Chapter 66 - That Year, That Day, That Sunset
The core compass was an instrument used to measure the quality of a person’s cultivation core.
Every academy had a core compass provided by the Ministry of Rites. The instrument was precious and only used during the triennial academy admissions.
Fang Lang could not believe Mentor Wen managed to get his hands on the core compass.
His purple core was not some useless piece of garbage. It managed to shock Mentor Wen which meant it was of some quality.
Fang Lang let out a relieved sigh. That was one issue solved for the upcoming Imperial Examination.
“This is the core compass borrowed from the headmaster. You must be confused about your own core, right? We can test it and you’ll know for sure,” Mentor Wen said expectedly.
Headmaster Cui had a kind smile as he stroked his white beard. “Wen Ting tells me you might’ve experienced a core mutation, so I got curious. A core mutation is a rare phenomenon and I’m here to learn more about it.”
Wen Ting said, “Fang Lang, relax.”
Then, he moved the core compass down Fang Lang’s spine.
The spoon[1]of compass turned and a faint glimmer began to show.
Humm…
A purplish glow grew from the center of the spoon. After a moment, a bright purple light shone.
There were ten markings on the compass plate. The spoon stopped at the sixth marking, indicating Fang Lang’s core was at the sixth grade of that class.
Wen Ting was shocked by the purple light on the core compass.
His pupils contracted as surprise registered on his face.
“A purple core? Damn! An actual core mutation?”
Mentor Wen drew in a sharp breath.
Even the wise Headmaster Cui was stunned by the development. It would not be as shocking if it was a white to red core or a red to gold core. This core change was abnormal because the final core was beyond the usual core colors.
The boy was unique among the whole Tang Dynasty.
Wen Ting turned to look at Headmaster Cui. After an inhale, he said, “Headmaster, have you come across a purple core?”
Headmaster Cui shook his head and continued stroking his beard. He studied Fang Lang with wonder in his eyes and smiled. “I’ve never seen one but I have read the Record of Core Mutations. The purple core is mentioned in it…
“Three thousand years ago, during the era of the Eight Dynasties, a purple core was born. Unfortunately, the oddball ended up dying at the hands of a ninth-class demon in the demon world. Without a doubt, a purple core is a rarity and definitely on par with a gold core.”
Headmaster Cui delivered his lecture.
His cloudy eyes sparkled—no wonder the boy was chosen by Lady Jiang.
The Jiang family’s investment in the boy was worth it.
Headmaster Cui said with a smile, “Your performance in the Spirit Pagoda and your purple core will guarantee you a spot in the top-tier sects. As long as you don’t fail dramatically in the upcoming Imperial Examination, all will be clambering to win your favor. You stand a chance in entering the top ten honor roll. You’ll be the first under my administration of Luojiang Academy to achieve that honor.”
At that point, Headmaster Cui let out a hearty laugh.
Wen Ting put away the core compass and gave Fang Lang a once-over.
With a teasing smile, he said, “Chao Xiaojian is on Mount Shu waiting patiently for you to fail the Imperial Examination and crawl back to the Sword Guild. He’s gonna regret not letting you in when he finds out about your core mutation and that you’ve been poached by other sects.
“A purple core who managed to climb seven floors in the Spirit Pagoda and has sword techniques that put his peers to shame. When the Imperial Examination ends, you will be highly sought after. Just as I was back in those days.” Wen Ting grinned.
Hearing the compliments, Fang Lang smiled.
Who knew the day would come when Fang Lang would have his pick of sects.
However, he was not satisfied yet.
…
Autumn was in full swing. A third episode of rain hit Changan as rain clouds gathered above the Imperial City.
Raindrops fell in a flurry like the sweeping of willow trees.
Changan was shrouded in a misty rain. A bell chime echoed throughout the ancient city, reverberating through every brick like ripples on the water surface.
