Missing Thoughts

Chapter 13

Since the Outer City and the Academy were quite far apart, most people usually traveled between them using the Wind Riding Technique. As Yu Sui had not learned the Nine Schools Techniques, Black Beard had made prior arrangements.

The carriage traveled at a speed comparable to the Wind Riding Technique. Because it incorporated Mechanism Techniques and the horses were top-grade, blessed by the School of Names, its running could, in a sense, be considered a form of the Nine Schools Techniques.

Yu Sui lifted the carriage curtain and curiously looked outside.

"Each school within the Academy has its own forbidden lands. Some forbidden lands will directly kill intruders, without any trial. Young Master Gu broke into a Level 1 forbidden land of the Legalism School this time, the Hanging Moon Cave," Black Beard explained the situation to her on the way. "He himself stated that he did not enter voluntarily but was invited. However, his Listening Wind Ruler could not find any message inviting him to the Hanging Moon Cave."

"Coincidentally, on this very night, the prohibited item within the Hanging Moon Cave, the Milky Way Water, went missing. Although the Milky Way Water was not found on him, he was suspected of being an accomplice."

Yu Sui propped her face with one hand and looked outside. After listening, she turned her head back and asked, "What is Milky Way Water?"

Black Beard respectfully replied, "It is a prohibited item used for making poison. It is extremely dangerous. Because it cannot be destroyed, it can only be placed in the Hanging Moon Cave to disappear naturally over time."

Yu Sui suddenly recalled Young Master Lin from the Imperial Academy back then. His desperate shouts echoed in her mind as he knelt.

"Today's trial will decide whether Young Master Gu will be dealt with as an accomplice to theft," Black Beard explained. "The Academy's judgment is usually decided by the Saints of the Main School. For exceptionally grave sins, the twenty-four Saints of the Academy will conduct the trial. The judgment could be expulsion from the Academy or the deprivation of life and death."

He then added, "However, Young Master Gu's situation has not reached the point of life and death deprivation. Expulsion from the Academy alone is quite dangerous."

Yu Sui asked, "It's related to poison-making, and there's no risk of life and death deprivation?"

Black Beard paused for a moment, then said, "Young Master Gu cultivates both the School of Names and the Legalism School. The Saint of the School of Names is familiar with him. If there's a proposal for life and death deprivation, he will be the first to reject it."

Cultivating both schools showed his exceptional talent.

Yu Sui suddenly understood and asked, "Then is Brother Gu going to be tried by the twenty-four Saints of the Academy today?"

"Not twenty-four. This incident of the Milky Way Water's disappearance only involves three schools: the Legalism School, the School of Names, and the Ghost Dao School," Ji Meng said with a solemn expression. "Each of these three schools will send one Saint to represent them at today's trial. The most severe judgment should be expulsion from the Academy."

Yu Sui counted on her fingers and asked, "He is a disciple of the School of Names, the incident occurred in the Legalism School, what does it have to do with the Ghost Dao School?"

"The Legalism School's judgment upholds that the guilty shall be punished. In any matter, there cannot be a draw; only 'right' or 'wrong' are the two possible outcomes," Ji Meng explained. "Therefore, a judgment requires at least three people to avoid a draw."

"The Ghost Dao is not entirely unrelated to this matter. The Milky Way Water cannot be destroyed, but the supernatural abilities and esoteric skills of the Ghost Dao School can accelerate its dissolution. In matters concerning the disposal of Milky Way Water, the Ghost Dao and the Legalism School have always worked together."

Black Beard pondered, "We don't need to worry about Old Man Zhu of the School of Names; he is on Young Master Gu's side. Although the Legalism School is targeting him, they cannot break the rules. The Di Su Tiancheng exists as the standard for judgment. As long as the Tiancheng leans towards Young Master Gu, they cannot convict him."

After speaking, he looked up and found that the Young Princess had a look of bewilderment, as if she hadn't understood. Black Beard secretly worried in his heart: he had heard that the King's County Princess had little talent. She was probably the first Normal Practitioner of the Nangong family. Seeing her now, apart from her good looks, she indeed had no other merits.

In this world, just being good-looking was useless.

Yu Sui propped her cheek with one hand and said, "Then there's still one left?"

"The Ghost Dao? That should be fine. The Saint of the Ghost Dao is only one person, but this Saint is rather special," Ji Meng said patiently as he looked at Yu Sui's confused eyes. "To understand his specialty, you first need to understand the highest realm of the Ghost Dao. Those who practice Ghost Dao pursue 'physical body dissolution, consciousness eternal existence.' Very few have achieved this so far. The Ghost Dao Saint in the Academy has achieved eternal consciousness after death."

