As the day of the results announcement drew nearer, the atmosphere in Xinghuai Prefecture grew increasingly oppressive.
But beneath the oppression was a fiery heat.
The prefecture was like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Hot magma churned beneath the surface, waiting only for the right moment to explode violently and incinerate all injustice.
The day before the results were to be announced, this fiery atmosphere reached its peak.
Voices of discontent echoed from every street and alley. One only had to step outside and stand on the street for a moment for all their pent-up hostility to be ignited.
"Tao Yanxun is the top scorer in the provincial examination, Chen Yan Nian is the Metropolitan Examination Champion, and Gu Lin is the Jingkui. This news has to be true."
"Where'd you hear that? Have the rankings already been decided? How come I haven't heard anything?"
