Chapter 14: The Arrival

The two kept walking side by side, exchanging a few questions along the way.

Passing through several large buildings, Ling Shuren explained to him about the place. It was a special academic area for Core Disciples, where inner or outer disciples could not enter aside from assisting elders in their work. Due to him just arriving here, she introduced to him several important venues.

Stopping in front of a large golden-walled hall, Ling Shuren introduced An Shan to one of the bigger lecture hall here in the sect, the The Hall of Enlightenment. It was constructed during the time Ancestor Tian was the Patriarch, and was dedicated to the honored name of his father. With him as the figure who successfully united the continent, rallying even the belligerent and arrogant Imperial Clans together, the Founding Ancestor was revered in the sect as a legendary figure.

Today, there would be a second lecture about the Supreme Ancestor, the Divine Light. Hearing the title of the lecture, An Shan frowned. Nevertheless, the Grand Elder who would be delivering it was one of the more famed figures in the sect and throughout its domain. Surely it would not be so bad? His title itself was quite imposing; a Divine Scholar.

He wished to evaluate the so-called Divine Scholar himself.

That was one of the primary reason he had come here, and partially one of the reasons why he went out incognito like this. If people were to hear an Ancestor of his prestige went out disguising as a Core Disciple of his own sect, they would not have believed it. They would surely have a good laugh.

The culture of Dragon Mountain continent focused quite strictly on respecting seniority. Someone more junior could not address someone else without any honorific, unless one was as close as playful siblings or romantic lovers. This culture also made it hard for anyone with even average cultural sense to lower themselves more than necessary.

Thus, what An Shan was doing, was quite unthinkable.

To him however, this act was necessary. Suppressing his own ego as an Ancestor was quite tough, but he deemed it worthwhile. When he first saluted Ling Shuren as an equal, he felt a bit awkward, but it was quite a refreshing experience to him. It reminded him of his old self, way back 200 years before he went into that 2000-year long Soul Severing.

From the revered Ancestor An Shan, he became just An Shan, the disciple. His memory flashed into that tranquil time, a life of simplicity and reflection. Too bad, his old Master had long gone. He owed much to him, teaching him all about life. He could still hear the crisp voice resounded in his ears, with his wrinkled hands caressing his own white beard as if he was a wise sage…

‘Shan-er, do you know the real meaning of life? Hmph, you don’t? Pity, then listen well…! Hmph, it’s when one finally reached the perfect Ying-Yang unification… Yes! When you finally grasp the secret of the two mountains in front and at the back… Un, when your precious wood finally burrow into that mysterious hole hidden from view, huhu, and oh yeah, when the fountain explodes, you’ll then know the real meaning of— Ahh! Unfilial disciple! How dare you— Aiya, stoppp!’

Remembering a certain almost everyday event, his mouth contorted. He honed so much of his sword fighting skill from his irritation, invoking both killing intent and sword intent from a young age before he even had his first kill.

‘That perverted, naughty old man…’

“Haven’t attended a lecture for a long time,”

“…You haven’t?”

With him speaking out loud, Ling Shuren thought he was speaking to her. Realizing his mistake, he smiled. It was a trivial mistake, so he need not explain much.

“My old Master passed away some years ago. I haven’t had much chance since,”

“Ah, I see… My condolences,”

“Nothing to it, the time for grieve had long passed, shall we?”

“Yes…”

The both of them walked up the grand stairs leading to the hall.

A few dozen more core disciples were walking up towards the front door of the hall, guarded by four Honor Guards. When they saw Ling Shuren, light of interest sparked in their eyes. Some whispered, some eyeing through the corners of their eyes. An Shan stopped before the Honor Guards. They were wearing light armors with either saber or sword on their side, and spear on hand. Raising his core disciple’s token between his fingers, he showed it to them.

One of them nodded, gesturing him to enter.

These Honor Guards were special guards of the sect.

They functioned as guards to important places in the sect, and this hall was one of them. For every market and financial places in any city under their domain, one could guarantee at least one of these guys were there. Their cultivation had reached Sub-Stars, the very beginning of what people called Experts, equal to that of core disciples. Some of them were only one step away from being an elder, knocking on the door to Main-Stars Stage for some years. All of them were already above 40 years of age, and the reason was simple. If one reached Sub-Star stage before 40, as long as they had no attitude problem, they would be groomed as a core disciple.

