Wang Anfeng had just thought about the exposure of his identity, and when he heard the five words "Demi Immortal Yi Nanping," his footsteps instinctively paused for a moment.
The sounds of shoving from the crowd came from behind, complete with a cacophony of noise, which was soon suppressed by a rather gentle voice.
The Scholar encircled in the middle took two steps forward, lifted the scroll slightly, avoiding the hands that reached for the scroll, and gazing at the line of inked characters, he raised his voice a bit, so the surrounding people could hear clearly, he said,
"Great Qin Constellation Ranking List, ninety-eighth, Demi Immortal Yi Nanping."
"Accustomed to wearing dark robes, his face concealed with a Bi'an mask, without a sword in his hand, only a green bamboo staff."
"He punishes those beyond the reach of the law, kills those whom Heaven and Earth have not killed, his swordsmanship chases souls and snatches lives, and his Qinggong is especially superb, having killed corrupt officials within the county city and then departing with large strides, within two months, he tread upon the Eighteen Connected Forts, leaving no bandits alive, no civilians harmed, and no silver coins taken."
"This is the demeanor of an ancient Ranger."
"In his mountain-striding and fortress-breaking, all those slain were struck dead with a single sword stroke, yet beneath his sword lay no masters, and he himself has been wounded twice, his cultivation at most between the Ninth Grade and slightly below the Eighth Rank, he should have been listed among the Zhou Tian Stars, within the top three hundred, but he keeps killing corrupt officials, and with the valor of Great Qin's iron soldiers, it's difficult to capture his trail, hence he's listed on the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends List, at the ninety-eighth position of the Zhou Tian Stars."
"The sixth Scholar of the diversified schools sighed and said, 'People all seek immortality and avoid calamities, only the lone Ranger Demi Immortal, who does not hesitate to risk his life.'
"Thus, he is called Demi Immortal."
"Having forgotten immortality, surely his intent cannot be peaceful, holding his sword, he sweeps away the filth of the world, that is Demi Immortal Yi Nanping."
As the words fell, all fell silent.
The graceful Scholar closed the scroll with a sigh, saying,
"What a phrase, the lone Ranger Demi Immortal, what a figure, Demi Immortal Yi Nanping."
Wang Anfeng, listening from the front, felt his ears burning, almost overwhelmed by an urge to cover his face and flee.
The Great Qin Constellation Ranking List was starkly different from the Fledgling Phoenix Banquet of Wangxian County.
The Fledgling Phoenix Banquet only involved the territory of Wangxian County, and most of those who entered were offspring of Noble Clans, below the age of fifteen, and had not yet made a name for themselves.
Therefore, it was called the Fledgling Phoenix—the first cry of the phoenix upon breaking through the shell.
But the Great Qin Constellation Ranking List involved all seventy-two counties of Great Qin, not distinguishing by level of cultivation but only by martial achievements.
The list contained three hundred and sixty-five names, reflecting the number of Zhou Tian Stars.
The first thirty-six were the elite, named Heavenly Gang, the following seventy-two, less prominent in their martial bodies, yet decisive in killing, were called Earthly Fiend, in charge of the star of ominous slaughter, although the rest were somewhat inferior, they were still beyond the comparison of ordinary Martial Artists, listed among the Zhou Tian Stars.
For one to be listed, another must be removed, either squeezed out by newcomers or reaching the age of twenty and donning a headpiece or breaking through to above the Sixth Rank of cultivation, able to move through the void with ease and their gestures accompanied by all sorts of phenomena; although not reaching the level of Demi Immortals, they already have a reputation in Jianghu as powerful and well-known rangers.
He had not even reached the Ninth Rank, how could he be listed?
Moreover, on the Terrestrial Fiend List.
The continuous exclamations of admiration from the youngsters behind him made his face burn with embarrassment, and though he didn't wish to cause trouble, he couldn't bear the inexplicable feeling of mortification in his heart, he hesitated for a moment, then turned around and with a clasped fist said,
"Gentlemen, excuse the disturbance... This Yi Nanping, he's just a Martial Artist who killed officials, why such adulation?"
