The spring rain fell in a gentle patter, as the carriage struggled along the muddy path.
"Uncle Liu, in the Yunqin Empire, are there flying swords? Are there immortals?"
Lin Xi, resting his chin on his hand, inquired earnestly of the white-haired elder, who was momentarily seated in a corner of the carriage.
Given that no assassination attempt had occurred and Lin Xi had maintained a courteous demeanor throughout the journey, the elder's attitude towards him had softened considerably. He no longer exuded the aura of a battle-hardened warrior emerging from a sea of blood. However, upon hearing Lin Xi's question, the previously serene elder suddenly grew inexplicably irate. "Lin Xi, do not forget your father's instructions. Once you leave Lulin Town, refrain from such nonsense. You have asked me this question no fewer than thirty times in the past ten days. Had you been in the Imperial City of Zhongzhou, you might have been thrown into prison by now."
"Why should merely speaking such things lead to imprisonment?" Lin Xi feigned surprise while secretly amused. After days of interaction following the assassination attempt, he had categorized Uncle Liu as akin to his mother in this world—stern in appearance yet soft-hearted in reality. As long as he did not cross the elder's boundaries, the latter would not reveal his dangerous side.
"I am weary," the elder replied tersely, his face stiffening as he uttered those three words, then chose to close his eyes. Lin Xi's demeanor left him feeling helpless; faced with such a polite and fragile youth, he could not express his impatience as he might with the boisterous soldiers at the border.
"Uncle Liu, since you promised my father to take good care of me, you surely wouldn't want to invite trouble due to my idle chatter. Moreover, we are halfway through our journey; although I have seen many beautiful sights along the way, I remain entirely ignorant about Qingluan Academy. You must at least tell me something about it…" Lin Xi's soft voice persisted, "And if you don't converse with me after all these days, I fear I might die of boredom, even falling ill from it."
Upon hearing Lin Xi's initial remarks, the elder furrowed his brow again, yet as he listened to the latter's concluding words, a chill within him dissipated, replaced by a sense of understanding.
Indeed, this was merely an ordinary, frail boy who had never ventured beyond Lulin Town. While his behavior seemed peculiar, he was not like the elite soldiers at the border, who could traverse dangerous territories for days without uttering a word.
In fact, even among the border troops, the most intolerable punishment for those brutes was not the whip but solitary confinement in a dark room for half a month—rooms that were roughly the same size as this carriage.
Reflecting on this, the elder's heart, tempered like iron through countless brushes with death, suddenly softened.
He recalled that over the past ten days, apart from his odd remarks, the performance of this young man from a wealthy family in Lulin Town had exceeded his expectations. Even when forced to sleep on the grass after missing their intended lodging, this pampered youth did not complain. Even when reduced to eating hard bread and drinking tasteless cold water, he appeared to maintain an enthusiastic spirit.
"Could it be that a certain noble saw this potential in him during such a brief encounter and thus recommended him for admission to Qingluan Academy?" The thought struck the elder, causing him to shudder slightly. The carriage shook, dislodging accumulated raindrops from its corners.
The carriage fell into a moment of silence.
The elderly man, with hair like silver and wrinkles etched deep by time, stared intently at the young boy across from him.
Lin Xi's eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation.
Two gray horses trudged slowly through the muddy path, flanked by expansive bamboo groves. The spring rain fell softly, creating a soothing rustle as tender shoots pushed through the damp earth, vibrant and full of life, much like Lin Xi himself.
"Why do you enjoy speaking such nonsense?" The elder's mood lightened as he stretched his legs and adjusted himself into a more comfortable position.
Seeing the elder's demeanor soften, Lin Xi felt a surge of excitement. This world remained entirely new to him; he was like a traveler, brimming with curiosity about everything.
"Actually, it's not nonsense," he replied, gazing at the elder, who clearly had many stories to tell. "I've read numerous intriguing books in which formidable characters can summon flying swords to strike down foes from miles away, and they can traverse the heavens and earth, moving mountains and filling seas. Although I have never left Lulin Town, and there are few knowledgeable people here, we must traverse half of the Yunqin Empire, which surely harbors many dangers. Recently, I overheard my father mention that a merchant convoy from Lulin was ambushed by bandits. Since you dare to lead me on this journey alone, and given your calm demeanor and familiarity with the route, I thought you must be one of those legendary figures, which is why I asked you such questions."
The elder was taken aback.
Lin Xi's absurd remarks were articulated with such clarity and logic.
"You are remarkably clever," the elder remarked, casting another glance at Lin Xi and shaking his head. "It seems you have been overly influenced by those fanciful tales of immortals and strange beings."
"Are you suggesting that such extraordinary individuals, capable of wielding flying swords and performing miraculous feats, do not exist in this world?"
