Count yourself lucky, if you’ve the guts, then don’t sneak away after.”
Upon hearing peals of the bell and the chiding of their teachers, even the most infuriated of students could only stop their actions towards chasing Chen Chang Sheng’s group. After throwing out a few curses, they all began returning to their respective schools… classes were about to begin.
At the end of the divine avenue was a set of steps, roughly a thousand in number; the steps were made of white jade and smooth as the surface of a mirror. The dome-like palace that was previously visible from a distance, was situated at the top these stairs, this building was not the main Li Palace estate, but the Hall of Clear Virtue.
Standing from the bottom of the stairs, while gazing up at the grand and towering construct, only further enhanced its sense of majesty.
“Why did you have to add those last few words?”
The stairs were arduously long, yet it was forbidden to use abilities within the grounds of the palace, therefore they could only slowly progress onwards. Upon remembering the uproar they just left behind, Chen Chang Sheng couldn’t help himself asking: “How are we supposed to leave once we’re finished here? Or do you really expect us to fight our way out?”
Xuan Yuan Po was a forthright and courageous yao youth, but he wasn’t stupid, after checking out the surroundings, he asked: “Who knows where the back entrance is?”
“There’s no need to worry, you guys may not know how to fight, but I’m not scared.” Replied Tang Thirty-Six.
“Even if Gou Han Shi and the others don’t make an appearance; Li Palace College, Temple Seminary, alongside other experts that are ranked on the Proclamation of Azure Clouds not withstanding; no matter how good you are at fighting, are really going to go against thousands alone?”
“His Grace, Secretary-General Jin, also needs to return to Orthodox Academy, though it might be wrong for the strong to bully the weak, surely his venerable self wouldn’t just stand by and watch us get pummelled to death?”
Jin Yu Lu only smiled in response.
Chen Chang Sheng felt exasperated and said: “Were Secretary-General Jin to take action, wouldn’t the teachers and possibly even principals also intervene?”
Tang Thirty-Six countered: “If the principals got involved, there wouldn’t even be any fighting.”
Chen Chang Sheng was speechless; Xuan Yuan Po muttered: “You humans are way too sly.”
“Regardless, your words to that girl were far too heartless.”
“Oh? Please tell me, for whom was I helping? You’re the one that’s heartless.”
“Fine, fine. I’m the one in the wrong.”
“Apology accepted.”
“But I still don’t quite understand, from our first meeting at Heavenly Academy, to our meeting at the inn, you are now completely different. From having a reputation for being cold and asocial, you’re now garrulous, not to mention potty-mouthed…”
“You just don’t understand.”
Tang Thirty-Six stilled his steps, turning around to stare towards the Capital with a melancholic face. “Like on the day Tian Hai Sheng Xue came charging at the doors of our school. Standing in the rain with a sword in my hand; naturally I would be cool, but I was feigning the stoic atmosphere. Pretending to be on the verge all the time is actually tiring.”
Chen Chang Sheng let out a sound of understanding and said, “So you were just faking it all this time?”
Tang Thirty-Six gave out a curt laugh, “Stupid, apart from that wolf-child of the North, who would be so naturally cold and aloof?”
“Why did you decide to stop faking it?”
“Why would I need to fake it in front of you all?”
“Well… at least… at least cut down on the vulgarity, it’s not right.”
“Like as if the bunch of you can understand how I feel? From the earliest moments I can remember, I’ve had to pretend to be stoic and proud, like a being that isn’t swayed by worldly matters. After restraining myself for so many years; like a dam that has been held back until bursting, I’ll be damned if I don’t let it go for at least a few days.”
“What you mean to say is, holding it in until you’ve basically scarred yourself will make you a delinquent?”
“That’s right, the longer you hold it in for, the greater the subsequent outburst. Like that little wife of yours; a saint-like lady, to the point where even demons from Old Snow City would gladly kneel before her; I’m sure, even she would have moments where she would want to…”
Tang Thirty-Six hesitated for a moment while watching Chen Chang Sheng, before continuing, “… cuss people’s mothers on impulse.”
Chen Chang Sheng was surprised for a moment, before finally realising he was referring to Xu You Rong, prompting him to remain silent.
“But the gazes of those girls who were staring at you earlier all changed.” Xuan Yuan Po said in tone of pity.
Tang Thirty-Six answered: “I don’t like being stared at by these girls, at Wen Shui it was like this, at Heavenly Academy itGou Han Shi managed to hear the gir