Yu Sui listened, stunned.

This Ghost Dao Saint's honorific title was Chang Gen. The "physical body dissolution, consciousness eternal existence" that Ji Meng mentioned was called Spirit Transmutation in the Ghost Dao realm.

Ji Meng continued to explain, "Sage Elder Chang Gen will not attend the judgment. Although his consciousness is eternal, it is difficult for it to manifest concretely. He only acts when the Ghost Dao School has major events. Therefore, the one representing the Ghost Dao School in this judgment is the Sage Elder's disciple, Mei Chengyu."

Yu Sui nodded, indicating for him to continue, as she wanted to hear more.

Ji Meng felt a little embarrassed under her curious gaze, unconsciously straightened his back, and searched his mind for knowledge to explain it more simply and understandably. "There are thousands of students in the Ghost Dao Institute, but this is the only disciple of Sage Elder Chang Gen. So, it can only be Mei Chengyu who participates in the judgment for the Ghost Dao School."

"Although this person has a peculiar temper, he has no grudges with us. Moreover, I've heard others say that he practices a 'mind your own business' approach, meaning he doesn't get involved in messy affairs. If it can pass, it passes."

"Therefore, the Ghost Dao School should be neutral. As long as the Di Su Tiancheng does not convict, Mei Chengyu will also side with us."

Yu Sui suddenly understood and said "Oh," then turned her hand supporting her cheek to point at herself, "Then I only need to deliver the Di Su Tiancheng?"

Black Beard said, "Yes, the Di Su Tiancheng is unique. The Saint of the Legalism School knows it is in the Prince's hands. Only by having you, the Prince's successor, the County Princess, deliver it personally can it avoid suspicion."

Yu Sui breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Fortunately, it's just delivering something. If I had to take the Di Su Tiancheng to debate with the Legalism School, I'm afraid I would have killed him."

Ji Meng: "..."

He gave a slight awkward laugh, thinking that if she were to debate with the Legalism School, his brother would go from expulsion to a death sentence.

Black Beard sighed in his heart, "The Prince was renowned throughout his life, how could he let a Normal Practitioner inherit the throne?"

The carriage sped forward, traveling from the Outer City into the Academy amidst the fragrant morning breeze, and then turned towards the Legalism School's arena for questioning.

The arena was a large circle. In the center stood a raised platform with four stone pillars inscribed with the laws of the Legalism School. At the edge of the platform were torture racks, hung with various implements of torture.

Some were so horrifying they made one's heart tremble at a glance, while others, their purpose unknown at first sight, would be desperately avoided once their function was understood.

The viewing stands of the arena were four tiers high, built of black stone. Only the central execution platform was carved from white stone. The stands, from low to high, were divided into the front and back sections. The front entrance was for walking in, while the back entrance could accommodate carriages.

At this moment, there were already quite a few people in the viewing stands. Instructors and students from various schools were present. They stood in groups of three or five, or sat alone far away.

People were still continuously entering through the front gate.

Currently, only the Legalism School disciples responsible for maintaining order were running around the arena. They wore unified black uniforms, with red armbands tied to their left arms, inscribed with the Legalism School's insignia.

On the edge of the first-tier viewing stand, Princess Shangyang, with her sleeves rolled up, looked displeased. The sisters beside her fanned her with round fans, urging her to calm down.

Princess Shangyang looked at the white-clothed girl not far away and said unhappily, "Hey, Gu Gan saved you several times, yet you're standing by and watching this time, not intervening. If he gets expelled from the Academy by your Legalism School, I won't let you, Xun Zhiya, off the hook!"

The girl called Xun Zhiya frowned slightly at this. Her pupils were light-colored, giving her a somewhat indifferent appearance. At this moment, she merely glanced faintly at Princess Shangyang before looking away.

Beside Xun Zhiya stood quite a few people, including Li Jinshuang, who had just entered the Academy today.

On the second tier, a bit further away, Wei Ren sat down on the stone steps, leaning his shoulders back, his hands spread on the stone railing, crossing his legs. He yawned lazily, looking up at the sky.

Xue Jiayue, dragging the exhausted Xue Mushi, ran up and happened to bump into Wei Ren, who was sitting in front blocking the way. She immediately felt unlucky. "It's you!"

She turned to leave.

"Hey, why are you going? Let's watch together." Wei Ren tilted his head and called out, "I won't release scorpions this time."

