Chapter 55: Su Wenjing Is Stumped

Go into the holy hall.

As Gu Jin Nian arrives.

Several people in the hall turned to look.

Two men and two women.

The men each wore blue and white garments; the man in the blue robe was slightly older, about twenty‑seven or twenty‑eight, handsome and refined, wearing a seven‑star jade crown, a blue robe, and gold‑threaded stepping shoes; his appearance alone was jaw‑dropping, though his expression was a bit stern, somewhat resembling Su Huaiyu.

The man in the white robe had a delicate appearance, a gentle expression, just over twenty, a coiled‑dragon jade belt at his waist, and looked at Gu Jin Nian and the others with a smiling gaze, a friendly gesture.

As for the two women.

They wore light‑purple and light‑blue long dresses respectively.

The woman in the blue dress had delicate features and an excellent figure; even in a long dress she could not hide her striking beauty, her long hair cascading down, perfectly matching Gu Jin Nian's ideal of a classical beauty, and with a faint ethereal aura she possessed an otherworldly elegance.

She was not old, about twenty‑three or twenty‑four, and her temperament lacked the cold‑mountain beauty vibe, though she did have a slight aloofness.

The woman in the light‑purple dress was different: just over twenty, her beautiful eyes fixed on Gu Jin Nian, a smile on her face, an outward personality at a glance, a fine figure as well, though she was still a notch or two below the blue‑clad woman.

But it's fine; acceptable.

Su Wenjing sat on the podium, holding a scripture, and began to speak slowly.

"Everyone, please be seated."

As he spoke, everyone immediately looked for a seat and sat down.

However, Wang Fugui was stunned.

Su Wenjing.

Is that Su Wenjing? He stood there dumbfounded.

Isn't that the old man from that day?

Feeling Wang Fugui's gaze, Su Wenjing said nothing and continued reading.

This made Wang Fugui calm down a bit.

But his heart still held some fear.

But on further thought, he figured this Half Saint wouldn't be angry with a small role like himself, and the three sat down.

The hall was very quiet.

Instead, the man in the white robe spoke first, breaking the silence.

"May I ask, are you Gu Jin Nian?"

The man spoke, smiling, asking Gu Jin Nian.

"Yes."

"And you are?"

Gu Jin Nian nodded, curious, and asked.

"As expected, you are the Crown Prince. I am Xu Ya, Daoist name Nine‑One."

"We are all disciples of the Great Profound Immortal Sect."

"Your Highness Crown Prince, this is my senior brother, Xu Changge."

"These two are my senior sister, Shangguan Baiyu, and my junior sister, Zhao Siqing."

Xu Ya spoke, introducing the others at the same time.

Among the three, aside from Xu Changge, the other two both nodded toward Gu Jin Nian, a friendly gesture.

Gu Jin Nian also nodded.

As for Xu Changge, he calmly sat down, seeming uninterested in Gu Jin Nian and the others.

Very proud.

Pride in his bones.

Seeing this, Xu Ya's voice rang out immediately.

"Your Highness Crown Prince, please excuse him; my senior brother is outwardly cold but warm‑hearted, not good at mingling, yet his heart is good, with no other objections."

Xu Ya spoke up at once, fearing Gu Jin Nian and the others might misunderstand.

"No problem."

"Immortal sect disciples should be like this."

Gu Jin Nian shook his head, feeling nothing, and turned to Su Huaiyu and Wang Fugui, saying.

"Brother Xu, this is Wang Fugui, the eldest son of the Wang family of Suzhou; if you have time later, we can go to Suzhou together, and Brother Wang will gladly host everyone."

"This is Su Huaiyu."

Gu Jin Nian also explained these two's identities to the four.

But once he finished speaking, several eyes inevitably fell on Su Huaiyu, especially Xu Changge's, whose gaze fixed directly on her.

"Da Xia's number one divine detective, Su Huaiyu?"

Xu Ya was somewhat surprised; he knew Su Huaiyu's deeds and expressed it flamboyantly.

However, Su Huaiyu gave no reply.

Instead she sat quietly in place, like Xu Changge, detached from humanity.

Gu Jin Nian also had nothing to say.

It was a personal action; he could not intervene.

Seeing Su Huaiyu like that, the others fell silent, but Zhao Siqing's voice soon rang out.

Breaking the silence.

"The timeless article from a few days ago—did you write it?"

Zhao Siqing spoke; she had little interest in divine detectives, but was somewhat interested in Gu Jin Nian.

"Sure."

Gu Jin Nian smiled and nodded.

"Then could you teach me?"

