Chapter 95 - 87: Snow White

Chapter 95: Chapter 87: Snow White

CLOP CLOP CLOP.

As the sound of hooves gradually faded, Zeng Anmin gently pulled the reins, slowing the green-roan horse under his command. He slowly looked up, his gaze falling upon the Shen Mansion right in the middle of the street ahead, and sighed in admiration. It truly lived up to the reputation of the Profound Array Department, which had stood in the Holy Dynasty for six hundred years. Even its main gate alone was incredibly extravagant.

A plaque bearing the three large, gold-stamped words—Profound Array Department—shone as brilliantly as a Celestial Eye set upon a deity’s forehead, deterring all evil.

Dachun’s horse also came to a halt. Staring straight at the plaque, he asked, "Young Master, is this the Profound Array Department? The Immortal Mansion?"

The Profound Array Department had always been lauded as the Immortal Mansion among the common folk.

"Yes," Zeng Anmin replied. He dismounted and found a post to tie up his horse. He looked left and right but didn’t see any guards stationed in front of the main gate.

"Stick close to me later. Don’t go running off on your own, understand?" Zeng Anmin warned.

Dachun gazed at the gates of the Profound Array Department with a face full of yearning and nodded solemnly.

COUGH COUGH.

Zeng Anmin’s expression turned serious. Leading Dachun, he strode toward the main gate of the Profound Array Department. However, the massive doors were shut tight, and there was no porter around to ask. Hesitating for a moment, he decided not to overthink it and reached out to knock.

THUMP THUMP... THUMP!!

Feeling the need to state his purpose, Zeng Anmin cleared his throat and announced to the closed doors, "I am Zeng Anmin, a student of the Imperial College. I am an old acquaintance of your noble department’s disciple, Sai... Chuxue. I have come to find her."

CREAAAK.

As soon as his voice faded, the vermilion doors slowly opened just a crack.

"Huh?" he thought. "Did the secret code match? Let’s go!"

Zeng Anmin exchanged a glance with Dachun and stepped through the doorway. Beyond the gate, a broad avenue met their eyes. The road was paved entirely with premium blue bricks, an extreme display of luxury.

In the courtyard, several Profound Array Department disciples clad in black uniforms with flowing gold accents stood with their heads bowed, discussing something. When they looked up and noticed Zeng Anmin, they furrowed their brows.

A young-looking disciple eyed the two intruders in confusion. "You are..."

Zeng Anmin offered a polite bow, acting neither servile nor overbearing. "I am Zeng Anmin, a student of the Imperial College. I have come to find someone."

"How did you get in?" The disciple gave him a curious look and then glanced toward the main gate.

CREAAAK.

Under his gaze, the heavy doors slowly shut tight.

"I just... walked in," Zeng Anmin replied, looking at the disciple in bafflement. He thought, "Did he expect me to fly in?"

"Our Profound Array Department has a grand formation protecting the entrance. How could an ordinary person possibly get in?" The disciple stared at him warily.

Zeng Anmin pondered for a moment. Then, he fished a crystal-clear Jade Pendant from his robes and held it up to the disciple. "It’s probably because of this?"

As expected, the disciple’s expression shifted slightly upon seeing the item in his hand. It was a Jade Pendant exclusive to the Direct Disciples of Celestial Master Xu.

"May I ask who you are looking for?"

Indeed, after seeing the Jade Pendant, the idle disciples in the courtyard immediately adopted respectful expressions.

"Oh, do you know Sai Chuxue?" Zeng Anmin asked, suddenly realizing the reason for their change in attitude.

He thought, "So this Jade Pendant is basically the key to the Profound Array Department’s gates?" Recalling how seriously he had been talking to the inanimate doors just moments ago, a wave of acute embarrassment washed over him.

"Senior Sister Sai? Allow me to show you the way," the disciple conversing with Zeng Anmin said, stepping forward with a rather gentle gaze.

"Thank you, brother," Zeng Anmin said with a cheerful nod, following the disciple forward. "Let’s go, Dachun!" he called, glancing back over his shoulder.

Ever since entering the Profound Array Department, Dachun’s wise eyes had been wandering everywhere in curiosity. He had even squatted down to study the floor tiles for a while. After scratching at them with his hands, he dug some dirt out from the cracks, wrapped it in a piece of cloth, and stuffed it into his robes.

Watching this left Zeng Anmin somewhat speechless. Dachun’s terrible habit of picking up every stray scrap he found had truly never changed.

"Oh, right!!" Dachun hurriedly stood up and followed Zeng Anmin and the disciple deeper into the courtyard.

Before long, Zeng Anmin spotted a mansion up ahead. The three large characters for "Celestial Master’s Mansion" were incredibly dazzling.

He gasped inwardly and thought, "There’s an entire mansion inside the Profound Array Department?? Talk about being wealthy and imposing!"

"This is the inner courtyard. Only our Master’s Direct Disciples are permitted to enter," the disciple said, bowing to Zeng Anmin. "It is inconvenient for me to proceed, so you must walk the rest of the way yourself."

"Understood," Zeng Anmin nodded, returning the bow with a bright smile. "Thank you for your help, brother."

"You are most welcome. As a friend of Senior Sister Sai, you are a guest of our Profound Array Department," the exceedingly polite disciple replied, hastily waving his hands in modesty.

"Alright, see you around!" Zeng Anmin smiled and nodded before stepping into the Celestial Master’s Mansion before him.

Upon entering the mansion, he saw two highly organized rows of neatly arranged houses. A plaque hung in front of each building. However, none of the rooms had doors. Instead, shimmering curtains of azure light concealed their interiors completely.

Curious, he studied the plaques.

[Profound Array Department — Wang Caiye]

[Profound Array Department — Chi Feiwan]

...

Realization dawned on Zeng Anmin’s face. He thought, "It seems each house corresponds to the dormitory of a Direct Disciple of the Profound Array Department?" He grew thoughtful.

Looking at the light curtains that replaced the doors, his eyes flickered with awe, and he couldn’t stop praising the setup in his mind. He thought, "It truly lives up to the Profound Array Department. The privacy of the student dormitories is so good—much better than my university dorm in my past life."

He led Dachun and continued walking forward.