Chapter 79: The Prelude to a Major Event
Guan Feibai’s temperament was both cold and violent; how could he tolerate this? He shouted coldly, “A useless waste who only knows how to spend his family’s money dares to meddle in the affairs of my Li Mountain?”
Tang Thirty-Six sneered, “My family just happens to be this rich. What’s it to you? Besides, last year I earned a Cheng Hu Tower in three days. Do I need to tell you everything?”
Guan Feibai snorted, “Then what business is it of yours between my Li Mountain Sword Sect and that wolf cub? If you’re really that bored, why not spend your time learning a few more sword techniques? Otherwise, how could the sole grandson of the Tang family fail to even make the Golden Roll?”
Tang Thirty-Six’s expression changed. Not making the Golden Roll was his greatest regret. Although learning that Zhe Xiu and Su Mo Yu hadn’t made it either had improved his mood, the fact remained that this guy’s name was now on that very list.
He gritted his teeth and said, “No matter how you spin it, Zhe Xiu and Qi Jian are genuinely in love. What right do you have to interfere? If you’re truly that bored and can’t surpass Zhong Hui, then you might as well practice your cooking skills. Damn it—green pepper stir-fried with cured meat, and you actually put sugar in it! Is your brain broken, or is this just how you southerners cook?”
“Besides Chen Changsheng, whose cooking is actually good?”
Guan Feibai was furious. “Don’t even talk about cooking. When you wash dishes, you break seven out of ten. And you have the nerve to criticize my culinary skills?”
This naturally referred to the time back at the Heavenly Book Mound when everyone was contemplating the steles and living in the small courtyard left by Xun Mei.
The relationship between the National Academy and the Li Mountain Sword Sect was truly complicated, hard to sum up in a few words—especially among the younger generation of this era.
Whether it was because of that marriage contract, the widely known relationship between Autumn Mountain Lord and Xu You Rong, or their competitive dynamic—from the Ivy Banquet to the Grand Examination—they had initially been natural rivals, even enemies. But at the Heavenly Book Mound, they lived under the same roof, ate from the same pot, contemplated the steles together, and exchanged insights. Hostility gradually faded into familiarity. Especially after Chen Changsheng escorted Su Li thousands of miles south, a considerable friendship had formed between them.
But they were still young, all prodigies in cultivation. The youths of the National Academy and the Six Laws of the Divine Kingdom from Li Mountain were now the most favored, often compared against each other. The competition between them seemed destined to last a long time. Who would truly concede?
The atmosphere in the small building grew increasingly tense. Tang Thirty-Six and Guan Feibai’s argument grew louder and more heated. Though both sides retained some restraint—especially Tang Thirty-Six, who didn’t resort to cursing their ancestors like he did with challengers from the Ivy Academies—real anger had flared up.
Guan Feibai’s face was pale—not from powder or injury, but from rage. “Senior Brother, I can’t take this anymore. I challenge him at the Boiling Stone Assembly!”
Hearing this, Liang Ban Hu’s expression shifted. Before they came, Gou Han Shi had instructed them that while the Li Mountain Sword Sect and the National Academy weren’t exactly allies, they weren’t enemies either. At the Boiling Stone Assembly, unless necessary, it was best to avoid conflict.
Tang Thirty-Six was also enraged. He shouted, “Chen Changsheng, you might be able to tolerate this, but I can’t! At the Boiling Stone Assembly, you have to beat this guy into a pig’s head!”
As he said this, they naturally looked toward Gou Han Shi and Chen Changsheng.
But where were they? The building was empty.
“Where did they go?” Tang Thirty-Six asked in surprise.
“They left,” Zhe Xiu said. Then he looked at Guan Feibai with a cold expression. “At the assembly, I’ll take you on.”
With that, he turned and left the building.
Guan Feibai was stunned for a moment before reacting. Watching his retreating figure, he sneered, “Think I’m afraid of you?”
Tang Thirty-Six sneered from the side, “If you weren’t afraid, why did you hesitate for a moment?”
Guan Feibai was enraged. “If you’ve got the guts, fight me yourself! First you call for Chen Changsheng, then you call for him. Do you even know what shame is?”
Tang Thirty-Six replied without changing expression, “I’ve already thrown away my face. How would I know how to write the word ‘shame’? Not convinced? Then bite me.”
…
Chen Changsheng and Gou Han Shi had long since left the room, ascending to a high terrace. They stood by the railing, gazing at the lake view.
Chen Changsheng knew the argument inside wouldn’t end anytime soon, and it was meaningless. Listening to it would only dirty his ears.
“Why, exactly?” Chen Changsheng asked Gou Han Shi seriously. “A half-breed between the demon and human races is indeed heavily discriminated against. But I know the Li Mountain Sword Sect—at least Senior Su Li isn’t that kind of person. Why does he insist on stopping this marriage?”
Gou Han Shi knew Chen Changsheng was a straightforward person. Without sufficient reason, he couldn’t be convinced. So he said directly, “Zhe Xiu doesn’t have long to live.”
Chen Changsheng had considered many reasons. Through Xu You Rong’s help, he had heard similar claims, but he never expected… it to be exactly that.
“Zhe Xiu’s body does have hidden dangers, but they can definitely be cured.”
He had been treating Zhe Xiu for a long time, and hadn’t stopped yet. He knew that the strange condition of “heart tide” was indeed hard to fully cure. But through reconstructing the meridians of Luo Luo and Xuan Yuan Po, he had gained considerable experience. He believed he could eventually devise the perfect treatment plan.
Gou Han Shi looked at him with some surprise. “You know?”
Chen Changsheng said, “I’ve already started treating him.”
Gou Han Shi thought for a moment, then shook his head. “The Grandmaster has determined he will die young. You can’t cure him.”
Chen Changsheng said, “In other areas, I’m no match for Senior Su Li. But in this, he’s no match for me.”
Gou Han Shi recalled the widely known rumors about Chen Changsheng’s teacher and realized this might indeed be true.
Ji Dao Ren was not well-known in the world today, but centuries ago, he was the most outstanding physician.
Not to mention that his true identity was Dean Shang of the National Academy.
“You can convince me, but first, you need to convince the Grandmaster,” Gou Han Shi said. “Otherwise, I won’t agree to Zhe Xiu going to Li Mountain to see her.”
Chen Changsheng said, “Why go that far? It’s just a meeting. I promise nothing else will happen.”
Gou Han Shi looked at him calmly. “This is Li Mountain, the origin of ten thousand swords. Don’t think about those elopement stories from the novels.”
The youths of the National Academy had indeed entertained such thoughts, even secretly preparing. Being so easily exposed by the other party, Chen Changsheng couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
“If you’re certain you can cure Zhe Xiu’s illness, then why not wait until you’ve actually cured him before discussing this matter?”
Gou Han Shi raised a crucial point.
Chen Changsheng said, “Lovesickness is also a disease. Zhe Xiu can handle it, but what about Qi Jian?”
Gou Han Shi thought of that night when his junior sister had shouted in anger and didn’t know how to respond. After a long silence, he said, “I’ll relay your words to her.”
Chen Changsheng felt slightly relieved. If she could hold onto hope, Qi Jian’s days at Li Mountain would surely be easier.
…
(Since leaving Hubei, I’ve driven three thousand kilometers… I’m exhausted. I still have to drive over seven hundred kilometers each of the next two days. I really can’t write anymore. Please give me two days off. After returning to Daqing, I’ll get back to normal work as soon as possible and write the first major climax of Ze Tian Ji solidly.)