Chapter Twenty-Six: Gu Tiangang Was Very Unhappy

The next day, just as the sky began to gray with the first light of dawn, Chen Yi, dressed neatly and accompanied by Xia Wanwan and Luoluo, departed the Marquis’s estate by carriage. Because of the previous incident, the entourage now included not only Ding Sisi but also the second master, Chen Lixin, who served as a temporary guard.

The sun had not yet risen; a pale full moon still hung in the dim sky, scattered with faint stars. The carriage traveled west along Fengtong Street, passed through two wards, and then turned north onto Zhuque Street, soon arriving outside the Forbidden Palace of the Imperial City. As the city gates were not yet open, the carriage of the Marquis of Wu’an sat alongside several others.

"Wait, is that the Marquis of Chen’s carriage?"

"Indeed. I suppose the Young Marquis was selected by His Majesty to attend the Xingwu Academy. It seems both the northern and southern branches are gathered now."

"Don't you know? It isn't the Young Marquis Chen who has come, but the Marquis’s illegitimate son, Chen Yi."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"And that’s not all. I heard that the day after His Majesty sent the imperial decree to the Marquis’s estate, the Young Marquis’s great-grandfather, the Marquis of Jingye, took him away and left behind a remark."

"What did he say?"

"He said the Marquis of Chen lacked strict discipline, allowing someone of illegitimate birth to rise to such a position..."

Listening to the hushed gossip outside, Xia Wanwan’s face was a mixture of joy and sorrow. She was happy that her son had gained the Emperor’s favor and could join the Xingwu Academy to cultivate, but she was burdened by far deeper worries. Beyond the fear that Chen Yi might be bullied by the scions of other noble families or cause trouble as he had during the "grasping the autumn" ceremony, she was most concerned that her son’s illegitimate status would invite disdain. Especially after hearing what Zhou Tiance had said at the martial arts arena, her heart felt heavy. Throughout the journey, she had several times wanted to speak but stopped, eventually only sighing a few words about how "Yi'er has grown up, do not worry about your mother."

Xia Wanwan knew that Chen Yi had been clever since childhood. If not for her own background, he would surely have achieved more and enjoyed a brighter future. Hearing the whispers outside the carriage, her expression turned bleak; she knew that in the end, it was she who had dragged her son down.

"Mother, do not worry. At the Xingwu Academy, not only will I not be bullied, but I will also win glory for you and the Chen family."

Chen Yi sensed her thoughts. These words were both a comfort and a statement of his intent. Ever since he learned yesterday that the person acting against him from the shadows was the Marquis of Jingye, Zhou Tiance, he had been contemplating how to resolve the threat. He understood clearly that Zhou Tiance was not like Zhou Wanyi; he was a true martial marquis who had been baptized by the slaughter of the battlefield.

Such a man did not tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes. Once he locked onto a target, he would never stop until his goal was achieved. Furthermore, Zhou Tiance’s strength was likely already at the Third Rank, the Heaven-Union Realm. Beyond rapidly increasing his own strength, Chen Yi could think of no other way to avoid that old bastard’s open attacks and hidden arrows.

"In the end, one must be strong enough!"

With this, Chen Yi set his sights on his system panel—he had to find a way to earn more Counter-Attack Points. Only then could his strength advance more rapidly.

"Brother Yi?"

A milky, childish voice pulled Chen Yi back to reality.

"Yi'er, we can get out now. The girl, Xueru, is here."

Xia Wanwan recognized the voice. Smiling, she lifted the silk curtain, led Chen Yi out of the carriage, and joined the Duchess of Xing, Zhu Yulin, and Lin Xueru. Soon, others familiar with them gathered as well. Only then did Chen Yi realize that most of the people who had visited his home were also destined for the Xingwu Academy. There were the Duke of Zhenbei’s children, Du Yanqing and Du Yan; the Marquis of Taishan’s son, Wang Yongnian; and Lin Xueru, the daughter of the Duke of Xing. Beyond them were those he had only met once, such as the young Duke of Anguo, Tao Sixing, and Zuo Wuhua, son of the Black Armor Guard commander, Zuo Qingxiong.

As a group of children gathered, chatter was inevitable. However, it did not affect Chen Yi; he stayed only with those he knew well, such as Lin Xueru.

"Brother Yi, how is your martial arts cultivation progressing?" Lin Xueru asked quietly, blinking her large eyes as she stood obediently by his side.

"It’s going alright," Chen Yi replied vaguely.

In truth, his progress in cultivation could only be described as passable. Compared to those with superior foundation-building like Lin Xueru and Chen Yuan, his speed was indeed slow. As far as he knew, Chen Yuan had already reached the middle stage of the Mortal Realm, having achieved it half a month ago.

"I’m doing alright too. Father praised me for the first time," Lin Xueru said, not doubting him for a second. Ever since she saw Chen Yi’s swordsmanship outside the city, she had decided in her young heart that he was a supreme genius—the kind of peerless hero her father described who could fly through the skies and do anything.

"Is that so?"

"What secrets are you two whispering about?" Du Yan, noticing them huddled together, leaned in. "Are you worried about the Xingwu Academy? Ask me, ask me, I know!"

Seeing her eager to spill everything, Chen Yi teased her, "We were talking about how, after school, we have to go to the Marquis’s estate to receive lessons from the teacher."

"Lessons?" Du Yan recalled those past days at the Marquis of Wu’an’s estate and was so frightened she immediately ran back. She would rather die than have to memorize the "Ten Thousand Character Classic" again!

"Hahaha..." Seeing her flee in such a panic, Chen Yi laughed. It was clear what a deep shadow those shared study sessions had cast upon them.

After the laughter died down, Chen Yi let out a long, secret breath, washing away the anxieties of the previous day. The future was long; if the old Marquis wanted to kill him... then let him come!

...

What Chen Yi and the others did not know was that a certain old man, already arrived at the Qingzheng Hall, was wearing a very sour expression. He was dressed in grey Taoist robes and wore a feathered crown, his appearance meticulous. Yet, his somewhat weathered face was etched with the words "this old Taoist is very displeased."

Looking at the roster in his hand, which contained a long list of noble scions, he asked with dissatisfaction:

"I said long ago that the Taixu Sect would only open its gates after the Mid-Autumn Festival. What is the meaning of this, Your Majesty?"

"Do you intend for me to take in these noble disciples early? Or do you want me to teach them through the back door?"

Liu Gao smiled obsequiously, "Master Gu Tiangang, what are you saying? How would His Majesty dare to trouble you with such unseemly things?"

"It’s just that there are so many people wanting to enter the Taixu Sect this time, and after much thought, His Majesty made this decision. It was truly hard to turn some of them away."

"Please, Master, bear with us. For the sake of the Wei Dynasty’s service to the Taixu Sect..."

"Spare me that talk; I don't care to hear it!" Gu Tiangang huffed. "Let me say this plainly: if they do not satisfy me, I will drive them away!"