Chapter Fifty-Two: The Fragile Vessel of Master and Disciple Capsizes Without Warning
“Disciple, come help your master with something,” Gong Qingfeng straightened his long robe, “How does this look?”
Lin Mao nodded, solemnly replying, “You have the bearing of an immortal, the very appearance of a celestial being.”
Gong Qingfeng smiled, thoroughly satisfied.
“Master,” Lin Mao hesitated for a moment, puzzled, “When you entered the capital years ago to see the Emperor, you weren’t so meticulous. Why are you so formal today, just to meet the prince?”
“What do you know?” Gong Qingfeng gently stroked his white beard, “I want to leave a good impression, of course.”
He sighed lightly and continued, “Besides, Lord Li once showed me great kindness. Meeting his son, I ought to be respectful.”
As his words faded, there was a knock at the door. “Li Yunjie, junior, has come to pay respects to Elder Gong.”
Gong Qingfeng’s expression turned serious in an instant. He cleared his throat quietly and gestured for Lin Mao to open the door.
Li Yunjie stepped inside. The two men bowed to each other politely.
“I’ve long heard that the Prince Li is distinguished in appearance and exceptional in temperament. Seeing you today, your reputation is well deserved.”
“You overpraise me, Elder Gong,” Li Yunjie replied, bowing. “You are a man of virtue and wisdom, revered by all. It is my honor to meet you at last.”
They exchanged polite compliments for a while, then sat down together.
Lin Mao brewed tea for them, standing attentively behind Gong Qingfeng.
“Regarding the matter of the Zhang family elder today, I must thank Taihu Academy for their assistance,” Li Yunjie said earnestly. “If the academy ever needs anything from me, please do not hesitate to ask.”
“You give it too much weight,” Gong Qingfeng waved his hand with a smile. “You have helped the academy yourself; this was but a minor affair, not worth mentioning.”
With that, the two fell silent, each sipping their tea. After all, it was their first meeting, and a certain awkwardness lingered.
After a long pause, Gong Qingfeng spoke again:
“Some days ago, I heard you composed a poem.”
‘Drunk, unaware of the sky reflected in water,
A boatful of pristine dreams presses down the Milky Way.’
“A verse for the ages!”
“A clumsy effort,” Li Yunjie murmured, “You flatter me.”
Gong Qingfeng chuckled softly, “Your Highness, do not be modest.”
“With such talent, there is no second in all of our great Qian.”
He paused, pondering, then drew a deep breath, somewhat embarrassed:
“May I ask, Your Highness, would you be interested in studying the scholarly path under my guidance?”
Li Yunjie was taken aback.
Such an unexpected olive branch, without the slightest preamble?
He hesitated, then politely declined, “Thank you, Dean, for your favor.”
“I have already devoted myself to martial cultivation; to pursue both would be too much.”
After all, the scholarly path in Qian is not easily trodden...
“You need not worry,” Gong Qingfeng smiled confidently, as if certain of himself. “If you become my disciple, I have ways to assist your cultivation.”
“What ways?” Seeing Gong Qingfeng so assured, Li Yunjie’s curiosity was piqued.
“Normally, one must advance step by step in cultivation, but those of third rank and above can transmit cultivation methods directly.”
---
Upon hearing this, Li Yunjie showed little reaction.
Lin Mao, on the other hand, looked anxious, his face full of disbelief as he gazed at Gong Qingfeng.
Such treatment was beyond his wildest dreams.
A beloved disciple, yet abandoned—his heart broken, and the master unmoved.
The little boat of teacher and pupil could capsize in an instant.
“I fear that may not be proper,” Li Yunjie insisted, “As the saying goes, ‘one must not accept reward unearned.’”
“I have neither virtue nor merit, and could not bear such kindness.”
There is no such thing as a free lunch—this was Li Yunjie’s motto.
Especially since Gong Qingfeng and Su Ming were allies.
Until he figured out whether Su Ming was good or evil, he dared not accept.
Seeing Li Yunjie’s resolve, Gong Qingfeng’s heart cooled. He sighed deeply.
“So be it.”
“If, in the future, Your Highness changes your mind, I will always be ready.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Dean,” Li Yunjie bowed in gratitude.
The room fell silent once more.