"My master has been forcing me to study for years, but I'm dim‑witted and just can't learn. In the future, when I'm free, may I come find you to hang out?"

Zhao Siqing spoke up, her pretty face full of anticipation.

She was also very simple‑minded, a bit overly familiar.

"That's not a problem; we can improve together, but don't you still have your senior brothers and sisters?"

Gu Jin Nian, faced with such flattering offers, naturally didn't refuse, but since the senior brothers and sisters were present, he didn't want to upstage them.

"No."

"Brother Jin Nian, you don't know—my master says they're even dumber than me."

"Besides, even if I learn half from them, it's still better to learn from you; even if I only learn a tenth, I might write a masterpiece of a hundred ages. Don't you think?"

Zhao Siqing was very simple‑minded and spoke bluntly.

His words left the three of them silent.

Even Xu Changge couldn't keep his composure.

"What do you mean we're even dumber? Can't you just be straightforward?" "Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah."

Gu Jin Nian didn't know what to say either; this guy was typical of someone who'd spent too long in a secluded immortal gate, utterly clueless about worldly customs.

"What are they talking about?"

"What a little clever imp."

"Then it's settled."

"Brother Jin Nian, if I'm free at night later, I'll come find you."

"Don't pretend to be asleep, okay?"

The other side spoke, looking very delighted.

It left Gu Jin Nian a bit unable to respond.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Baiyu on the side spoke up.

"Enough."

"Junior sister, stop causing trouble."

She spoke, as if to rein in her junior sister, then looked at Gu Jin Nian and said,

"Your Highness, my junior sister is naturally simple; I hope you will excuse her."

She spoke again, with a hint of apology.

"No problem."

Gu Jin Nian smiled.

At that moment, someone else entered the Hall of the Past Saints.

It was Yang Hanrou.

"Student Yang Hanrou, may I see the Dean?"

She stepped into the room.

Yang Hanrou gave Su Wenjing a graceful bow; he nodded but said nothing.

Yang Hanrou did nothing else, but surveyed everyone in the school, then without hesitation sat directly to Gu Jin Nian's left.

"Brother Jin Nian, long time no see, I miss you greatly."

Seeing Gu Jin Nian again, Yang Hanrou's attitude shifted anew.

At first it was indifferent, then she tried to accommodate, but now it's different; as Gu Jin Nian displayed his talent, Yang Hanrou finally realized she had misjudged him.

Gu Jin Nian is handsome, a grandson of a duke, and now possesses astonishing talent; honestly, such a man is exactly the one she has dreamed of.

Of course, Yang Hanrou wasn't declaring she had chosen Gu Jin Nian outright, just saying she'd see.

She was confident about her looks.

"Sister Hanrou has also arrived."

"Looks like the academy won't be too boring this time; there's something to do."

Seeing Yang Hanrou, Gu Jin Nian's face lit up with a smile.

But the scene instantly left Wang Fugui dumbfounded.

Wasn't there a rumor that Gu Jin Nian flirted with Yang Hanrou, and she pushed him into the water?

How come their relationship is so unusual? What a pair.

What on earth is going on?

And why do all these pretty ladies like Gu Jin Nian?

Is talent alone so impressive?

Listening to Gu Jin Nian speak, Yang Hanrou's smile on her face stiffened slightly; she didn't know why, but felt there was hidden meaning in his words.

What does "something to do" mean?

What does that imply?

As for the quartet of cultivators nearby, they remained calm.

They waited like that for a while.

One after another, people entered the Hall of the Past Saints.

And each newcomer had an impressive background.

He was the son of the Minister of Revenue.

The son of the Minister of Works.

The son of the Marquis of Changying.

Seven or eight people arrived; they were either the sons of court ministers or the sons of dukes and marquises, each rank higher than the last.

Descendants of civil officials entered the academy and immediately found a quiet place to sit; having relatively good connections, they sat a little farther from Gu Jin Nian.

Descendants of military generals gathered around Gu Jin Nian, calling him "Jin Nian bro" repeatedly.

Of course, some of the military descendants chose to sit with the civil descendants.

After all, although the Duke of the Nation Guard is the chief of the generals, it does not mean all generals heed him.

Among the nine great dukes, two have already passed away; the remaining seven dukes include one who is a political rival of his own grandfather.

That is Duke Xue.

However, Duke Xue's influence is limited; he employs Gu Jin Nian.

There are not many seats in the academy; counting them, there are thirty‑three.

Including Gu Jin Nian, the four cultivators, and the newly arrived, they have already occupied about twenty seats.

Soon, many more people arrived in scattered groups.

The newcomers were no longer descendants of the nobility, but outstanding talents from across the lands.