Xue Jiayue turned back. Wei Ren gestured with his chin towards Xue Mushi, who was tired as a dog, "What are you afraid of? Whether I release scorpions or centipedes, your cousin will see right through me. It's no fun."

Xue Mushi shook off Xue Jiayue's hand and lay down on the stone steps, indicating he wouldn't run anymore, even if he died.

Xue Jiayue relented and looked at Wei Ren, saying irritably, "Why are you here too?"

Wei Ren shrugged, "I heard on the way that the Legalist School was opening the Questioning Arena for trials. I came to join the fun. Public trials in the Questioning Arena are too rare, it's not worth missing this excitement."

Xue Jiayue snorted and sat down ten paces away from Wei Ren, crossing her arms and staring at him without blinking.

Wei Ren smiled, "Why are you looking at me like that? It's not me being questioned by the Legalist School, is it?"

Xue Jiayue said, "I'm watching how you release scorpions."

Wei Ren turned over and smiled ambiguously at Xue Jiayue, "Want to know? Join my Agricultural School and you'll know."

Xue Jiayue: "Pah! Your stone scorpions are disgusting. I'd rather die than join your Agricultural School to learn such things in this lifetime!"

Wei Ren was scolded and reached up to touch his face, laughing until he bent over.

*

Compared to the noisy bickering between Wei Ren and Xue Jiayue, more people were focused on the protagonist of today's Questioning Arena.

The youth sitting opposite Wei Ren had an unfriendly expression. For some reason, his brows were always slightly furrowed. His narrow phoenix eyes were sharp, and when he looked at people, he unconsciously carried an arrogant scrutiny.

Sheng Fei didn't have high hopes for the judgment of the three schools today.

Mu Mengbai, sitting next to him, was looking down and playing with his Listening Wind Ruler, his fingers rapidly pressing the fill-in-the-blanks. He glanced up and saw someone in the distance, exclaiming in surprise. He gestured for Sheng Fei to look over, "Why is that old fuddy-duddy Zhongli Shan here to watch the fun?"

Sheng Fei followed his gaze. Across from them, by the third-tier viewing platform, stood a black-robed youth with a sword at his waist. His posture was upright, his back straight, like a ruler.

He stood there alone, his expression calm, silently surveying the crowd below.

Sheng Fei looked away, not bothering to wonder why Zhongli Shan was skipping class to watch the fun.

13 Chapter 13 (Page 2/2)

He only cared if Gu Gan could be expelled from Taiyi Academy today.

"He often hangs out with Mei Chengyu. Is he here to see Mei Chengyu?" Mu Mengbai said again, "Whether Gu Gan can be convicted today, I think the focus will still be on the Ghost Dao side."

Sheng Fei turned to look over, "How's your divination going?"

"So-so," Mu Mengbai said with a solemn face, "Anyway, this judgment won't go smoothly."

Sheng Fei frowned and said, "This isn't 'so-so,' this is useless. You're clearly a disciple of the School of Techniques, why is your divination like an amateur's?"

Mu Mengbai wiped his face and said with a forced smile, "What can I do? I didn't join the School of Techniques voluntarily."

Sheng Fei didn't get the divination answer he wanted, and his frown deepened.

Mu Mengbai looked down at his Listening Wind Ruler, sending a message while speaking, "The attitude of the School of Names and the Legalist School is very clear. The School of Names wants to protect him. With Sha Qian in the Legalist School, he's a sworn enemy of Gu Gan. He's going all out to sentence Gu Gan to death this time."

After speaking, his eyes brightened a bit.

"Sha Qian fell in love with Xun Zhiya at first sight, but Xun Zhiya doesn't like him. Gu Gan is close to Xun Zhiya, their relationship is ambiguous. Xun Zhiya hasn't rejected Gu Gan either. Sha Qian is driven by love to hate. For Xun Zhiya, he wants to suppress Gu Gan's popularity, but he's been repeatedly humiliated by Gu Gan. With old and new grudges combined, he wants Gu Gan out of the academy even more than you do."

"I heard Sha Qian has a fiancée back home. Sigh, I don't even know her name or where she lives, otherwise I'd definitely try to break off their engagement."

"But if I break off his engagement, do you think Sha Qian will pursue Xun Zhiya even more shamelessly without his betrothal? He's a shameless person, it's quite possible."

"Xun Zhiya doesn't seem to want to deal with him. Sha Qian picks fights with Gu Gan, and Gu Gan always accepts. How is he so capable? Not only does he cultivate both Name and Law, but he's also proficient in everything. I even saw him learning divination in our courtyard last time."

