Chapter 116: The Gaze of the Fifth Prince

The message from Second Senior Brother Ming Chen was that the detailed regulations and the specific guest list would take a few more days to finalize. Wasn’t this leaving Zhang Ning no choice but to sharpen his skills at the last moment? Moreover, judging by the tone between Senior Brother and Han Zun, it seemed that Zhang Ning only needed to show up and kowtow; even if something went wrong, no one would dare complain.

Well, that wasn’t such a bad thing…

But was he really going to have to endure this anxious state for an entire month? Wouldn’t losing his composure be a laughingstock?

So Zhang Ning asked Han Zun, “What do you do when you have free time?”

Without hesitation, Han Zun replied, “Cultivate! Of course, when I’m free, I cultivate!”

Zhang Ning continued, “Then what do you do when you’re not cultivating?”

“Listen to the Master’s lectures,” Han Zun answered solemnly.

However, noticing Zhang Ning’s admiring expression, he chuckled, “Your idea of entertainment? I can—how do you say it in Chinese? Play the flute? I can play the flute.” Zhang Ning’s cheeks flushed deeper.

Han Zun teased, “If you want to relax, I can play the flute for you.”

Zhang Ning’s face reddened even more. He quickly buried his face in his arm and stammered, “N-no, that’s not necessary! Maybe some other time… I mean… let’s just cultivate!”

Han Zun agreed without objection.

In truth, cultivation was indeed a good way to pass the time. Zhang Ning had sparred with Chen Zili in this world, and at several critical moments, he used the unique agile footwork of the Xuanming Palace—taught by Han Zun—to get out of trouble. Zhang Ning had even dubbed one move “Flash Step.” But later, thinking it improper to use a gaming term for a footwork style that touched upon the true essence of the Dao with such low cultivation, he asked Han Zun the actual name. Han Zun told him it was called “Oar Butterfly Flash.” Zhang Ning thought… knowing that was worse than ignorance—maybe the translation was off? It sounded too delicate; “Flash Step” was much more appealing.

In any case, when it came to martial arts communication with Han Zun, Zhang Ning was no longer an empty vessel.

After their sparring, exhausted, they soaked in the bath together—during which Han Zun enthusiastically praised the luxurious bathing pools of the Xuanming Palace—then had lunch and even took a nap. Yet Zhang Ning despairingly realized that they had only whiled away the entire morning. What about the afternoon? The senior brothers all seemed busy. How about… a stroll?

So that day, Zhang Ning finally calmed his mind and strolled through the Great Freedom Demon Sect with Han Zun. Previously, he had only glanced around with specific purposes, but this time he intended to truly appreciate it.

If there was one place Zhang Ning most wanted to visit, it was the Hall of Inquiry. The name was poetic, and legends abounded. It was said that Master Chu Hanyu had once renamed it to tease others, but in fact, it was the sect’s academy, responsible for instructing lower-ranking disciples and exploring advanced martial arts theory. Almost no one within the Great Freedom Demon Sect dared to interfere with the Hall of Inquiry—it was a sacred place for focused cultivation.

Zhang Ning was aware of his own level, so he casually picked a classroom in the area for new disciples and peeked inside through a rear window made of glass—Master Senior Brother, you’re ruthless!

Inside, besides a teacher giving a normal lesson and students listening attentively, Zhang Ning noticed one “bad student.” He was turned toward the window, legs crossed, head resting on folded hands, casually chewing on a blade of grass he had plucked from somewhere, exuding utter indifference. It was as if the lessons others took seriously were far too simple and unworthy of his attention.

Though this student seemed to be wasting the sect’s excellent educational resources, Zhang Ning, rather than being angry as a prince, felt nostalgic. Wasn’t Water Blue Star just the same? Every class should have some inattentive students! Only the circumstances differed—these disciples were learning knowledge that would determine their future ascension and survival, so everyone gave their all.

Having passed by a dozen classrooms, Zhang Ning had only seen this one inattentive student. Suddenly, that “bad student” seemed to sense someone watching him. When he turned and locked eyes with Zhang Ning, who was still peeking, he was startled and lost his balance, falling with a loud thud onto the floor.

Zhang Ning was momentarily stunned. No wonder… it was someone familiar—Lin Feng.

Lin Feng’s fall successfully stole the spotlight. Both the teacher and the other students turned their attention to him, and murmurs began. Lin Feng quickly got up and was astonished to see Zhang Ning. Everyone then glanced toward Zhang Ning’s position and were all taken aback. They stood up in unison and saluted, their voices perfectly synchronized as if rehearsed: “Greetings, Fifth Prince!”

The displaced teacher also approached cautiously, bowing even deeper than the students and respectfully greeting, “Fifth Prince!”

Zhang Ning had anticipated this scene and calmly said, “Yes, everyone carry on.”

What identity did Zhang Ning hold? To ordinary disciples of the Great Freedom Demon Sect, he was as lofty as the distant clouds and moon! His sudden appearance before these students, who might not even qualify to be his subordinates in the future, left them bewildered. Although they returned to their seats hesitantly, their eyes never left Zhang Ning. The teacher, even before returning to the podium, kept bowing in Zhang Ning’s direction. Once on stage, he still looked toward where Zhang Ning sat.

Zhang Ning knew the teacher was waiting for his next move, probably hoping he was merely passing through. Being so understanding, how could Zhang Ning disappoint him? He strode over to the only empty seat—Lin Feng’s—and sat down without ceremony. He told Lin Feng bluntly, “Since you won’t sit properly, this seat belongs to me now.”

Lin Feng hurriedly spat out the grass and declared solemnly, “This place rightfully belongs to Your Highness!” Then, quickly pulling the other students seated near Zhang Ning, he cleared the desks and chairs to give Zhang Ning more space. He stood a little behind him.

Chen Baishu, Luo Suiyuan, Yin Hongling, and others who always gathered around Lin Feng exchanged glances and naturally stood by his side. As they shifted, several other disciples familiar to Zhang Ning, though less memorable than Lin Feng’s circle, also stood behind Lin Feng. Even those seated behind Zhang Ning dared not sit while staring at his back; they stood as well. From a distance, it appeared as if the prince had suddenly arrived with a row of bodyguards behind him.

Years later, students who attended that class would recall this moment as if witnessing a scene from the future unfolding ahead of time.