall.

Basically, throughout the day, people were constantly coming in and going out. Some could go in and out a dozen times a day, hurriedly, but some stayed inside the hall without going out.

Sometimes a summon would be heard: "There's a situation."

Dozens of people would then rush out together.

They almost didn't need to be organized, but everything was orderly—knowing whose turn it was or what belonged to whom...

Clear and distinct.

People from the War Hall continuously came to call on people, and the response team kept calling for help, while on this side, no matter what happened, a minimum of fifty people were always on standby.

Fan Tiantiao went to the War Hall a dozen times and came to the Steward Hall five or six times in a single day, like a flying man.

"Quick, quick, quick!"

"Bring a few people!"

"West of the city, west of the city."

"Nest is active in the east of the city!"

"..."

Besides the conventional fishing codes, there were also all sorts of custom codes belonging to each small team, creating a jumble.

"What about Hei Mountain? Clouds are rising, hurry up!"

"There are fish at North Sea, go!"

"..."

Fang Che only felt dizzy from all the listening.

And somewhat 'awkward'.

But those involved didn't feel awkward at all, and instead seemed to think it was quite stylish.

With faces glowing red.

They even seemed slightly smug about the looks they got from those who couldn't understand.

"Truly, silly youth have all the fun..."

Fang Che sighed sincerely.

...

Fang Che's sub branch had already become a gold mountain, with various sect sub branches sending their compensations over one after another.

Gold mountain, silver mountain, it's huge.

More than fifty people, each holding a thick tome, were reciting it as earnestly as on the eve of the college entrance exam.

These people had decent qualifications and great comprehension skills, naturally, their memory capacity was strong.

But the problem was... no matter how strong their memory, who could confidently memorize something as thick as a brick in just a day?

It was purely difficult.

Quite a few folks looked dejected, as if there was no hope left in life.

Especially the original Grandmasters, they weren't like these young Shi family's sons.

They were already older.

This age had a characteristic: they memorized things especially fast, but forgot them even faster!

Clearly, they could recite it, but turning a page to look at something else would make them forget the previous part.

Each and every one scratching their ears and cheeks.

Zhao Wushang suggested, "We can set a range, like, today just focus on the first hundred pages. That would be much easier."

"Ha ha... but does the Starlight Master only test the first hundred pages?"

"There has to be some focus, right?"

"Then you go tell the Master."

"What are you saying? I don't dare to say it."

So everyone continued their miserable recitation.

Every one of them felt a headache.

"I never thought that one day I'd cram like this, especially law codes... I've really had enough..."

"Me too... last time I did this I was seven..."

Compared to a bunch of guys, the young girls were quite calm, huddled together, murmuring softly, closing their eyes to recite, then turning pages, and after a few pages, quietly going back to review...

One has to admit, just by seeing this learning atmosphere, even if Dongfang Sansan came, they wouldn't think that these refined people studying law codes were actually people of the Demon Sect!

The level of dedication was such that even all top scorers would feel deeply ashamed: even during meals, they were holding books, reciting them.

"If only these were Jade Scrolls, it'd be great to just smack it into the brain..."

Someone had a wild idea.

Immediately, everyone's eyes lit up like light bulbs: "This guy's a genius!"

But even if they were geniuses, it was too late to create Jade Scrolls now, not to mention they didn't have the capability.

They could only sigh and drool for a moment.

A bunch of demons, under Fang Che's pressure as a leader, diligently studied the Guardian Hall Law Codes, and to encourage themselves, they were constantly shouting slogans.

"I love learning!"

"Learning makes me happy!"

"Learning makes me fulfilled!"

"So happy, ho ho!"

The truth proved.

As long as you study hard, time will pass quickly.

The sun tilted little by little to the west, and in the blink of an eye, it was dusk.

"Why did today pass so quickly... I didn't even realize it was afternoon..."

"I'm doomed, doomed, doomed, I haven't memorized much."

"Oh heavens..."

A wave of wailing.

But dusk still resolutely arrived and passed.

Night gradually fell.

Everyone began to get nervous.

"When does the Starlight Master usually arrive?"

"Typically around midnight."

"Oh... that's good. Hurry up and eat, then get back to reciting!"

Zhao Wushang gobbled like a hungry wolf, stuffing a whole steamed bun into his mouth, while holding a book with his left hand and hungrily keeping his eyes on the pages.

He grabbed another bun with his right hand and crammed it into his mouth, his cheeks puffed up like a hamster.

He reached for a dish and grabbed a piece of salted vegetable to chew on, extending his neck, and it looked like a food bulge rose up on his throat, quickly moving down.

Like a little snake swallowing an egg.

"Why bother with so many dishes... it's a waste of time, just some salted vegetables will do," Zhao Wubai complained, extending his neck too.

