17 Chapter 17
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Despite the situation, Qin Baofeng's hospitality wasn't lacking. Unlike Xu Zhenyan, he didn't travel lightly—from how many carriages, servants and guards there were, it seemed he brought his household with him.
With how many carriages had gathered here and how the surrounding vegetation had been cleared out, it was almost like a type of bazaar.
Through some contraption, one of the vehicles unfolded into a platform big enough to fit a table and a handful of people. Without thinking twice, Xu Zhenyan occupied the seat of honor and surveyed the surroundings.
"The road is in a bad state, isn't it?"
It looked like a partial mudslide, the wet, softening earth having sloughed off the mountainside. About two-dozen workers were digging with flat shovels, filling in gravel behind them.
Standing next to Xu Zhenyan, Qin Baofeng nodded.
"It's unfortunate young master, but it seems we'll either have to wait it out or take a different route. However, given your destination, I'd advise against the latter."
The Xu clan's third young master didn't respond. He learned a bit about the surrounding geography and knew there were few good roads, given how remote it was.
One would think Green Luan academy was located near a major city, but that wasn't the case. In fact, it was impossible to access except by foot. Situated on top of the Sea of Mountains, one had to travel through a stretch of wilderness and up the steep, snow-capped mountains.
The journey itself was somewhat of a rite of passage, leaving the newly-admitted students in a rather terrible state when they finally made it to the top.
Qin Baofeng wasn't displeased when Xu Zhenyan didn't reply. Instead, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
"…there's a possibility the digging will finish after half-a-day, or a day at worst. For that reason, this humble one felt it was too much to leave young master Xu and sir Shin unattended."
The words were a little dishonest, given he hadn't known exactly who Lee Shin was escorting until he confirmed it for himself. It was just an attempt at ingratiating himself.
The corner of Xu Zhenyan's lips quirked upward.
"I suppose I should thank you, then. Now that I'm here, I must admit the aromas are quite tantalizing."
The smell of grilling meat and boiling vegetables only stoked his hunger. At first, his state could be described as peckish, accepting the invitation more out of curiosity than anything else. But now, he found he was really looking forward to lunch.
Qin Baofeng caught on to his meaning.
"Yes, indeed young master. I guarantee you'll be satisfied. But now I suddenly can't help wondering how the food is coming along, so if you'll excuse me."
After offering a polite nod, he turned and walked over to a cleared section of earth where workers and servants could be seen, scuttling around.
Now left with nothing to do, Xu Zhenyan made himself comfortable. With his excellent appearance and posture, perched on a platform as he was, one would assume it wasn't Qin Baofeng in charge of the goings-on, but him.
'…but being the center of attention isn't all that fun.'
Gazes were coming at him from all directions. Out of the corner of his eye, it was possible to see many people whispering behind their hands, casting quick glances his way. Most were well dressed, clad in robes while waving fans or clutching horsetail whisks.
Suddenly, a group of youths separated from the crowd, heading Xu Zhenyan's way. At the front was a boy, about fifteen years old. He was handsome enough, having a clean face and long hair spread across his shoulders.
Arriving in front of Xu Zhenyan, he clasped his hands behind his back while giving the other boy a once-over. When he was done, he didn't speak immediately, instead taking a lacquered, brown gourd from a follower before taking a sip.
Xu Zhenyan raised an eyebrow.
'This guy is a bit impolite, isn't he?'
The fellow was clearly here for him, but didn't even introduce himself. However, he didn't bother breaking the silence either. Instead, he rested his chin on his palm, staring placidly at the youth and his entourage.
After a about a dozen-or-so seconds of this strangeness, the boy finally spoke.
"Who are you supposed to be?"
The look on his face was dissatisfied. Clearly, he wasn't happy about Qin Baofeng rolling out the red carpet for someone else.
"Xu Zhenyan."
The Xu family's third young master introduced himself, his tone even. He wasn't surprised about the kid's attitude, nor was he offended. This kind of person was most likely a local tyrant, unused to swimming in a pool with bigger fish than himself.
