Piercer of Heaven—Chapter 31

AN: It's a bit slow going, but I have hope the pace will pick up soon. I'm trying to cut down on the chapters-upon-chapters of filler.

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The Self Defence students, having already eaten, watched the other departments’ arrival. Naturally, Lin Xi and friends were among the spectators—Meng Bai, Zhang Ping, Li Kaiyun and Xiang Lin.

“I’m telling you, it’s better not to have such a big appetite.”

Meng Bai, seeing Li Kaiyun grow stupid at the sight of Leng Qiuyu’s purity and beauty, felt the need to speak up.

According to common sense, things would never work out between them. In his opinion, it was better to give up early and avoid disappointment.

Li Kaiyun’s reaction was predictable in its displeasure.

“You’re one to talk about having a big appetite. Rather than sticking your nose in my business, worry about yourself!”

Chastised, the fatty glanced at the skewer in his hand. Though he wouldn’t voice it, he was sensitive about his weight.

“There’s no need to be so rude…”

Noticing their rotund friend’s hurt, Xiang Lin intervened on his behalf. An argument soon broke out between Li Kaiyun and him, drawing a few gazes in their direction.

However, Lin Xi himself paid little attention. Like Li Kaiyun, his eyes were fixed on a certain someone, or two someones, to be exact.

‘…’

The sight of Xu Zhenyan and Gao Yanan sharing a table produced an uncomfortable feeling in his chest.

‘There’s no need for me to feel this way. Who wins and loses in the war of love can’t be determined so early.’

Giving himself a short pep-talk, Lin Xi tore his gaze away, striking up a conversation with Zhang Ping.

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Xu Zhenyan sat between the female Medicine Hall students like a rooster among hens. His presence wasn’t unwelcome either—rather, the girls chatted happily with him, asking him about himself, the royal capital and the Xu family.

“…but young master Xu is really gifted. I wonder if it’s from your own efforts, or simply talent?”

A cute girl with almond eyes and a teardrop-shaped face questioned, sitting with her chin in her hands.

Xu Zhenyan smiled, not at all awkward despite the attention.

“That’s… somewhat difficult to answer. Truthfully, I’m not all that hardworking.”

Shrugging, he took a piece of fried pork with his chopsticks and brought it to his mouth.

The female disciples were even more impressed by this self-awareness.

“Wow, that’s really amazing! The Heavens were generous toward you, young master Xu. Were you a buddha in your previous life?”

A petite girl, possessing an appearance like a spring flower, expressed her admiration by pouring Xu Zhenyan’s tea.

The conversation between him and the handful of girls continued. Though, at some point, he noticed Gao Yanan’s rapidly waning interest.

Having tired of talking about himself in any case, he pointedly changed topics.

“Still, this place is really incredible. I wonder what our dorms will be like?”

While sipping his tea, his eyes wandered the picturesque interior.

The girl’s expressions quickly became excited, the diversion working as intended. Soon, they were chattering animatedly about what materials and colours they’d like for their sheets and curtains.

‘…fuck, I’m bored as hell.’

Having finished his meal, Xu Zhenyan could only sit there like a sculpture.

Fortunately, a row of black-robed lecturers soon appeared from a corridor, tinting the atmosphere a sombre colour.

“Everyone, line up in two rows and follow us.”

A pale-faced lecturer suddenly spoke, his dry voice echoing inside the hall.

The students were tired from their journey, wanting nothing more than to rest for longer, but the lecturer’s ghostly appearance silenced their complaints.

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Their journey carried them to the foot of a dark red stele, sitting inside a building reminiscent of a museum. Hugging the walls were relief sculptures, depicting scenes of war.

Most notably, there were massive images of a qilin and mandarin duck, flanking a middle-aged man. Around them was a ruined city, and a sea of corpses.

“This stele was originally a part of Starfall City’s walls.”

The corpse-like lecturer, having only a single, scarred eye, intoned gravely.

“Line up before the stele, receive the advice Principal Zhang left behind!”

Under his stern gaze, the students were lined up before the slab in rows of ten. However, all of them could only stare at puzzlement, the strange ‘runes’ being indecipherable to their eyes.

That is, all except one.

Xu Zhenyan’s eyes travelled toward that ‘individual’, standing in front of the stele with an expression of excitement and disbelief.

