434 The Sun in the Spring Rain

Gradually, in the company of the morning light, people began to walk out ofthe Mausoleum of Books. The majority of them were people who had entered thethree banners of the Grand Examination held this year at the beginning ofspring. It was naturally impossible for those people to not recognize ChenChangsheng. They were all astonished, and then one by one, began to pay theirrespects. In that night of descending starlight, countless monolith viewersbroke through and several dozen fireworks bloomed over the Mausoleum of Books.No matter what sort of impression these people had of Chen Changsheng, they allowed him a debt of gratitude and had to express their thanks. Chen Changsheng returned their salutes, then turned his gaze back to look intothe Mausoleum of Books. After some time had passed, Tang Thirty-Six finally came out. His hair wasdisheveled and his entire body stank. His expensive clothing was stained allover and he carried his bedding over his shoulder, as well as that furskinwhose original color was completely unrecognizable. He didn't seem one bit likethe elegant noble son doted upon by countless young women. He was rather morelike a beggar that had just emerged from some broken-down mansion with propertyof rather questionable worth. But the greatest change was none of these, it was his eyes. His eyes were very bright. Before, his eyes had also been very bright, but it had been a sort of limpidlight. The light in his eyes was still limpid, but now there seemed to be asharpness about it such that even his filthy air couldn't conceal it. "I almost couldn't recognize it was you," Chen Changsheng said to him. "More handsome?" Tang Thirty-Six's sword-like eyebrows lightly rose up with anindescribable sense of frivolity. Chen Changsheng thought to himself, as expected, this sort of you is mucheasier to recognize. He shook his head and said, "Dirtier." As he spoke, he very naturally and almost imperceptibly took one step back,standing just a little bit farther from Tang Thirty-Six. Tang Thirty-Six handed the bedding and furskin he was carrying over toXuanyuan Po and then laughed heartily and embraced Chen Changsheng. Xuanyuan Po looked at the filthy and stinking bedding and furskin in hishands, his face a picture of helplessness. No helplessness could be seen on Chen Changsheng's face, because he was usinghis hands to cover his face, preventing himself from smelling or touching thosedirty objects. Tang Thirty-Six released his embrace and asked with satisfaction, "Do you seeany change in me?" Chen Changsheng very sincerely looked him over from head to toe, then asked,"The Wenshui clan has cut you off and you're beginning your new life as anindependent?" Tang Thirty-Six asked, "Just where did these words come from?" Chen Changsheng pointed at the bedding in Xuanyuan Po's arms and said, "Ifthis was the Tang Tang of the past, how could he possibly carry out the beddingthat Sir Xun used for several decades?" "You don't understand anything. This is something so that I can remember." Chen Changsheng thought to himself, just what are you remembering? "To remember the time we spent in the Mausoleum of Books viewing the monolithsand comprehending the Dao." Tang Thirty-Six turned around and looked back at the green mountain of themausoleum. He said sentimentally, "For people like you guys who sought thetreasures of the Garden of Zhou and didn't complete your time viewing themonoliths, what words would be sufficient to describe this?" Chen Changsheng didn't know how to answer this. He said, "It looks like yourtime in the Mausoleum of Books has not been bad." Tang Thirty-Six replied, "It can be considered okay. A few days ago, I barelymanaged to push into the upper level of Ethereal Opening." As he said 'upper level of Ethereal Opening', his expression was intentionallyvery flat and his tone was neutral, but both Chen Changsheng and Xuanyuan Pocould see his pride. Chen Changsheng recalled that when he was leaving the Mausoleum of Books, TangThirty-Six had just broken into Ethereal Opening. Not even several months hadpassed, but he had already broken through two thresholds and cultivated to theupper level of Ethereal Opening. He truly deserved to be proud, but ChenChangsheng couldn't help but think to himself, with this guy's character, it'sabsolutely