The Question of Stigma

The Question of Stigma

On the twenty-sixth, the rain and mist dispersed, and Ruiguang's skies saw long-awaited clear weather. From anywhere in the Academy, one could gaze out and clearly see the distant azure Soaring Sea. A mild, warm breeze drifted over, making the entire capital seem cradled in the embrace of blue heavens and emerald waters.

In weather this pleasant and comfortable, aside from the occasional one or two gray clouds drifting across the sky and slightly offending the eye, there was nothing to complain about.

Zhang Yu rose early. After taking a medicinal pill, he went to the rear courtyard to practice swordsmanship. Once he returned and washed up, he sat on the rooftop terrace, drinking tea as he watched the sunrise over the sea. When it was time to eat, he finally set out. Reaching the place he had arranged with Liu Guang, the two met up and headed together for Zhenli Hall.

As they walked, Liu Guang reminded him, "After I went back yesterday, I made some more inquiries. The Academy truly is preparing to conduct a Scholastic Inquiry on you. Today's hurdle likely won't be easy to clear. Besides the matter of indigenous languages, Qiu Xueling will probably ask you other questions as well. You must respond carefully."

Zhang Yu said, "Thank you for the reminder, Master Liu. I will not answer what I should not answer."

A Scholastic Inquiry was not an interrogation. The one being examined was no lowly person, but an instructor serving at the Academy, and naturally had his own dignity. If certain questions went too far or strayed beyond his field of study, he could simply choose not to answer them.

Liu Guang said, "It is good that you know what you are doing."

Before long, the two arrived before Zhenli Hall.

More than twenty people were already gathered there, all Academy instructors. Clearly, they had heard that a Scholastic Inquiry would be held today and had come to watch. After all, such a thing had not occurred for decades.

The moment Liu Guang saw them, he frowned deeply.

If the Academy could make good use of the Steel Claw Tribe affair, it should be able to secure considerable benefits in Metropolitan Hall. Yet so many people had come today—could it be that the Academy's Upper Layer had leaked the matter?

Or had something changed, and the Academy no longer intended to conceal it?

When the crowd saw them arrive, they all turned to look. Yet upon seeing Zhang Yu, quite a few showed amazement in their expressions.

An attendant at the entrance proactively came forward, bowed, and gestured to one side. "Please come this way, gentlemen."

The last time Zhang Yu had entered the hall by the sloping path down the middle. This time, however, he went through the side corridor. But after only a few steps, a man in his forties, dressed in an instructor's robes and cap, walked over and blocked the two of them.

The man cupped his hands toward Zhang Yu and deliberately raised his voice. "You must be Master Zhang. I have heard that you understand quite a few languages of the indigenous tribes near Peace Mountain. As it happens, I too have devoted myself to the study of barbarian tongues. I have a question or two that I would like to seek your guidance on."

The people standing at the entrance immediately perked up, their attention all drawn over.

Liu Guang frowned. In this setting, everyone ought to address one another by their Academy positions. Calling him "Master" clearly showed that the man did not recognize Zhang Yu's learning.

Zhang Yu glanced at him and said evenly, "Qiu Xueling is the one who summoned me here today. If you wish to consult me on scholarly matters, please first send a name card and follow the Academy's rules. Otherwise, forgive me for declining to keep you company." With that, he flicked his sleeve and walked inside.

The man was overwhelmed by the force of his words and could not speak for a moment. After Zhang Yu had passed him, he finally came back to himself. His face abruptly flushed red, and he stood there trembling with rage.

Zhang Yu paid him no further mind. He and Liu Guang walked into the inner chamber and were about to enter the main hall when an attendant stopped Liu Guang. "Master Liu, please stop. If you wish to observe the Scholastic Inquiry, please proceed to the viewing platform."

Liu Guang halted and said to Zhang Yu, "Assistant Instructor Zhang, those who have come mean no good. Adapt carefully to whatever comes."

Zhang Yu cupped his hands to him.

Liu Guang went up the side corridor to the circular viewing platform. Once there, he found that quite a few of those standing there had made achievements in the study of languages. Among them, however, he recognized a confidant of a high-ranking Academy official. It seemed this Scholastic Inquiry had truly drawn considerable attention.

At this moment, Zhang Yu had already arrived beneath the circular great hall and stood still. His posture was straight, his wide sleeves hanging at his sides. Bright daylight poured through the glazed dome and fell upon his robes and cap, making him exceptionally dazzling. He looked graceful and ethereal, like an immortal beyond the mortal world.

There were indeed quite a few in the Academy who were dissatisfied with Zhang Yu, a man who had entered through self-recommendation. They believed he must have used some trick. Otherwise, why would someone so young use such a method instead of taking the proper path and passing the entrance examinations?

