章 54: The So-Called Fairness of This World
"Is it true that you are going to duel someone shortly?"
In the bamboo pavilion behind the Rainbow Valley, the one-eyed black-robed instructor, who had been tirelessly running and shooting arrows, suddenly turned to Lin Xi, who was keeping pace beside him, and asked coldly.
Even the most formidable assassins must guard against the threat of assassination, and a true Windwalker can unleash an arrow with remarkable precision, whether in mid-run or while tumbling from a great height.
Thus, for the past two days, Lin Xi and Bian Linghan had been rigorously trained to shoot arrows while running, twisting, and rising.
Regardless of the awkward positions they found themselves in, the one-eyed black-robed instructor could terrifyingly hit the distant target with unwavering accuracy, while Lin Xi and Bian Linghan struggled to land even half of their ten shots.
"How did you come to know about this, even the teacher?" Lin Xi, having just missed his shot, was momentarily taken aback by Instructor Tong Wei's words.
Tong Wei halted, raising his hand to release another arrow. With a resounding "bang," the black arrow pierced through the target's center, crashing into a nearby rock, shattering upon impact with ferocity.
Lin Xi and Bian Linghan exchanged glances, their expressions frozen in fear.
In recent days, this already stern instructor seemed to have become even more volatile.
"I have long told you that there are no secrets from the academy, especially regarding matters of bravado and bravado before many eyes! In the future, refrain from uttering such foolishness in my presence!" Sure enough, a moment later, a merciless tirade erupted from the depths of the forest.
After the scolding, as if it were he who had been reprimanded, Tong Wei, his face dark with anger, raised his hand to shoot another arrow, once again piercing a distant target.
"Class dismissed!"
"What?" Lin Xi, who had been pondering how Tong Wei would continue his tirade, was taken aback along with Bian Linghan upon hearing the two words from Tong Wei's mouth.
"Make haste; others are likely waiting for you, and you probably lack the courage to face them!" Tong Wei turned abruptly, regarding Lin Xi with icy disdain. "You are, after all, my direct disciple. If you bring shame upon yourself, does it not reflect poorly on your master?"
Lin Xi stuck out his tongue, feeling sheepish. "Thank you for the reminder, teacher. However, since I am considered your direct disciple, if I were to lose, it would undoubtedly bring disgrace upon you as well. I wonder if you have any valuable advice for me regarding this duel?"
Tong Wei studied Lin Xi intently and replied gravely, "In such a short time, it is impossible for anyone to significantly improve your martial skills. However, as the saying goes, 'In a narrow path, the brave prevail.' Even if there is a slight disparity in cultivation, the one who survives on the battlefield is often the one whose imposing presence overwhelms the opponent, instilling fear in their hearts."
"If you do not understand how to project yourself, if you do not know what to say to bolster your presence, it would be best to remain silent once you enter." Tong Wei's gaze bore into Lin Xi's face as he continued coldly, "Many fear the Windwalkers because they never utter a word to their opponents."
...
...
"Lin Xi, I thought you wouldn't dare to show up. Oh, I almost forgot, the Chosen One got on the teacher's bad side during the first class and was punished to work in the medicine valley for a month."
On the open ground outside the Trial Valley, at least seventy or eighty students from various departments had gathered, indicating that Lin Xi's duel with Qiu Lu had indeed attracted a considerable audience.
After greeting Tang Ke and Li Kaiyun, who were already waiting, Lin Xi chose to ignore Qiu Lu's sharp and scornful remarks, offering a slight smile instead. "What, do you wish for me not to come?"
"Of course not," Qiu Lu sneered. "I am simply eager to give you a good thrashing to bring you back to your senses."
"Honestly," Qiu Lu paused, fixing his disdainful gaze on Lin Xi, "what irritates me most about you is not your rustic background, but rather your audacity to act as if you possess great abilities despite your evident lack of talent."
Lin Xi shook his head, unwilling to engage further with someone he deemed immature. He turned toward the Trial Valley and said, "Let's go."
"Let's go!"
Seeing Lin Xi remain silent, Qiu Lu assumed he had struck a nerve and proudly raised his chin, striding ahead with an air of superiority.
The group of gold-spoon youths, including Liu Ziyu, who had been by Qiu Lu's side, exchanged amused glances and followed suit.
"Why is it that you instruct my friends to stay outside while you bring along so many others?"
Lin Xi suddenly halted, glancing back at the entourage surrounding Liu Ziyu, and calmly stated, "Qiu Lu, shouldn't you also ask them to wait outside?"
Qiu Lu was momentarily taken aback.
Lin Xi moved forward, while Tang Ke and the others stood as he had requested the previous day. In contrast, Lin Xi appeared quite solitary, walking ahead alone.