impossible for him to maintain this understated attitude until theend. Just as expected, in the next moment, Tang Thirty-Six shed his disguiseand turned around to Chen Changsheng with a radiant smile. "You guys don't evenknow, I've even been casually teaching Guan Feibai how to conduct himself in myspare time." To achieve breakthroughs in cultivation was an incredibly difficult task, andto break through three thresholds in such a short time was even moreunimaginable. Tang Thirty-Six's excitement was easy to understand, yet it wastruly difficult for Chen Changsheng to be excited with him. Seeing ChenChangsheng's calm face, Tang Thirty-Six remembered that his good luck in thisperiod of viewing monoliths in the Mausoleum of Books was due to the night thatChen Changsheng had filled with starlight. He couldn't help but feel a littleembarrassed and so said, "Of course, I have you to thank for this, butultimately, it's because my talent was high enough." Chen Changsheng gave a relatively objective conclusion, "It's primarilybecause after you entered the Orthodox Academy, you stopped slacking off." This was also the argument that elder of unmatched intelligence from thePavilion of Divination had once made in his commentary when announcing theProclamation of Azure Sky. Tang Thirty-Six found himself incapable of responding to this. He could onlysay, "You aren't going to congratulate me?" "Congratulations," Chen Changsheng said without the least sincerity, then heturned back to the Mausoleum of Books and asked confusedly, "What about GouHanshi and the others? Why haven't they come out yet?" Liang Xiaoxiao and Qi Jian had left the Mausoleum of Books in advance so theycould enter the Garden of Zhou. Of the Mount Li disciples, Gou Hanshi, GuanFeibai, and Liang Banhu had made the same choice as Tang Thirty-Six andcontinued to stay in the Mausoleum of Books to view the monoliths andcomprehend the Dao. Although the Orthodoxy made no requirement of when peopleshould leave the Mausoleum of Books and there was no set rule, in ChenChangsheng's thinking, since so many people had concluded their monolithviewing, they should also be coming out. But after looking for so long, hestill didn't see the figures of those three. Tang Thirty-Six explained, "Originally we had all agreed to come out of theMausoleum of Books together, but some sort of pressing affair occurred back atMount Li, so they left last night." Chen Changsheng thought to himself, so that was it. Seeing his expression, Tang Thirty-Six asked in a different tone, "Do you knowwhat happened at Mount Li?" Chen Changsheng affirmed. He naturally knew that something big had occurred atMount Li. If it weren't such a serious concern, nobody would disturb the monolithviewers in the Mausoleum of Books. Tang Thirty-Six was somewhat astonished andasked, "What happened?" Chen Changsheng indicated that Xuanyuan Po should throw the stinky and sourbedding and furskin onto the carriage, then said to Tang Thirty-Six, "We'lltalk about it after we get back." Tang Thirty-Six abruptly remembered something. He stuck his hand into thebedding and rummaged around in it for quite a while. Taking out a letter and anotebook, he handed them over to Chen Changsheng and said, "Gou Hanshi wantedme to give these things to you." Chen Changsheng recognized that the notebook was the one that Xun Mei had leftbehind. It had once helped him walk a much more direct path as he viewed themonoliths and comprehended the Dao, and it also had helped those youths that hehad lived with under the same roof. The letter was one that Gou Hanshi had left behind and its contents were veryordinary. It said that he had to leave the capital in advance and that theycould not meet, so he could only use the brush to send his greeting. The futuredays were as high as the mountains and as long as a river. Presumably, therewould be a day when they would meet again. Tang Thirty-Six looked at the letter and said mockingly, "Our friends fromMount Li still don't seem convinced." Chen Changsheng replied, "Why can't you think of people more optimistically?Gou Hanshi definitely didn't have the meaning you're talking about." Tang Thirty-Six abruptly said, "I heard…you are the Principal of the OrthodoxAcademy." After hesitating for a while, Chen Changsheng said, "It seems…I am." The rumor had been