Challenge Letter

He An frowned. "We have never met, and there is no grudge between us. Why are you challenging me?"

The tall man wore a loose robe, with a thick fox-fur wrap around his chest that concealed half his face, leaving only a pair of cold, sinister eyes exposed.

He said viciously, "I heard you were put in confinement as soon as you enrolled. I've wanted to teach someone as unruly as you a lesson for a long time."

He stepped forward, folded his arms, and said with supreme arrogance, "My name is Sun Biao. Now that we have been introduced, let me show you that beyond every sky lies another sky, and beyond every man stands someone greater!"

"I have no interest in such childish games. Excuse me!" He An's expression darkened. Taking Fan Dazhi by the arm, he turned and left.

The tall man named Sun Biao did not follow. Instead, he called after them mockingly, "You're a grown man, yet you shrink from everything! Don't you dare accept? Are you only good for scurrying away like a rat with your head covered?"

Toward the end, he raised his voice deliberately so that everyone nearby could hear. There were many students in the Library Tower, and sure enough, they turned to look curiously. Sun Biao held the Challenge Letter high and told the gathering students everything that had just happened.

The Knowledge and Practice Institute forbade fighting and brawling, but permitted students to arrange duels. Both parties had to agree, and the duel had to take place in the institute's Martial Restraint Hall. Killing moves were forbidden; otherwise, there were few restrictions.

The Martial Restraint Hall contained a formation laid down by the Imperial Preceptor. If one participant conceded, they would automatically be transported out of the arena. If one struck to kill, the formation would activate a primordial energy shield to protect the intended victim.

The people of the Great Chen Empire prized martial prowess, all the more so at the Knowledge and Practice Institute, which esteemed both scholarly governance and martial cultivation. After listening to Sun Biao's embellished account, some of the students gathering around looked at He An with contempt, and everyone began talking over one another.

"So he's He An? Wasn't he supposed to be quite something?"

"Ha! An empty reputation, that's all. He doesn't even dare accept a Challenge Letter."

"Wasn't he confined for fighting? Now he's lost his nerve and won't fight?"

"Tch... didn't you see how big the man issuing the challenge was? That kid probably thinks he's no match for him..."

"I heard He An has a talent for cultivation, though. Our teacher even praised him in class yesterday. Surely he can't be this bad?"

"Exactly. Isn't he just a coward? If he's a man, he should hurry up and accept. Get on with it! We haven't seen a duel in ages."

"If you're so capable, why don't you fight him yourself?"...

"Someone saw He An and that little fatty enter the Library Tower's inner collection to choose cultivation techniques just now..."

As the chatter rose around him, Sun Biao watched the two retreating figures, his eyelid twitching. Choosing techniques from the Library Tower's inner collection? Only exceptionally gifted students of the Knowledge and Practice Institute qualified for that.

He was the most outstanding disciple of the Giant Stone Sect's younger generation, and he would one day become a peerless expert. Ever since entering the Spirit Refinement Realm and defeating several senior disciples in succession, he had become even more certain of this.

Sun Biao's obvious martial talent made him stand out among his sectmates like a crane among chickens, earning him the sect leader's high regard. Unfortunately, the Giant Stone Sect was only a second-rate sect. At the sect leader's instruction, Sun Biao had applied to the Knowledge and Practice Institute and, unsurprisingly, passed its entrance assessment without difficulty.

Watching the students whispering and discussing around him, Sun Biao curled his lips into a smile beneath his fox-fur wrap.

A few months earlier, Cui Mengshu, a scion of the Cui Family of Fanyang Commandery, had eagerly sought his friendship. Though this wealthy young man's abilities were unremarkable, he spent lavishly and flattered Sun Biao in every possible way. This Challenge Letter was meant to teach He An a lesson on Cui Mengshu's behalf. Sun Biao had originally felt that bullying a weak student would make victory dishonorable. Now, however, the matter was growing increasingly interesting.

Sun Biao narrowed his eyes at He An and Fan Dazhi's distant backs. Won't accept my Challenge Letter? I have ways of making you accept.

