Mr. Sullivan's students participating in the children's exam naturally did not include only Sanlang Brooks; there were five others as well. Altogether, six people, all requesting Eugene Quinn to act as their guarantor.

"Greetings, Senior Quinn."

When they saw Eugene Quinn arrive, the students hurriedly bowed and greeted him.

Eugene Quinn smiled and nodded in response. But when his gaze swept over Sanlang Brooks, he felt an inexplicable chill: this Sanlang Brooks truly doesn't know how to handle things. After returning to Jing County from Nanyang Prefecture, everyone else hosted banquets and gave gifts, but Sanlang Brooks alone was nowhere to be seen.

"Hmph, just a mere string of coins. If it weren't for the sake of the teacher, would I still be your guarantor?"

Normally, a licentiate acting as guarantor would charge one string and two hundred wen. Other forms of guarantee, such as inviting three scholars to jointly guarantee, would likely be even more expensive, costing at least two strings of coins in total. Moreover, since Sanlang Brooks repeatedly fails the exams and his grades are abysmal, Eugene Quinn worried that his own reputation would be tarnished by association and was very reluctant to vouch for him again. Only because Mr. Sullivan said this would be the last time did he reluctantly agree.

He had thought Sanlang Brooks would understand the situation and offer extra payment, but who would have expected this bookworm wouldn't even invite him for a meal—utterly rude.

Sensing the cold gaze, Sanlang Brooks was startled, then immediately understood and showed a wry smile: it was indeed his own oversight. So many things had happened recently that he was a bit dazed and had neglected social etiquette.

He stepped forward and said, "Thank you, Senior Quinn, for acting as my guarantor. After the exam, I hope you will attend a banquet so I can express my gratitude."

Eugene Quinn replied indifferently, "After confirming the guarantee on site today, I will return to the academy. I'm afraid I won't be able to attend that meal—unless you can pass the county exam. But, to be frank, that's harder than climbing to the sky."

His contempt was obvious.

Hearing this, Sanlang Brooks's expression tightened, and he said no more: Harder than climbing to the sky...

As the time approached, entry inspection began, and the crowd grew bustling.

Behind the county school gates, a temporary platform had been set up. On the stage sat a man in a double-bird official robe, his face stern, three long whiskers already streaked with gray. This was the old county magistrate of Jing County, Simon Harris. Since taking office, he had been strict with himself and clear in his administration, earning a reputation as an "honest official." However, due to his advanced age, he would retire next year and return home to enjoy his later years.

The atmosphere of the county exam was relatively relaxed. Name checks, body searches, and inspections were not too strict. The candidates lined up and entered one after another.

Sanlang Brooks carried his exam basket and queued up. Before long, he smoothly passed through the "dragon gate" and entered the exam hall.

In the exam hall, the exam sheds were arranged in two rows, each divided into individual cubicles for the candidates to take their assigned seats.

Sanlang Brooks found his seat, sat down, placed his exam basket, set out his writing tools, and quietly waited for the exam questions to be announced.

More and more candidates arrived. Once seated, everyone immediately quieted down. Soon, when all were in place, the vast exam hall fell into complete silence—so quiet one could almost hear the beating of hearts.

The dynasty valued literature over martial arts, and the imperial examination selected officials. For countless scholars across the land, to go from a humble farmer in the morning to standing in the imperial court by evening depended on a single title. Thus, every exam on the long road of the imperial system seemed sacred and of utmost importance.

Under such invisible pressure, it was hard to remain calm and composed.

For some reason, Sanlang Brooks felt his heart beating rapidly, his hands and feet beginning to tremble uncontrollably.

Was his examination anxiety about to strike again?

His face turned pale.

The drum sounded three times. A minor official from the county office, holding a placard, began to walk around the exam hall. On the placard, white paper with black characters clearly displayed the exam questions.

All eyes turned to the placard. Upon seeing the two questions on the classics, the candidates immediately began to ponder and consider their essays.

As the official carrying the placard passed by Sanlang Brooks's cubicle, he saw the scholar with his head down, trembling all over, sweating profusely as if he had just been fished out of water, and couldn't help but shake his head.

He recognized Sanlang Brooks, of course. In previous children's exams, Sanlang Brooks always behaved this way—shaking so much he couldn't even hold his brush. Even if he managed to pick it up, he couldn't write properly, ink splattering and ruining the paper—a complete mess.

"Looks like he'll be handing in a blank paper again this year..."

The official thought to himself, but didn't stop and walked on.

"Calm down, stay calm..."

Sanlang Brooks kept telling himself this, recalling a useful method. He closed his eyes and began to take deep breaths.

Once, twice, three times...

With each breath, he found a rhythm. Gradually, he became calm, forgetting he was in the exam hall, as if he were in an empty place, all alone—

"It's different now..."

"Yes, I am different now..."

His mind suddenly cleared. He opened his eyes, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

At the same time, his once restless heart became as calm as still water.

He looked up at the placard, took in the questions, but did not rush to write. Instead, he continued to adjust himself slowly.

The county exam lasted a whole day, so there was plenty of time—no need to hurry.

Sanlang Brooks took a cake from his exam basket, put it in his mouth, and slowly chewed. As he ate, he picked up his water jug and drank.

After finishing these small tasks, he composed himself and closed his eyes to think about the questions.

"Yes, I've got it. 'If one wishes to establish oneself, one should help others establish themselves; if one wishes to succeed, one should help others succeed.' I should use this idea."