Lu Zhengqing was about to eat. His lunch was extremely simple: a bowl of plain rice porridge, a plate of cabbage and tofu, a dish of smoked fish, and a few steamed buns.
He had just picked up his chopsticks when someone knocked on the door. It was He An and Fan Dazhi. They had missed a week of lessons while confined, and now came to ask questions every day after class.
Lu Zhengqing was very pleased with their modest, studious attitude. Lately, he had often given them supplementary lessons outside class, and today he would once again be teaching them the Treatise on Strategy.
Looking at the food on the table, Fan Dazhi could not help swallowing. Lu Zhengqing smiled and fetched two more clean sets of bowls and chopsticks. Fan Dazhi stood on no ceremony; he grabbed a steamed bun and began eating.
"There were some key points I intended to explain to you in detail tomorrow," Lu Zhengqing said, "but I hear the institute will be testing your cultivation aptitude tomorrow. This is a matter of great importance, and you must not be delayed. Letters carry the Way; martial arts prove the Way. The Knowledge and Practice Institute has always prized mastery of both. Although you are exceptionally gifted, the sea of learning has no shore. You must never slacken in the slightest..."
He An lowered his head and humbly listened to his instruction, while Fan Dazhi mumbled his agreement through a mouthful of food, his chopsticks never pausing. In the blink of an eye, he had eaten three steamed buns and reduced the dish of smoked fish to a single fish head.
"You rascal... clever you may be, but why do you act like a starving ghost reborn?" Lu Zhengqing scolded with a laugh. He opened the door and called for an attendant to bring a basin of plain porridge and two dishes of pickled vegetables.
Like a gale sweeping away the last clouds, Fan Dazhi polished off the cabbage and tofu, then lifted the basin and drank half the porridge before finally rubbing his belly in satisfaction.
After finishing a bowl of porridge, He An was about to help clear the dishes, but Lu Zhengqing waved him off, rose, and led them both into his study.
Lu Zhengqing's explanation went on for several hours. He An sat straight and proper, listening with close attention. After sitting for so long, Fan Dazhi impatiently stretched and yawned. When he saw Lu Zhengqing looking at him with the frustration of a man wishing iron would become steel, he behaved himself for a little while.
A short time later, when Lu Zhengqing looked at him again, he was sitting there utterly at ease, his eyes unfocused. His mind had plainly wandered beyond the world.
Lu Zhengqing could not help tapping the table with his disciplinary ruler. He truly both loved and hated this disciple. During lessons, Fan Dazhi always looked listless and roguishly lazy, yet the slightest hint was enough for him to grasp a point. He was astonishingly bright.
By the time lamps were lit indoors and the moon had climbed above the willow tips outside, Lu Zhengqing could no longer conceal his exhaustion.
Deeply moved, He An stood and bowed low to his teacher. Lu Zhengqing smiled and waved a hand. "No need, no need! Your respect for your teacher and the Way brings me joy from the bottom of my heart!" Then he looked at Fan Dazhi. "If you learn to be as courteous and considerate as He An someday, you won't have wasted the effort I put into you today!"
The two bid Lu Zhengqing farewell, ate dinner in the dining hall, and returned to their lodgings.
Bi Yunfei was practicing his saber in the room. The blade flashed with cold light, whipping up whistling gusts as he swung it. Seeing them return, he gave it a graceful flourish and sheathed it with a smile. "I hope my clumsy efforts haven't amused you too much, brothers. I've only just begun studying martial arts, so I hope you'll both offer me plenty of guidance!"
He An cupped his hands toward him and smiled. "You're far too modest, Brother Bi. We've only practiced a few rudimentary skills ourselves. Given the chance, we'll have to learn from you!"
Bi Yunfei raised his brows, his smile all friendliness. "Others may not know, but I heard that Brother He An seriously injured that fellow from the Cui Family who practices flying swords, and beat his lackeys until they scattered like fallen petals on flowing water. That was why you were confined. You have my admiration! Those people are always throwing their weight around and bullying everyone. You did well to beat them, Brother He An. It really warmed the heart!" He slapped his thigh as he finished, looking thoroughly excited.
He An was just about to speak when Fan Dazhi stepped forward warmly. "Brother Yunfei, you don't know the whole story. They provoked us and attacked first that day. Little An only... fought back because he had no choice. But you're right, Brother Yunfei. I think they deserved a beating too! Unfortunately, I... don't really know how to fight. Otherwise, I'd have given them a sound thrashing myself!"
Beaming, Bi Yunfei gave Fan Dazhi a thumbs-up. "Well said, Brother Dazhi! A pity I hadn't met you two then. Otherwise, even with nothing but hot blood to rely on, I would have fought them until the fish died and the net tore. They use their powerful families as a shield for their lawlessness. I've long been sick of them. The Knowledge and Practice Institute is renowned throughout the world, yet somehow it still admits idle wastrels who do nothing but carry birdcages around and learn nothing. Still... as long as we stand together, I doubt they'll be able to stir up much of a storm."
Seeing He An and Fan Dazhi nod in agreement, Bi Yunfei continued, "The institute will test our cultivation aptitude tomorrow. With your abilities, brothers, I'm sure you'll astonish everyone with your first cry. In the future... noble titles, high office, fame, and fortune will all be within easy reach. When that day comes, I hope you'll lend me a hand. As the saying goes, if riches and honor come our way, let us not forget each other!"
He laughed heartily, warmly taking Fan Dazhi and He An by the arms. Fan Dazhi joined in, calling out cheerfully, "Within the four seas, all men are brothers. You're right, Brother Yunfei!"
