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1.52% Way of Choices / Chapter 18: The Orthodox Academy's New Student (I)

Chapter 18: The Orthodox Academy's New Student (I)

Chen Changsheng highly valued his time.

Realizing that the other party of the engagement was that Phoenix, suffering consecutive humiliations and bullying from a powerful figure, and even causing the Imperial Palace to appear…if this was an ordinary youth, they would probably already be in deep depression, even on the verge of a nervous breakdown. But he did not have time to mourn the spring and get depressed by the autumn, did not have time to be angry. What he lacked the most was time.

Consequently, as soon as he set himself on a goal, he would unhesitantly proceed forward in a straight line. He would not pace to and fro, did not need to shout, only silently grasp and fight for every moment.

At present, his goal was obtaining first rank of the first banner in next year's Grand Examination.

To him who had not even succeeded at Purification, this goal was truly too distant. Yesterday when he had spoken about it in the inn, even the most narcissistic and arrogant Tang Thirty-Six was rendered utterly speechless, but Chen Changsheng did not waver in the slightest. On the contrary, because this goal was so far away, he treasured even more every tick of the clock, every grain of sand from the hourglass, the finest sliver of movement on the shadow cast by the stone pillar.

The Orthodox Academy could be even more run-down, but so what? The buildings were covered in ivy and seemed about to collapse at a glance, but so what? He did not care—he did not have the time to care. With great focus and self-assurance, he walked his own path. He left the lake shore and proceeded into the depths of the academy in high spirits. After finding a person, he was prepared to immediately begin his life of study…

After an hour, he stood alone in a courtyard that was overgrown with weeds, faintly chirping with insects. All on his own, he looked around, at a loss.

He could not find a person, not a single one. Previously, he believed that no matter how deserted and run-down the Orthodox Academy was, it would at least have a few teachers standing guard or some old man watching the gate. Unbelievably, even after searching the entire academy, let alone a person, he couldn't even find evidence that people had come here recently.

Behind the courtyard of the Orthodox Academy was its once lofty and magnificent main teaching hall, but now it was an eerie ruin. Everything from the second floor and up had already collapsed. Only half the body of the stone lion fountain remained, with several green plants growing from it and sprouting purple flowers from their stems, beautiful and sorrowful.

It was very obvious that these were not the marks left by the wind and rain, nor did it have anything to do with him. Ten-odd years ago, or even earlier, some fierce battle had most likely occurred here. The main teaching hall must have been caught up in the battle, resulting in its wretched state. Chen Changsheng silently thought, then shook his head and decided to investigate a building on his right that could still be considered to be in decent condition.

This building was made of a combination of wood and stone and was several zhang high. The stone wall was overgrown with ivy and moss, and the paint on its windows, doors, and beams was peeling off, giving off a dilapidated feeling. Above the stone steps of the main door hung a sign. He stared at it a long time before finally recognizing two of the words, confirming that this building probably had something to do with storing books.

He walked to the window and peered in. The light was rather dusky, but he could still make out clearly that the bookshelves within were densely packed with books. He was somewhat shocked, not imagining that the Orthodox Academy which had deteriorated away for so many years still contained so many books. The Orthodoxy had not taken them away, but did the Imperial Court not care either?

Books were the item in the world that he had first touched and that he was the most familiar with. Similar to how ordinary people recalled milk, he was innately intimate with books and they were able to provide his mind infinite consolation. At this moment when he was seeing all these books through the window, his downcast mood inexplicably began to improve.

He walked to the front door, wanting to push it open and enter, but then realized that there was a lock hanging over the door. This lock's surface was gloomy and lightless and the place at which it met the door was covered in a faint layer of green rust. It was incredibly old and he didn't know how many years had passed since it was last unlocked. More importantly, he could faintly sense an enormously powerful aura emanating from the lock.

He felt that this lock was most likely concealing some very powerful array.

No wonder the Orthodox Academy could have been in ruins for so many years yet its library could be in such perfect condition, not looted by some deft thief or some hoodlum lacking money for wine. Thinking about this, his mood improved even more, but he didn't know how he should open this lock. This was because he didn't have the key, nor did he know if the key still existed. Even if there was a key, where would it be? In whose hands?

