The Distorted Truth

"Is he also here to find Lin Xi? What could he possibly want with Lin Xi at this time?" Upon hearing Mu Qing's words, Tang Ke and Hua Jiyue furrowed their brows in unison. 

In fact, after several martial arts classes, it became evident to everyone that Xu Shengmo harbored a distinct aversion towards Lin Xi, the chosen one of the Zhi Ge system. He often treated Lin Xi as if he were invisible, and more frequently, Lin Xi found himself used as a target for Xu Shengmo's demonstrations of martial techniques. 

"Did I summon you here?" Xu Shengmo sneered coldly, his gaze icy and mocking as he regarded Tang Ke and Hua Jiyue, who had followed Lin Xi. He then shot a disdainful look at Lin Xi before gesturing towards the silver silk cable before them. 

Lin Xi, glancing back at his friends who dared not voice their discontent, smirked slightly. After ensuring that the letter from home was securely tucked away in his sleeve, he bowed respectfully to Xu Shengmo and, still bewildered, slid down the shimmering cable. 

This silver cable led to a valley strewn with various jagged rocks, devoid of any clear path. Xu Shengmo then descended like a dark cloud, looming over Lin Xi as he stood before him. 

Observing Lin Xi's respectful demeanor, Xu Shengmo made no effort to conceal his contempt. In a voice as frigid and scornful as his expression, he declared, "Although there is ample evidence to suggest you possess the talent of a Celestial General, I must candidly inform you that, much like Tong Wei's faith in you, I have never held you in high regard. You stand no chance of becoming a Celestial General... Those who achieve such status are invariably proud and sharp, unlike you, who cowers in submissiveness. Even if you harbor disdain for me, you still adopt such a servile posture in my presence. A mere letter from home has rendered you utterly distracted; with such childishness, you think yourself worthy of becoming a Celestial General? While I may comply with the academy's arrangements to provide you with essential training for the role, it does not imply my endorsement or fondness for you. Therefore, you need not pretend to show me any respect. Also, I share no fondness for Tong Wei, and I do not wish for him to learn of the training I have arranged for you. Should you fail to meet my expectations, I will ensure you receive unforgettable lessons and deduct some of your credits." 

After a brief pause, Xu Shengmo regarded Lin Xi, who was still bewildered and frowning, and continued with an even more sardonic tone, "After all, while I may not have faith in you, the secret of the Celestial General, much like that of the Windwalker, is one that only a select few within this academy are privy to." 

Lin Xi furrowed his brow once more. It was true that he harbored a dislike for Xu Shengmo; upon first encountering him, he found little warmth or passion for life in his eyes, which did not endear him to Lin Xi. However, despite his dislike, Lin Xi's respect and decorum stemmed from the teachings of his mother in Lulin Town. Unconsciously, he had developed the habit of treating those who impart knowledge to him with courtesy, regardless of their attitude towards him. Yet, since Xu Shengmo perceived his respect as insincere, he felt no need to argue or maintain such deference. Surprisingly, he found himself devoid of anger at Xu Shengmo's blatant disdain. 

"What exactly is a Celestial General? Are you implying that, like the Windwalker, this identity must remain undisclosed?" He managed to clarify his thoughts and inquired of Xu Shengmo, though he refrained from bowing. 

Xu Shengmo, unfazed, replied with a cold smirk, "In simple terms, a Celestial General is one who, in the heat of battle, exhibits prowess that far surpasses that of others of equal cultivation. Such individuals will grasp the lethal techniques I teach you far more effectively. For the enemies of the empire, it is best to eliminate such threats as soon as possible. If you wish for death, feel free to disclose this information during a trial." 

"Is it because I've performed exceptionally well these past few days?" Lin Xi pondered naively. "There are two items over there; you should be able to discern their use." At that moment, Xu Shengmo turned to leave, his voice coldly drifting back to Lin Xi: "For the next thirty days, you are to arrive at this valley every morning before class, equipped with these two items, which you must wear at all times on your way to class." 

"Your narrow-mindedness is truly astonishing." 

Navigating through the numerous jagged stones, Lin Xi soon discerned the two items Xu Shengmo had mentioned and could not help but shake his head with a sigh. 

The two items were merely a pair of leg weights filled with heavy iron sand and a leather vest with an inner layer filled with an unknown liquid, possibly mercury or some other exceptionally dense substance. Together, these items weighed no less than seventy pounds. Moreover, the liquid within the vest would shift erratically during movement, causing the weight to concentrate unevenly, making each step feel as though one were being struck heavily, requiring immense effort to maintain balance, leaving only a lingering sensation of pain from the blows. 

The purpose of these items was evidently to enhance endurance and balance under impact. 