That was the law of the sect.

An Shan just took a step, and stopped to turn. Ling Shuren did not join him. She stood beside the Honor Guards, as if joining them in their duty. Looking at her, he said;

“Miss Ling, don’t just stand there. Come,”

Hearing him said so, she lowered her gaze, bit her lip. Her cheek almost turned red, she clasped her hands and lowered her head.

“Apologies, brother An. I could not enter, the lecturer barred me from going in,”

“…So I’ve heard. What right does he have, to do so? Did you make noise or disturb the lecture? What’s the reason?”

“Elder brother An, I… perhaps you’re not aware. But currently this one is in… Purification stage,”

“Actually I’ve heard. So?”

“…Err, I’m sure the Grand Elder had some reasons,”

“If there’s any, I’ll have you listen to it with me,”

“But… Ah, brother An!”

An Shan did not like nonsense. Taking her hand, he dragged her in.

Seeing this, the Honor Guards were about to step in, but they staggered, stopping their track. A feeling of dread engulfed each of them, as if they were being stared by a predator. That feeling completely derailed their thought, the two were no longer important. They turned around, eyeing the surroundings to see who it was.

Or what was it, staring at them as if they were its prey?

While An Shan was dragging Ling Shuren inside, a faint silhouette of a person was on top of the hall. It retracted its eyes from the Honor Guards, leaving them confused below. From afar, this figure was invisible, and its cultivation was completely shielded from spirit search. Unless one reached the level of Titan-Star, noticing this one’s presence was difficult.

It was the one An Shan called Ru-er, one of the protectors. She had ways to enter the hall through the front door, but it was unnecessary. There were two hidden entrances into it through the roof, and she just had to enter it through there.

“Elder brother An, please! Why are you—”

Being in Purification stage, she was too weak to break free.

An Shan’s hand kept his grip on her palm tight, simply pulling her in with him. He did not want to be rude, especially so when he and her hit it off quite well. Speaking to her, he remembered his early years as a disciple. This girl had quite a lively personality, and there was nothing wrong with her manner. But while he could just let her be, he wanted to test the so-called Divine Scholar. What would be his reason to ask her to leave before, not giving her and her master any face? Humiliating a disciple of the same sect, for what-damn-reason?

The inside of the hall was really spacious, with over ten metres to reach the ceiling at the back, to more than twenty at the front. Rows of red seats were filled with core disciples. The whole lecture hall could fit at least two thousand people, there were still empty seats here and there. The overall core disciples of Absolute Aegis here, from the report, would be around 5000 people. However, most of them were out doing missions and experiencing the outside world. The remaining younger core disciples still here, plus the few hundred older ones attending, did not even amount to 2000.

With this, he ruled out the excuse that the hall was full.

Their entrance attracted the attention of these core disciples.

Over a thousand pairs of eyes landed on them. Wearing robe of their own style and colors, most of the core disciples were in their 20s, while the older ones in their early 30s. Only handfuls did not reach twenty yet. From what An Shan could observe, none of them were younger than Ling Shuren. Their cultivation ranged from 1 Sub-Star to 5 Sub-Stars. From their face, it was evident to An Shan they were a group who put in much effort in their field. There was a clear sense of pride in their expression, with none bending down their back. While that in itself was nothing wrong, that sense of pride seemed to be challenged with Ling Shuren’s entrance. The murmurs earlier seemed to disappear all of a sudden. An Shan could feel some frown, and even sharp eyes directed at them.

Ling Shuren too, was not oblivious to her surroundings.

“Elder brother An, please let go!”

“Sit,”

Pulling Ling Shuren to the back seat, he pulled her to sit beside him. Landing her butt on the cushion, she was puzzled with his behavior. Her first impression of him was clearly good, and he seemed to be someone who respected others. So why forcing her like this?

And his hand…

“Elder brother An, c-could you let my hand, go?”

“No.”

“It’s awkward, like this. Plus, everyone’s looking…”

Seeing Ling Shuren being dragged in by an unfamiliar face, many of them there were puzzled. Where did this one come from? And why on earth was he inviting trouble, bringing her in forcefully like this?

