Chapter 475: School Matters (Part II)

The afternoon class consisted mostly of familiar classmates. Pei Ye walked in carrying his school bag, but there were only a few people in the hall.

He had, of course, hurried away to avoid the impending awkwardness. By the time he walked through the door, there were still several quarters of an hour until class began.

However, the few people in the hall happened to be familiar faces—the very group from the "West Pool Poetry Society" he had met that day. They were still huddled together, chattering away as they discussed the various details for the day of the poetry society.

Pei Ye realized then that, like him, they were all in their first year at the Imperial Academy. They were, in fact, newcomers to the literati circles, and it seemed this was their first attempt at hosting a poetry society; many things they said sounded inexperienced.

As Pei Ye sat down in his old seat, the freckled girl beside him, known as Ting Hua, was leaning against the desk. "It's not that complicated. If it rains, we'll compose poems about rain; if there's no rain, we'll compose poems about the moon; if it's cloudy, we'll compose poems about clouds—those kinds of topics are the easiest to come up with. I'm just saying, we need to let everyone go and look at some martial arts sword classics or something first, otherwise, when someone performs a set of sword moves, none of us will understand a thing."

As she spoke, she turned her head and gave a lively smile to Pei Ye, who had just sat down. Pei Ye waved his hand in acknowledgment.

"Even if we look, we won't understand. I've flipped through many sword classics before; my eyes seemed to understand, but my brain was just blank. We simply can't grasp the logic within them." Lin Yuxian, the Vice Minister's son, sighed softly. "If you ask me, we should just watch swordplay the way ordinary people do. You say a few ambiguous things, and the other person will have to find a way to respond."

Cheng Youlun chimed in from the side: "Right, right, right. I remember Yuxian used to say all the time those years that he would surely become a Sword Immortal in the future, and he was always trying to hang around the Sword Academy..."

Lin Yuxian blocked his mouth with a fan.

"We still need someone who understands," the freckled girl insisted. "I've seen those kinds of sword gatherings before. It's just famous scholars and cultivators in one hall. After the swordsman finishes demonstrating their swordplay, someone always has to say something so the conversation can keep going."

Fu Zhiyun raised a hand then and tilted her head. "How about we go and invite a sword critic?"

Lin Yuxian's eyes lit up. "That's a good idea!"

The others agreed one after another, but Ting Hua was still frowning, and Fu Zhiyun shook her head after speaking.

Pei Ye, who had just spread out his books, finally couldn't help but smile and interject: "So, your poetry society only invited one swordsman, the direct disciple from South Moon Mountain?"

Ting Hua turned back, her face full of worry. "That's right. We were so happy that Young Hero Bian was willing to come, but we're worried he'll be easily neglected at the poetry society. Does Classmate Pei have any experience? Do you also feel something is wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong with it, it's just that you should either just write poetry and skip the sword demonstration; swordsmen aren't incapable of appreciating a poetry society. If you want them to demonstrate swordplay, how can there only be one swordsman?" Pei Ye smiled as he set out his paper and brush. "Wouldn't it be awkward if you just watched him perform his tricks alone, the swordsman felt it was meaningless, and then you all just gave him some random praise...?"

The group gasped slightly. Ting Hua suddenly realized, hitting her palm with her fist. "That's right! That's exactly it!"

Her eyes brightened as she looked at Pei Ye. "Zhiyun and I were just pondering this. We kept thinking the two sides were hard to integrate and it would inevitably be awkward, so we thought of reading sword classics or inviting a sword critic, but that also felt strange. Classmate Pei's words hit the nail on the head—we should just invite a few more swordsmen! It's solved just like that."

Pei Ye cupped his hands and smiled. "I've seen similar poetry and sword societies before; that's how they did it."

This was certainly no lie, as he recalled that the Egret Continent Poetry Society in Bowang City indeed followed a very mature process, which must have been designed by the long-experienced Great Scholar Qi of the Divine Capital's literary circles.

"So Classmate Pei has been to a poetry and sword society before." Ting Hua leaned in closer, curious. "Hey, did you see any powerful swordsmen?"

Although the Divine Capital was a place where dragons and fish mingled, the scholars who lingered in literary circles and buried themselves in classics were still confined to their own small circles and had perhaps never left the Divine Capital's jurisdiction.

Chang'an itself was a gentle place of bright lights and bustling crowds; some poisonous blades often stayed in the shadows, and the cold, sharp words of the "sword and blade jianghu" felt somewhat distant. Even if one could see brilliant cultivators at sword gatherings, martial arts examinations, or feather-scale trials, firstly, there weren't many opportunities, and secondly, that kind of distant observation was even more tantalizing. It was vastly different from talking and interacting closely with cultivators and swordsmen, and being able to ask the questions that had been piling up in one's heart.

"... It was a poetry society in a small place; I don't think there was anyone famous." Pei Ye smiled.

Ting Hua was a bit disappointed. "Alright then."

