Chapter Thirty-Five: Egret Academy, Black Lotus Altar

"Ah! I've heard of the Egret Academy. It is said to have been founded by a very learned scholar named Duan Wenxuan, located in the Egret River Bend to the northwest of Pei Jun Prefecture. This man invested a great sum to build an academy that spans a hundred li. The tuition is low, so many people come from far and wide, sending their children to board and study the classics."

Captain Ning had indeed heard of it, nodding as he spoke in detail.

"But this academy is a place where righteous energy abides—how could it possibly be connected to the villainous bandits?" Captain Wu shook his head, puzzled.

"Regardless of any connection, we must still pay it a visit," Han Chong mused.

"Leave Yu Tianlong to me. The villain is guilty beyond measure; his crimes are innumerable, and even beheading him would be letting him off lightly! To covet such treasures—his greed knows no bounds!" Captain Wu angrily kicked Yu Tianlong in the stomach.

"Very well, let's split up. Wu, you take Yu Tianlong and the mountain bandits to face justice, while we head to Egret Academy to investigate," Captain Ning concluded. The group nodded in agreement and began to retrace their steps out of the secret cave.

...

The Egret River is the largest migratory bird breeding ground in Yunzou and all four southern provinces of the Great Feng Dynasty, with sweeping floodplains stretching for a thousand li. The Egret Academy sits at its easternmost end, where lush waters and grasses abound and egrets fly year-round in breathtaking beauty. A main road leads directly from Pei Jun Prefecture to the river bend, but Han Chong and his companions had to take a long detour, arriving only after half a day's journey.

The Great Feng is a dynasty that reveres Confucianism and Daoism. Even before entering the cloud-topped archway and the main gate of the three-corridor academy, the sound of students reading aloud could be heard, cleansing the spirit.

An academy administrator, noticing their distinguished attire, hurried forward to greet them.

"I am Zhu Simiao. May I ask what business brings you to Egret Academy?"

"We have come especially to visit Mr. Duan, your esteemed headmaster, on a matter of importance," Captain Ning replied with a gentle smile.

"I see. Please, follow me to the rear garden. Headmaster Duan is currently teaching Confucian lessons to Class C."

"Thank you."

As they entered the covered walkways, every five paces was a couplet, every ten a poem, carved into blue stone, screen walls, and pillars, suffusing the air with scholarly elegance. Occasionally, they encountered students, mostly around twenty years old, discussing poetry and essays with the ease of wild cranes.

In the rear garden, there was no back wall; the stone path led straight to the riverbank. About thirty students were seated cross-legged on yellow-white rush mats near the water's edge. At the head sat a middle-aged scholar, clad in white robes, wearing a black scholar's cap, a three-foot-long beard, and piercing eyes. He held a bamboo scroll in his left hand, his back straight, utterly focused on teaching.

"The Master said: education knows no class. Its virtue lies in making no distinction between nobility and commoners, nor between nations or peoples. Anyone with the heart to learn may enter and be taught..."

Suddenly, sensing something, he looked up into the distance. Noticing Han Chong and his companions' attire, he paused, then set aside his scroll, rising to bid farewell to his students. He walked toward them.

"Guests from afar! What joy! May I ask what guidance you bring?"

---

"Ha, I am Ning Tiancheng, Captain of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, accompanied by colleagues, here to see Headmaster Duan on an important matter."

"Ah, so it is Captain Ning. Please, let us converse in the riverside pavilion," the headmaster responded with calm elegance, inviting them respectfully.

"Excellent! Please," Captain Ning smiled, bowing.

Han Chong's gaze caught the embroidery of ink-wash lotus flowers at the corners and collar of the headmaster's white robe—so lifelike they seemed to attract bees and butterflies. He was momentarily surprised, but showed no sign and followed quietly. The group settled in the hexagonal pavilion deep within the riverbank.

"Captain Ning, what is it you wish to ask? Please, speak freely."

"Ahem! It is thus: today, we learned that within Pei Jun Prefecture, a cult known as the Black Lotus is secretly entrenched, wreaking havoc. One cultist claimed that Egret Academy was their stronghold, so we have come to investigate," Captain Ning said, his gaze sharp, enunciating each word.

This was the plan they discussed en route—Han Chong's idea to rattle the snake from the grass. The aim was to loudly publicize the Black Lotus cult, forcing the adversary to move; otherwise, clues would forever be out of reach.

