The Stars Beyond

Chapter 8: A Small Gathering

Chapter 8: A Small Gathering

Professor Lin stared long at the woman in his photo. He was reminiscing about something in the past. Qin Cheng could tell that she meant a lot to him, and she still had a place in his heart.

The old man sure is something. Wang Xuan thought. They barely knew anything about him. His exploits in the tombs of the Early Qin dynasty and his close call with death on two occasions were impressive enough. His close association with a famous star, and a very gorgeous one at that, further cemented the fact that he was not the ordinary person he seemed to be.

And these were just the tip of the iceberg that was the life of Professor Lin.

“Don’t be sad, professor. You can’t change the past.” Qin Cheng was the one who broke the silence.

Professor Lin shook his head in response, “What are you on about? I’m just feeling sentimental today, that’s all. Besides, I'm simply admiring the photo.”

His words sounded awfully familiar to Qin Cheng. He had said the same thing about Zhao Qinghan as well. “Yup. I can understand that.” he gave the professor an understanding look.

“That woman...” Wang Xuan spoke up, “She looks like Zhao Qinghan.”

“Wait a minute...” Qin Cheng stared intently at the photo, “It does look like her!”

“Well, well, well, Professor...” he sighed. There was a near comical expression on his face, “It seems that we share the same beauty standards.”

This earned him a knock on the head by Professor Lin, “She’s her grandma.”

Qin Cheng’s expression grew even more comical. That’s the grandma of my idol?!

Realization dawned upon Wang Xuan. He finally understood why Zhao Qinghan appeared in front of Professor Lin’s abode. They knew each other. Meeting the granddaughter of his old flame had probably triggered his long buried sentiments.

So that’s why he’s been staring at the photo. He’s going to ask for a favor from her! Wang Xuan could tell what the professor had in mind. But he refused to allow his own troubles to disrupt the peace of mind that the old man had tried so hard to keep.

“You don’t have to worry about me, Professor Lin. I’ll solve my problems on my own. I think I have a way.” he said, much to the professor’s surprise. Never had he thought that his intention would be telegraphed to his student just like that with that tiny gesture. The boy’s perceptive. He thought, He’s suitable to walk down the path of the Old Arts.

“The ancients fought against beasts and even fate with nothing but their own flesh and blood. They dared to dream of immortality even without the technological prowess we possess now. How am I supposed to follow in their footsteps if I can’t even solve this problem on my own?”

Wang Xuan was a person who knew gratitude. He was genuinely worried for his mentor. He did not wish for old wounds to be opened for his sake.

“Very well. I’ll leave it to you.” Professor Lin smiled. He was at the end of the road, but the young man before him still had a long way to go. He did not wish to see his journey ending prematurely, to have the ember in his heart snuffed out before it could become a blaze.

They spent the whole night in discussion about the Old Arts. Wang Xuan was captivated by the records found in the Early Qin tombs. He understood that he would eventually run into a bottleneck if he focused on meditation, chi gathering, and inner cultivation alone. They were extraordinary by ordinary standards, but it was incomplete without a core technique.

But the more Wang Xuan studied the content of the scrolls, the more confused he grew. The records became hazy. Is this even viable? He began to doubt himself. There were mentions about a realm of desolation, and some form of black earth. The more he read the more the words grew unfamiliar to him.

“Professor Lin,” he asked, “What do these texts even mean?”

“Read up about the different schools of thoughts in the old era. Taoism and Buddhism would be a good start. They should be able to help with the terminology from the Early Qin dynasty.” the old man explained, “This seems to have something to do with the ‘Chart of the Inner Landscape of the Yellow Court’ .”

“Languages used during that era are too different from ours. You need some books as reference. ‘Baopuzi' authored by Cao Hong and Chen Tuan’s ‘Wujitu’ might be able to help.”

Wang Xuan nodded at his mentor, “I’ll remember it, Professor.”

The conversation continued late into the night. Professor Lin imparted all he knew to Wang Xuan. It was knowledge he obtained through efforts of untold years reading through large numbers of scrolls and ancient texts. Wang Xuan learned a lot from the conversation, but he also knew that he still had much to learn from the texts left behind by the Old Era.

Qin Cheng who was also listening intently to Professor Lin was gaping the whole time. He simply could not comprehend the sheer effort required for those who wished to walk down the path of the Old Arts.

......

The next morning saw changes to Wang Xuan’s routine. He started practicing his chi gathering and inner cultivation based on the Early Qin texts, and his efforts did not go unrewarded. His metabolism became faster than before.

He could feel the change as he sweated under the morning light. It was as if more and more impurities were being expelled by his body. The feeling was something he had never before felt in his life. His body was fresh and filled with vigor. He could feel a strong energy within his being, ready to be unleashed when the moment came.

“I’m going to the New World!” he reminded himself with a firm voice. And to achieve that, he knew he had to grow even stronger.

“Wang Xuan!” someone shouted his name.

It was Zhou Kun. The handsome man still had a depressed aura around him. But there was something different about him: A genuine smile on his face.

“I knew it! You’re still here. I see that you’re still practicing the Old Arts.”

“Listen to me, the Old Arts...” he said with a voice that only both of them could hear, “They found something new on Terra Nova, and they’ve given up on the Old Arts.”

It was information that Wang Xuan already knew, but he felt nothing but gratitude for the small gesture. “I’m moving out in two days, but I’ll still be in the city. I’m reporting to my new job in five days.”

“I wish you the best of luck.” Zhou Kun sighed, “I hope we can meet again.”

“By the way, there’s a gathering tonight. Would you like to go?”

It was a gathering held for those who would be leaving for Terra Nova in the next four days. They would then go their separate ways. As classmates who spent the last few years together, they wanted to see each other for the last time.

“It’s just a simple gathering.” Zhou Kun stated, “In celebration of four years of friendship. We wanted to commemorate the simplest and purest period of our lives. Once we head into society, we’re in for all sorts of trouble.”

Wang Xuan remained silent. He did not mind such sentiments. The only thing in his mind was to avoid trouble, and not to cause any trouble for those around him.

“Just go. The person you want to meet the most will be there.” Zhou Kun wanted to have a final farewell with Wang Xuan.

But he remained silent. He knew that the transfer student had misunderstood his intention. Meeting his ex-girlfriend would cause more trouble than good.

“Those that didn’t make the selection and those who are still waiting for the results will still be here,” said Wang Xuan.

“I know, but some of them wanted to see you there.”

The students have formed a close bond with each other, but Wang Xuan knew deep down that there would be sentiments between those that were chosen to go to the New World and those destined to stay.

“Very well then.” Wang Xuan nodded.

He received a call from Qin Cheng right when Zhou Kun left, “Hey, they’re having a gathering tonight and I was invited. Are you going? I don’t feel like going to be honest. I’m not going to Terra Nova. I’ll be headed to Luna Nova.”

“What are you hesitating for? You’ll be looking down on them every waking hour from now on.” Wang Xuan responded,

“Fine! I’m going!” Qin Cheng shouted, “I was just worried that you won’t show up!”