Chapter 39 - The Martial Academy Opens, Choosing an Instructor

Time flew by, and the day of the Martial Academy’s opening had arrived.

In the heaven-class room, Ah Sha watched as Gu Han slowly rose to his feet, her small face filled with worry. “Young Master, your injuries...”

Gu Han was already regretting telling her about what had happened the day before.

He sighed. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing serious.”

Although his injuries weren’t life-threatening, they weren’t light either. Even the heaven-class room, a sacred place for healing, couldn’t fully heal him in just one day.

Ah Sha mustered her courage. “Young Master, can’t you... not go to the Martial Academy?”

Gu Han smiled. “Ah Sha, in the path of cultivation, being reticent is the greatest taboo. One must always charge forward in the face of adversity. How can we retreat just because it’s difficult?”

“But...”

“Don’t worry. With the Seventh Prince and Chief Steward Li here, that man won’t dare to do anything to me. Stay here and focus on your cultivation...” Seeing her expression grow despondent, Gu Han patted her head and comforted her gently. “When I return in a few days, I’ll take you out for fried chicken!”

For once, Ah Sha showed no interest in fried chicken. “No. I just want you to be safe.”

Gu Han nodded. “Alright. I promise.”

“No lying!”

“Mhm, no lying.”

Ah Sha stared blankly at Gu Han’s leaving back, as if her soul had left her body.

After a long pause, she suddenly clenched her fists. “Young Master, I will help you!”

Two faint, almost imperceptible glimmers of light flashed in her eyes.

***

At the Great Qi Martial Academy...

The academy opened its doors once every five years, admitting only the elites of the younger generation. Aside from the lucky few selected by the upper sect, the rest were absorbed into Great Qi’s internal system.

Some joined the imperial court, while the others entered the military. At the very least, they could end up like Liu Yan, becoming the city lord of a remote border town, enjoying boundless prestige and freedom.

Hence, the Martial Academy was an unavoidable destination for young people who wished to join the upper sects, hone themselves, or seek opportunities for glory and success. Regardless, due to the academy’s strict rules, those without special backgrounds had to rely on their own abilities to enter.

Now, the usually quiet academy was bustling with activity. One or two hundred young people from various cities gathered together—some in small groups, others alone—filling the century-old academy with youthful vigor.

“Good! Very good...” Not far away, a hunched, elderly janitor leaned on his broom, watching the crowd of talented youths with a wide grin. The wrinkles on his face bunched up like a blooming chrysanthemum. “The future of Great Qi lies with them!”

Of course, janitors like him were a dime a dozen in the academy. No one paid any attention to the mutterings of this old man.

***

Outside the Martial Academy, spectators packed the several-zhang-wide greenstone road. Envy, jealousy, and longing filled their eyes. However, no one dared to actually step inside. Unauthorized entry by non-students would be met with severe punishment.

By the time Gu Han arrived, there was a sea of people before him.

Speechless, he steeled himself and began pushing his way through.

“Excuse me—”

Almost at the same time, a familiar voice reached his ears.

“Make way! Make way!”

It’s the fatty!

Unlike Gu Han, the fatty didn’t care about courtesy. Relying on his incredibly strong physique, he barreled through the crowd, knocking people left and right. He naturally drew a storm of curses from the crowd.

“Damn Fatty, what are you doing?!”

“Why are you pushing and shoving?? Are you in such a hurry to reincarnate?!”

“Fatty, I’m warning you. Don’t push your luck!”

However, he paid no heed. Puffing out his chest, he marched proudly to the front of the crowd, before spotting Gu Han nearby.

Gu Han greeted him. “Fatty, we meet again.”

The fatty’s face stiffened. “You! You’re... alive?”

Gu Han’s expression darkened. “No shit! Can’t you speak like a normal person?!”

Fatty asked cautiously, “Are you here for the Martial Academy too?’

Gu Han flashed his jade token. “Of course! By the way, Fatty, you ran pretty fast the other day! You almost got me killed!”

At this, the fatty exploded with rage. “You dare bring that up?! You bastard—

cough

! Forget it, forget it! I won’t argue with you!”

Mid-sentence, he seemed to remember something and swallowed the rest of his words. Then, as if deliberately avoiding Gu Han, he hurriedly entered the academy after verifying his token with the guards.

Gu Han frowned. “

Huh?

Does he have a split personality or something?”

From what he knew, the fatty never backed down from an argument. Normally, he would’ve traded insults for half the day.

Why did he give up so easily today?

“Whatever.” He didn’t dwell on it.

After verifying his token with the guards, he stepped into the academy under the envious gazes of the crowd.

As soon as he entered, a familiar voice called out warmly. “Brother Gu!”

Gu Han smiled and walked over. “Brother Jiang, where’s Chief Steward Li?”

After all, Jiang Feng was his only friend in the capital, or perhaps in all of Great Qi.

Jiang Feng’s expression turned odd. “

Cough

... I didn’t bring him.”

Before he left, Chief Steward Li had repeatedly warned him to stay away from Gu Han. Jiang Feng shook his head.

Chief Steward Li... You’re overthinking it! What ill intentions could Brother Gu possibly have?

