Chapter 345: 354 Visitor

Time flew by to mid-October, with only half a month remaining until the final examination.

The weather grew colder day by day; the leaves on the dense trees outside the Training Camp gradually withered and fell, leaving only dry, brittle twigs.

Autumn had passed, and the bitter winter was approaching.

On this morning, the gates of the Training Camp remained shut as usual.

Two horses arrived on the official road in front of the gate. One rider was in his thirties, the other in his early twenties; both had a fierce temperament and were dressed as military officers, wearing dark cloaks, though their attire differed from that of the Jing'an Division.

As the two reached the camp gate, it opened immediately. Dong Xingyu, the Instructor on duty, changed into her formal Instructor's uniform and came out to greet them, saying politely, "Is this the arrival of Commandant Li? I have long admired your name. I am Dong Cheng, an Instructor at the Training Camp, and I have been waiting here for some time. Please forgive me for failing to welcome you sooner."

At this moment, the two had just dismounted, and she stepped forward to bow to the older one.

The older man immediately stepped back, looked toward the other person, and said, "This is Commandant Li Yijian."

The young man had a faint smile on his lips; he nodded and said, "I am Li Yijian, and this is Commandant Huang Ping."

Dong Cheng, the Xingyu Sword, was taken aback. She glanced at this Commandant Li, seeing that he was indeed only in his early twenties, with a slender build, bright eyes, and a generous, spirited temperament—truly a man of talent. She said, "So Commandant Li is so young and promising; I am ashamed. Please, come in."

Although she was somewhat surprised, it was only for a fleeting moment before she returned to normal, which in turn surprised the two men. The rank of Commandant was not low; it was already the fifth rank, and it was a genuine military position involving leading troops.

The military was not like the Jing'an Division, where there were many positions and opportunities, and one would naturally be promoted once they had the strength. In the army, one emphasized merit and seniority; even if one had the strength of a Sword Guest, one would not be promoted without merit, and the soldiers would not obey. Therefore, Li Yijian was not only a Sword Guest at a young age, but he had also spent several years fighting on the battlefield, earning enough merit to be promoted to Commandant—at least in the Yunzhou Dudu Mansion, he was the only one.

However, Li Yijian had always been stationed at the Qianxian with the army and had just been transferred back to the Governor's Middle Army. He had rarely had any dealings with the Jing'an Division; otherwise, Dong Cheng's "long admired your name" should not have been entirely polite talk.

Dong Xingyu led the two into the reception room for outside guests and personally served tea, saying, "I must trouble you both to wait a moment. Instructor Tang is presiding over a mock exam today and will need some time before he can return. You two may drink some tea and rest, or if you would like to walk around somewhere, I can take you."

Hearing this, Huang Ping frowned slightly, a look of displeasure appearing on his face.

Li Yijian maintained his smile and said, "It is no matter. It was we who informed you too late; we only notified your camp of our itinerary yesterday, so naturally, there are scheduling conflicts. A mock exam usually lasts several days, and there is certainly no reason to abandon it halfway..."

Dong Cheng said, "That is exactly it. The Commandant is understanding..."

Li Yijian continued immediately, "However, is it not Dong Jiaoyu who is in charge here? You and I can speak; why must we wait for that Instructor Tang?"

Dong Cheng paused, swallowing the word "reason," and said, "Instructor Tang is the one our camp has selected to lead the team to participate in the exam. Are you two not here to discuss the joint examination? If I speak only with you and let you relay it later, what if there are ambiguities that cause trouble? It is better to wait and clarify everything once everyone is present. The mock exam will be over in another hour."

Li Yijian's expression was calm, and he said no more.

Huang Ping, however, said in a rough voice, "You people in the Jing'an Division are truly interesting. You haven't even discussed the content of the exam, and you don't even know what is being tested this year, yet you make such a big fuss to organize a mock exam? Not to mention whether it's useful or not, how much funding is wasted each time? Is it that you have too much money to burn?"

Li Yijian waited for him to finish before saying apologetically, "My subordinate is rude; Instructor, please do not take offense."

Dong Cheng gradually withdrew her smile and said, "As for funding, the Jing'an Division is, if not stretched thin, certainly not extravagant. This mock exam was decided long ago; it is a comprehensive review of last year's graduation exam, intended to let everyone experience the rhythm, and is by no means aimless. The exam only lasts three days, half the length of last year's."

Li Yijian said, "I heard that last year was hosted by the Jing'an Division? The spectacle was quite large; they even dragged the teams to the border of Lingzhou, testing the limits of the border. They prepared two large-scale hunting grounds alone. When we went to the Jing'an Division for an exchange the day before yesterday, they boasted about it quite a bit."

In the end, he was still saying they were being extravagant compared to last year. Dong Jiaoyu's brow furrowed even more as she said, "We are only simulating; the cost is not high, and we cannot afford things like hunting grounds. We are currently testing in the classroom. If you can guarantee you will not disturb the students, you may come with me to see."

The two men were very puzzled that the exam was being held in a classroom, but Dong Jiaoyu said no more, stood up, and said, "Follow me."

Dong Cheng then led the two all the way to... the building next door.

The main buildings of the Training Camp were all built together, with no single grand main building. The main teaching building had only three floors, built just enough to be functional. The mock exam was taking place in a classroom on the first floor.

Before entering the building, Dong Jiaoyu said again, "I must trouble you both to keep quiet."

Turning left after entering the door, the three arrived at the back door of the classroom. Dong Cheng pushed the door panel upward, opening the top half and revealing a transparent window, and the situation inside the classroom was instantly clear at a glance.

