Missing Thoughts

Chapter 16

Yu Sui tapped on the door with her fingers and called out, "Senior Martial Brother."

She said, "I'm not here to discuss the matter of the Three Schools' judgment. I want to ask you how to talk to Master."

Mei Chengyu, inside, slowly said, "Can you sense Master's presence?"

Yu Sui asked humbly, "For example."

"That means you can't," Mei Chengyu said leisurely. "When you can sense it, you won't ask how to talk. By the way, it's also difficult for ordinary practitioners to sense it. When your Five Elements Qi circulates, you might be able to, barely."

The last sentence was as good as saying nothing, because ordinary practitioners couldn't use Five Elements Qi at all.

"Then do I absolutely have to go inside to talk to Master?" Yu Sui asked.

Mei Chengyu replied, "When you get in, if Master is still here, then you can."

Yu Sui rolled her eyeballs and asked again, "Senior Martial Brother, if I damage the doors and windows here, who will be responsible?"

Mei Chengyu smiled and said, "If you break it, of course it's your responsibility."

"What is Master's temper like?" Yu Sui asked. "If I break the doors and windows in front of all the Ancestors, will I be punished?"

"Master has no temper," Mei Chengyu said, glancing at the door behind him. "The Ancestors died many, many years ago. Even if they wanted to lose their temper, there's nowhere to direct it."

Yu Sui said "oh."

Mei Chengyu waited for a moment. There was no movement outside.

He thought Yu Sui would get so angry she'd kick the door down or smash the windows with stones.

It was impossible to damage the doors and windows here with brute strength alone. They were protected by incantations, impervious to even the fiercest wind and rain.

Yu Sui placed a hand lightly in front of the door, her dark, deep pupils reflecting the patterns on the door. Her slender, white fingers tapped gently on the wood grain.

There wasn't no way to break the door.

No matter how powerful the incantation protecting the doors and windows here was, it couldn't withstand the devouring power of Strange Fire.

However, if she used Strange Fire, Yu Sui would also bear the risk of being devoured by it herself.

Excluding Strange Fire, she still had the Five Elements Light Core.

When the Five Elements Light Core shattered, it could be considered a form of explosion, containing Five Elements Qi and causing a certain degree of damage.

In the past few years, she had studied Strange Fire and the Light Core. She had gone from producing five per day to three hundred per day.

This was all thanks to staying up all night, repeatedly practicing her mental strength and pushing herself to the limit.

Yu Sui sometimes thought about how she always slept poorly. The fact that she hadn't died suddenly yet might be entirely because the Strange Fire didn't want to lose her as its host.

As for the Five Elements Qi that Mei Chengyu mentioned, she had some ideas. However, after so many years, her Five Elements Light Core hadn't changed much, and Yu Sui wasn't sure how to judge its realm.

She only knew that her current Light Core was not yet the tenth-realm Soul Light Core.

Without the guidance and study of the Hundred Schools' Nine Schools Techniques, Yu Sui's current abilities were still insufficient.

Yu Sui looked up at the room, her gaze filled with a hint of inquiry.

She hadn't come to the Taoist Saint Hall solely for the matter of the Three Schools' judgment. Earlier, at the Hundred Schools Hall, there had been too many people. When Sage Chang Gen appeared, the Strange Fire was in a state of flux due to the surrounding people, so she couldn't know if Sage Chang Gen's consciousness could be captured by the Strange Fire.

If it couldn't be captured and known in advance, it would be very disadvantageous for her, and she would have to act cautiously in the future.

An invisible, formless, colorless "consciousness" that could appear and disappear without anyone noticing was very dangerous for someone like her who held secrets. Yu Sui hesitated outside the door, wondering whether to break it with her Light Core.

Mei Chengyu, inside, was playing with the Listening Wind Ruler.

Zhongli Shan had said that Gu Gan's friends would look for Yu Sui and ask Yu Sui, as a disciple of Sage Chang Gen, to participate in the Three Schools' judgment.

