Chapter 101 Apprenticeship
Chapter 101 Apprenticeship
In full view of everyone, Gu Zhuo walked up the stairs and entered the Weiyang Palace.
As soon as he entered the hall, officials from the Ministry of Rites called out his name aloud.
Then, the people sitting in the Weiyang Palace stood up immediately and welcomed his arrival with their smiles and applause.
Gu Zhuo's return gift was sincere and impeccable.
The official from the Ministry of Rites smiled slightly, extended his hand to invite him, and led him to his seat.
That was naturally the end of the hall, quite close to the saint's throne covered by a pearl curtain and jade screen, thus highlighting his status as the first person in the summer festival.
It was already late, and many people were already sitting in the Weiyang Palace. Representatives from almost all the sects in the world had taken their seats, not to mention those of their peers.
Although this road was not long, it took Gu Zhuo a long time to walk it.
It wasn't because he was reluctant to leave, but because too many people greeted him along the way, so he had to slow down.
Under normal circumstances, the official from the Ministry of Rites would have frowned and issued a warning in a low voice, but today he had only a smile on his face.
They walked like this until they were seated at the end of the hall. On either side were Yu Sheng and Chu Jun, the goddess of scenery. Further down were the seats of the examinees arranged according to their rankings. The Wuque monk and Lin Wanyi were among them.
Behind the seats of the examinees were the representatives of the sects who came to participate in the summer festival tonight, as well as some secular figures of extremely high realms, such as the peerless strong man known to the world as the Southern School of Sword Dao.
Interestingly, Xiu Hu Zhenren is also among them tonight.
Not long after, the place suddenly became quiet.
The sound of ceremonial music came from outside the palace, and the empress arrived, surrounded by more than ten eunuchs and palace maids.
The fact that she was about to become the empress of the Qin Empire had long been known to all the powerful people in the capital, and even among the people there were many rumors.
If it weren't for the fact that the quadrennial summer festival was so popular, the world's attention would have been focused on her long ago. From this perspective, Gu Zhuo had undoubtedly saved her a lot of trouble.
Everyone in the hall stood up again and saluted him.
The tribute was naturally not to the Empress herself, but to the Emperor whom she represented.
"let's start."
The queen smiled and asked everyone to sit down. She walked behind the pearl curtain and jade curtain and calmly announced the start of the evening banquet.
……
……
No different from previous years, the banquet was conducted according to past rules.
Not every candidate is eligible to be invited to the Weiyang Palace. The candidates present tonight are the Tianyan number, that is, the top 49 in the summer festival ranking.
Under the chairmanship of officials from the Ministry of Rites, the various sects and the candidates present began to go through the process, expressing their desire to each other, and after confirming that all conditions were correct, some became disciples, some accepted disciples.
This was essentially a matter of mutual choice, so the Weiyang Palace was naturally lively and congratulations were heard soon after.
After applauding, those familiar candidates would often lower their heads to discuss whether other people's choices were correct or not, and then begin to feel deeply nervous about their own future, fearing that they would not get the conditions they had imagined.
The representatives of each sect were much calmer, viewing the matter as a complicated arithmetic problem. They tried their best to obtain better disciples for their own sect within the rules set by the Qin court.
Time passed by continuously, and the candidates with lower rankings went through the process quickly, and then gradually slowed down.
The genius who had drawn the bow to Gu Zhuo on Cangshan Mountain went to Yuanxian Sect, Lu Shengping who had fought with Lin Wanyi joined Fenglei Sect, Song Jinglun wanted to go to the Imperial Observatory based on the cause and effect of that year, and Yan Jingjun really went to the Taoist Taishi Palace...
The most noteworthy among them is Lin Qianshui. After a brief hesitation, this noble lady of the Lin family finally decided to give up the opportunity of this year's summer festival because there was no master who really suited her taste. She decided to try again in four years.
Apart from that, there were basically no surprises about the destinations of the rest of the people, as they were all guessed beforehand.
At this point, the hall was quiet again.
Everyone knows that what comes next is the real key, which is the reason why all the sects and those powerful people in the world come to this banquet.
The first person to be called out by the officials of the Ministry of Rites was Li Ruoyun.
This genius who came from a noble family of Southern Qi had great hope of reaching the state of unity. In previous years, he would have been scrambled for.
However... at this moment, the Weiyang Palace remained quiet.
Whether it is Taoism, Zen, or other major sects, they all remained silent.
Li Ruoyun watched this scene expressionlessly, knowing the reason very well.
The reason why these sects remained silent was to lower his price and also to show goodwill to Gu Zhuo.
After all, everyone knew exactly how he was eliminated during the summer festival.
In fact, he had anticipated this scene and didn't want to attend the banquet tonight at all, but... he was not a Qin person after all, so how could he have the confidence to do such a thing?
Just when the representatives of the major sects looked at each other and felt that they had dampened Li Ruoyun's spirit and were ready to speak... a voice suddenly sounded in the hall.
"How about you learn some random stuff from me?"
