Chapter 54: Entering the Holy Hall, the disciples of the Immortal Sect appear

Da Xia Academy.

Gu Jin Nian and the three walked side by side.

I don't know why, but the mountain path seemed very strange.

Just like Wang Fugui, although he is overweight, he has also trained in martial arts; logically, this kind of mountain path shouldn't be a big problem for him.

But after walking only the time it takes to burn an incense stick, he was already drenched in sweat.

And Gu Jin Nian also felt his legs as heavy as if filled with lead; even though his body is strong, he could barely bear it.

"What's going on?"

"How come this short stretch feels like we've walked a day and night?"

Wang Fugui's breathing felt strained; he couldn't bear it and sat aside to rest.

Among the three, only Su Huaiyu remained calm and composed, not even a bit out of breath.

But that's normal; this guy is a martial arts expert, this distance is nothing to him.

"A formation has been set up here."

"One step here equals ten normal steps; walking is extraordinarily arduous."

Su Huaiyu spoke up, giving an explanation.

"No wonder."

"I was wondering why this short path made me half-dead tired."

"Brother Su, is there any way to resolve this?"

Wang Fugui said, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

"Yes."

However, what the two didn't expect was that Su Huaiyu actually had a method.

Swish.

In an instant, two streams of true qi emanated from Su Huaiyu's body, forcibly pouring into the two.

The true qi was like a divine elixir, instantly dispelling their fatigue; their waists and legs no longer ached.

Hiss.

"Brother Su, since you have this method, why didn't you use it earlier?"

The completely relaxed Wang Fugui spoke, somewhat curious.

"I thought you two were training yourselves."

"Looks like I overthought it."

Su Huaiyu remained aloof; his reply also left the two silent.

This guy's nature is just that odd; there's nothing to say about it.

"Stop the chatter, let's hurry up."

After receiving relief, Gu Jin Nian also had no more words and continued forward.

Soon.

After the three had walked for half an hour, three figures finally appeared.

It was a pavilion.

Two dressed in constable uniforms, each holding a broadsword, while inside the pavilion knelt a person wearing prisoner garb, hair disheveled, face full of flesh.

The three stepped forward.

The constable on the left also immediately clasped his hands and said.

"Greetings, three sirs."

"Sir Wang, this person is the second chief of the bandit stronghold; our subordinates obtained intelligence, lay in wait, and jointly captured him. Please, sir, how should we handle him?"

He spoke, pointing at the kneeling prisoner, the first question being directed at Wang Fugui.

Obviously, this is a test.

One must admit, Su Wenjing really has something; using this method for personality analysis is quite good.

"Bandits?"

"Just kill him."

"I, sir, hate evil as if it were an enemy."

Wang Fugui also knew this was an evaluation, so he spoke without hesitation.

Upon saying that, the two constables nodded, then turned to Gu Jin Nian and asked.

"May I ask, Sir Gu, how would you handle him?"

He continued to ask.

"Colluding with bandits? Have the others been caught?"

Gu Jin Nian did not directly give punishment, but instead asked for other related information.

"Replying, sir, they have not yet been caught."

The latter answered.

"Alright, take him to prison; no need for torture, let him eat and drink well, then send him away."

Gu Jin Nian said this in a calm tone.

In an instant, the two constables were stunned.

Even Wang Fugui was stunned.

"Colluding with bandits, not torturing him is bad enough, yet you feed him well and send him off?"

"Are you brain‑diseased? 'Sir? What are you doing?'"

The latter looked at Gu Jin Nian, his eyes full of curiosity.

His accomplices have already judged that this person will surely be executed; sending him back will provoke internal strife among them, and we only need to wait outside the stronghold for an opportunity, silently awaiting internal chaos.

Gu Jin Nian spoke.

His plan is meticulous; killing him would be useless, the Second Chief has been captured, and whether by law or personal grudge, such a person is surely to die.

