Chapter 10: You're so aloof, you're amazing!

In the school hall, everyone looked at Gu Jin Nian with an incredulous gaze.

Good fellow.

You've been waiting for us here all this time? Good, good.

You're aloof.

You're amazing.

You're a sage.

After finally waiting for the teacher not to assign homework, you even specially reminded us? Good, good.

Everyone was confused by Gu Jin Nian, especially the descendants of military officers, each more confused than the last.

Even Teacher Liu was a bit dazed.

He really forgot to assign homework, but usually this kind of remark isn't made by Zhang Yun—what's wrong with Gu Jin Nian? Could he really have had a change of heart?

Teacher Liu was a bit curious, but soon he didn't linger, assigned the homework, and turned to leave.

After Teacher Liu left.

Inside the school hall, things immediately descended into chaos.

"Brother Jin Nian, are you crazy?"

"Jin Nian, are you stupid, voluntarily asking the teacher to assign homework?"

"I've thought it over and over, but I never expected you to say something like this."

In a moment, many people gathered, surrounding Gu Jin Nian to question him aggressively.

Hearing everyone's words, Gu Jin Nian wasn't angry, but spoke solemnly.

"Everyone."

"Having just experienced life and death, I have had an epiphany; from now on I will study diligently and become a pillar of the state."

"I hope you all learn from me; as the sages say, if you don't study today, you'll sleep on the floor tomorrow."

"Would anyone be interested in joining me to form an Azure Dragon Study Group? I can give up the leader's position."

"Junior Hanrou, would you like to join?"

Gu Jin Nian said with a solemn expression.

But what he received was only resentment.

As the resentment was absorbed, the fruit seemed to mature, making Gu Jin Nian smile even more.

However, Zhang Yun's voice then sounded.

"Gu Jin Nian."

"I don't know what tricks you're playing."

"But if you still have any nonsense ideas, don't blame me for being impolite."

Zhang Yun spoke, and the meaning of his words was actually simple.

"It's just to have Gu Jin Nian put away some of those nonsense thoughts, especially regarding Yang Hanrou."

As Zhang Yun spoke, seven or eight people immediately rose to their feet, glaring at him hostilely.

These people were all good friends of Gu Jin Nian.

They're no good at studying, but they're first in fights.

"Heh, quite impolite."

"Zhang Yun."

"You don't really think I've forgotten everything, do you?"

Inside the school hall.

Gu Jin Nian stared at Zhang Yun, his eyes turning cold as he spoke.

This guy clearly deceived himself and actually thought he was the one who started the trouble.

Gu Jin Nian didn't speak, not because he was too lazy to argue.

But because public opinion had already formed, he needed a good opportunity to explain.

Otherwise, words alone are proof enough, and without surveillance, who could prove they were lying? Moreover, public opinion in the capital is definitely being fueled behind the scenes; otherwise, this matter wouldn't be particularly serious.

Even if it really blew up, someone would block the news—my sixth uncle isn't the Deputy Commander of the Suspension Lamp Office? This is a conspiracy.

Gu Jin Nian knew very well in his heart; he wasn't in a rush to state his position, better to sit tight and fish out the masterminds, then strike hard.

As expected.

As Gu Jin Nian spoke, Zhang Yun's expression changed, and Yang Hanrou's expression changed as well.

Over the past half month, various rumors said that Gu Jin Nian had nearly drowned, been forcibly rescued, and also lost some memories.

It's precisely because of this that the two of them have been insisting on it.

Now that Gu Jin Nian has remembered, how could they not be afraid? If it really came to a public hearing, although neither side has evidence, Gu Jin Nian has the Gu Family behind him.

With such tremendous power, they cannot oppose it.

In an instant, the two fell silent.

In the end, Zhang Yun let out a cold snort, not wanting to dwell on the topic.

"Jin Nian, let's go eat; don't pay attention to them."

Just then, Wu An's voice sounded; he walked in, enthusiastically slapped Gu Jin Nian on the shoulder, and called him to go eat.

"Mm."

Gu Jin Nian also didn't want to make things too stiff.

He turned and left together with Wu An and the others.

After Gu Jin Nian left, Zhang Yun became even more silent, not knowing what he was thinking.

School dining hall.

The academy had already prepared all kinds of top-quality ingredients.

At the long table, dozens of people had already taken their seats.

Gu Jin Nian, Wu An, Li Ping, and some playmates all sat down.

Servants brought steaming hot dishes.

But everyone's thoughts were clearly not on the meal.

"Brother Jin Nian, I have to say, you were truly fierce today, leaving Zhang Yun speechless—I found it really satisfying."

"Yeah, Brother Jin Nian, after your serious illness, you seem like a completely different person—you weren't like this before."

"Not to mention Zhang Yun, even Master Liu doesn't have much to say."

After sitting down, everyone immediately began praising Gu Jin Nian.

After all, Gu Jin Nian today could be said to have held his head high.

But hearing everyone's praise, Gu Jin Nian spoke with a solemn expression.

"I have indeed changed into a different person."

"Having gone through life and death this time, I have seen through the essence of life."

"I want to ask everyone a question: what is the purpose of a person's life in this world?"

"Wealth? Power?"

"No matter how rich you are—enough to rival a country—in the end it's nothing but fleeting clouds."

"No matter how powerful you are—holding sway over the world—in the end it's still just fleeting clouds."

"True life is about change, changing this world so that the people can eat their fill and stay warm." "Brothers, I've decided—I truly want to establish the Azure Dragon Study Group. Will you join? We'll help each other, progress together, strive to enter Da Xia Academy, and in the future join the court as officials to benefit the people."

Gu Jin Nian clenched his fists, speaking with heroic vigor.

