“Literally speaking.”
Lu Chenzhou stroked his white beard and looked at Chen Zui with a smile.
“I have heard a bit about your troubles in the martial world. Those people chasing you for the sword manual might not be anyone of significance, but they have the advantage of numbers, and they are as persistent as flies.”
Chen Zui did not deny it.
“While Qingya Academy is not some great sect of the martial world, we still carry some weight here in Jiangnan. During your stay at the academy, I can guarantee that no martial artist will intrude to disturb your peace.”
Chen Zui looked into the old man’s bright eyes, not rushing to agree.
“And the conditions? Surely you aren’t letting me stay just because you like the look of me, Mountain Lord?”
Lu Chenzhou let out a hearty laugh that echoed through the bamboo building.
“You are indeed a straightforward young man. In that case, I shall not beat around the bush.”
Then, he asked a question that seemed completely unrelated.
“What do you think of Qinghe?”
He set his tea cup on the desk, his smile fading as his tone turned serious.
“Young Master Lu is upright and handles matters with propriety. He is a rare talent. It’s just... he feels a bit pedantic.”
Chen Zui answered truthfully.
“He is more than just a bit pedantic.”
Lu Chenzhou sighed, his voice tinged with helplessness.
“That child grew up in this academy. He can recite the Four Books and Five Classics backwards, and the teachings of the sages roll off his tongue with ease. But those principles in the books have instead become the rigid frames that trap him. He insists on quoting classics for everything and treats everyone with unwavering sincerity. The masters of the academy have advised him countless times that not everyone in this world deserves such sincerity. But he just won’t listen.”
Lu Chenzhou stood up, placed his hands behind his back, and walked to the window, gazing at the lush emerald bamboo in the courtyard.
“The books of the sages teach him to be upright and square, which is correct. But this world isn’t square; it’s round. You are a man of the martial world, having fought and struggled for many years. You have seen far more of the world than he has. I would like to invite you to stay at the academy for a few more days. You don’t necessarily need to teach him anything. Just let him spend time with you and be influenced by what he sees and hears. Let him realize that there are many truths in this world beyond those found in books.”
The old man turned around and looked at Chen Zui, his gaze holding a hint of earnestness.
“That boy is good material. I do not want him to study so much that he becomes a bookworm who knows nothing of the world. If he encounters a gentleman, all is well. But if he meets a villain, he will be manipulated in an instant. Such a person, upon entering the imperial court, will either be used as a tool or trampled underfoot.”
Chen Zui was silent for a moment before suddenly chuckling.
“Mountain Lord, aren’t you afraid I’ll lead your grandson astray? I’m not exactly a proper person.”
Lu Chenzhou looked back at Chen Zui and smiled.
“Whether you are proper or not, I can see for myself.”
That smile carried the clarity of one who had seen through the ways of the world.
Having said that, he sat back behind his desk and picked up his tea cup, returning to his usual calm demeanor.
“So? Is the young hero willing to stay at the academy for a few more days?”
Chen Zui stood up, hoisted his long spear back onto his shoulder, and grinned.
“Free room and board, plus peace and quiet. If I didn’t agree, wouldn’t I be the one losing out? But let’s be clear: I’ll only be friends with him. I’m not responsible for teaching him. I’m not cut out for the business of education.”
“That will be enough.”
Lu Chenzhou smiled as he stroked his beard.
“If you feel bored, you can wander around. If anyone looks for trouble with you...”
“I’ll use my fists to reason with them,” Chen Zui finished the sentence.
Lu Chenzhou was momentarily speechless by the remark before letting out another loud laugh.
“I was going to say, if anyone looks for trouble, you should come find me.”
Chen Zui also smiled, standing up and cupping his hands toward Lu Chenzhou.
“Then I thank you for taking me in, old gentleman.”
“Go on, go on.”
Lu Chenzhou picked up his scroll again and waved him away.
Chen Zui turned and walked out of the bamboo building.
The sunlight outside was just right, and a mountain breeze blew, making the bamboo forest rustle. This academy was much more interesting than he had imagined.
...
The residence Lu Chenzhou arranged for Chen Zui was a small courtyard nestled against the mountain.
It wasn't large, but it was exceptionally quiet.
