Seeking Truth with a Sword

Li Ang murmured to himself, "The location where the Spirit Vein has broken is just beneath the skull, in the frontal lobe. The skull and scalp themselves pose an obstacle, so the headdress isn't as effective as I imagined. Perhaps implanting the Fine Gold wire directly beneath the skull could form a circuit—for safety's sake, it would be best to sheathe the Fine Gold wire in an insulating layer. But the problem is... the conditions for a craniotomy just aren't here."

Never mind whether he was the sole neurosurgeon in this world. Even Li Ang himself wouldn't perform a craniotomy on someone else without the means for hemostasis, disinfection, or anesthesia. It was essentially no different from murder.

"And the second method is to find a superconductor with a Spiritual Energy transfer efficiency greater than Fine Gold..." Li Ang mused to himself as he rose from his seat. "If I were given enough time and materials, perhaps there would be hope to find it."

There wasn't enough time; less than eight hours remained until the final exam at the Academic Palace tomorrow.

"Can I only wear this golden wire ring to take the exam?"

Li Ang sighed softly, tidied up the items on the table, locked them in a box, and placed the golden wire ring into his medical box. He sighed again, preparing to go out to clear his head.

As soon as he left the house, he heard knocks on the courtyard door.

"Who is it?"

"Is Li Ang home? I'm a Doctor of Mathematics from the Academic Palace."

A Doctor of Mathematics? Li Ang raised his eyebrows in surprise and went to open the courtyard door.

A slightly short, stout middle-aged man stood outside, accompanied by three young scholars.

"You're Li Ang, right?" Chao Wen Yuan detached a jade token engraved with an inscription from his waist and said, "I'm Wenyuan, a Doctor of Mathematics from the Academic Palace, the one who graded your paper during the preliminary examination."

"This junior has seen Dr. Chao." Li Ang cupped his hands. What business did the Academic Palace's Doctor of Mathematics have with him at this time? It couldn't possibly be to disclose the contents of tomorrow's exam, could it?

"I'll just say it straight. I've come this time to disclose the contents of tomorrow's exam," Chao Wen Yuan stated earnestly. "The final exam of the Academic Palace tomorrow will inevitably test Spiritual Vein Talent, requiring candidates to solve problems using their own Spiritual Power. Therefore, I hope you will withdraw voluntarily."

"Eh?"

Li Ang blinked in surprise, only to hear Chao Wen Yuan continue, "I have looked over the trigram Xi Yangyu interpreted, and there truly is no issue.

"Throughout history, all instances of Skull-interrupted Sword trigrams are without a solution.

"Forcing Spiritual Energy into the body, in mild cases, leads to brain damage, rendering one foolish and clumsy; in severe cases, it results in bleeding from all seven orifices and a fractured skull.

"You have an exceptional talent in Mathematics.

"Despite the Academic Palace's regulations that those unqualified in Spiritual Vein Talent cannot enroll, I have already argued your case before the Mountain Master and the Sacrificial Officer,

"and have secured a spot for you as an external student."

Li Ang exclaimed, "External student?"

"Indeed. Your name will not appear on the academic roster, but you can use your waist token to enter classrooms and audit courses. However, you cannot reside in the Academic Palace, nor can you leave areas other than the teaching buildings," Chao Wen Yuan spoke seriously and earnestly. "The Academic Palace rarely accepts external students.

"Your talent in Mathematics is exceptional. It would be a terrible waste if you couldn't enter the Academic Palace due to a deficient Spirit Vein."

Li Ang fell silent for a moment, then cupped his hands again earnestly. "This student thanks Dr. Chao, but... I would still like to try tomorrow."

Chao Wen Yuan's brow furrowed slightly. One of the young scholars beside him couldn't help frowning and said, "Why are you so stubborn? Do you realize our teacher has petitioned the Mountain Master several times regarding your situation..."

"Enough." Chao Wen Yuan interrupted his disciple, looking at Li Ang intently. "Have you thought it through?

"Other than these restrictions, the content learned by an external student is no different from that of regular students.

"It's only a difference of that official academic status."

Li Ang cupped his hands respectfully again, saying nothing.

He knew the efforts Chao Wen Yuan had made. The Academic Palace was the best academy in the land, where even members of the royal family had to abide by the rules and enroll based on their own merit. Securing an external student position would cause huge ripples and undoubtedly meet with much opposition.

But... that official academic status, he thought, is far too important. Without the identity of a legitimate Academic Palace Disciple, my plans to create inventions, promote modern scientific methodology, and even implement genuine surgical procedures would meet significant obstacles. It would be impossible to fulfill the promise I made: to ensure people are fed and clothed, the elderly cared for, the young taught, the poor supported, the troubled aided, and the sick healed. Only by rightfully passing the Academic Palace exam can I silence the critics and better implement my plans.

"Alright." Chao Wen Yuan heaved a sigh, not overly surprised, and said with self-deprecating humor, "Seems about right. At your age, with such scholarly proficiency in Mathematics, you would surely be one to stick to your own views.

"However..." Chao Wen Yuan suddenly turned stern. "If the exam really doesn't go well tomorrow, it would still be best to withdraw—I will request the Mountain Master to hold the spot as an external student for you."

"This junior thanks Dr. Chao."

Li Ang sincerely thanked Chao Wen Yuan, watching as the man, with a carefree flick of his sleeves, turned and left with his disciples.

What a good teacher indeed, Li Ang sighed from the bottom of his heart. Both Wenyuan and Pu Liuxuan possessed the true qualities of educators. Championing reason, focusing on practicality, valuing knowledge—the Academic Palace was such a place.

I will pass, as a scholar, Li Ang silently vowed to himself, closed the courtyard door, and walked towards the south.

The sun was setting perfectly, painting the evening sky with resplendent colors. Li Ang felt the evening breeze of Chang'an on his skin and listened to the lively sounds from the workshop. He walked leisurely, gradually clearing his mind of cluttered thoughts.

Just as he exited a quiet alley, he heard a THUD from up ahead.

A heavy coach had come to a stop at the end of the alley. The cloth curtain of the carriage window was lifted, revealing Jiao Cheng's pale face, and in his hands, a powerful crossbow pointed at Li Ang.

"Doctor Li," Jiao Cheng said hoarsely, seemingly suppressing great pain, "please get in the coach."