The crowd: ".".

The dining table fell somewhat silent.

In everyone's eyes there was not a trace of admiration, only speechlessness.

"Brother Jin Nian, don't play this game with us—Master Liu isn't here, why bother?"

"Yeah, Brother Jin Nian, what sort of people are we? You know full well—letting us try for Da Xia Academy? We might as well go die."

The crowd was truly speechless.

Hearing the crowd's reply, Gu Jin Nian's eyes filled with disappointment.

It's not that they lack ambition; it's that these people harbor no resentment toward themselves.

He was quite troubled.

"Ah, Brother Jin Nian, just don't bring up Da Xia Academy."

"I don't know what evil has possessed my father; a couple days ago he gave me a beating, saying I don't study well and missed a great opportunity."

"I've been thinking—what's the connection between studying and fate?"

At the table, someone spoke up, their voice tinged with worry.

As soon as those words were spoken, the crowd immediately began to discuss.

"Your father also beat you recently? My father beat me too, also for the sake of studying."

"So you all got beaten? I thought it was just me."

"You all got beaten? How strange—could something be about to happen?"

The crowd chatted back and forth; what started as a personal complaint unexpectedly led to a major topic.

Gu Jin Nian patiently listened to everyone's accounts, but he had no idea what this was about.

Recalling that a few days ago his sixth uncle said the Minister of Rites had given him a direct admission slot to Da Xia Academy, and hearing the crowd's discussion, Gu Jin Nian inexplicably sensed something amiss.

Presumably some major event is known, at least in part, by the older generation, but they are unaware of it.

Moreover, it concerns Da Xia Academy.

"Brother An, your father is the Marquis of Linyang—do you know what this is about?"

"Right, and Brother Jin Nian, you are the grandson of a duke—do you know?"

Several people spoke up, asking Wu An and Gu Jin Nian.

"I don't know."

"I'm almost dead—I have no mind to talk about this."

Gu Jin Nian shook his head.

That answer of his was also reasonable.

Wu An seemed to know something; he looked around and then spoke in a lowered voice.

"I actually know a little about it."

Upon saying that, everyone became curious.

"I've heard it's related to Heaven's Mandate."

"It seems they're saying the Confucian Dao is about to flourish."

Wu An spoke, uttering some deeply mysterious things.

"Heaven's Mandate?"

"When you say that, I seem to recall something—every five hundred years there is a Heaven's Mandate selection."

"By that reckoning, it seems that in a few days another Heaven's Mandate day will arrive."

"In other words, someone has already calculated that for the next five hundred years, the Heaven's Mandate will choose the Confucian Dao?"

The crowd exchanged words, one after another.

As for the theory of Heaven's Mandate, Gu Jin Nian had also heard of it.

The Divine State Continent has immortals, Buddhas, demons, and devils; with so many systems, who is strong and who is weak is determined by Heaven's Mandate's choice.

Furthermore, once Heaven's Mandate selects a system, that system will give rise to the Eighth Realm.

Heaven's Mandate Saint, True Immortal of the Immortal Dao, Buddhist True Doctrine, Undying Demon Emperor, Sword Dao Immortal, Technique Dao Heavenly Master, Martial Dao Supreme.

These seven realms represent the pinnacle of each domain, but they must be chosen by Heaven's Mandate to come into being.

If not chosen by Heaven's Mandate, no matter how hard you strive, you cannot break free of your shackles.

Moreover, even if Heaven's Mandate makes a selection, it does not guarantee that an Eighth Realm will appear.

For example, the current Heaven's Mandate is the Martial Dao Heaven's Mandate.

Five hundred years are almost up, yet no Martial Dao Supreme has been born.

It's certainly not hidden away; the higher the realm, the harder it is to conceal a breakthrough from the world, especially the Eighth Realm.

No matter which system, once one reaches the Eighth Realm, the whole world will know.

So this talk of Heaven's Mandate is quite mysterious.

Gu Jin Nian doesn't care about that; what he cares about now is the ancient tree in his mind.

He is very curious about what exactly the fruit on the tree is.

A heavenly material earthly treasure?

And the people's discussion is getting deeper and deeper.

"I heard that this time the Da Xia Academy is not only recruiting scholars, but also a group of people for direct internal admission."

"Internal direct admission? Real or fake? The Da Xia Academy claims it never opens back doors; even if the Grand Heir wants to enter, he must rely on ability."

"Not clear, but likely true; however, the specifics are unclear."

"Never mind that; anyway, it has nothing to do with us—just honestly do a good job being useless."

"That's unpleasant to hear; although we're no good at studying, won't we still have to rely on us for future warfare? Surely we can't rely on these scholars to go to battle?"

"War? Talk about it in the Year of the Monkey and Month of the Horse; right now the court is arguing over this—haven't the thirteen border cities been recovered in twelve years? You still expect war? With what would you fight?"

"Alright, don't talk about what shouldn't be talked about; eat, eat, after eating go practice, and later we have class again."

Everyone chatted back and forth.

But at the dinner table, Gu Jin Nian remained absentminded.

His thoughts were entirely on the ancient tree.

Nowadays, the fruit is as big as an apple, emitting a faint red hue, though no one knows its exact function.

The main thing is, we don't know how to obtain this thing.

It looks mature.

But how to pick it?

Or perhaps it needs to absorb more resentment to mature? Gu Jin Nian wondered, since this thing is in his mind, not something he can reach out and pluck from outside.

Just as Gu Jin Nian was pondering this,

At that moment, the bright red fruit suddenly fell, emitting a faint red glow.

"Damn, is it controlled by intention?"

In that instant, Gu Jin Nian's inner voice rang out.

(End of chapter)