Mei Chengyu replied to him, "She's already at the entrance of the Saint Hall."

Zhongli Shan asked, "What do you plan to do?"

"Of course, I'll stop her," Mei Chengyu said. "I've closed the door."

Zhongli Shan thought for a long time and didn't understand the meaning of the last sentence, "I've closed the door."

"She can't get in?" Zhongli Shan asked hesitantly.

Mei Chengyu looked back at the door and windows, which showed no signs of movement. It seemed she couldn't get in.

He said, "She can't get in, but she hasn't given up yet."

Given Yu Sui's abilities, Mei Chengyu didn't think she could get in.

The "[Eat Well]" four-person group's message popped up again:

Xing Chun asked again, "Eat?"

Mei Chengyu felt he had nothing else to do, so he replied, "Eat."

Cang Shu: "Eat."

Zhongli Shan: "Eat."

Xing Chun was overjoyed: "Come quickly."

Mei Chengyu walked to a corner table, picked up a pen, wrote a few words on a piece of paper, and then quietly left through the window behind the Saint Hall.

Yu Sui suddenly realized no one was there.

The Strange Fire remained motionless.

She tapped the door with her finger and called out, "Senior Martial Brother?"

The Strange Fire still didn't respond.

He actually left?

Yu Sui pinched her brow and chuckled lightly. With Mei Chengyu gone, Yu Sui had no more reservations and decided to use a Light Core to blast the door open.

Mei Chengyu had said she could only sense Sage Chang Gen after entering anyway.

Yu Sui placed her hand on the door again. A faint light flashed from her palm, and a Five Elements Light Core exploded.

One wasn't enough to blast it open, so Yu Sui continued. She hadn't had the chance to compare the Light Cores with the Nine Schools' incantations before, so this was a good time to test the Light Core's strength and see how many it would take to blast open the Saint Hall's door.

Yu Sui closed her eyes, concentrating her mental strength, and continued to probe. It wasn't until the thirty-sixth Light Core exploded that the Saint Hall's main door let out a muffled sound.

The slight noise made Yu Sui open her eyes. She saw a gap had appeared in the previously tightly shut door.

She reached out and gently pushed. The door opened.

Yu Sui touched the door and looked around. Thankfully, it wasn't damaged, so she wouldn't have to pay for it.

The main hall of the Saint Hall had a high ceiling. Lights were arranged in Tai Chi circles at the very top. The light below wasn't strong, making the entire space appear rather dim.

The candlelight was just right, not too bright and not too dim. Being there gave a warm, safe feeling of being enveloped by "light."

The fresh scent of green vine flowers mixed with the faint indoor fragrance of candles had a calming effect.

Only after entering did Yu Sui realize the hall was circular. Carved along the walls were golden statues of figures sitting cross-legged, hands forming different mudras. They bowed their heads slightly, but their expressions were benevolent.

Beside the statues hung portraits of past Sages. Some were vibrantly colored, others stark black and white. They depicted their lively appearances during their lives.

Yu Sui scanned them roughly and found about twenty-odd Ghost Dao School Sages. She looked to the far left and found a familiar portrait—it was her Master, Sage Chang Gen.

The portrait showed a kind-eyed old man. He formed a mudra with one hand, the other behind his back, bowing his head slightly forward.

He looked gentle and elegant. It was hard to imagine someone like this wielding the overbearing and majestic Nine Schools techniques she'd witnessed at the Hundred Schools Hall.

Yu Sui paused in the center, gazing up at Sage Chang Gen's portrait. Soon, she was drawn to the table beneath the portrait.

She walked over and stood before the table.

The table was wide, cluttered with various items: a zither, chess pieces, calligraphy brushes, ink stones, and even half-finished talismans, famous calligraphers' copybooks, Yin-Yang School's Double Fish diagram, a half-read book on military strategy, and more.

Yu Sui stood before the table, her gaze sweeping over these items, finally resting on a stack of white paper.

