158 An Exquisite Scenery (1/2)

Chapter 158: An Exquisite Scenery

Translator: TransnEditor: Transn

Prince Long Qing remembered who Ning Que was.

For his whole life was looking at its brightest, and he seldom got the chance to be mocked at by others. Yet the previous time at Victory House, this scholar who now stood infront of him and his little handmaiden mocked him twice consecutively. At least that was how he felt, thus he could never forget this scholar.

His despise for Ning Que made him order his subordinate from the Judicial Department to investigate on this lad after the event. However, the investigation result was somewhat disappointing. Indeed, this Academy student was just a piece of useless junk who was all talk only, yet unable to pursue cultivation. Hence, this junk could never be his worthy opponent and since that was the case, he felt that there was no need for him to remember such a worthless person.

Before Prince Long Qing was prepared to climb the mountain, he had imagined the types of opponent he might meet on his way. For instance, it could be the young monk who had obviously come from an unknown place, or the young swordsman from South Jin Kingdom. He had even imagined that the Academy could have hidden some fighters at the final stage, but he had never thought that the person who would appear behind him was Ning Que.

He silently stared at Ning Que's face, as a weird and unexplainable smile appeared on his face.

Since Ning Que noticed that the prince had no intention to eat the pastries, he retreated his offer as he grinned and said, ”You don't have to look so shock. This is no illusion.”

Just then, two pieces of jade green bamboo leaves gradually flew across the starry night and paused infront of them, as though they were alive. The voice of Second Brother from the Academy was heard once again from under the tree.

”The peak of the mountain would be the large boulder at the end of the mountain path. Whoever reaches the peak first would be shortlisted to enter the Second floor of the Academy. However, I must remind the both of you. Though it was only ten steps away to the final destination, the challenges that both of you would face will be much tougher than all the challenges you had experienced before. If you choose to force your way through, there is a high possibility that they will cause an irreversible damage to you physically and mentally.”

”Each of you, please hold the green bamboo leaves in your hand. Should you wish to give up, destroy it.”

Prince Long Qing and Ning Que bowed to the tree with their hands folded in front, before they each grabbed a green bamboo leaf and walked towards their final stage.

They walked side by side. There was no expression on Prince Long Qing's face, neither did he quicken his pace. Beside him was Ning Que, who was busily munching the pastry as he walked. Allowing Ning Que to walk beside him was equivalent to admit him as his worthy opponent.

”I am actually jealous of you.”

Ning Que took a look at the prince's side face as he wiped his dirty hand using the corner of his clothes. He then shrugged his shoulders and continued, ”You are born into a good family, talented and lead a great life. Not only that, you have a beautiful partner who is crazily in love with you. Unlike me, I am born poor, have no talents and my life sucks. All I have is just a black-faced little handmaiden. To be able to match up with you is honestly tough.”

When the both of them reached the bottom of the large boulder and infront of the two very steep and narrow looking paths that were on the left and right, Prince Long Qing suddenly turned around. He looked calmly at Ning Que and said, ”You've given me lots of surprises. If I know my opponent is you, I would not have waited.”

After which, Prince Long Qing raised the front of his clothes without hesitation and stepped onto the rocky path.

Ning Que stared blankly at the rocky path infront of him, as his heart raced. For a guy who had been struggling through thousands of near-death experiences for years, he was clear that when a strong and arrogant man said such words, the man really meant it. That was when things become truly scary.

...

...

The final two challengers were finally starting their journey towards the large boulder that was hanging at the peak of the mountain located behind the Academy. Their silhouettes were moving so rapidly that they were almost not visible.

At the far end of a wide grassland, an increased number of people were seen gathering under a large tree, as they were pointing at the large boulder and whispering among themselves. There were men and women, whereby some were sitting down while others were standing up. All in all, there were twelve people.

One was carrying a three-stringed guqin at his back, while another had a chessboard clamped under his arm. One had an ancient-looking vertical bamboo flute placed on his knee, while another was clasping a small sewing frame in her hand, with a thin silver needle placed in between other fingers.

There was also a muscular man standing behind the tree, carrying a very hefty and bulky hammer with his hands. While the others were busy in discussion, the muscular man was staring at the tall unique-looking antique crown that was placed on top of Second Brother's head. His eyes were burning with passion and curiosity.

