Chapter 5 – He Isn’t My Older Brother’s Old Flame?

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Translator: Amber.es | Editor : Bubbles | Proofreader: musk

Formal ‘you‘ will be underlined.

Bonus chapter: Thanks Sanji for your kofi!

 

“I’ve said before that we shouldn’t make an exception for him. The academy has never accepted such a poorly qualified disciple!” exclaimed a tall yet thin, unsmiling middle-aged taoist man in the Conference Hall.

Yao Guang-jun fiddled with the bamboo slips in his hand. He persuaded, “Kai Yang-jun1, don’t be like this. Leaving aside how one is born with their spiritual roots, those who climb Hongmeng Mountain definitely do not have a weak cultivation base. His martial skills are obvious to all. Even with a low-grade spiritual root…”

“A low-grade spiritual root? His is simply a low, low, low-grade one!” Kai Yang-jun’s beard flew in his anger. “I don’t understand why you’re protecting that kid. Even the mortal realm’s cultivation sects wouldn’t recruit such a waste of a spiritual root. Can’t our Hongmeng Academy choose?”

Yao Guang-jun reasoned, “How could he be trash? He defeated two Heaven-level disciples yesterday.”

“That’s without the use of any immortal skills. If it were allowed, he wouldn’t be able to survive even one move in the hands of those two people!”

“You are—”

In the Conference Hall, there was endless arguing. Ji Chaoyun stood in the courtyard outside it, the emotions in his eyes hidden.

Faint noises kept sounding from the doors. Though unclear, he was obviously the subject of their conversation. A cold wind swept across the atrium, and Ji Chaoyun tightened his robes around himself. He gave an imperceptible sigh.

Footsteps came from behind him. He looked back; an old man with a completely white beard and hair walked quickly, a tall man at his heels.

It was Feng Qi.

He had changed into a disciple’s attire.

The disciples of Hongmeng Academy wore a light blue moiré pattern on a white background. According to their level, the higher their ranks were, the more complicated the moiré was. Elegance was the word.

But when the clothes were worn by Feng Qi, the temperament became completely different.

This person was handsome in appearance, with a vaguely aggressive eyebrow and eye shape, similar to the sharpness of an unsheathed blade, honed and compelling. Even in plain garb, it could not be hidden.

Ji Chaoyun’s gaze briefly locked with Feng Qi’s, before he quietly retracted his own.

When the two came closer, Ji Chaoyun bowed to the old senior in front of him. “Greetings to Xianjun.”

The current principal of Hongmeng Academy, Tian Shu-jun2, paused. The eyes he stared at with Ji Chaoyun churned with mixed emotions. He quickly held himself back, and said, “Get up first.”

After he finished speaking, he continued to lead Feng Qi to the Conference Hall.

Ji Chaoyun backed half a step. Feng Qi passed him by and gave him a tilted glance.

How long had this person stood there? His blood-drained face was almost comparable to the snow in the mountains, looking so frozen cold. Under the cold wind, he stood upright, his back as straight as a pine tree, yet looking extremely thin.

Feng Qi couldn’t help slowing down, as if he wanted to say something.

But Tian Shu-jun had already walked at the entrance of the Conference Hall. He opened the doors, looked back and said, “What are you looking at? Quickly come inside with me.”

Feng Qi: “…Yes.”

The moment the door of the hall opened, the argument inside ceased immediately.

Kai Yang-jun and Yao Guang-jun were on opposite sides of the hall. They bowed towards Tian Shu-jun at the same time.

Tian Shu-jun took a seat by the front and Feng Qi also followed behind him. The principal’s gaze swept back and forth over the two other people present. “What is the argument at hand?”

Without waiting for Yao Guang-jun to speak, Kai Yang-jun took the lead and said, “Tian Shu-jun, I supervise the entrance examination. Ji Chaoyun lost the last match yesterday and should have been sent back down the mountain, yet this Yao Guang-jun insists on making an exception for him. Now that we accepted, we detected his useless spiritual root. This is a matter about losing Hongmeng Academy’s face… Yao Guang-jun, please tell us, why did you want to accept this disciple? Could there be a benefit by accepting him?”

“What are you implying, that I did it because of—” Shaking with anger, Yao Guang-jun wanted to further argue but subconsciously glanced at Tian Shu-jun.

The latter was quietly drinking tea, gaze fixed down. Yao Guang-jun didn’t know what he was thinking of, and could only shut his mouth in anger.

Feng Qi laughed. “What age is this? Why is Kai Yang-jun using spiritual roots to judge people? If spiritual roots could really doom a person’s achievements, then why did the academy set up a leapfrog assessment?”

Kai Yang-jun’s face turned green. “The lords are talking. Is it your turn to interrupt?”

“Okay, don’t fight anymore.” Tian Shu-jun glanced at Feng Qi. He continued, “I have called Feng Qi here as he fought with Ji Chaoyun yesterday, and thus has some understanding with that disciple. Feng Qi, you may speak. How do you find that disciple?”