His voice was calm, but it was like a thunderclap in clear skies, abruptly quieting the conversation in the room. The lead Confucian Scholar looked at him but wasn't annoyed, only smiling and saying,
"This young brother here must have just arrived and is not aware of the details."
"If you knew the whole story, you would most likely feel as we do."
He then chuckled lightly, pointing to the scroll in his hand, "Besides, this is written and judged by various Masters from the Heavenly Capital, Demi Immortal Yi Nanping truly lives up to his name."
Wang Anfeng was at a loss for words for a moment, but a young girl wearing a lotus-colored skirt had already given him a piercing look and said, "How could someone like you understand the spirit and courage of a ranger?"
"Bearing the sword for justice, risking one's own life, only a true ranger is the dragon among people, deserving of our aspiration."
Admiration appeared on the young girl's face, but beside her, a Scholar with a somewhat dull look suddenly spoke up, shaking his head repeatedly and saying,
"The ancestor Han Feizi made it very clear in 'Five Parasites,' rangers committing crimes with martial power are pests... they are not to be admired at all."
Caught off guard, the girl's face fiercely blushed with anger. She stamped her foot hard; a silver bell tied to the falling strap of her attire tingled with her movements, embodying the charm of a young maiden. But this charming girl glared fiercely at the clueless scholar as if she were an infuriated kitten ready to pounce and bite ferociously at any moment.
The scholar, oblivious, continued droning on:
"You and I are both disciples of the Legalist school, we have both diligently studied at the academy for years, not for you to dash out and play the Ranger, you know,"
"It would cause our teachers and masters such headaches. Your parents paid large money for you to study and practice martial arts at the academy, not for you to run off impetuously after hearing some news, you know?"
"You could be kidnapped and forced to become a bandit's wife, you know?"
"As Legalist disciples, we should not forget our original intentions."
His voice briefly paused, and the scholar's eyes slightly lit up as he said in a heavier tone,
"So that the people of Great Qin do not fall into destitution and become Rangers."
The last sentence completely enraged the girl, who then fiercely stomped on the scholar's foot and seized him by the hand, but Wang Anfeng was conflicted inside.
One shouldn't fall to become a Ranger.
If there were no villains or scoundrels in the world, who would need Rangers?
Those who use martial arts to break the law are wanted by all under heaven.
Indeed, it's a fall...
The youth exhaled softly and turned to the somewhat simple-minded scholar, now dodging the girl's punches, and said with a complicated smile, "It's a long road laden with heavy responsibilities..."
The scholar looked slightly startled and hesitantly replied,
"Can a man of honor lack great perseverance?"
The girl grew even more furious, grabbing the collar of the scholar's clothing, gritting her teeth as she said,
"'Can a man of honor lack great perseverance?'"
"Are you reciting a book? Idiot!"
The scholar, still uncomprehending, frowned slightly,
"As your elder in our mentor's lineage, you should address me as senior brother, you know..."
Before he could finish, his face was already being slapped by the girl's palm. The girl stomped her foot and turned away fuming, leaving the quarreling pair as other young men and women nearby only observed as if from the sidelines, their lips holding a compassionate and odd smile reminiscent of an affectionate elderly father.
Watching the naive young scholar, they hesitated for a moment before quickly following.
The leading scholarly gentleman shook his head helplessly, muttered a few words under his breath, and then turned toward Wang Anfeng, smiling as he said,
"I am Gu Jianzhang. May I know the reason for your visit to our Fufeng Academy, young sir?"
His gaze fell upon the guqin carried behind Wang Anfeng, pausing for a moment before showing a look of realization,
"Each year in the seventh month of autumn, the academy enrolls students, and there are still three months left from this day."
"Are you here to find someone? I have quite a few friends at the academy, maybe I can help you with that."
Wang Anfeng shook his head and smiled,
"No... I love books and have long admired the abundant collection at Fufeng, so I have come."
"Wishing to be a guardian of the collection."
PS: Finally reached the destination.