Sheng Fei: "..."

Listening to Mu Mengbai's rambling, his face was already written with impatience, yet he couldn't do anything about him. The more he tried to stop him, the more he talked. He didn't know where this guy got so many words from.

Sheng Fei raised his hand and pinched the center of his brow.

"Oh! They're here, they're here! The Saints of the Three Schools and our unlucky Gu are here!" Mu Mengbai said halfway through and suddenly slung an arm around Sheng Fei's shoulder and patted him hard.

Sheng Fei impatiently swatted his hand away, frowning as he looked down.

A large group of people entered from the front gate, including Legalist disciples responsible for escorting Gu Gan, and School of Names disciples who came to support Gu Gan.

Walking at the very front were two elders.

One was Old Man Zhu of the School of Names, and the other was Yu Sheng of the Legalist School.

Both elders had heads full of silver hair and wore white Saint robes. They whispered to each other, looking like two friends taking a leisurely afternoon stroll towards the high judgment platform.

A black-robed youth, walking a step behind the two elders, was adjusting his sleeves. He stepped into the shadows, the morning breeze gently lifting his sideburns, as if parting clouds to reveal mist. A cool breeze took the opportunity to sweep past his lazy black eyes.

The youth was a head taller than the two elders in front. His belt cinched his waist, outlining his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His sleeves were tight at his wrists, fitting perfectly, yet containing power, ready to be unleashed.

A black outer robe was draped over his arm. As he turned onto the stone steps of the high platform, Mei Chengyu grabbed the outer robe and put it on, slipping one hand into the sleeve, becoming a splash of black between the two white Saints.

Mei Chengyu walked to the table behind the judgment platform with a composed expression and sat down, leaning his back against the chair, crossing his long legs. He took out his Listening Wind Ruler from his outer robe sleeve and played with it.

Others were not as leisurely as him.

Upon reaching the judgment platform, the two Saints stopped talking, not even exchanging glances.

Old Man Zhu of the School of Names had kind eyes, while Yu Sheng of the Legalism School wore a solemn expression.

Both were watching Gu Gan being led onto the Questioning Platform by Sha Qian.

On the third tier of the viewing stands, Xiang Feifei, wearing a veil, watched Gu Gan being led to the Questioning Platform. Anxious, she couldn't help but glare at the golden-robed youth beside her, who was still playing with the Listening Wind Ruler.

"Everyone else is about to be put on trial, where's the reinforcements you brought?" Xiang Feifei asked.

The golden-robed youth glanced sideways, chuckled, and pointed towards the back: "Look, aren't they here?"

A carriage entered the Questioning Arena from the back gate and stopped to the side. The horses lowered their heads and swished their tails, waiting for the people inside to disembark.

As Yu Sui got out, she happened to see Gu Gan walking onto the Questioning Platform.

She hadn't seen Gu Gan in two years.

The young man who had left the Imperial Capital that night had grown much taller. His sharp, defined features had replaced the slightly childish look in her memory, replaced by the arrogance and untamed spirit of a young man.

Gu Gan looked like he hadn't changed his clothes in days. He was dirty, wearing only a single layer of clothing and trousers. His slightly messy sideburns swayed as he walked with his head bowed.

His hands were tied behind his back, and a few crimson scars were faintly visible on his rolled-up sleeves and neck.

Yu Sui was a bit far away. After Gu Gan stepped onto the platform, she couldn't see him anymore, so she walked forward, carrying a box.

There was a chair in the middle of the Questioning Platform.

Sha Qian frowned upon seeing it and gestured for the Legalism School disciples to remove the chair. Hadn't he said before that it should be removed?

Just as the Legalism School disciples were about to step forward to take it away, Gu Gan had already plopped down on it.

"What, you can't even spare a chair? Our academy isn't that poor," Gu Gan said, tilting his head back and sneering hoarsely.

Sha Qian sneered and ignored him, turning to leave.

Gu Gan's gaze swept towards the side of the viewing stands and met Xun Zhiya's eyes as she looked up. A moment later, he looked away.

Sha Qian stood by the side of the Questioning Platform, ready to interrogate at any moment.

At this moment, almost everyone in the Questioning Arena's gaze was on Gu Gan, yet he himself was looking down in silence.

The Legalism School Saint on the Judgment Platform slowly spoke: "We will now begin the trial regarding the theft of the Milky Way Water within the Hanging Moon Cave. Disciple Gu Gan was discovered entering the forbidden area, the Hanging Moon Cave, before the theft of the Milky Way Water. After being apprehended by the duty guards, the Milky Way Water also disappeared."

