Chapter 56: Though the Enemy Numbers Thousands, I Press On
Chapter 56: Though the Enemy Numbers Thousands, I Press On
“By the decree of heaven, as if the emperor himself were present…”
“We confer… upon Mu Feng, disciple of Mu Manor…”
“The title of… Jianning… First… Scholar…”
On the high bell tower, the Scholar-Official’s voice echoed, lingering without end, carrying far into the distance.
“What, Jianning First Scholar?”
“Great joy, great joy indeed! This is heaven’s favor upon our Jianning City. This is a sign that our Jianning City will produce a Literary Saint. Great joy!”
“Mu Feng, disciple of Mu Manor? Heavens, did I hear correctly? Is that the scholar who just turned the tables and crippled those two young ruffians?”
“In literature, there is no clear first; in martial arts, no clear second. Amazing! Who exactly is this disciple of Mu Manor?”
…
Inside the Shangling Terrace, eight thousand scholars were deeply moved. Outside, the commotion was even greater.
Jianning First Scholar!
A scholar worthy of such a title was a tremendous honor for all people of Jianning. A land nurtures its people; the emergence of such a scholar—what does it signify? Does it not attest that the land of Jianning is fertile and blessed?
An unprecedented sensation swiftly swept through the entire Jianning City.
Outside the Shangling Terrace, not only were commoners swarming to catch a glimpse, but even the originally murderous hundred-thousand-strong army grew restless, whispering among themselves. Only under the commanders’ forceful suppression did they slowly quiet down. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians alike raised their heads, quietly awaiting Mu Feng’s appearance.
“Your disciple Mu Feng pays respects to the Grand Master!”
Inside the Shangling Terrace, under the gaze of eight thousand scholars, Mu Feng walked with calm steps to the elderly, slender Scholar-Official, bowed, and saluted.
According to established custom, any scholar who emerged victorious in the examinations and was admitted to the Scholastic Palace would call the chief examiner of that day’s exam their mentor. From then on, they were bound together, sharing a closer relationship. The scholars gained a patron, a teacher to guide them in learning and conduct; the chief examiner, in turn, could recruit many disciples, rapidly expanding his influence and fostering allies in the official circles, even forming a powerful faction. For this reason, many high officials took each examination extremely seriously, eagerly vying to serve as chief examiners, often traveling great distances without hesitation.
The scholar class had always been the backbone of the empire, possessing profound knowledge and noble character. Among them, those who could be called Scholar-Officials were especially rare. To be accepted as a disciple by a Scholar-Official was a tremendous honor and opportunity for every scholar who had studied diligently for ten years.
“Rise quickly! Young man, I dare not claim such an empty title!”
The stern-faced Scholar-Official finally revealed a faint smile, looked Mu Feng up and down, and nodded appreciatively. “Good, good, truly heroes emerge from the young. Young man, my surname is He, given name Heng, courtesy name Xuangao. I currently hold the post of Advisor to the Prefect of Jiangling Prefecture. In half a year, I may depart for the Capital City. Remember, after autumn, before you report to the Xiangshan Academy in Jiangling Prefecture, you must come find me at the Jiangling government office!”
“Very well, this student will remember!” Mu Feng nodded and stood up with the assistance of Scholar-Official He Xuangao.
“Mu Feng, it seems rather unsettled outside. Perhaps I should personally escort you back with a team of guards in my carriage.” Scholar-Official He Xuangao spoke while casting a glance at the massive hundred-thousand-strong army outside, a cold smirk flashing across his face. He turned and clapped his hands, whereupon a team of fierce guards strode over valiantly, bowing to await orders.
Personally escorting him?
Hearing Scholar-Official He Xuangao’s words, the eight thousand scholars were once again deeply moved, all gazing enviously at Mu Feng.
To be personally escorted by a lofty Scholar-Official—what an honor that was!
“There’s no need!”
Contrary to everyone’s expectations, Mu Feng firmly declined the Scholar-Official’s kind offer without a trace of hesitation. “Thank you, Grand Master, but Mu Manor is not far from here. This disciple can walk back alone.”
“Oh… very well, then!”
