Gate of God

"Mother of my child..."

Fang Houde’s remaining hand tightly gripped onto Qin Xuelian. This iron man, this man who had previously contributed selflessly, finally also filled with tears today.

Eight years ago, it was all because of the Law of Dao examination, all because the Li family was the biggest hope of the Southern Mountain Village! The three members of the Fang family were mercilessly exiled from the Southern Mountain Village.

Eight years later, his own son had become the Double Roll Champion of the county Law of Dao examination.

All feelings of being wronged had disappeared, the only thing that remained was pure pride.

Fang Houde gazed at the direction of the Southern Mountain Village and instinctively straightened his back, as if saying. "Look, my son didn’t enter the Hall of Dao, but, my son also passed the Law of Dao examination. Furthermore, he is still the Double Roll Champion!"

...

This day, the Northern Mountain Village was bound to celebrate.

Every villager in the village busied themselves in a patch of laughter and happiness. Those who cooked, cooked, those who laid out the cutleries, laid them out. On the village square, the faces of both the old and the young were filled with joy and happiness.

When Fang Zhengzhi returned to the village, it just happened to be when the feast started.

Hence...

As he shouted happily at the village entrance, I, Fang Zhengzhi, have returned, other than the replies of a few birds, there was nothing else. Everybody was gathered at the village square, eating and drinking.

Who would stupidly stand guard at the village entrance?

Fang Zhengzhi was rather gloomy. He had attained the Double Roll Champion, by right the news should have already reached the village, why did nobody welcome him when he entered the village.

Even more frustrating, he didn’t even manage to see the shadow of the Congratulatory Team.

This is indeed a huge failure.

After some pondering, Fang Zhengzhi finally decided that his skin wasn’t thick enough to reach the point of shouting, I am the Double Roll Champion, I am back, quick come and welcome me.

Hence, he could only miserably ride the Silver Scale Horse home alone.

Then, Fang Zhengzhi became even gloomier. His house was dark and unlit, even the lamp wasn’t lighted. Don’t tell me they had already slept? So early?

As he thought, a wave of laughter seemed to come from not too far away.

Listening closely, he realised that he came from the direction of the village square.

"Could they all be dancing at the village square... alright, I’ll go take a look!" Fang Zhengzhi secured the Silver Scale Horse, and groped his way towards the village square in the dark.

No too long later, he saw that the entire village square was filled with people.

Every single villager, no matter old or young, were chatting spiritedly, eating and drinking around the tables. Everybody wore an expression of joy, but...

Not a single person noticed Fang Zhengzhi in the dark.

"Huh? There is food!" Fang Zhengzhi didn’t fuss over this, when he saw the platters of dishes on the table, his eyes instantly lit up.

Sweeping his gaze across the square, he saw Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian sitting at the table in the centre of the village square.

Fang Houde seemed very happily, and his face was flushed red from drinking. Qin Xuelian seemed to change her usual stance, mysteriously, she didn’t stop him and instead picked out dishes for Fang Houde.

When he saw his parents, Fang Zhengzhi directly made his way over to the table in the centre.

As he walked, he passed by exactly five to six tables.

Finally, a drunken old man saw Fang Zhengzhi passing by, and he was instantly taken aback. Rubbing his eyes furiously, he seemed to be in complete disbelief.

"Why does it look like Zhengzhi is back?"

"Old man Li, did you drink too much? After passing the county examination, Zhengzhi will go to the River of Trust Capital to participate in the capital examination, how can he return? Quick... quick, drink!"

"That’s... that’s right!" The old man thought for a while and agreed. Preparing for the capital examination was such an important matter, why would Fang Zhengzhi return?

Fang Zhengzhi didn’t hear the discussion going on around him, and immediately went to Fang Houde’s side.

Plopping down on the seat, he then picked up his chopsticks and quickly picked up a big Green Furred Rabbit leg from the middle of the table into his mouth.

"Indeed, it still has the taste of the village’s roasted meat!" Fang Zhengzhi spoke as he ate.

"Definitely! Not mentioning other things, but the most famous thing in our Northern Mountain Village is this roasted meat. The ingredients are personally prepared by Fang Zhengzhi!" Zhang Yangping instantly boasted as he drank.

"Thank you Uncle Yangping for your praise!" Fang Zhengzhi drank a mouthful of wine.

