Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Sixty-Eight: A Brief Sojourn in the House of Black Robes

At the front, where Cao Wu and Cheng Muliang fought fiercely with a silver spear and a spiked mace, both men paused and glanced toward Gate Sixty-Four, their pupils widening as they noticed Ye Lin's sudden appearance.

They had witnessed all sorts of oddities in previous assessments, but never before had anyone emerged completely naked.

"Ah!"

Ye Lin, regaining his senses, covered his private parts with both hands, lowered his head, and screamed in embarrassment.

Chen Chang'an couldn't help but grin mischievously as he took off his outer robe to cover Ye Lin, then asked, "Hey, did the woman inside promise to give herself to you if you won the bet?"

"Wha... What are you talking about?"

"You rascal!"

Ye Lin spat in annoyance, his handsome face flushed bright red as he shuffled over to Cao Wu and Cheng Muliang, baring his teeth in shame and stammering, "Commanders, I was the second one out, that's second place. Please take note."

"I have some personal matters to attend to, so... I must apologize, but I must take my leave."

"Mm! Mm!"

"Alright!"

Cao Wu and Cheng Muliang, faces blank with shock, responded with empty voices.

Once he received their response, Ye Lin nodded frantically, tightened Chen Chang'an's robe around himself, and dashed toward the end of the alley.

"Bang!"

"Smack!"

After a moment of silence, Cao Wu and Cheng Muliang reignited their battle, inner strength flaring. Chen Chang'an, intent on maintaining peace and stability in Chang'an City, hurried forward to persuade them. "Hey, you two are symbols of the Black Robe Guards, fighting like this will hurt your image."

But they only fought harder after glancing at Chen Chang'an.

The sound of grinding and muffled laughter echoed.

Meanwhile, the doors of Shop Seven and Shop Ninety-Eight opened in turn, and Ruan Jingchu and Song Jiu emerged.

Cao Wu put away his spear and coughed lightly, saying nothing as he climbed another lookout tower.

Cheng Muliang scratched his back with the spiked mace, muttering, "What a hot day, it's driving me mad with itchiness."

If only Chen Chang'an and Ye Lin, or even just members of the Black Robe Guards, were present, it wouldn't matter how fiercely they fought. However, as more candidates emerged from the shops, the growing audience would inevitably create a negative impression.

Chen Chang'an shook his head speechlessly at the two of them.

Song Jiu, meanwhile, stared at Chen Chang'an with frustration, black lines creasing his forehead: "How could he have come out so quickly? The scoundrel probably never went in at all."

Inside Shop Ninety-Eight, Song Jiu had seen his father locked in a losing battle with the Martial Alliance Leader Zhou Yao—Ruan Jingchu's uncle—and couldn't help but intervene.

Yet, prodigiously gifted since childhood, Song Jiu quickly realized something was amiss and broke the illusion in the most direct way. He thought he might at least tie for first place with Ruan Jingchu, if not win outright.

But Chen Chang'an had beaten him to it yet again.

Back at Qinghua Mountain, if not for that meddling troublemaker, Song Jiu would undoubtedly have triumphed. Now, once more, Chen Chang'an was stealing the spotlight.

What an utter nuisance!

"One day, Chen, I'll make you fall at my feet."

After these words, his gaze lingered almost imperceptibly on Ruan Jingchu. Although everything he'd seen in Shop Ninety-Eight had been an illusion, his feelings were all too real.

Ruan Jingchu would sooner or later become an obstacle; he ought to eliminate her at the earliest opportunity.

"Those who have completed the assessment, gather under the corridor ahead," Cheng Muliang called out, putting away his mace.

Chen Chang'an, Ruan Jingchu, and Song Jiu made their way there at a leisurely pace.

As time passed, more candidates emerged from their respective shops. Noticing Lan Yingxue among them, Chen Chang'an greeted her, "Come here and... have a seat!"

At his words, Lan Yingxue's gaze turned his way, her previously vibrant eyes instantly dimming to an icy chill. Without a word, she walked in the opposite direction.

This response brought a sharp sense of disappointment to Chen Chang'an, making him question his own charm and demeanor.

"Everything was fine yesterday—why so cold today? Could it be Lan Yingxue found someone among the candidates and is keeping her distance from other men?"

"Or maybe I missed a spot washing my face? That can't be it!"

"Ah, forget it. The heart of a woman is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. I have the entire Fragrant Courtyard waiting for me; no need to dwell on it. Sleep, sleep."

More than half an hour later, all two thousand candidates who had entered the shops in the alley emerged. Their expressions mirrored those seen after the first round at Qinghua Mountain: some jubilant, others crestfallen.

"Quiet! Quiet!"

Cheng Muliang's deep voice rang out through Black Robe Alley: "Listen up! The second assessment of the Black Robe Guards is complete. I will now announce the results."

"First place: Chen Chang'an!"

"It's him! The one who drew over six thousand coins at Qinghua Mountain with a single command, leading his team to first place—Chen Chang'an."

"Truly, excellence follows the excellent wherever they go."

The other candidates, whose names had yet to be called, whispered among themselves.

Chen Chang'an lifted his chin in pride.

"Second place: Ye Lin."

"Who is Ye Lin? Never heard of him, but to take second must mean he's extraordinary."

