Liu Yiqing was a silent and gentle young man.
His silence and gentleness did not mean that he was not proud, but he hid his pride well under his silent and gentle appearance. Just like a few years ago when he obeyed his Eldest Brother's order to leave the Liu Mansion and join the Sword Garret incognito. No matter how indifferent or hostile his fellow disciples were, he was still gentle.
Because his Eldest Brother was the Sage of Sword, Liu Bai, he had enough right to be proud. But he did not need to show his pride to the disciples of the Sword Garret.
But facing the Academy in the south of Chang 'an, his silence and gentleness were more sincere. Because he knew very well that he had no right to be proud here.
Out of respect for the Academy, he chose to sit far away from the main gate of the Academy. Instead, he sat at a secluded side gate at the back of the mountain. Chen Pipi's description of the so-called humiliation of the Academy to Ning Que in the cliff cave was naturally exaggerated. But a Sword Master from the South Jin Kingdom had challenged the Academy and sat quietly to wait for someone to break out of seclusion. This had caused a lot of discussion and attracted many people's attention.
It was early spring, and the morning breeze was still chilly. Liu Yiqing slowly opened his eyes and woke up from meditation. He calmly looked at the surrounding onlookers with complicated expressions.
Most of the people surrounding the South Jin Kingdom Great Sword Master were students of the Academy's Front Yard. However, as he sat at the Academy's gate for a longer time, the news spread to Chang 'an and aroused more people's curiosity. Some curious onlookers even came together to see what he looked like.
The side gate was pushed open with a squeak.
Professor Huang He walked out and stood beside the futon. He looked up at the gloomy sky and suddenly sighed. He said, "I invited you to the Academy for your brother's sake, but you refused. Now you have attracted so many onlookers. Don't you think this is ridiculous and boring? Or did you already decide to use this method to humiliate the Academy when you came to Chang 'an? "
"I dare not." Liu Yiqing stood up from the futon and bowed. He said, "I dare not to be rude to the Academy. I only came under orders. If I leave without a fight with Mr. Thirteen, I will not know how to answer my brother when I return to the South Jin Kingdom. Since Mr. Thirteen is in seclusion, I will wait for him here."
Huang He looked at the young Sword Master from South Jin Kingdom. It was as if he was looking at the arrogant man from many years ago. Although the young man in front of him looked gentle, there seemed to be a stubbornness in him that would not give up until he reached his goal.
"If you want to wait, then wait. If you're thirsty, there's water in the yard, but the Academy won't provide you with food. If you've finished your rations, go back to Chang 'an."
Liu Yiqing said, "Don't worry, sir. I've brought a lot of food."
…
…
He sat there from dawn to dusk. Many disciples of the Academy made a special trip to the side door to see Liu Yiqing. When they saw that there was nothing special about the young powerhouse from the South Jin Kingdom, sitting motionlessly on the futon, they felt bored and dispersed.
As for those nosy people from Chang 'an who came to watch the fun, they surrounded Liu Yiqing not far away, pointing at him and whispering. Some even argued fiercely because of different opinions. The secluded and quiet side door was not quiet at all.
"Great Swordmaster … should be a very powerful cultivator, right?"
"This is the first time I've seen a living cultivator."
"I heard that he's already in the upper Seethrough state, about the same level as Prince Long Qing."
"So what? I heard that the student from the Second floor of the Academy he challenged this time shot Prince Long Qing to death in the Wilderness. How can he be defeated by him? "
"Speaking of which, this person from the South Jin Kingdom is not as cowardly and useless as other people from the South Jin Kingdom. He actually has the guts to block the gate of the Academy."
"I just don't understand. The gate of the Academy has already been blocked by this guy. Why are the people in the Academy still allowing him to be so arrogant and not chasing him away?"
"First of all, this person from the South Jin Kingdom is sitting at the side door. Look, other than us, who else would pass by here? Secondly, since the student from the Second floor that he challenged is in seclusion, it's naturally not convenient for the other people in the Academy to attack. If the people in the Academy attack, wouldn't it be degrading? "
"That makes sense. How long do you think this person from the South Jin Kingdom can last here?"
