"Brother, joining the academy now really isn't a good choice. You'll face some major decisions. And since I recommended you, your position will be even more awkward. The Heavenly Sword will find it hard to trust you, and even if he does, you'll struggle at every step. Plenty of people can't touch the Heavenly Sword, but dealing with you would be child's play."
This time, Kong Ningyuan's warning was rather explicit.
But even without his warning, Lianshan Xin could see that much.
Clearly, Kong Ningyuan belonged to the Jiangzhou aristocratic families and the academy's old guard, standing against the Nine Heavens.
Meanwhile, Lianshan Xin's desire to win the Heavenly Sword's favor clearly meant he wanted to join the Nine Heavens.
That would put them on opposite sides. Helping him would amount to aiding the enemy.
Lianshan Xin had a different view. "Brother Kong, everything can be viewed as 'that,' and everything can be viewed as 'this.' Reading history, I've found that aristocratic families survive for a thousand years because they place different stakes on different camps. If I join the Nine Heavens, that gives you a friendly connection with them. And your connection becomes the Kong Family's connection. Whoever wins, the Kong Family won't lose."
Admiration once again slipped involuntarily into Kong Ningyuan's eyes. "You've learned well from your books, brother. But the risks I mentioned aren't wind blowing out of an empty cave."
"I know. But why would wealth and glory that require no desperate struggle ever fall into my lap?"
Lianshan Xin smiled self-mockingly, and they left the subject there.
Though born to an aristocratic family, Kong Ningyuan could put himself in another's shoes. Someone of Lianshan Xin's background could hardly share his easy confidence. Seizing an opportunity and fighting for it was Lianshan Xin's only way forward.
Kong Ningyuan merely said, "I'll do my best to keep you safe."
Lianshan Xin replied just as earnestly, "I won't need to do anything. Once I join the Nine Heavens, everyone will know you recommended me."
They exchanged smiles. Everything went without saying.
Neither held office yet, but each saw promise in the other's future. This was an alliance formed in advance, making each a political resource for the other.
A man who could not plan for ten thousand generations was unfit to plan for a single moment.
"Brother Kong, what's the situation inside the academy?" Lianshan Xin asked.
Kong Ningyuan sounded rueful. "Everyone's unsettled. Some are even afraid for their own safety. Especially after the Heavenly Sword suspended all recommendations for this year. Not just the academy-the major families of Jiangzhou are all on their guard."
Lianshan Xin nodded.
He understood.
Students recommended to White Deer Grotto Academy came in two varieties: those with connections, and those with exceptionally powerful connections.
Those without connections could only slog through the examinations. Recommendations were never an option for them.
Suspending recommendations meant making enemies of all those powerful backers.
Yet the Heavenly Sword had done it anyway.
Because the Nine Heavens was an even more powerful backer.
And right now, the Nine Heavens held the politically correct position.
"Then it seems the Nine Heavens really does intend to turn the blade inward this time, and has the ability and resolve to put that intention into action. Brother Kong, in your place, I'd leave the academy as soon as possible and head to the Divine Capital to take office."
"If only I could. But I'm a suspect now, too-a prime suspect, at that." Kong Ningyuan sighed deeply. "If you really win the Heavenly Sword's favor, I'll be counting on you to clear my name."
"I'll do my best."
Lianshan Xin had seen no past collusion between Kong Ningyuan and the Demon Cult, but his gift wasn't a cheat that revealed the entire map. He didn't know everything. If even a merchant like President Qu could belong to the Demon Cult, Kong Ningyuan, as the deputy head's disciple, was certainly a major suspect.
But none of that mattered.
Lianshan Xin only wanted an opportunity.
As for Kong Ningyuan's innocence?
The Nine Heavens held the right to decide who counted as a Demon Cult member.
Two lifetimes had made Lianshan Xin thoroughly mature. He understood one thing: the truth wasn't that important. What mattered most was what the leadership thought!
A short while later, the carriage stopped beneath Houping Mountain, on the southern slopes of Five Elders Peak.
White Deer Grotto Academy faced three encircling mountains, with a stream flowing through its midst. Free of marketplace clamor, it enjoyed the beauty of springs and rocks.
The scenery spoke for itself, but neither Lianshan Xin nor Kong Ningyuan had any mind to appreciate it.
"The Heavenly Sword should be in the Imperial Library now. Follow me."
Lianshan Xin walked beside Kong Ningyuan without saying much. He simply watched Kong Ningyuan greet passing students with practiced ease while calmly meeting the scrutiny directed his own way. Snatches of conversation reached his ears:
"Is that the person Senior Brother Kong recommended?"
"I hear he isn't from an aristocratic family."
"Then why would Senior Brother Kong recommend him? Is he really that talented?"