"While there are those who can wield flying swords and soar through the skies, they cannot achieve the fantastical feats depicted in those tales. Consider this: if such powers were real, wouldn't it be possible to assassinate any high-ranking official at will?"
"Is that so?" Lin Xi was momentarily stunned, his mouth agape. "Then how far can a flying sword travel? How many people in our Yunqin Empire can achieve such a feat?"
"The weak can strike a hundred paces, while the strong can kill from a thousand. I cannot say how many in the Yunqin Empire possess such abilities, but I know it is very few," the elder pondered. "I have only encountered three such individuals in my lifetime."
"A thousand paces is still quite impressive," Lin Xi murmured to himself. Even the existence of flying swords capable of such distance was enough to redefine his understanding of this world.
"And what about you, Uncle Liu? Can you wield a flying sword?" After his musings, Lin Xi looked up earnestly at the elder.
"Of course not; otherwise, why would I be here driving this carriage?" The elder replied with equal seriousness, and soon both of them found humor in the exchange, unable to suppress their laughter.
"What kind of place is Qingluan Academy, then?" As the laughter subsided, Lin Xi turned to the elder for further insight.
"To put it simply, it is a place that trains the powerful you mentioned, a breeding ground for influential figures." Upon hearing the name Qingluan Academy, the elder's expression grew solemn and respectful. "Today, at least half of the significant figures in our Yunqin Empire hail from Qingluan Academy."
Lin Xi's jaw dropped, momentarily rendering him speechless, his heart filled with astonishment.
Although the elder who accompanied him had indicated that entering Qingluan Academy would at least secure him a minor official position, and that such positions were certainly not lowly, he had never imagined it to be such a prestigious institution. This world seemed to grow increasingly fascinating.
After a brief pause, Lin Xi exhaled sharply and asked the elder, "Could you elaborate further, Uncle Liu?"
"Outside of those who have graduated from Qingluan Academy, few possess substantial knowledge about it. To be frank, it is not a subject I am qualified to comment on. Aside from those who have truly emerged from Qingluan Academy and the prominent figures in the Imperial City of Zhongzhou, the rest of us know little. Therefore, you must not speak of what I share about Qingluan Academy to anyone else, lest we attract unnecessary trouble," the elder warned, his expression growing more serious.
"Understood," Lin Xi nodded firmly.
"In recent years, Qingluan Academy has not been particularly dominant among the three major academies of the empire, yet it is the oldest institution in the Yunqin Empire. Were it not for the emergence of a figure like Dean Zhang fifty years ago, our empire might not have the vast territory it does today," the elder reflected, his gaze shifting as he acknowledged the risks of his words but felt compelled to share due to Lin Xi's demeanor.
"The three major academies?" Lin Xi asked, slightly taken aback.
"There are also Xianyi Academy and Thunderbolt Academy," the elder confirmed with a nod. "I previously mentioned that half of the influential figures in our Yunqin Empire come from Qingluan Academy, while the other half predominantly hail from these two institutions."
Lin Xi inquired, "What distinguishes these three major academies?"
The elder regarded him thoughtfully. "Aside from those who have graduated from these three academies, few possess significant insight into them. Graduates are regarded as equivalent to regional governors. Furthermore, most ascend rapidly in status, far beyond the understanding of ordinary individuals like us. However, you need not worry; should you gain admission to Qingluan Academy, you will soon grasp everything."
"Is entering and graduating equivalent to becoming a town mayor?" A thought crossed Lin Xi's mind.
To him, the titles of mayor and regional governor seemed merely different labels, with little actual distinction.
"If these three academies are so formidable, why would they send me? Do you know who recommended me, Uncle Liu?" Lin Xi's gaze flickered as he pressed the elder further.
"I know that if I do not answer this question, you will likely pester me along the way. However, I can honestly tell you that I do not know the answer. Generally, individuals lack the qualifications to participate in the entrance examinations for these three academies. I am equally curious about the noble who has the power to recommend you for the entrance exam at Qingluan Academy, but that person must hold a very high status, so…"
"Therefore, it is best we refrain from wild speculation and keep our noses out of this matter. If we misinterpret that noble's intentions, we could find ourselves in serious trouble," Lin Xi interjected with a chuckle, sticking out his tongue as he continued.
The elder paused, slightly taken aback by Lin Xi's lightheartedness, then nodded. "It is good that you understand."
The carriage fell into a silence, the only sound being the soft patter of spring rain against its roof.
"Uncle Liu…" Suddenly, Lin Xi called out to the elder.
"What is it?" The elder looked at Lin Xi with curiosity, only to find him deep in thought. "Uncle Liu, my interest in Qingluan Academy has grown significantly."