Chapter 27 Abyss

Aside from the required courses, there were elective subjects such as Military Studies, Astronomy, and Herbal Medicine. Unfortunately, Medical Studies, in which Li Ang specialized, were not offered. All Academic Palace Disciples needed to complete all required courses and some elective courses, as well as participate in extracurricular activities, to earn enough credits for graduation.

As for the so-called extracurricular activities...

Li Ang's expression became quite interesting as he looked at the introduction in the book. The people of Yu Country were simple and robust, with a chivalrous spirit inherited from the Han Dynasty. In rural areas, private duels or small-scale brawls often erupted over trifles. The extracurricular activities of the Academic Palace also had a simple and robust style, generally including the following:

First, joining the military to help eliminate bandits and suppress barbarians at the borders who defied the rule of Wang Hua.

Second, collaborating with the garrison to track down demon traces across Yu Country and fight on the front lines against Evil.

Third, exploring the ruins of Cultivation Sects that had been destroyed during the chaos at the end of the Late Sui period, destroying traps and searching for valuable books and tools.

Fourth, following an Academic Palace Professor to participate in research projects.

The first three options seemed quite fierce, but the fourth was no less so. The projects of Academic Palace Professors could sometimes involve managing water disasters, building bridges, improving agricultural tools, or dealing with locust plagues. Sometimes, these projects could also involve field studies in the Ten Thousand Desolate Mountains, capturing rare and highly dangerous demon beasts.

The graduation time for Academic Palace Disciples ranged from five to fifteen years. Some completed all courses within five years, while others chose to delay graduation and stay longer at the Academic Palace. A thirst for knowledge, a desire to explore the unknown, and a hatred for Evil would keep them there for a lifetime. Another group would choose to serve as officials after graduation, entering the ruling class of Yu Country. Consequently, their Cultivation would stagnate due to various distractions, leaving them at the Cloud Patrol Realm or even the Rain Listening Realm.

"No wonder everyone says the Academic Palace is the biggest and highest peak in Yu Country. It has produced over a dozen Prime Ministers, more than seventy Generals, and hundreds of governors of State Mansions. The departments of civil affairs, revenue, rites, military, justice, and public works, along with the Six Ministries of the Ministry of Supervision, all have Academic Palace Disciples and their students. Nearly half of the Chang'an Court has intricate ties with the Academic Palace. Even Princes and Princesses must study there. Ordinary members of the Imperial Family and descendants of Ministers don't even have the privilege of guaranteed admission; they all must take entrance exams according to the rules."

Li Ang shook his head. It's practically the Emperor and the Academic Palace ruling the land together. This thought, of course, wasn't in Pu Liuxuan's writings but was Li Ang's own reflection.

Despite the vast potential influence the Academic Palace held in Yu Country, successive Academic Palace Masters rarely meddled in political affairs or set foot in the court. Even a century ago, when the Holy Empress of the Wu cognomen, while acting as Empress Dowager presiding over the court, grew ambitious and proclaimed herself Emperor, the Academic Palace Master at the time forbade Professors and Disciples from taking any stance. Not interfering with or inquiring into the politics of Yu Country, only accepting resources and teaching students—this was the Academic Palace's principle of conduct.

Similarly, Academic Palace Disciples were not allowed to disrupt the normal operation of Yu Country's administrative system in the name of the Academic Palace. Serious violators would even be expelled and have their Cultivation foundation destroyed.

Disrupt, not interfere.

Since unpredictable horrors like demons, Demons, Aliens, and the bizarre lurked beneath the surface of a prosperous era, a very small number of Academic Palace Professors and Disciples could receive special authorizations for external action. For example, they could commandeer government troops and private fleets; requisition residences, food, and property; deploy garrison forces; and even execute individuals who might interfere with the elimination of demons, Demons, Aliens, and the bizarre.

"First execute, then report"—the Academic Palace had granted this exceptional privilege.

The one who held such power was the Academic Palace Patrol. They patrolled the realm on behalf of the Academic Palace and the Emperor.

"Senior Brother Cheng wields such great power?" Li Ang smacked his lips in surprise, sensing that Cheng Juxiu had other secret missions.

Patrolling all under Heaven, tsk.

With a sense of awe, Li Ang continued to turn the pages and came upon specific explanations for demons, Demons, Aliens, and the bizarre.

Upon this page, Pu Liuxuan's writing tone suddenly became grave.

Evil is the eternal enemy of the Academic Palace and Yu Country. Unlike the Zhou Kingdom and other nations that entrusted all supernatural security to the Haotian Taoist Sect, the common people of Yu Country could only rely on the Academic Palace, the garrison, and the government troops of each State Mansion.

"The Academic Palace collects information about various forms of Evil and compiles them into records. Some overly strange and indomitable Evil entities cannot be eliminated, so they must be confined.

The record format is: Demon—One—One Zero Two·Dream Eater.

The first item is the category, the second is the danger level (from one to five, smaller numbers indicating greater danger), the third is the specific code, and the fourth is the name. Sometimes, the time and place of discovery, as well as the discoverer, are noted after the name.

Some types of Evil are similar and can be grouped, such as the 'common' Corpse Ghosts and Water Ghosts. However, some forms of Evil are unique, with only one sighting in history; these are listed separately and are usually extremely dangerous. If you encounter one, run."

Li Ang silently read the text: "The closer you get to the path of Cultivation, the more you attract the scrutiny of Evil Demons. Before gaining sufficient strength, do not be overly curious; do not blindly explore. Sometimes, when facing these Aliens, death is merely the kindest outcome."

He paused, looked up at the dim candlelight, and casually turned up the wick of the oil lamp. Then he noticed Chai Cuiqiao had fallen asleep at some point, her head resting on the table, mouth slightly open, snoring softly.

When you stare into the abyss, does the abyss stare back at you...

Li Ang shook his head, closed the book, stood up, and walked over to gently pat Chai Cuiqiao on the shoulder.

"Mmph... Young Master, you can't steal my candy..." Chai Cuiqiao mumbled and whimpered in her sleep as her shoulder was patted, sounding as if she felt deeply wronged.

"Who's trying to steal your candy?" Li Ang frowned, patting Chai Cuiqiao's shoulder again. "Wake up, wake up, you lazybones. Go to bed."

"Hmm?" Chai Cuiqiao yawned, slurping back some drool. She straightened up and rubbed her sleepy eyes. "Young Master, have you finished reading? I'll go get some water to wash up."

"You sit here for a bit; I'll go. Tch, seriously, who's taking care of whom here?" Li Ang muttered, complaining as he brought over a basin, a towel, a toothbrush made of horsehair, and tooth powder made from Poria, Green Rock, soapnut, and lotus leaf.

Just as master and servant were about to wash up and return to the second floor to sleep,

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!

The door to the Security Hall was suddenly struck, and a young, anxious female voice called out from outside, "Doctor Li, are you home, Doctor Li?"