Chen Pipi walked out from behind the tree and was taken aback when he noticed the eyes of the muscular man. He immediately jumped out to stop the man and urged, ”Sixth Brother, Second Brother's crown will certainly be flattened like a piece of paper if you were to hammer it down, so will your head.”

Second Brother, who was sitting cross-legged under the tree, sneered coldly and gradually turned around.

Sixth Brother quickly hid his hammer to his back as he revealed his most sincere smile and explained, ”Senior Brother, you must understand that I feel really uneasy if I don't use my hammer for a day. Seeing the crown on your head just makes me feel even more unbearable today. It is like seeing a bar of metal being placed near a hot oven, where you just have the urge of hammering it down.”

The explanation was rather ridiculous, to the extent that it sounded really absurd. Yet Second Brother just nodded his head to show his acceptance towards his explanation, before he waved his hand and simply replied, ”The result will be out soon.”

Yu Lian, the female professor from the Academy, was also at the peak of the mountain and she seemed to keep herself a distant away from the rest of the 11 people. She stood far away behind the tree within the parterre, as she smiled peacefully while watching the rest discussing about the situation.

The man who had his bamboo flute placed on his knee watched the seemingly toppling large boulder that had, in fact, stood strong for thousands of years under all kinds of rough weathers. He was filled with emotions as he said, ”It seems like Prince Long Qing is still the strongest among all challengers. Indeed, one must not underestimate the power of No.2 in the Judicial Department of West-Hill Divine Palace. If nothing goes wrong, he's most probably our junior brother-to-be.”

Upon hearing the words ”Judicial Department of West-Hill Divine Palace”, everyone under the tree had their attentions on Chen Pipi.

Chen Pipi's plump face turned pale as he hurriedly waved his hands and explained, ”I've never been to the Divine Hall. When I first get to know Ye Hongyu, she had just entered the Judicial Department. Well, from my perspective, that woman is certainly much stronger than Prince Long Qing.”

”The Tao Addict is among the world's three most addicts. No doubt it's extraordinary.” The Senior Sister with the sewing frame smiled gently as she added.

Second Brother replied with a stern expression, ”Those from the upper-class family are defintely more cultured and educated than the ordinary people. Though their acts might be displeasing to our eyes, and as compared to the Academy's way of handling matters, they r certainly only worthy of dust. However, those acts r sufficient for them to survive in this world.”

The people under the tree expressed their agreement in unison. Yet, in each of their heart, they were thinking that if the person who sat under the tree today was their Eldest Brother, he would definitely not say such arrogant and narcissism remarks. All he would do was to honestly list out the pros and cons of West-Hill Taoism.

”Never have I thought that the person who can catch up with Prince Long Qing and become his final opponent is that lad named Ning Que.”

Once again, all eyes were on Chen Pipi.

Chen Pipi sighed reluctantly as he asked, ”Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters, why all of you are staring at me again?”

The Senior Sister with the sewing frame smiled and answered, ”Isn't he your friend?”

Chen Pipi scratched his head and looked confused as he said, ”I really never expect Ning Que to reach the top. Based on my own understanding towards him, this chap has a strong endurance level and his mentality is like a sicko person. He could push himself to the limit and not eat for days. Hence, the previous challenges should be impossible to stop him from advancing. Furthermore, he've been reading books for a year in the old library, so there's a possibility for him to pass the Wooden Door. However, I am shocked that even the strong mist in the mountain was unable to stop him. This is really ridiculous.”

Someone questioned, ”Which state is he in now?”

Chen Pipi replied, ”No Doubts State.”

A light breeze blew. The person who had posted the question was taken aback as he said, ”Prince Long Qing is already in Seethrough State, almost reaching the Knowing Destiny State. If he can reach the bottom of the boulder, it is no surprise. However you said that the chap is only in No Doubts State? How did he manage to reach the final stage?”

Second Brother took a glance at the person and reprimanded him in his deep voice, ”Enough of the nonsense. Obviously, he walked up.”

In fact, that reply was a nonsense. Since the person who said that was Second Brother, whom everyone in the Academy respected after the Headmaster of Academy and their Eldest Brother left to travel around the world, all the juniors under the tree dare not stand out to make a noise.