Normally the stronghold would already be mourning, yet he is suddenly released unharmed—who would believe that? 'Sir, you are indeed wise.'

'Sir Su Huaiyu, how do you think we should handle this?'

The constable continued to question Su Huaiyu.

The latter did not answer, but instead looked at the prisoner and said.

'I ask you.'

'Are you willing to redeem yourself through service?'

Su Huaiyu spoke, asking in this way.

'Willing.'

'Willing.'

'I am willing; please, sir, grant me a way to live.'

The latter immediately spoke, catering to Su Huaiyu.

'Chop him off.'

After receiving the answer, Su Huaiyu spoke, giving this disposition.

In an instant, everyone was stunned.

'What does this mean? You ask if they're willing to redeem themselves, they say yes, then you say to chop them? Are you sick? You're just messing with them.' Feeling Gu Jin Nian's gaze, Su Huaiyu remained calm.

'His attitude is not sincere.'

Su Huaiyu answered calmly.

'Why?'

Gu Jin Nian asked curiously.

'Intuition.'

Gu Jin Nian: '.'

Constable: '.'

Wang Fugui: '.'

Good partner.

'Intuition solves the case? No wonder you're locked up in prison.'

Serves you right.

'Then in that previous case, was it also intuition?'

Gu Jin Nian couldn't help but ask another question.

This guy was imprisoned because he privately released Jian De remnants.

If it were due to intuition, this guy's brain really has a problem.

'That's not just because of intuition.'

Su Huaiyu shook his head.

'Then what is it because of?'

Gu Jin Nian continued to ask.

'That person is a woman, very beautiful, and does not lie.'

Su Huaiyu said seriously. But this remark completely left Gu Jin Nian numb.

'So you mean that if one is ugly, they must lie?'

Gu Jin Nian really didn't know how to evaluate this person.

Really a bit brain-damaged.

'No.'

But Su Huaiyu shook his head, and then spoke with unwavering certainty.

'If she were ugly, she wouldn't have a chance to speak to me.'

He was very serious.

Yet it imposed silence on everyone.

'Sirs, please continue up the mountain.'

Finally the constable's voice sounded, allowing the three to continue up the mountain.

It is obvious they also did not want to face someone like Su Huaiyu.

Really, uh, quite problematic.

As the constable spoke.

Gu Jin Nian also had nothing more to say.

They continued walking up the mountain.

However, regarding Su Huaiyu, Gu Jin Nian still remained somewhat on guard.

It's not that he fears harm from him, but rather that such a person acts strangely and could bring trouble.

The three continued side by side.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick later.

Suddenly, Wang Fugui's voice sounded.

Someone is flying.

You guys, look quickly.

He shouted, pointing at the heavens above.

They turned their gaze.

Indeed, four figures appeared in the heavens, riding flying swords, flying toward the mountaintop, carefree and at ease, like sword immortals.

Immortal Dao disciples?

Upon seeing an Immortal Dao cultivator for the first time, Gu Jin Nian also felt somewhat excited.

This is a world where the Immortal and Martial ways coexist.

But Gu Jin Nian had never actually seen a cultivator before; seeing one today, how could he not be excited?

Supreme Mystery Immortal Sect.

However, Su Huaiyu beside him couldn't help but murmur, gazing at those four figures.

Are they from the Supreme Mystery Immortal Sect?

No wonder then.

Alas, it's a pity I lack spiritual roots; otherwise I'd also want to cultivate immortality.

Watching that group of sword-flying Immortal Dao disciples, Wang Fugui couldn't help but sigh.

His eyes also held anticipation.

Spiritual roots?

Gu Jin Nian, meanwhile, looked curiously at Wang Fugui.

"Gu Brother, you may not know: the Immortal Way values spiritual roots, the Buddhist Way values karmic affinity; to cultivate immortality one must possess spiritual roots, and without them, no amount of wealth or status can grant entry into an immortal sect."

"After all, how could the Martial Way possibly compare to the Immortal Way?"

