On the peak of Jade Mountain, at the Imperial Academy Hall.
The Imperial Academy Commandants, Imperial Academy Libationers, and Imperial Librarians of the various halls had all arrived, their expressions alternating between dark and light. From time to time, someone rushed in to report, and with each piece of news, the faces of the assembled grew even grimmer. Only upon the sage's seat did the Young Ancestor remain calm and composed, his expression utterly indifferent to victory or defeat.
At this moment, messages arrived one after another: "Reporting to the Grand Libationer: the Daoist Chosen One has defeated the Second Prince!"
"The Daoist Chosen One has defeated Prince of Nanping's heir Jiu Yin!"
"The Daoist Chosen One has defeated Princess Duoduo of Prince of Xiping!"
"Ling Shiji of the Celestial Strategy Office has also been defeated!"
"Lin Qiuhe has been wounded by the Daoist Chosen One!"
...
A long time passed, and finally no more messengers came. But the expressions of those present had reached their nadir. The absence of messengers meant that no more Imperial Academy scholars dared challenge the Daoist Chosen One Lin Xuan. The scholars of the Imperial Academy had had all their arrogance and sharpness beaten out of them by this young Daoist, and could only watch helplessly as he blocked their gates.
An Imperial Academy Libationer frowned and said, "Our Imperial Academy has existed for so many years, producing countless experts who became pillars of the state. Can we truly not find a single person capable of rivaling the Daoist Chosen One?"
An Imperial Academy Commandant shook his head. "There are, in fact, such people. Over the years, there have always been three or five geniuses no less remarkable than the Daoist Chosen One. However, these individuals are no longer scholars—they have left the Imperial Academy to serve in the imperial court. Unlike the various sects and schools of the martial world, which have no notion of 'leaving,' once someone departs from our Imperial Academy, they are no longer scholars."
The group let out a heavy sigh. Daoist Lingyun lamented, "Are we truly going to let this Daoist Chosen One block our gates? That would be far too humiliating!"
No one spoke.
Suddenly, Chan Master Faqing of the Qingyang Hall spoke up: "This matter should be reported to the National Teacher immediately. If his disciples come, perhaps they can defeat the Daoist Chosen One."
"Great monk, the National Teacher's disciples are not scholars of our Imperial Academy. Even if they defeat the Daoist Chosen One, would the Dao Sect truly submit?"
Just at that moment, a tower ship drifted to a halt on the peak of Jade Mountain.
Several young people descended from the ship and walked straight to the Imperial Academy Hall. The one in front bowed and said, "Esteemed teachers, we are disciples of the National Teacher. The National Teacher heard that the Daoist Chosen One had come to cause trouble, and so he sent us here."
The Libationers, Commandants, and Imperial Librarians in the hall exchanged glances, then all turned in unison to look at the Young Ancestor. An Imperial Librarian said in a deep voice, "Grand Libationer, the National Teacher's disciples are not scholars of our Imperial Academy. Whether they may represent our Academy in battle—this is a decision that must be made by the Grand Libationer."
Libationer Bashan, with his great bushy beard, suddenly slammed his hand on the table and protested, "Ridiculous! What good would it do even if the National Teacher's disciples defeated the Daoist Chosen One? The National Teacher's disciples are cultivated according to old traditions, taught by him alone—no different from how those sects train their own! If word of this got out to the Dao Sect, they would surely revolt! If the Dao Sect rebels, all the orthodox factions in the world will rebel! Who among us would bear that responsibility? Who could bear it?"
The Imperial Librarian retorted angrily, "You are a Libationer, you are always right—so tell us, what should be done?"
"What should be done?"
Libationer Bashan laughed aloud and declared fiercely, "Whatever we do would be better than what your Imperial Librarians do! You Librarians spend all day guarding that tower of old books, claiming to research Dao arts and divine powers—and what have you produced in all these years? If you had the ability to develop Dao arts and divine powers that could counter the Primordial Grand Mystery Art, our scholars wouldn't be in such an embarrassing position, unable to do anything while someone blocks our gates!"
In the Imperial Academy Hall, the Imperial Librarians flew into a rage and began shouting back: "The Dao arts and divine powers we develop are all passed on to you! It is you Commandants and Libationers who are incompetent, unable to produce good scholars!"
"Well said! For instance, what does this Hall of Imperial Physicians actually do? Every day they teach scholars to refine pills and gather herbs, but they never do any real work. Before long, this scholar has been poisoned and is vomiting blood, that scholar has been poisoned and his face has turned black! And they still have the nerve to collect their salaries!"
The physicians of the Hall of Imperial Physicians were also Imperial Academy Commandants, and upon hearing this, they were furious. Physician You trembled with rage and said quaveringly, "If not for our Hall of Imperial Physicians saving the dying and healing the wounded, these scholars would have died by the half from poisoning alone, to say nothing of qi deviation! Your Imperial Librarians are incompetent—we asked you to compile the pill and medicine formulas of all the various teachings, but you still haven't delivered. The Empress Dowager's illness was cured by a mere youth! Why don't you die?"
"Old fool, you should be the one to die first! Your Hall of Imperial Physicians couldn't cure the Empress Dowager's illness—a mere youth cured it! Why don't you pull out an eyelash and hang yourself?"
...
The people in the Imperial Academy Hall were quarreling in a great uproar, their tempers flaring hotter with every exchange, leaving the National Teacher's disciples standing there exchanging bewildered glances.
