The Clamor of Dust and Worldly Troubles, the Mystic Tone at Ease

The Clamor of Dust and Worldly Troubles, the Mystic Tone at Ease

The moment Lord Zhan spoke, the Academic Administrator seated to Chief Inspector Chi's left stood and said, "Lord Zhan, today is an Academy council. Since you retired from affairs long ago, why involve yourself?"

Lord Zhan looked at him and said, "So it is Nephew Hong. You have already become an Academic Administrator."

He looked around at the crowd and said with a sigh, "I am already a hundred years old, with no heart left for fame or accomplishment. I had not wished to meddle in too many matters, but in an affair so vital to the Academy's reputation and the Protectorate Office's safety, I have no choice but to speak. Only by entrusting this to my son can we be certain of the safest course."

Someone immediately questioned him. "What makes Lord Zhan so certain? At present, only Assistant Instructor Zhang understands the Steel Claw Tribe's language."

Lord Zhan shook his head. "No. There is more than one. My son, Zhan Zhitong, is likewise proficient in the Steel Claw Tribe's language."

The hall instantly fell silent. None of them had ever heard of this before.

An Academic Administrator rose from his seat and asked, "May I ask Lord Zhan where your son learned this language?"

Lord Zhan said, "You all know that my son possesses a talent for languages. From childhood, he studied native tongues under the great linguist Academic Administrator Qiu. Yet he felt his learning was insufficient, so he hired many capable hands to travel deep into Peace Mountain and investigate. There, he happened upon members of the Steel Claw Tribe and learned their language. He only returned from there a short while ago."

"Such a thing happened?"

Yet on reflection, it did not seem impossible. They had all heard of Academic Administrator Qiu's reputation. It was hardly strange for his disciples to travel abroad in pursuit of learning. Moreover, Lord Zhan had once served as Chancellor and was a man of great standing. He could not possibly joke about such a matter.

Someone could not help asking, "Lord Zhan, why did you not mention this sooner?"

Lord Zhan said, "My son had also sensed the Steel Claw Tribe's threat to the Protectorate Office and hurried back. But upon his return, he heard that someone had already reported the news, and that person also understood the Steel Claw Tribe's language and had been recommended into the Academy because of it. My son did not wish to make a fuss, fearing others would misunderstand him as competing for fame and profit."

At this point, someone said sternly, "Lord Zhan, then your son was in the wrong. Before the greater interests of the Protectorate Office, what do our insignificant personal reputations amount to?"

Lord Zhan sighed. "Exactly. I told him as much. This concerns a major affair of the Protectorate Office, not one man's private gain. If it is worth contending for, then contend for it; there is no need to fuss over one's own name. Perhaps if the two exchanged ideas, they might draw on each other's strengths and make up for each other's weaknesses, serving the Protectorate Office even better together."

Zhan Zhitong spoke then. "After hearing my father's words, I also felt they made sense. Later, at Teacher Qiu's request, I attended Assistant Instructor Zhang's lessons several times. I found that Assistant Instructor Zhang was indeed, as he claimed, proficient in the Steel Claw Tribe's language. However, many parts may not have been entirely accurate. Perhaps Assistant Instructor Zhang's stay among the Steel Claw Tribe was not as long as he claimed."

Quite a few people looked toward Zhang Yu. Yet his face remained calm, as though he had no intention of stepping forward to defend himself.

The Academic Administrator surnamed Hong frowned and said gravely, "Young Master Zhan, what gives you the right to say that?"

At present, Zhang Yu and Zhan Zhitong were the only two who claimed to understand the Steel Claw Tribe. If they accused each other, no one else had the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood. It would only muddle everyone's judgment and bring no benefit to the matter.

Zhan Zhitong smiled faintly. "Words alone prove nothing. Today, I brought someone with me—a minor chieftain of the Steel Claw Tribe. I believe he can clear up your doubts. He is waiting outside at this very moment."

"What? Someone from the Steel Claw Tribe?"

Everyone present was greatly shocked upon hearing this.

Someone immediately said, "Since he is from the Steel Claw Tribe, summon him into the hall for us to see."

Another rebuked, "Nonsense! Instructor Luo, I think you have lost your wits. Kuiwen Hall is filled with those in Celestial Xia dress and bearing. How can foreign barbarians be allowed to set foot here?"

"Is this the time to fuss over such things?"

"The Academy's rules must still be observed."

The two immediately began arguing, while others added one remark after another, showing signs of joining the dispute. In the end, Chief Inspector Chi spoke and brought the quarrel to an end:

"Let him stand in the outer hall. So long as he does not enter Kuiwen Hall, that will suffice."

There were no further objections.

Someone promptly ordered an attendant to bring the man in.

