Chapter 28: Office of Affairs
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Beneath the misty peaks of Mount Ni, nestled within an isolated four-sided pavilion outside the inner court, three figures sat. Qin Rong, Lang He Tong, and Ji Jing Yao, the three stewards of the Heavenly Script Academy, second only to the five hall masters in rank, were seated before a desk. Their wide sleeves draped elegantly over the wooden chairs as they listened intently to a disciple’s report.
After a lengthy briefing, silence hung in the air as the three stewards exchanged glances.
“A Dao Fusion cultivator was present, yet not a single disciple was harmed. How is this possible?” Qin Rong’s tone carried a hint of incredulity.
Lang He Tong chuckled softly. “Brother Qin, surely you’re not disappointed that no harm befell them?”
Qin Rong shook his head lightly. “It’s not about wanting harm; it’s about our academy’s prestige. This matter requires thorough investigation.”
Ji Jing Yao stroked his long beard thoughtfully. After a moment, he suggested, “Among the eight disciples involved, three emerged unscathed, while two suffered only minor injuries. Let us first summon them for questioning.”
“I had the same thought,” Qin Rong nodded in agreement.
Among the eight, Lu Qing Qiu, Lou Si Yi, and Sun Zhi Qiao had barely entered the fray before being swiftly rescued by Ji You. Meanwhile, Bai Ru Long and Qian Yun Xiao had their throats nearly crushed by the malignant being, yet survived unscathed. As curious gazes followed, they were summoned to the Office of Affairs atop the mountain.
…
Bai Ru Long stood animatedly demonstrating the battle, mimicking movements to illustrate Ji You’s actions. “He wields the sword like this, then like this… and then like this!” His exaggerated gestures painted a vivid picture.
Lu Qing Qiu, assisting, gestured with just as much fervor. Together, they narrated the scene with precision, detailing the key moments. The three stewards listened in silence.
Finally, Qin Rong sighed. “For a millennium, the Immortal Sects have ensured peace through their prestige, with even the Dao Gatherings like the Boiling Snow Conference and Immortal Wandering Assembly adhering to unwritten rules of restraint. Before this, I too dismissed martial techniques as trivial. Yet today, an outer court disciple, through sheer mastery of martial arts, demonstrated the purpose of their existence.”
Lang He Tong raised a brow. “Martial Dao…”
“What?”
“It was once known as the Martial Dao.”
Ji Jing Yao furrowed his brow but remained focused. “Ji You… I feel like I’ve heard this name before.”
Qin Rong also appeared contemplative. “Now that you mention it, it does sound familiar.”
Lang He Tong’s laughter broke the momentary silence. “This Ji You is none other than the one who surpassed the Chu Clan’s prodigy to sense the Heavenly Tome first.”
“The scholar from a humble background?!”
“Exactly.”
Qin Rong and Ji Jing Yao exchanged astonished glances. A dual cultivator, capable of sensing the Heavenly Tome and wielding a sword to rescue his companions from higher-level threats, was beyond comprehension.
Lang He Tong stroked his beard, returning the discussion to the broader issues. “Though we understand this battle, we must now identify the Dao Fusion cultivator, uncover their motives for attacking the disciples, and determine why the malignant being appeared in Shengjing City.”
Qin Rong nodded solemnly. “Indeed. We’ve yet to receive reports from the disciples searching the city. For now, let us question those involved in the battle.”
Ji Jing Yao interjected, “Leave Ji Qi Rui be; his injuries prevent him from rising.”
Qin Rong nodded, adding, “Ban Yang Shu is also too injured. We can question him later.” While Qin Rong had no familial ties to Ban Yang Shu, he shared a cordial history with the Ban family and offered leniency.
Finally, Qin Rong decided. “Summon the outer court disciple, Ji You.”
Lang He Tong nodded. “He has faced both the malignant being and the Dao Fusion cultivator. He may have insights unknown to us.”
Bai Ru Long and Qian Yun Xiao immediately objected. “Respected stewards, Ji You is deeply exhausted from overexerting his spiritual consciousness. He is currently asleep and unfit for questioning.”
Lu Qing Qiu and the others stepped forward, supporting their plea. “Three esteemed stewards, perhaps it would be better to wait until he awakens naturally.”
Qin Rong took a sip of tea and replied, “The attack on our disciples has spread across the realm. Failing to investigate promptly would harm our sect’s prestige. Exhaustion of spiritual consciousness is not an injury. A few simple questions will suffice.”
Ji Jing Yao agreed, nodding to a nearby disciple. “Go to the outer court and summon Ji You.”
“Yes, Steward!”
…
The Office of Affairs was notorious for its aggressive stance in safeguarding the sect’s prestige. In their eyes, Ji You, an outer court disciple of humble origins, lacked the standing to demand special consideration. Even if he were to join the inner court, unless he became a direct disciple of one of the five halls, he would hold little influence over the Office of Affairs.
The group’s dissatisfaction was palpable, but they were powerless to intervene. It was the reality faced by those of humble beginnings in a world where lineage dictated status.
However, moments later, the disciple returned alone, looking disheveled, as if he’d rolled in the dirt.
Qin Rong’s brow furrowed. “Did he refuse to come?”
The disciple hesitated before replying, “He is still sleeping in his quarters by Azure Lake’s Elegant Garden, and I did not enter.”
“Was someone blocking you?”
“Yes, Steward. Hall Master You Ying Qiu of the Hall of Auspiciousness was seated outside his quarters. When I approached, she told me to leave immediately.”
Silence fell in the room.
Qin Rong finally spoke, “Then let him rest. We can question him when he awakens.”
Ji Jing Yao nodded in agreement. “That was my thought as well.”
The disciples present were stunned. Ji You had merely overexerted his spiritual consciousness, yet he warranted a personal visit from an inner court hall master? Their questions lingered, but they were soon dismissed.
…
In the Office of Affairs, Qin Rong pondered aloud. “Could Ji You be a favored disciple of Hall Master You?”
Lang He Tong shook his head. “Do not forget, the Hall of Auspiciousness already has a direct disciple.”
…
Two days passed without disturbance. When Ji You finally awoke at midday, he felt invigorated, a sharp contrast to the grogginess he usually experienced after overtaxing his spiritual senses.
As he puzzled over this, an elderly man in loose white robes entered the room with a bowl of water. His attire resembled bedclothes more than formal robes.
Seeing Ji You awake, the old man approached, grasping Ji You’s wrist lightly to feel his pulse.
“A physician…?” Ji You muttered, startled, quickly withdrawing his hand.
The old man chuckled, stroking his beard. “Are your thoughts clear?”
“Yes, I feel fine.”
“Good, then there’s nothing to worry about.”
The old man handed him the water. “Drink.”
Ji You sipped, noting its slight sweetness. His gaze fell on an unsealed letter on the table.
“Did you write this?” the old man asked.
“Yes, it’s a letter to my family to let them know I’m safe.”
The old man read a snippet aloud, chuckling. “Kuang Cheng became a top scholar and hopes I’ll be a sect master. But the sect master has lived for over three centuries—I doubt I can outlast him…”
He smacked his lips in amusement.