Chapter 9
Yu Sui sent messages to Zhongli Que every day.
As the saying goes, taking initiative leads to stories. Her initiative also received responses from Zhongli Que. Gradually, Zhongli Que would chat with her about things beyond studying and share her feelings.
"Don't Wind-Listening Rulers need to exchange inscriptions before they can send messages to each other?"
One day, Zhongli Que asked after realizing this.
Every Wind-Listening Ruler built by communication courtyards had its own inscription number. Wind-Listening Rulers had to exchange inscriptions to establish connections.
Yu Sui tapped the text interface to reply: "I can bypass inscription restrictions."
Really?
Zhongli Que, who knew nothing about the Nine Schools arts, thought this was amazing.
"I can also keep our messages secret. As long as you change the Twelve Heavenly Stems to Blackbird Star Lines, even if others get your Wind-Listening Ruler, they won't see our conversations. Only you can find them in the Wind-Listening Ruler."
Since Zhongli Que was forbidden from learning the Nine Schools arts, she knew even less about this than Yu Sui, making her Yu Sui's ideal test subject.
At this moment, Zhongli Que adjusted her Wind-Listening Ruler according to Yu Sui's instructions. Any behavior that went against known correct practices made Zhongli Que feel she was doing "bad things."
But when following Yu Sui's instructions, she felt an indescribable excitement, her heart beating uncontrollably fast.
Zhongli Que took a deep breath to calm her emotions.
Her elder brother Zhongli Shan came to see her in the afternoon, bringing her favorite candies and pastries from outside.
Zhongli Que caught the candies her brother brought through the window, then timidly handed out her Wind-Listening Ruler: "Brother, I don't know if my Wind-Listening Ruler is broken. Messages come through, but I can't see them."
"Let me see." Zhongli Shan took it and fiddled with it for a moment, asking: "Whose messages can't you see?"
Zhongli Que peeked her head out from behind the window, pointing at the Wind-Listening Ruler: "There."
Zhongli Shan used all three schools' arts related to Wind-Listening Rulers but still found no messages, puzzled: "Did they really send messages? I couldn't find anything in the Earth Branches or Star Sea."
"Whose messages are they? Let me ask for you."
Zhongli Que took back her Wind-Listening Ruler, shaking her head: "No need, maybe I remembered wrong."
Zhongli Shan seemed uneasy about not helping his sister, saying: "Let me take it to the communication courtyard for them to check."
"Really no need." Zhongli Que put away the Wind-Listening Ruler and began changing the subject to other topics.
After her brother left, Zhongli Que finally sighed in relief. She closed the window, and though she was alone in the room, she instinctively walked to the bed with light steps and breathing.
Zhongli Que's eyes sparkled as she looked at the Wind-Listening Ruler, messaging Yu Sui: "They really can't see it."
"You're amazing!"
Everyone said the little princess of the manor had mediocre aptitude and was foolish, but in Zhongli Que's eyes, she was a genius.
……
With Zhongli Que's feedback on the Wind-Listening Ruler, Yu Sui's communication array decryption proceeded smoothly.
Zhongli Que was confined and couldn't leave her courtyard. Though her mother and brother visited daily, it was only for short periods. The long days would have been boring without chatting with Yu Sui.
Yu Sui really didn't sleep in class anymore, listening to everything before sending it to Zhongli Que. Zhongli Que would chat with Yu Sui only after finishing her homework.
The two occasionally talked about their own families.
"I have three elder brothers, they're all more capable than me."
Zhongli Que replied: "But I think you're the most capable."
Yu Sui continued: "I think you're very capable too. You can learn what the teachers teach just by hearing or seeing it once, while I need several months."
Zhongli Que sat on the bed with her knees drawn up, chin resting on her knees, holding her Wind-Listening Ruler with both hands to reply: "If we're talking about that, my brother is the most capable. He has a photographic memory. He learns things the teachers don't even teach, even sword techniques he learns instantly."
Yu Sui: "Doesn't the National Academy only teach sword techniques in a few years?"
"Not taught by the Academy, by my father." Zhongli Que scratched her head, hesitating before explaining: "It's our Zhongli family's secret sword technique, only my father knows it."
"I remember now, I heard my second brother mention it. He said the sword technique is very powerful," Yu Sui lay on her bed, fanning herself with one hand while replying with the other, "Why don't you learn it together?"
Zhongli Que's eyes reflected the Wind-Listening Ruler's glow, the characters also reflected in them. She blinked, staring at Yu Sui's question, not knowing how to answer.
If not for the fact that her message exchanges with Yu Sui couldn't be discovered by others, Zhongli Que wouldn't have such frequent communication with her, much less become close.