Xiu Hu Zhenren's voice was very frank: "As long as I have it, as long as you can learn it, I will teach you."
Li Ruoyun was slightly startled when he heard this, and couldn't help but feel grateful to this senior from his country. Just when he was about to politely reject the other party's kindness, he suddenly felt something inexplicably wrong.
He was silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement amid everyone's surprised gazes, accepting this statement.
There were sounds of surprise in the hall, and many people were puzzled by this. Then they sighed and thought, why would they ruin their future just for a moment of pride?
This is just an episode after all.
Immediately afterwards, the young master of Yinping Xie family determined his destination.
The goddess Jingtian also did not bring any surprises to everyone. She entered the Qingjing Temple cleanly and neatly and became the disciple of the temple master.
The Immaculate Monk was not surprised... and fell into deep confusion over this.
The young monk talked with almost every Zen master present, but still couldn't decide where to go. It was not until Gu Zhuo whispered something to him that he made up his mind to go to Yuangou Temple.
This made many people look at him in surprise. They didn't expect that Gu Zhuo had such an influence on the Immaculate Monk.
Following closely behind is Lin Wanyi.
Completely different from the Immaculate Monk, she had made the decision beforehand and was extremely quick and decisive.
That decision was Chaotian Jianque.
After waiting for the princess in vain, Bai Langxing chose to join the military.
Then Yu Sheng was skipped.
Everyone knows that she is the eldest princess's apprentice.
At this point in the night banquet, the whole world was quiet.
Whether the people inside the temple or the people outside the temple, they all knew that the question was about to have a clear answer.
——Where is Gu Zhuo going.
Without a moment's hesitation, representatives from the three major sword sects of the time stood up, followed by the Taoist people who had hesitated again and again. Qingjing Temple and Taishi Palace both expressed their attitudes at this time. Large sects such as Luoxing Sect also expressed their hopes without hesitation, not to mention those secular strongmen who came specifically for Gu Zhuo.
The great Zen masters naturally would not stand up at this time, but that did not mean that these old monks had to shut up and remain silent. They seemed to be saying tactfully that as long as Gu Zhuo went to a sect outside of Taoism, it would not be considered a waste of his talent, and they were willing to give corresponding support for this.
This sentence is very weighty, very heavy.
Because the world is so vast, apart from the Qin Dynasty, no other force can compare with Zen Buddhism in wealth.
Just as these sects were preparing to tell Gu Zhuo one by one about the advantages of their own sects and the conditions they could offer according to the order given by the Ministry of Rites, a message came secretly from outside the hall.
Perhaps because the news was so devastating, almost no time was wasted before everyone present who needed to know heard it.
The atmosphere in the hall was extremely strange.
No matter whether it was the strong man who stood up at this moment or the Zen master who sat as steady as a mountain, they all lost their composure because of this news, and their expressions were visibly shocked.
The candidates were not blind, so they naturally saw this scene. They couldn't help but wonder what kind of news it was that could make these seniors, who usually acted so high and mighty, lose their composure?
"That's all."
Someone sighed and said, "I am definitely not worthy of being his master, you guys go ahead and fight for it."
Many people looked in the direction of the voice and discovered that the person who spoke was actually the Whale Rider from the West Sea. He had reached the realm of purity and was undoubtedly a big figure in the world of cultivation.
Even a person like this considers himself unworthy after hearing that news?
What exactly is going on?
Before the candidates in the room could react, similar words continued to be heard, from the mouths of those world-famous strong men, their voices were full of self-mockery.
"Don't say you don't deserve it. Do I deserve it?"
"Forget it, a fool like me should not mislead the students." "Of course I can't do that either."
"I thought it was a waste of effort to come here today, and now it is indeed a waste. But after encountering such a thing, it is not a loss. I really remember your name, Gu Zhuo."
"How could anyone fail to remember his name after tonight?"
As these voices died down, fewer and fewer people stood up in Weiyang Palace, leaving only a handful of major sects.
Qingjing Temple and Taishi Palace retreated, and the two Taoists' eyes were filled with regrets, because they had no choice but to retreat.
The leader of Chaotian Sword Palace hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not retreat.
The people of Wanjianchi were hesitant, but when they thought of the nine words their leader had told them, they decided to stay.
People in the Yi River remain unmoved.
And there are those few who sit as steady as a mountain, even more confident.
"So what happened?"
The little monk asked the questions that the candidates present wanted to know most.
The monk Kuzhou glanced at Gu Zhuo and sighed, "The Emperor wants to take Gu Zhuo as his disciple..."
As soon as the words fell, the entire Weiyang Palace fell silent.
Until the second half of the sentence sounded.
"…but he refused."
There was a sudden uproar, like a waterfall flowing against the current, which seemed to overturn the hall!
There was chaos in the hall. Countless people overturned the table, causing the wine to spill on the ground and the dishes to break into pieces.
Even the lights in the hall were disturbed and the night wind blew violently.
Everyone's eyes fell on Gu Zhuo.