"You’re welcome... huh? Uncle Yangping... ah!" Fang Zhengzhi!" Zhang Yangping casually waved his hands, then, turning around, his entire body sprang up from the chair.

"Zheng... Zhengzhi?!" At the moment, Qin Xuelian also noticed Fang Zhengzhi, who was chewing on the rabbit leg, her face filled with disbelief.

"Mum, I have returned to stay two days, do you have a very surprised and happy feeling?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled and casually acted like a spoiled child towards Qin Xuelian.

When Fang Zhengzhi smiled casually, the entire village square suddenly became silent.

All the villagers stared with their eyes wide open, staring at Fang Zhengzhi eating the roasted meat at the table, as if they had seen a monster.

A Double Roll Champion who was supposed to be making his way towards the capital Law of Dao examination...

Returned to the village?!

The villagers were all filled with disbelief, but, after a moment of shock, the entire crowd became filled with passion. No matter what, Fang Zhengzhi’s return was definitely a happy occasion.

"Ah, Fang Zhengzhi really returned!"

"Fang Zhengzhi is back?"

"It’s really Fang Zhengzhi!"

All the villagers instantly stood up and one by one began to surround him. A few villagers were still chewing on bones, and couldn’t even speak clearly.

Among them, the happiest person was Qin Xuelian.

When she saw Fang Zhengzhi clearly, she couldn’t contain herself any further and tears flowed down her cheeks. In one swift motion, she hugged Fang Zhengzhi, as well as the mouthful of oil on his mouth, very tightly, with no intention of letting go.

"Mum..." Feeling the warmth of Qin Xuelian’s embrace, Fang Zhengzhi could only very tediously swallow the roasted meat in his mouth.

"Coming home to stay two days is good too, your mum can make you some delicious food, ha ha ha..." Fang Houde looked at Fang Zhengzhi and smiled happily, but the rims of his eyes were still somewhat moistened.

...

After the pleasant surprise, the villagers began to ask spiritedly.

Towards the Law of Dao examination, they bore a curious attitude. After all, to an average villager, they would never have the opportunity to participate in the examination in their lifetime.

As such, they began to ask, what were the questions in the Law of Dao theory examination, or, whether it was hard, or, can people eat inside the examination venue etc...

All kinds of question, odd questions of every description.

Fang Zhengzhi on the other hand didn’t mind at all, and earnestly replied them.

After the villagers had more or less finished their questions, Zhang Yangping spoke.

"Zhengzhi, even though you have attained the Double Roll Champion this time, but don’t give yourself too much stress in the capital examination!"

"That’s right, I heard that the county examination is only the doorstep, only if one passes the capital examination can he become a true great character, and be rewarded by the dynasty!" Another villager added.

"Yes, Fang Zhengzhi, after all, you had never studied in the Hall of Dao before. You are still young, don’t worry, we are all proud of you passing the county examination this time. If you didn’t perform well in the capital examination, our entire village will still support you, waiting a few more years before taking another examination is still alright!" Zhang Yangping continued.

"Your Uncle Yangping is right, no matter what, you have already taken the first step. Next time, your Uncle Yangping will definitely support you. This River of Trust capital examination, you just have to do your best, don’t give yourself too much stress! Your mental wellbeing... is very important!" Fang Houde nodded at one side.

Fang Zhengzhi understood, Zhang Yangping and his dad saying such things probably meant that they were worried that he would give himself too much pressure.

It felt like what modern parents said when they sent their children into the examinations, don’t stress, just do your best, passing or not isn’t important...

"I feel that this time’s capital examination, I can attain Double Roll Champion once again!" Fang Zhengzhi smiled gently, filled with confidence.

"Ha ha ha..." When the surrounding villagers heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words, they instantly laughed. There wasn’t any ill-intention, just a very happy laughter.

"Good child, ambitious!"

"Yes, having ambition is a good thing, but don’t set your target too high. Double Roll Champion of the capital examination, seems like the River of Trust Capital hasn’t produced one in over a hundred years?"

"Ha ha, this child Zhengzhi is kidding, you actually took his words seriously?"

The villagers’ laughter was filled with goodwill. Nobody took Fang Zhengzhi’s words seriously. The county examination was passed by Li Zhuangshi of the Southern Mountain Village six years ago, but at the capital examination, he hadn’t even passed the first round once.