Martial Cultivator

Deep into the night, the Dean inexplicably woke up in the middle of the night. This dean, the leader of scholars under the heavens, was not actually not considered a diligent cultivator. Back when he was studying at the academy and was fortunate enough to be accepted as a disciple by the previous dean, he often skipped classes. Yet, he was an exceptionally gifted individual; well-versed in the teachings of sages and the various schools of thought. Despite the previous dean’s numerous attempts to impart the profound understanding that there was no limit in the world, and that there was always someone better, this young scholar would always manage to deflect those efforts with a cheeky smile.

After a few such attempts, the previous dean stopped worrying about it. He did not care whether this young man attended classes or not.

When the previous dean passed away, and the current Dean assumed the position, there was no one to supervise him anymore. Consequently, he became even more carefree in his actions. While he would occasionally still study, the Dean really did not take cultivation seriously. While most cultivators in the world would meditate and cultivate during the night, he would sleep peacefully like an ordinary person. Over the years, there had been no change in his routine.

However, tonight, he woke up when the night was still deep. When he tried to go back to sleep, he felt restless and could not shut his eyes anymore.

After a moment of silence, the Dean grabbed a handful of roasted soybeans from the bedside, and slowly got up. He left his residence, and strolled through the academy. Every few steps, the Dean would toss a roasted soybean into his mouth. Unconsciously, he arrived at the shore of the South Lake.

The Divine Capital had already entered winter. A heavy blizzard had occurred a few days ago, and now the academy was covered in a blanket of white. The South Lake had already frozen over.

The moon was exceptionally bright tonight, casting moonlight upon the lake, creating a silver sheen on the frozen surface.

The Dean gave it an additional look with interest. Since becoming the dean of the academy, he had practically never left this academy. Whether it was spring, summer, autumn, or winter, through spring rains and summer heat, autumn leaves falling, or heavy snowfall, he had witnessed it all.

Having seen so many scenes repeatedly year after year, over countless years, an ordinary person might find it monotonous. But for the dean, it was not the case.

He seemed to have a new perspective every time he looked at these sceneries.

The mortal realm was often wearisome, but not for the Dean.

He had not even grown tired of the entire academy, so naturally, the entire Divine Capital, the entire Great Liang, would not bore him either.

Standing by the lake for a moment, the Dean reached out and caught some falling snowflakes, inexplicably recalling many years ago when he also stood at this lakeside in the middle of the night, watching the snow. There was a young man preparing to head north who bade him farewell here.

At that time, the Dean took the initiative to ask him, ”Learning the sword, naturally allows you to kill more demons, but is there any fundamental difference between killing a few more demons and reading a few more books?”

The young man, who still respected him at that time, rubbed his head. He was silent for a while before saying woodenly, ”This disciple doesn’t feel that there’s any difference. It’s just that studying in the academy for another ten or twenty years, this student can’t help but feel more and more annoyed. When reading these sage teachings, this student can’t help but want to pull out the venerated sages who said these things and ask: your scholarly pursuit is naturally impressive, but is it more remarkable than going to kill a few demons?”

The student at that time was naturally. Liu Banbi. Upon hearing this, the Dean could not help but get angry: ”The sages of the past left behind so many teachings, bringing peace to the hearts of countless scholars. This is a great thing that benefits generations. How can it be worthless when you talk about it, you brat?”

Liu Banbi shook his head seriously and said, ”This disciple doesn’t think these sage teachings are worthless. It’s just that Teacher asked me, so I’m asking Teacher in the same way. Even if there is a question with a clear answer, in different times and in the eyes of different people, there would be different answers too.”

The Dean sighed and did not refute it. He just said, ”After killing thousands of demons in the North and achieving inner peace, will you still study books in the future?”

Liu Banbi still did not hide anything and said, ”After reading those histories of cannibalism and humiliation in the historical records, I can no longer read any books. In the future, I only want to kill demons. Dying on the path to killing demons is this student’s final destination.”

After saying this, Liu Banbi suddenly smiled and said, ”On Teacher’s birthday in the future, this student definitely won’t be coming back. If this student is still alive, I’ll send a letter to report to Teacher how many demons I’ve killed this year and what realm I’ve reached. If this student is gone, Teacher shouldn’t be sad either.”

The Dean gave a cold laugh, ”Who would be sad if you died, brat?”

While he said that, but in reality, every birthday afterward, the most anticipated gift for the Dean was the letter sent back from the North by this disciple. Over the years, every time he received a letter from the North, the Dean would read it carefully and then keep the letter well.

Despite saying in his early years that he wanted to emulate his predecessors by taking in 72 disciples, none of the students were casually chosen. Each student was treated as a son or nephew by him.

Liu Banbi’s personality back then was very much like his.

But as time passed, especially when that kid decided to train in the sword and go to the Northern Frontier to kill demons, his temperament changed significantly. He could no longer be called a scholar, but a pure sword cultivator.

The Dean was silent for a moment before saying, ”Brat, I can’t stop you from going to the North to kill demons, and I don’t want to either. But whether is it killing demons or cultivating the sword, can’t you read a few more books and ponder the teachings of the sages when you have free time?”

When he said this, the Dean did not seem to be the leader of the scholars in the world anymore, but just an ordinary elder helplessly advising his son who was talented, but lazy.

Although he likely knew that he would not get the answer he wanted as well.

After contemplating for a long time, Liu Banbi slowly said, ”Teacher, when I reach to the North, I won’t have any leisure time. Practicing the sword and killing demons, where is there time for leisure?”

In the end, it was this student who could not bear to be too explicit about not wanting to read books anymore, giving his teacher some face.

”Liu Banbi, you better really cultivate into a sword immortal, or else don’t blame this old man for looking down on you!”

”Thank you for your auspicious words, Teacher!”

Actually, what ultimately made the Dean displeased to mention Liu Banbi in front of others was not because he stopped studying books and chose to practice the sword. It was not because he insisted on going to the North to kill demons either, and it certainly was not because he eventually became a sword immortal, slapping the Dean’s face. It was because the Dean knew that from that day on, Liu Banbi truly would not read a single book anymore.

He was no longer a scholar.

He was a budding scholar carefully selected by himself out of thousands.

Even today, he still remembers encountering that brat in the rural fields. Back then, the youth stood in front of him, wearing a playful smile, ”May I ask, how does Teacher’s knowledge compare to Mr. Chen’s from the private school?”

At that time, the Dean also said with a smile, ”I just know a bit more than your current teacher, a little more knowledgeable.”

God knows how modest the Dean was back then.

”Liu Banbi...”

The Dean sighed, saying softly, ”If you have the ability, damn well don’t die in the desolate north.”

After saying this, the snowflake in the Dean’s palm just happened to dissipate, turning into melted snow, and rolling down the lakeside.

After a long time, the Dean looked up, looking at the lakeside. A scholar had appeared, similarly unable to sleep in the middle of the night, also strolling over here.

The two exchanged glances, and the Dean tossed a roasted soybean into his mouth without saying a word.

Wei Xu hesitated for a moment, came over, and bowed to his teacher. Then, he asked, ”Teacher, is something on your mind that keeps you from sleeping at night?”

As the only person who had served by the Dean’s side all these years, Wei Xu naturally understood the Dean’s habits. He did not cultivate at night, only slept.

But the Dean who was unshakable by any circumstances when sleeping at night was actually wandering around the lake at this moment. He naturally had something on his mind.

The Dean did not answer this student’s question. Instead, he asked, ”Do you have something on your mind too?”

Wei Xu was silent for a moment and said softly, ”I cannot tell Teacher.”

......