“What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing, Brother Gu.” Jiang Feng quickly changed the subject. “Later, when we choose instructors, who are you planning to pick?’

Gu Han was surprised. “Choose instructors?”

His knowledge of the academy was limited. Upon arriving in the capital, Liu Tong and Yu Hua kept him busy, leaving him no time to learn the academy’s rules.

Jiang Feng patiently explained. “That’s right. This was a rule established by the founding emperor. Since the academy’s students are the future of Great Qi, they should have the right to choose their instructors. Of course, the instructors can also refuse. Students pick instructors, and instructors pick students.”

Gu Han nodded in understanding and suddenly grinned. “I see. Say... what if I choose Instructor Yu?”

"Brother Gu!" Jiang Feng’s heart dropped. “You... you’re joking, right?”

Gu Han patted his shoulder. “Relax. I’m just teasing. It doesn’t matter which instructor I choose.”

In truth, he had no interest in the academy’s secret techniques or martial skills. The only things that appealed to him were the generous benefits for students, and the chance to spar with geniuses from the academies of the Ten Nations.

***

In a remote corner of the academy, the fatty’s expression shifted unpredictably as he watched Gu Han and Jiang Feng chatting amiably. He was now 50% certain that Gu Han was his human tribulation.

The mysterious, unpredictable, and inscrutable human tribulation arose because of a person. They could be an enemy, a friend, or even a complete stranger.

His mind raced.

What should I do?! Stay away from him and never see him again? No, no! That would defeat the purpose of facing the tribulation. If I don’t overcome it, my cultivation will never recover. Become his enemy? That... might very well get me killed. Become his friend? But even with my thick skin, I can’t handle this bastard scheming against me over and over!

For a moment, he sighed and agonized endlessly.

Just then, an elderly voice sounded beside him. “Little Fatty, don’t be insecure. Don’t care about others’ opinions. Remember, their mockery will only fuel your growth.”

It was the old janitor. As he held his broom, he looked at the fatty with kindness and wisdom, his words profound.

The fatty’s eye twitched. “Old man, what are you trying to say here?!”

The old man looked at the fatty with nostalgia. “Back in my days, I was fat too, so...”

The fatty finally understood and trembled with rage. “Shut up! Which eye of yours sees that I’m feeling insecure?! How I act is none of your business! Go sweep your floors! And I am fun-sized, not fat! What do you know?!”

With that, he glared at the janitor and stormed off.

The old man shook his head. “

Ah...

Morals decline, and hearts grow cold! Young people these days have no manners at all...”

***

As the crowd buzzed with discussion, a commanding voice suddenly rang out. “Silence!”

At first, it was faint, but by the time it reached everyone’s ears, it rumbled like thunder, making their eardrums ache. The crowd tensed and immediately fell silent.

Moments later, over a dozen figures approached from a distance, appearing before the students. Although they didn’t deliberately display their cultivation, the sheer pressure of their auras was overwhelming. The three at the front were the most terrifying.

Jiang Feng whispered to Gu Han, “These three are the academy’s deputy deans. The armored one in the middle is Commander Zhou of the city guard. He is strict and highly trusted by my father. The one on the left is Elder Wu, whose strength is unfathomable. The one on the right is Elder Feng, whose background is somewhat mysterious. These two also serve as imperial family elders.”

Gu Han didn’t know this, but these three were the same ones who had appeared outside the city during the demonic beast riot.

He asked curiously, “Deputy deans? Then, where’s the dean?”

Jiang Feng’s face filled with reverence. “The dean is the founding emperor of Great Qi. He’s my great-grandfather. Decades ago, after becoming invincible among the Ten Nations, he left to travel the world in search of a breakthrough and hasn’t returned since. I grew up hearing legends about him, but have never met him in person.”

His tone was tinged with regret. However, Gu Han felt nothing.

Invincible? Unbeatable? What nonsense! The Demon Monarch living in my head might be a scoundrel, but at least he didn’t go around boasting about being invincible. Hmm... Come to think of it... It’s been a while since I checked on him.

Just then, Gu Han sensed a sharp gaze land on him. “

Huh?

”

He saw Yu Hua staring at him, undisguised killing intent in his eyes.

Gu Han’s expression turned cold. “Those must be the academy’s instructors.”

Lacking Gu Han’s sharp senses, Jiang Feng didn’t notice the hostility and continued his introductions enthusiastically. “Right! There are ten instructors in total. Yu Hua, in the seventh stage of Spirit Profound; Jiang Yi, in the fifth stage of Spirit Profound; Chen Fang, in the seventh stage of Spirit Profound...”

Jiang Feng’s gaze burned with admiration as he spoke of the next name. “Han Fu is in the ninth stage of Spirit Profound! He is the strongest among the instructors. Every year, most of the students choose him. However, his standards are high, as he only picks the most talented. Very few stay by his side. Of course, he’d gladly accept someone as talented and powerful as you, Brother Gu! As for this one...”

When he introduced the last instructor, his expression turned strange. Unlike the others, this man wore a look of perpetual gloom, standing far at the back, completely out of place.

Jiang Feng swallowed hard and warned solemnly. “Brother Gu, later, you can pick anyone, but just... don’t pick him.”