Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 44: Jixia Academy and the Martial Artist Institute

Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Jixia Academy and the Martial Artist Institute

"Flood Stake: (Technique)"

"Entry Requirements: 15 years (Entry)"

"Minor Achievement: 35 years (Minor Achievement)"

"Great Success: 95 years (Great Success)"

The next morning, after practicing the Flood Stake once, Lu Chang’sheng glanced at the Light Curtain Panel.

The variables had all basically peaked at their current stable maximum.

Zhao Hu, Wang Heihou, and Niu Dazhuang had left the city early.

During this period, their minds were focused entirely on the Archery Practice Ground, full of motivation.

As they saw it, they couldn’t pin all their hopes on Lu Chang’sheng; otherwise, if something bad happened, none of them would be prepared to face the risk.

Lu Chang’sheng wholeheartedly agreed, and just let them do as they wished.

"Still need to make more money!"

After eating, Lu Chang’sheng headed outside. Suddenly, a chill brushed over him; he looked up and saw a dark cloud had appeared overhead, seemingly out of nowhere.

He froze for a second, and before long, felt a damp drop land on his forehead.

"It’s raining! It’s raining!"

A moment later, all of Black Mountain Prefecture City livened up.

Many people dashed out onto the streets, watching the falling raindrops with joy.

After more than two years of drought, even those running businesses in the city had found things unbearable—now with rain, it was truly sweet relief after a long dry spell.

"I wonder how my little sister at home is doing?" Lu Chang’sheng thought of his unusually sensible sister, and a gentle smile crept across his face.

If the roads hadn’t been blocked before, he might already have brought his family here.

"Hopefully, this rain will make things better, so we can finally take a trip home!"

He bought an oil-paper umbrella at a small shop, walked under its shelter to Jixia Academy, gave his name and presented his proof, and entered inside.

A fragrance of books wafted toward him.

Inside, it was remarkably spacious, the rooms arranged in perfect order. Every so often, he saw scholars clutching books passing by.

"Serenity"—that was Lu Chang’sheng’s first impression of Jixia Academy.

"Perhaps this shouldn’t be called an Academy, but a College!"

The grand formality of a ’Academy’ and the feel of a ’College’—these were worlds apart.

Maybe the very idea of an ’Academy’ originated from the one in Jinghua Prefecture, not provincial places like Black Mountain Prefecture.

Suddenly, a hint of sweet fragrance drifted by.

Lu Chang’sheng looked up and saw a graceful, elegant woman standing before him, holding a book in her hands.

"Are you this year’s Child Scholar, Lu Chang’sheng?"

"And you are?"

"Just a traveler," she nodded and stepped aside.

It was only then that Lu Chang’sheng noticed a Junior Official walking behind her.

The official shook his head, seeming a bit helpless, then said to Lu Chang’sheng, "Come with me. Don’t forget the rules here at Jixia Academy. If you get lectured by an instructor, remember I did warn you!"

He glanced to the side, seeing the young lady absorbed in her reading, then set off in another direction.

Lu Chang’sheng glanced with curiosity at the girl, inwardly thinking: She must have a special background, or she wouldn’t be here at all!

A traveler?

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t buy it.

The official’s expression didn’t look fake.

"May I ask, sir—just who was that young lady?"

"A traveler!" the official replied.

Lu Chang’sheng gave a wry smile, knowing this line of questioning would probably get him nowhere, so he didn’t press further to avoid offending anyone.

Unbeknownst to him, the girl watched his retreating figure, her pretty brows lifting ever so slightly.

"His Root Bone isn’t good—even with all that talent, he’ll struggle to impress any of those formidable figures..."

She sighed gently and continued waiting.

Her intent was nothing like her casual exterior; she had come here with purpose.

"Zhuqing, what are you doing here?" Just then, a plump young lady in white walked over gracefully. Because she wasn’t as tall as Xu Zhuqing, she tiptoed a bit to try and peek at the book’s contents.

"I’m people-watching," Xu Zhuqing looked helplessly at her friend and answered.

"People-watching? So, you’ve got your eye on one of the Child Scholars?" Qin Wan covered her mouth, laughing.

"Nonsense!" Xu Zhuqing closed the book. "I’m scouting this year’s Child Scholars for my family’s sake. But you—lately you seem pretty glamorous, wandering in and out of Jixia Academy whenever you like!"

Qin Wan’s cheeks flushed slightly. "Oh, that’s just thanks to my older brother!"

The two chatted and waited side by side.

Not long after, a few other Child Scholars entered.

But Xu Zhuqing barely glanced at them before turning away.

None of those were half as promising as Lu Chang’sheng!

······

Lu Chang’sheng followed the Junior Official, listening to his explanations, while also memorizing the layout.

The place wasn’t small, but not huge either—most areas were reserved for instructors, professors, the Mountain Master, and other academy folk. For Child Scholars like him, there were only two spaces they could use.

One was the Diligence Institute, the other was the Guest House.

The Diligence Institute was for study, and Lu Chang’sheng figured he’d be spending most of his time there. The Guest House, on the other hand, was more of a lounge.

As for food and lodging, Jixia Academy didn’t provide arrangements.

Lu Chang’sheng summed it up as boarding school from his previous life—only lunch was covered, and students had to pay silver for it.

The rate was one tael of silver per month.

And then there was the ’gift’—meaning tuition.

Fifty taels a year.

Of course, this year’s Child Scholars got a three-month tuition-free trial. After that, continuing studies was up to the individual.

"Just like training in Martial Arts needs resources, so does reading!"

Lu Chang’sheng sighed to himself.

The Advanced Scholar exam was tough—not only because of talent, but also because most couldn’t afford enough silver.

So for poor families, making it to Child Scholar was about as far as you could get.

Maybe the instructors at Jixia Academy weren’t like this, but these days silver coins kept many from the lower rungs out—like it or not, that was the reality.

The rigid hierarchy in Black Mountain Prefecture said it all!

Fortunately, he had an arrangement with the Lin Family, so he didn’t have to worry much about these things.

Just then, he suddenly heard a loud shout and quickly looked in the direction of the noise.

"Don’t be surprised—that’s the Martial Artist Institute; folks inside are training!" the official laughed.

"Training? Jixia Academy teaches martial arts too?"

Lu Chang’sheng was stunned.

"Of course! The Great Yuan was built on martial prowess—even scholars need to be able to write a poem or slay enemies on horseback! If it was three generations ago, you folks would have had to take martial exams, too!"

Lu Chang’sheng was reminded that the Great Yuan made no distinction between civil and military exams—there was only the scholars’ examination.

"And you know, the deepest secrets of Martial Arts in the world aren’t found in sects or the rivers and lakes, but in our Great Yuan dynasty!"

"The founding ancestor’s martial feats are legendary—he unified the land, forged the Jixia Academy, set up the dynasty’s armory, and collected all the world’s martial arts. That’s why our Great Yuan prospers without end!"

Lu Chang’sheng’s eyes lit up. "Then can I enter the Martial Artist Institute?"

But, the official only shook his head. "That—I’m not so sure! If Lu Tongsheng has connections, you could try asking around!"