Precisely because they wouldn't be discovered, Zhongli Que couldn't guard against her desire to confide.
The girl's pale fingers hesitated several times on the Wind-Listening Ruler before slowly tapping the text interface: "I can't learn. Zhongli family girls can't practice the Nine Schools arts, can't touch blades or swords, can't possess supernatural abilities, can't have self-defense capabilities."
Yu Sui sat up, looking down at this reply.
Zhongli Que regretted sending it immediately. She shouldn't have said these things. After feeling annoyed, she quickly changed the subject, asking about Yu Sui's day at the Academy.
Yu Sui followed her topic without making things difficult for her. After chatting briefly, Zhongli Que said she was going to practice calligraphy.
It seemed she regretted saying the wrong thing.
Yu Sui didn't expose her.
Two months later, Zhongli Que's confinement ended and she could return to the National Academy.
She arrived at the classroom early. Children who saw her would greet her out of courtesy and propriety, and Zhongli Que responded to each one.
Yu Sui hadn't arrived yet.
Zhongli Que couldn't help glancing outside, not knowing what she was waiting for.
When Yu Sui arrived, she still looked half-asleep, drooping her head. Seeing Zhongli Que sitting in her seat, she opened her mouth but her voice was weak.
Zhongli Que said quietly: "Didn't you sleep well?"
Yu Sui collapsed on her desk to sleep after sitting down, mumbling: "I can finally stop listening to classes today."
During this time, to help Zhongli Que catch up, she had been listening to all the literature and science classes during the day, cutting her sleep time in half for two straight months.
Seeing Yu Sui fall asleep, Zhongli Que instantly understood what had happened. She perked up and for the first time prevented the teacher from disturbing her.
……
Both children had some status burdens, so they tacitly kept their distance at the Academy, not appearing particularly close, though their exchanges through Wind-Listening Rulers were frequent.
They would share interesting and fun things that happened in their daily lives.
Yu Sui occasionally "complained" to Zhongli Que about how troublesome and difficult learning the Nine Schools arts was. When Zhongli Que didn't understand, she would patiently explain various knowledge.
Zhongli Que felt scared after understanding.
Before Zhongli Que could stop Yu Sui from continuing to "complain," Yu Sui said first: "I'm just tired and wanted to complain to someone. My brothers are all busy with their own things, and I can't tell my parents. You're my only friend I can say these things to."
"If you find my complaints too annoying, you can just destroy them directly, so others won't know."
"I promise, no one will know you've seen these."
Yu Sui's assurance was 100% safe for Zhongli Que.
Zhongli Que convinced herself: I'm just listening to a good friend's daily complaints, not learning the Nine Schools arts.
After complaining, Yu Sui would also say: "I only grumble to you alone, please don't tell anyone else."
She was reminding Zhongli Que that even if she learned it, she shouldn't let anyone other than herself discover it.
Zhongli Que nodded solemnly, replying: "I'll keep it secret."
The girls' secret exchanges continued for a long, long time.
Zhongli Que made her first friend in life. In getting along with this friend, this year passed faster than any other time.
In their thirteenth year, some things happened.
For Zhongli Que, it was a turning point that would affect her entire life.
……
In the year the little princess of the manor turned thirteen, Elder Brother Han Bing was already eighteen, Second Brother Su Feng seventeen. Both had left the National Academy.
Sheng Hao, who turned sixteen this spring, also no longer needed to attend the Academy.
So during the summer days, only Yu Sui went to the National Academy alone, occasionally with Gu Qian for company.
Fourteen-year-old Gu Qian had suddenly grown much taller. Standing beside him, Yu Sui, who was still half a head shorter, felt she had grown for nothing these years.
As the boys aged, the differences in their abilities became apparent. There were more things to compete over, and conflicts grew.
Because of the large age gap, Han Bing could still maintain politeness toward Gu Qian. Though Su Feng was also several years older, he made no effort to hide his dislike of Gu Qian.
Of course, the one who disliked and couldn't stand Gu Qian the most was still Sheng Hao.
Gu Qian also disliked Sheng Hao the most.
The two repelled and detested each other, never giving each other good looks when they met. They had fought several times, and Sheng Hao had been scolded by Nangong Ming for it, making Sheng Hao even less able to accept Gu Qian's existence.
As the boys' relationships deteriorated, Yu Sui, caught between them, was inevitably affected.
Sheng Hao couldn't stand the two going to the Academy alone. Even though he no longer needed to study, he would pick up and drop off Yu Sui at the Academy specifically when Gu Qian was there.
Yu Sui could feel that Gu Qian had mastered more and more things these two years. To see more books in Gu Qian's study, she also appeared closer to Gu Qian.
Sheng Hao had argued with her several times about this, telling her to stay away from Gu Qian and telling Gu Qian to stay away from Yu Sui.