Second Brotherraised his eyebrows as he said unhappily, ”You've learnt from the Teacher for so many years, yet you are still unable to understand such simple logic! Where on earth is there a perfect standard golden rule in doing things? If everything has its own rule, then what for we still pursue cultivation? If all rules can never be changed, then why do we still eat and drink to keep ourselves alive? Why don't we just jumped off the cliff to end all of these?”

Everyone under the tree suddenly became solemn. They knew that their senior brother was educating them, as they kept silent to listen to his teachings.

”Even though Ning Que is only in No Doubts State, does it mean that he is unable to climb to the peak of the mountain? If only people like Prince Long Qing, who is in Seethrough State and almost achieving Knowing Destiny State, can reach the top to enter Second floor, then what's the purpose of this examination?”

Second Brother continued calmly, ”Being in No Doubts State means one is unable to climb the mountain? I've told all of you before, our Eldest Brother used to be stuck at No Doubts State for a total of 17 years, yet he had climbed the mountain for numerous times. When did you ever see him giving up halfway and tumbling down the mountain before?”

One hesitated and asked, ”Senior Brother, I agreed with what you've said. However, to place our Eldest Brother on par with Ning Que, aren't you showing too much favor towards him?”

Second Brother took a glance at the large boulder at the edge of the cliff, and replied calmly, ”If Ning Que succeed today, he will be the second person, after our Eldest Brother, who had managed to climb to the peak of the mountain with either a No Doubts State or lower.”

Listening to his words, the people surrounding the big tree at the top of the mountain kept silent. Only a faint bitter grumbling voice could be heard from Chen Pipi, ”Our Eldest Brother had not even enter the No Doubts State, but Ning Que was already in No Doubts State three months ago. That's a big difference.”

”Actually, it would be nice if Ning Que become our junior brother,” said the Senior Sister with the sewing frame as she smiled while watching Chen Pipi's bun-looking plump face and continued, ”though he may not be as nice to pinch as Pipi, but he had dimples on his face which makes him really cute.”

Chen Pipi subconsciously shivered slightly as he hurriedly retreated behind Second Brother and popped his head out to exclaim, ”Seventh Sister, aren't you thinking a little too far? The last stage is not that easy. I'll place my bet on Prince Long Qing.”

Senior Sister grinned as she exposed his true thoughts, ”If Prince Long Qing is the winner, aren't you going to burst out crying?”

Chen Pipi chuckled.

”This long and winding mountain path takes into consideration of the challengers' determination and comprehension, tests their states and reveals their true thoughts. As for this large boulder in the last stage, it only allows us to see their choices. To either Prince Long Qing or Ning Que, the difficulty is not too high.”

Second Brother spoke slowly, ”Because the difficulty is not high, what it is ultimately testing is their judgement. Prince Long Qing has spent most of his life in the Judicial Department of Divine Hall where he is used to killing the women and the children with no change of expression. Most probably he should be able to make a decision fast.”

A wind blew across the mountain, as the leaves of the tree rustled and the long grass danced in the wind. The silver dark clouds by the cliff moved.

Yu Lian, who stood away from the crowd and by the cliff, turned around and watched the sea of clouds behind him. The corners of his mouth raised slightly.

Second Brother, who was under the tree, stood up instantly and his expression looked stern suddenly. He silently stared at the large boulder hanging by the cliff. After keeping quiet for a long while, he then started mumbling, ”What a strong determination in Haoran Sword...did the Teacher change the last stage of challenge?”

...

...

”Why is it you again? You've died twice and revived twice. Do you wish to die once more? I seriously don't understand why do you keep popping out of my head. Are you just trying to remind me of the villagers that were slaughtered by Xia Hou? Or are you telling me not to forget about how you were killed? Don't worry, I have yet to forget the tasks you've left for me.”

”It's just that do you think Xia Hou is that easy to get rid of? You better stop blocking my way as I need to be faster than that Prince Long Qing. Wait till I enter Second floor of the Academy and become Headmaster of Academy's favorite obedient student, I'll get my opportunity to learn all the fantastic skills from the Academy. By then whoever you want me to kill, you just have to tell me through dreams and I'll do it for you. Now be good and let me continue my path, alright?”

”Still not letting me go? Do you want to help me in training my knife skills? Could you choose another time instead?”