The topmost sheet of white paper was written in ink: "Are you serious about taking this disciple?"

The moment Yu Sui's eyes registered these words, she felt the still Strange Fire stir slightly. The Five Elements Qi in the hall rippled outwards. The ink marks in the portrait in front of her began to slowly shift, bringing the dead painting back to life.

It seemed the Strange Fire could sense Sage Chang Gen's consciousness approaching.

Yu Sui felt a slight ease in her heart and slowly looked up. The ink lines on the paper moved, making the person in the painting seem to come alive.

"Master?" she tentatively asked.

The portrait flowed, but she heard no sound. Yet, a consciousness invaded her mind and replied:

"It's good that you could get in."

Yu Sui became more respectful. "It's just a minor skill, Master. You flatter me."

She waited, but Sage Chang Gen's consciousness didn't speak again, so she continued, "Master, I heard the Nine Schools all emphasize the ceremony of taking a disciple. Should I also perform a disciple-taking ceremony, just for formality?"

The sense of ritual was important, wasn't it?

Sage Chang Gen replied, "My sect doesn't practice that."

Simplifying things, that was good.

Yu Sui rolled her eyes. She felt this conversation was going to die out easily, so she stopped beating around the bush and knelt down. "Master, your disciple has a request."

"Speak."

"Regarding the judgment of the School of Names, Legalism School, and Ghost Dao School, may I participate in your stead?" Yu Sui was already prepared with how to persuade him if she were rejected.

To her surprise, Sage Chang Gen responded so readily, "Yes."

Yu Sui let out a sound of surprise and blinked at her Master's portrait with its flowing ink colors. She thought for a moment and then asked, "What about Senior Martial Brother..."

"You and he are both my disciples. You can both represent the Ghost Dao School in the judgment."

"However, whatever choice you make, you will bear the consequences yourselves."

Ink lines flew from the paper and wrapped around Yu Sui's wrist, forming a thin band. In the center of her hand, it left the single-hand mudra from Sage Chang Gen's painting.

This was proof, bestowed by Sage Chang Gen, allowing Yu Sui to represent him in the judgment.

Yu Sui reached out and touched it, murmuring, "Thank you, Master. I have one more question: why did you take me as a disciple?"

She asked pitifully, "I have no talent. My compatibility with each of the Nine Schools is only ten percent. Even being a normal practitioner seems incredibly mediocre. How could a Sage like you take notice of me?"

Yu Sui feigned a pitiful tone and said a lot, but Sage Chang Gen only replied, "Fate."

This conversation was about to die out again.

Yu Sui asked again, "What about Senior Martial Brother?"

Sage Chang Gen replied, "Fate."

Yu Sui silently got up from the ground. "Thank you, Master. Goodbye, Master."

She turned and walked only a couple of steps before turning back. She went to the table and took the note Mei Chengyu had written to her Master.

Zhang Yuxuan was still waiting for Yu Sui by the entrance.

Even though Sheng Zui had urged him countless times on the Listening Wind Ruler, Zhang Yuxuan remained steady, convincing himself each time to wait a little longer, that perhaps Yu Sui would come out soon.

When he put away the Listening Wind Ruler for the thirty-sixth time, telling himself to wait a little longer, he finally saw Yu Sui descending the stone steps.

Zhang Yuxuan's eyes lit up, and he waved at Yu Sui.

"Senior Zhang, you're still here." Yu Sui ran over, panting. "Perfect timing, do you know how to get to the Legalism School?"

16 Chapter 16 (Page 2/2)

"The Legalism School? What are you going there for?" Zhang Yuxuan asked curiously. "Shouldn't you be returning to the Ghost Dao Institute?"

Yu Sui tilted her head and smiled. "I'll be right back."

Black Beard, holding the Di Su Tiancheng, waited at the entrance of the Legalism School. Upon seeing Yu Sui, brought by Zhang Yuxuan using the Wind Riding Technique, he respectfully said with a solemn expression, "County Princess."