“He…” Feng Qi thought for a moment, and said lazily, “Martial arts are good, unsure about immortal cultivation. As for my personal opinion, he is quite…. energetic.”

Kai Yang-jun: “…”

Yao Guang-jun: “…”

Tian Shu-jun scolded, “Don’t mess around.”

Feng Qi innocently spread his hands. “I’m telling the truth.”

Tian Shu-jun stared at him, stupefied. “…From your view, how should we deal with this?”

Feng Qi: “Since he’s been allowed to enroll, if he’s driven out right now, does it not appear as if our Hongmeng Academy is erratic and disreputable? What’s more, no matter how bad his qualifications are, he still defeated two Heaven-level disciples…”

“That’s because immortal techniques were prohibited—”

Without waiting for Kai Yang-jun to continue, Feng Qi interrupted him, “But when Kai Yang-jun laid down the assessment rules, he didn’t overrule it.”

Kai Yang-jun’s face suddenly turned blue and white. In the end, he gritted his teeth, pushing out the words, “Fine, you can keep him. But my Hongmeng Academy will never accept waste, and let other immortal friends laugh at us. I suggest the Supervisory Hall uses the three-month exam to test. If he falls into Rank 3 by the end of it, it proves that his spiritual talent is indeed not good enough to stay in Hongmeng Academy. He will then drop out immediately.”

Feng Qi wanted to say something, when Tian Shu-jun suddenly agreed, “Alright.”

Yao Guang-jun: “Tian Shu-jun…”

“Since the establishment of Hongmeng Academy, it has never recruited low-grade spiritual root disciples. This rule cannot be broken,” Tian Shu-jun said. “Just do what Kai Yang-jun suggested.”

.

The doors of the Conference Hall opened slowly. Ji Chaoyun raised his head as Kai Yang-jun and Yao Guang-jun walked out.

Ji Chaoyun greeted the two of them. Kai Yang-jun gave a cold snort, ignoring him as he walked past. Meanwhile, Yao Guang-jun eagerly greeted him instead, and helped Ji Chaoyun stand. “Tired from standing? It’s all right now.”

“Immortal Elder, I…”

Yao Guang-jun waved his hand indifferently. “Don’t pay attention to that Kai Yang guy. He’s in charge of the Supervisory Examination Hall. Jiang Cheng is his proud disciple. He must have been unhappy in his heart when Jiang Cheng lost in your hands yesterday. Can’t you smell such a sour flavour coming from him.”

“…” Ji Chaoyun was silent. “Then I… I can stay?”

Yao Guang-jun’s fingers shook as he tapped the bamboo slips in his hands. He didn’t rush to answer, saying, “I’d like to ask you, why did you come to Hongmeng Academy?”

“I…”

Ji Chaoyun lowered his eyes.

“Hongmeng Academy? Why are you suddenly asking about that?”

Hundreds of years ago, under the starry sky, a certain man held him in his arms. Ji Chaoyun could feel his steady and powerful heartbeat and slightly vibrating chest from behind when he spoke.

“Hongmeng Academy is the top institution in the Immortal Realm. After graduating from Hongmeng Academy, one can go to various places in the immortal area to seek employment, or become an immortal officer guarding a region, and more importantly…”

“Hongmeng Academy is the only passage in the Immortal Realm connected to God’s domain, the gate to heaven.”

“However, becoming a god is thousands of times more difficult than a mortal ascending to the Immortal Realm. Why would you need to go through so much trouble just to reach God’s domain?”

The man leaned close to his ear, saying with a gentle voice, “When that happens, I will personally take you there. How does that sound?”

The promise was originally vividly uttered, but neither of them could have thought that this seemingly simple oath would last so long without being fulfilled.

Ji Chaoyun closed his eyes. “I… I do not wish to spend my whole life being just a wandering immortal.”

This answer was not uncommon in Hongmeng Academy. Yao Guang-jun nodded. “I understand.”

Yao Guang-jun: “Just now, Tian Shu-jun has decided to let you stay in Hongmeng Academy for the time being. First enter the Yellow level, and practice alongside ordinary disciples. However, Hongmeng Academy has never recruited disciples below the middle-grade spiritual root, so you have a time limit.”

“Time limit?”

“You only have three months.” Yao Guang-jun stretched out three fingers, seriously saying, “In three months’ time, you must pass the quarterly exam. If you fall to Rank 3, you will have to drop out early. Understand?”

“I will not fail,” Ji Chaoyun said. “Immortal Elder, please rest assured.”

“Good child. By the way, your disciple uniforms have not been received yet, right? You should go do these trivial matters first, then go back to your courtyard to rest. There is no homework today, so just familiarise yourself with everything first. You can come to me anytime you need anything in the future.”

“I…” Ji Chaoyun opened his mouth, but suddenly thought of something, so he swallowed it down.

In the end, he bowed to Yao Guang-jun and left.

.

Only Feng Qi and Tian Shu-jun remained in the Conference Hall.