Everyone looked outside the hall. After a while, a person in an enormous hooded robe entered from outside. Once he reached the steps, Zhan Zhitong went forward himself and spoke a harsh, twisting phrase in the native tongue.

Upon hearing it, the man removed his robe and revealed his appearance. He had a high nose and broad brow, blue paint smeared over his face, feathers woven into his braids, and rings strung through his ears. His eyes were pale yellow, his skin ridged with deep furrows, and his finger joints thick. He looked powerfully built, carrying an aura of savage courage and brutality from the wild wastes.

Yet unexpectedly, upon seeing the people in the hall, he suddenly pressed his hands together and clumsily performed a Celestial Xia salute. He even spoke stiffly in Celestial Xia Language, saying things like "I pay my respects" and "Greetings."

Zhan Zhitong smiled. "His name is Zanuicha. He is a minor chieftain of the Steel Claw Tribe, with roughly seven or eight hundred tribesmen under his command. If any of you wish to learn about the Steel Claw Tribe, you may ask him."

The people in the hall exchanged glances, and one person stepped forward to question him.

Almost at the same moment, Zhan Zhitong began speaking a stream of native words. Upon hearing them, the native immediately replied in the same language.

With his superb interpretation, there was almost no pause in the exchange between the two. They did not look like people unable to speak each other's language at all.

Seeing that they could converse without impediment, everyone grew interested and began asking questions in succession.

Zhan Zhitong continued serving as interpreter at the side. He handled every question with ease, and not one speaker felt the slightest hesitation or obstruction.

Many in the hall nodded repeatedly, their gazes toward Zhan Zhitong full of admiration.

What they valued was not Zhan Zhitong's linguistic ability. Rather, in such a short time, he had made this native barbarian accept Celestial Xia etiquette. Were it not for his attire, they might have suspected him of being a civilized barbarian long attached to the Protectorate Office. Such means were far from simple.

Chief Inspector Chi had watched coldly from the beginning. Now he glanced at Academic Administrator Hong. The latter nodded, stood, and asked, "Young Master Zhan, is this man truly from the Steel Claw Tribe?"

Zhan Zhitong smiled. "If any of you have doubts, you may have Zanuicha take people through his tribesmen's settlement. Then everything will become clear."

Academic Administrator Hong gave him a deep look, then looked at the composed Lord Zhan beside him. He said nothing further and sat back down.

The people in the hall were now all lost in thought. For the sake of caution, they had originally favored Zhang Yu, since less trouble was better than more. Yet after this comparison, did Zhan Zhitong not seem more suitable?

However, even at this point, the Zhan father and son did not seem prepared to stop there.

Lord Zhan spoke again. "I hear Assistant Instructor Zhang has taught quite a few students. My son has also found time to teach some students. Why not summon a few pupils taught by Assistant Instructor Zhang and let them compare? Their relative skill will then be plain at a glance."

Some knew those students' backgrounds and feared causing trouble, so they objected. "There is no need for that, is there?"

Others agreed. "I think it would be better to compare them. No matter how rigorous we are in a matter like this, it is not excessive. Besides, what harm is there in having them say a few words?"

An elderly man of apparently high standing spoke at this point. "There is no need to compare. How much skill can several students have? This is not a street performance ground in the city. I merely wish to say that while we were still arguing in the Academy, Nephew Zhan had already taken the initiative to communicate with the Steel Claw Tribe. Who is superior and who inferior is plain at a glance. I believe it would be suitable to entrust this matter to him."

But before his voice had faded, a clear voice rang out. "This student believes that would be inappropriate!"

The old man looked over and saw that it was his own student, Zhu Anshi. He frowned. "Anshi, do not act on impulse again."

Zhu Anshi stiffened his neck. "Teacher, this student is not acting on impulse. This student merely wishes to reason!" He looked at everyone. "What this student wishes to say is that true verbal communication cannot be judged by a few questions and answers here. Much less communication with an entire tribe, where circumstances are even more complex and ever-changing. Assistant Instructor Zhang lived in a native tribe for several years. It is not merely a matter of understanding their language."

His words caused some people present to think carefully.

Lord Zhan slightly lifted his eyelids and gave someone in the hall a covert look. That person immediately understood and said, "Instructor Zhu, forgive me, but I cannot agree. Everyone, Assistant Instructor Zhang entered the Academy by recommendation of himself. His years among that tribe are also something he himself claimed. We have no way to verify whether they are true. I am not doubting Assistant Instructor Zhang's character, but in such a major matter, should we not be more cautious?"

He pointed at Zhan Zhitong. "Young Master Zhan is Lord Zhan's son and has also studied within the Academy. I know him very well. He respects his teachers and honors the Way, and he has never had any blemish in the past. Now he has produced evidence sufficient to convince everyone. Could that still be insufficient?"

