The next day, Li Bai decided to go to Tangming Pavilion to check the situation first so as to prepare for tomorrow's martial arts competition.
So I called the waiter and asked about the location of Tangming Pavilion. Then I walked out of the inn and walked along the gravel road in Anhan County in the direction of Tangming Pavilion.
Anhan County is not a big county, with a population of only more than 100,000. However, because the martial arts competition will be held tomorrow, many outsiders are coming. Many martial arts people carrying swords and weapons are on the road in an endless stream. They are constantly coming and going.
Occasionally, they would also compete with each other on the street, and the street was very lively for a while.
Li Bai ignored the bustle on the street and concentrated on walking towards Tangming Pavilion.
After walking for about half an hour, I saw a large house in the distance. It had red walls and green tiles, tall houses and wide households. It was extremely majestic. There was an open space in front of the house. At this time, it was full of martial arts people with weapons in their hands. There was constant noise.
Very lively.
Li Bai thought that it should be Tangming Pavilion.
When I got closer, I saw a plaque hanging on the high door of the house, which read "Anhan Tangming Pavilion" in five large characters. It was gold and black with a very majestic look.
No matter, let's go in and take a look, so Li Bai walked into the crowd and squeezed towards the door of the house.
There were so many people that Li Bai had to squeeze in for a long time before he could get to the door.
I saw that there was a thick wooden table in front of the door at this time, and three rosewood chairs were placed beside the table, with a man sitting on each of them.
The person on the left is in his thirties, wearing a gray cloth gown, with a slim build, pointed ears and face, small eyes and a big nose; the person in the middle is in his forties, wearing a silk and satin embroidered colorful brocade, with a strong body, bright eyes, and a domineering face.
The man on the right is in his forties, wearing a tight-fitting military uniform with narrow sleeves. He has a chubby body, large ears, a round face, a square mouth and a short nose.
There was also a stack of hard yellow paper placed in front of the two people on the left and right, with their names written on the paper.
These three people are the stewards of Tangming Pavilion in Anhan. On the left is the chief Bo, named Han Mu; in the middle is the deputy chief, named Ma Zhi; on the right is the lieutenant, named Fang Bo.
At this time, Deputy Pavilion Master Ma Zhi shouted loudly: "All martial arts heroes, please don't squeeze in. Registration will close at midnight tonight, so don't worry, everyone can apply."
When Li Bai heard this, he couldn't help but ask: "What? Do you still need to register for the martial arts examination?"
Ma Zhi looked at Li Bai and said sarcastically: "Brother, is this your first time to take the martial arts exam? Why don't you even know that you need to sign up?"
Li Bai made a fist with his right hand and covered it with his left hand. He bowed to Ma Zhiyi and said, "Yes, sir, I have practiced Taoism in the mountains for three years and just came out yesterday, so I really don't know."
"Haha, you turned out to be a Taoist priest, so you must not know that you have to pay a hundred cents to sign up, right?"
When Li Bai heard this, he asked in shock: "Ah, you have to pay one hundred cents to register! I really don't know!"
Ma Zhi smiled and said, "It's okay. It doesn't matter if you didn't know before. Now you know it, it's okay. Come on, little brother, if you want to apply for the martial arts exam, just come over and pay for it."
Li Bai touched his money bag, but it was empty. He scratched his head and said, "I'm so sorry. I just left the mountain and don't have that much money. Can I owe it first?"
"Hahaha!" When Li Bai said this, the people around him all laughed. "Can I also owe the registration fee? Come on, don't block the registration." Everyone cheered.
Ma Zhi also said at this time: "Little brother, Tangming Pavilion registration fee has never been in arrears, so you either go to raise it as soon as possible, or you leave as soon as possible."
Now Li Bai was in a hurry. He didn't even know anyone in Anhan County, so where could he raise funds? Could it be that three years of hard study and natural skills couldn't cover a mere registration fee?
It seems it's time to put the vertical and horizontal skills that I have learned hard for three years to use.
Thinking of this, Li Bai suddenly shouted loudly: "Fellow martial arts heroes, I am Li Bai, the ninth grandson of Liang Wuzhao King Li Hao. Now I want to apply for the Tangming Pavilion Scholarship, but I don't have the registration fee, so I want to see which brother can help me. After I pass the Wuxiucai Examination I am willing to repay you a hundredfold!”
As soon as Li Bai said this, everyone in the queue laughed, thinking, isn't this a fool? Do you think Wu Xiucai said that he can pass the exam if he passes the exam? If he fails to pass the exam, he will be in vain. Not to mention the application. The name is the opponent, and no one wants to have multiple opponents! He also said that he is the ninth grandson of Li Hao, King Wuzhao of Liang. It is really stupid.