Wang Fugui gave an explanation, letting Gu Jin Nian somewhat understand; he naturally grasped spiritual roots, but it would still be wise to ask carefully, lest it differ from his thoughts and become awkward—yet Su Huaiyu spoke up to veto.

"The Martial Way is not inferior to any system; it's merely that the Martial Way is arduous, requiring breaking the limits of the flesh. Before the third realm it falls short of the Immortal Way, but upon reaching the fourth realm it can match it, and beyond that it grows even stronger."

"If one reaches the seventh realm, a martial practitioner can slay an immortal."

Su Huaiyu was clearly displeased with Wang Fugui's earlier remark, so he deliberately answered to prevent Gu Jin Nian from misunderstanding.

"Yes, yes, yes, mainly my Martial Way is also lacking; the Immortal Way values spiritual roots, the Martial Way values physique—both strong. It was my foolish younger brother's misspoken words earlier; I hope Elder Brother Su won't hold it against me."

Wang Fugui nodded and answered with a smile.

"It's fine."

Su Huaiyu didn't say anything more.

Instead, they continued onward.

Gu Jin Nian didn't think much of it, withdrew his envious gaze, but a thought arose in his mind.

That is, he must not fall behind in the Martial Way.

Although this is an age of prosperity, one cannot guarantee it won't someday descend into chaos.

Even Taizu never imagined that, just a few years after his death, his own son would rebel.

Jiande hasn't died yet, and besides, Da Xia isn't the first dynasty—who knows, maybe one day war will break out.

As long as the old man is still around, it's fine; but if he's gone, what will I do?

Therefore, the Confucian Way is only suitable in times of prosperity.

The Martial Way brings no harm, whether in prosperity or chaos.

This must be firmly grasped.

Once entering the academy and settling down, one must diligently study the Martial Way.

After setting his goal, Gu Jin Nian had no further thoughts.

But not long after, a bell suddenly rang, coming from the Da Xia Academy.

It aroused curiosity.

However, nothing unusual occurred, and it didn't bring about any incident.

About another half-hour passed.

The second round of the examination arrived.

Four student attendants blocked the path ahead, then remained silent.

They would not let the crowd continue forward.

Wang Fugui simply produced a silver note, and the student attendant let them pass.

Su Huaiyu wanted to draw his sword, but Wang Fugui stopped him and produced another silver note.

But Gu Jin Nian stopped him.

A silver note is worth a thousand taels; there's no need to incur this favor.

However, Gu Jin Nian was reluctant to spend his own money.

Su Huaiyu could hardly produce one either.

However, Gu Jin Nian was also straightforward, taking Su Huaiyu a short distance down and telling him the solution.

Soon, a few people arrived, and Gu Jin Nian and Su Huaiyu likewise directly, imitating those above, blocked the path and would not let them pass.

The meaning was simple: just give silver.

Those blocked behind grew angry, cursing a few times, finding no one to intervene, finally gritted their teeth and paid silver to settle it.

Having obtained the silver notes, Gu Jin Nian didn't waste words, taking Su Huaiyu up, paying the money and leaving.

Such a clever method left the four student attendants dumbfounded.

Nobody could top this maneuver.

Even Su Huaiyu couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

Wang Fugui both gave a wry smile and praised, after all he wasn't short of money—there was really no need to do so.

But Gu Jin Nian knew in his heart that simply handing over money was certainly not the best answer.

Not spending his own money, he figured the score could be higher.

Just like that.

After an hour.

Several dozen instructors stood not far away; seeing Gu Jin Nian and the three arrive, they said nothing and directly led the three down the right-side path.

The whole way was very quiet.

After half an hour, the three finally arrived at a school.

Above, the plaque also bore the words "Hall of the Former Saints".

The plaque was brand new, just recently put up.

And inside the school.

Su Wenjing took the upper seat, quietly reading.

However, four people were already standing inside the school.

Two men and two women, they bore an ethereal aura.

(End of chapter)