Chapter 46: Su Wenjing Appears, Gu Jin Nian Withdraws from Studies

Little Stream Village.

Village entrance examination hall.

A large number of Hanging Lamp Office constables stood on the rooftops, each in strict formation, awaiting.

The Hanging Lamp Office can be described with an idiom.

Imperial court's hawks and hounds.

Each is an elite, cultivating martial arts, killing without blinking; they are executioners, specially tasked with doing unspeakable deeds.

Ransacking homes and arresting people—these are considered clerical work within the Hanging Lamp Office.

When such people appear, it's destined that nothing minor will happen.

And with Gu Ningya's appearance, an icy killing intent spread as well.

Very terrifying.

It makes one tremble.

"Who dares to bully my nephew?"

Gu Ningya's figure appeared, his eyes flashing with killing intent, he guarded Gu Jin Nian's side, scanning the surroundings.

Anyone swept by his gaze dared not meet it directly.

"This is the examination hall of the Da Xia Academy."

"Vice Commander, don't you think you've gone too far?"

But there are always hard-headed people.

Zhang Yun's voice rang out.

His upbringing taught him that a scholar should fear no authority.

But his father forgot to tell him not to argue with martial men.

Smack.

A crisp, loud slap rang out.

Gu Ningya moved with extreme speed, delivering a slap to Zhang Yun's face.

He then wore an arrogant expression.

"A scholar without any official rank dares to act arrogantly before me."

"Do you really think having a Great Scholar as your father lets you act lawlessly?"

"You don't even look at what you are; even if your father stood before me, he wouldn't dare act arrogantly."

Who is Gu Ningya? He is the esteemed Vice Commander of the Da Xia Hanging Lamp Office, his martial arts cultivation profound; this slap still held back force, otherwise it could easily crush Zhang Yun.

Pfft.

Zhang Yun spat blood, the slap sent him flying; he spun two and a half times in midair before crashing heavily to the ground.

This action shocked all the scholars, making them dare not speak even more.

"Commander Gu, don't you think this is excessive?"

At this moment, Cheng Ming spoke.

He looked at Gu Ningya, his expression not pleasant.

Cheng Ming felt anger in his heart, but he would not be as foolish as Zhang Yun.

The person before him was Gu Ningya of the Hanging Lamp Office.

He is a ruthless killer who doesn't blink an eye.

Especially now, Gu Ningya has flown into a rage; he won't be that foolish, for a gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall.

"Shut up."

"Do you think it's your turn to speak here?"

Gu Ningya's gaze was contemptuous; he simply didn't regard the opponent at all.

"Jin Nian, tell Uncle Six who bullied you."

"Uncle Six wants to see whether the world really thinks our Gu Family is easy to bully."

Gu Ningya spoke.

His voice icy.

Gu Jin Nian said nothing, instead turning his gaze to Cheng Ming.

He was straightforward; since we've already broken ties, there's no need to talk about feelings.

Looking at Gu Jin Nian's gaze.

Gu Ningya instantly understood.

Bang bang bang.

In an instant, the desks exploded, turning into wood shards that scattered in all directions.

Terrifying martial power permeated.

It surged toward Cheng Ming.

But Cheng Ming's expression remained calm, without a trace of fear.

"My master is Su Wenjing."

"I am a scholar who cultivates virtue, and also an aide to the Crown Prince."

"You may freely use force against me."

"But I can guarantee that, even at the cost of my life, I will remonstrate and accuse your Gu Family of lawlessness."

"I simply don't believe that the Da Xia truly lets your Gu Family cover things up."

Cheng Ming's face was resolute.

He is also a tough character, not yielding at all, utterly fearless.

As soon as he said that.

Gu Ningya shook his head.

He looked at Cheng Ming, his tone icy as he said.

"You're thinking too much."

"If you had offended me, perhaps today you could escape this calamity."

"But you're wrong in that the person you offended is Jin Nian."

Gu Ningya spoke.

His tone was icy.

Cheng Ming is a Lide Confucian master, at the fourth realm of the Confucian Dao; there's no doubt about that, he has a promising future, very likely to become a contemporary Great Scholar.

He could even become a Great Scholar before the age of thirty.

He is a rising star of the Da Xia Dynasty.

