Chapter 17: Everyone Wants to See the Heavenly Tome First
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“When sensing the Heavenly Tome, a faint glimmer will appear first, like a fleeting meteor.”
“Those destined for it can easily follow the light and be drawn near the Heavenly Dao. At that moment, the myriad paths of the world will unfold above your head. The time is brief, and you can comprehend as much as you can grasp.”
“But if you are not destined, no matter how hard you chase, you won’t catch up. Some of my peers from six years ago experienced this. Though they saw the light many times, they could never enter.”
The next morning, at the Field of Enlightenment, the inner court disciple Ban Yang Shu delivered a letter from Chu He and Lu Qing Qiu. After reading it, he personally came to the Field of Enlightenment and explained in detail the method to sense the Heavenly Tome.
They had all met at Prince Chong’s mansion and were highly valued by the prince.
For two days, Chu He and Lu Qing Qiu had attempted to sense the Heavenly Tome without success and had to seek his guidance. After all, Ban Yang Shu was a figure who had sensed the Heavenly Tome while still in the outer court, eventually advancing to the inner court. He had even achieved the Profound Comprehension Stage.
Following in the footsteps of seniors is the fastest way to cultivate.
Ban Yang Shu was a straightforward man. Moreover, Prince Chong himself was paying close attention to the matter of sensing the Heavenly Tome. Therefore, he held nothing back and explained everything he knew.
Lu Qing Qiu and Chu He, after listening to him, seemed thoughtful and appeared to gain some insight.
“By the way, where is Ji You, that lower-three-stage cultivator who has already reached perfection? Why don’t I see him?”
“He… he went to the Sword Testing Forest again today.”
Ban Yang Shu paused in surprise. “Dual cultivation of martial and Daoist arts?”
Lu Qing Qiu nodded, though she was equally puzzled. She believed that Ji You had realized last night, at the Field of Enlightenment, just how difficult the path of enlightenment was. She had expected him to abandon martial arts and dedicate himself entirely to Dao cultivation, as they did, from morning to night.
Yet, contrary to her expectations, he had gone to the Sword Testing Forest again today. It was truly baffling.
She wasn’t the only one surprised. Instructor Wang, who was at the Sword Testing Forest, was also curious about what this unconventional contender for an inner court spot was thinking.
“I heard that Lu Qing Qiu and Chu He have already gathered a trace of Profound Light. Why are you still here practicing martial arts?”
“Isn’t it said that if you can’t break through, you might get expelled from the Heavenly Script Academy? I need to have at least one skill to rely on. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up as a mountain bandit.”
“?”
Ji You, holding a wooden sword, continued slashing and thrusting through the forest. “Instructor Wang, have you ever seen a bandit?”
Instructor Wang chuckled. “This is Shengjing, the capital of Great Xia, and the Heavenly Script Academy is here. What kind of bandit would dare cause trouble?”
“Would you like to meet one? I’ve heard some bandits are also dual cultivators in martial and Daoist arts, with rather refined swordsmanship.”
“Are you implying that Meng Xing Hun is actually a bandit?”
Ji You sheathed his sword and wiped the sweat from his brow. “For just a couple of silver coins, I can introduce you to one, Instructor.”
Instructor Wang stared at him for a long moment before taking out a couple of silver coins from his sleeve. “When do we meet?”
“Right now.”
“?”
Ji You tossed the wooden sword aside and ran off. Standing at a distance, he turned back and called out, “Instructor, I’m out of money for food. Consider this a loan. I’ll repay you double in the future.”
Instructor Wang stood frozen for a moment, then suddenly widened his eyes. [Damn, this guy really is a bandit!]
Before long, Ji You had reached the Immortal Banquet Hall and used the silver to fill his stomach.
However, this couldn’t go on. He needed a proper way forward.
As a Wandering Rogue Cultivator who had sneaked into a prestigious sect, Ji You lacked the backing of a clan or family. Even daily survival was a struggle.
Failing to attain enlightenment wouldn’t be too shameful. Starving to death, though—now that would be disgraceful.
After his meal, Ji You saw that the day was still young. He decided to head down the mountain and check on Kuang Cheng, who was busy preparing for his exams.
Unfamiliar with Shengjing, Ji You only knew that Kuang Cheng was staying at the Spring Blossom Relay Station. After asking for directions, he finally arrived at a place that felt oddly familiar.
Here, there were extravagant young heirs playing everywhere. The air seemed laden with lustful thoughts.
?
At first, Ji You wasn’t sure. But upon finding the relay station and seeing Kuang Cheng, his doubts were dispelled. At that moment, Kuang Cheng was in his room, hanging his head from the beam and pricking his thigh with a needle, studying the classics with great determination.
“Ji You, what brings you here?”