Yet, upon hearing this, Duan Wenxuan remained composed, betraying no panic.

"Captain Ning, this is pure nonsense. Egret Academy is where Confucian scholars cultivate themselves—how could it have any connection to a cult? It is simply inconceivable. I myself passed the scholar's exam, studied under renowned masters at the Imperial College, and returned home to found the Egret Academy, aiming to benefit my homeland and nurture young scholars. To link cultists with my academy is a slander against scholarship, a madness."

"Ha, Headmaster Duan, do not be angry. We are only following procedure—no other intentions. Though we come from humble backgrounds, we respect scholars greatly."

"Captain Ning, you are too kind. You serve the people; how could I be angry? Please, feel free to tour the academy. I have duties and cannot accompany you further."

"Very well, we shall not trouble you." The group rose and bowed as Duan Wenxuan departed.

...

"So, did anyone notice anything?" Captain Ning frowned, thinking aloud.

"There was no trace of demonic energy or magical power on him—he seemed only a scholar," Leng Yue said calmly.

"No, he was far too composed—unnaturally so. If he were truly mortal, how could he remain so unfazed at mention of the Black Lotus cult?" Ouyang Jingguan commented, fanning himself.

"Ouyang is right; this man is no ordinary person. Moreover, the ink-wash lotus embroidery on his robe—surely that is no coincidence?" Han Chong agreed.

"As a monk, I sensed a kind of Confucian aura about him, somewhat akin to the aura of my Buddhist order," Mingzhen remarked.

"Oh?" The group looked at Mingzhen in surprise.

"It is rumored that in the Imperial College and major academies, grand scholars of Confucianism, when their learning is profound, can slay with words, pierce the heart directly. Many censors and remonstrators are drawn from such scholars, wielding their tongues on the court to influence imperial policy! Could this man possess such deep learning?"

---

Captain Ning was truly a man of encyclopedic knowledge, versed in every field!

Afterward, the group toured Egret Academy. The scenery was beautiful, the academic atmosphere excellent, but not a single clue was found.

"You all return to the bureau first; I will stay here tonight to see if the snake emerges from the grass," Han Chong said, dismounting ten li from the academy.

"Very well, be careful!"

"Yes, Han, if anything happens, notify us immediately—do not act alone," Ouyang Jingguan instructed, as the group headed back to the city.

At dusk, Han Chong returned to Egret Academy, hidden from sight. Oddly, Headmaster Duan Wenxuan was nowhere to be found! He searched every room—only students were lodging there, but there was no sign of Duan Wenxuan.

Strange indeed—had he left the academy? Yet Han Chong had kept watch near the main road and had not seen him depart.

His mind racing, Han Chong suddenly used his earth-walking technique, plunging underground. Not long after, he found something amiss. Beneath the northern dormitory area, there was an underground cave!

Stealthily entering, he saw brick walls built into the earth, and occasionally, farmers traveling through the branching tunnels in one direction. Han Chong followed, arriving at a vast round hall, his face showing surprise.

The hall was brightly lit, with a one-zhang tall black lotus altar standing at its center, hundreds of farmers kneeling reverently around it! Atop the altar, Headmaster Duan sat cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation.

After a moment, he opened his eyes, scanning the crowd, and seeing most of the congregation present, he said:

"Good believers, after today, teachings will pause for ten days. Please meditate at home and reflect on the Dharma."

"Obey the Dharma!"

Duan Wenxuan nodded, took out a small black booklet, and began to preach.

The kneeling farmers each sat cross-legged, taking identical booklets from their robes, opening them and listening intently.

Han Chong was intrigued—these peasants of ancient times could all read?

He approached a villager to glance at the booklet and listen to the teachings. The book advocated chanting, keeping precepts, instructing followers not to kill, steal, commit adultery, lie, or drink alcohol. By doing good deeds, one would endure hardship in life and ascend to heaven after death, receiving blessings.

At first glance, the doctrine did not contradict Buddhism or Daoism, but between the lines, there was a subtle resentment toward corrupt officials of the court.

All cults strike at the grievances of commoners with doctrines both upright and bitter. In normal times, it matters little, but when unrest arises and public resentment boils over, a little incitement can spark rebellion, used by those with ulterior motives.

It seemed the Black Lotus cult was no different. Yet, who exactly was Duan Wenxuan, and what was his ultimate aim? That remained unknown.