If the offense were against Gu Ningya, frankly the Gu Family might not intervene, after all it would not be worth the loss.

But if you offend Gu Jin Nian, the Gu Family will not indulge you.

"This Confucian scholar stands here today; I want to see if you dare to act."

But Cheng Ming also had not the slightest fear.

He studied under Su Wenjing, and at twenty-eight he had already reached the fourth realm of the Confucian Dao; besides being a minister to the crown prince, someone with such ability truly does not fear Gu Ningya.

Boom.

Streams of righteous qi burst from his body, spreading as light that enveloped him.

At this moment, he also became truly angry.

Bang.

But Gu Ningya hesitated not; his fist aura shot forth, turning into a golden ferocious beast, his body at the extreme limit, his momentum terrifying.

Everyone present felt this oppressive pressure.

This is the power of martial dao.

Such a terrifying fist aura came killing.

In Cheng Ming's eyes there still was not a trace of fear.

He does not fear death.

Most importantly, he does not believe Gu Ningya dares to kill him.

If he were to die, Gu Ningya would certainly have to pay a huge price.

That is not worth it.

Bang.

The righteous qi and martial dao power collided, producing a tremendous sound.

The next moment.

Cheng Ming was flung backward, suffering a heavy blow, his whole body wracked with pain, and he directly spat several mouthfuls of blood.

However, he indeed did not die.

"Lower your head."

"Kneel."

"Admit your mistake."

Gu Ningya's expression icy, he approached Cheng Ming and made him lower his head and admit his mistake.

"You dare not kill me."

Cheng Ming's gaze was calm; although his whole body ached, he endured it.

"I will not kill you."

"It is to make you admit your mistake."

"You really think I wouldn't dare to kill you?"

Gu Ningya's eyes flashed with a murderous light as he said.

"I have a clear conscience."

"If you dare, then come at me."

Cheng Ming is quite resolute, a wolf-slayer.

"Then go die."

Seeing the opponent so obstinate and unenlightened, Gu Ningya simply did not consider any other option.

In his palm he gathered martial dao true qi.

Turning it into a sharp sword, he thrust it toward Cheng Ming's mind.

This time.

He truly moved to kill.

Not far away, Gu Jin Nian quietly watched all of this.

He did not intervene.

Nor did he offer any persuasion.

If today's matter is not settled decisively, there will be even more trouble later.

Is it waiting until one day someone rides on your face, then you come to complain?

"Not allowed."

Gu Ningya, you are too presumptuous.

Nonsense.

At that very moment, voices sounded one after another.

Above the heavens.

Ink-wash immortal cranes appeared one after another.

These are all Great Scholars of the Da Xia Academy.

They came together to stop Gu Ningya.

The mighty righteous qi, as towering as mountains, gathered and spread throughout Small Stream Village, aiming to stop Gu Ningya.

Scram.

Gu Ningya let out a loud roar.

He had no fear of these Great Scholars at all.

The sharp sword was about to pierce Cheng Ming's head.

But just then.

A calm voice sounded.

Silence.

As that voice sounded, in an instant all the righteous qi and martial true qi dissipated completely.

The sword also turned into specks of light and vanished.

Strands of holy qi permeated the examination hall.

Annihilating all conflict.

It was Su Wenjing who made a move.

This quasi-Half Saint.

In the examination hall, Gu Ningya frowned slightly.

He was somewhat surprised that his martial arts technique was so easily resolved by the opponent.

This was unexpected to him.

This method is divine.

Please, Dean, uphold justice.

Also at that moment.

Cheng Ming's voice sounded.

The reason he is not afraid of Gu Ningya is because he has a teacher.

A quasi-Half Saint teacher.

He does not believe his teacher would let him die here.

Uphold justice?

Let's see what justice you intend to uphold.

Gu Ningya spoke.

He did not continue his attack, but looked toward the Da Xia Academy.

Waiting for Su Wenjing's response.

Everyone looked toward the Da Xia Academy.

They were all waiting for Su Wenjing.

If we must speak of this matter, Gu Jin Nian has done nothing wrong; picking bones from an egg, at most we can say Gu Jin Nian is a bit arrogant.

But if youth is not reckless, can it still be called youth?

Gu Jin Nian is not wrong.

Cheng Ming.

Your prejudice is too great.

