Chapter Three: The Only Academy
The following day, Su Fan rose early to pack his belongings. At the first light of dawn, he and his mother set out for the town. Throughout the journey, Su Fan kept his head down in silence, and his mother, seeing his demeanor, could only sigh quietly to herself.
The town was called Willowtown, a few miles from Dragonstone Village. They arrived by late morning. Though Willowtown was not large, it was far livelier than Dragonstone Village, with street vendors hawking their wares in an endless chorus. The aroma of steamed buns wafted through the air, filling Su Fan’s nose. It was his first time visiting Willowtown, and such a scene was new to him. The playfulness natural to children soon surfaced, and the silence that had weighed on him vanished, replaced by a child beaming with curiosity, gazing left and right in delight.
After making inquiries, Su Fan and his mother learned the location of Bamboo Grove Academy. It was the only academy in Willowtown, and the closest to Dragonstone Village—children from four neighboring villages all came here to study.
The academy was nestled on Bamboo Grove Hill. Soon, a cluster of buildings appeared before them, surrounded by gray walls and weeping willows. Within the courtyard, houses stood tall, red pillars supporting the great hall. Beneath the eaves hung a plaque inscribed with “Bamboo Grove Academy.”
Su Fan and his mother entered the academy, greeted by the fragrance of blooming flowers. Immediately, a young boy, slightly older than Su Fan, approached and asked, “What brings you both here?” Su Fan’s mother smiled and replied, “I’m here to see the master.”
The boy responded, “The master isn’t in. He went out to gather herbs yesterday and hasn’t returned yet.”
Su Fan’s mother frowned slightly and said softly, “In that case, I’ll come back tomorrow.” She took Su Fan’s hand, ready to leave.
But the boy said calmly, “Before leaving, the master instructed me that someone would come to study today. This child must be the one he mentioned.” Su Fan’s mother turned with a gentle smile, “Indeed, I’ve brought my child here to study.”
The boy nodded at Su Fan. “The master said I’m to settle in anyone who comes to study today, and that’s all.” Su Fan’s mother handed a small piece of silver to the boy and whispered to Su Fan, “Fan’er, Mother must go now. Listen well to the master here.”
Su Fan looked at his mother, a sudden reluctance welling up, but he nodded obediently.
His mother sighed, rose, and left the courtyard.
“Hey, what’s your name?” The boy asked Su Fan with a smile.
“Su Fan,” Su Fan replied softly.
The boy chuckled, “I’m Xiao Lin. I’m an orphan—a cultivator brought me to the academy, and the master gave me my name.”
Su Fan glanced at Xiao Lin, feeling a faint stirring within, but he was unused to such openness and remained silent.
“Come on, let’s go inside.” Xiao Lin patted Su Fan’s shoulder and led him into the main hall.
The hall was simply furnished, with a single portrait hanging in the center and a censer on the offering table, though no incense was burning. Su Fan looked about, puzzled.
Xiao Lin, guessing his thoughts, explained, “The master is easy-going and doesn’t pay much attention to ceremony. Only when new students arrive does he light incense and hold the entrance ritual.”
Hearing this, Su Fan paused and thought, “I wonder what sort of man the master is, and whether he will value me.”
Xiao Lin smiled at him, “Come, I’ll show you to your room.”
Su Fan agreed and followed. As they walked toward the inner yard, Xiao Lin grew animated, recounting stories of academy life. Su Fan recognized some of the spiritual herbs growing along the path—his family owned a book on such plants, distributed by the Celestial Gate to every household for easy identification.
The academy was divided into four wings: east, west, south, and north, each housing four students. Su Fan was assigned to the east wing.
They soon arrived at the east wing. Su Fan’s gaze was drawn to one particular room, which stood out for its pure and elegant decor. Sunlight spilled over the sandalwood doors and windows, releasing a subtle fragrance—clearly a girl’s room.
Xiao Lin continued, “Of the four here, the first room on the left belongs to Mo Yunqing, the master’s prized student, who is highly favored and exceptionally gifted. He can grasp the master’s teachings in no time.”
As Xiao Lin spoke, a fervent admiration shone in his eyes, revealing his respect for Mo Yunqing.
“The second room,” Xiao Lin pointed to the distinctive room, “belongs to Lin Ling, the only girl at the academy, and she’s very beautiful.” At the mention of Lin Ling, Xiao Lin’s eyes betrayed his affection—he had clearly admired her for some time.
“The two rooms on the right: the first is mine, and the second will be yours.” Su Fan glanced at his own room and asked, “Do you know when the master will return?”