On the other side, Fu Zhiyun frowned slightly, resting her chin on her hand. "But it wasn't easy for us to get to know this direct disciple Bian. Where are we going to find other swordsmen?"

This made everyone fall silent for a moment. Ting Hua tilted her head. "Classmate Pei, you seem quite familiar with this; do you know any swordsmen you could introduce? Our poetry society is actually quite fun."

Pei Ye tilted his head and thought for a moment. "Fine, I'll help you introduce one. He just happened to say he wanted to find a poetry society to look around."

Ting Hua exclaimed in surprise, "Really?"

She had only asked out of hope and hadn't expected this classmate to actually have connections. After all, having been to a poetry and sword society and knowing a swordsman were two different things, and there was an even greater gap between knowing someone and having a friendship where the person was free and willing to come.

Young scholars didn't have broad social circles yet, so this was indeed a rare surprise.

With these two sentences, the major obstacle to holding the poetry society was resolved, and the others were also full of joy, thanking him one after another.

"Classmate Pei, why don't you come and join us too? You can be with your friend." Ting Hua still remembered his previous refusal and invited him sincerely. "What kind of busy work can't be put off for a day?"

Fu Zhiyun also looked over with expectation.

"I really can't promise that." Pei Ye shook his head again. "I'll definitely come once my business is done, but it's hard to say."

"... Alright."

Ting Hua actually had a very good impression of this classmate. He had enrolled a month late, was picked up and dropped off by carriage every day, yet in class, he only listened quietly, flipped through some volumes, or stared out the window in a daze, appearing somewhat mysterious. But when talking, he was approachable, and several of her close friends had been curious about him.

The only thing everyone knew was that he was acquainted with Fang Jidao, who was "versed in all five classics." When they met that day, they had asked Fu Zhiyun to inquire, and Fang Jidao said they were fellow townsmen and friends.

Ting Hua turned back, disappointed, and Pei Ye nodded, then closed his eyes to continue thinking about the sword moves that followed.

Gradually, the sunlight grew stronger, and the school hall became noisy. Pei Ye could, of course, shut out these noises, but countless discussions about the Carp Pavilion case reached his ears once again.

He realized then that the spread of this matter was indeed becoming wider and wider, and there was someone fanning the flames behind the scenes—just as Xu Chuo had made no attempt to hide his strike against them, the other side was also tit-for-tat, declaring their victory and breaking the authority of this "Tong Jun."

Pei Ye sighed and opened his eyes. It was almost time for class. Changsun was walking in from outside, holding books. As soon as she stepped over the threshold, her gaze first looked toward the back. Only after meeting Pei Ye's eyes did she nod, but she didn't say anything and sat down in the first two rows as usual.

Seeing this classmate enter, Ting Hua immediately poked Fu Zhiyun beside her.

Fu Zhiyun glared at her, straightened her collar, and then got up to walk over. Amidst the expectant gazes of the West Pool Poetry Society group, she leaned over and asked a few questions.

However, she saw the young girl raise her eyes in slight surprise, listen for a moment, and then shake her head gently, replying politely.

Ting Hua was disappointed. "As expected."

Cheng Youlun slumped on the desk and muttered, "Does Classmate Changsun never attend these kinds of poetry societies?"

"Rarely, I suppose..."

However, Fu Zhiyun did not return empty-handed. Changsun clearly handed her a folded piece of paper and pointed seriously toward the back.

They watched as Fu Zhiyun walked back, looking somewhat surprised and bewildered. She went first to Pei Ye's desk. "... Classmate Pei, Classmate Changsun handed this to you."

"Ah?"

The young man was slightly stunned as he raised his head and took the small note, which was folded neatly.

Fu Zhiyun nodded and left. Pei Ye opened the paper curiously, and a line of clear, upright small characters came into view: "Classmate Pei, Shaojun has read your essay and says you are a 'Sword-Eyed Snow Spirit,' and that it is written very well."

Pei Ye was stunned in astonishment, frozen for a moment between being flattered and suspecting his eyes were playing tricks on him.

Then his gaze moved further down:

"It is only a pity that you are not very familiar with the wording. Shaojun sent me to tell Classmate Pei to please copy 'The Biography of Xu Chu in the Records of the Three Kingdoms' ten times."

Below that was a line of small characters:

"... I'm sorry, Classmate Pei, it was I who reminded you to add the name."

Pei Ye stared blankly at this line of sentences for a while, and then his expression changed drastically. He suddenly raised his head to look forward. Changsun was also looking back at him, and at this moment, realizing he had received it, she hurriedly straightened up and turned her head away as soon as their eyes met.

"..."

Pei Ye looked silently at the paper, his hand unconsciously pinching the corner, and finally, he sighed softly, folded it, and put it away.

Just as Pei Ye was waiting anxiously, Fang Jidao finally arrived late, holding his hat. Pei Ye patted the seat beside him, and the scholar sat down, panting, starting with his usual apology.

