At first, Qin Bai actually wanted to go back to his hometown in Hangzhou, but when he thought about it more carefully, he realized that the place was too weird. The Leifeng Pagoda on the edge of the West Lake was not fake.
If the system triggers something, the gain will outweigh the loss.
So he simply took the scientific examination like Ning Caichen. He also knew that he had not read a book for more than ten years and his level was indeed limited.
But if a blind cat encounters a dead mouse, if it can really win the imperial examination, it will be regarded as a return to youth.
Early the next morning, Qin and Bai took their donkeys and set off in a hurry. Since the imperial examination couldn't be delayed, it would be better to arrive as soon as possible.
After they left, the entire Guobei County felt as festive as the New Year, but they didn't dare to be too ostentatious, for fear that Qin Bai would accidentally turn back.
A few months later, an occasional hunter who strayed into the mountains discovered that Lanruo Temple had disappeared, and there was only a big pit left in the entire lake.
The strange things that happened here spread quickly. Although the cause and effect are not known, Qin and Bai were the only two people who entered the mountain at that time, so everything was attributed to them.
The local residents discussed it after dinner, and the story became more and more bizarre. Some said Qin Bai was an immortal who traveled around the world, while others said he was a master who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts.
Of course, the most widely circulated theory is that Qin Bai is the reincarnation of Zhang Guolao, the Seven Immortals, who came down to earth specifically to slay demons.
As for why there is such a statement, it is because the innkeeper keeps saying that this person can understand donkey language and the donkey is also extremely psychic, so it is clearly a fairy donkey.
If Qin Bai knew the rumors here, he would definitely say: I suspect you are scolding me, but I can't find any evidence.
A few days later, the two people on the road had passed through the most difficult mountain road and arrived at the official road in the plain area, where they could also see some people.
Qin Bai was okay, he only had a pair of shoes worn out, but Ning Caichen was miserable.
Because the mountainous terrain was relatively bumpy, it didn't take long for his feet to be worn out, and several blisters appeared on the soles of his feet. Soon the blisters turned into blood blisters. Once the skin broke as he continued walking, the wounds would become easily infected.
Qin Bai asked Ning Caichen to ride on the donkey, but if someone is unlucky enough to drink cold water, his teeth will get clogged. He has no riding skills at all, and there is no saddle on the donkey's back. As a result, the inner sides of his legs are worn out again.
After finally being freed from the mountain road, Ning Caichen immediately cried with joy.
Qin Bai also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. His main fear was getting lost. After all, the mountain road had no direction. Finding the official road also meant that at least he was not lost.
There were many travelers and caravans on the official road. They glanced at Qin Bai and quickly turned their heads back, and their pace accelerated a lot.
Some children who were playing around subconsciously stopped making noises.
Mainly because the golden hammer on Qin Bai's body was too scary. He thought it was too unsightly and wrapped it in cloth. If it was exposed, these people would probably run away.
Although it can also be stored in a fish bag, it is difficult to explain why it is used. It is too heavy to put on the back of a donkey, so he just needs to hold it by himself.
The place they were going to was called Gusu City, which was no less impressive than Hangzhou, with a strong literati atmosphere and profound historical heritage.
In fact, both Hangzhou and Suzhou can take the imperial examination, but the number of people admitted to each imperial examination is limited.
The literati in Hangzhou are talented and talented, and Gusu City is not inferior, but many scholars will go there because of the convenience of traveling.
Therefore, Hangzhou is undoubtedly a hell mode during the scientific examination. Some literati who think that their level is relatively weak will choose to go to Suzhou City, which is also in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Once it's time for the imperial examinations held every three years, there will be many more scholars with unfamiliar faces in Gusu City, making it very lively.
As soon as the two arrived at the city gate, several officers and soldiers with well-equipped weapons and armor immediately surrounded them, and they were vaguely wary of Qin Bai.
When Ning Caichen took out the document to prove his identity, the officers and soldiers were very happy after checking it. They even put it in without asking Qin Bai's identity.
After walking a few steps into the city, he realized immediately that the officers and soldiers probably regarded him as a guard or a follower.
Qin Bai felt resentful and unhappy in his heart. He obviously had documents proving his identity as a scholar, but he didn't have time to show it off.
However, after entering the city, his attention was quickly attracted by the novel things around him.
Compared with Gusu City, Guobei County is too rough and crude. In comparison, Gusu City, a historical city, is really refreshing.
The shops on both sides of the street are scattered in an orderly manner, and there are a few pedestrians on the road, including many scholars and literati. Listening to their unobtrusive talk, others frowned.
It was getting late, and after traveling for several days, the two of them had no intention of wandering around, so they thought of finding an inn to stay first.
I just checked several inns, but they were all full. With the scientific examination approaching, there were too many scholars from out of town in Gusu City, so there were no free inns.
It was not easy to find a hotel with exactly two guest rooms, but it was a little weird.
Everyone living there was in a hurry, the dining hall on the first floor was empty, and the Yihong Building next to the inn seemed to be in a bad mood.
But if they don't live here, the two of them can only sleep under the overpass.
Qin Bai entered the inn first, naturally preparing to order some food. Feng Dian had been sleeping in the open for many days, and he had long wanted to change his taste.
The enthusiastic waiter led the donkey to the backyard. He happened to see Ning Caichen patting himself at the gate, and couldn't help but step forward to say something.
Ning Caichen thought that Qin Bai's appearance was too fierce and frightened him, so he said with some embarrassment: "Excuse me, are you kidding me? Although my friend looks rough, he actually has a reputation as a scholar."
The waiter was stunned for a moment, feeling that something was wrong, but he didn't know how to refute it.
Ning Caichen hugged a fist and was about to enter the inn, but he was pulled back by the other party who came back to his senses.
The waiter hesitated for a while and then said: "No matter how you stay in the hotel, you must be careful. There are some unclean things in the inn."
"Huh?" Ning Caichen was surprised at first, but then couldn't help but sighed with a wry smile.
"Sure enough, Brother Donkey is right. It is indeed easy for young students to encounter lonely ghosts."
He shook his head and walked into the inn, seemingly not taking this matter to heart at all.
The waiter was dumbfounded. Could it be that ghosts and gods these days have no deterrent effect at all? Or maybe his description was not specific enough.
Qin and Bai ate something briefly and then went to the guest room, which happened to be the door opposite to them.
It was still early before the imperial examination. Ning Caichen was so focused on reviewing his homework that he soon forgot to tell him about the strange things happening in the inn.
Qin Bai had no hope for the imperial examination, but Nie Xiaoqian could not delay it any longer.
On the way, the Yin card had already begun to emit a chill, indicating that the Yin energy in it was unconsciously leaking out.