They wondered whether he was simply oblivious of the situation, or just one odd troublemaker who had yet to learn his place. They kept turning their eyes to them. Some did it discreetly, some obvious.

“Let them. If I let you go, you’ll go outside as soon as I turn away,”

“Well that’s… That’s not the point! I’m just here to listen, to learn. Doing this… Why are you making things difficult for me?”

“Is that what you think? So be it,”

“Y-you… Do you even know what trouble you’re inviting?!”

“Hm, I’m actually interested. What trouble I’m inviting, you think?”

“You… Uhh,”

Hearing his question, she was lost for words. It was as if he did not care for the consequence at all. While she wanted to avoid trouble, he was her opposite. He actually rammed onto trouble like this! What made him so confident?

To An Shan, he was actually interested. What kind of action would the lecturer do? If he was the lecturer, at most he would laugh it off and then relate to them an analogy to help them understand. The rebelling of core disciples would still be acceptable if his action was seen as unjustified, for the fact that they failed to understand, was partly his fault. To do one’s best to align other people’s world-view with his own, that was the core of being a teacher.

A lecturer was in part, a teacher. He ought to do his best for the students to understand, and avoid misunderstandings.

“Well, let’s just see what the lecturer would do. At most he’ll just chide us, no?”

“That’s… Brother An, it’s not that simple. I still must ask you to let me go! You’re bringing trouble for me, and for yourself for no reason,”

“No. He told you to leave, the least he could do was to tell you the reason,”

“D-demanding that, he’s a Grand Elder! A senior one too, even my master can't, so that’s…”

“You don’t strike me as someone who gave up so easily. Am I wrong?”

“…W-what,”

"Never give up, not without a fight, a good fight,"

He whispered. Somehow, his words struck her. She seemed to recall something, yet she could not quite get it. It felt near, yet unreachable. Weird, yet familiar. A sudden warmth filled her chest, she shook her head. Her hand gripping his hand tight, she shivered.

Noticing her change, he asked;

“…You alright?”

“…Un,”

Voice stuck in her throat, she nodded.

Keeping her gaze low, her other hand rubbed her eyes, as if she was about to cry. She could not understand it, but her desire to get out from the hall was broken all of a sudden. What he had told her before rang within her, and it rang well with her. Like he said, the least the lecturer could do was to give her the reason.

That was the least respect she should expect!

The least she should demand!

When she turned silent, the rest of the disciples went to their seats. Down below, an Honor Guard announced the arrival of the lecturer.

“Announcing— The arrival of Grand Elder Yang Rizhi, the Divine Scholar! All disciple, be true to your duty, stand in respect,”

The whole hall rose, as if prompted to jumping.

Many disciples had sparkles in their eyes, expectation from their face. This Grand Elder, was among the few holding the title Divine Scholar, a true expert of the Divine Scripture left by the founding ancestor. Down the hall, just before a podium, a golden plated door was opened. As soon as it did, two Honor Guards stepped to the side of the door. Fist on their chest, with expression of utmost respect.

Soon, the figure of the man they had waited for emerged.

Flabby, with a lot of fats on the middle, he was wearing black robe embroiled with golden linings. Black clothing covered his head, as if a crown. A black beard filled his chin, he was smiling ear to ear while stepping forward, gaits full of confidence. On his left hand, a wooden staff supported him.

As soon as he entered, he held out his hand, greeting the disciples near the doors. Some of the more senior disciples took the chance to take and kiss his hand, as if it was a rare opportunity. After around ten kisses, he waved his hand, telling them to stop.

While he was still smiling, he noticed two figures at the back, almost hidden behind those now standing. These two, were still sitting, their hands holding each other. Looking at them, his smile was broken. He could recognize the girl in purple, that wretched girl… But that guy in green robe, he could not.

With his eyes landing on him, the young man smiled.

A wide smile, directed to him.

‘What the…?’

His smile, reminded him of something. Where did he see such a smile? Then it crossed his mind. That's right, this youngster's smile, reminded him of his own smile! That smile, that smile… He turned sour, for he knew exactly what it meant!

Knocking his staff on the floor, he pointed his finger to him.

“…You, how dare!”

Chapter 14 'The Arrival' End