Chapter 67: SEEMS ELDER SHEN HAS LOST HIS HEARING

When Li Yan arrived at Elder Shen’s residence, he stepped forward and knocked on the door before waiting patiently for someone to answer. After a short while, a disciple opened the door and looked at him with mild curiosity.

"Excuse me, is Elder Shen here? I have come to see him about something."

The disciple shook his head and explained that Elder Shen was currently in the Battle Arts Department. He rarely remained in his residence during the day because he spent most of his time overseeing the training of the disciples there, and would not return until evening.

Li Yan nodded after hearing the explanation, then thanked the disciple before stepping away from the residence. Since Elder Shen would not return until evening, there was no point in wasting several hours waiting around when he could simply go to the Battle Arts Department and find him there.

As he walked down the path, another thought crossed his mind. Gu Jun was also training in the Battle Arts Department, so perhaps he could take the opportunity to see how his friend was progressing. Although they could no longer attend classes together now that he had become Fu Hanzheng’s disciple, they could still help each other in other ways, and Li Yan had already decided to share some of the manuals he received with Gu Jun.

With that thought in mind, Li Yan changed direction and made his way toward the Battle Arts Department.

The difference became obvious as soon as he approached the area. The paths were filled with outer and inner disciples, while the sounds of weapons striking against each other and instructors calling out corrections echoed throughout the training grounds.

Compared with the quiet Apothecary Department, this place was practically overflowing with people. Training platforms occupied much of the surrounding area, and disciples could be seen practising with swords, spears, sabres, and other weapons beneath the watchful eyes of their instructors.

Li Yan looked around with interest as he continued farther inside. It was easy to tell that Battle Arts was one of the most popular departments within the sect, especially among the male disciples. Nearly every training ground had someone practising, and even the paths between them were crowded with disciples moving from one lesson to another.

He stopped several times to ask for directions before finally receiving a clear answer about where Elder Shen was located. Following the directions, Li Yan eventually arrived before a tall pagoda that stood beside one of the larger training grounds.

The structure was currently being used by a group of inner disciples who were practising their techniques. Elder Shen stood at the front, watching their movements with his hands behind his back while occasionally correcting their stances.

Li Yan approached the pagoda and waited until the elder finished speaking before stepping forward. He bowed respectfully and introduced himself, explaining that he had come because of the compensation they had discussed earlier.

Elder Shen did not respond. Li Yan remained where he was and waited for several breaths, wondering whether the elder had simply failed to hear him over the noise of the training ground. When there was still no response, he cleared his throat and raised his voice enough for those nearby to hear.

"My name is Li Yan, the disciple who ranked first in the written examination, and I have come to collect my compensation."

His voice carried across the nearby training ground, causing several disciples to turn toward him. A few who were farther away also looked over after hearing the words, while those with sharper hearing clearly caught every detail.

One of the inner disciples sighed before leaving his position and walking toward Li Yan. He stopped a short distance away and looked at him with a slightly disapproving expression.

"Junior Brother Li, what business do you have with Elder Shen? This is a training ground, so you must learn to keep your voice down."

Li Yan immediately bowed toward the senior disciple.

"I am sorry, Senior Brother. I did not intend to disturb everyone’s training."

When he raised his head again, the disciple’s expression suddenly changed. His eyes widened slightly as he finally got a proper look at Li Yan’s face.

The reaction did not stop with him. Several disciples who had been watching from nearby exchanged surprised looks, and even those who had initially been more interested in the training began paying attention to the beautiful young man standing before them.

Li Yan’s appearance was exceptionally striking, to the point that several disciples could not help comparing him to the sect’s famous jade beauties. The fact that such a beautiful person was actually a male disciple made the scene even more surprising.

Li Yan noticed their reactions but did not understand what had suddenly captured everyone’s attention. He simply turned his gaze back toward Elder Shen, who was still pretending not to acknowledge him.

He cleared his throat again before speaking with complete seriousness.

"I am sorry, Senior Brother, but it seems Elder Shen has gotten too old and lost his hearing, so I had to raise my voice a little for him to hear me."

Elder Shen’s lips twitched when he heard this.

His attention finally landed on Li Yan, and the amusement among the surrounding disciples immediately disappeared as the elder’s expression darkened.

"My hearing is quite fine, Li Yan, but I do not think your memory is. I do not remember consenting to any form of compensation."

Li Yan stared at him for several breaths before calmly stepping forward. He had expected Elder Shen might try to avoid paying him, but he had not expected the elder to deny the agreement so openly in front of everyone.

"My memory is quite good, Elder Shen. That is how I managed to obtain first place in the written examination, and I never forget important things."

Li Yan paused briefly before continuing, his expression remaining calm despite the elder’s obvious displeasure.

"After accusing me of cheating, our agreement was that I would be compensated by Elder Shen and the invigilator who accused me, and your exact response was, ’Very well.’ Therefore, I have come to collect the compensation that was promised to me."

Elder Shen’s expression immediately turned furious. Being challenged by an outer disciple was already irritating enough, but having the boy calmly recount their conversation in front of so many disciples made the situation even more humiliating.

"You insolent brat! Know your place!"