True Solution of the Sword Dao

After giving Lin Fei that problem, Chen Huan didn’t know whether he had forgotten or simply didn’t care, but he never came looking for him again. However, Lin Fei was happy to have some peace. Having discovered the secret of the force, he became even more curious about the true, complete answer.

June 7th, early morning Weather: Clear

Classroom of Class 1, Grade 1, High School No. 3

Lin Fei slowly put on his silver mechanical watch, gently twirling the strap. It seemed a bit tight.

Today was the day of the exam. This watch was specially bought by Lin Jianguo to be used as a timer during the exam. It was quite expensive. It also showed the high expectations his parents had for Lin Fei.

The college entrance exam, as the most critical step after more than ten years of hard work for countless students, was undoubtedly of great importance.

Lin Fei had originally planned to apply to his previously preferred university, but due to a change in plans, he decided to opt for a school with higher standards in physics. This required a much higher score and, accordingly, more preparation. Even so, Lin Fei wasn’t planning to resort to extreme measures, since he wasn’t starting from the same starting line as the other students, there was no need to do so.

The class teacher stood on the podium, making the final mobilization in an attempt to inspire everyone’s fighting spirit, but regrettably, the dozens of students below all looked at him with numb expressions. Outside the window, the sky had just begun to lighten, and there were still two hours before entering the examination hall.

"Where is our exam taking place?" asked a girl sitting next to Lin Fei to the boy behind her.

"At High School No. 5," the boy replied somewhat helplessly, "Mei Ling, weren’t you paying attention just now?"

"I didn’t sleep well last night, sorry," the girl apologized, sticking out her tongue, "But I heard that High School No. 5 is really chaotic. Just last month, I heard that a student from there committed murder."

"It really is chaotic, after all, it’s known as a bad school," the boy nodded. "Which exam room are you in?"

"302, you?"

"306. We aren’t together," the boy said, slightly disappointed.

"Yeah, but let’s work hard together. Cheer up!" The girl clenched her fist and made a cheering gesture.

The boy’s face blushed, he opened his lips, but he found that the girl had already turned away. He mustered up courage, but still didn’t make any move.

Graduation was approaching, and many boys and girls in the class knew that this might be the last time they spent together with their classmates. Those with crushes or secret admirations began to confess their feelings. The class teacher and other teachers turned a blind eye; even the usually strict teachers would sigh helplessly at such moments and say nothing. So, this was the best and last opportunity.

The boy reached out to tap the shoulder of the girl in front of him, but ultimately, he didn’t extend his hand.

Lin Fei watched this familiar, warm scene, knowing in his heart that soon there would be an unexpected situation, just like in his previous life.

The class teacher, seemingly having run out of saliva, finally waved his hands.

"Everyone, get on the school bus!" All the college entrance exam students of High School No. 3 were arranged to go together by school bus. "Remember to take your admission ticket with you!"

Watching the class teacher stride out of the classroom. Just as he stepped out of the door.

"Lin Fei, let’s go," Chen Yun called out loudly.

"Yeah. You go ahead, I’m just checking if I’ve forgotten anything," Lin Fei responded with a smile.

All the students stood up to leave for the school bus. Only Lin Fei moved slowly and calmly, walking out of his seat leisurely. Soon, all the other students had left the classroom, and even Chen Yun, who had urged him several times, went ahead.

"Lin Fei." Suddenly, a voice called him from behind.

"Coming." Lin Fei was certain in his heart that everything was the same as in his previous life; this event was bound to happen. He turned around. Suddenly, he felt an envelope in his hand.

A beautiful girl briskly passed by him, rushed out of the classroom, and disappeared down the corridor, leaving only a faint scent behind.

Lin Fei looked at the envelope in his hand; it was from a girl in his class, beautiful yet poor in academics. What her name was seemed no longer important. What was important were the feelings of nostalgia, resolution, and the tender sweetness of first love that filled both of their hearts. It was the first time Lin Fei had experienced such a peculiar and gentle feeling. In his previous life, the letter had not included any girl’s confession, just simple well-wishes.

Lin Fei remembered that this girl later went to an ordinary university and then he never saw her again.

"Such a nostalgic feeling," Lin Fei murmured as he slipped the letter into his pocket. He walked briskly out of the classroom.

**********

The rules of college entrance exams included cross-school examinations, supervised by teachers from other schools. This was also the reason why most of Lin Fei’s peers tested at different schools.

The environment of No. 5 Middle School indeed fell short compared to that of key schools like No. 3 Middle School.

The gray-white cement floor, missing pieces here and there, revealed the dark soil beneath with the tiles around the flower beds all broken. The walls of the teaching buildings still bore some uncleaned scars and graffiti.

