150 The Opening of the Second Floor (1/2)
Chapter 150: The Opening of the Second Floor
Translator: TransnEditor: Transn
The opening of the second floor was very important to Ning Que. No matter whether he could grasp the opportunity or not, at least it was right before his eyes. To many people, the ability to face important events with grace was a quality to be admired.
Having faced many tribulations in life, Ning Que was able to do this to a certain extent. Other than forcing himself to stay calm when facing important events, he had to do one of the most important preparation work for it. That was, he had to take Sangsang with him.
The sun was barely up and Chang'an was still enveloped in darkness. He brought Sangsang with him on the horse carriage and left the Vermilion Bird Gate. When they arrived at the Academy under the southern mountain, it was early dawn. The meadows around the Academy which were usually quiet were bustling today.
The Yulin Royal Guards who were wearing their armor were patrolling the place carefully. There were many officials from the Ministry of Rites seated beneath a temporarily erected canopy. Some men wearing official robes of Tang stood under the tree afar expressionlessly. While it was unknown which office they were from, they all exuded a dangerous aura.
Ning Que thought of the Academy's entrance exam from a year ago as he watched the bustling yet dignified affair. He realized that the security was about that of the entrance exam. This was when he finally understood one thing.
The opening of the Second floor was not only an important affair in his life. It was the same for the entire city of Chang'an. Furthermore, Prince Long Qing from the Judicial Department of the Divine Hall was about to enter the Second floor. This affected the already complicated relationship between Tang, the West-Hill Divine Palace, and the Yan Kingdom. This was yet another important affair that the world had their eyes fixed on.
Sangsang was unable to enter the Academy due to the strict security and poor luck this time. As such, she could only wait at the meadow outside the Academy's stone doors.
There was still half a day away from the opening of the Second floor. Ning Que had deliberately turned up earlier, not because he wanted to wait on the grounds of the Academy in the sun like a stupid tourist. He walked into the familiar Academy, followed the path across the bamboo forest, circled the lake twice, entered the old library and bid the instructor who had just woken up a good morning. Following that, he lifted his robes and made his way upstairs.
He did not know if it was too early or if there was another reason, but Professor Yu's slender figure had yet to appear at the desk beside the eastern windows. Ning Que paused for a moment before walking to the desk by the western windows, wet his ink stone, and took a deep breath before writing freely without much thought. After he had ascertained that his mental state was indeed clear and quiet, he set down the brush and left.
He walked past the dense forest behind the lake. The view before his eyes expanded. The tender grass looked like a soft carpet of green under the morning light. Anyone who had seen it would feel like removing their robes and rolling on it for a while.
This was one of the most remote places in the Academy. Very few students other than Ning Que had come here in the past six months. Even if there were people, they would just sit at the edges of the meadow to star gaze or go on dates. They would not walk through the meadow and enter the belly of the dense forest.
Ning Que walked between the trees on the high and treacherous grounds. He held out a palm and caressed the smooth tree trunks. Lifting his head, he watched the sparse branches. His brows lifted slightly, but he remained silent.
”What did you do today?” The voice of the female professor rang out in the forest.
”Your student greets you.”
Ning Que looked at the nearing figure and bowed. He straightened up and considered seriously for a moment before he answered, ”I had a bowl of chicken noodle soup with pickled radish strips in the morning. After that, I took a horse carriage to the Academy. I stood outside the doors for a while before leaving my things at Classroom Three. Then, I walked around the lake two and a half times and visited the lecturer at the old library. I wanted to go upstairs to ask you something, but you were not there. So, I wrote a piece of calligraphy and came here.”
The female professor stood before him. You could never guess her age from her face. She did not ask what Ning Que wanted to ask her, but after a moment of silence, she smiled and said, ”It is a pity that you were not able to calm your heart down after doing so many things.”
Ning Que nodded and answered honestly, ”I know I don't really have much of a chance. But I still have thoughts that I might get lucky. However, it is hard to calm down once I have these thoughts. Is there anything that you can teach me?”
”I am but just an average person who entered the Seethrough state.” The female professor flicked away hair that had been blown on her face and smiled, ”There is nothing I can teach someone like you with grand ideas.”
Ning Que smiled and scratched his head awkwardly.
There's no need to have strict metal calmness at all time. Even though you are well educated, you are but still a lad. It is impossible for you to sit at the eastern windows every day, copying calligraphy for years like me.
The female professor said softly, ”There are many things in the world that don't depend on your ability, but whether you are willing to imagine. If you don't even dare to imagine and are controlled by self-doubt, then you are a weak person. I just want to know how strongly you want to enter the Second floor.”
Ning Que was about to say something, but the words spoken by the professor next shook him to the core.
If you give up on entering the Second floor today, I can introduce you to a teacher who is on par with Liu Bai.
...
...
There was a pregnant pause as Ning Que looked at the female professor and realized that she had said that as if it was nothing out of the ordinary. It was like someone saying they'd give you a bowl of spicy noodles if you didn't want to eat a savory crepe. There was no hint of any boasting, but there was undeniable truth in her words.
However... Liu Bai from the South Jin Kingdom was the Sage of Sword. He was recognized as the strongest swordsman in the world, and she was going to introduce him to a teacher on par with him? Where would one find someone like that in the world? And where did the female professor find him or her?
Ning Que was shocked speechless. He did not know why, but he trusted her promise. However, he did not know why his answer was no when he finally managed to get his mouth to open.
”I think I... will still give it a try. I'd like to see if I can enter the Second floor.”
There was an interesting spark of laughter in the female professor's eyes as she asked, ”Why?”
Ning Que hesitated for a moment before answering, ”I do not know why either, I just feel that I won't be able to rest until I give it a try. After all, I have toiled over this for so long and have put in so much effort into it.”
”Is that all?” The female professor looked into his eyes.
Ning Que scratched his head awkwardly and answered, ”Because I do want to check out the Second floor.”
The female professor looked at the awkward expression on his face and laughed out loud. She said, ”Wanting is the crux of the matter. You can achieve anything as long as you want it. A person's desire, or should we say, ambition, is the most beautiful thing in the world. Being able to persevere in your choice is the right decision.”
”I've told you, these trees are like swords stuck into the ground. If you can uproot these trees, they will become swords that can pierce the heavens. A person's perseverance is also known as his ego and your ego is the sword in your hands.”
”It is such a pity.” She turned and walked towards the forest of swords, leaving behind only a sigh.
Ning Que did not understand what she meant and thought nervously to himself. [Did she mean that while his will was strong, it was a pity he was not Prince Long Qing's opponent?]