"Ten days to half a month? Who knows. "
"I only know that when the student from the Second floor of the Academy breaks out of seclusion, this person from the South Jin Kingdom will not sit there anymore. He will immediately lose miserably and scram back to the South Jin Kingdom."
Naturally, the Tang Empire was the most powerful country in the world. The second most powerful country was the South Jin Kingdom. With the support of the West-Hill Divine Palace, the South Jin Kingdom dominated the south. They had always been dissatisfied with the Tang Empire. However, the people of the Tang Empire looked at the South Jin Kingdom as if they were always in second place. They were vigilant and even mocked them.
It was a rare occasion for the Tangs to have a young powerhouse from the South Jin Kingdom challenge the Academy. It was also a rare opportunity to teach the people from the South Jin Kingdom who was the real boss after years of peace.
As for whether this person from the South Jin Kingdom could defeat the student from the Second floor of the Academy … The Tangs did not know who the student from the Second floor of the Academy was, nor did they know how powerful he was. However, they had never thought that the person from the Academy would lose this duel.
This had nothing to do with pride and arrogance. It was just a certain aura that flowed in the blood of the Tangs. Before the battle began, they would never think about what would happen if they lost. This was because the goal of the battle was to win. There were no other thoughts other than winning.
…
…
Day after day, the people of Chang 'an who came to watch the battle repeated their curiosity, whispered, and argued intensely. In the end, they came to a consensus that this young powerhouse from the South Jin Kingdom might look arrogant, but he was destined to be no match for the person from the Academy. He would definitely lose miserably.
Day after day, Liu Yiqing sat outside the side door of the Academy and received countless gazes. He felt the curiosity and disdain in their eyes, and listened to the discussions of the Tangs and the people from the South Jin Kingdom. However, his expression was still calm, as if he did not care.
A wildflower bloomed under the stone steps in front of the side door, signifying that spring had finally come to the world. Liu Yiqing looked at the little flower, and a smile suddenly appeared on his calm face.
The smile on his face was gentle, but the smile in his heart was slightly cold.
As the younger brother of the Sage of Sword, Liu Bai, and the most outstanding disciple of the younger generation in the Sword Garret of the South Jin Kingdom, he had the right to be proud and confident. Even when facing the Academy, he could only bury his pride and confidence deep in his heart. However, how could he not be angry when he heard the discussions of the Tang people?
Mr. Thirteen of the Academy, Ning Que?
Before Liu Yiqing left the Sword Garret, the Sage of Sword, Liu Bai, had warned him that he could not lose to anyone other than the first, second, and twelfth disciples of the Academy.
The meaning of this sentence was clear. In Liu Bai's eyes, other than Mr. First, Mr. Second of the Academy, and Mr. Twelfth, whose reputation had been circulating in Haotian Taoism for many years, no one else should be a match for Liu Yiqing.
Liu Yiqing was very clear about Ning Que's current state and strength.
How could a person who had just entered the Seethrough state in the Wilderness be a match for his sword?
Many cultivation sects in the world still thought of Ning Que at this stage. In the beginning, they did not understand why the Headmaster was willing to accept such a wastrel as his disciple. Later, when Ning Que defeated Prince Long Qing, Monk Guan Hai from the Lanke Temple, and Master Dao Shi from the Xuankong Temple, the cultivation world began to think about the real reason why the Headmaster accepted Ning Que as his disciple. However, no one thought that Ning Que was very strong.
Now, the detailed process of the three battles that had really established Ning Que's position in the cultivation world had long become the object of study for the various cultivation sects, including every detail.
And the more they studied, the more they felt that Ning Que had won these three battles more because of the peerless weapons provided by the Academy, and the unpredictable luck. For example, the strange iron arrows in the Wilderness, and the battle between Ning Que and Master Dao Shi in the pure land of lotus flowers on the streets of Chang 'an. It was obvious that he had received some external help.
Many people in the cultivation world suspected that the young fat man standing beside Ning Que at that time was most likely the legendary Mr. Twelfth of the Academy, or that Mr. Twelfth had secretly helped Master Dao Shi, which was why Master Dao Shi was defeated. However, no one had evidence. After all, it was Mr. Twelfth of the Academy, and he had such a legendary background. No one dared to stand in front of the stage and raise questions.
Not raising questions did not mean that there were no doubts.