"I've heard of him, but I can't seem to find him. Maybe he went for a bathroom break."

Still, the candidates continued to whisper among themselves.

"Third place: Ruan Jingchu and Song Jiu, tied!"

"Wow, a tie! That's impressive!"

"If they're tied, then the candidate originally ranked five hundred and first will move up to five hundred. What luck!"

"Miss Ruan, as the niece of the Alliance Leader, certainly deserves third place, but Song Jiu is a schemer. He tried to trick us at Qinghua Mountain with his Pinning Needle—he should be ranked lower."

"Shh, keep your voice down. He's already a fourth-grade opener. Don't let him hear you."

The candidates kept whispering.

Ruan Jingchu's jade-like face remained as calm as a windless lake.

Song Jiu silently memorized the faces of those speaking, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes.

"Fourth place..."

"Fifth place..."

"..."

"..."

"Nineteenth place: Wen Jin!"

"Twentieth place: Liu Yingfeng!"

"..."

"Thirtieth place: Lan Yingxue!"

"..."

Cheng Muliang, his throat growing hoarse after reading the top five hundred names in one go, glanced at his subordinate in annoyance. Why hadn't he let him read the list earlier?

Shaking his head in self-mockery, he announced, "Originally, the Black Robe Guards had a third assessment, but this year, after discussion with Deputy Commander Cao, we've decided to combine it with the rookie trial."

"In other words, the top five hundred in the second assessment are now provisional members of the Black Robe Guards, but our principle remains: we will recruit only three hundred this year."

"Who stays and who leaves will be decided based on the fifteen-day trial results."

"Furthermore, be advised—the trial carries real risks. In previous years, some have lost their lives. If you're afraid to die, you may withdraw now and leave your spot to someone else."

"Not afraid!"

"Not afraid!"

Those qualified to join, especially those ranked between three hundred and five hundred, shouted enthusiastically, some even jumping for joy.

If the original rules had stood, they would have been eliminated and lost all hope of joining the Black Robe Guards. This adjustment—combining the third assessment with the trial—granted them a second chance, like a resurrection round.

Those ranked lower than five hundred stood in stark contrast, feeling dejected, disappointed, and gloomy.

Cheng Muliang, accustomed to such scenes, was unfazed, his mind churning with schemes on how to win over the now-favored Chen Chang'an, Cao Wu's designated pick.

Cao Wu, knowing all too well what tricks Cheng Muliang was up to, rose and announced, "The assessment is over. Everyone return to your lodgings. Tomorrow at the second quarter of the hour of the Dragon, report on time at the Black Robe Guards' martial field."

With that, the crowd dispersed.

Cheng Muliang fell silent.

Cao Wu responded with a cold snort.

Chen Chang'an strolled along, hands miming pockets he didn't have, whistling cheerfully, but as he reached the alley's mouth, he stopped dead in his tracks.

Outside Black Robe Alley, his father-in-law Su Qingtang and mother-in-law Qin Fuluo stared at him, their expressions carrying a hint of reproach.

"Ah..."

Just as he was about to explain, Qin Fuluo rushed over and scolded him, "Chen Chang'an, why didn't you come home last night? Do you know how worried we were?"

"Exactly! We were so afraid something had happened, we skipped lunch and waited at the alley entrance. Sure enough, you were still inside taking the assessment!" Su Qingtang added.

Their words moved Chen Chang'an deeply—he almost burst into tears. He recalled how, at first, he had been shunned by the family, and now he was cherished. He had to admit, the original owner of this body had truly lived a failed life.

"It's fine," Chen Chang'an replied generously with a wave of his hand.

Su Qingtang looked into Black Robe Alley, then scanned the dejected martial artists who had just emerged, and sighed, "You see, you insisted on taking the Black Robe Guards' assessment and got eliminated in the second round."

"But it's no big deal. The others all have martial skills, and you don't even have the basics. Passing the first round was already impressive. Come on, let's go home!"

You can't be serious... Chen Chang'an grabbed his father-in-law's sleeve and declared solemnly, "I wasn't eliminated. I'm already a member of the Black Robe Guards."

"What did you say?" Su Qingtang exclaimed in disbelief.

But after a moment's thought, he resumed his lecturing tone, "Chang'an, don't lie to save face or because you feel discouraged. If you were eliminated, we wouldn't blame you."

"You used to be blind and couldn't see anything. Now you've recovered, but you have no martial foundation. There's no way you could compete with those who are at least third grade or above."

"If someone like you could get into the Black Robe Guards, then wouldn't everyone else just need a hand to get in?"

Every word left Chen Chang'an speechless.

At the same time, some martial artists who had failed the second round and were preparing to leave Chang'an City happened to pass by Su Qingtang. Hearing his words, they stopped and looked at Chen Chang'an with hostility.

After all, Chen Chang'an had ranked first in both the first and second assessments. What did he mean by saying that if he could get in, anyone could?

It was a blatant insult to all those who had been eliminated!

"Hey, what the hell do you mean by that?"

A burly man with a tiger-head broadsword slung over his shoulder, ranked five hundred and first and feeling worse than anyone, asked Su Qingtang threateningly.

"Goodness, dear!" Qin Fuluo cried, hiding behind her husband in fright.

Su Qingtang was completely bewildered.