After a moment, Libationer Bashan suddenly smiled and said, "Alright, alright, enough arguing. If we can't come up with a plan, isn't the one in charge still sitting right here? Grand Libationer, what do you think?"
Everyone turned to look at the Young Ancestor on the sage's seat. The Young Ancestor rubbed his temples, clearly having a headache from all the bickering, and said, "The National Teacher's disciples are not scholars of the Imperial Academy. If his disciples fight and defeat the Daoist Chosen One, the Dao Sect will seize the opportunity to revolt. In that case, they would have just cause for rebellion, and it would put the empire in a passive position. So, invite the National Teacher himself."
Everyone was slightly stunned, not understanding his meaning. Even the National Teacher's disciples looked puzzled.
"The Dao Sect are all stubborn fools."
The Young Ancestor rose to his feet and smiled. "They only recognize rigid logic, and you cannot cheat them with tricks. Since that is the case, then we must do it honestly and openly. The National Teacher hasn't lectured at our Imperial Academy for quite some time, has he? In the past, he used to come often, teaching Dao arts, sword techniques, and divine powers. Some scholars even count as his half-disciples. Go back and invite the National Teacher to come and instruct the Imperial Academy scholars."
The National Teacher's disciples were taken aback, then bowed and agreed. One by one they left the hall and boarded the tower ship to depart.
Libationer Bashan stroked his beard and mused with a smile, "Grand Libationer, you mean to have the National Teacher come and teach sword techniques and divine powers, then have one of our Academy's disciples defeat the Daoist Chosen One?"
The Young Ancestor nodded with a smile.
Libationer Bashan held up three fingers: "Three days! We only have three days! Old master, can the National Teacher really produce a genius capable of defeating the Daoist Chosen One in three days? Do you believe that?"
"I do."
The Young Ancestor smiled. "Bashan, do not underestimate the National Teacher's abilities. He is, after all, the foremost man beneath the gods—his capabilities exceed your imagination. And besides..."
He walked to the door of the Imperial Academy Hall and looked down toward the mountain gate below, secretly sneering to himself: "That stinking brat doesn't move without profit! I thought he couldn't restrain himself and would want to test himself against the Daoist Chosen One, but I didn't expect him to be so patient! Fine, this time I'll invite the Yan Kang National Teacher over—it's his gain!"
---
The National Teacher's Residence.
"The Grand Libationer wants me to come and lecture?"
The Yan Kang National Teacher heard the report of his disciples and was slightly taken aback. "What is that old fox scheming now? Taking you in as scholars of the Imperial Academy is merely the matter of stamping a seal—why must he insist on me coming personally?"
One disciple said, "The Grand Libationer's reasoning is that the Dao Sect only recognizes rigid logic. If they knew we are the National Teacher's disciples, they would certainly not acknowledge it, and would seize the opportunity to revolt."
The National Teacher laughed. "The Dao Sect really are stubborn fools. I met the Dao Lord in my early years, and he truly had this infuriating stubbornness—only recognizing rigid logic. Very well, I shall make the trip. Summon the Minor Poison King."
Fu Yuanqing arrived, and the National Teacher handed him a dagger. "You have seen my wound before. Now recreate it on my body. Make it look convincing."
Fu Yuanqing was startled. He took the dagger and traced it across the National Teacher's chest, leaving the Yan Kang National Teacher covered in blood. Then, using the blood as paint, he made the wound appear even more realistic.
"Add a bit of a foul stench to it," the National Teacher said, his eyes glinting.
Fu Yuanqing sprinkled some powder on the wound. It now emitted a faint smell of decay, though not too strong.
The National Teacher said, "Now add some fragrance."
Fu Yuanqing complied, using the scent to mask the foul odor. The National Teacher changed his clothes, then thought for a moment and ordered someone to bring rouge and powder. He had a maidservant apply a sickly flush to both his cheeks.
When everything was done, the National Teacher smiled. "Surely this will fool the eyes and ears of the rebels?"
Fu Yuanqing laughed. "You mean to say there are rebels within the Imperial Academy? Then perhaps the National Teacher should bring some experts with him, to make it appear that you lack confidence."
"The Imperial Academy is vast—naturally there are a few rebels hidden within. But this is the capital. Who would dare kill me here? As for the Imperial Academy, they have more experts than even the imperial palace—there's no need to bring more. Come along with me, lest the Empress Dowager take advantage and slip in to kill you."
Fu Yuanqing breathed a secret sigh of relief. His true intention had been hoping the National Teacher would bring him along, to prevent the Empress Dowager from seizing the opportunity to strike him down.
---
The Imperial Academy. Suddenly the great bell sounded, its toll spreading across the entire mountain.
The many Imperial Academy scholars guarding the mountain gate heard the bell and immediately began ascending the mountain. Qin Mu, confused, asked what was happening. Ling Yuxiu explained, "This is the bell that calls all Imperial Academy scholars to assemble. When you hear it, you must gather before the Imperial Academy Hall. The Grand Libationer likely has something to say."
Wei Yong worried aloud, "Could it be that because we can't defeat this Daoist Chosen One, they're going to disband the Imperial Academy?"
The surrounding scholars glared at him furiously, and Wei Yong quickly shrank back.
When they reached the summit, they found the area before the Imperial Academy Hall already packed with people—princes, nobles, and common scholars alike had all gathered there.
After a moment, when everyone had arrived, the Young Ancestor smiled and said, "National Teacher, please begin."