Chapter 929: 浩然 Academy

Wang Li was no longer young, but despite his gray hair, his face didn't appear overly aged. Coupled with his expressive gestures and voice, he could outperform even young men. Storytelling, in his dynamic style, was truly both a skilled craft and physically demanding.

By comparison, Wang Li’s current storytelling in this teahouse, where he was face-to-face with his audience, was relatively less strenuous, as he didn't need to specifically create an immersive experience through vocal effects.

Upon seeing Ji Yuan enter, a teahouse attendant immediately came over to greet him.

"Sir, all the large tables here are full," the attendant said. "If you only want tea, there are private seats upstairs. But if you wish to listen to the story, you'll have to make do with a side seat over there, or stand and drink your tea by the counter."

"Of course I want to listen to the story," Ji Yuan replied. "The counter side will be fine."

"Hehe, you must have come especially to hear him, sir," the attendant chuckled. "Mr. Wang's stories are rarely heard. Please, come this way!"

Ji Yuan didn't mind. He went straight to the counter, ordered a pot of tea and a plate of salted peanuts, and then settled down to drink his tea and listen.

As a storyteller, Wang Li not only paid attention to the plot of his story but also observed the reactions of his listeners. With such keen observation, he generally knew who entered the teahouse and naturally didn't miss Ji Yuan's arrival.

So, when Ji Yuan entered the teahouse, Wang Li was naturally very excited. Ji Yuan was aware of this, but he didn't interrupt Wang Li. Wang Li, in turn, didn't stop his storytelling midway; instead, he continued to narrate with full energy and emotion until he finished the current chapter.

"It is said that the great demon's true form was a bloodthirsty demonic horse, powerful enough to rival a demon king. Its demonic energy caused sand to fly and stones to roll, yet it was actually intimidated by the Martial Saint's aura. A mortal martial artist possessing such power, inspiring such fear in it... In its panic, it lost its composure. Who was the Left Martial Saint? He was a master who had cultivated his martial arts to a transcendent, saintly realm. As the saying goes, 'If the demon weakens by one point, I strengthen by three.' In that instant, he changed his strategy, abandoning all defense for a relentless onslaught, until the moment he crushed the horse demon's skull, achieving yet another breakthrough in martial arts..."

"Even such a powerful demon was not invincible. With its leader dead, the horde of demons scattered, relentlessly cut down by the Martial Saint and the two great heroes, Yan and Lu... The city that once flowed with the blood of our human race now saw the impure blood of demons running like a river! This was the Left Martial Saint's battle of apotheosis. To know what happened next, please listen to the next installment!"

"Clack!"

The gavel struck the table, and Wang Li closed his folding fan, clearing his throat. The tea-drinkers below sighed with admiration, many still engrossed in the story's previous events.

"Well told, Mr. Wang!" "I wish he'd tell the next chapter soon."

"Truly worthy of the Martial Saint!" "Indeed, if only I had such martial arts skills..."

"You? Don't dream about it..." "Can't I even think about it?"

"You'd get weak in the knees just seeing that kind of demon." "Him? He wouldn't even need a demon king or a great demon; a small one would scare him to death!"

"Hahahahaha..." "Hehehe..."

Amidst the audience's compliments, Wang Li hastily left the central storytelling table and came to the counter, joyfully bowing to Ji Yuan.

"It's been many years, Mr. Ji, and your grace remains unchanged!"

"The same can be said for you, Mr. Wang," Ji Yuan replied. "What a magnificent tale of the Martial Saint's battle of apotheosis!"

Wang Li felt a touch of pride but dared not take all the credit. After all, as a mortal, it was difficult for him to know the true inside story of such matters. Many important tales like this were often divinely inspired by Ji Yuan, who would magically impart the knowledge to him in dreams, allowing him to write stories that spread throughout the land.

"You flatter me, Mr. Ji," Wang Li said. "I am deeply moved to see you again in my lifetime. Might I invite you to my humble home?"

Ji Yuan finished the tea in his cup and quipped, "Oh? Do you have a wife, children, or grandchildren you wish to show me?"

"Uh... Hahahaha, Mr. Ji, you must know that I, Wang Li, am still a bachelor. How could I have a wife or descendants?"

Ji Yuan nodded.

"That settles it then," Ji Yuan said. "No need to go to your home. You just told the story of the Martial Saint; now, why don't you come with me to Haoran Academy and meet the Literary Saint?"

Wang Li's eyes widened in disbelief.

"It would be my greatest honor, my greatest honor!"

"Good, let's go. Innkeeper, the tea money is on the table."

Ji Yuan left the tea money and, with Wang Li, exited the teahouse, which was still bustling with discussions about the recent chapter. Some tea-drinkers who had heard future installments were "spoiling" the plot, eliciting mixed feelings of delight and frustration from others.

Amidst the chatter, the innkeeper behind the counter stared blankly as Ji Yuan and Wang Li departed. He then looked down at the ten coins left on the counter for the tea, wondering if he had misheard. Did that gentleman just say he was taking Mr. Wang to meet the Literary Saint?

Wang Li, walking with Ji Yuan, grew even more excited upon hearing they would meet Yin Zhaoxian. Wang Li was a scholar, a scholar of Da Zhen. And as a scholar, there were few who didn't revere the Literary Saint or wish to gaze upon his brilliance.

Especially since the Literary Saint retired to his hometown several years ago and founded the Haoran Academy in the capital, it wasn't uncommon for people in the city to see white light emanating from the academy's direction at night, which made students from all over the world flock to it.

