World of Honor

“When a disciple of the Academy receives the title of a gentleman, he must utter a word as his lifelong motto, and dedicate his martial arts to this word for his entire life. This word is what is called ‘A Gentleman Says’. The voice of Xie Yuling, who had always been indifferent, seemed to have a hint of excitement at this moment. ‘It is said that when a gentleman utters this word, heaven and earth will resonate with him!'”

“Yes. Every disciple of the Academy has a goal in his heart, whether he plans to leave the mountain in the future or stay on the mountain for his whole life.” There seemed to be a glint in Feng Zuojun’s eyes. “That is to become, a gentleman.”

“Yes.” Luo Qin, who had been walking in front, said with a smile. “I also wanted to become a gentleman before, but unfortunately the sage master did not favor me. He said that I had the ambition of a swan, but no sound of a zither. At first I thought he was advising me to find a wife, but later I understood that he meant that I was overconfident and incompetent. But it doesn’t matter if I can’t be a swan, then I’ll be a gust of wind, and help you all soar into the clouds.” He pushed open a door, where seven or eight people were doing some copying work, and in front of them were some white butterflies with broken wings.

“Xie Yuling, Su Baiyi, you guard outside. Feng Zuojun, you come in with me.” Nangong Xi’er said.

“Yes.” The three answered at the same time.

After Luo Qin led Nangong Xi’er and Feng Zuojun in, he closed the door. “The Butterfly Wind is controlled by the Academy, but not every disciple can see the messages. Nangong junior sister is naturally fine, but who is this junior brother?”

“Oh, my name is Feng Zuojun.” Feng Zuojun bowed his fist.

“Oh, it turns out that you are the young master of the Feng family from Tianxiao Yunjing. Then there is no problem. Because this message came from your Feng family.” Luo Qin whistled, and a white butterfly landed on his finger.

Feng Zuojun nodded. “I heard about it. They said that our family closed its doors? But I don’t think it’s a big deal. When I was young, every year our family would close its doors for the clan sacrifice. And when my mother wanted to settle accounts with my father for his affairs, she would also close the door.”

“But this matter is different.” Luo Qin took out a paper from the butterfly’s body and threw it to Nangong Xi’er.

Nangong Xi’er took the paper and looked at it, frowning slightly. Feng Zuojun leaned over and looked at it too, and was shocked.

There were only seven words on it: The second branch rebelled in Tianxiao Yunjing.

Then the paper burned itself up and fell to the ground as ashes.

“The second branch refers to my second uncle. He has a leg disease and can’t move well. He rarely comes out of his mansion. He rebelled? With what did he rebel? What was the result? How is my father?” Feng Zuojun’s face became agitated.

Luo Qin shook his head. “Tianxiao Yunjing is still closed until now. We only got this message with great difficulty. As for what happened, we didn’t find out. Maybe we’ll know when the next message comes.”

“I can’t wait any longer, senior sister! Let’s go now! Don’t waste time here.” Feng Zuojun urged.

“Little Feng, don’t be anxious.” Nangong Xi’er reached out and pressed Feng Zuojun’s shoulder. “If your second uncle won, he would have announced himself as the successor of Tianxiao Yunjing. But since Tianxiao Yunjing is still closed, that means this matter has not been settled yet.”

Feng Zuojun nodded. “You are right, senior sister. So… we should still leave right away!”

“Alright.” Nangong Xi’er turned around.

“Wait.” Luo Qin suddenly said.

“What are you waiting for, Luo senior brother!” Feng Zuojun waved his hand impatiently, but accidentally hit something. He looked closely and found that it was another white butterfly flying in front of him.

Luo Qin stretched out his hand and caught the falling butterfly, and took the paper from it.

“What does it say? Is there any new news?” Feng Zuojun asked.

Luo Qin frowned slightly, then shook his head. “This is bad.”

Outside the room, Su Baiyi and Xie Yuling had been guarding the door since Nangong Xi’er and Feng Zuojun went in. Su Baiyi’s mind was filled with the stories that Feng Zuojun had told him along the way, the stories about Shanglin Tiangong, which had nothing to do with him, a young scholar who grew up in Apricot Blossom Village. But after Nangong Xi’er said those words, they seemed to be related to him.

Su Han, the grand master of Shanglin Tiangong, was he the hero with the surname Su that master had mentioned?

Su Dianmo, the second master of Shanglin Tiangong, was she the beautiful woman with the surname Su that master had mentioned?

Then what was the relationship between these two people and him?

Could he be the son of the grand master of Shanglin Tiangong? But if that was the case, why did he wander around since he was a child? That was too unrealistic. But Xie Kanhua adopted him for a reason, and thinking about it this way, it seemed possible again.

Su Baiyi was lost in his thoughts when he suddenly noticed that Xie Yuling next to him had been secretly looking at him. Su Baiyi looked over, but Xie Yuling quickly turned his head away.

He was so shy and timid, which was completely different from the way he talked to Feng Zuojun, who was always competing with him. Su Baiyi turned his head, but found that Xie Yuling was looking at him again. He felt a bit uncomfortable, and hesitated for a moment before asking, “Xie senior brother, do you have any questions for me?”

“Oh, nothing.” Xie Yuling turned his head again.

Su Baiyi scratched his head, wondering what Xie senior brother was hiding.

The two stood in silence for a while, but Xie Yuling opened his mouth hesitantly again. “I heard that you came from Apricot Blossom Village. How is it there?”

“Apricot Blossom Village.” Su Baiyi didn’t understand Xie Yuling’s meaning, and thought for a while before saying, “It’s a nice place. There are not many villagers, very quiet, and the apricot wine there is very good. But it gets boring if you stay there for too long.”

“Very quiet.” Xie Yuling murmured.

“Yes, sometimes at night, it feels too quiet, and a bit scary.” Su Baiyi laughed. “I also told master that we should move to Fengqiao Town, so we wouldn’t have to eat donkey meat with sauce every time we drink.”

“What did your master say?”

“Master replied with two words.” Su Baiyi held up two fingers and shook them. “No money.”

Xie Yuling actually smiled. “Are you very poor?”

“Master opened a school in Apricot Blossom Village, and students from several nearby villages came to study with us. But you know, they are all villagers, they don’t have much money, and master doesn’t mind. Sometimes poor families gave him a few copper coins, and he asked me to send them back, saying that a few jars of homemade apricot wine would do. Every year, only during the New Year, master would write for the rich people in the city, and earn a lot of silver.” Su Baiyi’s tone suddenly became dissatisfied. “But let me tell you, those words were all written by me!”