Chapter 138: Friend

Black. Pikaqiu. The cat wandered around nearby, picking up all sorts of random rumors, and even spotted Zhang Zi and the others—but they never spoke outside, so it could only sneak after them into Chongqing Academy.

Zhang Zi whispered to Lin Jingle: "I know many in the academy object to Pan Yun and the other three enrolling. Keep an eye out lately, keep the students in line, don't let anything chaotic happen."

Lin Jingle nodded.

"The Celestial Master's reply says the fasting rites at Chaotian Palace are over, but he's first visiting friends in Hedong—he won't return until sometime uncertain. We must manage the academy and the Celestial Master's residence for him. In June, the Daoist Registry Offices across the lands will hold exams to screen qualified Daoists to send to the capital…"

Pan Xiaohei lay sprawled on the windowsill, listening for a long while, realizing all the talk was about the Celestial Master's residence, nothing concerning Pan Yun—so she listlessly stretched out her paws, rested her little face on them, and half-listened to the murmurs inside.

Zhang Weiliang walked over, saw the cat on the windowsill, frowned, and reached out to grab it.

Pan Xiaohei darted nimbly past his hand, leapt off the sill, and vanished into the bamboo thicket in a few bounds.

Zhang Weiliang chased two steps, then stopped when he saw it was gone.

But the commotion outside still startled Zhang Zi and Lin Jingle inside.

Zhang Zi stepped out, frowning at Zhang Weiliang's still-green face: "I called you here to apologize to Lin Tangzhu. What are you doing?"

Zhang Weiliang hurriedly said: "Second Uncle, I just saw Pan Yun's black cat crouching outside the window—I suspect she's using it for mischief, so I…"

Lin Jingle coldly said: "That black cat is just an ordinary cat. It has no aura of spirit or demon."

"But she claimed it was a spiritual cat when she entered the exam hall…"

Zhang Zi: "She also claimed she could borrow the mountain god's divine power. Do you believe that?"

Zhang Weiliang fell silent. He actually wanted to say he believed—but under Zhang Zi's gaze, he dared not speak.

"If your skill is inferior, it's inferior. I think you've been at Long Hushan too long—you've forgotten there are higher heavens and greater people beyond. Pack up. Leave the mountain to train. Don't return until you've achieved something."

Zhang Weiliang's mouth dropped open, his eyes instantly red: "Second Uncle, isn't this exile? I haven't committed any major offense!"

Zhang Zi snapped: "To say such a thing proves you still don't understand where you went wrong. Get out. Be down the mountain before sunset today!"

Zhang Weiliang's face flushed crimson, tears clinging to his lashes. Seeing Zhang Zi was resolute, he knew no appeal was possible, and turned away, sulking as he ran off.

Lin Jingle stood silently, head lowered.

Zhang Zi turned back to Lin Jingle: "This child lost his father early. We spoiled him. He needs to see how cruel the world can be."

Lin Jingle calmly said: "A simple heart isn't necessarily bad. Overthinking harms. Isn't Liuzhen the very example of wisdom that brings injury?"

Zhang Zi nodded, sighed, and asked: "How is Liuzhen's health?"

"I visited him yesterday. He's much improved. He even agreed to return to the academy to teach the new students in the grand lectures."

The so-called grand lectures meant hundreds of students sitting together on a small plaza, listening to a teacher expound on Daoist knowledge.

Teachers taught all kinds of subjects: spellcraft, elixir-making, talismans, Daoist history—even calligraphy and painting.

There was always one grand lecture daily. Students chose whichever interested them. New and old students alike could attend, with no limit on attendance—anyone who could squeeze onto the plaza was welcome.

Rumor had it that popular lectures sometimes resulted in students piling atop one another.

Below stood tall students, shoulders bearing another student on top, yet they endured half an hour of class like this—truly legendary.

Some teachers held lectures with not a single student present, then read their books aloud to the empty plaza for the entire session.

In short, anything bizarre could be seen in the grand lectures.

But one rule was absolute: during grand lectures, the teacher was the absolute authority. No student was permitted to whisper, play, or disrupt teaching. The Law Hall's rules were strict—teachers could even expel such students directly from the academy.

When the schedule was posted and she saw the first class was the grand lecture, Pan Yun sent Pan Xiaohei to inquire.

Learning the grand lecture was so interesting, her gaze fixed on the teacher's name for the first session: "Zhang Liuzhen? Sounds like a Zhang family member."

"Your senior sister comes from the Zhang family of Long Hushan. Don't you know Zhang Liuzhen is the Celestial Master's only son?"

Pan Yun turned around.

A girl a head taller than her frowned slightly, glancing at her.

Pan Yun immediately played along: "I really didn't know. Friend, is Zhang Liuzhen really that impressive?"

"Of course," the girl said. "He's the senior brother of Long Hushan. Rumor says he could draw qi into his body at age three. His cultivation is unfathomable, his knowledge vast. Unlike us, who first refine internal strength then spiritual power, he's also the next Celestial Master True Person. Isn't that impressive?"