In autumn, the maple trees planted on both sides of the manor's carriageway turned red. Cool winds carried red leaves dancing, stirring up small whirlwinds on the ground.
Today Sheng Hao went to pick up Yu Sui from the Academy. Though he didn't see Gu Qian, he still wore a stern expression.
Yu Sui sat by the side, lifting the carriage curtain to look at the scenery outside.
Sheng Hao suddenly asked Yu Sui: "Do you like that brat Gu Qian?"
"What?" Yu Sui turned back in confusion.
Sheng Hao said sternly: "You're not allowed to like him. I mean, for your future husband, you can't choose him."
Yu Sui lowered her head to play with her Wind-Listening Ruler, responding perfunctorily with "mm-hmm."
Sheng Hao was going through voice changes, his voice sounding somewhat hoarse. Combined with his naturally sharp tongue, even when he meant no harm, he sounded fierce.
"He comes from humble origins, he's a wild child with no upbringing, relying entirely on the manor's support. If you like him, he'll dare use your affection to lord over you."
"Look how arrogant he is now!"
"Without the manor's help, what would he be? He couldn't possibly survive in the imperial capital."
On the way back, Sheng Hao criticized Gu Qian as worthless, emphasizing that Yu Sui couldn't be with Gu Qian.
Yu Sui held up her fingers to count: "Brother, I'm only thirteen. Isn't it too early to discuss choosing my husband?"
For some reason, she always felt that since last year, Sheng Hao's temper had become increasingly volatile.
"I don't care who you choose, just not Gu Qian." Sheng Hao declared domineeringly. "I'm going to Taiyi in a few days and won't have time to watch over you two. I must make this clear before leaving."
Yu Sui was startled, missing the main point: "You're going to Taiyi too?"
Elder Brother Han Bing had also gone to Taiyi Academy to cultivate at sixteen. Su Feng, who had already entered the Military School, remained in Qingyang but entered the Military School's Chongtai for cultivation, only returning to the manor during festivals.
Sheng Hao said: "I've already received Taiyi's invitation. I'll go to the Academy for cultivation next month."
The Xuangu Continent not only had hundreds of schools but also six kingdoms dividing resources.
These six kingdoms had countless cultivators in endless supply. The six kingdoms varied in strength and size, with different cultivation resources. For the world's cultivators, the pinnacle Saints of the Nine Schools arts established Taiyi Academy at the continent's southernmost point.
Though called an academy, it was as large as a kingdom, built solely to accommodate Nine Schools practitioners from the six kingdoms to complete their cultivation.
Taiyi Academy had existed for thousands of years. During this time, two-thirds of all famous Nine Schools Saints had emerged from there. Built by hundreds of Saints from a thousand years ago, there were no kingdom distinctions there, only academy disciples.
Speaking of Taiyi Academy, one must mention the six kingdoms' "Non-War Pact."
The six kingdoms' alliance first proposed the "Non-War Pact" before Taiyi Academy accepted cultivators from all six kingdoms as one body.
The so-called "Non-War Pact" meant the six kingdoms would never attack each other, each guarding their own territory. No matter how much they wanted to seize neighboring kingdoms' resources, they were bound by the pact's power and couldn't cross borders to devour others.
Qingyang ranked high among the six kingdoms, belonging to the super-large kingdoms with nearly a hundred vassal states. Wars broke out every few years to reclaim rebellious or suppress disloyal vassal states.
Zhongli Ci's title as War God of the Military School was earned on Qingyang's vassal state battlefields.
Taiyi Academy claimed not to select by talent or birth. As long as you had the heart to cultivate, whether you were talented or mediocre, prince or beggar, you could try applying.
But whether they agreed depended on them.
Those with exceptional talent would receive invitations directly from Taiyi Academy.
Of course, if you had no talent and were an ordinary practitioner, you could still apply, but you had to pay money, a huge tuition fee.
This rule was prepared for those without talent who wanted to gild themselves at the academy before returning.
Yu Sui felt this rule was tailor-made for her.
Her Elder Brother Han Bing received Taiyi Academy's invitation at sixteen and went to cultivate there. Now Third Brother Sheng Hao was also going.
Though Taiyi Academy didn't select by talent or birth, it selected by age. Those under sixteen weren't accepted, with the lower limit at sixteen and no upper limit.
The next day during lunch at the Academy, learning that Sheng Hao would go to Taiyi Academy for cultivation next month, Gu Qian sneered disdainfully, saying he would also go in two years.
Yu Sui, focused on eating, looked up after hearing this. It seemed Taiyi Academy was also his goal.
……
Quite a few people knew about Sheng Hao receiving Taiyi Academy's invitation.
