Feng Yu Yan (I)

I was the first to enter the famed National Martial Academy. The moment I passed through the gates, an endless expanse of lake water spread out before my eyes. Amid the vast, mist-shrouded waters lay two paths formed from enormous slabs of stone. Calling them paths was not entirely accurate. From afar, the stone walkways looked very narrow, but once one stepped onto them, it became clear that they were quite broad—wide enough for four people to walk abreast, with no fear of falling into the lake. Every fifty meters stood an Eight-Treasure Pavilion. Around some of the pavilions were small patches of land, planted thick with willow trees, peach trees, and plum trees that were still in bloom.

The stone path we took wound and twisted across the boundless lake. At its end stood a small island of remarkable size. From a distance, tall bluestones could be seen rising upon it, with many plum blossoms blooming among them. The pale red blossoms and dark green stones complemented one another perfectly. An ethereal, secluded air like that of an empty mountain valley washed over us. Only after our group entered the gates did we realize that the National Martial Academy was not actually very large. No matter how one looked at it, there were only a dozen or so rooms. Green walls and yellow roofs naturally blended the place's rustic vitality with the splendor of imperial wealth. These dozen or so rather spacious rooms were scattered around the island's edge, while the center of the island held an ordinary martial training ground.

Today, Wang Er was feeling thoroughly miserable. He had just returned from paying New Year's respects at his mother-in-law's home. Not only had he gained nothing there, but his mother-in-law had humiliated him mercilessly. Yet whom could he blame but himself? Some time ago, he had told her he was about to be promoted, only to be assigned in the end to this renowned National Martial Academy. Who here was not rich and powerful? Whom would he dare offend? All he could do was keep his head down and play the grandson. Just as Wang Er was sighing over his fate, five children appeared before him.

The little boy at the front carried a trace of the bearing of an aristocratic scion, but the four older boys beside him clearly looked as though they had never seen the world. Wang Er had seen plenty of such people back when he guarded the city gates. Country bumpkins were all like this. I'm in a bad mood today, so I'll take it out on you four bastards.

"Hey, where did you four bastards come from? Who let you in? Do you know what kind of place this is? Get out right now, or I'll..."

How had Chitong and Chiyi ever suffered such abuse? A mere soldier dared speak to them like this—how could that be tolerated? The two rushed forward at once. Worthy of men skilled in martial arts, they reached the unlucky Wang Er in the blink of an eye. Before Wang Er could react, both sides of his face had already suffered heavy blows, and his body involuntarily toppled backward.

When I turned around and saw that we had clashed with this duty officer the moment we arrived, I knew this was no good. We would be studying here for a long time. Impatiently, I shouted at the two fellows who still wanted to attack, "Chiyi, Chitong, take out your identity documents and show them to this sir. Stop making trouble for me!"

The moment Chiyi and Chitong heard me, they stopped immediately. They had only just acknowledged me as their master—how would they dare disobey my command?

Through his daze, Wang Er heard my words and was startled. Could it be that these four fellows were also students of the National Martial Academy? But no matter how he looked at them, they lacked even the faintest trace of noble bearing. They had nothing but the rustic earthiness of mountain villagers.

Wang Er got to his feet and accepted the identity documents from the two fellows who had just beaten him. He examined them over and over. They were genuine. Wang Er could hardly believe it—he had actually misjudged them!

Then he saw how respectfully the four of them treated me, and an idea stirred in his heart. Could they be four study companions hired by some wealthy household for their child? Wang Er looked again and again, growing ever more convinced of his guess. He immediately returned the identity documents in his hand to the two men with great respect.

Seeing that the matter was more or less settled, I turned and continued walking inward, no longer bothering with those fellows' business.

The moment Lang Feng saw that I was leaving, he immediately followed, no longer sparing the others a glance.

When Chiyou and his two brothers saw that I, their master, had started walking, they hurriedly caught up as well.

Watching my retreating figure, Wang Er sighed inwardly. What a young master from a great family! I wonder which of the Four Great Families he belongs to. The Li Family also has four study companions. Rich indeed—four study companions cost two hundred thousand taels of silver a year! Ah, comparing people really can infuriate one to death!

After wandering around for several turns, I found nothing particularly eye-catching. Where could that legendary place where secret manuals were stored be? Could it be on the other giant-stone passage?

"Who are you people? Why are you here? Could it be that you're students here too?" A crisp voice rang out from the northeast corner, and all five of us turned toward it.

A very cute little girl entered our sight. Her two little braids were especially adorable, and her small face was rosy red. Looking at her, I instantly thought of my sworn younger sister, Shangguan Xiangyu. She was just as adorable, just as innocent, just as lovable. As I gazed at her, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on my face.

"Say something already! Are you students here or not?" The cute little girl was very dissatisfied with our reaction and shouted at us loudly.

Smiling, I said, "Yes, all five of us are students here. Are you one too? What year are you in?"

The little girl was delighted by my reply. She immediately smiled and said to me, "It's my first year here. The tuition here is far too expensive. My grandfather is the current Minister of Rites, so I was able to enter for free. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten in at all!"

"What's your name? I'm Zhang Xingfeng. He's my eldest brother, Lang Feng. The three beside me are my friends, Chiyou, Chiyi, and Chitong." I immediately asked the cute little girl for her name.

"My name is Feng Yu Yan. My mother personally gave me this name. It sounds very nice, and I like it too." This cute Feng Yu Yan was quite narcissistic.

My own name had also been chosen by my mother. With the father she loved by her side, she should be living happily. I laughed bitterly in my heart. That was a pain that would forever remain in my heart. I wondered when I would be able to be with Mother again.

"Well? Say something. Does my name sound nice?" Feng Yu Yan was very dissatisfied that I had not answered her question.