Ning Que spoke as he walked towards the grey wall in the rain. He stared at his dying friend, who was sitting at the foot of the wall and revealed a weird smile on the face. He sighed reluctantly before he stretched his arm to reach for an invisible knife, slashing both the grey wall and his friend into thin air.

”Look at this. It's the same old trick again. Don't the people in the mountain behind the Academy have some new ideas?”

Without keeping the knife into the scabbard, he placed the podao hilt on his shoulder and walked towards the large boulder. Since the knife could be used later to slaughter more ”humans”, such as those who he had not seen for a very long time. They could be his father and mother who he had not even dreamt for years, or perhaps Sangsang that handmaiden. No matter what, he knew that all these ”humans” were fake, so he did not had any problem slaughtering them.

Suddenly, he stopped.

He expressionlessly stared at the two expressionless faces infront of him, as he said, ”Both of you are finally here.”

...

...

Prince Long Qing was filled with fear. Facing with such horror, he did not know how to make choices.

His most adored woman was falling under a tree blossomed with flowers. Blood flow down from both of her eyes, which were not on her most favorite begonias. She was staring foolishly at herself instead.

Yet he can't just watch her. He must look at her.

Previously when he was walking through the mountain trails, he had arrogantly thought that other than Haotian, there were perhaps no one or nothing that could make him frightened. Yet at this moment, this woman, who was showered by the holy light, was right in front of him. As he looked at her red clothing fluttering in the wind, he knew that deep within his heart, he could never sweep away the fear he had for this woman.

The whole world seemed to be filled with the holy light as it was unusually bright, to the extent that he could not clearly see the woman's expression on her face. All he could see was her fluffy red dress, her fluffy red sleeves and the two bright red flowers that were clipped to her hair.

Dressed in red veil and dress, the woman looked bright and lovely, as well as scary. She smiled gently and said, ”Long Qing, I heard that you wish to enter the Second floor of the Academy. Are you thinking that you could defeat me after entering the Second floor?”

Prince Long Qing respectfully bowed and replied, ”Long Qing dare not.”

Behind him was the Flower Addict, Lu Chenjia, lying in the flower bed. More blood tricked out from her eyes.

”Do you honestly dare not do so?” The woman, showered in the holy light, calmly repeated the question.

Prince Long Qing gradually raised his head and stared into the gems-looking pair of eyes surrounded by the holy light. He kept silent for a long time and before he could make his first most courageous decision in his llfe, he saw a silhouette.

That silhouette belonged to a man. That man stood silently behind the woman, and it was as if he would not make a single noise even after several ten thousand years have passed. The holy light brushed against his face like a gale of strong wind that could lift the gemstones. It was as though Haotian was also quietly supporting the man.

Prince Long Qing gazed at the wooden sword on that man's shoulder. He could not help but start shivering with fear.

Without any hesitation, he turned around and walked infront of the flower tree. He then pulled out his official sword at his waist and slowly pierced it into the chest of woman whom he loved.

As the edge of the sword pierced into the chest inch by inch, Lu Chenjia was quietly watching the man she loved. It was as if she felt no pain. Her eyes were no longer flowing with blood. There were no sign of hatred in her eyes, only peace and compassion could be seen.

Prince Long Qing slowly lowered his head and looked at his own chest. It was unsure when an invisible hole had appeared at his chest.

...

...

There were two faces, one was a face of a very old man, while the other was a face of a very young fellow.

Ning Que looked at the old steward, then at his childhood playmate. He remained silent for a long time before he said, ”So I gotta kill the both of you again as well. No wonder I keep finding something's not right. Now I finally understand. That's because both of you have yet to appear.”

He removed the long podao from his shoulder. Grabbing the hilt with both hands, he did not attack immediately. That was because he suddenly realized that the place he was standing on had turned from narrow rock-made stairsteps into blackish yellow soil.

In the wilderness, numerous people lifted their heads and gazed into the sky. As an endless piece of darkness started to spread over from the other end of the sky, hopes and peace were gone from the faces of the people. The world turned dark and only a few small beams of light could seep through the thick dark clouds.

However, not everyone lifted their heads to watch the sky, at least not for the old steward and his childhood playmate who were standing infront, watching him expressionlessly. No matter where he walked to, they followed behind him quietly. Their eyes were fixed on his face.

Ning Que pointed to the sky and said to the old steward, ”In my previous dream, there seems to be an opened doorway there. However, this doesn't seem to continue from that dream. Could it be due to both of you?”