His Majesty the Emperor wants you to accept a disciple?
And then you refused?
Is this serious?
Lin Wanyi didn't understand.
The Immaculate Monk was stunned.
The goddess Jingtian was convinced.
Bai Langxing had a blank expression on his face, and his palms were clenched so tightly that they were bleeding.
Li Ruoyun felt that the world was so absurd; Song Jinglun survived the disaster and felt fortunate that the Emperor was rejected, otherwise how would he cope with it; Lin Qianshui lowered his eyes and thought bitterly that there was really a world of difference between you and me now.
More people looked behind the pearl curtain with emotion, trying to understand what was happening from the lady's face, but in the end they got nothing and could only look back at Gu Zhuo.
Perhaps because he was used to being stared at like this, Gu Zhuo remained quite calm about it.
But he was still puzzled. He thought that there was no reason for Emperor Bai to tell this matter to anyone, and the eunuch leader could not be a talkative person. Who let the news leak out?
A voice was heard in the hall.
"Although I am far inferior to His Majesty, since you have rejected His Majesty, you must be a person with your own ideas."
The Southern Sword Master walked up to Gu Zhuo and said calmly, "I heard that you practice swordsmanship. It just so happens that my swordsmanship is pretty good. As long as you are willing to take me as your master, I will teach you without reservation."
After saying this, he didn't wait for an answer, but turned back to the window and quietly enjoyed the night breeze.
Seeing that someone spoke first, the others followed suit.
"As long as you are willing to join Wanjianchi, the headmaster will personally teach you the way of the sword, so that you don't have to fly thousands of miles to kill your enemies. He will help you get three flying swords above the ninth level from the pool. If you go out to train, at least one strong man in the Guiyi realm will put down everything he is doing and protect you."
The rest are nothing, but those three flying swords above the ninth rank are undoubtedly the greatest sincerity to this renowned sword sect.
The person who came to Yishui tonight was a young man.
The man's words were as sharp as a sword, quite direct: "The Supreme Elder of our sect is willing to accept you as his last disciple and teach you the great way of swordsmanship."
It is well known to the world that the only powerful person in the world who has achieved the state of immortality with a sword is the supreme elder of Yishui.
To put it simply, the four words "closed disciple" mean that you get the most benefits and bear the least responsibilities.
This is also a statement of great sincerity.
Next is the headmaster of Chaotian Sword Palace.
"I will only say two things. Our sect is richer than Yishui and Wanjianchi. Secondly, our sect's swordsmanship is not inferior in the slightest."
Before he finished speaking, representatives from Yishui and Wanjianchi sects looked at each other coldly, thinking, do you think it's fun to expose my secrets like this?
Gu Zhuo gradually made up his mind and no longer had any doubts.
Just as the next representative of the major sect was about to speak and try to persuade Gu Zhuo, Yu Sheng suddenly raised his hand.
The few people who were still standing at this moment suddenly became alert, thinking, could it be that His Majesty the Emperor was rejected, so should the eldest princess take over?
Is this a bit too much?
"I want to say seven words on behalf of my master and Gu Zhuo. These seven words do not involve any promises, and of course they do not contain any threats."
Yu Sheng's voice was as peaceful as usual, very comfortable to listen to and very convincing.
"please."
Everyone hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose not to stop it.
Amid countless gazes, Yu Sheng stood up and walked to Gu Zhuo, and whispered those seven words in his ear.
No one in the palace knew.
After hearing those seven words, Gu Zhuo was silent for a long time and said, "Okay."
Hearing the word "good", people were confused and wondered whether it meant they had heard it clearly or if it meant they agreed.
The next moment, Gu Zhuo gave his own explanation.
He stood up and bowed to each of the powerful men who had come from afar to express his gratitude.
Then everyone understood his choice.
Her Royal Highness the Princess became the biggest winner of this summer festival.
This is a result that no one expected.
There was deathly silence in Weiyang Palace.
People looked towards the Immaculate Monk.
The little monk lived up to everyone's expectations and asked sincerely, "So what are those seven words? Can you tell me now?"
"No."
Gu Zhuo shook his head and said, "But she didn't lie to you. Those seven words have nothing to do with promises, threats, or interests."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes in the hall instantly turned to the Zen monk, and the meaning was very clear.
Zen monks are the best at detecting lies.
With Gu Zhuo's current state of mind, if he were to tell a lie, he would not be able to hide it from the great masters present.
“That’s really true.”
The monk Kuzhou was silent for a moment, and then said, "I am willing to swear on this with my Zen heart."
The dust has settled.
The last hope was shattered, and representatives from Yishui and other sects had no choice but to sit down, thus announcing the official end of this summer festival.
……
……
At this moment, Gu Zhuo's mood was unusually complicated and no longer as calm as usual.
Because he couldn't understand how Yu Sheng could think of those seven words.
Those seven words are simple.
——Is it possible for me to accept disciples on behalf of the master?
This chapter has 4,000 words, which is considered to be paying back what I owed yesterday.
(End of this chapter)