Chapter Sixty-Nine: A New Task

At this moment in the Yunhua Pavilion, dozens of scholars were tirelessly reviewing the answers of hundreds of candidates day and night. The questions they set were half subjective and half objective, requiring three rounds of scrutiny. The final score granted at Xuejiang Pavilion was the average of these three reviews.

Most crucially, they only had a day and a half to complete their work, for the results had to be submitted to the Six Gates for further verification. Only the scores officially released by the Six Gates were considered the true and final grades.

The personal information of the top few candidates would then be delivered into the hands of the Four Great Constables—namely, Qinglong and his peers. In theory, it was the Four Great Constables who conducted the examination, but in reality, only Qinglong took on the task. The others were busy with their own affairs, and even if they had the time, few would be willing to sift through the answer sheets of hundreds of examinees.

Su Bai, at this time, was unaware that his decision to skip the exam had inadvertently saved his life.

Given his abilities, had he prepared earnestly, the first place would have been all but guaranteed. He might even have set a new record, especially considering the fierce competition this year. To stand out from such a crowd would certainly have earned him the admiration of Chu Shanhe.

Then, his origins and background would have been thoroughly investigated by the Six Gates, tracing every step of his past. The Jinyi Guards had failed to locate him only because searching for him then was like looking for a needle in a haystack. They had no way of confirming who Su Bai was. But once the Six Gates took notice, they would lock onto their target and pursue his identity relentlessly. By then, all his personal details would come to light.

What awaited him then would not be privileged treatment within the sect, but the relentless pursuit of the Six Gates and a life sentence in the Jinyi Guards' imperial prison.

Of course, Su Bai had considered this possibility. He did not wish for his final score to be too high, lest he attract the attention of the sect's senior figures. After all, they only cared about the ultimate results, and only Sun Xiuyuan kept track of everyday performance.

It was precisely this approach that spared Su Bai from disaster this time.

Over these days, Su Bai and his companions—Ni Hanyan was not among them, for it was impossible to bring her along—finally enjoyed a long-awaited holiday. Naturally, they ventured out for some relaxation. Fortunately, Xue Jiahuan and Baxia were familiar with the local terrain. With permission from above, they wandered within a hundred miles, exploring the surroundings.

Meanwhile, within the Six Gates—

Qinglong, clad in black robes embroidered with flying fish, his head crowned with a black cap threaded with gold, bowed respectfully, holding a memorial in hand, and reported to Chu Shanhe, seated upon the Wolf Head Throne: "I have reviewed the written test papers from this year's Xuejiang Pavilion. After multiple rounds of scrutiny, I have confirmed these two candidates."

"Have their identities been verified?" Chu Shanhe, eyes narrowed, asked in a slow, deliberate tone.

"Yes, both are women. The first is Xue Jiahuan, of unremarkable background, merely a local gentry in Shengzhou. She performed exceptionally in the written exam but lacks martial talent. After the seven-year grand trial, she could be assigned a clerical post within the Six Gates." Qinglong spoke confidently, holding the memorial.

Chu Shanhe responded, "Two women? And one can only serve in a clerical role?" His pace was unhurried, yet a note of dissatisfaction lingered.

"Sir, the written test was at least twice as difficult as before, yet the scores are comparable. This suggests the disciples this year are promising." Qinglong paused and continued, "Moreover, the top scorer in the written test is Gu Fanshuang. I dispatched dozens of elite agents to fully investigate her identity."

"Is she another descendant of one of the old families?" Chu Shanhe guessed idly, "Could she be from the Gu family?"

Qinglong nodded solemnly, "Your guess is correct. She is indeed a direct descendant of Gu Qingyun, the head of Canglan Sect."

Upon hearing this, Chu Shanhe sat upright, but after a moment's thought he frowned, "I recall Gu Qingyun's line had dwindled, leaving only a single daughter. Though she was gifted, she was besieged and killed by enemies before she married. How could there still be someone from Gu Qingyun's lineage?"

"Indeed, to outsiders it appears that Gu Qingyun's bloodline has been severed. But before her death, the girl secretly pledged herself to a man and bore a daughter—Gu Fanshuang. The martial world offered the man great rewards, so he betrayed her hiding place. Fortunately, Gu Fanshuang was raised by Gu Qinglin at the time (this does not contradict Gu Fanshuang’s own account, reasons will be explained later), and thus survived." Qinglong explained.