Naturally, it was none other than Lin Xi.

With narrowed eyes, he watched as the other youth started to tremble lightly. When the teacher spoke, calling for the front students to give way to the next, Lin Xi didn’t even react.

Eventually, people started to realize something was wrong.

“Isn’t he one of the Heaven’s choice students? Don’t tell me he can actually read those runes…?”

Suspicious voices could be heard as both students and lecturers eyed the ‘frozen’ boy.

“You idiot… you clearly knew how hard it was to find someone from the same homeland who could understand you, yet you couldn’t just write a bit more, speak in a bit more detail?!”

Suddenly, a shout burst from Lin Xi’s mouth, the words belonging to a strange language nobody could understand.

Everyone was stupefied by this, watching on in shock and confusion as tears began to tumble from his eyes!

“Lin Xi, you…!”

A dark-haired lecturer, wanting to get to the bottom of his student’s outburst, couldn’t restrain himself any longer.

However, before the man could walk over and grab the boy by his lapels, Lin Xi shouted one last word.

“Return!”

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Ten minutes later, the students once again stood before the stele. This time, nothing extraordinary happened. Yet, Xu Zhenyan’s gaze didn’t leave Lin Xi, remembering the outburst from earlier.

‘Venting your emotions before rewinding time… Really, what an unstable guy.’

Despite his inner thoughts, Xu Zhenyan didn’t judge the fellow too harshly. After all, Lin Xi didn’t know for sure Principal Zhang was a reincarnator until now, unlike himself.

‘…but in the end, your hopes pointless. That man departed long ago, leaving everything behind.’

Removing his gaze from Lin Xi, Xu Zhenyan’s eyes wandered the surroundings. Yet, he didn’t pay much attention to what he saw, but was lost in thought.

‘I wonder how all these people would feel if they heard the truth? The person they depended on for leadership, guidance and even survival left them behind. Principal Zhang, valuing the possibility of a return to his homeworld, sacrificed the reality of this one.’

Shaking his head internally, he followed the lecturers and professors, leading them out of the Garden Palace.

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The next morning, Xu Zhenyan rose from his bed before wearing the blue robes of an academy student.

Yesterday, the Medicine Hall seniors took them about the area, showing where they’d take their classes, the cafeteria, places for leisure as well as the department dorms.

Boys and girls were naturally separated and entering each other’s rooms was expressly forbidden. Yet, it wasn’t only boys and girls, but members of the same gender as well. If students wanted to socialize, they had to make use of the dedicate lounge, or do it outside their dorms.

After dressing, Xu Zhenyan made his way out of his room, heading toward the common longue. Yet, on his way there, he ran into a certain someone.

“It’s you…?”

The person who spoke was none other than his stunning fiancée, Qin Xiyue.

Despite her obvious dislike for him, Xu Zhenyan smiled genially, not taking offense. He knew it wasn’t personal—if the girl were betrothed to the crown prince himself, her feelings wouldn’t change.

“If it isn’t esteemed young lady Qin. I’m glad we ran into each other—I wanted to make a formal introduction earlier, but it slipped my mind completely. Please accept my apologies.”

Speaking politely, Xu Zhenyan gave her a bow, his hands in his sleeves.

Qin Xiyue narrowed her eyes, but otherwise couldn’t find fault with him. His demeanour was simply too polite.

“…”

An awkward silence stretched as Xu Zhenyan waited for some kind of greeting or response, but didn’t get one.

“Ehm, we’re on our way to the cafeteria before class, young master Xu. Joining us shouldn’t be a problem, I think…?”

One of Qin Xiyue’s friends, standing behind her, hazarded an offer. Yet, she kept an eye on ‘young lady Qin’, carefully watching her reaction.

“I’ll gratefully accept that invitation.”

Before Qin Xiyue could refuse, Xu Zhenyan quickly interjected.

The girl in question glanced from her friend to him, her lips pursed and brows furrowed. Then, she huffed.

“Do what you want. It’s not like it’s any of my business.”

Tossing her braid over one shoulder, Qin Xiyue turned before walking down the hallway.

The girl, who’s name Xu Zhenyan didn’t know, gave him a conspiratorial smile.

“Let’s go young master Xu, before lady Qin changes her mind.”

Xu Zhenyan nodded in agreement, trailing after the two girls.

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