Even Zhongli Que would chat with Yu Sui about this.
With their years of interaction, the girl who once spoke timidly had become increasingly lively.
"Sui Sui, is your third brother also going to Taiyi Academy?"
"Mm-hmm."
"I'm so envious of them. I also want to see Taiyi Academy. I heard the road to the Academy crosses the sea, not by ship, but with star rails made of mechanical arts in the sky, carried by flying dragons."
Zhongli Que said longingly: "The scenery must be beautiful. When my brother talked about it, I wanted to beg him to take me along."
"If my father knew, he'd definitely confine me again."
Yu Sui had just finished bathing and was getting dressed. The little girl in the mirror wore a colorful dress with soft ribbons hanging from the hem. Since it was night, she wore a relatively cool dress, revealing her slender white legs and half her arms.
The Wind-Listening Ruler hung at her waist by a red thread, making pleasant crisp sounds when it hit the tassel accessories.
Yu Sui walked outside while replying to messages.
"There will be opportunities to see it in the future."
"Third Brother's friends are celebrating his Academy invitation at Juxian Tower tonight, and they invited me to play."
"Juxian Tower is close to the super-large communication array to the west. I'll go see if I can crack that one tonight too."
Since cracking the National Academy's super-large communication array, Yu Sui had begun cracking others throughout the imperial capital. Her dream was to crack all the communication arrays in the imperial capital.
She hadn't hidden her communication array cracking activities from Zhongli Que, because she needed someone to cooperate in testing whether she succeeded.
Zhongli Que was the person who received Yu Sui's information.
These two years, Zhongli Que's tolerance had greatly increased from being stimulated by Yu Sui's private "bad child" behavior. It seemed that as long as she was with Yu Sui, she had the courage to face the consequences of "bad children" doing bad things.
But if it were just her alone, Zhongli Que admitted she couldn't do it.
"Go ahead, be careful." After Zhongli Que replied, she fell on her bed. She was somewhat tired. When the Wind-Listening Ruler's glow dimmed, she couldn't hold on and closed her eyes.
As she closed her eyes, Zhongli Que felt a strange power surge, bringing fear that made her hair stand on end.
Zhongli Que suddenly opened her eyes and sat up from the bed. Her heart was beating fast, and the information foreseen in her consciousness made her hands tremble uncontrollably.
Just like years ago when she called for Yu Sui not to leave the classroom, because she would encounter Little Master Lin and get slapped by Nangong Ming.
Zhongli Que picked up her Wind-Listening Ruler to message Yu Sui, but her mother's words suddenly echoed in her mind:
"Remember, you must never let anyone discover this, not even your father."
She remembered how she was stared at by adults with judgmental gazes just for picking up a feathered arrow, as if she would be cut to pieces if she said one wrong word.
The oppressive feeling from adults pursued relentlessly, like a rope around her neck, hanging her high and making her unable to breathe.
Zhongli Que's hands holding the Wind-Listening Ruler were shaking. She bit her lip, sweating all over.
Mother said no one could know, it was too dangerous.
Zhongli Que's hands slowly lowered the Wind-Listening Ruler.
But... but this was different from the last premonition.
Last time Nangong Sui only got slapped, but this time she was burned by fierce fire. In the sea of flames, her flesh melted, revealing white bones also stained with fire. The sight could give her nightmares for a month.
Am I supposed to watch her die?
Will she die?
Thinking this, Zhongli Que's head buzzed. Suddenly, finding courage from somewhere, her fingers rapidly tapped the text interface to message Yu Sui:
"Don't go to Juxian Tower!"
"Go home quickly!"
"You'll be burned to death at Juxian Tower!"
Yu Sui, who usually replied quickly, showed no response.
Zhongli Que took deep breaths to stop her hands from shaking. She steeled herself, grabbed the Wind-Listening Ruler, got up, and ran outside.
……
Earlier, Yu Sui had been looking at her Wind-Listening Ruler.
Juxian Tower had been reserved by the young men who came today.
Yu Sui sat by the window with all windows open. From her high position, she looked down at the bustling street market below, lights bright, night breeze gentle, reducing the heat brought by Strange Fire.
Despite several screens between them, Yu Sui's ears were filled with the sounds of cups and dishes, young men's laughter and chatter, and someone calling her name, shouting "Sui Sui," seemingly wanting to come over before being scolded away by her brother.
Yu Sui looked at the instrument dial on her Wind-Listening Ruler, adjusting the positions of characters. In the next star orbit, she would connect to the nearby communication array. As she concentrated fully, a small black dot appeared in the Strange Fire in the depths of her consciousness.
A familiar yet strange man's voice echoed in her mind:
"Who the hell is so careless wandering the martial world and about to die again?"