He didn't even know who he should ask because there was nobody in this school.

He was not concerned that anyone would get in and steal all the books, and since he temporarily couldn't get in, he was in no rush. He walked towards the dormitory that he had passed before when he was searching for people. The dormitory of the Orthodox Academy was made up of several dozen small buildings and took up quite a significant area. Trees and vines were everywhere, and while this environment could have been described as tranquil and secluded in the past, now it was unavoidably rather eerie.

He randomly chose one of the houses, walked in, and was immediately assaulted with the stench of mold. He glanced at the dust in the room, the spider webs in the corners of the roof beams, and the damaged windows, and confirmed that it would be very difficult to clean this all up and that it would be impossible to tidy everything up in a short time. Shaking his head, he left, thinking to himself that moving his things from the inn would have to wait for now.

Standing by the stone path outside the house, he gazed at the dense foliage of the trees that blocked out the sun, gazed at the weeds between the trees, and gazed at the stone bench, so buried by vines that only a corner could barely be seen. He listened to the energetic chirps of insects, felt the aura of time in the gloom and those truths that had already been buried by time, and he slowly closed his eyes.

Several decades ago, countless young men and women of shocking talent walked side by side along this stone path, or sat next to each other on the stone bench. The forest would occasionally flash with sword glows and the sounds of voices reciting the Daoist Canon could be heard everywhere. From time to time, the sound of laughter would emerge from the house behind him. Then, the ringing of the bell from the distant Imperial Palace could be heard and these schoolmates would pound their rice bowls and merrily run off.

He opened his eyes. None of those scenes existed, only the deserted and still forest, the run-down group of houses.

The Orthodox Academy's location was at the very center of the capital, right next to the Imperial Palace, but it had already been forgotten by the entire world.

The splendor and beauty of the past were no more, its cheers and laughter gone off to parts unknown. There was only his lonesome self standing here.

He suddenly felt rather sad, although he only needed a short moment to quickly drive it out.

He suddenly felt that this place was okay as long as he could once more see those scenes.

...

...

He was able to see those lively scenes of the Orthodox Academy from several decades ago, able to see those young men and women of shocking talent, able to see those scenes of the past not because this was some special ability of Chen Changsheng's, nor because he was exceptionally imaginative. Rather, it was because he had read the relevant books.

After he tore down the ivy covering the academy's wall and saw the words 'Orthodox Academy', the records in the Daoist Canon concerning this school all gradually floated up in his mind. These memories became words, and these words became scenes that were deeply branded into his mind in startling clarity, allowing him to realize that he actually knew a great deal of this academy's history and matters.

This was not at all something difficult to understand. He could remember an unremarkable footnote in the Heavenly Dao Academy's regulation for admitting students and also remember the incomparably complex and entangled military code of Star Seizer Academy, so he should naturally have been able to remember the history of the Orthodox Academy and other related matters. The three thousand scrolls of the Daoist Canon contained far too many things.

At present, the Orthodox Academy might have only one student, and just as Nanny Ning had said, it might not even have any teachers, but as he was going to begin his studies in this Orthodox Academy, there were some things that he needed to do. For example, he needed to get the key to the library, and he also needed to apply for money—he remembered very clearly that for every school, the Great Zhou Imperial Court provided a relevant educational subsidy. As long as the school existed, a subsidy would be granted to them each year. Star Seizer Academy's subsidy was granted by the military, whereas the subsidy for the Orthodox Academy was handled by the Bureau for the Divine Education of Cardinals.

Fortuitously, the keys and register for the Orthodox Academy were also most likely kept there.

Chen Changsheng left the Orthodox Academy. With the guidance of his map, it didn't take long for him to reach the bureau. This was a very inconspicuous building. There were thirty-some stone steps in front of its front door and its stone pillars were extremely high, but it was still very inconspicuous. This was because several dozen redwoods were planted outside this building, obscuring all behind them.

No matter how fiercely the sun blazed, it would still find it very difficult to illuminate everything within.

The front door to the bureau was very desolate. Only after a long time would one occasionally sight a priest dressed in a black robe walking by. As Chen Changsheng ascended the stone steps, he felt rather strange. He then noticed that some place in the back of the building was very lively with many people chatting about something.