He handed over the black box containing the Di Su Tiancheng.

Ji Meng and Huo Xiao were waiting nearby. They looked at Yu Sui with complex expressions.

Yu Sui took the black box and turned to thank Zhang Yuxuan. "Thank you, Senior."

Zhang Yuxuan sighed. "As expected of Old Man Chang's disciple. She has courage, boldness, and no fear. She can do what ordinary people wouldn't dare to do."

Put nicely, it was praise.

Put bluntly, it meant: "You're truly a daredevil."

Yu Sui pretended not to understand the underlying meaning and chuckled foolishly. "You flatter me, Senior."

Ji Meng curled his lips slightly and thought to himself, That doesn't sound like praise at all.

Accompanied by Ji Meng and Huo Xiao, Yu Sui went to find Yu Sheng of the Legalism School.

Inside the Criminal Law Pavilion, Yu Sui placed the black box on the table. She then extended her hand, revealing the ink-colored mark on her wrist, and said to Yu Sheng and Old Man Zhu sitting in front of her, "If you two elders feel that overturning the verdict in the first trial is inappropriate, you can also consider this moment as a second judgment."

"The test results of the Di Su Tiancheng are there for all to see. I believe those present in the questioning arena also thought Gu Gan was telling the truth. There is no evidence to prove he was the one who stole the Milky Way Water."

"I am Sage Chang Gen's disciple. With his personal authorization, I am participating in the judgment on behalf of my Master. Therefore, this outcome is legitimate."

As Yu Sui explained, Yu Sheng and Old Man Zhu exchanged glances. After a moment, they silently nodded.

When Yu Sui left this time, she did not take the Di Su Tiancheng with her, but she did obtain the key to the criminal prison.

Yu Sheng of the Legalism School stood by the window, watching Yu Sui and the others leave below. His gaze swept over the Di Su Tiancheng on the table beside him. The child from the Nangong family cared too much about Gu Gan, and in doing so, lost the opportunity to grasp the Legalism School's fatal weakness.

It was fortunate, in a way.

This child, who showed no talent at all, she didn't know why he caught Chang Gen's eye.

On the way to rescue Gu Gan, Yu Sui listened as Ji Meng introduced Huo Xiao. "He's a disciple of the Legalism School. His name is Huo Xiao. He entered the academy in the same batch as us, and he's also from Qingyang."

Yu Sui said, "I haven't seen him before."

Ji Meng explained, "He doesn't live in the Imperial Capital."

Huo Xiao suddenly spoke, "I'm not an aristocrat."

Yu Sui nodded and said absently, "Mm-hmm."

Huo Xiao: "..."

He instantly lost all his thoughts.

Ji Meng coughed lightly and looked at Yu Sui. "We really have you to thank this time, County Princess. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't know what to do."

Yu Sui smiled. "I'm happy I could help Brother Gu."

She had to be happy. If she didn't complete the task Nangong Ming gave her, there would be a lot of trouble later.

Besides, letting Gu Gan out was more useful than keeping him locked up.

Nangong Ming wanted her to help Gu Gan find the Futuo Tower in Taiyi Academy. This sounded like a treasure of immense value, and it was highly likely that it couldn't be obtained through legitimate means.

By letting Gu Gan out to find it himself, she would only be responsible for delivering intelligence. Anyway, Gu Gan wouldn't ask her, a normal practitioner with no talent, to do physical labor.

"You've only just arrived and became Sage Chang Gen's disciple not long ago, yet you've already taken Mei Chengyu's authority. He might develop animosity towards you," Huo Xiao said.

"That's right," Ji Meng nodded. "You should be careful."

Yu Sui then looked at the two of them. "What else do you know about my Senior Martial Brother?"

"We don't interact much; we've only heard things. Mei Chengyu and Zhongli Shan are Grade A disciples, while we are Grade B. Our usual paths don't cross," Huo Xiao analyzed calmly. "I heard before that his temper is eccentric, sometimes kind-hearted like a Bodhisattva, and sometimes ruthless. He's arrogant and conceited, looking down on everyone."