"We merely wish to observe and will not interfere with your duel in any way." Liu Ziyu paused, his attractive brows slightly furrowing, clearly displeased, yet his tone remained composed.
"That is not my concern," Lin Xi replied, maintaining his calm demeanor. He glanced at Tang Ke and the others, who remained motionless, and added, "I can assure you that they will not interfere with the duel… However, since Qiu Lu has made this request, I must oblige. Therefore, you must remain outside, as I deem this fair."
"Lin Xi!" Qiu Lu, taken aback by Lin Xi's insistence on complicating matters, exclaimed in exasperation, "Do you really think your companions can be compared to those from the borderlands and the countryside?"
Liu Ziyu raised a hand to silence Qiu Lu, casting a cool glance at Lin Xi. "You seek fairness, but where in this world can absolute fairness be found? Even among students of the academy, there exist stark disparities. Consider who in the Yunqin Empire can truly provide you with fairness? I reiterate, we merely wish to observe, and we can guarantee the fairness of your duel."
Upon hearing Liu Ziyu's words, a profound silence enveloped the area. Many from the countryside and borderlands fell silent, their hearts ablaze with indignation yet unable to voice it.
For everyone knew that Liu Ziyu spoke the truth; in the Yunqin Empire, fairness was not dispensed by those perched atop the political hierarchy. The connections and influence wielded by these golden-spoon youths were beyond what the rustic and borderland individuals could ever hope to match.
"However, this is within the academy… As for what lies beyond, who can truly ascertain?" Lin Xi replied, remaining unperturbed.
A hint of mockery finally appeared on Liu Ziyu's face. "Lin Xi, you've spoken at length without any substance. Surely you are not afraid?"
At that moment, a calm and curious female voice suddenly interjected, "How can you be so certain that Qiu Lu is indeed Lin Xi's match? If Qiu Lu turns out to be no match for Lin Xi, how will you all save face?"
The voice was neither sharp nor harsh, yet it caused everyone on Qiu Lu's side to momentarily falter.
Following the sound, Lin Xi spotted a girl in gray standing beside the announcement board.
Her presence, devoid of any ostentation, appeared as a refreshing sight to Lin Xi.
He hadn't anticipated her arrival or that she would speak in his defense.
Qiu Lu was momentarily stunned, as he and Liu Ziyu had not expected another Chosen One, Gao Yanan from the Medicine Department, to advocate for Lin Xi. A faint flush of embarrassment and anger crept onto Qiu Lu's fair face. "Am I not capable of defeating him? Am I to be bested by such a worthless individual?"
"Not necessarily. Every year, countless practitioners perish at the hands of ordinary soldiers on the battlefield. What if… what if you were to lose to Lin Xi?" Gao Yanan's calm voice posed the question, once again plunging the scene into silence.
Few among the new students knew of Gao Yanan's background, but in recent days, most had learned that she, along with Wen Xuanyu, had been chosen for her exceptional cultivation talent. Her progress within the Medicine Department far surpassed that of her peers, lending significant weight to her words.
"If that is the case, then you may enter," Liu Ziyu's demeanor softened as he turned to Gao Yanan with a smile. "Do you hold Lin Xi in such high regard?"
"Why should there be such a disparity among those of the same Medicine Department?"
"You!" Lin Xi's quiet mutter nearly caused Liu Ziyu to lose his composure, veins throbbing on his forehead as he struggled to maintain his facade of a courteous gentleman.
"The academy welcomes duels that can enhance one's strength. Therefore, in the future, should you wish to duel, simply inform the instructors inside. I can assure you of absolute fairness." At that moment, an elderly voice rang out.
Lin Xi felt a flicker of surprise and turned to bow respectfully. "Teacher Luo."
The venerable instructor, Luo Houyuan, clad in a worn black robe, had appeared at the entrance of the valley. He regarded Lin Xi with a nod, acknowledging his greeting. "You may all enter. I will arrange a ten-minute interval for Lin Xi and Qiu Lu to search for weapons within the valley, after which they shall engage in a fair duel in full view of everyone."
Observing the old instructor's tattered robe and his age, Liu Ziyu initially harbored a trace of disdain. However, upon hearing Luo Houyuan's words and realizing he possessed the authority to make such arrangements within the Trial Valley, Liu Ziyu felt a chill run through him.
"You must understand that fairness in this world is not something bestowed by the so-called nobility… If you lack the courage to demand fairness from those in power, how can you possibly stand upon the city walls and face an army of three hundred thousand?" Yet Luo Houyuan did not spare Liu Ziyu a glance, instead casting a fleeting gaze over the previously silent rustic and borderland students. "If you cannot even stand tall to demand fairness, you will only be left to grovel like a dog. This is the simplest of truths."
Some rustic and borderland students flushed with anger, clenching their fists, while others felt a sense of shame and could not lift their heads.
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