He An and Fan Dazhi returned to their lodgings. Fan Dazhi impatiently pulled the cultivation manuals from inside his robe and began studying. Before they left the Library Tower, the teacher had instructed them to memorize any manuals they took out as quickly as possible. The manuals had been specially treated, and after three months, all their writing and illustrations would automatically vanish.

He An opened the "Startling Swan Sword Art" and slowly studied its meaning. After reading "Primordial Energy Manifestation" for a while, Fan Dazhi grew frustrated and turned instead to the "Black Tortoise Scripture," poring over it again and again. Even after a long time, he could make no headway, and his interest drained away. "Everything in here is so obscure. Isn't this far too difficult to practice? An, did we choose the wrong techniques?"

"You can't rush everything. If cultivation were easy, wouldn't experts be everywhere?" He An smiled faintly, then added, "Dazhi, focus on one manual first. Once you've made a little progress, move on to the second. That might work better."

"Fine! I'll listen to you and give it a try." Looking thoroughly reluctant, Fan Dazhi picked up "Primordial Energy Manifestation" again...

The two were absorbed in their reading when someone knocked on the door. Fan Dazhi opened it, and Feng Shaotang, master of the Hall of Martial Knowledge, walked in smiling. Zou Zheng and a man dressed in black followed him.

The black-clad man strode in with the bearing of a dragon and a tiger. His presence felt like Mount Tai pressing down from above, making He An's breath catch.

The newcomer had a broad, swallow-like jaw and tiger-like whiskers, and looked imposing indeed. He narrowed his eyes as he examined He An from head to toe. A moment later, he stepped forward, reached out a hand as large as a palm-leaf fan, and slapped He An hard on the shoulder. Laughing heartily, he said, "You're He An? Excellent, excellent!"

The slap left He An momentarily stunned. Beside him, Feng Shaotang said with a smile, "This is Academy Head Cheng of our martial academy. He came especially to see you two. Hurry and pay your respects to the Academy Head!"

He An hastily rose from the desk and bowed. "Your student He An pays his respects to the Academy Head!"

"Oh, spare the formalities, spare them! Haha, you're an excellent lad!" Cheng Zi Ya waved his large hand and happily patted He An's shoulder again. Turning to glance at Fan Dazhi, he added, "You're excellent too!" His strength was tremendous. The blows left He An's shoulder aching, and he could not help furrowing his brow slightly as the corner of his mouth twitched.

"Mm... you're both fine lads! If you run into any trouble, you can go to Hall Master Feng whenever you like. Let old Feng sort it out for you. Or come straight to me!" Cheng Zi Ya said with a hearty laugh.

With his hands on his hips, he surveyed the room, then frowned. "This room is too cramped and shabby. Old Zou! Find them somewhere more spacious." Zou Zheng nodded his assent.

Cheng Zi Ya asked He An and Fan Dazhi several more questions, such as where their hometowns were, what relatives they had, and whether they had settled into life and study at the Knowledge and Practice Institute. He An respectfully answered each question truthfully.

Once they had finally seen Academy Head Cheng and the others off, Bi Yunfei returned. Seeing He An and Fan Dazhi, he forced a faint smile but said nothing. He collapsed onto his bed, covered his head, and went to sleep.

Ever since the assessment had revealed that he had no talent for cultivation, Bi Yunfei had spent his days in a daze, rarely speaking. He An and Fan Dazhi had tried kindly to console him, but he had taken their words as mockery. His raw nerves made him unusually irritable, a complete change from his former steady, courteous manner, leaving the other two deeply awkward. After a while, they stopped trying to comfort him. Bi Yunfei returned late every day and usually went straight to sleep.

The following day, He An attended class as usual. The bell signaling the end of class rang, and the teacher had only just left when Sun Biao's tall figure appeared. With his arms folded and an arrogant expression, he sauntered over to He An's seat, looked down at him, and once again drew the Challenge Letter from his robe.

"I'm challenging you again. This time, I hope you won't act like a woman!" Sun Biao sneered, casting He An a contemptuous glance. His hand held the Challenge Letter motionless, steady as Mount Tai.

He An remained unmoved by the provocation and smiled as lightly as drifting clouds in a clear sky. "I really don't care for such immature behavior. This kind of contest means nothing to me, so... I refuse!"

