Chapter 671: An Academy
The gate of the National Teaching Academy remained tightly shut, and no sound came from within. Neither the heavy encirclement of the imperial troops nor the arrival of the old eunuch bearing the imperial edict brought any change. It was utterly silent. Anyone who looked at that heavy academy gate would think that surely no one was behind it.
In truth, there had always been someone behind the National Teaching Academy's gate.
Two boxwood trees were planted behind the gate. After autumn arrived, their leaves had grown sparse. The cold light of day fell through the branches and landed on a young girl's face.
That young girl had delicate features, still carrying a hint of childishness. She was very young, and the daylight made her even more endearing, but the anxiety and exhaustion on her face were also clearly visible.
Ye Xiaolian, an inner disciple of Nanxi Zhai.
Su Moyu stood beside her.
Several dozen female disciples of Nanxi Zhai stood behind the two of them.
Their swords had long been drawn.
The clear autumn light could fall on their faces, but it could not fall on their swords, because those swords were too sharp, their sword-light too bright.
They had been guarding behind the National Teaching Academy's gate.
The sword formation of Nanxi Zhai had held this position for three days and three nights.
Now, the female disciples of Nanxi Zhai were very tired. After hearing the faint sounds from outside the academy, their expressions changed slightly.
The Black Armored Heavy Cavalry of the Great Zhou were unmatched in the world. If they charged like this, even the sword formation of Nanxi Zhai could not hold.
"What do we do?" Ye Xiaolian looked at Su Moyu, her delicate face filled with tension.
Su Moyu turned his gaze toward the direction of Zang's room, thinking of that fellow who had remained silent ever since returning from the Heavenly Book Mausoleum. He still could not make up his mind.
"That's Eunuch Lin! What are you all still thinking about? Hurry up and open the gate to receive the edict!"
A student of the National Teaching Academy looked at the people before the gate, shouting in terror, "Are you really prepared to defy the imperial decree? I don't want to die with you all!"
Hearing this, a slight commotion stirred among the teachers and students of the National Teaching Academy. Murmurs of discussion arose, and some even began arguing fiercely.
Su Moyu looked at that student, remembered he was the son of a wealthy merchant from Henan Circuit, and silently noted his name in his heart.
Ye Xiaolian followed his gaze, thinking he might be wavering. She looked at the teachers and students of the National Teaching Academy and shouted sternly, "The Holy Maiden has decreed that the disciples of Nanxi Zhai will protect Principal Chen's safety! If there are any cowards who fear death, they can leave through the back gate themselves. Stop spouting nonsense here, or don't blame the Zhai Sword for being merciless!"
Hearing this, the student from Henan Circuit's face changed color. He was very angry but dared not say anything more, so he walked out of the crowd.
Then, over a dozen students and several instructors also left the crowd, all heading toward the back gate.
Seeing this scene, the teachers and students who remained couldn't help but curse loudly, especially when they saw the looks from the female disciples of Nanxi Zhai. They felt deeply ashamed.
Su Moyu said nothing, only silently memorized the names of those who had left.
Ye Xiaolian realized that his silence did not mean hesitation. She asked in confusion, "What are you thinking about?"
Su Moyu said calmly, "I'm thinking that if the National Teaching Academy can be preserved, what methods I should use to take revenge on these people."
Ye Xiaolian was momentarily stunned, thinking, when did Su Moyu, who was once known for his propriety and restraint at the Palace Annex Academy, change so much?
She didn't say it, but Su Moyu knew what she was thinking. He looked at the beautiful autumn scenery of the National Teaching Academy, a nostalgic expression on his face, and said, "This is an interesting place. Anyone who stays here long enough will undergo some changes."
Such an interesting National Teaching Academy—if it could be preserved, that would be wonderful. But "if" was always the most unreliable word.
Otherwise, why had he already begun to feel sorrow in advance, already started to reminisce?
...
...
Baihua Lane had been cleared. The buildings across the lane had even been forcefully leveled, leaving only that teahouse standing.
In the rising dust, that teahouse, which had witnessed dozens of academy martial arts competitions, looked very lonely. The figures of those hundreds of Black Armored Heavy Cavalry were terrifying.
The gate of the National Teaching Academy remained tightly shut.
"To have such courage—truly worthy of the National Teaching Academy built by Principal Shang himself, worthy of being His Majesty's junior disciple."
Eunuch Lin suddenly laughed, his smile full of emotion.
The old man's voice was somewhat hoarse and soft. Except for the young attendant nearby, no one else could hear him.
But his next words were heard by everyone present.
Eunuch Lin looked at the tightly shut gate of the National Teaching Academy, his smile fading as he said slowly, "Principal Chen is alone in the world, but the instructors and students of the National Teaching Academy... have families."
Hearing this, sounds finally came from inside the National Teaching Academy, and there was also commotion on the street.
Countless eyes turned to this old eunuch in charge of the imperial seal.
Tianhai Shengxue's face grew even paler.
He had never expected that this Eunuch Lin, so different from the upright and resolute figure in the rumors, would strike with such ruthless and despicable tactics!
...
...
Whether it was a mishearing or not, a sound seemed to come from deep within the National Teaching Academy.
Then, the main gate of the National Teaching Academy, which had not been opened for three full days and nights, slowly swung open.
What greeted them was a chilling expanse of sword-light, along with over two hundred teachers and students of the National Teaching Academy.
Knowing they were outmatched, they still stood in formation, ready.
Seeing this scene, both the He Commandery Prince and the Black Armored Heavy Cavalry changed expression slightly.
Eunuch Lin was very calm, even giving the impression that he felt somewhat gratified.
Su Moyu had hardly slept in three days and was very tired, but his eyes and voice were equally clear.
He stood on the stone steps, looking at Eunuch Lin, and said, "One person is enough to deliver the edict."
The imperial edict had arrived, yet the National Teaching Academy had not opened its gates wide, set up an incense altar, or knelt in obeisance. They even only allowed Eunuch Lin to enter alone—this attitude was still extremely disrespectful.
Eunuch Lin was not angry. He smiled and said, "If I wanted to kill him, one edict and one person would be enough."
After saying this, he walked into the National Teaching Academy. When he brushed past Su Moyu, he gently patted him on the shoulder.
Ye Xiaolian's expression instantly sharpened, and her hand on her sword hilt tightened slightly.
Nothing happened.
Su Moyu did not spit blood and fall to the ground dead.
Eunuch Lin was merely expressing his appreciation and regard for Su Moyu.
In this great affair, the two sacred-domain experts, Endless Azure and Uniquely Red—especially the latter—had rendered great service.
Su Moyu was Uniquely Red's nephew, yet he chose to stay behind at the National Teaching Academy afterward. In the eyes of the world, this might seem foolish, but in the eyes of Eunuch Lin, who had been foolish his whole life, it was remarkable.
...
...
Zang's door was open. The daylight fell on the smooth, black floor, making it bright enough to reflect a person.
Chen Changsheng sat by the window, not looking at the autumn scenery outside. His head was lowered, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Eunuch Lin watched him quietly for a long time.
Chen Changsheng did not move, did not speak, only kept his head down.
Eunuch Lin suddenly understood—he was looking at his own reflection on the floor.
Chen Changsheng was looking at himself.