"I'm really sorry, Brother Pei, I couldn't accompany you to study the classics this morning." Fang Jidao wiped the thin sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and apologized, "I really couldn't make it in time."

"I'm not paying you a wage." Pei Ye casually infused a strand of Qi into him and sighed, "What are you so busy with?"

Fang Jidao was silent for a moment, then sighed and shook his head. "It's a long story, forget it—what are we studying this session?"

"Still the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' I brought a copy for you." Pei Ye handed it to him.

Soon, Li Mingqiu stepped into the classroom on time again, and the hall fell silent. Pei Ye finished the class under Fang Jidao's detailed explanation. As the sun set, it was time for the school to dismiss, and many people began to stretch and pack their things.

Fang Jidao still hurried away to say goodbye. Ting Hua leaned over curiously. "Classmate Pei, what did Classmate Changsun hand to you?"

Pei Ye naturally refused to tell her, lowering his head and pretending not to hear. And just at this moment, a harsh voice came from the front.

"Fang Jidao, why is your mouth so honest today?" a noble-clothed young man wearing jade at his waist shouted loudly. His voice traveled across half the hall, and the scholars' movements suddenly froze. "You were shouting at me quite happily yesterday, why are you tucking your tail today?"

Fang Jidao had already reached the door. At this moment, he paused, turned his head, and gave the person a cold look. "Since it can't be reasoned with, why should I waste my breath?"

"Hahahaha, so it's not because you saw the situation wasn't right and fled in a panic?" the noble-clothed young man sneered. "Let me tell you, the Jingzhao Prefecture has had no movement all day today, and the Taiping Cao Gang is safe and sound. Half of the Ten-Day Banquet has already been set."

"If you aren't feeling guilty, why are you in such a rush to shout?" Fang Jidao retorted.

"I'm feeling guilty? What a stubborn dead duck." The noble-clothed young man said with cold contempt, "Fang Jidao, mayflies shaking a tree, sparrows turning into phoenixes—such things don't exist in this world!"

Fang Jidao said coldly, "Born with colorful feathers, thinking oneself a phoenix."

Ting Hua tilted her head and whispered, "... Is this person from the Zheng family?"

Lin Yuxian paused. "Zheng Zhiyi, the fourth young master of the Zheng family."

Fu Zhiyun said softly, "I saw them arguing in the library two days ago. It seemed to be about that Carp Pavilion case. Classmate Fang seems to be standing on Magistrate Di's side, and he's often arguing with people lately."

"In my impression, Classmate Fang has never turned red in the face with anyone..."

"This case has indeed been argued fiercely lately."

On the other side, Zheng Zhiyi was furious. "A pair of dog eyes that can't see who calls the shots in the Divine Capital! A mere fourth-rank Shaoqing wants to turn the world upside down! A piece of crap Three Departments, some Li Zhao, some Pei Ye..."

Someone had already stepped in to smooth things over, standing up to appease him. "Alright, alright, we're all classmates. Magistrate Di's side really has no movement right now..."

"What do you mean no movement?!" Fang Jidao was actually angered by this persuasion. "The matter of human trafficking is there for all to see! Now that we're discussing this, we don't talk about the Cao Gang harming people! We don't talk about the suffering of the common people! We don't talk about the corruption of the powerful! Everyone just talks about who is strong and who is weak. So what if they are strong?! So what if they are weak?! Even if this case can't be investigated, you are still a pile of evil maggots! Magistrate Di and the others will still go down in history!"

The school hall fell silent and then became slightly restless. It seemed some people wanted to stand up and agree; many scholars with low status actually had the same thoughts as Fang Jidao. Zheng Zhiyi stood up abruptly, pointing at Fang Jidao as if to say something. Changsun had already spoken, looking at Zheng Zhiyi with a frown, her voice clear: "Do not use evil words in the school hall."

But all restlessness stopped at the voice that came from behind.

"I am Pei Ye." The clear, calm voice instantly choked off all arguments.

Even Zheng Zhiyi turned his head in astonishment. For a moment, people doubted their own ears; no one had expected that a participant in this case would be in this school hall.

"The human trafficking at Carp Pavilion is there for all to see, and these evil deeds are lying right under the sun." Pei Ye said in a flat voice, "I said I would handle the Taiping Cao Gang, and it won't live past the tenth day."

No one spoke. Zheng Zhiyi was also speechless this time. The out-of-control school hall returned to silence.

Pei Ye was indeed a bit tired of such discussions; the school hall had originally made him feel relaxed and happy. Moreover, seeing Fang Jidao fighting for this alone—the scholar certainly hadn't wanted him to step forward.

Many eyes were cast upon him. Pei Ye picked up his school bag and stood up. Ting Hua opened her mouth in astonishment, muttering, "Classmate Pei..."

Pei Ye smiled at her and walked out of the school hall. ===== CHAPTER 476 =====