Li Yijian thought: You repeatedly told us to be quiet, yet you open such a large window yourself; do you take the students inside for blind men?

However, as he looked in, he suddenly discovered that the people inside were indeed as good as blind.

Because the people inside were actually... all lying down.

The tables and chairs in the room had been cleared away, folded, and stacked at the back of the classroom. In the large space in the middle, there were rows of benches. Each young person was sleeping on a bench, pillowing their head on a stone-like pillow, some on their sides, some on their backs; their sleeping postures varied, but they were all sound asleep and unconscious.

In the entire classroom, only two people were different: one sitting, one standing. The one sitting was sixteen or seventeen years old, sitting on the podium, one hand supporting their chin, leaning against a jade pillow, and had actually fallen asleep as well.

The person standing was in their twenties, standing in the corner with their hands in their sleeves, their gaze sweeping across the room. From their angle, they could observe every position in the classroom without any blind spots, looking very calm and gentle.

"This person has killing intent." Li Yijian said slowly, "Is this Instructor Tang?"

Just as his reputation in the army had not reached the Jing'an Division at all, the talents of the Jing'an Division could not possibly be famous before the army. He did not even know Instructor Tang's name, but seeing this person, he nodded slightly—such killing intent was not that of an ordinary person. It was no wonder they had become an Instructor at such a young age.

Dong Jiaoyu said, "No, that is the Teaching Assistant. The one sitting on the podium is the Instructor."

Both officers were stunned at the same time. Looking again at the youth sitting on the podium, his appearance was exceptionally young and handsome, clearly the same age as the students lying down. Sitting there with his arm propped up, sleeping quietly, he looked just like a student dozing off in class, with no momentum to speak of—how was he like an Instructor?

However, Dong Cheng clearly had no need to deceive anyone. This was undoubtedly that Instructor Tang.

Huang Ping muttered, "Good, the officials of the Jing'an Division are indeed appointed casually; being close to the Lord really is something..." He said the last half of the sentence very softly, clearly knowing it could not be heard by others.

Li Yijian paused and said, "What are they doing sleeping?"

Dong Cheng said, "What else can they do sleeping? Dreaming, of course."

Just at this moment, Tang Zhao on the podium opened his eyes. His eyes were clear, not particularly bright, but rather plain at first glance, with a luster hidden within.

The moment he opened his eyes, it was as if a reveille had sounded; all the students below scrambled to get up. Some sat up calmly, others almost rolled onto the floor. The noise was incessant, and the classroom turned into a bathhouse in the blink of an eye.

"Ah, just a little bit, I was just a little bit away from passing."

"You were just a little bit? You're still behind me. I'm the one who was just a little bit away."

"Stop talking nonsense. The Instructor said long ago that 'a little bit' means your daily practice isn't enough; in fact, you're far off. Someone like me has never been 'a little bit' away; I'm higher than you all to the heavens..."

"Ah, my waist is being poked. This wood is too hard; it seems I'm not used to sleeping on benches."

"If you're not used to it, you might as well quit your job. Isn't it better to sleep on a bed at home? There are still days of sleeping in trees and bushes ahead."

For a time, the students were discussing it in a hubbub of voices. Aside from complaints, there was more excitement and exhaustion, as if they had just returned home after a long-distance training march.

"Clap, clap," Tang Zhao clapped his hands, and the discussion stopped instantly. The students sat up straight on their own benches.

"The troop management is quite strict." Li Yijian evaluated in his heart, then suddenly paused and blurted out, "What is that?"

He saw Tang Zhao push aside the jade pillow on the podium, revealing a... turtle.

A turtle suddenly appearing on the podium looked very incongruous, but this turtle was indeed extraordinary, its two dark, rolling eyes revealing intelligence.

Tang Zhao said, "Alright, congratulations everyone. The mock exam ends here!"

Cheers erupted, and some people whistled.

After the students cheered for a moment, Tang Zhao smiled and said, "It's only a mock exam; it's not time for relief yet. Hey, hey, don't tear up your books. Keep them alive for another half a month."

Amidst the laughter, Tang Zhao added, "Those who are fine can go back and rest now; those who have things to do, go do them. The total scores will be out within two days. Those who had disputes in the last round, stay behind; let's review it on the spot. Alright, dismissed."

He said to dismiss, but the students did not move.

Tang Zhao asked in confusion, "Why aren't you all going to rest? Is there a dispute? Why don't I remember there being such a big dispute?"

Below, Qu Huan laughed and said, "Instructor, didn't you say you were going to review the session?"

Tang Zhao said, "There's no rush to review right now, is there? Aren't you all tired?"

The students shouted in unison, "Not tired!"

Qin Yongcheng said even more loudly, "Isn't it you who said 'seize the day'?"

Tang Zhao chuckled and looked up.

Outside, Li Yijian could not help but follow his gaze and discovered a small ornament hanging on the wall; it looked a bit like a Sun Dial, but it did not use Sunlight, so he guessed it must be for keeping time, with a circle divided into twelve markings, corresponding exactly to the twelve double-hours.

Tang Zhao confirmed the time and said, "Alright, now... there is still a little bit of time. Let's have a small review. I won't mention the overall situation, nor will I enter the dream realm, otherwise it will consume more Spirit. Let's just publicly review someone. Who is willing to provide the material? To show everyone your heroic posture while clearing the stage?"

Everyone raised their hands in unison, clearly showing high enthusiasm for participation, and Tang Zhao pointed casually, "Then Luo Nian. Bring your dream plate up here."