A food bulge...

The girls, on the other hand, were comparatively more graceful, taking small bites, but not slow at all.

A few girls had specially prepared a big tea mug of cold water by their side, taking a sip whenever they couldn't swallow something, and with a "gulp," it went down.

Still murmuring under their breath: "... Continental Code Criminal Law of..."

One has to admit, if these people participated in the Five Goods and Four Beauty Three Loves...

All eyes kept looking at the entrance.

For fear that the demon-like Star Master would appear next.

That would be a disaster.

The night deepened bit by bit.

Finally...

A sound of carriage wheels came, followed by the creak of the door opening.

The Starlight Master with a face detested by gods and ghosts sauntered in on a carriage.

"Oh, everyone's here..."

"Doomed!"

Instantly everyone howled together.

Without exception.

Fang Che jumped off the carriage, commanded: "Get some people to tidy up the things; it's all pens, ink, paper, and inkstones, for the exam. Good stuff, just in time for you to use today."

Instantly, everyone looked like they were attending a funeral.

Fang Che, smiling with a squint, walked into the hall: "So, how is everyone doing with their studies?"

"...It's too much..."

One of the girls raised the brick-like Law Code in grievance: "Master, it's too thick..."

As they spoke, their eyes turned red.

"How could we finish memorizing this in one day... woo woo woo..."

Fang Che frowned: "Who told you to memorize all of it in one day? Today we're only testing the first quarter!"

"Huh?"

Everyone's eyes widened: "Master, really?"

"Of course it's true!"

Fang Che nodded.

"Hooray... Long live the Master!"

Suddenly, a wave of jubilation.

Many people quickly flipped their Law Code to the first page to start looking.

"I'll give you another hour to prepare, then start the exam."

Fang Che once again showed great magnanimity.

"Ah ah ah... that's great that's great..."

"The Master is a good person!"

"Long live the Master!"

"Master, I love you!" shouted a girl.

Fang Che glanced sideways: "Love me? Then marry me."

"..."

The girl lowered her head and didn't dare to speak.

"..."

The Starlight Master also looked frustrated and didn't speak.

Though it was clear that the upcoming exam wouldn't be good, everyone was almost laughing out loud, trying hard to hold it in, their bellies nearly bursting.

Indeed, the last bit of dialogue was so humorously strong...

Looking at the blackened face of the Starlight Master, everyone found it even more amusing.

Chuckle chuckle...

Fang Che, with a dark face, also grabbed a Law Code.

Everyone sneakily looked, only to see the Starlight Master reaching out, indeed taking out a quarter, marking a page as a bookmark.

The sharp-eyed quickly marked their own Law Code as well.

Instantly everyone followed suit.

Then the Master sat high on his throne, flipping one page at a time, clearly looking for questions.

Brows tightly furrowed.

Everyone felt the jitters.

Quickly began to focus and read.

One hour quickly passed.

"Everyone, hand over your Law Codes!"

Fang Che began the order.

Immediately, everyone performed the same action: clutching the book tightly, slowly walking forward, eyes longing, trying to remember one last question...

"Each person one small stool, pen, ink, paper, ink-stone, prepare yourselves, spaced out by one zhang front, back, left, and right."

Swipe.

In position.

Sitting upright and still.

"Now announcing the exam rules. No whispering, no cheating, no notes, if caught, immediately disqualify the exam, 100 lashes, and expelled from the sub branch to fend for yourself."

Everyone instantly kept their eyes on the nose, nose on the heart, not peeking at all.

"This exam has a total of 100 questions. One point per question, sixty points to pass. Eighty points for excellent, ninety-eight and above earns private accommodation as a reward."

"Wow! Private accommodation!"

Suddenly everyone got excited. Each one used to have their own room before, but last night, crammed together, though it was safe, it was really unbearable.

The snoring, teeth grinding, farting... unbearable!

Now with the chance of a private room, they were instantly wide-eyed with desire.

"You people will be divided into five small teams, those scoring ninety-eight and above can take official positions, becoming team leaders!"

"Wow! Team leader!"

"Less than sixty points, fifty-nine points, twenty lashes, fifty-eight points, thirty lashes, fifty-seven points, forty lashes..."

"Below forty-five points, expulsion!"

"Understood?"

"Understood!"

"Do you have confidence?!"

"Yes!"

"Good, now start answering the questions. I will first read out the hundred questions, you write them down, and after that, select another paper to answer."

Everyone's ears perked up.

"Question one, in the Continental Code, under General Provisions, Article eighteen..."

"Question two... What is a crime, what are the components of a crime...

"Question three..."

Fang Che read each question, while below, the demons lowered their heads, writing furiously.

...