Chapter 119 — To Take the Head From Your Neck
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 3
Whoever became a Grand Academy scholar had a dwelling of his own in the Grand Academy; the place was called the Scholars' Lodge, where scholars dwelt. Each scholar had a compound of two courtyards, one within the other; the Grand Academy scholars lived apart in their own lodgings, where everything one could wish for was provided, and servants kept house and cooked and washed, so that the scholars need not trouble themselves with the small affairs of living. Those of some standing might even bring their own servants or maids; Shen Mu had nothing at all, and so of course had no such concerns.
"I wonder whether Xue Hu'er might be brought here too.
When matters on this side are settled, and I have seen the Patriarch, I will go and fetch her. " Shen Mu wandered about to look his fill. The jade peak on which the Grand Academy stood was far greater than he had seen at first: hills within the hill, caves within the caves. Besides Chunyang Hall, Qingyang Hall, and the Grand Academy Hall, there were a dozen or so palaces of every kind, and the Tianlu Tower besides. Tianlu Tower was the place where books were kept, and it had its own Secretariat; the word says what it means, keepers of secret books. The books in Tianlu Tower were the texts and records the empire had gathered from every sect beneath heaven, stored within the tower and watched over by the Secretariat.
Shen Mu halted to look, and saw the tower swarming with people coming and going, a bustling crowd, most of them Grand Academy scholars, and some of the imperial clan besides. "Young Sect Master, you have come all this way to this place.
How does it strike you? " A hoary voice came from behind him.
Shen Mu turned, bowed low in greeting, and said, "Patriarch. " It was the young Patriarch himself. Though he had the look of a youth, his voice was very old; he smiled.
"No need for such courtesy. " Shen Mu steadied himself. "On the road here I saw the state of Jingping, and it struck me hard.
My heart is far from calm. " The young Patriarch's interest kindled and he stepped forward.
"Oh?
Tell me.
" Shen Mu fell in beside him, talking as they walked. "I looked as I went, and everywhere in Jingping I saw the signs of a great flourishing.
The arts of the Dao and divine powers are in daily use among the common folk, new each day. Rain is drawn down in drought and clouds dispersed in flood, near to miracles.
Ships sail the sky and boats run on land, and the alchemist's art has been put to the everyday uses of the people; the work of creation is marvelous.
Jingping has its disorders, but they cannot last long, and after them it will be mightier than ever. " The young Patriarch led him to a lake upon the mountain and stood at the water's edge, where jade willows cast their shade, and asked with curiosity, "Which do you think has the greater future, the sects or the state? By your account, you hold that no sect can stand against a state? " Shen Mu nodded. "The primary schools, the grand academies, and the Grand Academy have already settled it: Jingping is the greatest sect under heaven, and all other sects are but its primary schools and grand academies, furnishing it with scholars and nothing more. How can such sects contend with Jingping?
" The young Patriarch sat down. Two fishing rods lay on the bank; he gave one to Shen Mu and kept one himself, cast the bait into the water, and smiled. "Yet the realm is in great disorder now.
Many sects have seized the chance to rebel, sparks setting the plain ablaze; and on top of that the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping is gravely wounded. To my eye Jingping is in peril, and may be destroyed at any hour. " Shen Mu cast his line and bait into the water too, and laughed despite himself. "Patriarch, you are teasing me, are you not?