Yet how much disdain must Xu Shengmo harbor for Lin Xi to personally hand him these burdens? 

Lin Xi could understand Xu Shengmo's hostility towards Tong Wei and others due to differing perspectives. After all, while Xu Shengmo's suggestion was undeniably harsh, Lin Xi had previously believed that his intentions were noble, aimed at minimizing casualties among the academy's students. However, the level of animosity directed towards a student with differing opinions was excessively petty. 

In the rear mountains of Ailao Mountain, the rotund and perspiring Xiao Mingxuan, resembling a plump version of the actor Hong Jinbao, fervently scribbled notes in a tome, surrounded by a sea of scrolls, books, and letters that engulfed his corpulent figure. 

This seemingly harmless, overweight elder, who had never set foot on a battlefield, was oblivious to the fact that both the arrogant Xu Shengmo and the astute Lin Xi could not fathom the invisible strings he silently manipulated, using them as mere pawns to fulfill the deployment of a celestial-level secret. 

A powerful intellect need not rely on brutal bloodshed; it can meticulously guide the course of events, even accounting for emotional factors, all while concealing the truth of Lin Xi's "two bowls of water." 

If Lin Xi were to discover that a figure capable of managing the entire Yunqin Empire had dedicated a portion of his focus to him, he would be at a loss to determine whether to feel wary or honored. 

...

...

The more innocent the child, the more adept they are at savoring the joys of the world. In their eyes, everything is new and worthy of exploration. For Lin Xi, this world was equally novel, and combined with memories that others lacked, his perspective was far more intriguing than that of his peers, affording him greater delight. 

For instance, the toxicology lecturer currently addressing the class, Ouyang Yuncang, bore a striking resemblance to Ge You, with his messy yellow hair and sparse, graying beard. 

Every time Lin Xi imagined Ge You with a full head of hair and a beard, comparing him to Ouyang Yuncang, he could not help but chuckle to himself for an extended period. 

Ouyang Yuncang, a patient instructor who spoke slowly and clearly, was not one to easily lose his temper. Yet today, as he sat upright during the lecture, a flicker of barely concealed anger appeared on his face. With a sharp "smack," a crumpled piece of paper shot from his hand, accurately striking Lin Xi's forehead and leaving a red mark. 

"Lin Xi!" His stern voice rang out, drawing the attention of numerous students: "In the brief span of this class, you have already dozed off twice and were caught sneaking a glance at something else... Do you think this toxicology class is merely child's play?" 

Lin Xi rubbed his slightly aching forehead, feeling somewhat embarrassed as he hastily tucked away the letter from home. 

The burdensome leg weights and vest from Xu Shengmo had drained him of considerable physical and spiritual energy, leaving him drowsy in this comfortable classroom. He had only wanted to glance at the letter to refresh himself and see what his family from Lulin Town had to say. He did not intend to neglect the lesson... However, these reasons pertained to the secret of the Celestial General, and they would serve as mere excuses to an enraged instructor, prompting Lin Xi to choose to bow his head and accept responsibility. 

Yet Ouyang Yuncang's anger did not subside there. He descended from the podium, walking between the students' desks until he stood before Lin Xi: "During the first class on toxicology, I reiterated three times that this subject demands meticulousness and memory. There is no poison in existence that leaves no trace. However, negligence can result in casualties far exceeding those inflicted by ordinary weapons. Hence, I emphasized the necessity of absolute diligence in my lessons, for your oversights could jeopardize not only your own life but also the lives of many of your comrades!" 

"This is a matter of life and death!" Ouyang Yuncang's fingers tapped against Lin Xi's desk: "You are to leave! For this class, I want you to reflect deeply in the self-reflection room!" 

Observing the furious expression of "Ge You," Lin Xi felt no amusement. He understood that this was indeed his fault, and that Ouyang Yuncang's anger stemmed from a genuine concern for the lives of his students and the soldiers of the empire. Thus, he rose without any resentment, respectfully bowed to Ouyang Yuncang, and exited the medicinal herb classroom, making his way to a nearby corner designated for self-reflection. 

This was a clean and bright little room, its walls and decorations painted in soft shades of green, creating a serene and comfortable atmosphere. Directly opposite the door hung a piece of calligraphy, and seated on a bamboo mat facing this artwork was a female student from the medicinal herb department, clad in a gray robe. 

Her long, flowing black hair was tied into a simple, neat ponytail, allowing Lin Xi to see her delicate, fair neck. The warm sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the space with a purity devoid of dust, casting a radiant glow upon her. 

Lin Xi's heart raced as he gazed at the girl bathed in the pure sunlight, his mind momentarily suspended. This image froze in his sight, reminiscent of the first time he laid eyes on her by the shores of Lingxia Lake.