Chief Inspector Chi frowned. He could see that this man was guiding everyone's inclinations. Compared to Zhang Yu, an "outsider" who had joined the Academy midway, Zhan Zhitong felt entirely like one of Taiyang Academy's own.

Although he agreed more with Zhu Anshi's view, if everyone believed Zhan Zhitong was the more suitable choice, he could not disregard their opinions.

Zhu Anshi did not retreat. Instead, he argued from reason. "Learning is learning, and reason is reason. How can sentiment and background replace them?"

That man suddenly sighed. "Instructor Zhu, we know that Assistant Instructor Zhang was recommended into the Academy through you. We also acknowledge his abilities. But please, do not act on impulse as your teacher, Academic Administrator Qu, has said. There are countless capable people in this world. It is not as though no one else can get things done."

Zhu Anshi still wanted to speak, but Academic Administrator Qu said in a deep voice, "Anshi, sit down."

Blood immediately rushed to Zhu Anshi's face. Yet beneath his teacher's stern gaze, he could only slowly sit back down.

Academic Administrator Hong exchanged a glance with Chief Inspector Chi, then stood once more. "Everyone, there is no need to choose one or the other. Since both Assistant Instructor Zhang and Young Master Zhan possess certain talents in communicating with the Steel Claw Tribe, why not let them go together? In my opinion, Young Master Zhan should take the lead, with Assistant Instructor Zhang assisting him. What do you all think?"

Lord Zhan's eyelids twitched, but he said nothing more.

The hall discussed it among themselves. Most could accept this proposal. Two people were safer than one. As for who led and who assisted, that was a secondary matter.

Seeing that everyone had more or less reached a consensus, Chief Inspector Chi looked toward Zhang Yu. "Assistant Instructor Zhang, what do you think?"

Zhang Yu said evenly, "Since you believe Young Master Zhan is more suitable, let him go. I will not participate in this matter."

Chief Inspector Chi frowned slightly. Given the circumstances, he could not go against the majority. He had originally wanted to find an opportunity for Zhang Yu, but Zhang Yu did not seem to appreciate it. Instead, he appeared to be acting somewhat emotionally.

But then he considered that Zhang Yu was only seventeen years old. It was not strange for him to do something so petulant. In that light, Zhan Zhitong seemed the more mature and dependable one.

Academic Administrator Hong said solemnly, "Assistant Instructor Zhang, you should consider this carefully."

Zhang Yu said nothing more. Yet from his calm and indifferent demeanor, it was clear his mind was made up.

Everyone shook their heads. Some sighed, some felt regret, and quite a few took pleasure in his misfortune. For Zhang Yu, who had entered the Academy by self-recommendation, advancement was already difficult. This opportunity to communicate with the Steel Claw Tribe was undoubtedly a shortcut onto the Upper Layer's stage. Even as an assistant, it was not as though he could accomplish nothing. In a moment of wounded pride, he had abandoned such an excellent opportunity.

Chief Inspector Chi pondered for a moment and was just about to announce the conclusion when an attendant hurried in and interrupted him. "Chief Inspector, someone outside is seeking Assistant Instructor Zhang."

Someone rebuked him, "The honored gentlemen are discussing affairs in the hall. Who is so ignorant of the rules as to come at such a time?"

The attendant lowered his head. "It is... it is someone from the Profound Residence."

"The Profound Residence?"

That person choked on his words.

Everyone found it strange. "What would someone from the Profound Residence want with Assistant Instructor Zhang?"

Before they could understand, two people wearing the Profound Residence's Daoist robes walked in from the platform before the hall. As they passed the Steel Claw native, one of them suddenly turned and examined him. The native instantly grew tense, cold sweat pouring from his head, before he dropped to his knees with a thud.

The man laughed, walked directly into the hall, ignored everyone seated there, and looked straight at Zhang Yu. Pressing his hands together in salute, he said politely, "Mr. Zhang, there is business at the Residence. The steward requests that you come with us."

Zhang Yu rose from his seat, first saluted the two men, then pressed his hands together toward the hall in farewell. He turned and walked out. The two Profound Residence Daoists stood on either side, and only after he had left did they follow him. From beginning to end, they had not looked at anyone in the hall even once.

No one spoke. In silence, they watched him leave.

After a while, someone said softly, "Could this Assistant Instructor Zhang also be a disciple of the Profound Residence? His standing seems rather high. No wonder he appeared not to care about this matter. So he had already set foot on the path beyond the mundane."

The smile had vanished from Zhan Zhitong's face. Within his sleeve, his fist clenched tight.

Chief Inspector Chi rose and walked to the viewing window in the hall. He watched Zhang Yu's broad sleeves drift as he departed under the escort of the two Profound Residence Daoists. For a time, his feelings were complicated.