confirmed and Tang Thirty-Six fell into silence. Then hesaid to Chen Changsheng with heartfelt sincerity, "Your identity and status areno longer the same—you can't be as childish and naive as you were before." As he said this, he patted Chen Changsheng on the shoulder. As Chen Changsheng looked at the filthy hand on his shoulder, the corners ofhis lips couldn't help but stretch out. However, he didn't argue with TangThirty-Six over anything. This was the meaning of 'the waters are no longer as deep after seeing thesea, the clouds lose their color after visiting Mount Wu, and the light of apearl the size of rice is nothing before the magnificence of a Night Pearl'. Onthis matter, even Su Li had lost to him, so there was nothing to boast about ifhe also won over this guy. Returning to Hundred Flowers Lane, the carriage stopped. Seeing all thosepriests from the Li Palace bowing to Chen Changsheng, Tang Thirty-Six feltsomewhat out of place. He jumped off the carriage and headed into a littlestore at the street's entrance. Xuanyuan Po remained on the carriage, returning to the Orthodox Academy aheadof them with those worn-out furnishings. Chen Changsheng followed Tang Thirty-Six, watching him buy two youtiao and abowl of soy milk then eat them as he headed into the street. These were clearly the simplest and most commonly seen foods, but TangThirty-Six ate them with gusto, his head swaying around in his delight. "Does it taste that good?" Chen Changsheng asked inquisitively. Tang Thirty-Six replied, "You don't know, in the Mausoleum of Books,everything else is okay, but the food was just abominable, especially after youand Qi Jian left…can that idiot Guan Feibai cook? I even began to reminisceabout the food that Xuanyuan Po made, and even began to think that the food atthe Orthodox Academy was tastier than the grand feast served at Clear LakeRestaurant. How miserable do you think I was?" Chen Changsheng thought that this truly was very miserable, and when heimagined that scene of the arrogant and ruthless Guan Feibai in that littlehouse cutting dried meat and cooking green peppers, he couldn't help but shakehis head. It was truly very difficult to imagine. Tang Thirty-Six took the half piece of youtiao in his hand and dunked it inthe off-white soy milk. He asked, "Do you want a bit?" Chen Changsheng looked at Tang Thirty-Six's finger in the soy milk, thought ofthe dirt he had seen under that finger's nail, and immediately waved his handsand said, "No need." Tang Thirty-Six was very scornful, saying, "Do you know how to live?" Chen Changsheng helplessly said, “Although I know you've been holding yourselfback these past years while acting as a noble son, that right now is your truetemperament…can you not speak so rudely? Hearing it really is grating on theear." Tang Thirty-Six readily accepted his advice, then raised up the bowl carryinghis soy milk and seemed to offer it up to the heavens. Looking at the sun thatwas just about to be obscured by the clouds, he said, "Sun." Amidst joking and eating, the two entered Hundred Flowers Lane and met head-onwith Zhou Ziheng, who was standing there holding a paper umbrella. Suddenly, the sun was completely obscured by dark clouds. Raindrops began tofall, descending upon that paper umbrella that seemed like it couldn’t evenhold up against the wind. This scene was very miraculous, and there was a vague sense that anindescribably mysterious principle was at work. Zhou Ziheng seemed to have prepared in advance for the rain. This signified asort of realm; it indicated that he had already begun to peer into the Dao ofthe heavens and earth. Yet upon seeing this scene, the first thing Chen Changsheng thought aboutwas why he wasn’t carrying an umbrella a few days ago when it was raining. Soonafter, he remembered that letter of challenge—this person wanted to representthe Temple Seminary in challenging the Orthodox Academy. Tang Thirty-Six cared even less about this scene. He didn't know who this talland slender man was and he was rather irritated at the sun's suddendisappearance. It was only because he was keeping in mind Chen Changsheng'swords that he didn't say much, only requesting, "Please let me pass." Saying this, he began walking forward. Zhou Ziheng didn't give way, as if he didn't even see him. There was no place in his eyes for this