Qing Yu opened the door and paused slightly before entering as usual. After closing the door behind him, he bowed respectfully to the white-robed scholar sitting at the guest table. "Mr. Lu."
His deanor and actions were extrely respectful. This was important because the white-robed scholar, who was currently pouring himself a tea, happened to be one of the Four Great Divine Capturers of the Daqian Six Gates—the Chasing Wind Divine Constable, Lu Qifeng.
Of course, for Qing Yu, Lu Qifeng’s more significant role was that of the person who had leverage over him.
For Qing Yu, Lu Qifeng was to him, as he was to Feng Jiu. The situations differed, but the essence was the sa, with one side holding sway over the other.
Qing Yu had just finished dealing with Feng Jiu, who had not been conducting himself properly a few days ago and did not wish to be reprimanded by Lu Qifeng in turn. Therefore, it was essential to present himself correctly. Gauging the situation and lowering his position was not shaful.
"Congratulations on passing the entrance exam, ng the Genius."
Perhaps satisfied with Qing Yu’s attitude, Lu Qifeng made no move to reprimand him; instead, he jested with a congratulatory remark.
The entrance examination for Mountain River Academy had passed five days ago, and today was the day the admission list was announced. Qing Yu guessed that since he had passed, it was about ti for the Six Gates to make contact with him, which was why he had returned from Feng Jiu’s estate. However, he had not expected that the contact would be Lu Qifeng himself.
"Mr. Lu jokes, I am well aware of my own limitations. Just with the little ink in my belly, not to ntion Mountain River Academy, even gaining entry to an ordinary academy would be difficult," Qing Yu said with a smile.
He was sowhat confident in being a qualified Taoist. Having originated from the Taoist School, Qing Yu had been studying the classics of the Yin Yang Family day and night and had co to understand the relevant aspects.
As for being a qualified scholar, that was another story. He’d already done well enough to rember so poems from his previous life, but asking Qing Yu to write ancient treatises was really a challenge for him.
Although Qing Yu had been interested in literature in his past life and had almost chosen to study liberal arts, most of what he read at that ti were works by Mr. Lu Xun, focusing on the profound anings behind Mr. Lu Xun’s various actions. (PS: The author now only rembers Mr. Lu Xun.)
"I’ve heard that you have beco quite close with the Ninth Prince of Northern Zhou?" Lu Qifeng suddenly changed the subject and asked.
"Yes, sir. Feng Jiu is exceptionally talented in literature and is the easiest to approach. Being close to him will help operate better in Mountain River Academy," Qing Yu quickly replied.
"Being close to Feng Jiu has more problems than benefits. He is a prince, born to be the focus of everyone’s attention. He can bring you no advantage as long as he has no power yet," Lu Qifeng said slowly, twirling his teacup indifferently.
Here it cos, Qing Yu thought to himself.
He knew that making private contact with a prince of Northern Zhou was sowhat taboo, and if he couldn’t co up with a good explanation, Lu Qifeng’s reprimand would follow soon.
"It is precisely because Feng Jiu has no power that I can show that my heart is free of seeking profit. Becoming friends with him is simply out of the scholar’s common sympathy."
"Scholars have no such sympathy," Lu Qifeng chuckled, "Haven’t you heard of ’scholars disdain each other’? The contentious nature of scholars is much greater than that of us martial artists."
"Forget it, consider yourself having passed. I don’t know what intentions you have in contacting Feng Jiu, but as long as you accomplish the task and do not endanger the Six Gates, I don’t mind your having your own motives. After all, who doesn’t have them? Do you understand what I’m saying?" Lu Qifeng looked deep into Qing Yu’s eyes.
"Of course," Qing Yu nodded, "one’s position determines one’s thinking; I will certainly align myself properly. And don’t forget, Mr. Lu, I’m also one of the Six Gates’ own, naturally I wouldn’t harm the Six Gates."
"What I appreciate most about you is your grasp on people’s ntalities, including your own. That’s why I sent you to Mountain River Academy on this mission. Do you know why I didn’t send those experienced undercover agents from the Six Gates, but instead entrusted the task to you, a novice whose reliability isn’t even guaranteed?" Lu Qifeng smiled.
"I’d like to hear more."
"Mountain River Academy values cultivating the Vast Righteous Qi, and its head, ng Shanhe, is a Great Grandmaster in this respect. A group of scholars cultivating Vast Righteous Qi together can exert a kind of spiritual suppression on those with ulterior motives.
"Living in such an environnt for a long ti will wither one’s spirit, and even a blind man would eventually see through you if you harbored any Ghostly intentions. The only immunity to this kind of ntal suppression is possessed by those above the Divine Origin Realm. But in this world, there is no Divine Origin Realm warrior under the age of twenty.
"Furthermore, once a Divine Origin Realm enters Mountain River Academy, they would be detected by Mountain Master ng who has infused his own Qi into the academy. So..."
"So, you need soone who can adjust their ntality and adapt to that environnt, right?" Qing Yu interjected.
The age limit to enter Mountain River Academy is under twenty. At the age of twenty, reaching the Innate Realm would already be considered a genius, and the Divine Origin Realm was utterly out of the question.
The worldly society has created the Dragon and Phoenix List, specifically for the younger generation. The top-ranking individuals on this list have not reached the Divine Origin Realm, and moreover, the list’s age cap is under thirty, with most of the listed talents being older than twenty.
Even if one were to find so shaless older warrior to pretend to be young, entering the academy would still draw the detection of Mountain Master ng.
"Correct. Alone in the mountains at a young age for three years, no contact with others. After three years, not only did you have no psychological issues, but your wits h have sharpened more than so older folks from worldly society; you are indeed the best candidate," Lu Qifeng nodded.
’Why keep harping on this whole "three years alone in the mountains" thing?’ thought Qing Yu sowhat helplessly.
Well, it was sowhat rare, considering only Qing Yu had the mature ntality of an adult that allowed him to self-regulate his stress. A normal child isolated in the wilderness for three years might not necessarily have psychological issues, but at the very least, would be out of touch with the world below the mountain.
In Qing Yu’s case, this was sothing extraordinary.
"If you can infiltrate Mountain River Academy and complete the task given to you, regardless of your identity, I, Chasing Wind Divine Constable, promise to accept you as one of Six Gates’ own," Lu Qifeng said gravely.
’No no no, I’m not the least bit keen on being your ’own person’,’ Qing Yu thought to himself.
He was not touched by this promise, seeing it rely as a blank check. However, he knew he still had to perform on the surface.
With an expression of utter devotion and loyalty, Qing Yu said, "I will definitely complete the mission."
"Very good." Lu Qifeng was well pleased with Qing Yu’s actions and nodded in satisfaction, at least outwardly.
"Next, I will explain the details of your mission," Lu Qifeng said. "You should know that the founding Emperor of our Daqian Dynasty once belonged to the sa Confucian school as ng Shanhe of Mountain River Academy."
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