Chapter 15: The Heavenly Net Institute

“Sir, a private academy in the county is holding a literary and martial competition today. The participants are all children of noble families, so the event is somewhat grander,” Bataih reported with a tremble in his voice. Such affairs were common among the aristocracy. Yet the current Sage held little fondness for these displays—but with mountains and distance between here and the capital, what would the Sage know? The Sage hardly had time to bother with a remote county such as this.

The young man sat down slowly. At once, the maid beside him served tea, though her hands trembled so violently that the teacups clinked together.

“Is my appearance so terrifying?” the young man asked the maid, puzzled.

She fell to her knees in fright. Though she had served in the household for several years, this was the first time she had seen the county magistrate so frightened, and she couldn’t help but be scared herself.

Bataih, anxious the maid would say something wrong, quickly explained, “She is just a household servant, unused to distinguished guests. I beg your forgiveness, sir.”

The young man gestured for the maid to withdraw, and she nearly lost her soul in her haste to leave.

“Please, sir, try the tea. It is grown here in the county and has a fine flavor. If you find it to your liking, I can have several packets prepared for you to take.”

The young man took a small sip, the corner of his mouth curving upwards. “Only several packets?”

Bataih was startled.

“Just a jest, no need to be so tense,” the young man said with a laugh, making it clear he did not regard Bataih with much seriousness—something evident from the moment he’d entered.

Bataih forced a couple of dry laughs.

“May I ask your name, sir…?”

The young man’s gaze sharpened slightly. “You wish to know?”

“I’m humbled, sir…”

“No matter. You may call me Zhang Jin.”

Zhang Jin? Bataih searched his memory for the name, but found no such person.

“Don’t trouble yourself guessing. I’ve recently joined the Celestial Web Institute. I may be at the bottom, but it is still the Celestial Web. Surely you’ve heard of it?”

Zhang Jin rested his hands on his knees, leaning forward ever so slightly, and Bataih immediately felt a weight press upon him.

The Celestial Web Institute was a special institution established by the Sage himself. Its numbers were few, but its standards for entry were severe—requiring five recommendations from inside, and at least the power of a Sword Emperor.

There was another way, of course: obtaining permission to challenge a current member, kill them, and take their place.

The first way was plainly easier and made fewer enemies. The latter, though effective, meant one would never be treated kindly by the others—a lone wolf, in the end.

“Of course I know, sir. The Celestial Web is overseen by the Sage himself,” Bataih said, bowing to express his reverence.

“As for me, I killed one of their number and took his place,” Zhang Jin said lightly, as if he’d killed a dog rather than a man. Bataih was shaken to his core.

This young man possessed extraordinary strength to have slain a member of the Celestial Web—at minimum, the power of a Sword Emperor.

Was he not afraid of being shunned by the others?

“How fortunate for our Taijing to have you, Sir Zhang, joining the Celestial Web at such a young age.” If nothing else, flattery was always safe.

Zhang Jin stood, brushing the dust from his white robe. “You’re quite the talker, but I’m weary of such words. Come, let’s see this event of yours. I hope it can compare—if only a little—to Taijing, or perhaps just to Ankang Prefecture.”

“Certainly, sir, it cannot compare. Please, this way.” Bataih breathed a sigh of relief. This young man’s temperament was so inscrutable—no one could guess his true intentions.

A member of Taijing’s Celestial Web, traveling all this way to a remote backwater—who could believe he had no purpose here?

In the Ye household—

Both Ye Kun and Ye Qin were dressed in their finest today. After all, this was a public affair, and as their mother, Dongmen Meng had made sure her sons were well attired.

They truly were a pair of handsome boys. Ye Qin took after Dongmen Meng, which was fortunate; had he inherited Ye Ming’s looks… well…

May they never grow up crooked, Ye Kun thought. Their father’s square face and bristling beard made him look rather beastly standing next to their beautiful mother—a true “beauty and the beast” pairing.

Today, even their father had donned his best clothes, half of which were woven with gold thread, giving him an air of wealth and nobility. Anyone unaware might have mistaken him for a wealthy lord.

Their mother, by contrast, favored simple yet elegant attire. No matter what she wore, she exuded dignity and grace, and to Ye Kun and Ye Qin, she was always the most beautiful of all.

Ye Kun, though bald, had well-defined features—a source of pride for him. Thank goodness his mother had blessed him with decent looks, and as for his birth father, whom he’d never even seen—that mattered little now.

His stepfather and stepmother treated him even better than if he were their own child—truly, his younger brother had drawn the short straw in comparison.

But today, his younger brother brimmed with confidence, clearly well prepared.

As for himself, Ye Kun only hoped to muddle through without coming last. Coming in dead last would be too embarrassing—he was a man of some dignity, after all.

“Handsome young gentlemen, shall we be off?” Dongmen Meng asked gently, extending her slender hands with a soft smile.

Ye Kun and Ye Qin each took a hand, while Ye Ming was entirely overlooked. He felt as though his two sons had stolen his wife away.

You two scamps, hurry up and grow so you can find wives of your own.

The family of four walked along East Street, which was bustling with children and adults out to enjoy the day, along with visitors from nearby towns. Taixi County was more crowded than ever.

It was the first time the family had gone out together, and even Ye Kun felt a happiness he had not expected.

“It’s so lively today,” Ye Qin exclaimed, gazing at the sea of people. Colorful lanterns hung from the eaves, giving the streets a festive air.

“Little one, Ankang Prefecture is even livelier today,” said a traveling merchant with a friendly smile as he passed.

Ye Qin stopped, curiosity written all over his face. “Where is Ankang Prefecture? Is it bigger than here?”

“Much bigger—at least ten times this size.”

Ye Qin’s mouth formed a perfect “O.” He already thought Taixi County was big, and hadn’t imagined Ankang Prefecture could be larger still.

The merchant nodded kindly to the couple before taking his leave—a merchant with a fondness for children.

“Mother, what is Ankang Prefecture? Is it really bigger and livelier than here?” Ye Qin asked, looking up.

Dongmen Meng pursed her lips. “Qin Qin, there are many places much larger than Taixi County. When you’re older, you’ll be able to see them for yourself and travel far.”

“Oh. But Mother, will you come with me?”

She smiled softly. “Silly child, your mother can’t follow you forever. Someday you’ll take a wife and have children of your own.”

“I don’t want that. I just want to be with you, Mother.” Ye Qin pouted, clearly unhappy.

Dongmen Meng smiled tenderly, stroking his head. “Silly child, you will always be your mother’s precious one.”