Seeking Truth with a Sword-Chapter 406 - 357 Farewell

Chapter 406: Chapter 357 Farewell
So this matter was just going to pass?
On his way back to Golden City Square, Li Ang still couldn’t quite wrap his head around it.
Other than needing to turn in the Zhao Ming Token and write an extremely detailed concerning his multiple encounters with Zhao Ming, the Academic Palace had not issued any punishment. No expulsion from the academy, no prison observation; there wasn’t even the expected requisition of the Mo Si, Sumeru Hourglass, and other Mutated Objects by Dongjun Tower for research purposes.
It all just feels... somewhat off,
Li Ang thought, smacking his lips.
Mo Si was exceptionally special; it could even trap the Dark Filth Worm. And the Sumeru Hourglass was a Buddha’s Magical Artifact. Even if the Time Sand was completely exhausted and it could no longer be used, its potential value was far above that of ordinary Aliens. It shouldn’t have been... lifted high only to be let down gently.
Could it be that the Mountain Master knows something I don’t?
The more he thought about it, the less he understood. Li Ang shook his head and stopped worrying about it, walking straight towards Golden City Square.
First, there was the uncontrolled Mo Si incident, then witnessing the deaths of his friends, followed by using the Sumeru Hourglass to avert disaster. Too much had happened in just one day, and now he just wanted to lie in bed and get a good sleep.
***
When he woke up in the early morning, Li Ang was somewhat surprised to find that the Chang’an newspapers were being printed as normal and had published an official notice about last night’s Qixiao Festival fire.
The court’s explanation was that this attack was planned by the Demon Sect. Through means like collusion, bribery, threats, and enticements, they had controlled a portion of the city gatekeepers and low-level officials. This allowed them to open the gates wide and bring Giant Tooth Whale Oil, disguised as inkstones and coal, into Chang’an City in batches. Then, through craftsmen, the whale oil was mixed into the fireworks, creating this disaster.
The Demon Sect is a general term. Broadly speaking, all remnants of Former Sui Sects that the Academic Palace does not recognize and current Jianghu Sects can be called the Demon Sect. There were numerous branches and a large number of followers, and indeed, they would use common people and officials to incite uprisings, or even use Mutated Objects to launch direct attacks. Therefore, no one would doubt this explanation.
I’ve always heard that State Mansions use the excuse of demon cultivator attacks. If officials are corrupt and the accounts of the State Mansion storeroom don’t add up, they simply set the storeroom on fire and claim it was attacked by demon cultivators. Now it’s the Chang’an Court’s turn to do this,
Li Ang mused.
He shook his head, continued reading the newspaper, and then saw an article about the Faith Cultivation Cardinal who would soon lead a delegation back to Taihao Mountain.
So soon?
Li Ang raised an eyebrow. According to the original plan, the Taihao Mountain delegation should have stayed for a few more days, waiting for the Academic Palace to hold a farewell celebration before leaving. Last time, the Faith Cultivation Cardinal was controlled at close range by the Dark Filth Worm, and his fate was ultimately unknown. But this time, the Faith Cultivation Cardinal had been moved away early and might not even be aware of the Dark Filth Worm’s existence.
Could it be that the Mountain Master has already passed the Zhao Ming intelligence to Taihao Mountain? Hoping to unite against Zhao Ming?
Li Ang’s brows furrowed in thought. Zhao Ming’s original plan, which involved controlling the Faith Cultivation Cardinal to self-destruct, could very likely have caused conflict and war between the Yu Country and Taihao Mountain. If the two sides could set aside their disputes in the face of a new threat, that would indeed be good news.
Moreover, Jun Qianzi, Situ Zhi, Yuan Sou, Ghost Shovel—just among the publicly known figures, there were four Candle Cloud Cultivators. This alone showed how powerful Zhao Ming was.
But their organizers behind the scenes, on what grounds were they rallying this group of unruly Candle Cloud Cultivators? It couldn’t really be, as Ya Jiu said, that they’re delusional enough to attempt to change the world, right?
Li Ang shook his head and put the newspaper down, its front page facing upwards. In the corner was printed a small, block-sized news brief—due to the fire, the Dragon Pond’s water source in Xingqing Palace was contaminated and required cleanup.
***
Several days passed in the blink of an eye. Finally, the academic exchange formally ended, and the day of parting arrived.
The delegations from various countries came to Golden Light Gate, loading their luggage for the return journey onto the horse carriages.
Although relations between the Yu Country and countries such as Zhou and Jing were delicate, it didn’t affect the comings and goings of the students. The better part of a year had fostered many friendships. When they would meet again, no one knew.
Some plucked willow branches by the roadside, tearfully saying farewell, while others recited poetry, exchanged gifts, and promised to maintain correspondence through letters.
"Alright, this is far enough to see me off," Galuo, dressed again in her traveling clothes, stood by the carriage, stuck out her tongue, and said to Li Ang and the others who had come.
"You must write back when you’re on the grasslands," Chai Chai said, her emotions complex. "The territories of our countries are vast, and it could take over half a month for a letter to arrive, so you must write often. This is the pearl rice I bought for you to make porridge. Grains may not be easy to grow on the grasslands, and you might not be able to enjoy them after you return. There’s also Chang’an’s pickled vegetables, cured meat, desserts... Oh, and of course, Chang’an City’s rouge and perfume."
She counted on her fingers, using Telekinesis to continuously place items onto the carriage.
Galuo looked at the carriage, piled high with a dazzling array of goods, and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Actually... the grasslands aren’t as short on supplies as the Chang’an people imagine. There are always caravans selling Yu Country goods to the Royal Court, and there are also markets in the border towns where common people from both nations gather. It’s still possible to eat common Yu Country dishes.
Galuo wanted to say something, but the words died on her lips.
Indeed, the territories of the two countries were vast; even with frequent traders, life could not be the same as in Chang’an City.
Li Leqing and Qiu Feng also presented parting gifts. They hugged, both feeling somewhat sad and wistful, for after this farewell, who knew when they would meet again.
"Li Ang," Galuo was silent for a moment, then mustered her courage and whispered, "Could you walk with me alone for a bit?"
"Okay."
Li Ang took a deep breath. He had heard the entire story of the Qixiao Festival from Chai Chai, about how she had used his voice to say those embarrassing words. It annoyed him, but there was nothing he could do.
The two walked silently along the riverbank. The river flowed serenely, sunlight glinted cheerfully, and summer cicadas buzzed with shameless abandon.
"About that..." Galuo began softly, "The nonsense I said on the night of the Qixiao Festival, please don’t mind it."
"Ah? Oh, um..." Li Ang was momentarily stunned, then came to his senses and nodded hesitantly. He was unsure how to respond.
"Wolf Garden is just like the Academic Palace; you have to study for seven years to graduate," Galuo said, tilting her head. "The next time we meet, it might be four years from now. If I come to Chang’an then, you better recognize me, alright?"
"I should still recognize you, shouldn’t I?" Li Ang thought for a moment, his reply uncertain. A girl changes so much as she grows up; he really couldn’t be sure.
"Hmph, couldn’t you just say ’I definitely will’? I’m about to leave, and you can’t even make me a little happy," Galuo pouted and muttered "idiot" under her breath.
Li Ang scratched his head. Whenever he heard the nickname ’idiot’, the first image that popped into his mind was of a certain monkey wielding a staff and a pig carrying a rake.