On the 26th day, the rain and fog dissipated. The sky above Rui Guang was clear for a long time. Standing anywhere in the academy and looking out, one could clearly see the blue Teng Sea in the distance. A gentle breeze blew over, making one feel as if the entire capital was embraced by the blue sky and the blue sea.
In such a pleasant and comfortable weather, there was nothing to be picky about other than the occasional grey cloud floating across the sky.
Zhang Yu got up early in the morning. After taking a pill, he went to the backyard to practice his sword. After washing up, he sat on the rooftop, drinking tea while watching the sunrise over the sea. When it was time to eat, he left and went to the place he had agreed to meet with Liu Guang. After the two met up, they went to Zhen Li Hall together.
On the way, Liu Guang reminded him, "After I went back yesterday, I heard that the academy is indeed preparing to interrogate you. I'm afraid today's test won't be so simple. Other than the aboriginal language, Qiu Xueling will ask you other questions. You must be careful."
Zhang Yu said, "Thank you for your reminder, Teacher Liu. I won't answer what I shouldn't answer."
Questioning wasn't an interrogation, and the one being questioned wasn't a lowly person. He was a teacher in the academy, and naturally had his own dignity. If some questions were too harsh or deviated from his specialty, he could choose not to answer.
Liu Guang said, "It's good that you know."
After walking for a while, the two arrived in front of Zhen Li Hall.
There were already more than twenty people standing there. They were all teachers in the academy. Obviously, they had heard that there would be an interrogation today, so they came to take a look. After all, this kind of thing had not happened for decades.
Liu Guang saw this and frowned.
If the academy could make good use of the Tough Claw tribe incident, they would be able to obtain a lot of benefits from the Commissar. However, with so many people here today, could it be that the academy's higher-ups had leaked this matter?
Or could it be that something had changed and the academy no longer wanted to hide it?
When the crowd saw them arrive, they all looked over. However, when they saw Zhang Yu, many people's expressions showed surprise.
One of the helpers in front of the door took the initiative to welcome them. He bowed and led them to the side, saying, "Please come this way."
Previously, Zhang Yu had walked into the main hall through the middle ramp, but this time, he walked through the side corridor. However, he had only taken a few steps when a man in his forties wearing the robes of a teacher walked over and blocked the two of them.
The man cupped his hands towards Zhang Yu and deliberately said in a loud voice, "You must be Zhang Junzi. I've heard that you know a lot of the language of the indigenous tribes in the vicinity of Mount An. It just so happens that I'm also an expert in the barbarian language. I have a question that I'd like to ask you."
Everyone standing at the door suddenly became spirited, and their attention was drawn over.
Liu Guang frowned. In this situation, everyone should address each other as students of the academy. The title of 'gentleman' clearly expressed that they did not acknowledge Zhang Yu's knowledge.
Zhang Yu cast a glance at the man and said indifferently, "The one who invited me here today is Teacher Qiu. If you want to ask me for guidance, please first hand over your name card and follow the academy's rules. Otherwise, I won't keep you company." With that, he swung his sleeve and walked inside.
The man was stunned by his words and momentum and couldn't say anything for a while. When he finally came back to his senses, his face suddenly flushed red. He was so angry that he stayed in place and trembled.
Zhang Yu didn't pay any more attention to this person. He and Liu Guang walked inside. Just as they were about to enter the lobby, a helper stopped Zhang Yu and said, "Teacher Liu, stop. If you want to observe and question from the side, please go to the observation platform."
Liu Guang stopped and said to Zhang Yu, "Assistant Teacher Zhang, the visitor doesn't come with good intentions. Be careful."
Zhang Yu cupped his hands towards him.
Liu Guang walked from the side corridor to the circular observation platform. When he reached the top, he found that there were quite a few people here who had some achievements in the field of languages. Only one of them he recognized was a trusted aide of one of the academy's higher-ups. It seemed that this time's question was quite popular.
Zhang Yu had already arrived at the circular hall and stood there. His figure was ramrod straight, his large sleeves hanging down to his sides. At this moment, the sky was bright, shining through the glass dome and landing on his clothes. It was especially dazzling, looking elegant and otherworldly like an immortal.
There were indeed quite a few people in the academy who were dissatisfied with Zhang Yu, who had relied on self-recommendation to enter the academy. They thought that he must have used a trick. Otherwise, why would he use such a method at such a young age and not enter the academy through the proper examination?