He An silently smiled and nodded as well. Of their four roommates, Duke Gu Qingzhou was seldom around, but often treated the others to food and wine, spending lavishly. Although his speech and manner were sometimes wild and arrogant, he was kindhearted and straightforward, making him easy to like. He An had spent more time with Bi Yunfei, yet he always felt that the young man was warm on the surface and cold at heart, mature beyond his years and deeply calculating.
The three chatted a while longer, then went to bed when they saw how late it was. Fan Dazhi gave a long yawn and soon began snoring. In the darkness, the rustle of someone turning over sounded now and then. Bi Yunfei tossed and turned in bed, his thoughts unknown.
He An quietly sat up and silently circulated his cultivation technique. He felt wisps of clear, ethereal qi enter through the Baihui acupoint at the crown of his head, slowly flowing and wandering through his body. The acupoints and meridians it passed through grew faintly sore and numb, then, moments later, filled with an indescribable sense of ease.
The dantian in his lower abdomen felt hot and slightly swollen. He An was certain it was not because he needed to urinate. He did not know exactly what cultivation technique his uncle had passed on to him, but surely he could not go wrong by practicing it consistently. With that thought, he slowly circulated the technique several more times before lying down and gradually drifting to sleep.
Early the next morning, Bi Yunfei left first, saying he had something to do. He An and Fan Dazhi headed to the institute together.
A little more snow had fallen overnight, leaving a thin white layer over the roads and eaves. The testing site was in the Hall of Martial Knowledge, and the students who had arrived early were already standing in a long line.
The two joined the end of the line. Looking at the dense sea of heads ahead, Fan Dazhi frowned. "Little An, with so many people here, who knows how long we'll have to wait?"
He An was about to answer when a sinister voice came from behind them. "So you two mongrels came too. Isn't it time we settled our score?"
He An turned and met a pair of cold, venomous eyes. It was Cui Mengshu. He stood behind them with a group of men, all wearing hostile expressions as they silently closed in.
Besides the fellows He An had beaten last time, there were several more burly men. One stood with his arms hanging low, his finger joints thick and his temples noticeably raised. At a glance, he was clearly an expert in external martial arts. Another man, tall and thin, stood at the very back, his raised collar concealing his cheeks. Although He An could not make out his face, he could sense the danger emanating from him.
He had not expected Cui Mengshu to find more experts and intensify his efforts to deal with him. He An glanced around and immediately regained his composure. This was the Knowledge and Practice Institute's Hall of Martial Knowledge, with instructors and students all around. He did not believe they would dare attack recklessly under so many watchful eyes.
Sure enough, Cui Mengshu stared at He An like a venomous snake. "You injured me last time. I'll repay you tenfold, a hundredfold! If you have the guts, then..."
"Everyone, stay calm! We're all fellow students. Whatever the problem is, let's talk it over!" someone suddenly shouted, squeezing into the group. He spread his arms between He An and Cui Mengshu, shielding He An and Fan Dazhi behind him. It was Bi Yunfei.
Warmth filled He An's heart. He had never expected this man to step forward at the crucial moment. In the end, he had underestimated him.
Interrupted, Cui Mengshu roared at Bi Yunfei, "Get lost! You're fucking asking to die..."
Just then, with a smack, something white struck Cui Mengshu in the face, cutting him off again.
Caught completely off guard, Cui Mengshu grabbed at his face and found a sauced pork bun. It was hot and sticky, its broth and juices running down and smearing his entire face. Grinding his teeth in fury, he looked around.
"You're the one fucking asking to die!" a languid voice said. Gu Qingzhou, dressed in a brocade robe, his face as flawless as polished jade, strolled over with a basket of soup dumplings in hand. Smiling, he lifted the lid and invited Bi Yunfei, He An, and Fan Dazhi to help themselves, utterly ignoring Cui Mengshu and his group.
"Hss..." Cui Mengshu drew a sharp breath, his handsome face twisting with rage. "You-"
Gu Qingzhou's expression darkened. He tipped his head back and gave an arrogant laugh. "Challenging me? You think you're worthy? Get lost!"
Some of Cui Mengshu's followers recognized Gu Qingzhou and whispered among themselves. Seeing the situation turn against them, not one dared step forward.
Cui Mengshu's face went from livid to pale, his eyes all but spitting fire. He stood rigid for a moment, then gritted his teeth and turned sharply away. The men behind him followed, clearing out in a rush.
Fan Dazhi had already eaten two pork buns. Watching them leave, he mumbled through his mouthful, "Brother Gu, you really are impressive. One sentence, and you sent them packing... Thank goodness you were here today!"
He An also offered his sincere thanks. Gu Qingzhou chuckled and waved a hand. "I felt like old friends with you two from the moment we met. Dealing with petty men like these takes no more than lifting a hand. I made time to take the test today, but afterward I must return to my residence to handle some matters. Once these busy few days are over, I'll treat you all to wine!"
With that, he cupped his hands toward Fan Dazhi, He An, and Bi Yunfei, then hurried into the crowd. The students in line had all been craning their necks to watch the commotion. Quite a few recognized Gu Qingzhou; as he approached, they greeted him eagerly and hastened to make way. Seeing this, the others moved aside as well, and Gu Qingzhou walked straight into the Hall of Martial Knowledge without obstruction, as though no one else were there.
A short while later, Gu Qingzhou came back out with a delighted expression and a spring in his step. He waved to He An and the others in the crowd, then hurried away along the path, its surface frozen hard beneath a thin covering of snow.
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