Chapter 143: Eager to Try

"It's true, but the True Person is not here, and none of the Academy Heads can make decisions, so no one has been sent to summon them yet," Zhou Wang said. "But if Master's condition continues to deteriorate like this, even if the True Person is absent, we'll have to send someone to fetch them."

Pan Yun raised an eyebrow; no wonder their lives had been so peaceful lately—there was this reason behind it: they needed something from Mount Sanqing.

But…

Does Master Zhang know his only son is dying, yet the Zhang Family Mansion and the Imperial Academy are still arguing over whether to summon an even more skilled Physician?

To Pan Yun's surprise, Zhang Liuzhen lived not far from Fengqi Academy, in Fanxi Academy.

Fanxi Academy was not only a dormitory for students but also a place of study, yet Pan Yun had never come here, nor had any classes been scheduled here.

So as soon as she entered Fanxi Academy, her gaze instinctively swept the surroundings.

Zhou Wangdao saw her curiosity and explained: "Master is the head of Fanxi Academy. It used to be a place for debating Dao and studying methods, but after Master fell ill, Fanxi Academy was closed, and only one building was refurbished and turned into a library."

"Master returned to the Zhang Family Mansion, so this place is now solely used for storing books and miscellaneous items," Zhou Wangdao said. "It's been unoccupied for years, so the energy here is stagnant. Originally, Second Master wanted Master to move to the guest quarters of Chongqing Academy, but Master refused and insisted on returning to Fanxi Academy."

Pan Yun nodded, silently noting it, then looked up toward the second floor. "Is Master staying upstairs?"

Zhou Wangdao followed her gaze upward and smiled. "No."

In the instant Zhou Wangdao looked up, Pan Yun loosened her grip—Pan Xiaohei dropped to the ground and vanished in a flash.

Zhou Wangdao immediately turned to look.

Pan Yun hadn't expected that even with all the concealment, and even though Pan Xiaohei moved so slowly, he still noticed.

Zhou Wangdao took two steps to chase after it, but Pan Yun blocked him. "Brother, don't worry—it's just a cat in a hurry. It'll come back soon. I've raised this cat since it was a kitten; it's well-behaved and won't run off."

Zhou Wangdao's expression went blank for a moment. "A cat in a hurry?"

"Yes. Humans have three urgencies; cats have three urgencies too."

Zhou Wangdao paused for a long while before saying, "Alright then, shall we wait here for it?"

Pan Yun nodded with a smile, when suddenly a voice came from above: "Wangdao, what are you doing?"

Zhou Wangdao stiffened, immediately straightened, glanced up quickly, then bowed his head. "Master, the three junior sisters from Mount Sanqing have come to visit Master."

Lin Jingle paused for a moment upstairs, then said: "Ask them to come up."

"Yes." Zhou Wangdao led the three upstairs, having completely forgotten the runaway cat.

After ascending the stairs and turning right, they entered a large hall.

Two massive screens divided the hall into inner and outer sections; on the outer side, two rows of meditation cushions lined both sides, with another cushion in the center.

Zhou Wangdao led them to the end, circled around one screen, and entered the interior—a much larger space.

Along the left wall stood a row of bookshelves, all filled with books. On the right, near the window, were wide tables and chairs; one table still held a painting, its ink still wet, clearly someone had just finished working there.

But Pan Yun's gaze couldn't help but drift toward the row of windows on the right.

It was truly one continuous expanse—seven windows fused into a single wall, opening entirely onto the garden outside. The buildings across were only one story tall, so from here, one could clearly see Long Hushan in the distance.

From here, Long Hushan seemed right outside the window, within arm's reach—but look around, and it appeared far away…

Pan Yun paused for a moment before catching up with Zhou Wangdao and continuing forward.

At the end stood a small door; opening it revealed Zhang Liuzhen's bedroom.

Zhang Ziwang, Zhu Zifang, Xue Yuan, and Lin Jingle were all inside.

Pan Yun halted, sighing inwardly—what bad timing.

If only Lin Jingle had been alone, she could have stubbornly waited until he left—but with so many others here…

Pan Yun looked at Zhang Liuzhen with regret.

Zhang Liuzhen looked up and caught her expression of sorrow; he glanced at Zhou Wangdao.

What had he told them? Why did Pan Yun look as if he were about to die young?

After bowing to Zhang Ziwang and the others, Pan Yun turned to Zhang Liuzhen with concern. "Master, how is your injury?"