At least until now, no one thought that Ning Que was really stronger than Prince Long Qing.
On the journey from the South Jin Kingdom to Chang 'an, Liu Yiqing learned of the failure of Monk Guan Hai of the Lanke Temple. He began to be wary of Ning Que's means of Talisman Taoism. After arriving in Chang' an, he carefully studied Ning Que's three battles. In the end, he came to a conclusion. Other than what the cultivation sects said, he also noticed a very important point. This Mr. Thirteen, who represented the Academy in entering the human realm, was very opportunistic in battle.
Liu Yiqing had been practicing swordsmanship since he was born. He cultivated diligently and constantly polished his spirit and willpower. He had suffered countless hardships before he had today's status in the Sword Garret. He had always hated those who only knew how to take shortcuts, or those who were very lucky. And in his view, the guy called Ning Que was only lucky to be accepted by the Headmaster of the Academy, which was why he had such glory.
Therefore, he had no enmity towards the Academy, but he was hostile towards Ning Que.
And he firmly believed that Ning Que was no match for him.
There were two other reasons for Liu Yiqing's endless enmity towards Ning Que.
The first reason was that even he himself did not realize. That was, when the Second floor of the Academy opened, he was still practicing hard in the Sword School of the Liu Family's old residence. He felt extremely regretful about this and felt that he had missed the most precious opportunity.
And this opportunity that he had helplessly missed finally fell on Ning Que.
Sitting on the futon outside the side door of the Academy, he looked at the hateful Tangs not far away. He silently thought that if it were not for his Eldest Brother's strict orders to let him seize this opportunity to sharpen his spirit and try to be accepted by the Headmaster of the Academy as a student, he would have definitely killed Ning Que after he broke through!
An old woman wearing a blue gown and holding a bamboo broom walked out from the side door. She walked to the side of the praying mat and looked at Liu Yiqing's face from the side. She slowly asked, "Are you unhappy?"
The old woman was so close to Liu Yiqing that he could not help but feel a little shocked. It was said that there were hidden talents in the Academy. Could it be that this old woman was also an extraordinary sublime being?
But he did not sense any fluctuations of Psyche Power from the old woman.
Liu Yiqing calmly replied, "There is nothing to be unhappy about."
"It's good that you are not unhappy."
The old woman in the blue robe walked to the stone steps with her body hunched and began to sweep the ground.
Liu Yiqing frowned slightly. He thought that she had clearly seen him sitting here. Why was she not more careful when sweeping and even stirred up so much dust?
The old woman seemed to have sensed what he was thinking. She stopped sweeping and held the bamboo broom for a moment to catch her breath. She looked at him and said, "Someone asked me to bring you a message."
Liu Yiqing's expression turned serious and he asked, "Please speak."
The old woman narrowed her eyes and looked at the gloomy sky. She seemed to be trying to recall what the messenger had said. After a long time, she finally remembered and said, "The person you want to challenge is now cultivating in seclusion in the cliff cave. What is he cultivating …"
"I remember. He is trying to practice both talisman and martial arts."
The old woman continued, "He said that if you can not go to the toilet in the Academy, and can endure the smell of urine and the dust, as well as the chilly early spring, then wait for him for three months."
Liu Yiqing was silent.
When the Headmaster returned to the Academy, Mr. Thirteen and Ning Que began to practice in seclusion. This matter was already known by now. However, when he heard the old woman pass the message on behalf of Ning Que, he then realized that Ning Que actually wanted him to wait for three months. He was even angrier when he heard that Ning Que was practicing both talisman and martial arts.
It was true that cultivators often needed to practice in seclusion to understand Tao, but they needed to do so for as long as three months. They were either Grand Cultivators or at the critical moment of breaking through the realm.
Ning Que's state was so low. Of course, he was not one of those Grand Cultivators who needed to seek Tao from Heaven. Furthermore, he had just entered the Seethrough State in the Wilderness. Was he going to enter the Knowing Destiny State now?
In Liu Yiqing's understanding of the cultivation world, such a thing had never happened before. As for practicing both talisman and martial arts, it sounded more like a joke. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that it was all fake. Ning Que's seclusion was also fake. It was just a shameless excuse to avoid battle!
