Chapter 15
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Xu Zhenyan sat silently inside a carriage, ruminating about his time in this new world.
'To think I've already been here for a year.'
It felt much shorter than that, which was understandable given his six-month coma.
After awakening, he spent near every day in meditation, refining his ki. In a way, it was mind-numbing, but as an average person from the modern world, it was something he never got to experience.
Though, he wasn't referring to cultivation. Rather, it was a kind of serenity, putting his back against the trunk of a willow tree and watching the world go by.
There was just something about it that was completely foreign to an urbanite like him. Even just describing the sensation was impossible—it needed to be experienced to be understood.
Needless to say, the time had come for him to attend Green Luan Academy. He was a little excited about it, but didn't feel much of anything from leaving the Eastern Forest villa behind.
'At the end of the day, those people are only servants.'
With his chin resting on his palm, he stared out of the window.
Becoming too attached was indeed dangerous, especially for someone in his position. He wasn't thinking of the villa's staff specifically, but rather in general.
As someone of high status and a cultivator, relationships with those beneath him were simply burdensome. It sounded unpleasant, but the truth was they had little value. When he started making enemies, they wouldn't even be able to protect themselves.
'The same thing happened to Lin Xi when he got in the emperor's bad books. If he wasn't able to organize protection for his parents and little sister, things would've gone very badly for them.'
In this day and age, people were far more brutal than modern times. Being innocent and powerless wouldn't arouse anyone's sympathy—instead, it would only make you a juicier target.
Xu Zhenyan sighed.
In the future, the Yunqin empire would be thrown in a state of chaos, facing internal instability as well as multiple wars on the borders. In that kind of environment, if you weren't strong, your only option was to flee into the wilderness and live a life as a hermit.
'Fortunately, I have both 'the means and will to power', as Nietzsche would put it.'
Perhaps if one of the other two reincarnators were in his shoes, they'd try do things differently. However, Xu Zhenyan had no desire to save the world, nor did he see any point in it.
If others experienced pain, would he also hurt? If the country went hungry because the rice fields burned, would he also starve? Of course not.
'Still, Changsun Mu doesn't really have to die, does he?'
The person he referred to was the crown prince of the Yunqin empire, son of emperor Changsun Jinse. During an ill-advised expedition to the border, his majesty the crown prince ended up being assassinated by the enemy general.
Usually, Xu Zhenyan wouldn't bother with something like that, but he was all-in-all a decent fellow—not like his father, who was simply a despotic ruler. In fact, things would probably be better for everyone if Changsun Jinse died and his son lived.
'Hmm… but how would I save him?'
Xu Zhenyan didn't think it would be possible to convince him not to go, at least not without exposing his foreknowledge. Needless to say, he wasn't willing to do that—it would open up the world's biggest can of worms.
'Which is one of the reasons I should stay away from Lin Xi, that moron.'
The protagonist's views were, putting it mildly, greatly different from his own. The kid wasn't shy about his origins as an otherworlder in the least. In fact, he practically announced it from the rooftops, sharing the secret with impunity. It was so bad that he actually got a reputation as an eccentric in his home town, nobody actually believing what sounded to them like nothing more than nonsense.
'Being the main character, such reckless behavior actually worked in his favor. Instead of being ostracized or worse, it just so happened that Changsun Jinse's sister, Changsun Muyue, was passing by Deerwood town.'
Her royal highness, thinking that this crazy youth reminded her somewhat of Principal Zhang, decided to enroll him in Green Luan Academy. It was through this act of heavenly luck that he, a peasant with no notable backgroud, got admitted in to the most prestigious school.
Regardless, Xu Zhenyan wouldn't depend on such luck. But more importantly, he couldn't think of a way to cleanly solve Changsun Mu's situation.
'I'll just cultivate and, if I'm strong enough and it's convenient for me, I'll step in.'
The two of them were, after all, strangers. Though the crown prince was a decent guy, it wasn't enough for Xu Zhenyan to risk his life.
Thinking such thoughts, he watched the scenery pass by. Aside from making idle conversation with Lee Shin, his bodyguard and driver, there wasn't much else to do in order to pass the time.
Eventually, evening came after a long day on the road. They departed ahead of time in order to make things more comfortable—that way, there was no need to sleep on the side of the road. Their planned route was a casual one, zig-zagging from town-to-town.
After finding a suitable inn and booking two rooms, Xu Zhenyan and Lee Shin found a restaurant for their dinner. After eating, they turned in early—though there was no rush, it was decided they'd make the most of the day, travelling from sunrise to sunset.
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In a different part of Eastern Forest Province.
A youthful lad, around fourteen years of age and with features that were more cute than handsome, was reclining on a patch of grass with sparkling eyes.
At that moment, his gaze was directed toward an old man, appearing in his sixties, with steely-gray hairs covering his head and face. His features were drawn into a perpetual scowl, exaggerating the lines and scars covering his tanned skin.
"Tell me Uncle Liu, what kind of place is Green Luan Academy?"
The old man, who'd been assigned by city supervisor Li Xiping to escort the kid, felt his moustache twitch. The brat had been pestering him since the first leg of their journey, to the extent that he felt like pulling out the last few hairs on his head.
However, whenever he glanced at Lin Xi's face, filled with innocence and curiosity, he couldn't muster up any anger.
"You, kid… I already told you I've never been there."
Huffing, the old man turned his head aside.
However, Lin Xi wasn't deterred.
"Please, senior. I'm just a country bumpkin who know doesn't know anything. Never mind making a fool of myself, what if I embarrass my family by my poor behavior?"
Putting on his best puppy-dog expression, he clasped his hands in front of his chest. The boy had already realized this old veteran was the 'hard on the outside, soft on the inside' sort.
Glancing out of the corner of his eye at the tender youth who seemed incapable of doing any wrong, the old man couldn't help feeling his walls crumble.
Sighing, he lifted the cap covering his head before scratching at his wild hair.
"I'm not lying, you brat. Me advising you is no better than the blind leading the blind. I can understand your worries, but you don't have to be too concerned. There are plenty of peasants like you that enroll every year—even border barbarians. Yet, the academy is known as a fair and upright institution. How everything works, I'm sure you'll find out in time."
Finished with his tirade, the old man put his hands on his knees before getting to his feet. After dusting dirt and leaves off his thickly-knit trousers, he spoke.
"We've had our rest. It's time to continue."
Turning around, he made his way over to the carriage, used only by him and Lin Xi.
The boy nodded, following his lead. Despite it only being the two of them, their journey was safe as could be. He'd long since figured out Uncle Liu wasn't just an ordinary old man, but a hidden expert, the type he'd not even known existed until a few days ago.
His heart beating hard in his chest, he stared at the elder's back, broad and solid as an old trunk.
'How incredible—to think there really are cultivators in this world.'
He was beset by a brief burst of doubt, wondering if he really had what it took to stand side-by-side with figures of myths and legend. However, that uncertainty soon passed.
'With my ability to return, surely I can ascend to the very peak!'
His spirits lifted, he got in the carriage, whistling merrily.
The corner of Uncle Liu's mouth turned downwards, not because he found it unpleasant—in fact, Lin Xi could carry a tune well. Rather, it was just a habit of an old army veteran to appear disagreeable.
The two soon resumed their journey, mirroring that of Xu Zhenyan and Lee Shin, and thousands of other aspirants on their way to Green Luan Academy.
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