However, most people didn't usually meet him and didn't interact with him, so they just disdained him and didn't pay him any more attention.
But now that they saw him in person, they felt that this might not be the case. Perhaps this person had his own difficulties.
At this moment, two people walked over from the vermillion platform in the main hall. They both wore the academy's robes. The one walking on the outside was an old man, and the one walking on the inside was a middle-aged man with a serious expression.
Zhang Yu raised his head to look. That old man was Qiu Xueling. This person maintained himself well. He didn't have many wrinkles, and his hair was slightly gray. He looked to be in his fifties or sixties. It was impossible to tell that he was already ninety years old.
Of course, the average lifespan of people in Tianxia was 120 years. If they knew how to maintain their health, it was possible for them to live to 150 years old.
Qiu Xueling arrived at the front. He first raised his hand in greeting to the people on the platform. Then he said, "This old man heard that the academy had a new Junxiu who relied on self-recommendation to enter the academy. At the time, this old man was very surprised because the academy hadn't seen such a heroic talent in several decades."
At this point, he smiled and said, "Later on, I heard that this Junxiu knew quite a bit of the language of the Mount An natives. This old man was quite happy when he found out. This old man has studied this path intensively for many years, and I believe that I have some decent achievements. I rather want to compare notes with this junior and see how he differs from this old man in terms of knowledge."
At this moment, his eyes narrowed. He slowly looked down and said, "This must be the one who recommended himself to enter the academy, Instructor Zhang?"
Zhang Yu clasped his hands and said indifferently, "Qiu Xueling pays his respects."
Qiu Xueling nodded and said, "Instructor Zhang, perhaps you already know that the academy has sent this old man to interrogate you today. But before that, this old man has a few words to ask you. You don't mind, do you?"
Zhang Yu asked, "What is it?"
Qiu Xueling said unhurriedly, "Instructor Zhang doesn't need to be nervous. These are just words from a senior concerned about a junior. If you have genuine talent and genuine learning, then this old man is also happy for the academy."
Liu Guang sneered when he heard this. This Qiu Xueling really had a way of taking advantage of his seniority.
Zhang Yu could see that this Qiu Xueling was very fond of using his status as a senior to pressure him. But the more he was like this, the more it showed that he lacked confidence. Otherwise, there was no need for him to do so.
Qiu Xueling said slowly, "I've read Instructor Zhang's oral history. It says that you once traveled to the east of Mount An alone and encountered quite a few dangers along the way. You were only fourteen years old at that time, right? Truly amazing. A young hero who can do what others can't. "
At this point, he sighed emotionally. "This old man is old. Seeing you young people, I can't help but think of my own children. Oh, right, how many brothers and sisters did Instructor Zhang have when you traveled?"
Liu Guang was startled when he heard this seemingly unrelated question. Then, he inwardly cursed the old man.
Reputation was still very important when traveling the academy. Qiu Xueling's question at this moment was clearly hinting that Zhang Yu, despite his young age, had gone out on an adventure despite his parents' concerns. Moreover, there had been no news of him for several years. Regardless of whether or not he was a follower of old traditions, everyone would feel that his actions were inappropriate and would invisibly be despised and ostracized by others.
Zhang Yu's eyes flickered with light. Qiu Xueling's move was to suppress him to a certain extent from a moral point of view.
Since the other party had such an objective, he could imagine that no matter how he answered, this person would definitely end the topic decisively. Afterward, he would find a way to mislead the surrounding people.
He raised his head and looked straight up. "I wonder in what capacity is a scholar asking me this question?"
Although a scholar's rank was higher than that of an assistant or a principal, there was no superior-subordinate relationship. Only the hall masters had the right to control their subordinates. An assistant like him only needed to be responsible for the academy's chancellor and the academy's rules.
Therefore, if it wasn't a serious question and he didn't want to answer, he could choose not to.
I'm just like you, a teacher of the academy. What does it have to do with you why I traveled far away and what kind of people I have in my family? Is it your turn to ask me?
Qiu Xueling narrowed his eyes at him and chuckled. "It seems like Instructor Zhang dislikes this old fellow for being long-winded. Fine, since Instructor Zhang isn't willing to answer, then forget it." He said to the middle-aged scholar beside him, "Xu Xueling, there's no harm in starting the questioning."
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