"But he is indeed very capable. Since the year he entered the academy, he's been a Grade A disciple, just like Zhongli Shan and the others. He's never dropped a level," Ji Meng said, then suddenly remembered something and asked Yu Sui, "Right, Zhongli Shan's younger sister, her name is Zhongli Que, isn't it? Wasn't she in the same batch as you at the Imperial Academy?"

Yu Sui nodded. "Yes."

Ji Meng asked, "Did she ever mention Zhongli Shan at Taiyi?"

Yu Sui regretfully shook her head, "We're not close."

"I saw Zhongli Shan and Mei Chengyu were quite friendly, so I thought Zhongli Shan might have mentioned Mei Chengyu to his family," Ji Meng said, stroking his chin. "Besides Mei Chengyu, I also know another person, an Agricultural School disciple, Cang Shu."

Huo Xiao added, "And an Yin-Yang School disciple, Xing Chun."

Yu Sui asked, "Are these people very close to my senior martial brother?"

Ji Meng spread his hands. "Whether they're close or not, I don't know. But it's true that I often see them eating together in the dining hall."

Yu Sui scratched her face, hearing this. Her senior martial brother had quite a few dining companions.

The three of them had just arrived at the Legalism School's Three Provinces Prison when, from afar, they saw a white silhouette standing in front of the prison gate. Yu Sui didn't notice anything, but Ji Meng, recognizing Xun Zhiya, subconsciously glanced at Yu Sui beside him. Gu Gan and Xun Zhiya's relationship was hard to define; if one said it was ambiguous, it wasn't entirely untrue.

But Ji Meng also felt that Gu Gan and Yu Sui's relationship was somewhat ambiguous. He even thought Yu Sui liked Gu Gan, otherwise, why would she have indulged Gu Gan and supported him in the Imperial Capital?

Even after coming to Taiyi, she was always thinking of him, prioritizing Gu Gan.

Her affection was so pure and sincere. If she knew about Gu Gan's ambiguous relationship with Xun Zhiya... Ji Meng shook his head. Now was not the time to think about such things!

Let Gu Gan come out and solve it himself!

Yu Sui saw Xun Zhiya. She had also heard about the love-hate entanglement between Xun Zhiya, Gu Gan, and Sha Qian. She heard Xun Zhiya was a genius of the Legalism School, the Saintess of Nanjing Country, with a noble status, and a cold beauty. Whether looking at her face or her wealth, she was the type that was hard not to be attracted to.

However, Yu Sui's attention was more drawn to the "youngster" standing behind Xun Zhiya.

Li Jinshuang, disguised as a man, had a longsword at her waist, silver-white like snow. She was as still as a stone. Although she stood behind Xun Zhiya, she seemed detached from the entire world.

If Xun Zhiya's world was filled with intense love and hate, then Li Jinshuang was an indifferent passerby.

Thinking this, Yu Sui couldn't help but purse her lips and smile.

As Ji Meng approached, he noticed Xiang Feifei, wearing a veil, with her arms crossed, her arrogant eyes sweeping over them.

Ji Meng: "..."

Maybe Gu Gan shouldn't come out after all.

Yu Sui slowly walked into their sight and smiled, "It's so lively. Is everyone here waiting for Brother Gu?"

Ji Meng gave Huo Xiao a look. Huo Xiao directly turned his face away, signaling, "Don't look at me, I know nothing."

Yu Sui didn't care what others thought and took out the key to open the door, letting Gu Gan out.

The dining hall was already crowded.

Xing Chun had already secured a spot on the second floor. He chose a quiet window table with a good view, waiting for the other three to come for dinner.

Zhongli Shan arrived first. He sat next to Xing Chun, picked up a teacup, poured himself some water, and then used hot water to dampen a handkerchief, wiping down the table and tableware.

