Chapter 1043: Cold Humor

"Come on, we’ve been buddies for a while now, can’t you comfort me a bit?" Tang Bufan looked at Fen Qianji pitifully, with a hopeful expression.

"Alright, let me comfort you a bit. They’re indeed a bit stronger than you, but it’s not like you don’t have any chance at all. At worst, just give this opportunity to them, there’s always the next time. If next time doesn’t work, there’s the time after that, and if that still doesn’t work, there’s a time after the time after that." Fen Qianji patted Tang Bufan’s shoulder and spoke earnestly.

"Big brother, Long Yan Academy has an age limit for admission. If I miss this chance, there will be no next time, or the time after that." Tang Bufan wiped his forehead. Was this supposed to be comforting? Why did it sound more like a blow?

"No next time? Well, even if you don’t join Long Yan Academy, you can still join other academies." Fen Qianji thought for a moment and said.

"I’ve tried the other academies already; they’ve all turned me away. Going again would just have the same result." Tang Bufan said in distress.

He knew his situation well. He never really expected to be selected by Long Yan Academy, so he had already participated in the selections for the other three major academies, and after failing each one, he chose Long Yan Academy as a last resort. If he failed this time too, he’d have no chance left at all.

"In that case, you could still try the academies in other countries." Fen Qianji said after thinking seriously.

"Big brother, even though other academies accept disciples from our Anyun Country, their admission requirements are higher. Since I can’t even get into my own country’s academies, do you think they’d want me?" Tang Bufan said gloomily.

"Then, maybe just don’t join any academy at all. Travel the world and cultivate on your own." Fen Qianji thought even more seriously.

"With my aptitude, unless there’s a massive stroke of luck, self-cultivation doesn’t have much of a future. I might as well stay in the Capital, settle down, and raise a family." Tang Bufan’s expression was utterly dejected. How did this supposed comforting conversation make him feel even worse?

Listening to Tang Bufan, Mu Hanyan felt a deep sympathy. Indeed, in his past life, Tang Bufan chose the path of self-cultivation after being repeatedly discouraged. Meeting Mu Hanyan could be considered lucky, but it still led to a future with not much prospect, his greatest achievement being only a Sword Master.

"That’s a good idea. I noticed the girl next door, Cuihua, seems to like you quite a bit. She has wide hips and can bear sons. Marry her, have a son, and have him join Long Yan Academy in the future, that would fulfill your wish." Fen Qianji’s eyes lit up, and he patted his head as he said.

"Uh..." Tang Bufan stared blankly at Fen Qianji, suddenly feeling like crying.

"What’s wrong?" Fen Qianji looked at Tang Bufan in confusion.

"Nothing, nothing. Just don’t say anything anymore, don’t comfort me, I want to be alone." Tang Bufan waved his hand, looking dejected.

"Who’s Alonene? I was wondering why you weren’t interested in Cuihua; turns out you’re thinking about someone named Alonene." Fen Qianji pretended to have an epiphany.

"..." Tang Bufan had a dumbfounded expression, speechless for a long time.

"Pfft!" Mu Hanyan almost burst out laughing.

The Fen Qianji in front of them, was he really that unsmiling, icy-hearted Fen Qianji? He actually learned how to comfort people, though this comfort sounded much more like a blow, and it was filled with a cold sense of humor.

Indeed, just like the company you keep, having met Tang Bufan before meeting Mu Hanyan had led to such a change in him.

"Young Master Mu, it’s you!" Hearing the laughter, Tang Bufan finally noticed Mu Hanyan in the crowd and exclaimed with delight.

He wasn’t angry at all. After hearing Fen Qianji’s supposed comforting words, which could demoralize a person to death, if the person being comforted wasn’t himself, he would’ve found it funny too.

"Are you almost healed from your injuries?" Although Tang Bufan didn’t take Fen Qianji’s blows to heart, Mu Hanyan still didn’t have the heart to rub salt in the wound, so he put away his smile and asked.

"Thanks for your concern, Young Master Mu, I’m fully recovered." Tang Bufan nodded, then curiously asked, "By the way, why are you here?"

When he asked, his gaze instinctively turned towards a shaded area behind the square, which was specially arranged for Anyun Country’s various aristocratic families and nobles to observe the ceremony. It included not only the Capital’s families but also the lords of various county cities.

Though it was merely an academy recruitment session and not some grand competition ceremony, these noble families’ status was different, and they certainly couldn’t be made to squeeze in with the common people. The hierarchical distinctions of Holy Court Continent were evident.

With Mu Hanyan’s status, he could undoubtedly go to the viewing area and didn’t need to squeeze with the crowd.

"Holy Court Academy’s admissions focus on aptitude and strength, not background or status. It’s the same no matter where you are. I’ve always despised those noble family children who think they’re something just because they have a bit of family influence and flaunt it everywhere. So, I’m not interested in associating with them." Mu Hanyan said calmly.

"Young Master Mu’s broad-mindedness is truly admirable." Seeing Mu Hanyan’s calm demeanor, Tang Bufan felt a respect arise in him.

Beside them, Huayue and the others were dripping with sweat.

The sun was a bit fierce today, and with Lady Mu’s delicate constitution and lazy playboy demeanor, she had no interest in squeezing into the crowd to sunbathe and actually went to the viewing area early on.

But seated nearby were many spoiled rich kids from the Eight Great Families, many of whom had past grievances with Mu Hanyan. Upon seeing her, they were as if facing a great enemy, keeping their eyes forward and arms behind their backs. She was known in the Capital as the fragile "Jade Baby"; if she were to accidentally get hurt next to them, it would be indefensible.

Mu Hanyan found such a stance laughable and pitiful, and finding it dull, she voluntarily kept her distance from them, out of sight, out of mind. Otherwise, any slight movement, even to take a sip of tea, would attract numerous watchful eyes, which was quite unnerving.

For instance, just now, she was merely feeling a bit itchy on her face and wanted to scratch it. Unexpectedly, as soon as she raised her hand, several individuals nearby who were closest to her jumped up as if they’d been stepped on the tail, bringing their arms behind their backs and looking at Mu Hanyan like they were ready to face a major calamity. This left Mu Hanyan’s hand mid-air, unsure whether to scratch or not. Paranoia is an illness, and it needs treatment. But she’s no doctor and can’t treat it.

Huayue and the others exchanged glances, having long known their master’s shamelessness, but their master continued to break new ground, teaching them one truth: there’s no most shameless, only more shameless, and with such a bold straightforwardness in their shamelessness. Such mental fortitude is indeed the best under heaven!

"You’re too kind, too kind." Even with Lady Mu’s thick skin, Tang Bufan’s praise made her feel a bit shy, so she replied modestly.

Huayue and the others, hearing this, felt goosebumps all over their bodies even under the blazing sun.