Chapter Twenty-Five: Someone Dies

As the smoke dissipated, Xie Peiling had barely moved a few steps from where he started, his eyes devoid of any emotion. In the silent street, the dust settled alongside his words.

"Do you still wish to continue?"

Chan Mingqi, sprawled on the ground, remained silent for a long time before his throat finally loosened. "No more... I am no match for you."

Xie Peiling looked up at the practitioners who had arrived with Chan Mingqi and asked, "And what of you?"

They shook their heads. They had already witnessed the brilliance of that sword strike; a person must know their own limits. Had they been in his position, they could not have parried it either. Since the outcome was already clear, why invite trouble?

Xie Peiling said calmly, "Then make way."

As he spoke, they stepped aside of their own accord. Chu Xianlü appeared at his side, smiling as she said, "Look at that, just look! What did I tell you? I knew you could do it."

Xie Peiling was in no mood for this; he was contemplating the recent events. He hadn't practiced at all during this period, so why did his cultivation feel increasingly perfected? Yet, if he were to face that woman in plain clothes now, the result would be the same as before; the gap between them remained too vast.

After he left, the crowd buzzed with speculation. The townspeople discussed who this youth was, why he wore a bamboo hat, and whether he was perhaps unattractive. What did his words mean? And the young girl beside him was truly lovely... Most importantly, which family did the marriage contract belong to?

As for Chan Mingqi, they paid him no mind. The youth who had been lying on the ground since the smoke cleared remained there for a long time, and no one offered to pull him up, not even the fellow disciples who claimed to be close to him. They had all retreated as if they did not know him, fearing that being associated with him would invite mockery.

***

"You have no idea how cool you looked! Where are we going now? The Chu estate? Good! Let's go and knock them all down, show them what you're really worth!"

Chu Xianlü chattered beside him, seemingly possessed of endless energy. Xie Peiling shook his head and asked, "I heard the government is recruiting. Do you know where?"

Chu Xianlü nodded. "Follow me."

She spoke with a faint trace of disgust. They walked for a long time until they reached one of the imperial institutions. He had thought that because this was a crucial turning point for mortals to take that first step, there would be many applicants, but he had not expected the crowd to be terrifyingly large.

Standing at the entrance were several young men who sneered at every person they saw. Naturally, they were selective, knowing who could be mocked and who should be treated with caution. They wore similar black garments, white caps, and fish-shaped talismans at their waists—evidently the uniform of the academy.

Leaning lazily against the gate, they jeered at the people in line.

"Hey, look at this one. Damn, he’s as fat as a pig, carrying a fan—does he really think he’s some refined young gentleman?"

"Take a look, hey, you! That’s right, you. Look at yourself—why even come here? No matter how much you wash that shirt, it won't be new. And that rusty trinket—did you just scavenge that from somewhere to put on a show?"

"Oh, look at that, he dares to glare at your betters? Try glaring again and see what happens!"

Xie Peiling raised an eyebrow. No wonder Chu Xianlü had looked so repulsed when he agreed to come here.

"Why do they behave this way? Just to satisfy their own sense of superiority?"

Chu Xianlü sneered. "These people look arrogant, but they failed the selection exams and couldn't make it to the capital, so they are stuck here, living out their days in mediocrity. They contrast sharply with their former selves, so they have no patience for the new applicants. Unless you have power or family backing, you’ll be the target of their spite. It’s like this every year."

Xie Peiling nodded. Listening to their acerbic remarks, he noticed the mockery in their eyes only grew more intense as people watched them. The imperial lackeys laughed boisterously, discussing the applicants without restraint, deliberately ensuring they were heard. The fat applicant turned beet red, and after a single glance, buried his head in his chest.

Chu Xianlü asked, "So, why are you here?"

"To find someone."

"Who? Perhaps I know them."

"Qionglin Banquet."

Chu Xianlü laughed. "You love a good joke."

Xie Peiling shook his head. Why did he feel he could not escape this identity? No matter how he explained it, no one believed him.

***

Fortunately, while they were in line, the youths did not pester them. Just because the other applicants dared not retort did not mean he wouldn't.

When they reached the examiner, Xie Peiling said, "I am here to find someone."

"Who?"

"A boy of about fourteen or fifteen. He looks very refined, carries two large bags of luggage, has very distinct eyes, and has never practiced cultivation."

The examiner laughed. "None of the applicants here have practiced. There are so many of them—where am I supposed to find him?"

Xie Peiling said, "No, you know who he is."

The examiner fell silent for a moment. It was true; that person stood out too much in the crowd. "I advise you to stay away from him."

"So, he passed the examination."

"..." The examiner took a long look at the youth in the bamboo hat, licked his lips, and said, "Indeed. No one here is smarter than him. It’s a pity he is too foolish, failing to understand the ways of the world. He passed not only my test but even the special imperial exam that no one has cleared in ten years. But he offended someone he shouldn't have, so he was sent away."

Xie Peiling was silent for a moment before saying slowly, "I understand. Thank you."

He turned and walked away. Chu Xianlü, who had not asked a single question, followed behind and, upon leaving the courtyard, kept her mouth shut.

"Someone has committed suicide!"

Not long after they left, someone shouted in the main street. Usually, the death of one person here meant nothing. Hearing this, Xie Peiling’s body jolted. He grabbed a passerby and asked, "Who died?"

The man pointed to a small ditch not far away. "A young boy. He gave me a very strange feeling. Why would someone like that commit suicide? It’s just not worth it."