Chapter 306 (2/2)
”You don't have to wait for the future. I'm already one now.”
Ning Que replied with a smile. He was telling the truth. His cla.s.smates ignored or mocked him for several months after his inexplicable fight against Xie Chengyun of the South Jin Kingdom. He heard the words 'shame of the Academy' targeted at him countless times but he had long learned to turn a deaf ear to it. He didn't even consider it a derogatory term.
His principle was still the same. As long as he could grow old with Sangsang in peace, he would do anything. The girl from the Devil's Doctrine was the strongest of them all at the moment. She also appeared not to care for the Academy or its Headmaster. It wasn't a big deal for him to cozy up to her.
If he was willing to, he could make anyone from the soldiers to the people of the City of Wei to Master Yan She to even the emperor happy. It wasn't a surprise for him to see Tang Xiaotang, the girl from the Devil's Doctrine, become happy and laugh cheerfully now and then.
”So you're the sister of the legendary Tang! I've heard much about you.”
Ning Que recalled Chen Pipi's words when they lied down on the meadow at the back of the mountain on his first day in the Academy. He was taken aback and remembered even things, including Chen Pipi's description of his ideal lover. He thought Tang Xiaotang looked increasingly familiar and realized, except her young age, she matched the description exactly.
”Since you're heading south, you should really come and visit Chang'an. It has nothing to do with the noodles with fried eggs that I mentioned earlier. Chang'an is the greatest city in the world and many interesting people live there. I want to introduce a friend to you. He's about my age but he's a genius who has entered the Knowing Destiny State years ago.”
Tang Xiaotang's eyes widened in surprise. ”Is there truly someone who can enter the Knowing Destiny State at such a young age? Is he even better than the Tao Addict?”
Ye Hongyu suddenly interrupted, saying, ”That d.a.m.ned fatty has a bad temper, but his cultivation is incredibly fast in breaking through realms. At most, we can say Haotian favors some people more than others. If it comes to battles, he's not your match.”
She paused for a moment before turning to Ning Que. ”Is he doing well in the Academy in the past few years?”
Ning Que only recalled that Chen Pipi and the Tao Addict were old acquaintances and the arrogant fatty would actually s.h.i.+ver after hearing her name. He scratched his head and answered, ”He's doing okay.”
Ye Hongyu was silent for a long time after hearing this answer. She then said calmly, ”That's good then.”
The four continued to walk in the still and somewhat deathly stone valley. Though they were the best youngsters in the cultivation world, coming from different sects, holding different ideas, even harboring a deep hatred for one another, there were no signs of b.l.o.o.d.y fights. Perhaps they became sick of the bloodiness and conspiracies after watching the old monk at the snow-capped peak or perhaps they weren't willing to complicate their innocent journey home with such matters.
Truly, youth was a wonderful thing. Whatever they were addicted to, be it books, Tao, strength, or money, they retained an innocent and pure part inside them. They didn't completely sink themselves in the mud-like worldly matters.
Perhaps there would be fewer killings and disputes in the world if only youth remained and no one had to decay. People would retain their warm hearts. They would solve their conflicts by fighting one another straightforwardly without the need for calculations and conspiracies. The world would definitely become a simpler and lovelier place.
Sadly, everyone would eventually grow old and wise. More responsibilities would weigh down their shoulders, enough to make them bend their waists. They would be more diligent to think but lazier to feel.
At the south end of the vast Tianqi Mountains, the lower ridges plunged into the Wilderness before disappearing north of the Hulan Sea. The merchant team from the Central Plains had stayed in
had stayed in place for a long time. Even as the lake completely froze over, they had no intentions of leaving.
The middle-aged man slowly raised the edge of his cap and gazed at the Snow-capped Peak from afar.
He believed someone was there.
Was it someone from the abbey? The Haotian Taoism typically wouldn't only send the young generation like Tao Addict and Long Qing if they wanted to s.n.a.t.c.h the Ming Handscroll.
But who, except him and the guy hiding in an unknown place practicing the Twenty-Three-year Cicada Cultivation, knew of the other exit at the north of the Hulan Sea?
But he wouldn't stop his plan even if the abbey sent a World Wayfarer here. He had been swaying between the Empire and the West-Hill for many years and kept his silence all this time. He was desperate to escape that feeling so he decided to do something about it.
If he had the Tomes of Arcane in his hands, then he could obtain true freedom.
As one of the few strong successors of the Devil's Doctrine left in the world, the middle-aged man was fully confident in the legend.
”Is it you? The one who likes carrying a wooden sword?”
The middle-aged man looked at the Snow-capped Peak from afar with a contemptuous smile. He put his half-eaten lamb's leg back on his plate and accepted a scarf from his subordinate to wipe the oil from his hands before standing up.
He stepped on the surface of the recently frozen Hulan Sea and slowly walked toward the mountains opposite of the lake. His every step was so firm as if he wanted to split the frozen surface into pieces.
He had many enemies in the world, and they knew well that he didn't know how to swim and feared the water. But today, he insisted on crossing the lake as if to cross over the line that contained all his past grievances.
The cold breeze hit him squarely in the chest. He felt as if he had returned to being a young man. What a great feeling it was.
<script>