Walking into the bureau, he found the relevant clerk and said, "I want to get the register and keys."

"What register and keys?"

The clerk mumbled. His slightly narrowed eyes and uncaring and fierce look were not because he was expressing contempt, but because he had almost fallen asleep in the spring wind, half-dreaming about some fine fancy.

Chen Changsheng increased his volume, saying, "The Orthodox Academy's register and keys."

The clerk slowly opened his eyes, yawned, then walked to the window and washed his face. Somewhat soberer, he returned to the table, shot Chen Changsheng a rather annoyed glance, and then drew out a scroll from his sleeve. As he rolled it open, he asked, "Say again the name of your school."

This time, Chen Changsheng paid extreme attention to his pronunciation, articulating every syllable. "Orthodox Academy."

Without even thinking, the clerk felt this name to be completely alien. He stopped rolling open the scroll, raised his head, and looked at Chen Changsheng with a frown, asking, "When did the capital get another school? Did you put it on record? Paid all the taxes you need to pay? Who approved it?"

"It's not a new academy, it's the Orthodox Academy."

Ortho…dox…Academy.

The clerk wrinkled his brow in thought, feeling that he had heard this name somewhere before, but couldn't recall where. In these past ten years, he'd had countless dealings with each school in the capital, but he had never heard of any Orthodox Academy… Suddenly, he remembered.

His face instantly became extremely depressed, as if tears were going to be shed at any moment.

Chen Changsheng did not understand what was going on.

The clerk said with a chilly voice, "Are you joking around with me?"

Chen Changsheng felt rather lost, thinking, what sort of joke is Sir playing?

The clerk abruptly stood up and slammed his palm against the table, roaring, "Do you think this is a place for jokes!?"

Chen Changsheng wanted to say something.

The clerk furiously bellowed, "Just which school is a brat like you from! Daring to come and play tricks on your teachers!"

Feeling wronged, Chen Changsheng replied, "I really am a student of the Orthodox Academy."

The clerk stared at him like he was an idiot, saying, "Lie, continue to lie."


Chapter 19: The Orthodox Academy's New Student (II)

In the capital, the Orthodoxy, excluding its southern faction, had six Sacred Halls, and amongst them, the Hall of Illustrious Persons was responsible for teaching and nurturing youth. It administered the Heavenly Dao Academy, the General Institute of Cardinals, the School of Deacons, as well as the Orthodox Academy and several dozen other schools. In truth, this place shared the same location as the Great Zhou's education apparatus. Its official name was the Bureau for the Divine Education of Cardinals, but the Imperial Court and the common people called it the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education. The oppressive feeling of divinity and authority melded together, and this combined with respect for teachers meant that this building was always abnormally quiet.

Chen Changsheng stood in the spacious and empty hallway and just so happened to be completely concealed in the shadow of a massive stone pillar. He turned his head to the nearby room and thought of that clerk's reprimands from just now. He thought, as expected of the headquarters of one of the Orthodoxy's Sacred Halls. This building is constructed so well, its soundproofing so perfect, that the people outside didn't hear one bit of our conversation.

There were tens of thousands of students in the capital, all of them managed by the clerks and priests within this building, their matters vast and various. Countless shoes of all shapes and styles walked to and fro across the mirror-like surface of the marble floor, the crowd rushing forth and falling away like the tide. Yet other than the sound of footsteps, it was still very quiet.

Nobody cared about the youth standing in the shadow of the stone pillar, and nobody went up on their own volition to question him. Only after a very long time, when the sun had shifted, the stone pillar's shadow had moved further east from his body, and it was now afternoon, did people finally begin to notice his existence.

Perhaps because the Sacred Hall was about to close for the day, people began to feel somewhat more relaxed. The building became somewhat noisier, ceasing to be as solemn and grave as it was earlier in the day. A burst of whispers could be heard behind Chen Changsheng. Because those voices were all extremely soft, they sounded just like nibbling mice. They made his ears itch and he subconsciously lowered his head somewhat.

"What is that youth standing around there for? It seems that he's been standing there for almost the entire day."

"Oh, you're talking about that guy? At lunch, I heard that he was driven out by Priest Xin…I heard that he came to apply for this year's educational subsidy, and he also wanted to pick some things up?"