They were aristocratic families from various regions, each not inferior to Wang Fugui, and some families even had backgrounds larger than Wang Fugui's.

Gu Jin Nian is a member of the Great Summer Nobility.

These aristocratic families are the local nobility.

But if one had to say, these local nobles are even more terrifying.

Under the emperor, many nobles dare not act recklessly; the Suspended Lantern Department is not a place to idle—if they truly do something, they are waiting for death.

But the regional prefectures are different.

With the heavens high and the emperor distant, they wield power and privilege abroad, and their deeds can be said to overturn ordinary people's three‑view perspective.

In terms of extravagance, some nobles may not have built a palace, but their private courtyards are lavish beyond measure.

In terms of food, even a plain plate of stir‑fried bean sprouts can be turned into a masterpiece—bean sprouts stuffed with shark fin, have you ever seen that? In terms of entertainment, it is beyond comparison.

Gu Jin Nian deeply knows how comfortable ancient aristocratic families were; these people do not treat others as humans.

As these aristocratic disciples took their seats,

fewer than four seats remained empty.

At that moment, the appearance of three figures caused surprise among everyone in the academy.

They were three monks.

Dressed in monk robes.

One was about seventeen or eighteen, a woman who had not yet taken tonsure, yet wore monk robes; her beauty surpassed that of all the women present.

She possessed an indescribable aura that left everyone present stunned for a moment.

Besides Gu Jin Nian, Su Huaiyu and Xu Changge were also present.

Such a stunning woman wearing monk robes was genuinely incongruous.

As for the other person, roughly the same age as the woman, with lively eyes and delicate features, she seemed animated at first glance.

The last person seemed simple and calm, the oldest of the three, and their monk robe had many patches.

"Everyone from Xiao Yuan Temple has arrived," Su Huaiyu said, with a hint of surprise in their eyes.

He didn't mind when the Immortal sect disciples came, but he didn't expect the Buddhist sect disciples to be called.

That was rather odd.

Upon hearing "Xiao Yuan Temple," Gu Jin Nian was also a bit surprised.

It is one of the two great Buddhist sects of the Western Continent, holding extremely high status.

He scanned the surroundings.

Great Summer Nobility, aristocratic families, Immortal sect elites, Buddhist monks.

What on earth are they up to?

This almost gathered all the strongest forces in the world together.

It's somewhat outrageous.

Moreover, the Fuyu Dynasty and the Great Jin Dynasty have also established corresponding academies, and other forces are likely rushing to set up their own.

For a moment, Gu Jin Nian couldn't help but become thoughtful.

Finally.

After a short while, after half a stick of incense burned.

Another figure entered.

It was a slender man.

He was about twenty‑three or twenty‑four, dressed plainly, his shoes a bit tattered, his hair slightly damp, clearly exhausted for a long time.

He looked like a genuine poor‑family background.

"Who is this person?"

Wang Fugui asked, curious, since his attire was indeed rather plain.

"The eldest son of the Marquis of Night Robe."

"Jiang Yezhou."

However, Su Huaiyu, standing nearby, spoke up to inform Wang Fugui of his identity.

"What?"

"The eldest son of the Marquis of Night Robe?"

In an instant, Wang Fugui was somewhat incredulous.

Even Gu Jin Nian was a little surprised.

Lord of Night Robe knows.

He is called the First Marquis.

Emperor Yongsheng's childhood best playmate, whose relationship was even better than Gu Jin Nian's father's.

He could be called an extremely loyal minister.

His descendants, looking like this, are truly hard to believe.

However, with Jiang Yezhou's arrival.

All thirty‑three seats were completely filled.

Seeing the hall full.

Su Wenjing waved his hand, and in an instant the bell rang again.

"The Hall of Past Saints is full."

"Those who have not entered may go to the other two places; no more admissions."

The voice sounded.

It spread throughout the Da Xia Academy.

The school prepared thirty‑three empty seats; once full, classes would begin without waiting.

Inside the hall, many were surprised, yet also slightly relieved.

As the bell rang.

Su Wenjing stood up.

"Take your seats,"

he said.

Everyone hurried to sit, straightening their posture, daring not to show any disrespect.

After everyone was seated,

Su Wenjing's voice sounded again.

"My teaching methods are rather unconventional,"

"You are Da Xia scholars, each a top talent from your region, full of strategy or both literary and martial prowess."

"But now that you have entered my Hall of Past Saints, you must follow my rules."

"Nevertheless, rest assured, my school has only two regulations."

"First, the bottom three in the monthly exam automatically leave the academy; the first month does not count, and ultimately only one remains."

