The Soldier King Becomes a Useless Little Girl

Chapter 235: First Encounter with Empress Feng

Such a simple question, every cultivator in Longteng Country would know.

As Chu Miaoyun finished speaking, her face was full of arrogance.

"If cultivation only depended on talent, then why, back in the day, did the Emperor become the Emperor, while the Chu ancestor only became a General?"

Xin Lin gave a half-smile as she looked at Chu Miaoyun.

Chu Miaoyun’s face changed color yet again.

The Emperor and Chu ancestor Xin Lin spoke of were indeed the two who founded Longteng, the ancestors of Emperor Longteng and Chu Beiqing, respectively.

In terms of raw talent, the Chu ancestor was in fact more gifted.

Yet in the end, it was the ancestor of Longteng who became the Emperor, reportedly because the Chu ancestor did not crave power and conceded the throne willingly.

There was also a rumor among the common folk that even in the region, the talent of Emperor Longteng paled in comparison to that of Chu Beiqing. It was only a pity that Chu Beiqing turned into an idiot, making all discussions of talent a moot point.

Xin Lin had occasionally come across mentions of Longteng’s past in the Mystical Medicine Book, which she took note of while browsing through it. She had not anticipated them being of use today.

"Then do tell, what is more important than talent?"

Chu Miaoyun was asked until her face turned red and her ears became hot.

"Talent is certainly important, but what matters more is willpower, which is the heart of cultivation. Be it a Martial Artist or a Spiritual Practitioner, one should possess an unshakeable will. As a Martial Artist, one should hold the conviction that Martial Artists are the strongest. As a Spiritual Practitioner, one should firmly believe that the path of the Spiritual Practitioner should never waver. This is something Murong Ziyue has accomplished, Little Xinzhuo has accomplished. But how about Young Master Jin?"

Xin Lin shifted the focus of her words and her gaze fell on Jin Chen.

Swish, swish, swish, the examiners’ eyes turned toward Jin Chen’s examination paper.

As a Xuanwu Practitioner, Jin Chen’s exam responses were more akin to that of a Spiritual Practitioner.

For a moment, Jin Chen was dumbfounded and did not know how to retaliate.

"Let me guess why Young Master Jin believes Spiritual Practitioners are superior. It must be because Grandmaster Jin is a Spiritual Practitioner. The phrase ’like father, like son’ comes to mind. Young Master Jin, I fear, has always lived in the shadow of Grandmaster Jin, lacking confidence in himself."

Xin Lin looked at Jin Chen with a smile brimming in her eyes.

Jin Chen’s face turned even paler.

How could it be? How could this lowly foot washing maid see through his thoughts?

He had always admired his father and aspired to be a Spiritual Practitioner, but became a Martial Artist due to lack of suitable talent.

"Though this is a Written Examination, the Zixiao Palace Exam is assessing the heart of cultivation. How could such an answer sheet even be considered for the top three rankings?"

Xin Lin scoffed coldly.

The surrounding candidates also began to murmur among themselves.

Moments before, they had questioned Xin Lin’s score, but after her analysis, their looks towards Jin Chen started to carry disdain.

Even the presiding examiner and Captain Yang, upon hearing her words, felt as if receiving sudden enlightenment.

Jin Chen was extremely anxious, wishing there was a hole for him to crawl into.

His eyes reddened with anger as he glared death at Xin Lin.

"So, are you objecting to the judgment of this Palace?"

Then, a fragrance wafted by, and an alluring figure approached, surrounded by a retinue in court attire, arriving with graceful steps.

The visitor had long hair that cascaded like a waterfall, and wore a loosely pinned white jade hairpin on her updo. Her sweeping court dress was embroidered with clusters of peony patterns in soft pink tones, and her lips were red against her jade-like skin; she was a beauty that made it impossible to look away.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Jin Chen’s angry expression immediately vanished.

"Your Majesty the Empress, long live the Empress, long may you reign."

The presence of Empress Feng took all the candidates by surprise.

Xin Lin too felt her heart sink; she had not anticipated that the Empress herself would come to the examination hall, and it seemed her earlier words had reached Empress Feng’s ears.