Yu Sheng spoke slowly, but his words were filled with an imposing aura that made people unconsciously hold their breath to listen.

"You have one last chance to recount the situation. Every word you say next will determine whether you live or die today."

Yu Sheng paused and looked at the Legalism School disciple at the edge of the Questioning Platform: "Sha Qian, begin the interrogation."

Before Sha Qian could respond, he was stopped by Old Man Zhu, the Saint of the School of Names: "Since the Milky Way Water was not found on him, it means the item is not with him. Without evidence, it is unfair to have the Legalism School disciples conduct a forced interrogation."

"Unfair?" Yu Sheng said in a deep voice.

Old Man Zhu, still smiling, said: "Although it's just student gossip, Sha Qian and Gu Gan have a prior personal grudge."

"If someone who resents him conducts the interrogation, especially a Legalism School disciple skilled in torture techniques, will the results of such an interrogation be fair and convincing?"

Mei Chengyu, sitting between the two, seemed to be intently playing with the Listening Wind Ruler.

Zhongli Shan, standing by the viewing stands, took out his Listening Wind Ruler and lit it up. He saw a message sent from the people on the Judgment Platform:

"The two old men are putting on a show."

Zhongli Shan replied: "Be careful."

"If the two elders find out you said that, you'll be the one being interrogated below later."

Sha Qian below heard the words of the two Saints and his expression changed slightly. He took a step forward, attempting to explain to Yu Sheng, but heard him say to Old Man Zhu: "According to your opinion, what would be considered fair?"

Old Man Zhu narrowed his eyes and smiled: "In his situation, using the Life Law Technique is too harsh, and the interrogation techniques are too extreme. Why not use the Di Su Celestial Scales to answer and discern truth from falsehood?"

Yu Sheng said slowly: "The Supreme Treasure of the Legalism School, the Di Su Celestial Scales, is unique in the world, but it is not within our Taiyi Academy."

Sha Qian could no longer stand it and said: "The Di Su Celestial Scales are far away in Qingyang Nation. Are we supposed to go to Qingyang to retrieve them? Not to mention the time and resources it would take to travel to and from Qingyang Nation, who knows who has the Di Su Celestial Scales in Qingyang..."

"I do."

A clear young girl's voice interrupted him.

Yu Sui had rushed and finally arrived in time.

When she heard the words "Di Su Celestial Scales," Yu Sui busied herself in speaking out, afraid of missing the best opportunity to present the Di Su Celestial Scales.

Yu Sui walked onto the Questioning Platform from the back, stepping into the golden morning light.

She walked into everyone's sight, holding a black box. All eyes on the viewing stands were drawn to her. In the dazzling light, she emerged like an immortal, with delicate eyebrows and apricot eyes, her steps light as if she had just descended from the heavens.

Sheng Fei on the viewing stands, upon seeing who it was, suddenly stood up, his face grim. This startled Mu Mengbai, who also stood up and asked, "What's wrong? What's wrong?!"

Princess Shangyang on the first tier of the viewing stands widened her eyes: "Nangong Sui?"

"What is she doing here?"

The sisters beside her were also stunned, not knowing how to answer for a moment.

"Huh? The Supreme Treasure of the Legalism School, how is it in the hands of someone from the School of Names?" Xue Jiayue asked curiously.

Wei Ren's gaze followed Yu Sui, and he chuckled: "Our Nangong family in Qingyang has more than just treasures from the School of Names. Every family has them, more than you can imagine."

Many of the young people in the stands recognized Yu Sui. Those who didn't recognized her from others mentioning her, the County Princess of Qingyang, Nangong.

Gu Gan watched Yu Sui as she walked closer. His gaze shifted from initial astonishment to a gradual smile, finally settling into undisguised tenderness.

As Yu Sui passed him, she gave him a gentle wink.

Gu Gan couldn't help but smile.

Sheng Fei, staring intently at the two, clenched his fists until they creaked. Mu Mengbai gasped and grabbed him, shouting, "You never told me your sister was this beautiful!"

"Death penalty! Let Sha Qian judge Gu Gan to death! I support the death penalty!"

Yu Sui walked towards the judgment platform.

Mei Chengyu toyed with the Listening Wind Ruler in his hand, lightly lifting his eyelids to watch.

Zhongli Shan, in the stands, opened a message:

"Who is this sparkling young lady?"