I have a composite mirror

Chapter 75 Easy Entry, Strict Exit

Chapter 75: Easy Entry, Strict Exit (Seeking First Subscription!)

As he said this, he glanced at Chen An and Zhao Xiaoman, seemingly unintentionally.

Chen An's eyelids twitched, and the book in his hand trembled slightly, but he said nothing.

Zhao Xiaoman's smile froze for a moment, and the enthusiasm on her face faded somewhat.

Jia Shouren stood behind Gu Shenyan, listening with a pounding heart.

You haven't passed the exam in three years?

Does that mean I might fail the exam even after three years?

Remembering his father's earnest instructions and complaints when he brought him here, his face turned pale.

"at last."

"During the three-month assessment period, you must live in the tenement."

He pointed to the room behind him: "Junior Sister Han has a special status, so she will be given a room by herself."

"Junior Brother Gu and Junior Brother Jia—you two can share a room in the west wing."

"Alright, that concludes the rules."

He clapped his hands: "You guys go and tidy up first. Stay in the courtyard today and get familiar with the environment."

"Classes will officially begin tomorrow at 5:00 AM."

After saying that, he and Cao Shen nodded to each other and then turned to leave.

Shen Qingyi stood up at this moment and waved to Han Sushuang: "Sister Sushuang, shall I show you the room?"

"Thank you for your help, Sister Qingyi."

Han Sushuang nodded and followed Shen Qingyi toward the east wing.

Cao Wenjing also left in a hurry.

Only Chen An and Zhao Xiaoman remained by the stone table.

Seeing that Chen An beside her remained motionless, Zhao Xiaoman could only smile helplessly: "Junior brothers, shall I take you there?"

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Zhao," Jia Shouren said quickly.

Gu Shenyan also cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Senior Brother."

Zhao Xiaoman waved his hand and led the two towards the west wing.

Chen An sat on the stone bench, looking down at the book in his hands, as if everything around him was irrelevant.

As the autumn wind blew, a few withered yellow locust leaves drifted down onto his shoulder, but he was completely unaware.

Gu Shenyan turned around and glanced at him.

Three years haven't even passed yet—he sighed inwardly.

The water in this large courtyard is probably much deeper than I imagined.

The west wing is located in the northwest corner of the courtyard, separated from the main building by a bamboo grove.

The three of them walked through the shade of the locust trees, past the few dilapidated side rooms, and then saw a gravel path winding its way down.

Several clumps of green bamboo were planted on both sides of the path, which added a touch of tranquility.

"Please don't take offense, my two junior brothers."

Zhao Xiaoman walked ahead, saying as she went:

--------

"This courtyard looks deserted, but Master has actually taken in quite a few disciples over the years."

"Oh?" Jia Shouren was somewhat surprised: "Then why do we only see—"

"Only a few of us were seen?"

Zhao Xiaoman smiled and said with a hint of self-deprecation, "My two junior brothers don't know this, but Master has always been lenient in accepting disciples but strict in graduating them."

"Over the years, I've had at least thirty or forty disciples who have registered with me."

"Most of these people have businesses to manage at home."

"Some are from wealthy merchant families, others are sons of officials; how could they possibly spend all their time in this crowded tenement?"

"They're just there in name only, coming to pay a visit during holidays, and otherwise they're all busy with their own things."

Gu Shenyan nodded secretly.

That makes sense.

Those from wealthy families all have their own paths and may not be willing to waste their time in this impoverished place.

"What about Senior Brother and Senior Sister Shen?" Jia Shouren asked again.

"Senior Brother and Senior Sister Shen?"

Zhao Xiaoman's tone became more respectful: "They are the two disciples that Master values ​​most, and can be considered as his successors."

"Although they are all busy with their own things on weekdays, this time Master specially entrusted them to teach you."

77

"Once your probation period is over, they will most likely leave as well."

"As for me and Senior Brother Chen—"

He scratched his head, a hint of embarrassment on his face: "To be honest, neither of us has many family ties."

"So I decided to live in this tenement and attend classes with them, which would be a way to review what I've learned and learn something new."

"Besides—" his voice lowered, "we don't want to miss the opportunity for the annual major exams."

"Senior Brother Zhao."

Gu Shenyan spoke first, voicing the question that concerned him most: "Senior Brother Song just said that some people have taken the exam for three years without passing—is this exam really that difficult?"

Zhao Xiaoman paused slightly.

He turned around, looked at Gu Shenyan, and his smile faded slightly: "Junior Brother Gu, there are some things I shouldn't have said—"

"But since you've asked, I'll just tell you the truth."

He sighed: "Although Master is lenient in accepting disciples, the status of a nominal disciple is only valid for five years."

"Five years?" Jia Shouren's expression changed.

"good."

Zhao Xiaoman nodded, her tone heavy: "If there are no outstanding achievements within five years—"

"Then your master will expel you from the sect."

"From now on, we have nothing to do with him anymore, and we can no longer even use the title of 'disciple of Lu the Half-Immortal.'"

Jia Shouren's face grew increasingly pale.

Five years—he originally thought that even if he failed the exam, he could slowly persevere and eventually succeed.

Now it seems that this "day of triumph" has a time limit.

"And what about the annual major exam—" Gu Shenyan asked again, "is the number of people who pass fixed?"

"Fixed?" Zhao Xiaoman's expression turned even more bitter: "There's no fixed thing, everything depends on Master's mood."

"Sometimes you might get one or two a year, sometimes—" he shook his head, "and then for several years no one gets a pass."

Jia Shouren was terrified, but Gu Shenyan remained calm, though he secretly made a mental note of it.

This Lu Banxian is truly a difficult person to serve.

The three chatted for a while longer before arriving at the west wing.

This is a row of low houses with blue bricks and gray tiles, and moss growing in the corners of the walls. They look quite old.

Zhao Xiaoman stopped in front of one of the doors and pushed open the creaking wooden door: "We're here. This is where you'll be staying."

Gu Shenyan and Jia Shouren entered the room and looked around.

The house was small, about ten steps square.

The furnishings were very simple, with two wooden beds placed on either side of the wall.

The bed was covered with a thin blanket, which looked old but was clean.

In the center of the room was a large desk, the tabletop of which was already somewhat mottled, and two chairs were placed next to it.

There was nothing else besides that.

The window was half-open, and a cold wind blew in through the cracks, making one feel chilly all over.

"It's peaceful, isn't it?" Jia Shouren couldn't find a better word for it.

Zhao Xiaoman stood at the door, as if remembering something, and added, "By the way, you need to get the materials for drawing talismans from the warehouse yourself; the monthly quota is fixed."

"Quota?" Gu Shenyan turned around.

"Hmm." Zhao Xiaoman nodded: "Spirit yellow paper, spirit sand, wolf hair brush—these are the materials for drawing talismans, and Master provides them every month."

"The quantity is enough to complete the talisman drawing task; any more would be limited."

If you feel it's not enough—

His words carried a hint of helplessness from someone who had been through it all: "Then you'll just have to figure it out yourselves."

,,