Following the crowd, Lin Fei entered the school building as the blockade was lifted and quickly found his examination room according to his admission ticket. It was still the same as in his previous life, in a middle classroom on the third floor.

Once the candidates found their seats, the examination officially began with the ringing of the bell.

The main subjects were language, mathematics, and foreign language, along with a comprehensive science test. The total score was 750 points. It could all be completed in two days.

Almost without suspense, Lin Fei handed in his papers one hour into each examination. For him now, such difficulty posed no problem at all. There was no need to waste time on it.

He carried on smoothly until the end of the exams.

On the last day, upon leaving the examination hall, Lin Fei saw his parents and Lin You and Jiang Nan waiting outside. Clearly, they were quite anxious about his performance. Even Lin You seemed slightly curious.

"How did it go?" Jiang Feng hurried over to ask Lin Fei as soon as he saw him, just like the other parents around.

"It was alright," Lin Fei smiled. He naturally wouldn’t boast that he could score at least 700 out of 750 points. Yet, in order not to attract too much attention, he still planned to keep his score just below this year’s top science student who scored 699, perhaps around 690 points. In his estimation, getting into his planned Yan Capital University would be no problem, and with such a score, he could freely choose his major.

"’All right’ is which level?" Lin Jianguo also asked anxiously. During this period, he had stayed at home every day, taking care of Lin Fei, fearing that any issues at home might affect his performance. Although the family’s hopes were still pinned on Lin You, Lin Fei’s recent progress in his grades also sparked some hope.

"The university I want to attend shouldn’t be a problem," Lin Fei said confidently.

"The one you want to attend?" Jiang Feng was still worried. Lin Fei had mentioned before that the university he wished to attend wasn’t the best but was still a reputable old key university with very high requirements. Although skeptical, Jiang Feng had no choice but to believe her son since he said so.

"By the way, our class is having a graduation party tonight. The class teacher will also attend, so I won’t be coming home tonight. It’s a final gathering for everyone."

"Go ahead, it’s your last one. Just be safe," Lin Jianguo nodded. "We’ll head back first then."

After watching his family leave, Lin Fei also followed his classmates who had come out and gathered together under the summons of the class officials. Class leader Fang Xiao had already booked a hotel for a meal together.

*************

Dongning Hotel

One of the better hotels in Ping City. It’s said to be a hotel under a group with a Capital City background. The decor is nice, and the food is reputed to be decent. This was also the dining spot booked by Fang Xiao.

Lin Fei wore a black shirt glowing with a hint of purple and tight black jeans. His over-ear short hair, styled by some girls, fell perfectly without a hint of frizz. His ordinary outfit, on him, seemed exceptionally luxurious and sharp. Maybe with an additional wine glass filled with red wine in hand, he could easily pass off as a disguised prince from some small country.

Although his looks were only clean-cut, long-term swordsmanship practice, combined with the integration of Yan Shi’s Sword Dao experience, exuded from him an aura of extreme sharpness.

Sitting near the air conditioner at the banquet, Lin Fei smiled as he listened to classmates sharing old amusing stories. Originally unacquainted students seemed to cherish their last moments together, strengthening their bonds significantly.

Sitting quietly in the corner, Lin Fei waited for the dishes to be served, yet still drew many glances from his classmates.

"It’s good the school doesn’t require boys to wear short hair," Xia Yan joked next to him. "If it were another school, Lin Fei’s hair would have been cut long ago." She mimed a scissor motion. Xia Yan was a girl from the middle circle of the class, not particularly studious, but from a wealthy family. Although not very attractive, she dressed well and was quite popular.

"Yeah, Lin Fei, when did you start growing your hair long?" Chen Yun asked from beside him.

"Nothing special, just too lazy to cut it," Lin Fei would never say he avoided haircuts because he disliked the sensation of the barber maneuvering scissors around his head for half an hour. The idea of passively placing his head under someone else’s blade was unsettling. This feeling had not been pronounced before practicing Sword Dao, but after starting, his entire body felt acutely sensitive, prompting him never again to go for a haircut.

"But long hair does add to your charisma," Xia Yan commented with a smile.

"Thanks for the compliment. Go ahead and drink your beverage," Lin Fei responded, lifting his glass of peanut milk to sip slowly. Sitting amidst them, he exuded a gentle aura, all sharpness subtly restrained.

Xia Yan chided him jokingly before she started chatting with another girl nearby, and Chen Yun began playing with a GBA by himself. Lin Fei, however, recalled the last time his Facial Transformation Technique was disrupted, with his hidden hair growing rapidly down to waist-length. This was somewhat illogical. Ideally, Yan Shi’s influence should have reshaped him to be closest to Yan Jiu, but he had never known Yan Jiu to have such long hair. Nevertheless, it was only a minor curiosity. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit qidian.com to vote for it with a recommendation ticket or Monthly Ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)