Chapter 36: Steadying the Breath, Steadying the Heart

“Brother, stop… stop for a moment!”

Gu Yi withdrew his hand, and upon observing him again, suddenly noticed a fresh vitality in him—his face was flushed with a healthy glow, as if some inner fire had been kindled.

“What was that just now? It felt powerful and also very comfortable,” the young lady asked in surprise.

“I told you already, meditation.”

“Meditation? So you actually entered it?”

“You could say that.”

“How is that possible? No one taught you, and it hasn’t been long. How could you just…”

Gu Yi explained, “Meditation has two meanings. One is to steady the breath and form, which I’ve already described. The second is to settle the mind. For true masters, even faced with temptation, their hearts remain undisturbed—this too, I have achieved.”

“Then try harder—see if you can establish your core intent?”

“No need.” He tried to clarify, “I vaguely sense that something is off about the path of cultivation in this world. Before I verify it at the Manual Pavilion, even if I force my mind into place, it would be contrived.”

“But in the face of strong enemies, isn’t a little forcefulness necessary?” the young lady argued.

“Don’t worry, now that you know the answer—that I am a cultivator—have some faith in me. No need for such panic. Besides, I still need to teach you the Biyang Method. How could I let myself be beaten to death?”

“Don’t say such inauspicious things.” The girl bit her lip. “There’s something else I have to tell you—about the Luyang Academy of Immortals.”

Gu Yi already knew a fair bit, but all of it had painted the academy in a positive light.

“Go on. I’m not afraid.”

She looked as though she was facing some insurmountable difficulty.

“You’ve been in Luyang City for a few days now. Haven’t you noticed that the officials of the Academy are held in the highest esteem?”

Gu Yi nodded. “Even more so than government officials.”

Ignoring his nonsense, the young lady explained, “People already admire those with talent on the path to immortality. On top of that, the Academy’s officials are the nation’s strongest force—His Majesty relies on them to govern the rivers and mountains. Therefore, the academy is a special place in Xu State, and inevitably, it can be a bit overbearing.”

Gu Yi chuckled. “I heard the Academy uses ramshackle farmhouse doors to remind students not to be arrogant, not to think themselves dragons just because they leapt like carp.”

“If they truly succeeded in humility, why the constant reminders?” she replied. “The fact they keep stressing it means they haven’t actually achieved it.”

“Well said. Please continue.”

“Among the Academy’s people, your disciple Ma Yuan is a rare exception… I still don’t understand why he would choose you as his master.”

This reminded Gu Yi of something amusing. “Although he knelt to me decisively, he slapped his own face several times and then went out drinking all night. For a while, he was even reluctant to call me Master.”

Understanding dawned in her eyes. “That explains it. The Academy’s officials are all proud of their status—especially in Luyang, because the Luyang Academy is the foremost in the world. So, in the duel after the rain, you cannot lose… but you also cannot win.”

Gu Yi was no fool and grasped her meaning. “Because they cannot allow someone from outside the Luyang Academy to defeat their chief talent.”

“Exactly. Fan Ling may not be the vice dean, but he is still a chief talent. No matter how much the others dislike him, your lack of respect for him is a slight against the entire Luyang Academy. Even if you have some friendship with Chen Wu, the fact is you showed disregard for the Academy—you’ve offended all of Luyang.”

Gu Yi suddenly stopped worrying. “Well, you should have told me sooner. Since I’ve already offended them, what’s the harm in winning? I know you hope I’ll enter Luyang Academy, but now I’m stuck. If I lose, they’ll look down on me; if I win, they’ll unite against me.”

“We’ve only just reunited, so there are things that are hard to say. But to be honest, I do blame myself for getting you into such trouble—and for implicating Jade Treasure Pavilion as well.”

The young lady sighed quietly. She had never expected someone could offend the Academy the very moment they arrived in Luyang.

“You’re exaggerating. Ever since you said, ‘Let a single drop of light pierce the long night of the world,’ I’ve linked my honor and disgrace to yours. But honestly, please don’t blame me. Anything else, but you really shouldn’t have treated the chief talent like that.”

“I’m not used to having someone else by my side; I made things difficult for you.”

“That’s enough.” She wasn’t truly angry with him. “Our situation is already bad enough—no need for more melodrama. I’m afraid of the Academy too, but when you’ve been sick a long time, even fear dulls. After enough misery, nothing seems quite so frightening anymore.”