Xiao Lin replied with a wry smile, “That I can’t say. The master is always coming and going mysteriously. Just settle in—he’ll let you know when he returns. It’s getting late, and you must be hungry. I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare something for you.”
Su Fan smiled, feeling a touch of goodwill toward Xiao Lin, whose kindness contrasted with the children from his village who were often so cruel.
Xiao Lin said, “Go rest in your room. Lin Ling cleaned it for you yesterday when she heard you were coming.”
Su Fan nodded and entered. The room was simply furnished: a bed, a small square table, and a single chair. It was spotless, with a lingering hint of fragrance.
“I wonder if Mother will get used to living alone at home. I mustn’t disappoint her expectations. Ah, best not to dwell on it.” Su Fan lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind in turmoil.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Su Fan assumed it was Xiao Lin with his meal. But when he opened the door, he froze—a young girl stood outside. Though she looked even younger than Su Fan, her skin was smooth and delicate, with a rosy glow, and her purple dress set off her elegant charm.
She was carrying a food box. Smiling, she said, “You must be Su Fan. I’m Lin Ling, your neighbor. Did you like your room?”
Su Fan nodded softly, “Thank you, Miss Lin. The room is very nice.”
Lin Ling smiled, watching him, “I ran into Xiao Lin just now—he was bringing you food, so I came along. The master has returned, and Xiao Lin went to see him. Most likely, Xiao Lin hadn’t finished his lessons. Master asked me to bring you your meal.”
She handed the food box to Su Fan. “Master said that after you eat, you should go to the main hall for the entrance ceremony. I won’t disturb you further—I have lessons to finish, too. If you need anything, feel free to visit me.”
With that, she left.
Su Fan hurriedly opened the food box—he hadn’t eaten all day and was famished. Inside were simple vegetarian dishes, but they were tasty, and he quickly polished them off.
After eating, Su Fan followed Lin Ling’s instructions and went to the main hall to pay his respects to the master. The hall was occupied by only two people: Xiao Lin, and a middle-aged man beside him.
This man wore a gray robe, his mouth sharp and eyes narrowed to slits, giving him the look of an owl. Yet his bearing was extraordinary—dignified, imposing, and somewhat otherworldly.
This was Master Xiao Chen, the scholar of Bamboo Grove Academy. Xiao Chen was a cultivator, though he had been stuck at the fifth stage of Qi Refining for many years, unable to break through. Behind those narrowed eyes, however, lay a mind of deep cunning.
Xiao Chen squinted at Su Fan, thinking, “Another one arrives—the tally of ninety-nine boy souls is nearly complete. When I break through, I’ll become an inner disciple of the Celestial Gate for sure.”
A forced smile wrinkled Xiao Chen’s face, a smile more unsettling than tears.
Trembling with nerves, Su Fan stepped forward, bowed low to Xiao Chen, and said quietly, “Student Su Fan greets the master.”
Xiao Chen smiled faintly, “No need for such formalities. You’re Su Fan? From now on, you’ll study at the academy.”
With a wave of his sleeve, Xiao Chen rose and said, “Xiao Lin, explain to Su Fan the academy’s daily routines. I have some medicinal seeds to plant today. Su Fan, life here is dull and the wilderness can be harsh.”
“I understand, Master,” Su Fan replied. Xiao Chen gave him a brief look, then departed.
Xiao Lin hurried over, tugged Su Fan’s sleeve, and whispered, “The master’s finally gone. Let’s go back to your room—I’ll tell you about the daily schedule.”
They left the main hall together. Night had fallen completely; the pale moon climbed into the sky. The east wing was dark, and moonlight lent the courtyard a refined tranquility.
They spoke no more as they entered Su Fan’s room. Xiao Lin, familiar with the place, lit the oil lamp and sat down. Suddenly, he pounced on Su Fan, lowering his voice, “Be careful at night—there are fierce ghosts near the academy who suck away children’s souls.”
His tone shifted, and with a yawn, Xiao Lin opened the door and left.
Su Fan did not take it to heart—Xiao Lin was lively and playful, and Su Fan assumed he was merely joking. Yet looking at this unfamiliar room, his new home for years to come, Su Fan felt not the least bit sleepy.
He walked to the door and stepped outside. Under the starry sky and cold moonlight, he remembered sitting in the courtyard at home, gazing at the heavens. Thoughts of his mother’s care for him over the years brought a gentle warmth to his heart. After a moment, he returned to his room and went to bed.