Lin Zhujie turned his head and saw the meddling, dishevelled man. A surge of indignation welled up within him, and he gracefully floated from the study. "I wondered who it was," he said with a faint smile, "it's Brother Tang!"
"Tsk tsk!"
Tang Guangjun, his sleeves still clasped, chuckled. "Looking at you, it seems you're looking for a place to spar swords?"
"Alright, let's spar swords."
Lin Zhujie said calmly, "This is your suggestion, Tang Guangjun."
"Do you really want to spar swords?"
Tang Guangjun's expression was profound and guarded. He raised a finger from his sleeve and gently concentrated. Instantly, a wisp of transcendent sword intent flashed and vanished. This wisp of sword intent already possessed some of the grace of the Thirteenth Realm!
"This fellow..."
Lin Zhujie was shocked. He never expected Tang Guangjun to have already grasped the Thirteenth Realm. A smile immediately appeared on his face. "Elder Brother Tang, what are you joking about? We are as close as brothers. Why spar swords? I'll treat you to drinks later!"
"Do you have money?"
Tang Guangjun put his arm around Lin Zhujie's shoulder and said with a laugh, "It's not that I'm speaking ill of you, but if you want to study, just tell Director Gu and pay the tuition to enter the academy. Begging for lessons is disgraceful!"
"I know, I know. Thank you for your guidance!"
...
Tang Guangjun walked away with clasped sleeves, heading home to make his own scallion noodles.
Lin Zhujie, on the other hand, frowned. He walked through the rock garden and arrived at Gu Lingyu's residence. He respectfully clasped his sleeves in a Confucian salute and said, "Young Master Gu."
A figure drifted out from the room. It was Gu Lingyu, who returned the salute with a smile. "Sword Immortal Lin Zhujie, is something the matter?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhujie fidgeted and scratched his head. "Actually, it's still about studying. You should know, Master, that in our demon realm, there's no such thing as studying. Many Great Demons of the Upper Five Realms are illiterate wretches. The only scholar was Fu Sheng, and he's a vindictive wretch too. So..."
He seemed a bit embarrassed. "I, Lin Zhujie, wish to study and read in the academy and learn some Confucian principles. I'm just worried..."
"Worried about what?"
Gu Lingyu's smile was gentle.
Lin Zhujie frowned. "I'm worried that because of my demon race identity, you won't accept me, Lin Zhujie, as a disciple."
"There's no need to worry about that."
Gu Lingyu said, "Our Confucian school always emphasizes teaching without discrimination. As long as Sword Immortal Lin sincerely wishes to learn Confucian principles and sincerely wishes to inherit the supreme knowledge of the sages, then I, Gu Lingyu, am willing to teach. However, tuition fees are still required. May I ask if Sword Immortal Lin has money?"
"Not now, but soon."
Lin Zhujie clasped his hands. "Please wait a moment, Master Gu. I, Lin Zhujie, will naturally provide sufficient tuition."
"Alright."
The next moment, Lin Zhujie bowed respectfully and retreated. He then walked out of the academy on foot, passed through the north gate of Bai City, and only then did he ride a sword light into the sky, heading straight for the wilderness west of Jiuzhangyuan.
...
Wilderness.
An old man in a grey robe, holding a fortune-telling banner, had just arrived from the direction of Mount Zu. He had swindled ten Qingfu coins from a group of pig demons, whom he considered as stupid as pigs. He looked down at his money pouch. His recent unscrupulous methods had been quite lucrative, and he was close to accumulating one Jinsu coin.
He couldn't help but feel smug, muttering to himself, "As expected of me, Jia Banxian of Mount Zu! Tsk tsk... I can divine anything in the world, truly a master of strategy!"
"Hmph!"
He sat down on a white rock under a snow pine tree and took out a roasted chicken from his storage bag. It was also "borrowed" from a small town in the demon realm. As an Eighth Realm Wind Demon, the greatest advantage was his ability to come and go without a trace. He could steal countless things with a wisp of his primordial wind.
The demons who ran the shops were only of the First and Second Realms. How could they possibly discern his divine abilities?
After taking a hearty bite of the chicken leg, he chewed contentedly. He turned and looked towards the distant Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. A white city was nearing completion on the lake. Above the city, countless lights twinkled. It was the only city in the Northern Region that never slept. How prosperous it must be!
He frowned, feeling a pang of regret. What a shame.
There were too many demons of the Upper Five Realms in that city. If he went there, his demonic aura would surely be detected, and he'd be an easy target. So, it was better to take a detour through the western mountain range, enter human territory, and then continue his swindling and deception. His goal was to trick a Great Wind Demon of the Upper Five Realms, using deception to achieve enlightenment, which was also a form of enlightenment!
"Hmph!"
He couldn't help but let out a smug chuckle. "Those foolish humans, prepare yourselves for my myriad miraculous methods!"
"Swish—"
Just then, a cold wind swept past, and the storage bag at his waist disappeared.
"Ah?!"
The next moment, the Eighth Realm Wind Demon suddenly leaped into the air and roared, hovering in the wind. "Who are you? Stealing my hard-earned money, have you no shame? Stealing food from a tiger's mouth, aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning! I curse your immortal ancestors!"
In the wind, a figure descended.
With a "snap," a sword hilt fell, knocking the Eighth Realm Wind Demon unconscious. This was his last act of kindness.
...
At night, the academy lit up with lamps.
In the dining hall, the students living in the academy were already having dinner, the aroma of food wafting from afar. Meanwhile, young tutors carried lanterns, and some study rooms prepared for night study were ready.