Tian Shu-jun glanced at Feng Qi as he sipped his tea. After the latter had sent away the two immortals, Yao Guang-jun and Kai Yang-jun, they stood idly in the hall. Tian Shu-jun was surprised and asked, “They are all gone. Why don’t you return to your classroom?”

Feng Qi looked more surprised than him. “I thought Uncle had something to tell me once alone.”

Feng Qi was the second prince of the Feng Clan and the younger brother of the current Patriarch Feng. Tian Shu-jun was their uncle.

Tian Shu-jun’s eyes flashed. “I’ve told you before, don’t call me that while in the academy.”

“Understood, Immortal Elder Tian Shu,” Feng Qi happily answered, but he still didn’t leave. The two waited for a while, then Feng Qi asked, “So, Immortal Elder Tian Shu really has nothing to tell me?”

Tian Shu-jun: “What do you think I should tell you?”

“It doesn’t matter. This disciple has a small question to ask.” Feng Qi elaborated, “I was wondering why Immortal Elder Tian Shu treats Ji Chaoyun so favorably?”

Immortal Elder Tian Shu paused and replied, “I’m giving him preferential treatment?”

Feng Qi smiled. “I know exactly what kind of person Yao Guang-jun is. He’d never be so caring about a new student unless he was instructed by someone. Your old wounds have not yet healed, and you have been in closed-door cultivation for so long. Yet upon hearing about Ji Chaoyun’s spiritual roots today, you hurried to the meeting hall. Uncle, do you still want to keep hiding it from me?”

Tian Shu-jun questioned, “That’s why you just spoke for him? Because of this?”

Feng Qi’s eyes wavered. After a moment of silence, he said, “Even if I didn’t speak for him, my Uncle would nevertheless keep him here.”

Tian Shu-jun didn’t answer. The Conference Hall fell silent once more.

The two people stayed still, one sitting and one standing. Feng Qi raised his head slightly, waiting as he calmly looked at Tian Shu-jun. His whole body stood unwaveringly. Even in front of this elder who was highly respected in both the Feng Clan and the Immortal Realm, there was no sense of weakness. Rather, there was a faint feeling of being evenly matched.

Time passed until Tian Shu-jun finally spoke. “Ji Chaoyun… do you really not know this person?”

Feng Qi was startled. When they’d first met yesterday, Ji Chaoyun had also asked him the same thing.

Feng Qi had stayed in the Feng Clan since he was born, never taking half a step out. Upon entering Hongmeng Academy more than 50 years ago, he’d started travelling the world but had never made friends with anyone from the dragon clan.

Besides, there was never any incomplete memory in his mind.

Feng Qi frowned, suspicious. “Should I know him?”

“No, you don’t know him… Of course you don’t know him.” Tian Shu-jun sat on the main seat and gazed towards Feng Qi, but it seemed as if he were seeing through him instead, somewhere deeper and far away.

Feng Qi wanted to clarify further when Tian Shu-jun suddenly spoke, “This person has a relationship with the Feng Clan. Whenever children from our clan meet him, they must treat him with courtesy and help him earnestly.”

Feng Qi was surprised.

The Feng Clan was of noble origin, naturally born as an arrogant race. It was not a minority in the realm of immortals and gods. However, he had never heard of anyone who could have all members of the clan “treat him with courtesy and help him earnestly”.

What’s more, it was towards a dragon.

“Who made this order? My brother?” Feng Qi questioned.

Tian Shu-jun shook his head. “It’s inconvenient for me to answer further, so don’t ask anymore. Since Ji Chaoyun is staying in Hongmeng Academy, you should take care of him and not treat him badly, understand?”

“This…” For a moment, Feng Qi stayed silent. He didn’t dare tell him that he had let the little demon dragon sleep out in the bamboo forest last night.

Tian Shu-jun rushed him out. “Okay, leave now. Tian Xuan-jun3 came to me again two days ago to file a complaint, saying that out of ten morning classes, you missed eight, and for the remaining two, you slept through all the way. I know that your cultivation talent is high, but remember that you are still in Hongmeng Academy. At least pretend to follow the rules.”

“Okay, Uncle.”

Feng Qi was about to go out when he suddenly remembered something. He said, “I have another question.”

“Speak.”

“That Ji Chaoyun…” There was a rare hesitancy in his eyes. He cautiously probed, “He’s really not my brother’s old flame?”

“…” Tian Shu-jun blanked out. Seeing Feng Qi’s hidden smile, he reacted and yelled, “What nonsense! Absolutely not, so scram back to your class!”

Feng Qi sneered and scrammed.

 

The author has something to say:
Patriarch Feng: Black-bone chicken and Spanish mackerel. I had a huge pot before I even appeared.4 It’s too difficult for me.

————
Red envelopes were issued on the last day. As of the update of Chapter 6, all chapter comments in the first five chapters have red envelopes, and they will be sent together tomorrow after Chapter 6.
Thanks to the little angel who voted for me or irrigated the nutrient solution~

Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!

1

Name: 开阳-君

2

Name:天枢-仙君

3

Name: 天璇-君

4

Pot sometimes in novels may also mean like he’s carrying the blame of something