"Subsidy? Didn't we finish distributing those in the second month? Don't tell me there's a school that hasn't received one? That's impossible! Given that those school principals are all so arrogant that they have their noses up in the air, if we really did owe them money, how could they have endured it until today? In addition, even if we did owe them, how could they send a student to receive it?"

"Who said that wasn't the case? That's why Priest Xin ignored him and directly kicked him out, yet for some reason, this youth isn't willing to leave."

"Just which school is this guy from?"

"The Orthodox Academy, apparently."

"What?"

"Orthodox Academy."

There was a light clamor, followed by laughter.

"This joke is truly meaningless. No wonder Priest Xin got so angry."

"Who doesn't know that the Orthodox Academy has long since been abandoned? It doesn't have teachers, so where'd this student come from? I reckon that it's one of those initiation activities held by those schools every year. This pitiful guy was picked by one of his senior brothers to come to our place and do some things, take some things, or else he won't be considered as passed."

"Tsk, tsk, the initiation activities of these schools are getting more and more outrageous."

"Indeed, actually daring to play tricks on the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education."

"Hey, just which school do you think this youth is from? This activity is actually quite interesting."

"It should be Star Seizer. That youth has stood there for the entire day but his posture has never changed. Besides Star Seizer, which academy could produce such a student?"

"It doesn't seem that way to me. The military code of Star Seizer is strict. In the past, the most they've done as an initiation activity is sneaking into the City Guard Department and stealing a flying carriage. How could they come to the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education? I believe that it's most likely still the Heavenly Dao Academy. The children in that school are familiar with us and aren't afraid of anything. If they really do stir up trouble, those kids would just randomly ask one of their senior brothers to come over, and would the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education dare not give them face?"

...

...

In the eyes of these clerks and priests of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education, this youth standing in the hallway with his head lowered was probably some pitiable new student from some school, bullied and teased by his seniors. When they spoke, they naturally did not think about hiding from him. Although they spoke in very soft voices, their words still accurately fell in this youth's ears.

Chen Changsheng lowered his head and looked at the floor, watching as his shadow inexorably moved across it, soon to be touching the stone steps. Thinking about how he had wasted half a day, his mood became a little melancholy, but after hearing the conversations, he understood why that person had gotten so angry and refused to let him back into the room.

How could he make the clerk believe that he was the first new student of the Orthodox Academy in so many years? Even if the clerk did believe him, how could he, in the shortest amount of time, obtain from him the key to the library, the directory of the school's staff members, the seal of the school, and the money? He was definitely not willing to waste another day like this for these items.

A bell rang out far away in the direction of the Li Palace, soon after followed by music from the direction of the Mausoleum of Books. Chen Changsheng seemed to think of something, raised his head, and proceeded without hesitation towards the room he had been driven out of before. This sudden action instantly attracted the gazes of many.

He pushed open the door, entered and walked up to the table, saying to the man behind it, "Greetings, I want to pick up the Orthodox Academy's directory, keys, and money."

This person was the Priest Xin brought up in the conversation from before. Seeing Chen Changsheng return, he instantly grew furious. Slamming the table, he scolded, "I told you not to come bother me anymore! And you still dare to say these sorts of words! Perhaps you want me to call someone to give you twenty lashes with the rod and then have you expelled from school?"

Chen Changsheng seriously replied, "Then Sir must first have me become a formal student of a school."

Priest Xin took in a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the anger in his heart. In a cold and gloomy voice, he asked, "Just which school are you from?"

Chen Changsheng replied, "The Orthodox Academy."

As he spoke, his expression was very calm. It said, no matter which direction the wind comes from, I will continue to cling to this cliff. No matter what question you ask, I can keep my expression unchanging and calmly repeat my answer: I am a new student of the Orthodox Academy. Whether you believe it or not, I'm standing right here, and I am.

"Don't speak about the Orthodox Academy or the Heavenly Dao Academy."

Priest Xin felt himself about to go crazy. He icily declared, "Even if you are Prince Chen Liu's own little brother, today, I will have you understand the consequence of disregarding your teachers."

"This is my recommendation letter."

Chen Changsheng took from his bosom a thin sheet of paper and placed it on the table.

