Many of the scholars were not participating in the competition for the first time; some were even joining for the third time. These were all sons of prominent families in Shazhou, with wealthy backgrounds, able to afford warhorses.

“John Sullivan, Paul Thompson!”

The examiner called out the names loudly, his voice carrying far, repeating each name two or three times so everyone could hear clearly. Paul Thompson swung himself onto his horse, glanced disdainfully at Brian Thompson, and said, “Still not giving up?”

Paul Thompson threw his head back and laughed heartily, spurred his horse, and charged into the competition arena. At this point, only three people were left outside, and Brian Thompson still hadn’t been called. He began to feel anxious—could it really be that he wasn’t included?

Impossible! His foot archery had hit the bullseye every time, with five examiners recording the results simultaneously. The chief examiner was supposed to notify him to participate in mounted archery. The system was strict—there was no reason he shouldn’t be allowed to compete in mounted archery.

Brian Thompson recalled Paul Thompson’s expression and words just now. Was there really some conspiracy at play here?

Unable to hold back any longer, Brian Thompson urged his horse forward and loudly asked the examiner, “Excuse me, is there a Brian Thompson on the list?”

The examiner looked at the list and shook his head, “There’s only one person with the surname Li on the list, named Paul Thompson. He’s already gone in. I’m sorry, there’s no Brian Thompson!”

Brian Thompson was stunned, then became furious. “Why am I not on the list?”

The examiner, an elderly man, glanced at Brian Thompson and said slowly, “Young man, is it so strange that you’re not on the list? It means your foot archery score wasn’t good enough to make the top fifty for mounted archery, so naturally you’re not included. Don’t get so worked up—my old heart can’t take it.”

Brian Thompson understood now. These damned people had tampered with his foot archery results, lowering his score and pushing him out of the top fifty for mounted archery, so he was naturally disqualified from participating.

They were all high officials, wielding overwhelming power. Pulling off such tricks was all too easy for them. Brian Thompson calmed down.

Suppressing his anger, he cupped his fists and asked, “Excuse me, examiner, I’d like to check my foot archery results. How can I do that?”

The old man glanced at him again and discreetly pointed with his pen at another examiner nearby. Brian Thompson immediately turned his horse and rode up to that examiner, saluting, “I’d like to check my foot archery results. Should I ask you?”

“So it’s Young Master Zhen. You didn’t get in?” This examiner recognized Brian Thompson and asked indifferently.

Brian Thompson shook his head. “They said my foot archery score was not qualified. I want to know what my actual ranking was—was I fifty-first?”

“Well…”

The examiner looked troubled. After a long moment, he finally took out a scroll of names. “According to the rules, rankings aren’t supposed to be checked, but since we’re from the same hometown, I’ll help you take a look.”

The examiner searched from beginning to end, and he too was a bit surprised. “Young Master Zhen, I can hardly believe it, but it’s written very clearly—you’re ranked last.”

“What do you mean, last?” Brian Thompson was about to explode with anger.

“It means… there’s no score.”

Brian Thompson snatched the scroll from the examiner’s hands. The examiner immediately shouted, “You can’t look at that! Give it back!”

Brian Thompson ignored him. At the end of the list, he found his own name—sure enough, there was no score, just a small note: ‘Violated rules with bow.’

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over Brian Thompson’s head. Only now did he realize the tricks of officialdom—this had been a trap from the very beginning.

They had sent him to the first pavilion, arranged for someone to help him choose a bow, lured him into picking that two-stone bow, and then appeared at just the right moment to take the bow away. Every step was linked, leaving no loophole.

He had suspected that James Thompson wouldn’t give up and instinctively thought James Thompson would try something during the mounted archery, but he hadn’t expected the sabotage to happen during the foot archery, cleverly stripping him of his qualification for mounted archery.

What’s more, this meant he failed the local military exam. Even if Richard Martin wanted to help him and let him participate in mounted archery, without the local government’s recognition, no matter how well he performed, he wouldn’t be eligible to go to the capital.

For the first time, Brian Thompson felt despair. As a powerless, ordinary man, he was ultimately at the mercy of those in power.

But he refused to accept it. Even if he had no results, he wanted the people of Shazhou to know what had happened to him.

Furious, Brian Thompson turned his horse, lashed its flank hard, and galloped toward the competition arena.

“Stop him!” several officials shouted.

A dozen soldiers rushed over, brandishing long spears to block his way. Brian Thompson squeezed his legs tightly, and his warhorse neighed loudly, leaping into the air and vaulting over the heads of the soldiers, charging into the arena.

Inside the arena, the drums thundered, and the crowd cheered wildly for the riders. Jack and the others stood in the front row on the south side, looking around for Brian Thompson, growing anxious.

Sarah Cooper stomped her foot in frustration. “Fatty, have you seen Brother Sanlang or not? It’s almost over—why hasn’t he gone on yet?”

Jack spread his hands helplessly. “I’m standing right here with you. If you haven’t seen him, how could I?”

At that moment, Edward Thompson squeezed over. “Sisi, Little Fatty, have you seen my Brian?”

“Big sister, we haven’t seen him either. It’s strange—he should have gone on by now. Why isn’t he here?”

Just then, Robert Cooper pointed at the entrance and shouted, “Look, Brian is coming out!”