"Your teacher is very disappointed." The voice sounded.

It came from the Da Xia Academy, leaving everyone present stunned.

After all, everyone thought Su Wenjing would go support his own disciple.

Even if not supporting, wanting to smooth things over, one would not directly rebuke his own disciple.

But unexpectedly, Su Wenjing really did that.

At this moment.

Cheng Ming's face turned deathly pale.

Even if Gu Ningya wanted to kill him, he would not have turned so pale.

But his teacher's words made his complexion ashen, and his eyes filled with even more anger.

Teacher.

"Gu Jin Nian acts too arrogantly, with no sense of hierarchy, and even caused a ruckus in the examination hall; where is the student at fault?"

"He collects tokens, peddles them; is this not defiling the holy land of Da Xia?"

Cheng Ming was unwilling to accept.

He raised his head, gazing at his teacher, feeling truly unwilling and resentful.

"The peddling of tokens is permitted by your teacher."

"There is no fault."

"Within the examination rules, it also does not say that selling is prohibited."

The teacher additionally set this up; those without tokens may continue to participate in the examination, which also counts as settling the matter.

Cheng Ming.

Your prejudice is too great; this is not appropriate.

Punish you to enter the academy, confine you for three months, and copy the sages' scriptures three thousand times.

Su Wenjing spoke.

He was straightforward, acknowledging Gu Jin Nian's business of selling tokens.

Upon saying this, it sparked an even greater uproar.

No one could have imagined that Su Wenjing actually knew about this matter.

Not even Cheng Ming had thought of it.

He only knew that his teacher didn't care, and didn't realize this was permitted by his teacher.

But unwilling is unwilling.

Unresigned is unresigned.

Teacher.

Selling tokens is due to the students' prejudice.

But letting him take the preliminary examination is not wrong.

Gu Jin Nian acts tyrannically, extravagantly arrogant, directly disturbing the examination hall.

Gu Ningya even injured a student.

The students' fault, the students admit it.

But how should this matter be decided?

Cheng Ming continued speaking.

He still refuses to accept.

He can admit fault.

But does Gu Jin Nian think he can just get away with this? Is that possible?

This voice sounded.

Su Wenjing also fell silent.

If we want fairness.

Cheng Ming had prejudice first, but regardless, he harmed no one nor attacked Gu Jin Nian; it was merely improper speech.

Punish with three months' confinement and copying the sages' texts three thousand times; that would be about right.

But Gu Jin Nian caused a great disturbance in the examination hall; this is indeed no small matter.

Mr. Su Wenjing, according to the rules of Da Xia Academy, those who disturb the examination hall have their examination qualifications canceled and are never admitted to Da Xia Academy.

Although Cheng Ming has some prejudice, no matter what happens, he can report to us; if he feels unfair, he can come to the academy to file a complaint—directly causing a disturbance in the examination hall would be too arrogant, wouldn't it?

The grandson of the State-Protecting Duke is truly arrogant; plus Gu Ningya, you directly injured our Da Xia students—how arrogant of you!

Using public property for private gain—is the Office of the Suspended Lamp something His Majesty let you use against these students?

At this moment, the Great Scholars who had come forward all spoke up.

They are not prejudiced; they simply discuss matters based on facts.

In their view, when something happens, one can report it; what does causing a disturbance mean? Does it mean that if you feel unfair, you can act lawlessly? According to their logic, that is completely unproblematic.

But Gu Jin Nian couldn't help laughing.

What a 'although prejudiced'!

This has already been bullied onto the Young Master's head.

Must the Young Master still swallow his anger?

You are all Great Scholars, broad-minded; the Young Master is merely an ordinary person, lacking such magnanimity.

Gu Jin Nian gave a cold laugh.

Just then.

Su Wenjing's voice sounded again.

This matter will be decided after the examination concludes.

Do not delay the examination.

Gu Jin Nian, what do you think?

Finally, Su Wenjing spoke; he showed no favoritism to anyone, saying to finish the examination first, then discuss.

The matter can be negotiated slowly.

There's no need to make a scene so ugly.

As the Dean spoke.

Everyone also fell silent.

Indeed, continuing the disturbance serves no purpose; better to finish the examination first, then talk.

After all, this matter involves the grandson of the Duke of the State.