"I see," Chu Shanhe mused. "Does Gu Qingyun know his descendant lives? I recall he killed nearly a hundred sect elders in the past, all prominent figures. If he knew Gu Fanshuang still walked the earth, would he not draw closer to us at the Six Gates?"

"I do not know," Qinglong replied, thinking aloud. "Perhaps we could arrange a meeting between them."

"Very well, I leave this matter to you," Chu Shanhe said, approvingly.

"I shall do my utmost to carry out your orders." Qinglong placed the memorial upon Chu Shanhe’s desk, saluted, and withdrew.

Chu Shanhe picked up the memorial and leafed through Gu Fanshuang’s information, chuckling to himself, "I didn’t expect to catch such a big fish this time."

..................
Half a month later

Amidst the dense mountain forests, a narrow winding path clung to the mountainside like a serpent. A light rain had just ceased, leaving a thin mist draping the world like a curtain.

In these fog-shrouded mountains, a group of people were running along the path. Leading them was not a burly figure but a slender young woman. She turned to those behind, protesting, "Honestly, as a man, can’t you take the lead instead of making me do it?"

This was Gu Fanshuang, and the object of her complaint was Su Bai. But such harmless provocation had no effect on Su Bai; it went in one ear and out the other.

"Don’t pretend to be deaf. Get to the front and lead!" Gu Fanshuang, like an irate cat, glared at him threateningly.

Su Bai finally picked up his pace and swapped places with Gu Fanshuang.

"I can’t believe it. Everyone’s supposed to lead for a week, but when it’s your turn, somehow it becomes my job," Gu Fanshuang grumbled as Su Bai passed her.

"It just shows the senior sister’s stamina is impressive. I’m giving you a chance to shine. Why can’t you seize it?" Su Bai, unfazed, teased her, earning a playful punch.

"Could you two possibly set a better example?" Baxia and Xue Jiahuan followed behind, less at ease than the leading pair. Especially Xue Jiahuan, her constitution put her in the lower ranks of the elite class; most behind her were already exhausted, but she pressed on, teeth clenched.

Yet Gu Fanshuang and Su Bai continued their playful banter, leaving Xue Jiahuan speechless.

Baxia, panting, gasped, "Can’t you two look out for the rest of us?"

Su Bai shrugged, "That’s not up to me. You’ll have to ask Miss Gu. Our voices carry little weight in such matters."

"You’re teasing me again!" Gu Fanshuang swept at Su Bai with a mock claw, but Su Bai dodged nimbly.

The pair’s pace quickened, leaving those behind struggling to keep up. Some tried, but soon gave up.

"Honestly, they’re like a pair of beasts. I can’t take it anymore," the elite class students complained, unable to endure the punishing cross-country run.

"Are you alright? Maybe you should rest a bit?" Baxia wiped sweat from Xue Jiahuan’s brow, trying to help her sit beneath a tree.

Xue Jiahuan shook her head, signaling Baxia to let go, "I’m fine. I… I can keep going."

Seeing her pale lips, Baxia stopped her, "You’ll wear yourself out."

"It’s fine. They’ve already run far ahead." Xue Jiahuan gritted her teeth and pressed on.

Staring at the distant endpoint lost in the mist, Baxia sighed and hurried to keep pace, staying by Xue Jiahuan’s side.

Meanwhile, Su Bai and Gu Fanshuang, having left the main group, found a secluded forest and began discussing recent martial arts insights.

From Gu Fanshuang, Su Bai learned that most of the Gu family’s cultivation methods were from the Canglan Sect. Her mother’s branch was Gu Qingyun’s direct line, so their techniques were stronger but also more difficult.

Su Bai’s internal cultivation from the Xuejiang Pavilion paled in comparison, but he had no intention of changing. First, Gu Fanshuang’s methods belonged to her lineage; secondly, switching would require dissolving his current cultivation and starting over, leaving him weak for a month—something Su Bai was unwilling to risk.

Besides, cultivation methods only show their true differences after reaching advanced levels. Before reaching the focused spirit stage, most are much the same.

So, for now, Su Bai had no plans to change his method.

