Chapter 1063: One Sentence Shocks the Whole Audience

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"Time’s up!" Qiu Ping’an and another young swordsman opened their eyes.

However, just as he opened his eyes, the other swordsman staggered and fainted on the ground.

"What a pity, he managed to hold on until the last moment but still failed." Qiu Pinghe glanced at the young swordsman being carried out, pretending to sigh.

It sounded like regret, but even a blind person could see the glee and schadenfreude in his eyes.

"A petty person triumphs!" Jiang Yuzhe muttered quietly.

"Don’t worry, his triumph won’t last long." Mu Hanyan said with a cold laugh.

"Oh?" Jiang Yuzhe and the others looked at Mu Hanyan curiously.

Not lasting long obviously meant he would soon have bad luck? To dare offend the Big Playboy Mu, bad luck was certainly inevitable sooner or later. But since Qiu Ping’an had already passed the examination and was bound to enter Long Yan Academy, it seemed like he was on a lucky streak. However, Mu Hanyan insisted he was about to have bad luck, and so soon? What’s the reason?

"You’ll find out soon." Mu Hanyan replied with a mysterious smile.

Meanwhile, on the selection ground, Qiu Ping’an had already raised his longsword, practiced some sword techniques, and then slashed it at the Trial Stele, sparks flying, leaving a sword trace about an inch deep on the stele.

On the viewing stand, cheers erupted, clearly from the Qiu Family’s disciples.

Even though Qiu Ping’an’s sword techniques were clumsy and stiff, and the last slash wasn’t very powerful, he evidently still passed the examination.

"Lord Gong, may I have the honor of taking this person under my wing?" This time, before Gong Hongru could speak, a middle-aged mentor stood up and said.

"Brother Yu, you’ve already accepted several disciples with good qualifications. How about this one come under my guidance?" Another middle-aged mentor chimed in.

"Mr. Tian, you’re a bit out of line here, clearly I chose him first." Yu expressed dissatisfaction.

"Though that’s true, I find this child’s bones well suited for cultivating my Zhengyi Heart Method, perhaps he’d do better under my guidance." Tian insisted.

"Brother Yu, according to your logic, following my guidance would be a waste of him, wouldn’t it?" Yu snorted, showing displeasure.

"Mr. Tian, I didn’t mean that, just that his bone and talent seem more suited for cultivating my Zhengyi Heart Method." Tian explained.

"At the end of the day, it’s the same idea. Brother Yu, I won’t argue further. I chose this child first, and he should come under my wing, don’t compete with me any longer." Yu’s face grew unpleasant.

"Mr. Tian, we’ve known each other for years, could you at least give me this favor?" Tian also showed a stern face.

The two argued endlessly, and it seemed their disagreement might soon lead to a fight.

"Unexpectedly, Qiu Ping’an not only passed the examination but also attracted the interest of two mentors." Witnessing this, murmurs of amazement echoed around.

When Mu Chengxuan passed the examination earlier, those mentors also had a bit of a dispute. Surprisingly, it’s happening again with Qiu Ping’an.

"What’s so surprising? Although Qiu Ping’an’s talent and strength don’t match Mu Chengxuan or Guan Shanhe and others before, he’s still much better than the young swordsmen from humble backgrounds. These two mentors are still young, and neither their strength nor their status compares to seniors like Long Congyuan, so they’re not qualified to accept disciples like Mu Chengxuan or Guan Shanhe, thus they settled for Qiu Ping’an." Someone mused.

"Even so, being simultaneously favored by two mentors means that Qiu Ping’an might not be any less accomplished than Mu Chengxuan and others in the future. The title of East State County’s top family might soon fall to the Qiu Family."

"Not just the top family in East State County, if the Qiu Family enters the Capital, I reckon they’ll have a place among the Eight Great Families!"

Surrounded by enthusiastic discussions, gazes directed at Qiu Ping’an were filled with envy.

While the two mentors continued their heated argument and the crowd engaged in lively conversation, suddenly, a clear voice resonated across the venue: "Qiu Pinghao, cheating!"

Though not loud, the words hit like a shocking thunder on the square.

"Impossible, this selection is personally overseen by Master Gong, how could there be cheating?"

"Could it be just jealousy over Qiu Ping’an’s success, leading to baseless accusations?"

"Impossible, accusing a noble family’s disciple of cheating in front of Master Gong and many family heads is a death wish, isn’t it?"

With puzzled expressions, everyone turned toward the source of the voice.

At this moment, Mu Hanyan stood calmly, looking at Qiu Ping’an with a mocking smile.

"Mu Hanyan, what nonsense are you spouting!" Qiu Ping’an glared at Mu Hanyan, full of anger.

"Didn’t hear clearly? Let me say it again, you, cheated!" Mu Hanyan replied with a cold laugh.

"Mu Hanyan, daring to slander me in front of so many people, I’ll kill you." Qiu Ping’an drew the longsword from his waist.

"What’s the matter, your deeds exposed, intending to silence witnesses?" Mu Hanyan maintained his smile.

"Such audacity, to dare slander our Young Master Qiu. Do you think your Mu Family, being among the Eight Great Families in the Capital, can just bully our Qiu Family?" Qiu Zicheng, Qiu Pinghe, and other Qiu Family disciples surrounded him aggressively.

Seeing their hostile approach, Huayue and the others drew their longswords as well. The once lively square suddenly chilled.

"Enough, are you all ignoring an old man like me?" At this moment, Gong Hongru’s calm voice emerged in the crowd.

Qiu Zicheng and his group faltered and quickly sheathed their swords yet continued to shoot murderous looks at Mu Hanyan.

Mu Hanyan gestured, and Huayue and his group sheathed their swords too.

"What did you just say?" Gong Hongru’s gaze was like lightning as he looked toward Mu Hanyan.

"I said..."

"Sir, don’t believe in this child’s baseless claims." Mu Hanyan’s words were immediately cut off by the Qiu Family Head.

The Qiu Family Head leaped from the viewing stand, his face full of anger as he said, "This child’s name is Mu Hanyan, a son of the Mu Family in the capital. Due to his rebellious nature, he’s known as the Big Playboy in the capital."

"Oh, the Big Playboy of the Capital, quite a notable title." Gong Hongru continued with a stern expression and icy tone.

On the viewing stand, Mu Zexian and others internally groaned at the situation. Gong Hongru was renowned for his principled and impartial demeanor. Hearing the infamous title of Mu Hanyan, the Big Playboy of the capital, was undoubtedly not beneficial. The old head of the Qiu Family was certainly calculating, mentioning Mu Hanyan’s notorious title right off the bat was clearly intentional.