“Didn’t you say you found a secluded and scholarly place to stay?”
Kuang Cheng let out a deep sigh. “That place across the street used to be a bookstore, but five years ago, it turned into a flower pavilion. The map of Capital City I have is eight years old.”
Ji You pulled a stool closer and sat down. “Did you do this on purpose, or was it sheer coincidence? Couldn’t you find another place?”
“Places with prices this reasonable that also offer a scholar’s desk and lamp oil? This is the only one.”
“How’s your preparation coming along?” Ji You asked casually.
After a moment of contemplation, Kuang Cheng answered, “Before, I was only sixty percent confident. Now, I’d say it’s up to eighty.”
Ji You raised a brow. “That confident, are you?”
“This year, His Majesty is expanding the Imperial Examinations, planning to recruit far more than before.”
“What caused such a sudden change?” Ji You asked.
“There’s word going around that His Majesty feels the court has grown stagnant and lifeless. He’s hoping to recruit a new group of officials to revitalize the bureaucracy.”
Ji You’s face betrayed no emotion, but inwardly he thought, [So the emperor’s so-called ‘new policies’ amount to cautious little moves like this.] It wasn’t surprising, though.
The Divine General of the Northern Garrison, said to be unrivaled beneath the Ascension Stage, was still as insignificant as an ant before the Seven Great Immortal Sects. The emperor summoned the general back to Capital City, hoping to stabilize the court and reorganize the bureaucratic system. It wasn’t a bad move, but it wouldn’t accomplish much beyond that.
Ji You wasn’t fond of politics, but considering the emperor’s limited position in the face of overwhelming power disparities, what else could he do but adjust those around him and keep dreaming his imperial dreams?
Of course, bureaucratic reform inevitably entangled matters involving the Immortal Sects. Issues like tax collection, the regulation of spirit herbs, mining, and the transportation of resources were all connected. A single misstep could create a cascade of problems, and perhaps in a few days, Capital City would be in chaos.
“Ji You? Ji You?” Kuang Cheng called out.
“Hmm?” Ji You snapped out of his thoughts.
“You’ve been awfully quiet. How are things at the Heavenly Script Academy? Is your cultivation progressing well?”
Ji You rested his hands on his knees. “Everyone’s fighting for a spot in the Inner Court, spending every day trying to sense the Heavenly Tome. It’s said that succeeding in sensing it guarantees entry.”
“Has anyone succeeded?”
“Close, but not quite.”
Kuang Cheng nodded in understanding. “It seems cultivation is just as arduous as studying. Still, I’ve no doubt you’ll come out on top, Ji You.”
Ji You chuckled. “Do you even know who I’m competing against? Heirs of great clans, daughters of wealthy families—spending thousands on spirit pills like it’s nothing.”
“But you remain confident, don’t you?” Kuang Cheng smiled knowingly. “You just prefer to keep quiet about your achievements until everything is settled. Who knows? Maybe you’re already planning to become the Headmaster.”
Ji You was silent for a moment, then said dryly, “Actually, I’m out of money for food and was considering taking five silver taels from you.”
“…What?”
“Hurry up!”
Kuang Cheng’s expression twitched as he pulled out a deflated money pouch from his pack, extracting about eight silver taels.
Seeing this, Ji You’s brows furrowed, and his eyes widened as if he’d just discovered someone had pilfered his own fortune. Pointing out the window at the flower pavilion, he blurted, “You’re a scholar, yet you seem to spend every waking moment there?”
“Spend every moment? I can’t stay calm until I’ve passed the exams,” Kuang Cheng replied earnestly.
“No, I mean, do you think you can call it a day as long as you’re not there?”
Realizing the implication, Kuang Cheng’s face turned crimson. “Nonsense! I’m an upright gentleman!”
“Then where’s my—no, your money gone?” Ji You quipped, catching himself mid-sentence.
“This is my money!” Kuang Cheng protested.
“Does it matter whose money it is? You’ve been in the city less than three days. How did you burn through that entire bag of silver so quickly?”
“I donated it,” Kuang Cheng muttered while tying up his money pouch. “Winter’s only a few months away. There’s a Home for Orphans and the Disabled in the western part of the city that doesn’t even have proper blankets. I stopped by the bookstore to buy some books and, well, I acted on impulse.”
Ji You fell silent for a long while, still feeling the sting—not for Kuang Cheng’s money, but for his own hypothetical loss.
The pride of Yuyang County, reduced to splitting a few silver taels. So much for contending with the winds of destiny. What a joke.
Ji You pushed the silver back. “Forget it, future Top Scholar. Don’t starve to death before the exams. I’m leaving.”
“Ji You, don’t just aim for becoming an Inner Court Disciple! Set your sights higher—like being Headmaster!”
“Got it.”