The Cold Door Hero

Summary

Li Dong Dong has been absent for over three months, raising questions about his mosquito repellent venture, particularly as it has not appeared in a local grocery store. Meanwhile, Li Yan Qing is focused on the upcoming county exam, a crucial step in the qualification test for the imperial examination. The Song Dynasty has strict eligibility requirements for candidates, and this year, only the top 100 from Tangyin County will qualify, making the competition fierce with over 2,000 candidates. At dinner before the exam, Zhang Xian expresses his worries about the intense competition, but Li Yan Qing remains indifferent, feeling overwhelmed by his lack of preparation. His friends discuss their options, including taking the martial examination, but Li Yan Qing reflects on the vastness of the material he needs to study. Yue Fei shares reassuring words from their master, suggesting that the exam will consider the conditions of northern scholars, boosting Li Yan Qing's confidence. On the day of the exam, Li Yan Qing and his friends check the venue and receive their seat assignments. Yang Jun, an older student, offers Li Yan Qing a supposed "secret" to passing the exam by selling him likely questions, revealing a scheme surrounding exam preparation. Li Yan Qing, realizing the unethical nature of this offer, declines, and Yang Jun quickly shifts his focus to another potential client.

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