Chapter 154 – Winning… (1/2)
Tian Hai Sheng Xue and Luo Luo both stood upon the sand within the Tower of Purging Dust, with their backgrounds combined, it was enough to constrain everyone on the second floor.
Of course, those on the second floor were all important figures, but his warning was very clear and these personages all had their own factions; being from different factions, yet in the same room watching each other, rendered them unable to continue listening even if they wished to.
The room was very quiet, tranquil and secluded, the light that came in through the window wasn’t very bright. Sitting in the centre, Mo Yu remained silent for a time, with her eyes closed and a look of indifference on her face, as if she was about to rest for a while, in truth, she was using this action to express her stance; she wasn’t going to listen to what Tian Hai Sheng Xue had to say.
Xue Xing Chuan lightly frowned, the two Archbishops of the Holy Church slowly closed their eyes and consequently, several light sounds could be heard as the wooden shutters outside of the windows rolled down, the sky became dull and the silencing array activated; sounds could no longer be heard from the floor below.
As for the Li Palace clergy that were elsewhere, they were surely even more lacking in the courage to eavesdrop and would think of their own methods to “deafen” themselves.
After a while, Tian Hai Sheng Xue no longer tried to confirm whether if there were any eavesdroppers, nor did he care, he looked towards Luo Luo and continued talking: “Using first upon the First Banner to prove my strength is meaningless towards my life and the acquirement of greater power and influence, therefore, I am willing to forgo it.”
Luo Luo said: “First upon the First Banner is a hard to obtain achievement, able to increase your standing within Her Divine Majesty’s mind.”
“And then?” Tian Hai Sheng Xue replied with an expressionless face: “Within the younger generation of the Tian Hai clan’s third generation, I am already the most outstanding, what benefit is there to becoming even more outstanding? The ones to decide this clan’s fate will still be my father and his brothers.”
Luo Luo looked at him and asked: “So you are preparing to exchange first place for something you need?”
Tian Hai Sheng Xue replied: “Correct, which is why I previously said that the Grand Examination’s importance is in the fact that I will meet Your Highness and that Your Highness requires my failure.”
Luo Luo considered for a moment, then asked: “What do you wish for?”
Tian Hai Sheng Xue quietly looked at her and said: “I wish to exchange it for Your Highness’ friendship.”
Luo Luo replied without any hesitation: “Not possible.”
Tian Hai Sheng Xue said with a self-mocking tone: “It seems the name of Tian Hai really has already become resented to the world.”
Luo Luo replied: “No, I only think that friendship isn’t something you can exchange, it can only be nurtured.”
“Reasonable,” Tian Hai Sheng Xue’s expression became serious and he said: “Then will I have the chance to nurture a friendship with Your Highness?”
Luo Luo said: “This isn’t something I can decide upon; I will have to listen to my tutor.”
Tian Hai Sheng Xue gave it a thought, Chen Chang Sheng shouldn’t have any good impressions of himself, he then asked: “Perhaps, does Your Highness have an older female cousin?”
Luo Luo was highly intelligent, how could she miss his intent, she replied with some confusion: “My maternal cousin lives on the Great Western Continent, but… if I’m not mistaken, aren’t you going to marry Ping Guo next year?”
Tian Hai Sheng Xue replied: “You should know very clearly that Ping Guo likes Qiu Shan, what meaning is there in marrying her? Not to mention, marrying her can only make me die a little faster.”
Luo Luo understood his meaning, she thought for a little, then said: “This isn’t something I can decide upon, I will have to listen to my parents.”
“Then what can I exchange from Your Highness?” asked Tian Hai Sheng Xue, with his brow lightly raised.
Luo Luo was also rather distressed, saying: “I really don’t know.”
Tian Hai Sheng Xue looked towards the tightly shut windows on the second floor and suddenly said: “A promise?”
Luo Luo’s expression softly trembled, replying: “When it happens, I won’t necessarily have the ability to fulfil my promise.”
Tian Hai Sheng Xue calmly replied: “I believe in You Highness’ integrity, as long as you sincerely try to uphold your promise, I will accept it.”
Luo Luo said: “This is too unfavourable for you.”
He replied: “Using something I do not yet possess to exchange for something most worthy of pursuing, even if it only exists as a possibility for the future, it’s worthwhile.”
Luo Luo suddenly felt some sympathy for him, asking: “Why go this far?”
Tian Hai Sheng Xue laughed, seeming rather lonely, and replied: “Perhaps this is the price of maturity.”
Finishing those words, he turned and headed out of the tower.
Luo Luo watched his fading back, feeling a little maudlin.
For those born to Royal families, not all are as lucky as she.
Of course, she also had her own misfortune or perhaps difficulties; they had just yet to arrive.
Tian Hai Sheng Xue was undoubtedly a clever person.
He had used a single match in the examination in exchange for some kind of future guarantee.
As with the last words between him and Luo Luo.
Why go this far?
He had to go this far.
The wooden shutters rolled up and sunlight once again came in.
Sound once again travelled into the quiet and secluded room; the sound of Tian Hai Sheng Xue’s footsteps.
Silence.
No one knew of what Tian Hai Sheng Xue and Luo Luo had discussed and in truth, even if they had heard their conversation, they wouldn’t be able to ascertain what sort of agreement the two had come to.
Those present were all important figures with sufficient intelligence, it was just, apart from Prince Chen Liu, none of the others had Luo Luo and Tian Hai Sheng Xue’s family background and therefore had difficulty understanding their biggest fears.
Everyone only saw Tian Hai Sheng Xue’s departure, giving up on this match.
Mo Yu glanced at the two Archbishops of the Holy Church who had stern expressions upon their faces, thinking to herself that Tian Hai Sheng Xue was, in the end, surnamed Tian Hai, how could he be exploited by you? Even his father couldn’t.
Tian Hai Sheng Xue directly left the Education Palace and no longer continued to participate in the examination, since his results in the Academic Exam will at least place him within the top 5, no one would dare to place him outside of the Three Grades.
The Li Palace clergy member stood atop the stone steps and announced: “Orthodox Academy, Her Highness, Luo Luo, winning without battling.”