Section 35: The Entire Academy Is Shaken, Yan Que Submits!
By Gu Zhenren
February 9, 2013
A golden pillar of light pulled. Two items, bathed in golden radiance, floated slowly, eventually drifting before Chu Yun.
Chu Yun extended his hands, grasping one in each.
He finally saw the mysterious objects clearly: they were bundles of Jade Slips. But this was not the time to investigate further.
“What do you say?” Chu Yun turned to face Yan Que.
Yan Que’s eyeballs bulged, his mouth opened as if to speak, but his Adam’s apple bobbed several times, and he remained silent.
All of this had brought him immense shock!
He had never imagined he would fail. And to fail so quickly, so miserably! He had even gambled himself away!
If he hadn’t experienced it firsthand, he would have declared Chu Yun a cheater. How could one person’s intellect be so outstanding? He had prepared diligently for a year, stuck on the final puzzle for two months, yet before Chu Yun, it was solved in a single breath.
Was this even human?
A monster!
Yan Que was stunned by Chu Yun’s intelligence.
Jin Bihan was no different. When she realized Chu Yun’s journey was not without reason, her heart had already trembled. Now, her mouth hung open as she stared blankly at Chu Yun, completely abandoning her ladylike demeanor!
She had always prided herself on her sharp mind, and as the Dunhuang Princess, she possessed a small degree of pride. Upon receiving the clue to the final puzzle, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph. *See?* she thought. *No one in the entire Academy could solve this, and I’d have it cracked within a week.*
Then, she encountered the influence of the commoner scholars and realized things were not as simple as they seemed.
Following that, she brought Chu Yun in as a rescuer. Upon seeing the final puzzle, she pondered intently, only grasping one or two points within moments.
The result!
Chu Yun declared on the spot that he had already solved the puzzle.
And afterward!
Damn it all, he had solved it, and right before her eyes, effortlessly obtained two inherited treasures.
What is genius? What is outstanding intellect?
Jin Bihan had always believed herself to be one, but now, looking at Chu Yun, she realized she was wrong. In comparison, Chu Yun was the true prodigy, the true genius!
With just one look, he deciphered the final puzzle. She couldn’t fathom his mind! How did he come up with it?
The proud Dunhuang Princess, for the first time in her life, involuntarily felt a sense of defeat.
Compared to her, Yan Que’s sense of defeat was even more profound.
What kind of person was he? The leader of the commoner scholar faction! Arrogant due to his talent, he looked down upon even disciples from ordinary noble families.
Within the entire Tiange Academy, Chu Yun was the only one he truly acknowledged. Even Hua Ying, while admitting his talent, was secretly dismissed by Yan Que as: “playing tricks, not worthy of refinement.”
For this puzzle, he had been lost in thought for two full months. Ultimately, with his intellect, he had understood eight-tenths of it. This significant advantage had led him to make the bet with Chu Yun.
Unexpectedly, unexpectedly!
He had lost, and not only lost, but lost so completely.
Defeated, in the realm of strategic thinking that he prided himself on, he had been brutally trampled by Chu Yun. He fell to the ground, unable to get up.
This blow was too heavy. It was too far beyond his expectations; he couldn’t even process it, unable to accept this cruel reality.
“Yan Que.” Chu Yun’s voice reached his ears.
“Is he going to confess?” Jin Bihan’s mouth widened, her heartstrings vibrating wildly!
Yan Que couldn’t help but tremble. He raised his eyes to look at Chu Yun.
The scene that met his gaze caused his pupils to dilate sharply.
At this moment, nine-colored auspicious clouds swirled like dragons above Chu Yun’s head. Golden radiance illuminated his surroundings. He wore a spotless white robe, his body strong and upright, radiating an imposing aura. A cute demonic fox squatted at his feet, and the renowned Drunken Snow Saber was slung across his back, giving him an extraordinary presence.
His expression was calm, yet beneath it lay a surging passion. His eyes shimmered, sharp yet gentle. With sincere emotion, he continued, “Yan Que, you have talent. In the future, you will surely rank high on the list. However, clinging to the opposition between noble families and commoners is just a futile waste of time.”
“In this World, there will always be the rich and the poor. There will always be noble families and commoners. What I can be certain of is that the rich must have started as the poor, and noble families must have begun as commoners. It is only through effort and opportunity that they have achieved their current status.”
“Why hate? This World is unequal, but it is fair. It gives you a fair opportunity, allowing you the chance to strive like the ancestors of the noble families. You too can become rich, you too can become a noble family. In my eyes, there is no distinction between commoners and noble families, only potential.”
“Look at this realm, Yan Que. Do not waste your talent. Follow me, and let us forge legends in this chaotic era for future generations to admire!”
His words were sincere, his feelings profound. His ambition spanned the entire realm!
Jin Bihan was stunned, her heart trembling: Is this the true face of the young tiger? In a daze, she seemed to see a young tiger, its tail gently swaying, its young fangs already showing their power. Now occupying the mountaintop, it roared to the sky, its voice young but imbued with a stern might.
The future king of the forest!
Yan Que’s mouth parted slightly as he stared blankly at Chu Yun. He swore he would never forget this scene. This man, carrying a demonic saber, standing on the mountaintop bathed in golden light, inviting him to conquer the world.
The blood in his chest boiled uncontrollably.
“No distinction between commoners and noble families in your eyes…” he murmured, lowering his gaze, his eyes flashing with Divine Light.
“Heh heh.” Suddenly, he chuckled lightly. Yan Que slowly bowed, kneeling on one knee, cupping his fists towards Chu Yun. “A bet is a bet, and I admit defeat.”
He paused, then continued—”Yan Que is here, presenting himself as your subordinate, Lord!”
…
“What on earth happened? Such a massive commotion?” Ning Yiyi sprinted up, her jade-green clothes fluttering like butterflies as she ran through the verdant forest.
“I don’t know. Judging by this radiant light, a treasure must have appeared!” Hua Ying, clad in a loose, colorful robe, his sleeves rustling in his sprint.
“Quick, Senior Yan Que should be at the mountaintop. The opponents are Chu Yun and Shi Jiaming, hurry up!” Worried for their leader’s safety, a group of commoner scholars also raced towards the summit.
“Huh?!” They suddenly shivered in unison and stopped dead in their tracks. They stared at the scene on the mountaintop, dumbfounded.
Yan Que was kneeling before Chu Yun, a golden pillar of light soaring upwards, Chu Yun occupying the summit. The mountain breeze billowed his clothes, revealing his magnificent and upright figure, like a deity.
“H-how could this be?” The commoner scholars found it unbelievable.
Ning Yiyi’s face was filled with shock, unable to speak.
Hua Ying’s expression was grave, extremely grave. His eyes flashed with sharp glints, his composure lost. He thought more deeply and saw further than those around him.
Seeing this scene, he sighed inwardly: “The sky of the Academy is about to change!”