Over these days, Gu Fanshuang and Su Bai exchanged insights in this manner. Su Bai spent more time cultivating than Gu Fanshuang, but his physical conditioning was not as systematic.

This was why Su Bai remained stuck at his current level. He sought advice from Gu Fanshuang on how she built her foundation.

After ten or so minutes of discussion, they followed the usual morning run route.

They avoided Baxia and Xue Jiahuan up ahead, who assumed Su Bai and Gu Fanshuang had gone far ahead.

Half an hour later, they reached the finish, feigning breathlessness as they waited for the others.

Within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, all the elite students had arrived.

At this point, their instructor appeared. Seeing the sweat-soaked, exhausted students, Kang Fang surveyed them sternly, "Your training has only begun, yet you’re all wilting like parched radishes. Rest in place for half an incense stick, then resume training!"

The students groaned inwardly, but under Kang Fang’s sharp gaze, they swallowed their complaints. Instead, they redirected their resentment toward Su Bai and Gu Fanshuang—had the pair not set such a pace, they wouldn’t have ended up in such a miserable state.

Facing the murderous looks of their peers, Su Bai and Gu Fanshuang could only exchange a smile.

....................

Two years passed in this grueling training regimen.

"Did you hear? This time there’s a mid-term test—a group must complete a random task together."

"Is that so? Our group has no real teamwork, and not a single expert at the Bone Tempering stage. If we’re sent on a mission, aren’t our chances slim to none?"

"Not necessarily. Disciples of our level likely won’t be assigned anything too dangerous. I doubt we’ll leave the Shengzhou area."

"Are you kidding? Shengzhou itself stretches for over a thousand miles. Saying that is as absurd as swearing to gods and demons."

"You!"

............

Hearing the rumors, Su Bai and Gu Fanshuang walked shoulder to shoulder, discussing the matter.

Su Bai spoke first, "I’m not sure how reliable this news is, but it’s not entirely baseless."

By now, both were fifteen or sixteen years old. Though their faces still bore traces of youth, a maturity and steadiness emanated from them beyond their years.

Gu Fanshuang, dressed in plain white robes, stood against the autumn wind, her hair fluttering wildly, embodying the image of a heroine in troubled times.

Su Bai, in dark robes, stood in contrast—black and white, their robes billowing like the yin and yang fish of the Taiji.

Gu Fanshuang turned to him, "How so?"

Su Bai’s expression grew somber, "It’s just like the first bureaucratic reform—they’ll push us to the limit. Once the results are in, only then will they ease up a bit on the scrutiny."

"So this means our task won’t be easy?" Gu Fanshuang’s face changed slightly, though she showed little fear.

Su Bai shook his head, "I’m not certain. Let’s hope fate favors us."

He turned to meet Gu Fanshuang’s gaze, "Better to be prepared—always have contingency plans and keep extra options open."

"Yes, I’ll prepare. But you must remember one thing."

"Oh? What must I remember?" Su Bai raised an eyebrow.

"Don’t be reckless. Never risk your life!" Gu Fanshuang looked at him seriously, enunciating each word.

Su Bai grinned, "I’m not a child anymore; my life is most precious. Don’t worry about me—think more about yourself." With that, he strode ahead, then turned to the dazed Gu Fanshuang, "My treat today—how about braised rabbit head?"

Gu Fanshuang, face upturned in a serene smile, replied arrogantly, "Since someone insists on treating, I’ll reluctantly accept, lest I wound your pride."

"Hey! If you keep that up, I won’t treat you!"

"Don’t, don’t..."

....................................

"Vice Sect Master, how should we assign this task?"

"Ming Li, Gu Fanshuang..." The Vice Sect Master, masked like a vengeful spirit, paused as he reviewed Su Bai’s group, his gaze sharpening.

A grin curled beneath the mask, "Little prince, you must take this move."

He raised his hand and ordered, "Send them Task Number One as a gift."

"This..." The subordinate hesitated, but at the Vice Sect Master’s unyielding tone, he bowed and replied, "I’ll see to it at once!"

As he lifted his head, his face was revealed—it was Su Bai’s nominal master.

The Vice Sect Master gazed at the bright moon and sighed, "Marshal Su, I will surely repay your kindness, but I shall not forget the debt I owe to the Six Gates. If the young prince survives this crisis, I will support him to the end."