Unfortunately, one of the two Saints—the Martial Saint—had an unpredictable whereabouts, making him difficult for martial artists worldwide to meet. The other, the Literary Saint, while his location was known, wasn't someone just anyone could meet.

Compared to a mysterious immortal like Ji Yuan, Wang Li, who expressed his aspirations through his stories, felt an even greater sense of pride and longing for true Saints like the Literary and Martial Saints, who had genuinely carved out two great paths for humanity.

Indeed, Ji Yuan, upon returning to Da Zhen, had a premonition and calculated that Yin Zhaoxian had already retired from official life. Of course, whether as the Literary Saint or a veteran of three dynasties, Yin Zhaoxian's influence in the Da Zhen court remained paramount. Even after his retirement, the Emperor would sometimes personally visit him for advice, both as a sovereign and, without hesitation, openly proclaiming his status as the Literary Saint's disciple to the world.

Haoran Academy was located in the southern corner of the inner city of Da Zhen's capital. In this bustling city, where every inch of land was precious, the royal family had officially allocated hundreds of acres of reserved land, allowing Haoran Academy, overseen by the Literary Saint, to rise from the ground.

It could be said that this was an academy whose fame had spread throughout the land even before its construction was complete. Although it lacked a long history, it was the most sought-after academy for students across the realm, adding a mysterious and profound aura to the Da Zhen capital.

The closer they got to Haoran Academy, the more refined the shops along the street became. However, interspersed among them were places like instrument shops, sword shops, and bow shops. After all, the various academies in Da Zhen encouraged scholars to learn basic swordsmanship and archery, so they could recite literature and also be ready to draw a sword or ride a horse with a bow.

Of course, besides cultivating one's character, these skills were merely bonus points; the most crucial factor remained scholarly knowledge.

Ji Yuan, with his keen eyesight, noticed shops nearby displaying the character "Yi" (易), indicating that the Yi family also had premises on this street.

The street was filled with many scholars and no small number of women, along with countless people who had come simply to admire the place. However, there were not many actual students of Haoran Academy.

Ji Yuan and Wang Li walked with smiles, getting closer and closer to Haoran Academy. From a distance, they could see the academy's white walls covered with poems and classical texts, and within the walls, there were abundant green bamboo and trees. Even before they got close, a special aura was distinctly felt by Wang Li.

"Mr. Ji, I've been here a few times before, but I couldn't get in," Wang Li said with a smile.

Wang Li smiled as he spoke, knowing full well that today he would certainly be allowed inside.

Ji Yuan, meanwhile, walked directly towards the academy's main gate. He noticed that besides the two white-robed scholars visibly guarding the wooden barrier at the entrance, there were also martial artists hidden throughout the street outside. Many of these were true martial arts masters who had cultivated their martial spirit, clearly arranged by the Emperor.

However, Ji Yuan knew that while the Emperor's intentions were good, Haoran Academy didn't really need such protection.

Upon reaching the academy, seeing Ji Yuan and Wang Li approach—both exuding an extraordinary demeanor, and knowing that ordinary people wouldn't dare to walk up so directly—the scholars guarding the gate put down their books and bowed, inquiring first.

"May I ask who you two gentlemen are and the purpose of your visit to Haoran Academy?"

As they spoke, both scholars' gazes lingered involuntarily on the black jade hairpin in Ji Yuan's hair. Ji Yuan, returning their bow alongside Wang Li, stated calmly, "My name is Ji Yuan. I have come with Wang Li to pay respects to Scholar Yin. Please inform him; Scholar Yin will certainly see me."

Ji Yuan had initially prepared for a lengthy explanation, but to his surprise, the scholar's spirits immediately lifted upon hearing his surname.

"It truly is Mr. Ji!" the scholar exclaimed. "The Dean once left instructions that if Mr. Ji were to visit, he must not be treated lightly. Sir, please follow me into the academy at once!"

"This way, sir!"

Both scholars gestured for them to enter.

"As expected, you command great respect, sir!"

Wang Li, though inwardly excited, said this with a calm smile, not at all surprised by the outcome.

Ji Yuan, of course, did not decline. He entered Haoran Academy with Wang Li, while some onlookers who had been observing the gate secretly wondered who these two gentlemen were, to be treated with such respect by the academy's two duty scholars.

Upon entering Haoran Academy, Ji Yuan felt as if he had stepped into a different world—literally. It was as if it was subtly distinct from the outside.

Inside the academy, literary qi was palpable everywhere, and the light of Haoran was even more brilliant. Ji Yuan could even feel numerous currents of grand righteousness, varying in strength.

The interior of the academy was almost like an exaggeration of a cultivation sect, with the difference being that everyone here was a scholar or a student, not pursuing immortal arts or alchemy.

By the time Ji Yuan and Wang Li, led by one of the scholars, reached the middle section of the academy, Yin Zhaoxian had already personally come out to greet them.

Yin Zhaoxian, now without his official hat and wearing a square headscarf, exuded an even grander demeanor than before. Though his hair was entirely silver, his body was nimble, and he walked towards Ji Yuan with cupped hands in salute.

"Mr. Ji, it has been many years, and Yin Zhaoxian has missed you greatly!"

His voice was resonant and imbued with spirit. The grand righteousness around Yin Zhaoxian was condensed yet not dispersed, soaring upwards like a brilliant river of stars in broad daylight.