A cluster of Spotted Bamboo grew in the corner of the yard, their swaying shadows filtering the sunlight into patches of broken gold on the ground. Opening the window allowed a view of the bamboo forest on the back mountain. The sound of the wind through the leaves was more effective than any calming incense.
Chen Zui tossed his pack onto the bamboo couch and leaned his long spear against the head of the bed, just about to lie down and rest for a while.
Then, he heard a series of footsteps coming from outside the courtyard.
“I heard Senior Brother Lu brought back a martial artist who uses a spear and even arranged for him to stay in Xiao Langgan!”
“Xiao Langgan is a place for hosting esteemed guests. On what basis does a martial artist from the world get to stay there?”
“Come, let’s go see who this character is.”
...
Before long, the courtyard gate was pushed open from the outside.
Three young scholars entered. They all wore the uniform azure scholar’s robes of Qingya Academy. They were in their early twenties, and their faces were marked with an undisguised arrogance.
The one in the lead was the tallest, with a fair complexion and a slightly upturned chin—clearly someone who had been pampered at home.
“You’re that spearman?”
The tall scholar looked Chen Zui up and down. His gaze lingered for a moment on Chen Zui’s faded coarse cloth clothes, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Chen Zui leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, saying with a smile, “That’s me. Is there something I can help you gentlemen with?”
The tall scholar straightened his collar, lifting his chin even higher with a sense of pride.
“My name is Zhou Yuanhao, from the Zhou family of Luzhou. My family has passed down the tradition of poetry and literature for thirteen generations since the previous dynasty. My great-grandfather, the late Lord Jingting, rose to the rank of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and presided over three Metropolitan Examinations; his students and former subordinates are found throughout the imperial court. My ancestor, the late Lord Minxing, was among the first group of disciples of Qingya Academy. He debated the Dao with Mountain Lord Lu’s own predecessor and authored the twelve volumes of the 《Supplement to the Collected Commentaries on the Four Books》, which remains required reading at this academy to this day.”
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over Chen Zui as if waiting for a look of shock or deep respect. But Chen Zui remained in his lazy posture, leaning against the doorframe, and even let out a yawn.
“Finished? I didn’t understand a single word of that.”
“...”
“Crude! Ignorant!”
Zhou Yuanhao let out a cold snort, then puffed out his chest.
“I heard you helped Senior Brother Lu drive away that Tang Heqing at the docks?”
“Something like that,” Chen Zui nodded.
“So what?”
Zhou Yuanhao’s tone turned aggressive.
“You’re a martial artist. Instead of staying in your martial world, what are you doing coming to our academy? An academy is a place for studying and cultivating one’s spirit; it is not a place for someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” Chen Zui cocked an eyebrow. “What kind of person is that?”
“A martial artist.”
Zhou Yuanhao enunciated each word as if afraid Chen Zui wouldn't understand.
“Crude and uncultured, knowing only how to dance with blades and spears. The students of this academy study the books of the sages; we are not the same kind of people as you lot who live by killing and fighting. I advise you to leave early, lest you bring shame upon yourself here.”
“Exactly, exactly.”
“Brother Zhou is right.”
The two scholars behind him chimed in.
Chen Zui didn't get angry; he simply looked at Zhou Yuanhao.
“You just said martial artists are crude and uncultured. Then do you know that your Greatest Sage and Teacher of Confucianism carried a sword with him when he traveled through the various states back then?”
Zhou Yuanhao’s face stiffened slightly.
“Also, your Confucianism originally taught students the Six Arts: Rites, Music, Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy, and Mathematics. Archery and charioteering are both martial skills. How did they become ‘crude and uncultured’ in your mouth?”
Chen Zui shook his head.
“You’ve probably only read half of those sages’ books.”
“You...”
Zhou Yuanhao was left speechless by those words, his fair face turning bright red.
The two scholars behind him were even more stunned. They had thought a martial artist from the world wouldn't have any knowledge and could be shamed away with a few words. They hadn't expected this person to not only be unfazed but to actually invoke their own Confucian sage to make his point.
“Anything else to say?”
“If not, I’m going to get some rest. I’ve been traveling all day, and my legs are sore.”
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