[Seeking Evaluation of Flowers]
(Ask for flower evaluation!!!!!!!!!)
"Is there really a shortcut to the exam venue here at the top of the mountain?"
"I don't see a single person here."
"I told you, the three of you are too gullible. That old captain definitely had bad intentions."
As they continued their journey, the four finally reached the summit of the mountain. Unlike the bustling port of Dore, the area was desolate and eerily quiet. Not a single person was in sight. Leorio, lagging slightly behind, grew more cautious.
"I don't care what the old captain said. What matters more to me is Lan Fei and Gon's decision."
"As long as we're here, we'll find the exam venue."
Kurapika followed Lan Fei at a steady pace, his golden eyes sharp with confidence.
"Hehe, Kurapika, I take that as an agreement between friends."
Gon grinned, flashing his usual innocent yet determined expression.
"Even though I can't fully trust what the captain said, the Hunter Exam is never straightforward. Sometimes, thinking in the opposite direction can lead to unexpected results."
Lan Fei walked ahead, his gaze scanning the surroundings attentively.
Boom!
Just as the tension in the air reached its peak, the sound of grinding wood echoed across the mountaintop. A large wooden door, embedded into the side of a rock formation, creaked open. From within, a wooden cart rolled forward, pushed by masked figures dressed in long, flowing white robes. Sitting at the front of the cart was an elderly woman with gray hair, clad in a deep purple robe. Her clouded eyes remained shut as if she were in deep thought.
"Someone's here?"
Gon halted in place.
"An old woman?"
"Is this another Hunter Exam test?"
Lan Fei narrowed his eyes.
"Nervous? Excited?"
The old woman's raspy voice rang out, piercing the silence. Slowly, she opened her eyes, revealing a sharp, calculating gaze.
"Welcome to Port Dore's mountaintop. Are you heading toward the tallest cedar tree?"
"If so, you must pass the challenge I present. You will answer a single question, and you have five seconds to think. Answer incorrectly, and you will be disqualified immediately."
"Hey, hey, hey! So sudden?"
Leorio's voice carried a mix of irritation and wariness.
"You scared us!"
"I see, so we must complete this challenge in order to proceed."
Kurapika nodded, his expression turning serious.
"Are you all prepared?"
The old woman squinted her aged eyes.
"Hah! It's just a question, right? This is my specialty!"
Leorio puffed out his chest with confidence.
"Young man, don't be so sure of yourself."
"I will only ask one question. You may only answer with '1' or '2.' If you give any other response, you fail."
The old woman's lips curled into a sly smile.
"Enough talk! Just ask the question already."
Lan Fei crossed his arms.
"Excuse me, but as long as any one of us knows the answer, do we all pass?"
Gon inquired curiously.
"Hurry up, old woman! If you don't, I'll answer first."
Before the old woman could respond, a voice suddenly cut in.
A man, dressed in plain commoner's clothing, approached from behind. His hands were casually tucked into his sleeves as he stepped forward with a confident smirk.
"Who's this guy?"
Leorio adjusted his glasses, his eyes narrowing.
"He's been following us since we left the port."
Lan Fei cast a sidelong glance at the stranger, his face calm.
From the moment they had said their farewells to the captain, Lan Fei had already noticed this man tailing them. However, he didn't take action—because he didn't need to. If the man posed any real threat, Lan Fei could have eliminated him long ago.
"I'm sorry, I just happened to overhear your conversation back at the port. That's how I found out about this shortcut to the exam venue."
The man in commoner's clothing spread his hands, feigning innocence.
"Well then, what will you do?"
The old woman's smirk deepened, her gaze fixed on the group.
"Since this guy is so eager, let him go first."
Lan Fei spoke indifferently.
"Yeah, let's see how this works before we step up."
Gon nodded in agreement. Answering tricky questions wasn't his strong suit, so he was happy to observe first.
"I have no objections."
Kurapika stepped aside, allowing the stranger to take the first challenge.
A masked figure silently approached, holding out an answer box toward the commoner.
"Heh… you fools, I'll clear this test first and set up a trap ahead."
The man grinned, his thoughts full of deceit.
"Listen closely."
The old woman's gaze sharpened.
"If your mother and your lover are both captured by criminals, and you can only save one—"
"1 for mother, 2 for lover. Which will you save?"
The moment the words left her lips, the air grew heavy.
"What the hell…?"
Lan Fei's eyes widened slightly.
He had heard similar questions countless times in his past life—those infamous moral dilemmas designed to torment boyfriends.
It was just like the classic, "If your mother and I fell into the river, who would you save first?"
No matter what answer you gave, there was no true "correct" choice.
"This is ridiculous!"
Leorio pressed his palm against his forehead, visibly frustrated.
"Lan Fei, I'm leaving this one to you. I have no clue."
Gon pouted.
"This is definitely a trick question…"
Kurapika furrowed his brows, deep in thought.
"I choose '1.'"
The commoner man smirked, confidently pressing the button for "1."
"And why is that?"
The old woman tilted her head.
"Because a mother is irreplaceable. A lover can always be found again."
The man replied as if his reasoning was absolute.
"Very well. You may proceed."
The old woman waved a hand dismissively.
"What?! Hold on a second, old lady!"
Leorio erupted in disbelief.
"How can you just accept that as the right answer?! This is absurd!"
"Forget it! I'll find another way to the exam venue."
Leorio huffed in frustration, but as he turned to leave, the old woman's next words froze him in place.
"It's too late."
"If you refuse to answer, you will be disqualified immediately."
Her voice carried an icy finality.
"Tch! You've got to be kidding me! This kind of question doesn't have a single right answer!"
Leorio jabbed his finger at the old woman, his temper flaring.
"Hah… So that's it."
A smirk crept onto Lan Fei's lips as a realization dawned on him.
"I see it now."
Kurapika's golden eyes gleamed with understanding.
He had figured out how to pass the old woman's trial.