Xing Chun was preparing dipping sauces on a small plate and casually asked, "Where are 'Heartless' and 'Brainless'?"

Zhongli Shan said, "They went to get side dishes."

Xing Chun placed the dipping sauce bowls for everyone else. Just as he sat down again, he saw Mei Chengyu and Cang Shu each carrying a bowl of raw vegetables.

The two sat opposite them and began to tacitly pass bowls, serve rice, wrap vegetables, and add sauce.

Xing Chun ate with great vigor. Compared to his energy, the fair-skinned and slender, effeminate Cang Shu appeared listless, even eating seemed tiring.

Mei Chengyu was nonchalant, while Zhongli Shan was serious and rigid.

While fighting Mei Chengyu for a dish, Xing Chun asked, "I heard you got a junior martial sister today. Is she good-looking?"

Mei Chengyu replied perfunctorily, "See for yourself."

Xing Chun: "If she's good-looking, she's good-looking. If not, she's not. What do you mean, 'see for yourself'?"

Mei Chengyu raised his eyelids, and his eyes on Xing Chun clearly conveyed "Are you sick?"

Xing Chun scooped some minced meat into his steamed bun and swallowed it in one bite. "Then tell me about your trip to the Legalism School for judgment today. You didn't give the Legalism School any face. Do you want to be demoted this year?"

Mei Chengyu remained unfazed. "What does my demotion have to do with the Legalism School?"

Cang Shu slowly chewed his vegetables and said weakly, "Your junior martial sister can also go to the Legalism School for a new judgment."

"She can't," Mei Chengyu said nonchalantly. "I've locked her out of the Saint Hall."

Xing Chun tapped his bowl with his chopsticks. "She can't get in?"

Mei Chengyu: "How can a normal practitioner get in?"

Xing Chun was a little surprised. "She's really a normal practitioner? Her father is one of the Three Yamas of the School of Names."

"Her talent compatibility is ten percent. If she weren't, her father would have sent her to the School of Names long ago." Mei Chengyu felt there was nothing more to discuss and responded listlessly.

Cang Shu glanced out the window and asked, "So Gu Gan can't be released for a while?"

Zhongli Shan said, "He won't be out for a short time."

Cang Shu swallowed his rice, pointed outside with his chopsticks, "Then who is that person below?"

Who?

The question made the other three look up from their bowls, all looking down out the window.

On the path leading to the dining hall, people stopped in their tracks, too surprised by the person who appeared. Only their gazes followed the person walking.

The flowering trees lining the path swayed, casting dappled shadows. Every so often, there was a patch of cool shade.

Gu Gan was still dressed in the attire of a Legalist School detainee. He walked at the very front, an outer garment slung over one shoulder. As he looked up at the discussions of the crowd, a fierce viciousness glinted in his eyes.

Ji Meng and Huo Xiao walked beside him, like the left and right protectors of a fierce beast.

It was currently the break between classes for each courtyard. The disciples coming to the dining hall were numerous. Many of them recognized Gu Gan, knowing he was a disciple under the judgment of the Three Schools. They had only heard that morning that Gu Gan's judgment was to remain under observation, and now, just past noon, they saw the very person under observation swaggering into the dining hall.

Xing Chun poked his head out from the window and chuckled. He turned back to ask Mei Chengyu, "Isn't he out already?"

Mei Chengyu didn't look at Gu Gan, who was stealing the spotlight below, nor did he look at Xun Zhiya or Xiang Feifei, who were being discussed as they followed behind. His expression was inscrutable. His gaze landed precisely on Yu Sui at the very back of the crowd.

As Yu Sui stepped out from the shade of the trees, she reached up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her sleeve slipped, revealing an ink-colored mark on her wrist.

It was a mark of the Ghost Dao School, one Mei Chengyu was all too familiar with.

Mei Chengyu stared at Yu Sui, watching as the young girl below looked up and cast a glance his way. Her bright apricot eyes held a hint of a smile.