"If he were, he could just pass the academy's entrance exam. Why would he need a recommendation?"
"Senior Brother Kong might be in trouble himself this time. Why would he stubbornly recommend someone at a time like this? Is the Kong Family openly lining up against the Nine Heavens?"
Lianshan Xin's expression remained unchanged as he silently digested the jumble of information.
When they reached the Imperial Library, Lianshan Xin happened to see a young man open the door and emerge, his face livid.
"Young Master Jiang? You..."
Kong Ningyuan recognized him.
Young Master Jiang recognized Kong Ningyuan as well, and spoke resentfully. "Lord Heavenly Sword said I didn't meet White Deer Grotto Academy's standards and told me to come back next year."
Kong Ningyuan's expression shifted slightly. "Even you didn't make it? The Heavenly Sword won't even show the prefectural governor any consideration?"
Lianshan Xin's expression changed as well.
The prefectural governor's son?
This was the son of Jiangzhou's highest local official.
The Nine Heavens acted even more forcefully than he had imagined.
"Next."
There was still one person ahead of Lianshan Xin, another student originally admitted by recommendation.
Once that person went inside, Kong Ningyuan spoke solemnly. "Brother, since I promised to recommend you, your admission is my responsibility. If White Deer Grotto Academy doesn't work out, there are still the other three great academies. It's too late to arrange anything this year, but I'll definitely make plans for you next year."
Next year was too late, and the opportunity was right before him. Lianshan Xin didn't want to wait any longer.
He smiled at Kong Ningyuan. "Don't worry, Brother Kong. Even without a recommendation, I can get into the academy through the regular examination."
"Of course I believe in you. But I must also keep my promises," Kong Ningyuan said seriously.
He didn't mind losing face before Lianshan Xin, but he did mind breaking his word.
When a young man didn't yet have many chips to play, he at least had to make others willing to trust him.
Trust was the foundation of continued cooperation.
Even the governor's son had been rejected by the Heavenly Sword, weakening Kong Ningyuan's confidence that Lianshan Xin could win his favor.
He was considering how to compensate Lianshan Xin.
Especially when the Imperial Library's door soon opened again and the previous fellow swiftly emerged with a livid face, Kong Ningyuan's heart sank to rock bottom.
He wanted Lianshan Xin to succeed. That would give him another political resource, too.
Now, the chances looked slim.
"Brother, do everything you can. I'll still be here for you afterward." Kong Ningyuan clasped Lianshan Xin's hand, his voice heavy.
Lianshan Xin, by contrast, relaxed completely and strode into the Imperial Library with easy confidence.
The first thing he saw wasn't the grandmaster of his generation, the foremost swordsman seated in the place of honor, but endless books and imperial edicts.
The Imperial Library was also known as the Sage Scripture Pavilion and the Imperial Edict Tower.
It held more books than anywhere else in Jiangzhou, and more imperial edicts as well.
The books displayed White Deer Grotto Academy's thousand-year heritage; the edicts displayed its place in the emperor's favor.
Together, these made up the thousand-year-old White Deer Grotto Academy and its standing in the world today.
Lianshan Xin withdrew his gaze and offered a student's bow to the three dignitaries, led by the Heavenly Sword.
"This student, Lianshan Xin, pays his respects to the Heavenly Sword and to you two esteemed officials."
The Heavenly Sword wore white robes, his face pale and utterly bloodless. Having studied medicine since childhood, Lianshan Xin could tell at a glance that his blood and vital energy were depleted and that he was gravely injured.
Two guardians flanked the Heavenly Sword, one man and one woman, but Lianshan Xin knew neither.
Of course, he didn't actually know the Heavenly Sword either, but the center position was unlikely to belong to anyone else. Entertainment-industry people and people from Shandong were particularly sensitive to such things.
Besides, the dazzling sword qi emanating from the Heavenly Sword made Lianshan Xin's eyes sting.
Normally, someone at the Heavenly Sword's level could certainly keep his sword qi contained. For him to display such an edge now meant either his injuries prevented him from controlling its leakage, or-he was doing it deliberately.
An exposed edge, meant to kill. Anyone timid or cowardly would lose their nerve before such sword qi.
Lianshan Xin didn't falter. He remained respectful and composed.
But that alone failed to impress the Heavenly Sword.
Master Lin, beside the Heavenly Sword, spoke. "Lianshan Xin, recommended by Kong Ningyuan?"
"Yes."
"There doesn't seem to be a Lianshan aristocratic family in Jiangzhou City?"
"Correct."
"Are you from a lesser gentry family?" Master Lin grew somewhat interested.
He himself came from the lesser gentry.