It sounded impressive—but in this life, she'd drawn qi into her body since birth. If only…

Pan Yun glanced at the black cat in her arms, suddenly felt a flicker of distaste, and tossed it aside with a smile: "Xiaohei, you're hungry. Go find something to eat."

Then she looked up, still smiling brightly at the girl: "He's so impressive. Do you know how old he is?"

The girl: "Why ask that? Who pays attention to such things? I just know he's impressive." Pan Yun: "Then let's attend tomorrow's lecture and see for ourselves. By the way, what's your name, senior sister?"

The girl stared at her in silence.

Miaohe finally spoke up: "She's Xuan Li. Little Master, don't you recognize her? She's the younger sister of Daoist Xuan Qiong of Yuling Temple."

Miao Zhen: "Last temple fair, she showed up briefly. But Little Master was too absorbed in teaching disciples to notice."

Miaohe: "Oh."

She looked up at Xuan Li: "My master hasn't met you, so she doesn't know you."

Pan Yun hurriedly said: "But now I know—you're Sister Xuan Li. No, wait—Senior Sister Xuan Li. Pleased to meet you."

Xuan Li felt a bit annoyed, lifted her chin, and sniffed. Seeing Pan Yun didn't immediately respond, she reluctantly said: "You're not bad. You didn't disgrace Yushan County in the exams."

Miao Zhen: "Neither did I or my sister. Our rankings were higher than yours."

Xuan Li flushed: "I took a different exam category."

!. ead

Miao Zhen nodded: "Right. You're forty-second in spellcraft."

Xuan Li: … This girl is annoying.

Pan Yun smiled, listening to their bickering without interrupting, but before parting, she warned Xuan Li: "Senior Sister Xuan Li, I've made many enemies in the academy. We're both from Yushan County, and we've talked so much today—people might misunderstand. So be careful in daily life."

Xuan Li lifted her chin proudly: "Am I afraid of them? I come from an official family!"

Pan Yun: … Okay, she was the one who offended.

Xuan Li said: "Besides, they're not misunderstanding—we really are close."

Pan Yun was baffled: "You and us are close? Does Daoist Xuan Qiong know?"

"Of course she knows. It was Sister Xuan Qiong who told me to be friends with you."

Pan Yun:!!!

Good heavens, she'd misunderstood Xuan Qiong. Big Brother was right—Daoist Xuan Qiong truly has good character.

Pan Yun took Xuan Li's hand: "Since you're from an official family, we have nothing to fear. Friend."

Xuan Li's face flushed crimson, yet she nodded solemnly: "Friend. If you need anything, come find me. I live in Jingsi Courtyard."

That wasn't far away. Pan Yun immediately agreed to visit when free, and promised to attend the grand lecture together tomorrow.

Both were very curious about Long Hushan's senior brother, Zhang Liuzhen.

They parted at the crossroads. Pan Yun quietly told Miao Zhen and Miaohe: "I thought we'd never find allies, but apparently we can. I was wrong. Even though this academy is the Zhang family's domain, there are still those unafraid of the Zhangs. And even if they all share the surname Zhang, their hearts aren't necessarily aligned."

Miao Zhen: "So should we seek allies?"

Pan Yun said: "Let it unfold naturally. I got first place, and all three of us have excellent results—we've already deterred much trouble. If someone comes to us, we can weigh the pros and cons before forming an alliance. If no one comes, we focus on our own studies. Don't forget—we came to Long Hushan to learn, not to fight."

Miao Zhen and Miaohe nodded.

Pan Yun asked: "Do you know Zhang Liuzhen? Has Fourth Sister ever mentioned him?"

Both shook their heads: "Fourth Aunt never mentions Long Hushan in front of us. But we know she sends things to Long Hushan regularly—many of them are pills refined by Senior Brother."

Pan Yun pondered, then asked: "Does Fourth Sister have any close relatives at Long Hushan? Parents, siblings, that sort of thing?"

Miao Zhen: "Fourth Aunt's parents are alive. She's an only daughter."

Pan Yun's eyes lit up: "So Fourth Aunt's parents are still alive? Where are they? What's their rank?"

Miao Zhen held up two fingers: "They're not in the academy—they're in the Celestial Master's residence down the mountain. Rumor says they've been in long-term seclusion. Even if we went, we couldn't see them."

Pan Yun: "Fourth Sister's relationship with the Zhang family is strange. We shouldn't intrude rashly, but we must know who they are, to avoid accidentally harming them."

Miao Zhen: "… Harm them? Little Master, Big Brother said we mustn't bully others."

"I know, I know. I won't bully anyone first." Pan Yun had gained two more important clues and returned to her courtyard, satisfied.

"After tomorrow's grand lecture, we'll go to Taisu Academy and Mingyuan Academy," Pan Yun turned to Miao Zhen. "I know you chose talisman arrays in the exam, but you prefer spellcraft. Tomorrow afternoon, Mingyuan Academy has a class—let's go see."

Miao Zhen nodded: "Then what about the talisman arrays you want to learn…"

"Shh," Pan Yun glanced around, whispered: "That's our secret. We'll keep it quiet. We'll attend the talisman arrays class too—but we'll wait two days."

She wanted to see if any more chickens would pop up for her to kill.

(End of Chapter)