Zhang Liuzhen smiled. "I'm fine. Thank you for your worry, junior sister."

Xue Yuan beside him said: "Does Liuzhen recognize these three girls?"

Zhang Liuzhen did not deny it; he nodded. "Junior Sister Pan is well-known. I've heard of her and saw her during the grand lectures, though we've never formally introduced ourselves."

Xue Yuan nodded. "Good. Now you've met. She's Zhang Li's junior sister, and you've always been close to Zhang Li—you must have much to discuss. We old folks won't intrude."

He rose and turned directly to Zhang Ziwang and Zhu Zifang, who were still seated.

Zhang Ziwang lowered his gaze and stood. He said to Zhou Wangdao: "Take good care of Liuzhen. We'll leave now."

Zhou Wangdao quickly replied: "Yes."

Pan Yun hadn't expected things to go so smoothly; she glanced at Xue Yuan.

Xue Yuan smiled at her, then led the way out. Zhang Ziwang gave Pan Yun a gentle nod and followed closely behind.

Zhu Zifang's face looked constipated. He raised his head and saw Pan Yun staring at him—his emotions surged violently again, then he forced a weak smile at her.

Lin Jingle had already stood by the door, waiting. After opening it to let the three out, he turned to Zhou Wangdao. "Hurry and see off Academy Head Xue."

Zhou Wangdao hurried to escort them.

Lin Jingle gave Zhang Liuzhen a deep look, then glanced at Pan Yun before closing the door and leaving.

Once they were gone, only four remained in the room.

Pan Yun then noticed how small the room was—just one bed, one window, and beneath the window, a wooden platform built into the wall, with two meditation cushions on it. It was extremely simple.

Zhang Liuzhen waited with a smile until Pan Yun looked away, then gently pointed to the stools Xue Yuan and the others had sat on. "Junior sisters, please sit."

Pan Yun led Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He to sit.

Zhang Liuzhen's gaze swept over their faces, lingering on Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He, then he smiled, opened the drawer beside his bed, and pulled out two small booklets, handing one to each. "Junior sisters, these are gifts prepared for you. I thought it would take years before you arrived at the Imperial Academy, but you came so soon."

Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He exchanged glances, then looked at Pan Yun. Pan Yun said: "Since Master gave them to you, take them."

The two rose and accepted them, bowing together to Zhang Liuzhen in thanks.

As they sat down, both couldn't help but sneak a peek—and their eyes instantly brightened.

Pan Yun glanced over; though she didn't know what they were, Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He hadn't been nearly this excited by Zhou Wangdao's study notes—this must be something far more valuable.

Zhang Liuzhen said: "I've prepared the gift for Sister Pan, but haven't delivered it yet—it'll take some time before I can give it to you."

Pan Yun: "It sounds very valuable—I can't accept it."

"There's no need for such formality between us," Zhang Liuzhen chuckled. "I've been eating nothing but your Mount Sanqing herbs every month, and Master Wang has never asked me for a single coin. My aunt treats you like her own children, so I can't help but treat you the same. If you ever face difficulties at the Academy, come find me."

Pan Yun said cautiously, "So Fourth Sister is your aunt?"

Zhang Liuzhen, seeing her grow distant instead of closer, burst into loud laughter. His laughter grew freer, his expression brighter. "My aunt was right—you're a shrewd one. Neither soft words nor hard pressure move you. Those who treat you badly, you repay. Those who treat you well, you stay wary of."

Pan Yun: "..."

!. Read

She looked up and smiled gently at him. "Brother Zhang, you're joking. I've always been close to Fourth Sister—she'd never say such a thing about me."

Zhang Liuzhen smiled without replying. His laughter grew so intense he coughed several times, his face turning crimson, tears nearly streaming, yet he didn't stop.

Miao He hurriedly poured a cup of warm water and handed it to Pan Yun; Pan Yun passed it to him.

Zhang Liuzhen sipped slowly, several small mouthfuls, before finally calming down.

Pan Yun said: "Brother Zhang, Miao He has trained in qi cultivation and alchemy since childhood. Let her feel your pulse, check your condition."

Zhang Liuzhen glanced at Miao He and smiled. "Can you perform inner observation yet?"

Miao He turned to look at Pan Yun, then answered honestly: "I can observe myself, but not yet others."

Zhang Liuzhen sighed in admiration. "That's already impressive. How old are you?"

He extended his hand to her. "Take a look."