"Second, I will set tests at any time, ranking as excellent, good, or poor; anyone who receives three poor grades will also automatically leave."

"Do you understand?"

Su Wenjing spoke.

These words caused the crowd to fall silent.

After all, the rules were rather harsh.

The bottom three in the monthly exam automatically leave.

With twelve months a year, excluding the first month, does that mean only one of the thirty‑three will stay while the rest must leave?

Thirty‑three people choose one to remain.

It truly feels indescribable.

Moreover, with tests at any time and three poor grades leading to departure, an inexplicable pressure weighed on everyone.

"Students understand."

Nevertheless, everyone immediately responded affirmatively.

"Very well."

"This time, Xu Changge is excellent."

"The next ten to enter will be rated good, the rest poor."

He received the crowd's replies.

Su Wenjing then spoke directly.

He began the evaluation immediately.

These words made everyone pause.

Especially those who arrived later, whose eyes widened one by one.

"Sir, why are we graded poor?"

"Is it because we arrived a bit late that we get a poor rating?"

For a moment, someone spoke, showing a hint of discontent.

In a year of twelve months, one can receive at most three poor grades.

Starting with one already, won't the later ones suffer terribly? He faced the crowd's doubts.

Su Wenjing's expression turned solemn as he said,

"Remember,"

"People in this world only remember the first; no one remembers the second, let alone the tenth."

"This is the first lesson I give you."

"We scholars must contend with Heaven, with Earth, with men; be first in everything to progress."

"Nevertheless, do not worry; if you later achieve an excellent grade, it can offset one poor grade."

Su Wenjing spoke earnestly, while also soothing the crowd a little.

But this class was somewhat inexplicable.

Everyone truly felt a bit uncomfortable.

Gu Jin Nian was okay; taking a good one for himself wasn't a loss.

Looking at everyone in such a state.

Su Wenjing thought for a moment and couldn't help speaking.

"I, the old man, know that this class is somewhat cruel to you all."

"But that is the fact."

"Just as everyone knows the highest mountain is called Tian Zhou Mountain."

"But do you know what the second highest mountain is called?"

Su Wenjing spoke.

At that moment, the hall fell fairly silent.

Indeed, they knew the name of the first mountain, but they truly didn't know the second.

But just as Su Wenjing was about to speak again,

a voice slowly rose.

"Master Hui, if I recall correctly, it should be called Lan Yue Mountain,"

the voice sounded.

It was Gu Jin Nian's.

Before his transmigration, he had read many books, especially some strange and exotic things.

Mainly fearing that he might need them someday.

He didn't expect to actually use them.

As Gu Jin Nian spoke,

Su Wenjing was slightly stunned.

All the students in the hall couldn't help being surprised.

But they quickly spoke again.

"What about the third?"

He continued to ask.

"Chang Yun Mountain."

Gu Jin Nian answered without hesitation.

"What about the fourth?"

Su Wenjing asked once more.

"Tian Xia Mountain."

Gu Jin Nian replied cleanly and succinctly.

"What about the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth?"

Su Wenjing's speech speed increased.

"Xu Ling Mountain, Wu Yue Mountain, Heng Mountain, Hua Yun Mountain, Hong Xue Mountain."

Gu Jin Nian hesitated briefly, then gave his answer.

Hiss.

In an instant, Su Wenjing fell silent, and everyone in the classroom turned their gaze toward Gu Jin Nian.

This guy's got something.

No wonder he's someone who can write works for the ages; this knowledge, impressive.

But Su Wenjing felt a slight numbness.

What a fellow.

You have to argue with the old man, huh? "What about the 365th name?"

Su Wenjing spoke again.

He just couldn't believe Gu Jin Nian knew even this.

And Gu Jin Nian was also stunned.

If you can't handle it, don't play. Who the hell knows?

You're sick?

Playing the bully, huh? This time Gu Jin Nian truly can't answer.

Seeing the silent Gu Jin Nian, Su Wenjing slightly relaxed.

Then, just as he was about to continue expounding the great principle,

a voice rose again.

"Xiao Yue Mountain."

The voice sounded.

It came from Su Huaiyu.

At this moment.

The hall fell completely silent.

Su Wenjing also fell completely silent.

Two chapters were already updated yesterday.

Then posted a single chapter saying it would be updated later.

It means on the 5th, update at 11:30 pm.

But the posting time turned out to be yesterday.

Then it got stuck.

There's no way around it; I have to grit my teeth and upload one chapter.

If the ranking list drops, let it drop.

Crying.

Then I'll ask for some recommendation votes.

(End of chapter)