There was no recognition on the boy's face. Instead, one of his followers stepped forward before whispering something in his ear.
"You are… a member of central province's Xu family?"
Despite the fact that he just encountered someone of higher status than himself, the boy didn't grow sycophantic. Rather, his tone contained a hint of unwillingness.
A faint smile appeared on Xu Zhenyan's face.
"You haven't introduced yourself yet."
He directly ignored the other boy's question, given the answer was already plain from Qin Baofeng's treatment of him.
The youth's expression stiffened, unhappy at being ignored, but he still replied.
"I am Qiu Lu, from Noble Cloud province. My father is Qiu Wang, advisor to the Sparrow Lord."
Pride could be heard in his voice.
Yet, Xu Zhenyan shook his head.
"Qiu Wang…? Never heard of him."
The name Qiu Lu didn't ring a bell either. That could only mean this guy either didn't show up in the novel or he was so unimportant he may as well have been absent.
Qiu Lu grit his teeth, but he otherwise didn't make a fuss. He was used to lording it over his peers, but that didn't mean he couldn't recognize the fact that he met his match.
"This… I assume you are an aspirant as well, young master Xu?"
He almost stumbled over the words 'young master'.
Xu Zhenyan nodded.
"That's right."
Qiu Lu's expression brightened a little. Taking a step forward, he made for the platform, intending to have a talk with Xu Zhenyan given they were soon to be fellow students.
However, he was quickly reprimanded.
"Did I give you permission to approach me?"
Folding one leg over the other, Xu Zhenyan stared at Qiu Lu, a teasing smile playing on his face.
The other boy halted, his face reddening. Though he understood the other party's status was superior to his, he didn't expect a public rejection like this.
"…there's no need to act like this, right 'young master' Xu? In Green Luan academy, no matter your status, all people are treated the same. Surely it would be better if we could get along and look after each other?"
After some quick thinking, he delivered such a sensible-sounding answer.
However, Xu Zhenyan was not impressed. While it was true all students were treated the same, that was only on the surface. Not only were some lecturers partial, but there was also nothing preventing student conflicts outside the academy.
That is to say, if a bumpkin got a big head and clashed with some kid from a noble family, he would have a very hard time as soon as he stepped foot outside the academy. The protagonist, being who he was, naturally experienced this first hand.
"I'm not interested."
Speaking in a bored tone, he turned his head to look at Qin Baofeng.
The official returned from their makeshift kitchen, a handful of servants trailing after him. Despite the situation, they managed to prepare something delicious, judging be the steaming dishes, stacked with glistening, white meat and colorful vegetables. They even brought a few porcelain jars with them—alcohol, if he wasn't mistaken.
Overhearing the conflict, Qin Baofeng directly walked over to the two boys, his steps hurried. He didn't even bother to direct the servants, who stood around uncomfortably for a moment or two before one took the initiative, setting the food in front of Xu Zhenyan.
"Ah, I see you met the esteemed young master Qiu. His father and I…"
Interceding on behalf of the youth, he started expounding on the Qiu family's virtues, and how they were a jewel in the crown of Noble Cloud province.
Xu Zhenyan listened until he got bored. Then, he waved his hand, interrupting the official.
"All-right, I'm rather hungry, so I'll start eating if you don't mind."
After saying that, he directly picked up a pair of engraved chopsticks before bringing a piece of aromatic fish to his mouth. Since Qin Baofeng offered, he wasn't going to be polite. He just hoped the man wouldn't regret it, given how voracious a cultivator's appetite was.
Qin Baofeng stood with his mouth half-open, still in the middle of his speech. Then, he shut it, smiling ruefully.
"I hope you don't mind, young master Qiu. After we had lunch, I'll certainly entertain you."
Giving the boy one last glance, he made his way up the platform before seating himself opposite Xu Zhenyan.
Qiu Lu stood there, embarrassed and at a loss for words. He didn't miss the fact that Qin Baofeng didn't invite him, unwilling to offend Xu Zhenyan despite the history between the Qin and Qiu families.
Flicking his sleeves, he turned and left with a huff.
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