Priest Xin had originally planned to scrunch this paper into a ball and then stuff it down this abominable youth's mouth, but from the corner of his eyes, he spotted a rather familiar name. He froze and subconsciously took up the paper. He verified that he had not seen wrongly—this name and handwriting really were quite familiar.

Where had he seen this name and handwriting before?

He wrinkled his brow in deep thought, yet he could not find the answer. Uneasiness stirred in his heart.

In the next moment, he finally remembered.

He truly had not seen the handwriting on this paper before, nor had he seen this name. The reason he found it familiar was that the nameboard of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education and the handwriting on this paper were written in exactly the same way. As for the name, every believer of the Orthodoxy knew of it, but it could not be spoken and could not be written because this name…was already divine.

Afterwards, Priest Xin saw clearly the contents of the dark red seal on the paper.

He felt his legs go soft and faintly twitch. He had a fear of heights, but this was a symptom that would usually appear only when he visited the Moon Hall in the Education Palace.

Priest Xin took a sip of tea, but his hands were shuddering so fiercely that he dropped the tea on the floor.

He gazed at Chen Changsheng, his lips trembling uncontrollably, his voice even more so.

Now he finally believed that Chen Changsheng was a new student of the Orthodox Academy.

Because no person dared to forge that name and handwriting on the paper.

"In fact…Sir never took out this recommendation letter…truly a witty child."

He looked at Chen Changsheng and with great difficulty pushed out a smile. He wanted to pat him on the shoulder as well, but did not dare.

'Sir' and 'child' were two completely mismatched terms, and it was also very difficult to call a child witty.

Chen Changsheng understood why the clerk would so suddenly forget himself. He helplessly explained, "Previously, I was prepared to take it out, but Sir never gave me the chance."

"Sir, please sit. Tea will be served in just a moment. I will go and handle these matters for Sir."

Priest Xin took up the piece of paper, bid him a cordial farewell, then exited without hesitation through the door, after which he began to madly rush through the spacious and solemn hall.

Those gazes that had followed Chen Changsheng did not expect to see this sort of scene, and were all very shocked.

...

...

In the depths of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education, in its largest room, there were many plants. Amongst them, the greatest number were plum blossoms. There were winter plums, water-reflecting plums, twisting plums, golden wine plums…some were in the midst of flowering, others were just beginning to bud, and even more were quietly waiting. It was like all the plum blossoms of the world were in this place.

(TN: 梅 and 梅花 refer to plum blossoms and all the plants mentioned above contain the word 梅.)

Deep behind these plum trees was a massive mural depicting the Heavenly Tomes descending to the earth. In front of the mural was a massive writing desk.

Priest Xin stood in front of the desk, his expression somewhat concerned and his forehead stained with sweat, but it was very obvious that his state was no longer as dire as it was in front of Chen Changsheng. His voice rang out, "The Divine Empress reigns…this lowly servant swears to the heavens, I really did not know…that he could take out this sort of recommendation letter, or else…"

"Or else what? Or else you would not have let this little fellow stand in the hall for half a day?"

A priest walked out from behind the desk. It was difficult to tell his age, but his eyes were gentle and wise. From the look of his gown, he was most likely a cardinal. This signified that he was the most powerful person in all of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education. It was just that from his appearance and the laughter in his words, it was very difficult to realize this point.

"The seal and signature on this letter are all real. The shade of the ink and the style of the signature, and most importantly this paper…haha, His Holiness's words really do make other people directly feel the beauty of this world. I've seen it so many times, but seeing it once more is still a delight. I remember just ten years ago, His Holiness was invited by the Divine Empress to teach the Prince of Xiang's heir and Lady Mo Yu…"

Archbishop of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education, Mei Lisha, gazed at his trusted aide Priest Xin, and then his smile suddenly vanished. He indifferently said, "Very well, there's no need to keep discussing these old matters. This little friend called Chen Changsheng's origins are unimportant, and that he can become the first student of the Orthodox Academy in ten-odd years is also unimportant. What is important is this: what does this matter signify?

"His Holiness intends to reopen the Orthodox Academy?

"If this is true, how should we subordinates accommodate it?

"You must carefully understand all of this.

"Understand its spirit."


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