However, most people normally never encountered him and had no dealings with him. They merely sneered and muttered a few slanders in their hearts, then paid him no more attention.

But now that they truly saw him, they felt that perhaps the truth was not so simple. Perhaps the man had his own hardships.

At that moment, two people walked out onto the vermilion platform in the great hall, both dressed in the robes and caps of Academic Commissioners. On the outer side was an old man, while on the inner side stood a stern-faced middle-aged man.

Zhang Yu raised his head and looked. That old man must be Qiu Xueling. He had maintained himself well, with few wrinkles and only slightly graying hair. He looked no more than fifty or sixty, and one simply could not tell that he was already ninety years old.

Of course, the average lifespan of Celestial Xia people was one hundred and twenty years. If one understood how to preserve one's health, living to one hundred and fifty was entirely possible.

When Qiu Xueling reached the front, he first raised his hand in greeting to those on the platform, then said, "This old man heard that a fine young talent has recently come to the Academy, entering through self-recommendation. At the time, this old man was greatly surprised, for the Academy has not seen such talent for several decades, has it?"

At this point, he smiled and said, "Later, this old man heard that this fine young talent understood quite a few of the languages of the Peace Mountain natives. Upon learning that, this old man was greatly pleased. This old man has studied this field for many years and dares say he has achieved something passable. I very much wished to exchange insights with this junior and see how his learning differs from this old man's own in his younger days."

Only then did he narrow his eyes and slowly look down. "You must be Assistant Instructor Zhang, who entered the Academy through self-recommendation?"

Zhang Yu brought his hands together in salute and said evenly, "Greetings, Qiu Xueling."

Qiu Xueling nodded. "Assistant Instructor Zhang, you may already know that the Academy has asked this old man to conduct a Scholastic Inquiry on you today. But before that, this old man has a few words to ask you. You do not mind, do you?"

Zhang Yu said, "What words?"

Qiu Xueling said unhurriedly, "Assistant Instructor Zhang need not be nervous. They are merely a few words from an elder concerned for a junior. If you truly possess real talent and learning, then this old man will be happy for the Academy as well."

Hearing this from the side, Liu Guang gave several cold laughs. This Qiu Xueling truly had a knack for throwing his age around.

Zhang Yu could see that Qiu Xueling greatly enjoyed using the status of an elder to suppress him. Yet the more the man acted this way, the more it showed that he lacked confidence. Otherwise, there would be no need for such conduct.

Qiu Xueling slowly said, "This old man has read Assistant Instructor Zhang's account of his experiences. It says that you once traveled alone east of Peace Mountain and encountered no small number of dangers along the way. You seemed to have been only fourteen at the time, yes? Truly remarkable—a youthful hero, accomplishing what others could not."

As he spoke, he sighed. "This old man is advanced in years. Seeing young people like you, I cannot help but think of my own children. Ah, by the way, when Assistant Instructor Zhang went traveling then, how many brothers and sisters did you have at home?"

When Liu Guang heard this seemingly irrelevant question, he was first taken aback, then silently cursed the old bastard.

As one moved about the Academy, one's reputation remained very important. Qiu Xueling's question was clearly implying that Zhang Yu, while still so young, had disregarded his parents' worries and ventured outside into danger, then vanished without news for years. Whether one followed old traditions or not, people would find such conduct improper. Without anyone saying it aloud, they would look down on him and exclude him.

A glint stirred in Zhang Yu's eyes. Qiu Xueling was trying to begin from morality and apply a measure of pressure against him.

Since that was the other party's aim, Zhang Yu could imagine that no matter how he answered next, the man would decisively end the topic, then afterward find some way to mislead those around them through public opinion.

He raised his head, looked directly upward, and said, "When you ask this question, in what capacity are you asking me?"

Though an Academic Commissioner held a higher Academy post than an Assistant Instructor or an Academic Instructor, there was no superior-subordinate relationship between them. Only those in charge of the various halls possessed authority to restrain those serving beneath them. An Assistant Instructor like him merely needed to answer to the Academy Chancellor and the Academy's rules.

Therefore, if this was not a formal Scholastic Inquiry, then if he did not wish to answer, he had every right not to answer.

You and I are both Academy instructors. Why I traveled afar, who was in my family—what does any of that have to do with you? Is it your place to question me?

Qiu Xueling narrowed his eyes at him, then chuckled. "It seems Assistant Instructor Zhang finds this old fellow too long-winded. Very well. Since Assistant Instructor Zhang is unwilling to answer, we shall leave it at that." He turned to the middle-aged Academic Commissioner standing nearby. "Academic Commissioner Xu, why not begin the Scholastic Inquiry?"