A figure landed in Gu Lingyu's courtyard, transforming into a young sword cultivator in a green vine-colored long gown, holding the storage bag he had snatched from the Wind Demon.
"Master Gu!"
Lin Zhujie said respectfully, "I'm back."
"Oh?"
Gu Lingyu came out of his room and smiled. "Do you have the tuition fees now?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhujie presented the storage bag. "There are 96 Feiyu coins and some Qingfu coins in here. It should be enough for my tuition, right?"
"It's enough, more than enough."
Gu Lingyu chuckled. "Where did this money come from?"
"It's inconvenient to say."
Lin Zhujie said, "But please rest assured, Master, this money is legitimate and not ill-gotten. Please accept it, and it won't affect your great path of cultivation."
"Good."
Gu Lingyu said, "Starting tomorrow, you will attend classes in the D-grade study hall. Do you have accommodation at the Mountain Peak Villa? If not, I'll have someone clean out a room in the academy for you."
"Ah?"
Lin Zhujie was both surprised and delighted. "Although the Mountain Lord has prepared a guest room for me, I want to live closer to you, Master, and stay in the academy. That way, I can listen to your teachings every day."
"Mm."
Gu Lingyu smiled. "Let's go, I'll take you to get your books."
"Yes, thank you, Master!"
Lin Zhujie bowed respectfully, his face filled with joy. From now on, he, Lin Zhujie, could finally study and read openly.
...
Night, Bai Di City.
Chen Xi, clad in a dark blue cloak, led a group of Cangnan Iron Cavalry generals into the mansion of the Grand Princess Zhao Shutong. In front of the living room, Zhao Shutong, in a long dress, was already waiting.
"Zhao Shutong greets Your Excellency!"
"Your Highness, no need for such formalities."
Chen Xi clasped his hands lightly and smiled. "Is dinner ready? Shall we have a drink?"
"Certainly, let's have a drink!"
A table of food was laid out in the living room. Zhao Shutong brought out several jars of aged Dongting Red Bamboo wine to entertain the distinguished guest. As a martial artist, Chen Xi naturally had a good tolerance for alcohol. The two beautiful women clinked glasses, and as their faces flushed slightly, Zhao Shutong waved away the servants and said, "Tomorrow?"
"Mm."
Chen Xi said, "Tomorrow, at the morning court. This matter cannot be delayed any longer. If we wait, Zhao Qiyang and Lin Yan will surely find more excuses. Also, Commander Lin Ruo will arrive in the capital tomorrow morning, and we will attend court together."
"Good!"
Zhao Shutong smiled. "With Lin Ruo present, our chances are even greater."
She then said with a hint of worry, "It's just... Commander Chen Xi, Wen Hao, after all, has another identity. He's like a younger brother to Lin Zhao, Shi Hu. That young man named Xiao Shitiao on the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. If we manage to bring Wen Hao down tomorrow, will Lin Zhao..."
"No."
Chen Xi shook his head. "Your Highness, you don't need to worry about that. Lin Zhao is a man of integrity. In fact, during the Southern Wilderness Rebellion, wasn't he extremely disappointed with Wen Hao? Moreover, Lin Zhao cares for the world. Wen Hao's delayed advance caused heavy casualties to the human army before the Yumenguan Pass. Lin Zhao is also very enraged."
"Good, then I have no reservations."
Zhao Shutong raised her wine glass and smiled. "Another drink?"
"Alright!"
...
Deep night.
Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, Hefeng Academy.
This academy was rebuilt on the former site of Qin Suihan's bookstore. Gu Lingyu, the master of the academy, lived in the small courtyard of the bookstore. The affairs of the world are always so coincidental.
Late at night, warm spring breezes blew continuously.
Gu Lingyu, a young scholar in an elegant long gown, stood by the window. After dealing with Lin Zhujie's affairs, he felt quite pleased. Having a student like Lin Zhujie in the academy was a good thing.
At this moment, Gu Lingyu held a scroll and looked at the moonlight outside the window, lost in thought.
In that instant, a ripple appeared in Gu Lingyu's previously calm heart.
That ripple stemmed from an encounter many years ago.
Back then, Gu Lingyu was still a young student, carrying his book box, traveling the world with his master, Zihui. He encountered a woman amidst the mountains and rivers.
That woman wore a green short shirt and was a heroic and spirited Seventh Realm martial artist. Gu Lingyu had only met her once, and he never saw her again in his life.
However, the woman's image was etched in Gu Lingyu's heart, and he could never forget her.
As a Twelfth Realm scholar, he was always surrounded by the teachings of the sages. Gu Lingyu knew he shouldn't be sentimental. Scholars of the Confucian literary world should focus on academic pursuits, cultivate their powers, and be able to reason and fight—that was the true path. The world was so chaotic, and more such scholars were needed.
Therefore, Gu Lingyu followed his master's advice and devoted all his attention to his studies.
Yet, occasionally, he would still think of that young female martial artist.
He suddenly let out a light laugh.
Holding the scroll in his hand, his eyes gazing at the bright moon in the sky, his heart was filled with thoughts of the beloved who was engraved in his memory.
It was exactly as Qin Suihan had said. Da Feng Novel Network.
The moon by the window, the book in hand, the beloved in my heart—what could be more elegant in this world!
...
"So that's how it is."
Gu Lingyu suddenly let out a soft laugh. At that very moment, he had achieved enlightenment and, as naturally as water flows, broke through to become a Thirteenth Realm Confucian sage.