Miao He was thrilled. She rarely had patients—except during temple fairs, when she could sneak a few pulse checks, or the people on Mount Sanqing who let her feel their pulses or insert needles.

She steadied her breath, with great ceremony pulled a pillow from Zhang Liuzhen's bed, gently placed his hand upon it, then began feeling his pulse.

"Huh?" Miao He looked up nervously, darted a quick glance at Zhang Liuzhen—still gazing at her with gentle eyes—and felt slightly reassured. She subtly shifted her fingers and continued listening.

Miao He blinked, shifted her fingers again gently, her brow slowly furrowing, her face filled with doubt.

Zhang Liuzhen asked softly: "Can't you feel much of the pulse?"

Miao He opened her mouth.

Pan Yun rose and walked over, one hand pressing on Miao He, the other activating her technique to observe him.

She saw his blood qi was thin, his vital energy sparse—he was clearly nearing death.

Pan Yun froze.

Zhang Liuzhen withdrew his hand and said to the saddened Miao He: "Don't be upset. Though my heart pulse is weak, I'm still alive—it's not a serious problem."

Miao He wiped her eyes and asked: "Can my master and Senior Brother save you?"

Zhang Liuzhen shook his head with a smile. "They can't save me. But someone else can. The Dao never blocks a person's path entirely—it always leaves a thread of hope. So don't worry."

Pan Yun withdrew her technique, no longer using her gift to observe him, but simply looked at him with calm eyes. "Brother Zhang, is your new breathing method meant for self-rescue?"

Zhang Liuzhen: "I suppose so."

He smiled. "If this technique succeeds, even if it can't save my life, it might save my heart."

"Heart? What heart does Brother Zhang have?"

Zhang Liuzhen only smiled, not answering her question. Instead, he turned, reached beside his bed, and pulled out a stack of paper covered in writing and diagrams of cultivation paths, handing it to Pan Yun. "I finally remembered—on that day of the grand lecture, you didn't enter meditation. You must have sensed the anomaly in the new breathing method."

"These are the adjustments I've made these past days, along with my observations. It's still imperfect, but you're clever—I'd like you to look at it. Perhaps you can give me some advice."

Pan Yun reached out and took it, lowered her head to read—and her eyes brightened with each line. "This Taiji diagram means the technique forms an invisible qi cluster inside the body? Even when we stop meditating, it continues running, drawing spiritual energy from outside and refining it together with internal essence into yuan force?"

Zhang Liuzhen nodded with a smile. "Exactly. Over the years, I've taken so many herbs that I noticed some leave behind Taiji qi clusters inside the body. Their effects last a day, two days, even longer."

"Later, while practicing, I gradually discovered that special cultivation pathways could also form Taiji qi clusters. Even after I stopped practicing, when I performed inner observation, they still turned slowly—though the yuan force generated was minimal, far less than during meditation, it was still there."

Zhang Liuzhen said: "Don't underestimate its smallness. If it lasts long enough, accumulated over time, the cultivation gains become immeasurable. And I've found that modifying the pathways even speeds up cultivation."

Pan Yun gripped the papers tightly. "But this technique is unstable."

Zhang Liuzhen gave her an approving glance and nodded. "Correct. This technique is unstable. Few in the Academy noticed it—but you sensed it from the start. When Zhou Wang suffered qi deviation, you were the first to react."

This was one reason Zhang Liuzhen was willing to share this technique with Pan Yun for joint study.

Though she was very young, ability never correlates with age.

Some are born brilliant—living a year's worth of insight in a single day. He was such a person, so he never underestimated her because of her youth.

He treated her as an equal—and Pan Yun directly felt his sincerity.

Pan Yun lowered her gaze, thought for a moment, then decided to trust her instinct and his sincerity. She took the stack of papers and nodded at him. "Big Nephew, don't worry—I'll study it carefully. I'm not sure I'll solve it, but I'll do my best."

Zhang Liuzhen's smile froze. "Big Nephew?"

"From talking with Fourth Sister."

Zhang Liuzhen smiled. "Let me clarify, Sister Pan—in the Academy, disciples come from all over the nation, with varying seniority and different ways of addressing each other. Here, outside titles mean nothing. Seniority is determined solely by enrollment date. So in the Academy, I've always been Senior Brother, and always will be."

His gaze turned to Miao Zhen and Miao He. "For example, you two—here, you may call Pan Yun by her name, since you enrolled the same year. Or you may address her as 'Sister,' based on age."

Miao Zhen and Miao He perked up, eager to try.

(End of Chapter)