Several cups of tea later, Gong Qingfeng managed to recover from the sting of rejection.
“I heard from Mao’er that Your Highness came south to seek the Immortal Physician Gu?”
“That is correct,” Li Yunjie nodded.
Gong Qingfeng pondered, then smiled lightly, “I presume it is for the eldest Miss Su, to seek treatment?”
Li Yunjie was surprised, “How did you know, Dean?”
Gong Qingfeng answered calmly, “Yesterday, I saw Miss Qingmeng and detected her unstable inner breath—likely the affliction of true energy backlash.”
Li Yunjie suddenly understood.
A third-rank master could read the inner energy of others.
Especially as Gong Qingfeng was at the peak of the third rank, noticing such things was hardly surprising.
“Nothing escapes Dean Gong’s discerning eyes,” Li Yunjie bowed, “That is indeed the case.”
Gong Qingfeng smiled, continuing, “I also know that you seek the Immortal Physician for matters related to the Yongzhou tax silver case three years ago.”
Li Yunjie’s heart trembled at these words.
He had told no one about this except Eleven.
And Eleven had no connection to Gong Qingfeng whatsoever.
“Was it Su who told you?” Li Yunjie frowned.
Given Su Ming’s intellect, it would not be difficult to guess. Moreover, he and Gong Qingfeng had long-standing ties, so it was very likely.
Gong Qingfeng neither confirmed nor denied, tacitly admitting.
“If Your Highness wishes to investigate the tax silver case, I do have a clue for you,” Gong Qingfeng stroked his beard, smiling.
---
Li Yunjie’s attention sharpened instantly, his pupils dilating, “I would like to hear the details.”
Gong Qingfeng sipped his tea, speaking in a low voice, “Are you aware that the scholarly path in Qian has long been in decline?”
“I have heard so,” Li Yunjie nodded, “But what does this have to do with the tax silver case?”
Gong Qingfeng sighed, “Normally, for those cultivating the scholarly path, breaking through is much harder than in any other discipline.”
“Yet, shortly after the tax silver case, a scholar in the capital broke through to the fifth-rank Enlightened Realm.”
Li Yunjie’s expression darkened.
The scholarly path’s fortune in Qian had waned; though it barely affected scholars below the eighth rank, the higher the rank, the harder the promotion.
Neither the Imperial Academy nor Taihu Academy had seen anyone break through to fifth rank in recent years.
Even Lin Mao, recognized as a genius by both, was only at the sixth rank.
Thus, among Qian’s cultivators, if given a choice, few would pursue the scholarly path.
“Does the Dean know who it was?”
Gong Qingfeng was silent for a long time, then said coldly, “The Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince.”
Li Yunjie was shaken to the core, his hand trembled as he held his cup.
“So that’s it...” A gleam flashed in Li Yunjie’s eyes.
He had never understood the Crown Prince’s motive for colluding with the northern desert to steal the tax silver.
Now it was clear—it was to break through.
The scholarly fortune in the northern desert was thriving; helping a scholar reach fifth rank there would be effortless.
“Of course,” Gong Qingfeng shifted his tone, “I simply feel the matter is odd.”
“If the Crown Prince is exceptionally gifted and managed to break through on our meager fortune here in Qian, it is not impossible.”
Li Yunjie nodded in understanding.
After all, accusing the Crown Prince was no small crime.
Though Gong Qingfeng was respected and venerable, the Crown Prince was heir to the realm, not to be judged lightly.
“You speak wisely, Dean,” Li Yunjie poured tea for him, “If the Crown Prince were not extraordinarily clever, how could he have gained the Emperor’s favor and entered the Eastern Palace three years ago?”
Li Yunjie perceived the subtle connection.
The tax silver case, Zhao Heng’s ascension to fifth rank, and his entry into the Eastern Palace—
All occurred three years ago!
Thus, the true motive behind the tax silver case was to claim the succession!
Moreover, his move to frame Taihu Academy was likely to advance quickly to fourth rank and secure his position as Crown Prince!
After all, rumors had long circulated in the capital—the second prince, defeated in the succession struggle years ago,
Had already broken through to fifth rank in martial cultivation this year!
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy; the two men drank their tea in silence, each lost in thought...