In the ancient city of Changan, the protected center of the Tang Dynasty stood in reverence. The passageways leading to the core were 20 miles long, shaped like spokes of a wheel. Lining the passageways were rows and rows of palaces akin to talisman writings. From afar, the whole city looked as if it sat upon a magnificent rune.
Along the well-constructed city street, a luxurious-looking carriage made its way into the center of Changan. The carriage wheels were drenched with the autumn rain.
As the Imperial Examination approached, even the high and mighty Imperial Academy was filled with a nervous atmosphere.
Deep within the city, the horse carriage came to a halt.
The blinds of the carriage were pulled away. A veiled Jiang Linglong appeared with an oil paper umbrella in hand, dressed in the Imperial Academy robes. She walked toward the palace that housed the Imperial Academy.
The Imperial Academy and Changan Academy were not the same. Students of the Imperial Academy came from distinguished families. Many were the sons and daughters of court officials in the Tang Dynasty.
According to the law, one had to partake in the Imperial Examination to be considered for a position in the courts.
Jiang Linglong entered the palace. A servant girl from the Imperial Academy took the umbrella away, dissipating the autumn raindrops.
Many pairs of eyes lingered on Jiang Linglong as she walked to her own desk. Her aura was cold and impassive like an iceberg. She flipped open her book.
The students looked away and resumed their chatter.
A handsome lad with expressive features raised his voice as he spoke to his companions, trying to get Jiang Linglong’s attention.
“I heard something none of you will know. My dad mentioned this when he came back yesterday. Yesterday, something interesting happened to the Spirit Pagoda that was assigned to Luojiang Academy. A student managed to reach the seventh floor of the Spirit Pagoda and the Spirit Pagoda voiced out a congratulations!” the handsome lad narrated with bright eyes.
The surrounding students’ curiosity was piqued. “The Spirit Pagoda spoke? Many of us from the Imperial Academy have entered the seventh floor but the Spirit Pagoda has never uttered a word.”
“Your dad is the Minister of Rites. Don’t you think that’s a bit fishy?”
The handsome lad knew all eyes were on him. He smiled charmingly and said, “My dad didn’t explain but I think he doesn’t believe it. I find the news to be hilarious. I think the student must have set up an announcement spell beforehand to rile up the crowd.”
“Who caused the Spirit Pagoda to speak?” an Imperial Academy student asked.
The handsome lad shot a look at the faraway Jiang Linglong who was reading her book. He slapped the desk once and called out, “It’s that Fang Lang!”
Loud noises of surprise rose within the Imperial Academy. Many made furtive glances at the impassive Jiang Linglong.
“The Fang Lang who wrote, ‘May I one day surmount the highest of peaks, where I could gather a sight of all mountains there laid.’?” the daughters of court officials asked.
The handsome lad pursed his lips and said, “My dad said the person is of questionable character. I believe he’s an attention seeker with ill intentions. The poem might not even be his own creation…”
A cool autumn breeze blew past the area.
As the handsome lad’s voice diminished, the veiled Jiang Linglong silently appeared behind him. The starry eyes were fixed on the boy.
Sensing her presence, the handsome lad put on a courteous smile. “Linglong—”
He was quickly interrupted.
“Shut up. Practice grounds, keep up.”
Jiang Linglong said in a cool tone before turning to leave.
The handsome lad’s expression twisted but Jiang Linglong’s cold gaze made it hard to back down.
15 minutes later, the boy’s face was severely bruised and he lost a tooth. He returned sobbing and learned his lesson about spreading false rumors.
Jiang Linglong appeared unaffected as she resumed reading at her desk.
Within the Imperial Academy, the students trembled as a burgeoning curiosity built around the boy, Fang Lang.
The rain continued to batter the ancient city.
The boy had never visited Changan but his name was already known.
…
The trees that loomed over Luojiang City’s streets were turning yellow as autumn arrived.
It was the end of the month.
The Imperial Examination was approaching and the atmosphere only got more tense. The students who commuted between the academy and their residences all wore stern and unsmiling expressions.