But Li Bai didn't think so. He felt that one hundred pennies was nothing at all in the eyes of some wealthy men. But one hundred pennies could be exchanged for ten strings, and it could also be a favor to a would-be scholar. This deal was definitely worth doing! Now I The more arrogant you are and the more contrary to common sense, the more attention you can attract the attention of these people. As long as there is a distinguished person among the applicants, your registration fee will be covered. Even if there is no such person here, I just said a few words and was laughed at. There was no loss at all.
So Li Bai shouted again: "If you feel that a hundred times return is not enough, you can increase it to five hundred times. Anyway, you are just being multiple friends!"
"Five hundred times!" To be honest, some people were really moved, but seeing that Li Bai was tall and fair and looked like a scholar, they really didn't think he could be admitted as a martial arts scholar, so they kept silent.
Is it possible that none of so many people think highly of me, Li Bai? Li Bai felt a little disappointed.
Just when he wanted to increase the reward, a burst of hearty laughter suddenly came from the distance: "Hahaha, interesting, interesting! The ninth grandson of Li Hao, Liang Wuzhao King, Li Bai, right? I'll pay for your registration fee."
As soon as he finished speaking, a young man came from a distance, wearing a long golden embroidered butterfly gown, a colorful plum blossom belt, a pair of spotted leopard skin boots, and his long black hair tied into a bun. , with a first-class gold short thick belt tied in her bun, a Chinese-character face, handsome eyebrows, bright and sharp eyes, a big nose and thick lips, a tall and rugged figure, exuding a heroic spirit.
This man's name is Sima Heng, he is the 38th generation grandson of Sima Xiangru, and he is also a wealthy family in Anhan County.
Ma Zhi immediately recognized Sima Heng and said, "Who did I think it was? It turned out to be Mr. Sima."
At this time, Sima Heng had walked from the crowd to the courtyard gate. He hugged Ma Zhiyi and said, "Deputy Pavilion Master Ma, Sima Heng is polite."
After that, Sima Heng raised his fist to Li Bai again and said: "Brother Li Bai, you are the ninth generation grandson of Li Hao, King of Liang Wuzhao, and I am the thirty-eighth generation grandson of Sima Xiangru. I think I am qualified to be your friend."
Li Bai quickly returned the gift to Sima Heng and said: "Brother Sima, what you said is out of context. I, Li Bai, never ask about my origin when making friends. Of course, you are a descendant of Sima Xiangru, so I can be friends with you. This is a great honor for me, Li Bai."
After hearing this, Sima Heng couldn't help but laugh, "Haha, well said, well said! I'm sure to be your friend today." After saying that, he took out two hundred Wen Kaiyuan Tongbao and put it on the table in front of Ma Zhi. , said: "Deputy Pavilion Master Ma, please sign up for both of us."
Ma Zhi chuckled and said, "Haha, it's easy to talk about. Will Mr. Sima still apply for the first category this time?"
Sima Heng did not answer, but turned to Li Bai and asked: "Li Bai, which category do you apply for?"
"Which category?" Li Bai looked puzzled and asked: "Brother Sima, what is one category? How many categories are it divided into?"
Sima Heng was happy when he heard this, "Haha, Li Bai, it turns out this is your first time! Let me tell you, there are two types of competitions, one is to win five people in a row; the second type is to fight one against five, one stick of incense
Invincible within."
"Then I'll apply for Category II." Li Bai said without thinking.
"Category II!" Everyone present looked at him in surprise, not expecting that this stupid Taoist priest dared to declare himself in Category II.
Ma Zhi also felt surprised and asked: "Li Bai, do you really want to report to the second category? The second category is one against five!"
Li Bai smiled and said, "Yes, Deputy Pavilion Master Ma, I am indeed in the second category. One against five, I will not be defeated."
"Haha, heroic, heroic!" Sima Heng cast an appreciative look, thought for a moment, and then said: "Okay! If you risk your life to accompany a gentleman, then I will also report to the second category! Hahaha!"
Ma Zhi was a little confused when he heard this. He thought, do you need to sacrifice your life to accompany the gentleman in this fight? He couldn't help but ask: "Master Sima, are you sure you also apply for the second category?"
Sima Heng nodded and replied: "Sure! I couldn't even pass the exam five times before. Maybe I can change my approach this time and pass the exam instead."
"Five times in a row?" Li Bai didn't expect Sima Heng to have such an experience, so he said: "Brother Sima, don't take this fight lightly. I applied for the second category because my martial arts characteristics are suitable for this category. You don't have to accompany me."
.”
Sima Heng waved his hand, "Li Bai, I have my own reasons for reporting this. You don't have to worry about me! Now that your name has been reported, let's go and I'll treat you to a drink."
After that, Sima Heng received two competition orders, said "goodbye" to Ma Zhi, turned around, picked up Li Bai and walked out.
Li Bai had no choice but to say "Excuse me" to Ma Zhi and the other three in a hurry, and left with Sima Heng.