Chapter 113: An Invitation to the Eatery

Song Mu’s Grade A room was located on the east side of the Prefectural Academy. It even came with a small courtyard, appearing quite secluded. Although only the top three scholars of the examination were eligible to reside here, most of the ten rooms remained vacant; it was likely that most scholars and provincial graduates already had families and did not live within the academy.

Song Mu’s room appeared to have been unoccupied for some time, so he rolled up his sleeves, opened the wooden window and door, and carefully gave the place a thorough cleaning.

Once Song Mu had finished tidying up, Kong Zong, who had also just joined the academy, finally managed to find him. After glancing around the room, a wry smile appeared on his face.

"Brother Song, it seems I must work twice as hard."

Hearing this, Song Mu scratched his head in embarrassment. It had been his suggestion that Kong Zong also move into the academy, yet his own living quarters were significantly more cramped than Song Mu’s. However, it was clear that Kong Zong was not the coddled type. On the contrary, after seeing Song Mu’s accommodation, he declared that he would strive to rank up in the next examination so that he, too, could live in one of these Grade A rooms.

The two exchanged a few lighthearted remarks before finishing their tasks and heading together toward the west side of the academy, where the dining hall was located. It provided free meals for the students daily. Because the food was provided free of charge, it could only be described as enough to fill one's stomach, with no pretense of being appetizing. This was a tradition left behind by the previous Education Commissioner, and Commissioner Fan, believing it served as a good form of discipline for the students, had kept it in place.

It was currently midday. As Song Mu and Kong Zong chatted while walking, they soon ran into young Xie. The latter was just coming out of the dining hall, his cheeks puffed out as he chewed. Seeing Song Mu approach, he quickly swallowed before waving a greeting.

"Senior Brother Song."

"Junior Brother Xie, have you already finished your meal?"

Song Mu asked, and Junior Brother Xie nodded, saying, "I spent some time on chores today. My homework isn't finished yet, and the teacher will be testing us this afternoon, so time is a bit tight."

With that, Xie Jiaguo bowed and hurried away. Song Mu and Kong Zong looked at each other, both feeling a sense of admiration.

"The Prefectural Academy is truly different; even among the scholars, there is such drive," Kong Zong remarked, and Song Mu nodded in agreement.

"We must also encourage ourselves and ensure we do not fall behind."

The two entered the dining hall. Food was served to them; there was no choice here—students ate whatever the academy arranged for the day. Seeing a bowl of vegetable and meat porridge, a small bowl of greens, and a bowl of brown rice on the table, both of them paused for a moment.

"Just as everyone says, the food in the dining hall is the most bland. I hear that it is only on the days of the Great Hunt that the dining hall prepares decent meals," Kong Zong said as he looked at the food. He and Song Mu then picked up their bowls and chopsticks and began to eat.

"Speaking of the Great Hunt, it seems there will be one in a few days," Kong Zong added. Song Mu set down his chopsticks and asked, "Truly? I’ve heard that the Great Hunt is always a grand and intense affair, and that there are performance evaluations. Do you happen to know how it works?"

Kong Zong replied with interest, "I’ve heard my father mention it. Scholars are expected to go on a hunt two months after they begin cultivating their literary power. At first, it is just hunting ordinary wild beasts. Only after half a year does the assessment of fighting against demons begin. However, it seems the methods of teaching scholars vary slightly across different academies, but none are as brutal as the border armies. There, scholars are sent to the front lines one week after joining the service. They start by cutting off the ears of beasts, and after a month, they are tested—it is said to be direct combat against demon beasts."

Song Mu nodded upon hearing this. As the true foundational combat force of humanity, every scholar needed to grow rapidly. In the peaceful regions of the Wen Dynasty, things might be a bit more relaxed, but in the border armies, one had to be prepared to risk their life at any moment. This was why some disillusioned scholars chose to join the border armies; the experience gained there every day was far greater than what could be learned in the comfort of a study. However, high rewards came with high risks. An excessively high mortality rate once caused a severe shortage of scholars in the border armies, and it was only after the Emperor issued the "Favor Extension Decree," benefiting both the living and the fallen, that the situation gradually improved.

Kong Zong drank his porridge and muttered, "If I don't make any progress later on, my father said he would send me to the border army for some tempering."

Song Mu said nothing, merely lowering his head to eat. It was unclear how well his own cultivation would progress; if he, too, were to find himself stagnant, he might one day risk the same path.

Before long, people began to trickle into the dining hall. Suddenly, a commotion arose. A dozen or so young men walked in through the entrance. Each was a scholar, dressed in light robes covered by leather armor, with bows and arrows slung across their backs. They chatted among themselves as they found two tables to sit and eat.

Kong Zong nudged Song Mu and, looking at the men, said, "They must be scholars who have just finished their archery class. Judging by their strength, they must be at least Grade B Intermediate, right?"

Song Mu nodded. His gaze, however, rested on a young man with a narrow face and a prominent nose. The man was sturdy and exuded a powerful flow of literary energy. Even from three tables away, Song Mu could feel the vibrant vitality radiating from him. This person, he mused, might already possess the strength of a Grade A scholar.

Song Mu glanced away and continued eating, while Kong Zong looked on with interest, his face showing a hint of envy. "I imagine that in a few days, we will be like that too. That sight, heh!"

As Kong Zong spoke in high spirits, he suddenly noticed that some of the men at that table were whispering to each other, and then one of them looked toward their direction. It was the sturdy man with the high nose bridge and narrow face, his eyes piercing and sharp.

Kong Zong felt a sudden jolt of nervousness and was about to lower his head to eat, but feeling that such behavior lacked the dignity of a scholar, he sat up straight and puffed out his chest. A moment later, he caught a glimpse of the man walking toward them.

"Brother Song..." Kong Zong whispered. Song Mu finished the last bit of his porridge, looked up, saw the formidable scholar approaching, and set down his bowl and chopsticks, sitting upright to face him.

Seeing Song Mu’s composure, Kong Zong seemed to regain some of his own confidence and also straightened his posture to look at the man.

The man had now reached them; his broad frame was nearly enough to block out the sunlight. He swept his gaze over Song Mu and then bowed, saying, "I am Ge Long, a scholar from the 23rd year of Chongwen."

His voice was unexpectedly gentle.

Upon hearing this, Song Mu stood up and bowed respectfully. "I am Song Mu, a scholar from the 27th year of Chongwen."

"I know. You are the top candidate of this recent prefectural examination," Ge Long said slowly.

Song Mu nodded. A hint of a smile appeared on the other man's face as he scrutinized Song Mu, then suddenly said, "If I am not mistaken, Brother Song, you have already reached the level of a Grade A scholar, haven't you?"

"Senior Brother Ge is too kind, please just call me Junior Brother," Song Mu replied calmly. "Indeed, as you said, I was fortunate enough to reach Grade A."

As these words were spoken, the atmosphere around them noticeably stilled. Those who had been eating all looked over. Ge Long’s companions were also frozen, their bowls in hand, looking quite astonished.

"Grade A immediately upon becoming a scholar?"

"Senior Brother Ge took four years to reach Grade A. This young man is terrifyingly talented!"

"He is extraordinary. A Grade A scholar who has mastered the realm; if all goes well, won't he be a provincial graduate in three years?"

Nearby students whispered among themselves, their expressions filled with shock. A gleam flashed in Ge Long’s eyes, and his aura suddenly shifted.

"Good. You are truly a young talent. Junior Brother Song, it has been a long time since I have seen someone with your innate gift."

"Do not refuse when I come to spar with you on literary and military strategies another day."