Bringing some shocking pranks to the Cultivation World
Chapter 66 - 66 59 The Gift

66: Chapter 59: The Gift 66: Chapter 59: The Gift “Haha, of course, it’s a gift for you, old scholar,”

Zhou Li directly tossed a despairing Tang Wan onto the chair beside him and laughed, “This is something you’ve longed for day and night, why aren’t you happy?”

“I cherish ancient books, articles, and good students but have no love for women, especially not young girls like this!”

The old scholar waved his hand dismissively and said irritably, “Out with it, why have you come to the Imperial Academy, risking me pinning you to the ground and beating you?”

As he finished speaking, he glanced at the people behind Zhou Li.

When the old scholar spotted the thin Hou Jue, a glimmer of understanding flashed in his eyes.

He extended his hand to interrupt Zhou Li, who seemed to want to say something, and slowly said:

“Evil spirits and related to zombies, right?”

“I can’t hide anything from you.”

Zhou Li nodded and said admiringly, “You’re the one who truly understands these crooked and evil ways.”

“Smart aleck, don’t you sass me,”

The old scholar waved his hand again, then addressed the few people behind Zhou Li, “Please take a seat, my humble abode offers only simple tea, I hope you won’t mind.”

“To be graced with your tea is an honor for me.”

Guo Lingyun quickly bowed in respect, for he could tell that the plain gold belt worn around the waist of the elderly person was only accorded to Fourth Rank officials, signifying that this man was the Grand Scholar of the Imperial Academy of Beiliang, and the ‘Grand Master of this Academy.’ And anyone who held the title of Grand Scholar was certainly a person of great stature.

Hou Jue, unfamiliar with such matters, only knew the old man gave him an impression of profound mystery.

Years of instinctual caution reminded him that now was definitely not the time to speak out of turn; playing dead was the only way to survive.

Li Kuan found a seat easily beside them, fitting for a lower ranking.

As an official appointed by the Imperial Court, Li Kuan was unconcerned about having a seat less prestigious than Zhou Li’s, even though the latter held no official title.

What a joke, even with an official title, I’m still useless.

The Qianhu obediently sat next to Guo Lingyun, curiously surveying the room’s arrangement.

He noticed that the room wasn’t decorated in the typical refined style of common scholars, but instead, held an inexplicable sense of sternness.

“No need to be formal; I am the Grand Scholar of the Imperial Academy of Beiliang, a Fourth Rank official,”

The elderly man was the first to break the silence, calmly looking at everyone and stating, “Just call me the old scholar, like Zhou Li does.

My name isn’t important, so I won’t announce it.”

Names aren’t important…

Guo Lingyun etched these four words in his mind, not pondering them further.

He was the first to bow and said, “I am Guo Lingyun, Jinyiwei Hundred Household of the Imperial Capital.”

“A young man from the Guo Family, I’ve heard of you, the ‘Sky Sniper’, right?”

Glancing at Guo Lingyun’s right index finger, the old scholar shook his head and sighed,

“A good archer, but the flow of your Spirit Qi is chaotic; your index and thumb can’t bring together the Spirit Qi immediately.

Starting today, practice the three-finger draw, and get rid of that habit.”

Guo Lingyun was initially taken aback, then suspicion rose within him.

An old scholar, researching archery?

He didn’t show his doubts outwardly, but bowed respectfully and said, “I will take it to heart.”

“You’d better.”

After giving advice to Guo Lingyun, the old scholar’s gaze landed on Hou Jue and after taking a careful look, he was momentarily startled.

Hou Jue might have had an average appearance with his thin physique and pale countenance, but he also exuded an air that was reminiscent of a finicky scholar, as if he had walked straight out of a poem.

Tall and lean like a bamboo pole with legs akin to a monkey’s, always ready with highfalutin logic and fluent in speech

Unaware of the old scholar’s thoughts, Hou Jue stood up, gave a somewhat awkward bow, and respectfully said:

“Formerly of the Imperial Capital Jinyiwei, I am Hou Jue.”

Upon hearing this, the old scholar who had just collected himself nodded and asked:

“And now?”

“Now also former Imperial Capital Jinyiwei.”

Hou Jue replied.

The old man paused for a moment, then continued, “And before that, you were…?”

“Imperial Capital Jinyiwei!”

The old scholar looked at Zhou Li with a bewildered expression, with his simple gaze conveying simple words.

What’s this kid about?

Zhou Li responded with a negative glance, shook his head, and conveyed through his gaze:

“He has a malady down there.”

The old scholar immediately understood; the heart of a eunuch usually harbored a bit of deviance, and it seemed this Hou Jue was no exception.

With this realization, a hint of compassion and pity crept into the old scholar’s eyes as he said:

“You have suffered.”

“Alas, I was careless.”

Hou Jue sighed, thinking the old scholar was consoling him for his encounter with the zombie.

“Old scholar, aren’t you curious about this person?”

Just then, Zhou Li, who was beside the old scholar, suddenly spoke up with a light smile, addressing the old scholar with these words.

The old scholar looked at Tang Wan next to Zhou Li.

The young girl was charming and cute, with a radiant beauty and white hair that added an air of Immortal Qi.

The old scholar nodded, gently and kindly asking:

“Young Lady, may I have the honor of knowing your name?”

“I am Tang Wan, a disciple of Central Shichuan’s Tang Sect, greeting the old scholar.”

Standing up a bit weakly, Tang Wan gave the old scholar a salute without a single mistake, utterly respectful, and her crisp and tender voice was quite pleasant to hear.

“Tang Sect…”

Upon hearing those two words, a look of reminiscence flashed across the old scholar’s eyes.

He sighed deeply and slowly said:

“I once had a student who also hailed from the Tang Sect, named Tang Cen, who then vanished without a trace on his way home one time.

I inquired with the Tang Sect, but received no news.

It’s a pity, that Tang Cen was a talent capable of being molded, a student I considered to have a great future, alas…”

Seeing the old man’s spirits dip, a faint sadness appeared on Tang Wan’s face, as if she was empathizing with him.

Zhou Li stood behind Tang Wan, calmly observing her clenched, pale little fist, as if perceiving the joy within Tang Wan’s heart from popping a champagne cork.

Then, he smiled.

Just as the old man was about to encourage the young lady, he suddenly noticed Zhou Li behind Tang Wan, with a meaningful smile on his face.

He knew Zhou Li never spoke without purpose, his words always had their intent.

Instantly, it struck the old scholar like a thunderclap.

He looked at Tang Wan, then Zhou Li, recalling Zhou Li’s initial words.

“This is what you’ve been longing for, why aren’t you happy?”

Longing for…

“Fighting again?

Tang Cen, where are your parents?!”

Suddenly, the old scholar shouted.

Tang Wan, too, abruptly stood upright and instinctively called out:

“Beiliang’s Wherever Pass, Zhou Taoyao.”

Silence.

A long silence.

The three from Qianhu didn’t know what had happened, as they were unaware of Tang Wan’s true identity.

Li Kuan didn’t know what had occurred because he had already knocked himself out.

And Tang Wan?

“Don’t worry.”

Turning her head, bidding a parting smile, the young girl gently said:

“I absolutely won’t let you off the hook if I become a ghost.”

“Good.”

Zhou Li gazed back at her just as gently, “The sooner you die, the sooner you’ll be reborn.”

“Let’s do it together.”

The old scholar stroked his beard with a chuckle, joyfully saying:

“Today is truly…”

“A double celebration.”

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