Lianshan Xin said, "This student is of ordinary birth. Even the lesser gentry would be above my station."
Yes, even the lesser gentry was above his family's station.
Great aristocratic clans needed no explanation, but many people assumed the lesser gentry were ordinary folk. They weren't. They were families of lower standing and influence, a rung below the great aristocratic houses, also known as the minor clans.
At court and in the martial world, many called themselves children of the lesser gentry. They weren't being modest. They were showing off, telling others they had connections too.
Lianshan Jingcheng hadn't worked hard enough, leaving Lianshan Xin unable to make that particular boast.
"You're neither aristocracy nor lesser gentry, yet you secured Kong Ningyuan's recommendation?" Master Lin asked curiously. "How?"
Lianshan Xin explained, "Brother Kong and I felt like old friends at our first meeting. He believed I possessed great talent, so he recommended me."
Lianshan Xin said nothing about "yielding the pears." He had given that idea to Kong Ningyuan, so it belonged to Kong Ningyuan.
Kong Ningyuan hadn't wronged him, so he wouldn't undermine Kong Ningyuan before others. That was Lianshan Xin's code of conduct.
Master Lin sneered. "So you've attached yourself to the Kong Family to become their running dog. So young, yet already willingly debasing yourself. The morals of the world truly worsen by the day."
Master Lin's contempt and hostility practically overflowed his words.
Lianshan Xin met Master Lin's eyes, and his eyelid suddenly twitched.
His "gift" had activated far more frequently today than usual.
Previously, Lianshan Xin had gone an entire week without seeing anyone's secrets. Today, he had uncovered President Qu's and Master Lin's in quick succession.
Could this gift be a big-game performer?
The more tense and exciting the occasion, the more important the people involved, the more useful it became?
Lianshan Xin split his attention between pondering his gift's activation patterns and considering Master Lin's secret.
See? Brainless villains weren't in fashion anymore.
This fellow wanted to step on me to show off before the Heavenly Sword. But with a whole basket of skeletons in your closet, picking a fight with me means you've kicked an iron plate.
"May I ask who you are?" Lianshan Xin asked.
Master Lin snorted. "Lin Xiangwen, the Violet Lightning Sword, martial instructor of White Deer Grotto Academy."
That epithet and name really don't match.
Lianshan Xin mocked him inwardly, then continued aloud. "You aren't a member of the Nine Heavens, are you, Master Lin?"
Lin Xiangwen's face instantly darkened.
Lianshan Xin ignored it and pressed harder. "Lord Heavenly Sword arrived, and now you want to join the Nine Heavens. Brother Kong and I hit it off, and that makes me the Kong Family's running dog. Yet you, an academy instructor, drop straight to your knees before Lord Heavenly Sword. What does that make you? Someone leaving darkness for the light?"
"You..."
Lin Xiangwen was about to erupt, but Qi Shiyun stopped him.
Qi Shiyun explained on his behalf. "Master Lin is an old friend of mine. We met several times in the martial world. I recommended him to the Nine Heavens; he wasn't actively currying favor."
Lin Xiangwen immediately gave Qi Shiyun a grateful look, undisguised adoration in his eyes.
Lianshan Xin glanced at Qi Shiyun. His gift didn't activate this time. But he could tell from her words that she belonged to the Nine Heavens and was probably one of the Heavenly Sword's closest aides, far above Lin Xiangwen in standing.
Then she's a political resource for my future.
Lianshan Xin cupped his hands. "Sister, do you believe Master Lin joined the Nine Heavens because he harbors feelings for you?"
Qi Shiyun didn't answer, but her tacit admission was the best answer.
An average yet overconfident woman. What a turnoff... never mind. She can't see her toes when she looks down. That confidence isn't misplaced.
"You're mistaken, sister. I don't possess much talent in other areas, but I excel at observing details. I have eyes that can uncover the truth. You believe Master Lin admires you, but you don't realize that he doesn't actually like women. You're merely a shield he uses to disguise himself and conceal his true beloved."
"What?" Qi Shiyun instantly lost her composure.
Lianshan Xin turned his gaze toward the Heavenly Sword, who had been enjoying the show all along.
"Lord Heavenly Sword, your divine sword is unmatched. You conquer men and women alike. This student is impressed."
Qi Shiyun's entire worldview shattered.
The smile the Heavenly Sword had worn while watching the spectacle froze on his face.
Lin Xiangwen wanted to kill. "Brat, you're courting death! How dare you slander me!"
Lianshan Xin shrugged and spread his hands, his tone calm enough to infuriate anyone. "He's getting worked up."
"I..."
"You, leave first."
The Heavenly Sword spoke.
He was getting worked up too.
Fun-seekers only moved on; they never disappeared.
Before you continue