If we really continue the disturbance, it will be hard to bring to a close.

Thank you, Mr. Su Wenjing, for upholding justice.

However, the students also see it clearly.

I originally thought Da Xia Academy was all upright and pure, but I never expected that everyone, harboring prejudice, would turn the fine Da Xia Academy into a murky mess.

Just because I am the grandson of the State-Protecting Duke, yet I am subjected to countless difficulties.

If that's the case, then this academy need not be waited on.

"However, sir's behavior makes the student admire you; this assessment, the student will complete seriously."

"But regardless, the student will not enter Da Xia Academy."

"Please forgive me, sir."

Gu Jin Nian spoke.

Su Wenjing stood on the side of reason; Gu Jin Nian admired that, and also respected Su Wenjing.

"But this damned place, Gu Jin Nian is too lazy to join."

"To put it bluntly, if he truly wants to enter the court, Da Xia Academy is not the only way."

His words were absolute.

They were also harsh, and in an instant provoked more people's discontent.

This is a map bomb.

"Not entering Da Xia Academy? Ha, then you still have to pass the exam first."

"Truly arrogant."

"No wonder you're the grandson of a duke; you're wild indeed, but I don't know how your literary talent is."

"I actually want to see what kind of essay you can write, spouting grandiose words here."

A voice rang out, bearing discontent and also anger.

Swirling resentment spread.

It surged into Gu Jin Nian's body; the Great Scholars' resentment instantly ripened a second fruit of grievance.

And Su Wenjing's voice sounded again.

"Enough."

"Stop arguing."

"Gu Jin Nian."

"Do not provoke further."

"After the assessment ends, I will give you an explanation."

Su Wenjing sighed; he said so, urging everyone not to continue the quarrel.

Then, he did not wait for anyone to speak further.

Su Wenjing spoke again.

"The assessment continues."

"Write a four‑string essay on the topic of the state."

"Assessment time: one hour."

"All idle onlookers, stand aside."

The voice rang out.

No one may refute.

Gu Ningya glanced at his elder nephew.

The latter nodded.

At that moment, Gu Ningya left the examination hall, but remained watching from the side.

The people of the Suspended Lantern Office also withdrew one by one.

At this time.

Everything became even quieter.

Gu Jin Nian sat calmly and peacefully in front of a desk.

Seeing Gu Jin Nian take his seat.

Wang Fugui and Su Huaiyu also hurriedly took their seats.

Clang.

As a bell rang.

The third‑stage exam officially began.

And most of the onlookers, scholars, including the Great Scholars who came, also turned their gazes toward Gu Jin Nian.

After all, Gu Jin Nian's words had just been too intense.

They wanted to see what confidence Gu Jin Nian possessed.

Within the examination hall.

As time passed bit by bit.

Gu Jin Nian was also pondering in his heart.

The two characters "State".

Time passed.

A incense stick's time quickly passed.

Many students had already begun writing, but Gu Jin Nian still had not put pen to paper.

This scene, to many observers, looked extremely ridiculous.

Some people even sneered continuously.

At first, they truly thought Gu Jin Nian could produce some essay.

But after the incense stick's time passed, Gu Jin Nian still had not written.

Upon careful thought, I was indeed foolish to have thought Gu Jin Nian had any confidence.

However.

Another incense stick of time passed.

One shichen is eight incense sticks.

But that means a quarter of the time has already passed, and Gu Jin Nian still hasn't taken up his pen.

This makes even more people think that Gu Jin Nian has no ability at all.

Just.

Just as everyone was concluding.

Suddenly.

Gu Jin Nian picked up his pen.

Then, the characters slowly appeared on the paper.

Moreover, Gu Jin Nian gathered the lofty righteous Qi within his body and infused it into his essence, spirit, and vitality.

"The people are supreme."

"The state comes next."

"The ruler is secondary."

The words materialized as Gu Jin Nian's brush moved like a soaring dragon and snake, completing in one breath the opening of the article he wished to convey.

However.

Just after Gu Jin Nian wrote these ten characters.

Abruptly.

Above the heavens.

A terrifying black cloud instantly coalesced.

In almost an instant, it covered the entire Da Xia Capital.

Life has been busy lately.

Updates have been slightly unstable.

Please understand.

(End of chapter)