stinking youth in shabby clothes. He looked at Chen Changsheng and said, "Have you finished considering?" Chen Changsheng replied, "I've considered it. I will give you a reply." Zhou Ziheng smiled and said, "Could it be that you plan to consider it untilthe end?" This smile was extremely repulsive, carrying a faint sense of sarcasm andderision. Tang Thirty-Six froze. It was impossible for him to imagine that there wassomebody in the Great Zhou Dynasty that would dare to stand in front of theOrthodox Academy and speak to him and Chen Changsheng with this sort ofattitude. "Who is this?" He asked Chen Changsheng. Chen Changsheng said, "Zhou Ziheng." Tang Thirty-Six had never heard this name before. "Zhou Ziheng? Who is that?" Zhou Ziheng was irritated, thinking that Chen Changsheng and this beggar of ayouth were deliberately using this conversation to humiliate him. Tang Thirty-Six turned his body and looked at Zhou Ziheng, asking, "I said,just who are you?" Zhou Ziheng emotionlessly said, "Zhou Ziheng of the Hall of Subjugation." Tang Thirty-Six continued to look at him and asked, "You are very famous?" Zhou Ziheng didn't know how to respond to this question. "How baffling." Tang Thirty-Six looked at him like he was an idiot, then he turned to ChenChangsheng and said, "You must be clear about your current status. A personthat no one has ever heard of, there's no need to pay him any attention. Can hereach you?" After saying his piece, he carried the soy milk and youtiao past Zhou Ziheng,heading into the street. Zhou Ziheng lowered his head and took in a deep breath. Tang Thirty-Six halted his steps. The rain fell into disorder, then began to blow about once more like willowleaves. Zhou Ziheng appeared in front of Tang Thirty-Six, preventing him from movingforward. The Hundred Flowers Lane was silent. Tang Thirty-Six looked at him, then very calmly said four words. "Hey, idiot, move aside." At this time, Tang Thirty-Six—with his body covered in filth, a stench thatassailed the nose, and his shabby clothes—really did seem just like a beggar,but his manner was like that of a prince. Because he had never been a beggar, but rather the world's wealthiest prince. His wealth was greater than that of the Princess of Ping, Luoluo, andNanke—these actual princesses—all added together. So when he said these four words, he was overbearing to an unimaginable degree. Was it possible to be unimaginably overbearing? Yes, because this was not anunbridled air, but a confident one. A confidence that was impossible to nurture without a thousand years’ worth ofsecrets. Zhou Ziheng narrowed his eyes and stared at Tang Thirty-Six, killing intentgradually rising. Yet, he ultimately did not attack. Because Chen Changsheng was watching him. Many Li Palace priests were also watching him. What made him most wary and most puzzled was that amongst the imperial guardsthat should have stood on his side, there suddenly arose an unconcealed andviolent killing intent! He was keenly aware that if he really did attack, then that killing intentwould shred him into pieces in the very next moment. For some reason he wasn't clear on, his hands began to shiver. Tang Thirty-Six once again passed by him, his left hand carrying the bowl ofsoy milk while his right hand held a youtiao, still not even giving Zhou Zihenga glance. The rain slowly fell, landing on the paper umbrella and then falling awaywithout a sound. From the depths of Hundred Flowers Lane came the taunts and abuse of TianhaiYa'er. Hearing those filthy obscenities, Tang Thirty-Six's face became ratherunsightly. Walking up to the Orthodox Academy's gate, he only saw Tianhai Ya'er sittingon his wheelchair, constantly cursing at the gate. "Chen Changsheng, you…" "If you have the ability, come and hit me!" Tang Thirty-Six walked up to Tianhai Ya'er's back and didn't stop him.Instead, he very attentively inclined his head and listened. Many priests and guards, as well as common folk of the capital who had hurriedover upon hearing the news, were all gawking at this scene. The rain fell over Hundred Flowers Lane like mist. Chen Changsheng asked, "What are you doing?" Tang Thirty-Six replied, "Reminiscing on life." Tianhai Ya'er heard his voice and turned his head, his expression subtlyshifting. Chen Changsheng still didn't understand and asked, "What life?"