"Coward!" Sun Biao rolled his eyes and spat hard onto the floor. Then he turned and strode out, heedless of everyone around him.

The classroom erupted, and the students began talking over one another...

"He An, why won't you accept the Challenge Letter? Give him a good beating!" shouted a somewhat sleazy-looking male student, bristling with righteous indignation.

"Exactly. Plenty of people will look down on you if you don't accept the Challenge Letter, and we'll be laughed at along with you!" agreed a student who looked mature and levelheaded.

"He An, fight him! I'm backing you. I'll put down fifty taels of silver on your victory! Anyone else want to place a bet?" a cross-eyed student clamored.

Faced with his classmates' indignation, anger, questions, and encouragement, He An remained unmoved, merely smiling and thanking them.

Amid the clamor, Ding Wenruo, who had witnessed the scene, watched He An from her seat beside the window. Her lips were pressed tight, and a trace of worry showed on her face.

As the uproar in the classroom gradually subsided, she quietly rose. Once the people gathered around He An began dispersing, she approached him softly. She wanted to say something, but hesitated and stopped. At last, she pressed her lips together, furrowed her lovely brows, and said quietly, "If you really don't want to deal with this, I can ask the Academy Head to intervene and stop the duel..."

He An looked at Ding Wenruo and gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you. This matter... I'll handle it."

"He An, why don't you accept the Challenge Letter first? If you're afraid of him, I'll fight in your place. Otherwise, you'll needlessly cost our class its dignity." Seeing Ding Wenruo approach He An of her own accord, Gu Qingzhou felt a twinge of jealousy.

He could not help saying loudly, "The Knowledge and Practice Institute has never forbidden duels. It even encourages this sort of fair competition. Refusing a Challenge Letter will only make people look down on you."

He An cupped his hands. "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Gu. I'm not afraid of him. His cultivation realm may be far above mine, but defeating me easily won't be so easy."

He set down the writing brush in his hand and continued, "If I'm right, Cui Mengshu sent him to issue this Challenge Letter. Cui Mengshu still broods over what happened last time and never stops thinking about revenge. He's become cleverer now. Since covert schemes failed, he's resorting to an open one. I'm only wondering whether, after I defeat this Sun Biao, a Li Biao or Wang Biao will pop up next."

"Damn it! So it's still those Cui Family bastards stirring up trouble!" Gu Qingzhou slapped his thigh, unable to stop himself from swearing. Catching sight of Ding Wenruo beside him, he hastily shut his mouth, then said thoughtfully, "You have a point. That Cui brat throws his filthy money around to recruit people everywhere. I hear several top fighters in the other classes have become his lackeys. Still, since the Challenge Letter has already been issued, this fight will be unavoidable sooner or later."

"Don't worry, Brother Gu. I selected a technique from the Library Tower's inner collection just yesterday. After a few more days of practice, I think... my chances of winning will be better," He An said with a smile.

"Oh! You entered the Library Tower's inner collection?" Gu Qingzhou's eyes lit up. He glanced at the students gathered around listening. On reflection, it was hardly a secret; those watchful members of the Cui Family probably already knew. He waved to the others. "Move along, everyone, move along! Stop discussing this. Brother He An knows what he's doing."

Gu Qingzhou's status was distinguished, and he enjoyed considerable prestige among the students of the Knowledge and Practice Institute. At his words, everyone dispersed.

Gu Qingzhou gently patted He An's shoulder and could not resist another glance at Ding Wenruo. Seeing how absorbed she seemed in what she had heard, he returned to his seat with a sour pang of jealousy.

Watching He An speak so calmly and confidently, Ding Wenruo felt that this young man seemed different from the one she had first met a few months earlier.

He seemed steadier and more mature. His eyes were sometimes sharp as needles, sometimes bright as stars. The confidence shining from his handsome face as he spoke left her momentarily dazzled and entranced.

Ding Wenruo had seen that fleeting, captivating presence in her father before. Even Senior Brother Fang had shown a little of it. Yet the young man before her was clearly only a few years older than she was.

The bell for class suddenly rang. Ding Wenruo came back to herself, her pretty face faintly flushed, and quietly returned to her seat.