Liu Yiqing revealed a look of disdain and said, "If Ning Que does not have the confidence to enter the human realm on behalf of the Academy, just say it. How dare he use such an excuse. He is a disgrace to the Academy and the Headmaster!"
After the old woman in the blue robe passed the message, she ignored him and continued to sweep the floor with her hunched body.
However, when she swept the floor, the bamboo broom in her hand was waved higher, as if she felt the breath of early spring and remembered the beauty of her youth decades ago. She actually wanted to dance.
The dust mixed with the gravel was waved high and then slowly fell. The bamboo broom was waved by the old woman, and it was obvious that she was deliberately sweeping the dust down the stone steps.
Liu Yiqing was covered in dust and looked extremely embarrassed. His face had turned pale from anger. He looked at the sweeping old woman and said sternly, "No wonder Ning Que asked you to pass the message. So this is the so-called bearing the dust? Is this the way the Academy treats its guests? "
The old woman looked at him expressionlessly and said, "I have never heard of such a guest in the world, sitting at the door of the host's house and refusing to enter no matter how we invite him."
Liu Yiqing frowned slightly.
The old woman looked at him and said, "Even if you want to wait for Ning Que to break through, you can wait in the Academy, you can wait in Chang 'an, you can even write a letter directly from the Sword Garret of South Jin Kingdom. But you insist on sitting at the door of the Academy. In fact, everyone knows why you do this. But the elders in the Academy and little Huang He are friends with Liu Bai in the early years, so they can't say anything."
"In the past hundred years, I have seen many young cultivators who have cultivated for many years in an attempt to become famous. They are all like you, thinking that the soul of the Academy lies in the Headmaster of the Academy. The other disciples are just lucky to be under the Headmaster of the Academy and have Lucky Chances that you can't get no matter how hard you work."
"I know you want to shock the world and become famous."
"But you have chosen the wrong place and the wrong person."
"You don't like others to take advantage of others, but you keep staring at the weakest Ning Que on the Second floor. Isn't this opportunistic? Once you start taking advantage of others, the sword style that you inherited from Liu Bai will lose its fundamental reason. "
"Because your brother Liu Bai has never been a person who takes advantage of others."
"And because of this, he is the most powerful person in the world."
The old woman gently brushed the blue robe on her and said, "If you can't even eat dust, how can you endure suffering and boredom? If you can't even endure suffering and boredom, what right do you have to use the Academy as a footnote for your reputation? If you can't even understand such a thing, how can you become famous?"
Liu Yiqing listened to the old woman's words and remained silent. His face became paler and paler and cold sweat poured down his back, wetting his clothes and even the futon under him.
After a moment, he sat up straight and pressed his hands forward on the ground. He bowed his head and made a disciple's bow. He said sincerely, "Thank you for enlightening me."
The old woman walked to his side and swept the dust and rubbish mixed with few fallen leaves into the basket. She said, "You don't have to thank me. I am not here to remind you of anything. It's just that you have been sitting outside the side door of the Academy for seven days and I have seven days where I can't sweep the floor. If you really want to wait for that guy for three months, I have to come and sweep for three months. I hate to see rubbish on the floor the most."
The old woman stooped and walked into the side door.
Liu Yiqing looked back at the tightly closed side door of the Academy. He felt that the old woman's last words about not wanting to see rubbish on the floor were a mockery of him. But he was not angry. Instead, he was thoughtful.
…
…
If Ning Que had been outside the side door of the Academy, he would certainly have recognized who the old woman in the blue robe was. The students of the Academy often saw an old woman holding a bamboo broom and sweeping every corner of the Academy with a stooped body. She had long become a page of the Academy's legend.
Because the old woman was not the steward responsible for the cleaning work, but the only female honorary professor of the Academy. She was a big shot in the Academy's mathematics department that no one dared to provoke.
When Ning Que entered the Academy, he got the only A + in mathematics. The question was set by Eldest Brother. In fact, Eldest Brother had set a total of five questions, and the old woman finally chose the question of cutting peach blossoms.
And at this time, when he was pondering in seclusion between the cliffs of the Cliff Mountain, he also thought of this question.
…
…
(The first chapter is here. It's five thousand words, so it's a bit late. The second chapter will be updated before eleven.) (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian.Com to vote for me. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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