Chapter 123: Kevin Xue Seeks Help

After the poetry and literature lecture, everyone felt they had gained a great deal. They were especially intrigued by the attempt to write poetry using a blend of two different calligraphy styles, and every scholar present wore an expression of eager anticipation.

Although life at the Prefecture Academy was arduous and demanding, it was also filled with the joy of discovery. In just half a month, the magnificent scope of literary power had been fully unveiled before them.

Song Mu was currently immersed in carefully reviewing his poetry collection, using a vermilion brush to make marks as he categorized the poems according to his personal preference, effectively preparing for the upcoming expedition.

Before long, a figure approached him. Song Mu looked up, meeting the gaze of Xue Kaiwen. He immediately set down his brush, closed the book, and asked with a smile, "Is there something I can help you with, Brother Xue?"

Xue Kaiwen paused, then spoke in a calm tone, "Brother Song, you may call me Ziyan. It is the courtesy name my father gave me."

Upon hearing this, Song Mu quickly stood up and bowed respectfully. "Very well, Brother Ziyan. My courtesy name is Jingzhao."

"I am aware," Xue Kaiwen replied, his expression calm. The atmosphere today seemed somewhat friendlier toward Song Mu than usual.

Xue Kaiwen then spoke again, "Brother Jingzhao, I have a matter I wish to discuss with you. Might we step aside?"

Song Mu glanced at the others, then nodded with a smile. The two left the study hall and walked to a large tree outside. They remained standing instead of sitting on the stone benches, looking at each other. Xue Kaiwen bowed and went straight to the point.

"Your mentor, Brother Jingzhao, is Master Fengming, who recently arrived at the Prefecture Academy, is he not?"

Song Mu paused. Considering the other man had been at the academy for three years, he assumed this information was easily accessible, so he simply nodded.

Noticing the guard in Song Mu’s eyes, Xue Kaiwen quickly explained, "Brother Jingzhao, please do not be so tense. My mentor is Lin Jie, the instructor at the Prefecture Academy, and that is where I heard of it."

Song Mu let out a breath of relief upon hearing this. He knew of Lin Jie; he was a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations and a man of profound literary attainment.

"I see. But if Brother Ziyan only called me over for this..."

Song Mu began, but Xue Kaiwen immediately waved his hands, a slightly awkward smile on his face. "Brother Song, you misunderstand. What I wish to discuss with you is the upcoming expedition."

Hearing the term again, Song Mu’s expression shifted slightly. He looked at the other man as Xue Kaiwen continued.

"Do not be confused, Brother Jingzhao. I am referring to the expedition in half a month."

Song Mu was momentarily stunned. He knew full well that on the twenty-ninth of the ninth month—yesterday—the first group, consisting of five provincial graduates and twenty scholars, had already departed for the mission. This upcoming second wave was scheduled for mid-October.

***

Hearing Xue Kaiwen mention this, Song Mu was deeply puzzled. "We are not eligible to join this expedition, are we? Brother Ziyan, there seems little point in discussing this."

Xue Kaiwen smiled faintly, his eyes reflecting a sense of insight. "There is no need to hide it from me, Brother Jingzhao. I know you are able to join this expedition—the only scholar to do so immediately upon entering the Prefecture Academy."

Song Mu paused. Seeing that his secret was out, he said nothing. Xue Kaiwen, as if seizing an opportunity, continued, "My purpose in seeking you out is simple: I was hoping you might put in a word with Master Fengming to bring me along."

Song Mu looked up abruptly, his brows furrowing. Such an expedition was fraught with extreme danger; why was Xue Kaiwen so desperate to get involved?

"This..." Song Mu was about to shake his head, but Xue Kaiwen interrupted.

"It is actually my mentor's wish. He will not be attending, but he wants me to go and gain experience. You may not know this, Brother Jingzhao, but Master Fengming is solely responsible for this entire expedition."

Xue Kaiwen’s expression grew more urgent, his voice filled with emotion. "You know that while my practical combat experience may not match some of the older scholars, my strength is by no means inferior to theirs."

"If you would just speak to Master Fengming, if you could just let me join, then..." Xue Kaiwen faltered, unable to finish his sentence.

"It is not that simple," Song Mu said, waving his hand, his expression troubled. He suddenly thought of something and asked, "Why are you so insistent on joining this expedition, Brother Ziyan?"

Xue Kaiwen’s expression froze. He looked down, looking embarrassed, and spoke after a moment.

"To be honest, I have heard that the fish demons in the Southern Frontier produce a jade-like glue in their bodies that is superior to ordinary fish glue. My mother is currently in poor health, suffering from severe physical exhaustion and a profound deficiency of yin. The doctor said she needs nourishing tonics..."

"But that substance is worth its weight in gold, and my family..." Xue Kaiwen’s face was filled with helplessness and urgency.

Upon hearing this, a look of understanding crossed Song Mu’s face. He sighed and said, "Brother Ziyan, I can only mention it to him. Whether it will be successful, I cannot guarantee."

***

"Thank you, Brother Jingzhao!" Xue Kaiwen said with a smile, his eyes filled with hope. They chatted a bit more about their recent studies before parting ways.

Watching the other man walk away, Song Mu couldn't help but scratch his head.

...

"If he wants to go, let him go. Just have the other instructors keep an eye on him."

That night, Song Mu visited Tao Fengming’s residence. After consulting him on matters regarding the "otherworldly realms," Song Mu brought up the request, only to be surprised by Tao Fengming’s prompt agreement.

"But isn't this expedition heading to the Southern Frontier?" Song Mu asked, perplexed. "It is infested with demons and monsters. Isn't it... extremely dangerous?"

Tao Fengming, still wearing his cotton-hemp robe with his hair disheveled, took a sip of tea. He glanced at Song Mu and said, "As the saying goes, a mother's love can never be fully repaid; what more could one ask for in life? This matter is of no consequence."

As he spoke, Tao Fengming chewed on a piece of dried meat and continued, "You are all scholars now; you have the strength to fight. When I taught scholars in the past, they wouldn't spend half a year safely in the academy. Every one of them was sent straight into real combat..."

Tao Fengming paused, seeing the intrigued expression on Song Mu’s face. He let out a long sigh and did not continue.

"Write the 'Peach Blossom Spring' today," Tao Fengming said calmly.

Song Mu began to grind the ink, but his mind kept retracing the expression Tao Fengming had worn just moments ago. This descendant of the Tao family clearly had a fascinating past.

However, that secret would likely have to wait until he had grown strong enough to investigate it properly.