Even the entertainment house’s business was affected by the examination season—the place was less rowdy than usual.
Since the core evaluation, Fang Lang felt a huge weight lifted from his chest. At that moment, all he had to focus on was making the most out of his interactions with Ni Wen and Liu Bubai.
In the coming days, he managed to squeeze out four Grade-Rush Cards and five Physical Buff Cards from Ni Wen and Liu Bubai, respectively.
The drop rate was lower than before mainly because as Fang Lang’s cultivation level increased, some of the common cultivation topics were no longer considered as modest interactions by the System. Therefore, the rewards dwindled.
There was another piece of good news. Under Fang Lang’s patient training, he managed to break through his second-grade sword mastery. Finally, he was able to convert his peaked spiritual energy into blade energy and step into the third grade.
Fang Lang’s confidence in the upcoming Imperial Examination grew. Getting into the honor roll would not be a problem but Fang Lang wanted more than that.
In Luojiang Academy, on the third floor of the seventh study block.
Students sat at their desks with their sleeves rolled up as they wrote their formal application for the Imperial Examination.
The formal letter had to be submitted for them to qualify for the Imperial Examination.
Fang Lang concentrated as he wrote. His brush strokes ran across the rice paper like a soaring dragon, dancing in the air.
The students handed up their handiwork and obtained an Imperial Examination handbook from their mentor. The detailed information about the exam was listed within.
Fang Lang received his handbook and kept it inside his sleeve.
He walked back to his desk and sat down with a complicated expression on his face.
Behind the bench above the dais, Mentor Wen was dressed in a tidy attire and his beard was trimmed.
As he studied the 100 students in his class, a kind smile graced his face. There was a warm gentleness in his eyes.
The students’ chatter simmered down.
“From today onwards, you will have officially completed your three years of cultivation studies in Luojiang Academy. The path of cultivation is slow and tiring but I am thankful of each and every one of you for the past three years.
“I, Wen Ting, wish you all a smooth journey ahead! And I hope all of you can achieve greatness in the coming exam!”
At the end of Mentor Wen’s speech, every student stood up and folded their hands. They bowed at their mentor.
“Thank you for these three years of teachings. We’ll always remember you, Master Wen.”
The students’ voices were loud as one, cutting through the melancholy vibe of the season.
…
The sunset bled into the sky.
The fiery blaze spilled over Chang Street and the branching alleys.
Yang Zhengyi and Liu Bubai bade farewell to Fang Lang as they went their separate ways, intent on making the final preparations for the Imperial Examination. For once, Ni Wen did not hurry to go home. She intentionally hung back and trailed behind Fang Lang.
The main street of Luojiang City was crowded with people from all walks of life.
Ni Wen’s face had a red tint, a result of the setting sun’s irradiation.
She stared at Fang Lang and bit her lip. With a soft voice, she asked, “Lang… Lang’zi… After the Imperial Examination, which sect will you join? The Sword Guild?”
Fang Lang turned around and met her eyes. He weighed the expectations in her eyes and sighed internally.
The Imperial Examination was a major crossroad in life.
After that day, they might never meet again.
It was an honor to have been friends.
Fang Lang smiled warmly and said, “That’s a matter for the future. Focus on preparing for the exams. Do your very best and don’t leave regrets.”
That year, that day, that sunset.
Ni Wen bit her bottom lip. There was a shimmer in her eyes as her fingers twisted and pinched within her sleeves.
‘No regrets, huh?’
Fang Lang gave her a dashing smile and reached out with a hand. He gently patted Ni Wen’s head—the long, black strands flowed through his fingers.
Crash!
Suddenly, the sound of clay bowls cracking disturbed the silence.
A beautiful woman with a headscarf stood a distance away in the sunset. She had a carrying pole on her shoulders.
The woman’s face was pale.
[1] The core compass takes after a “South-pointer”—an early version of the modern compass invented in ancient China which uses a spoon-shaped lodestone placed on a bronze plate. The handle of the spoon is always facing south, hence the name.