The gate of the Orthodox Academy had always been tightly shut, not a single sound coming from within. Whether it was the encirclement of the Imperial Court's soldiers or the arrival of the old eunuch with the imperial decree, nothing had changed. It had always been quiet. Anyone who looked at the thick gate would believe that there was no one behind it.
In reality, there had always been someone behind the gate.
Behind the gate were two boxwood trees. Now that autumn had come, their leaves had become much sparse. The cold and clear sunlight pierced through the branches and fell upon the face of a young girl.
This girl had a clear and beautiful appearance, still carrying a hint of childishness. She was extremely young, and in the light of the sun, she seemed even more charming. However, the worry and exhaustion on her face also became much clearer.
Ye Xiaolian, an inner sect disciple of South Stream Temple.
Su Moyu stood at her side.
Several dozen disciples of South Stream Temple stood behind the pair.
Their swords had been drawn long ago.
The autumn light could fall upon their faces, but it could not fall upon their swords, because those swords were too sharp, their sword glows too bright.
They had been guarding the gate of the Orthodox Academy this entire time.
The sword array of South Stream Temple had already guarded this place for three days and three nights.
The female disciples of South Stream Temple were already very tired. When they heard the faint sounds from outside the courtyard, they slightly paled.
The black-armored heavy cavalry of the Great Zhou were unparalleled in the world. If they charged like this, not even the sword array of South Stream Temple would be able to withstand it.
"What do we do?" Ye Xiaolian turned to Su Moyu, her clear and beautiful face filled with anxiety.
Su Moyu turned his head in the direction of the library, thinking of that fellow who had remained silent ever since his return from the Mausoleum of Books, unable to make up his mind.
"That's Eunuch Lin! What are all of you still thinking? Hurry up and open the gate to receive the decree! "
A student of the Orthodox Academy looked at the people in front of the gate and shouted in fear, "Could it be that all of you are really prepared to defy the decree! I don't want to accompany all of you in death! "
This person's words caused a slight disturbance among the teachers and students of the Orthodox Academy. The sounds of discussion gradually rose, and some people even began to fiercely quarrel.
Su Moyu looked at this student and recalled that he was the son of a wealthy merchant from Henan Road. He silently committed his name to memory.
Ye Xiaolian saw his gaze and thought that he was wavering. She turned to the teachers and students of the Orthodox Academy and sternly shouted, "The Holy Maiden has decreed that the disciples of South Stream Temple will definitely protect Principal Chen's safety! If there are people who are greedy for life and afraid of death, just leave through the back door. Don't talk nonsense here, otherwise don't blame the temple sword for being merciless! "
Hearing this, the face of the rich student from Henan Road changed. He was very angry, but he didn't dare to say anything more and walked away from the crowd.
Soon after, ten-some students of the Orthodox Academy and several teachers also left the crowd, all heading towards the back gate.
At this sight, the teachers and students left on the field couldn't help but curse. When they saw the gazes of the South Stream Temple disciples, they felt even more ashamed.
Su Mo Yu didn't say anything, only remembering the names of those who had left.
Only now did Ye Xiaolian realize that his silence did not mean that he was wavering. Somewhat confused, she asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Su Moyu calmly replied, "I was thinking, if the Orthodox Academy can be saved, what method should I use to retaliate against these people?"
Ye Xiaolian froze, thinking, when did the Su Moyu of the Li Palace Academy, famed for his politeness and modesty, change his personality?
She didn't say it, but Su Moyu knew what she was thinking. He gazed at the beautiful autumn scenery of the Orthodox Academy, a nostalgic expression appearing on his face. "This is an interesting place. Anyone who stays here for a long time will experience some change."
If this interesting Orthodox Academy could be saved, it would naturally be very good, but 'if' had always been a most unreliable word.
Otherwise, why would he have begun to feel sorrow and nostalgia ahead of time?
… …
… …
Hundred Flowers Lane had already been cleared out, and the building on the other side of the lane had even been forcefully flattened, leaving only that tea house.
In the gradually rising dust, that tea house that had once watched several dozen All-School Martial Exhibitions seemed very lonely, and the figures of those several hundred black-armored heavy cavalry were even more frightening.
The gate of the Orthodox Academy was still tightly shut.
"To actually have such courage, truly worthy of being the Orthodox Academy that Principal Shang single-handedly created, worthy of being His Majesty's junior brother."
Eunuch Lin suddenly smiled, his smile brimming with emotion.
The old man's voice was rather muffled and soft. Other than the young attendant at the front, no one else could hear it.
However, the next sentence was heard by everyone present.
Eunuch Lin gazed at the tightly shut gate of the Orthodox Academy, his smile fading as he slowly said, "Principal Chen is a loner, but the teachers and students of the Orthodox Academy … all have families."
At these words, a voice finally came from within the Orthodox Academy, and the streets were similarly thrown into an uproar.
Countless gazes turned to this elderly Eunuch of the Palm Seal Sect.
Tianhai Shengxue's complexion paled even more.
He had never imagined that this Eunuch Lin was completely different from the upright and unswerving character he was rumored to be. He had actually used such unyielding and despicable methods!
… …
… …
It was hard to say if they had heard wrong.
A voice seemed to rise from the depths of the Orthodox Academy.
Then, the main gate of the Orthodox Academy, which had not been opened for three days and three nights, slowly opened.
What greeted them was an oppressive sword glow and two-hundred-some teachers and students of the Orthodox Academy.
Even though they knew they were no match, they still maintained a strict formation and waited.
At this sight, both the Prince of He County and the black-armored heavy cavalry subtly paled.
Eunuch Lin was very calm, even giving off the feeling that he was somewhat gratified.
Su Moyu had not slept for the past three days and was very tired, but his eyes and voice were both clear and bright.
He stood on the stone steps and said to Eunuch Lin, "One person is enough to announce the edict."
The imperial edict had arrived, but the Orthodox Academy had not opened its gate wide, set up incense burners, kneeled, and even allowed only Eunuch Lin to enter. This attitude was still extremely disrespectful.
Eunuch Lin was not angry. Smiling, he said, "If you want to kill him, a single edict and me alone are enough."
After saying this, he walked into the Orthodox Academy. As he brushed past Su Moyu, he lightly patted him on the shoulder.
Ye Xiaolian's expression instantly turned cold, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword tightening.
Nothing happened.
Su Moyu did not vomit blood and collapse to the ground.
Eunuch Lin only wanted to express his admiration and regard for Su Moyu.
In this major event, Wuqiong Bi and Bie Yanghong, two experts of the Divine Domain, especially the latter, had performed a great service.
Su Moyu was Bie Yanghong's nephew, but he had remained in the Orthodox Academy after the event. In the eyes of the common people, this was very foolish, but in the eyes of Eunuch Lin, who had lived his entire life as a fool, this was very extraordinary.
… …
… …
The door to the library was open. The sunlight fell upon the glossy black floorboards, shining so brightly that one could see one's reflection.
Chen Changsheng sat by the window, not looking at the autumn colors outside. His head was lowered, his thoughts inscrutable.
Eunuch Lin calmly gazed at him for a very long time.
Chen Changsheng did not move, did not speak, only lowered his head.
Eunuch Lin suddenly understood. He was looking at his reflection on the floorboards.
Chen Changsheng was looking at himself.
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