380 Three Solutions, or Just One (1/2)
Chapter 380: Three Solutions, or Just One
Translator: TransnEditor: Transn
Back then, Youngest Uncle first retreated in the cliff cave and then in the hut.
The first time, he perfectly joined the human realm by using the Great Spirit within three years. However, when he became the strongest one and needed not trick others, he, on the contrary, had to confront more troubles.
Therefore, he retreated again and reflected on it. It was unknown how long had passed before he left the Academy, finding that he had no way to trick himself. He decided to confront the Firmament and thus disappeared forever.
Watching the night sky far away from the cliff platform and the twinkling stars on it, Ning Que, for the first time, attempted to touch the dark sky behind those stars with his eyes.
”Except for Haotian Taoism, no one dared show disrespect to the Academy, which thus became proud, or even arrogant, based on its powerfulness. But Youngest Uncle was still a legend at the back of the mountain. Now that the Headmaster had accepted Tang Xiaotang, the girl from the Devil's Doctrine, it showed that the Academy didn't strictly distinguish itself from the devil, or at least, it didn't discriminate against the Devil's Doctrine. So why had the Headmaster imprisoned Youngest Uncle that year, and imprisoned me now?”
He murmured to himself while looking at the dark sky, ”Does he want to conceal us from your eyes? But you are the Heaven's Way, and the Divine Light, how can you have eyes?”
Ning Que felt somewhat puzzled, feeling nervous in an instant. He knew he still had a little knowledge of the true origin of the world, so he was not qualified to think about those things at all. Once he did, it seemed that those stars were all laughing at him, so he had to solve the most urgent problem now.
That was, how to leave the cliff cave.
Back then, Youngest Uncle had perfectly solved the problem.
Now it was his turn.
...
...
At night, those in Chang'an who were qualified or who needed to know that thing were all summoned by the Academy. Later they knew two things. The first one was, after a two years' tour, the Headmaster had finally returned to the Academy. The second thing was, Ning Que, Mr. Thirteen of the Second floor of the Academy, was required by the Headmaster to retreat and practice cultivation.
Zeng Jing, though a Grand Secretary of the Imperial Library and a first-rank official, was not qualified to be summoned by the Academy. However, since he had recently found his long-lost daughter, his mansion was actually the first place following the royal palace to know these two things.
”Retreat and practice cultivation? How long will that take?” Zeng Jing frowned and asked.
Eunuch Lin shook his head and said with hesitation, ”One month, or two months? Who knows. Perhaps those eccentric people of Second floor of the Academy think differently than us.”
Zeng Jing asked with confusion, ”Based on the law of our Tang Empire and the rule of the royal palace, affairs concerning Academy, especially the Second floor of the Academy, should be dealt with by the Ministry of Rites. Nobody is qualified to know these things except the royal palace and the Military Ministry. So why did His Majesty tell you to inform me of these things?”
Eunuch Lin bitterly smiled and answered, ”That's because of the young mistress of your family. The Headmaster has asked her to take care of Mr. Thirteen. Now that Mr. Thirteen had to retreat and practice cultivation, your young mistress would accompany him. Don't ask me when she can return, I really don't know.”
His words made Mrs. Zeng anxious.
...
...
Two Senior Brothers said something to Ning Que before they left. Realizing that the Headmaster and the Academy wouldn't throw him in the cave and let things run their own course, he somewhat felt relieved. He found a place that could shelter him from the wind, made the bed and had a sound sleep.
When he woke up, he found it was still dark.
He walked to the entrance of the cave and looked outwards. The Chang'an City, in the far distance of the sea of clouds, was shrouded in the morning light, giving a beautiful sight. Now he realized the cliff faced the west, from where he could appreciate the view of the sunset. But if he wanted to see the morning light, it would take more doings from him than those people under the cloud.
The burden Second Brother shouldered held many things, most of which were from the Old Brush Pen Shop. Perhaps it was Chen Pipi or some other Senior Brother or Senior Sister who had fetched them from Chang'an City. Before sleeping, Sangsang checked them and found that the big black umbrella, the Primordial Thirteen Arrows, and the Box of notes were all there, and even toiletries were included.
Sangsang handed those things to Ning Que who was in the cave. He then washed his face haphazardly and rinsed his mouth. After that, he suddenly felt refreshed and came upon a question, then, he frowned.
”Here is the closestool.” From his expression, Sangsang knew what he was worrying about.
Ning Que said reluctantly, ”It will be stinky.”
Sangsang said, ”I will wash it frequently.”
Looking at the sea of clouds among the cliffs, Ning Que shook his head and sighed, ”What a pity! The clouds will be polluted by the smell. But Youngest Uncle produced those stinky things too, then it will be no big deal if we do the same.”
After being refreshed, Ning Que pinched his nose when lifting the closestool.
Sangsang couldn't help laughing at him, saying, ”When you were young, you always did those things by yourself. But only a few years later you actually detest the smell.”
Ning Que replied seriously, ”One's disposition will change with the environment, and physical condition will change with what one eats. Now our status has changed, so naturally, I will feel differently about it. Wait, I have something important to negotiate with you.”
Sangsang asked, ”What?”
Ning Que replied, ”I'm thinking about buying a maid.”
Sangsang pointed to herself and asked in confusion, ”Aren't I a maid?”
Ning Que smiled and said, ”Although you are still my little handmaiden, you are still the daughter of the Grand Secretary. It's all right for you to make the bed for me, but how can I ask you to do that heavy housework?”
”I'm not accustomed to being served.”
Sangsang added, ”I will feel uncomfortable if someone else lived together with us in Old Brush Pen Shop.”
Ning Que thought it over, and replied, ”It is indeed uncomfortable.”