It was clear from his appearance that he had once been a convict.
The scholar remained silent, his face grave. Clearly, this was a premeditated plan, and it seemed the scheme had started from the Confucian temple.
Gao Zhen's eyes burned with determination. He stepped out from behind the eunuch, bent down in a formal bow, then raised his head and respectfully asked, "Might you be Mr. Qi from the Cliffside Academy?"
The scholar stood up and addressed Gao Zhen, "Had you not seized a great chance first, both of you would not be able to leave so easily today."
In this small town, outsiders engaged in conflicts. According to the ancient rules set by the Four Saints, the punishment was not severe but was still enough to deter most. However, fighting between outsiders had a clear "loophole" that allowed for corrective action. Gao Zhen and other outsiders had each brought a "retainer," doing so in preparation for the worst-case scenario, to use as a scapegoat if necessary.
After all, securing just one position required expending half of the Great Sui's imperial treasury, which was no small sum. The wealth involved could be likened to emptying an entire mountain of gold and silver.Compared to ordinary spending, this was on an entirely different scale.
Gao Zhen, who had been given the order to leave, continued on, speaking to the scholar: "Mr. Qi, if there's ever a chance in the future, would you be willing to teach at my Great Sui Academy? My country would be honored to offer you the position of 'National Teacher.'
The old eunuch paused, reflecting on the situation, but did not stop the young prince's bold offer.
If Gao Zhen could convince this scholar to support the Great Sui, it would surely please the Emperor.
The scholar smiled faintly but did not respond.
In contrast to his decisive and ruthless action against the veiled girl, the old eunuch now showed a completely different demeanor toward the man from Cliffside Academy. He lowered his head and clasped his fists, offering a deep bow. "Mr. Qi, I apologize for any disturbance caused, and I hope you can forgive us. My earlier actions against the girl were unfortunate, and I hope you understand the difficulties I face as servant of the Gao family."
Qi Jingchun waved his sleeve, signaling them to leave.
Gao Zhen and the old eunuch had no choice but to bid their farewells and leave, following the same path the veiled girl had taken in her retreat.
The young prince lowered his voice and asked, "Is she dead?"
The old eunuch shook his head. "She'll likely not last long. The flying sword only gave her a little more time, but it's all for nothing."
Gao Zhen hesitated for a moment, curiosity getting the better of him. "Grandpa Wu, when did you realize that she wasn't as calm and composed with the sword as she appeared?"
The eunuch replied, "Too much composure often reveals flaws. Her early wisdom gave it away."
The prince was puzzled, his brow furrowing.
The eunuch led him out of the alley and softly continued, "Let me ask you a question, Your Highness. You've seen countless rare and luxurious treasures, but would you still be interested in ordinary porcelain from a small town?"
Gao Zhen patted his waist pocket with a smile. "Of course not. Only something like that jade seal, or something of similar quality, would bring me joy."
The eunuch nodded. "Exactly. When that girl was using the sword to kill, her heart was like still water—calm and collected, as though it were as routine as eating or drinking. After sensing my true martial prowess, she immediately gave up the fight, especially since she feared I might see through her bravado. She deliberately provoked us, hoping to create a way out for both sides. She wanted to avoid being killed in case I harbored the intention of eliminating her completely. Unfortunately, she didn't do a very good job of it. But to be so composed at such a young age—it's impressive. However, the more remarkable someone is, the greater the threat they'll pose if they're allowed to grow unchecked."
The old eunuch sighed. "When you're young, full of vigor, you may be inclined to kill recklessly or die for a cause, but that's not unusual. What's strange is someone so calm about death, or able to kill without a ripple of hesitation in their heart. That's not something one is born with; it comes from experience. And whether one's talent or aptitude is high doesn't matter much here. Many talented individuals die young because their temperament is their fatal flaw; when faced with hardship, they easily falter."
Gao Zhen sighed deeply. "No matter how you look at it, it's still a pity."
The old eunuch half-jokingly said, "Your Highness, if you're already sighing over the life and death of such a person, you'll be busy in the future when you truly stand at the top of the mountain."
The young prince chuckled. "I don't believe it."
The old eunuch suddenly said, "Perhaps it's just my imagination, but I have a feeling that Mr. Qi's seemingly boundless cultivation has encountered a significant problem."