Had she announced to the city that she was breaking ties with him, Gu Yi would have understood. If he lacked confidence, he might have distanced himself from Jade Treasure Pavilion, performing that classic, tragic male lead act. But now, there was no need.

Luyang Academy? They’re all trash.

Not his words—these were Little Yiyi’s.

“I’ll go now. You should get some rest.” The young lady rose slowly, hesitated, and finally spoke, “There’s something else—a rumor from Changning Street. If you notice any changes tomorrow, don’t take it to heart. Many of the girls here are just working; they’ll have to marry someday.”

Gu Yi was puzzled. “What do you mean? What changes?”

She dropped her gaze and said no more, leaving him completely at a loss.

The next morning, when he left the study, everyone he met was wearing a cotton jacket around their waist—even though the weather was clearly warming. Was this aimed at him?

What nonsense.

He grabbed Little Yue. “Yue, stop running around. Tell me, who started this rumor? Why is everyone dressed like this?”

Little Yue, bolder than most, was always in the front hall. “I’ll tell you, Young Master—it’s from Changning Street.”

“What rumor?”

“That you, for ten gold coins, bet on a woman’s waist. They say the young master is obsessed with slim waists—a little rake! You want to make Miss Yiyi’s waist the fifth wonder of Luyang. Honestly, I don’t understand—ten gold coins, what kind of waist is that?”

Gu Yi: ((٩(//̀Д/́/)۶))

“Nonsense!”

…

…

While flowers bloom in two places, each tells its own tale.

Fan Ling intended to keep his promise to Gu Yi—he would not punish Chen Mingguang or Wu Gang within these three days, for it was not worth it. Once he had defeated that fellow, he could deal with the two of them then. If he acted prematurely, it would only disgrace his position as chief talent of Luyang Academy.

That said, Chen Mingguang and Wu Gang dared not act up. Knowing they were at fault, they were uneasy. Upon entering the academy and ascending the mountain, they went of their own accord to the Sunset Wall to confess and accept punishment.

The Sunset Wall was a scenic spot in the academy, where the chiefs of the Pavilion, Sword, Talisman, and Talent disciplines all disciplined errant students.

The wall faced west, towering into the clouds, catching the sun as it set—hence the name.

“I didn’t summon you. Your mistakes can wait until after I deal with that fellow in three days,” Fan Ling declared.

Chen Mingguang bowed respectfully. “As squad leader, I failed to guide my teammates properly. I accept any punishment. I only hope you won’t bar me from going to Xingyuan, to fight for the academy and for Xu State.”

“So you still remember your duty!” Fan Ling scolded. “With war at hand, you were carousing in Changning! You shame the academy!”

At that moment, a melodious and gentle female voice rang out from the valley, lingering and graceful.

“No need for such anger, Fan Ling. Send Mingguang to me.”

Fan Ling hurriedly rose and greeted the distant voice with deep reverence. “Forgive my intrusion, Seventeenth Pavilion Lord. My lax discipline led to Chen Mingguang’s grave mistake. I’ll send him to receive your punishment.”

“Understood. Is that Gu Yi the boy who seems to have no cultivation yet is somewhat mysterious?”

Fan Ling was astonished. It was said that the Pavilion Lords were extraordinarily gifted—yet the Seventeenth Pavilion Lord, never leaving her chamber, already knew the city’s affairs. Truly remarkable.

With renewed respect, he replied, “Yes! And not only that, he’s said to be the brother Miss Yiyi of Jade Treasure Pavilion has searched for all these years. But he’s wild and dissolute—on his first day at the Pavilion, he went to Changning for pleasure, betting ten gold coins on a courtesan’s waist. Such a person isn’t worth your concern; I, Fan Ling, can handle him!”

“I see. Fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Ye Xiuhua found her brother, but who knows if it’s a blessing or a curse. Be careful. He’s an outsider—don’t shame Luyang Academy. If you lack strength, that’s your failing. But if you lose through arrogance, you’ll make Seventeen angry.”

“Fan Ling will always uphold the honor of Luyang Academy!”

“One more thing—he’s a handsome young man. If you must beat him, hit him wherever, but not the face.”

Though none of the three dared show any expression, inwardly they all paused in surprise.

Usually stern, Fan Ling’s eyelid twitched, but he dared not say a word more.

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A group of idiotic readers made me go back and edit my draft, and now I’m four chapters short! And you still won’t give me your recommendation votes???