After which, he lowered his gaze and looked at his childhood playmate, who was only half of his current height. He smiled and said, ”Last time, there's an extraordinary huge and shiny golden dragon head popping out from the doorway. Actually, that scene is really dumb. It reminded me of those tortoises we saw when we were young at Pagoda Wan Yan, just that the ten thousand tortoises had their heads combined together to form one huge dragon head.”

The old steward's and the childhood playmate's faces remained expressionless.

”Since it's a dream, obviously all those are fake.”

”And since all those are fake, then it is definitely not a story that has happened.”

”Since it is not a story, then there's nothing to continue from.”

In the wilderness, a very tall and huge man appeared. His snowy white hair draped over his shoulders.

This was not the first time Ning Que had seen this tall man. He walked over as he was curious to see how this tall man looked like. However, the tall man did not appear to be turning around anytime. No matter how hard Ning Que tried, he was unable to see the other party's face.

As he was trying to walk round the tall man, the old steward and his childhood playmate were still following him closely at his back. They turned round and round with him. The scene seemed a little comical, yet unknowingly depressing at the same time.

The tall man stretched out his finger and pointed towards the half-darkening sky as he said, ”Look, the sky is really turning dark.”

Ning Que lifted his head and looked before he replied, ”I saw it.”

The tall man then pointed at the light behind the clouds and said, ”It's still bright over there. Between the dark and bright, which side will you choose?”

Without any hesitation, Ning Que replied, ”Why should I make a choice?”

The tall man did not answer his question. Instead, he snatched the bag of wine from a drunkard near him and started gulping from it. He then took away the piece of pork hind leg from a butcher's back as he squatted down and started munching from it. From the side view, the oil from the meat could be seen flowing from his mouth and dripping down from his beard.

...

...

”Why do you want to kill the woman you love?”

”Because only when you do right, would you be able to keep your heart right.”

”Then are my words the right words?”

”Yes, because you represent Haotian's will.”

Prince Long Qing walked into the pure holy light, following the pace of the woman in red dress. In the past years, he had followed her to kill many people. As years gone by and more people were killed, he started to feel more and more peaceful. It was no longer just having no expression on the face, but he had attained a stage where he could feel peace from within.

The woman in red dress suddenly turned around as she said peacefully, ”If Haotian said you should kill me, what would you do?”

Prince Long Qing was naturally fearful of her, and was even more afraid towards the man who stood behind her and carried a wooden sword at his back. Yet upon hearing her words, he could only be in deep thoughts for a short while before he raised the sword in his hand and pierced through her.

Fresh red blood dripped down from the sharp edge of the sword as it pierced through the body of the woman in red dress.

The woman in red dress looked at him in admiration and continued, ”Long Qing, your heart has become very strong now.”

Prince Long Qing pointed to the invisible hole in his chest as he said without any expression on his face, ”Look, I no longer have a heart.”

...

...

In the wilderness, the tall man asked Ning Que with his back facing him, ”How did you make a choice in the past?”

Ning Que answered him in a very serious and stern manner, ”I am born in the dark, but my heart yearns for the bright.”

The tall man chortled as he leaned his body forward and backward. He used his sleeve to wipe his tears off the corner of his eyes, as he said happily, ”Never thought that after so many years, I am still able to see another that bends with the wind.”

Ning Que also laughed joyfully and said, ”Look, I've told you that it is not a must for me to make a choice.”

The tall man gradually stopped his laughter as he looked at the whirling clouds in the sky. Suddenly, he asked, ”What if the sky were to fall?”

”Why would the sky fall?”

”What if?”

”Then there'll be someone tall to support it...someone like you.”

”What if the tall person is unable to support as well?”

”Then escape?”

”If sky were to fall, where can you escape?”

”Isn't this a 'what-if' question? Why would there be so many 'what-ifs' in this world?”

”Since it's just a 'what-if', why don't you just give me a casual reply? What are you afraid of?”

Ning Que was taken aback as he stared at the backview of the tall man. Though the man said that he only expected a casual reply from him, he was not sure why he felt that he just could not give him a reply without thinking. As he watched the sky becoming darker, he felt extremely fearful.

The temperature of the wilderness suddenly dropped. A layer of thin light frost formed on his clothings.