Scholar-Official He Xuangao was somewhat surprised and looked Mu Feng over once more.
After bowing again, Mu Feng turned to leave. As he passed by, the tall, formidable guards uniformly lowered their heads in salute, watching him until he reached the main gate. A person of genuine ability, virtue, and integrity earns sincere respect wherever they go.
“Dark clouds gathering—is it going to rain again?”
Lifting his head to look at the gloomy sky, Mu Feng took a deep breath, then strode out, directly facing the vast hundred-thousand-strong army outside.
“He’s coming out! Everyone, look! That disciple of Mu Manor is coming out!”
“Where? Where is he?”
“That’s him! The scholar walking out from the Shangling Terrace!”
…
Beyond the massive army, commoners who had flocked from all directions packed the area tightly. Hearing that Mu Feng, the disciple of Mu Manor, had emerged, they instinctively stood on tiptoe, straining to catch a glimpse of the so-called Jianning First Scholar.
A human life spans a mere hundred years, passing in a flash; but a Jianning First Scholar appears only once in several hundred, even several thousand years. Who wouldn’t want to see what he looks like?
Hu, hu, hu…
Watching Mu Feng approach step by step, the waiting hundred-thousand border troops roared in unison, advancing with synchronized steps, their momentum unmatched.
The spearmen at the front raised their sharp spears; at a glance, it was a forest of gleaming, dazzling spear points. Behind them stood archers with cold expressions, uniformly drawing their bows and aiming their sharp arrows obliquely toward the sky. At a single command from their leader, a dense rain of arrows would whistle down, turning the unarmed Mu Feng into a pincushion!
If fate grants it, it shall be mine;
If fate denies it, I shall seize it;
My feet tread the earth,
My head looks to the heavens;
I worship not the heavens,
Nor bow to the earth;
My destiny is mine to command!
Mu Feng silently recited his self-penned “Defy the Heavens” and coldly continued forward without hesitation. Facing the hundred-thousand-strong army and the overwhelming murderous aura, his expression did not change.
Upright and forthright in character, his heart naturally held a Virtuous Righteousness, fearless of ghosts and gods, impervious to all evils!
Yes, he had crippled Lin Zhengde and Mu Qingyuan, those two villains, without mercy. But they deserved it; they had it coming. According to the laws of the Tongtian Dynasty, they should have died a hundred, a thousand times over. Although the hundred-thousand border troops radiated murderous intent, he reckoned they wouldn’t dare attack him openly at this moment.
What would it mean to massacre the Shangling Terrace in public and kill a scholar who had just been honored as the Jianning First Scholar?
At the least, a severe crime, tantamount to defying the authority of the Tongtian Emperor; at worst, the grave crime of treason, punishable by execution of one’s entire clan! The commanding officers would face certain death, and even the common soldiers would be mercilessly slaughtered.
Why had the Tongtian Dynasty been able to end the era of feudal lords, establish a nation, and conquer vast territories in just a few decades?
It relied not only on formidable military power but also on terrifying, shudder-inducing brutality. One could say the founding history of the Tongtian Dynasty was a bloody chronicle of slaughter and being slaughtered. A border general suspected of rebellion faced only one outcome: the execution of his entire clan.
Hu, hu, hu…
The massive hundred-thousand-strong army roared again, their voices shaking the heavens, accompanied by an intimidating murderous aura.
But as Mu Feng had anticipated, seeing him advance unflinchingly, the intimidating soldiers, despite their fearsome display, instinctively stepped back, gradually clearing a narrow path just wide enough for one person. Thousands of sharp spears were raised, their points perilously close to Mu Feng’s body, yet not a single spear dared to strike!
Though the enemy numbers thousands, I press on!
Expressionless, Mu Feng strode forward step by step under the tense stares of the crowd.
This young man will surely achieve greatness one day!
Behind him, inside the ancient Shangling Terrace, the Scholar-Official on the high platform stood motionless, watching Mu Feng’s figure gradually recede into the distance. His gaze was profound, fixed for a long time as if deep in thought. Though he had remained unperturbed facing the pressure of the hundred-thousand border troops, a look of unprecedented awe appeared on his face as he watched Mu Feng’s straight, spear-like figure.