Chapter 8

• Wang Zhenyi nodded, recalling that King Wang had granted him three days without court sessions.
• Although just fifteen years old, this emperor was busy governing the state. He felt sympathy for the previous emperor who had to bear such a heavy burden at a young age.
• Alright, now he had to bear that burden.
• So, he needed to figure out a way to delegate these tiresome tasks to someone else.
• "What about after the morning session?" Wang Zhenyi, leaning on the gazebo railing, enjoyed the view of the frozen pond and the flowerless garden beyond.
• Compared to the concrete jungle in his previous life, this environment felt soothing.
• The servants busied themselves arranging tea and exquisite cakes on the table. They lit charcoal stoves strategically placed around the gazebo to ward off the cold for the emperor.
• Kasim was the only one standing next to the emperor, ready to answer questions as per the emperor's current state of memory loss.
• "In response, Your Majesty, after the morning session, you usually have classes. Today was supposed to be martial arts class."
• "Martial arts class? Excellent. Since I have some free time, we can start the class earlier," Wang Zhenyi exclaimed.
• Observing the beautifully arranged tea and cakes, he sat down to enjoy them. It would be a waste not to appreciate the hard work of the servants.
• Having undergone hellish training in the military camp during the peaceful era, which turned out to be useless in the chaotic apocalypse full of various powerful abilities, Wang Zhenyi was curious about how his rusty skills would compare to the martial arts class here.
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• Bai Mohan maintained an indifferent gaze at the young emperor, his tone carrying an air of nonchalance as he replied, "Your Majesty, attending common classes doesn't provide the same security as your own class. As a teacher, I cannot display favoritism, even if you hold the title of emperor."
• Wang Zhenyi, with a playful smirk, countered, "Are you implying I'm not up to the challenge?" The jest in his voice hinted at a subtle amusement.
• Bowing slightly, Bai Mohan responded in a hushed tone, "I dare not, Your Majesty."
• Wang Zhenyi chuckled, finding amusement in the teacher's candid acknowledgment. This individual didn't bother with the usual façade of respect expected in the imperial court. It left him intrigued about the actions of the previous emperor that garnered such blatant disregard.
• "Whatever. Let's get started. Archery class, right?" Wang Zhenyi confidently stepped into the archery arena, his nonchalant demeanor signaling his indifference to the opinions of those around him. He didn't want to dwell on the peculiar attitudes directed at him; after all, these sentiments were meant for the emperor, not him.
• "Your Majesty..." Kasim Zhang called anxiously. The weight of potential consequences from a doctor's unspoken disapproval of the emperor's lifestyle hung in the air, and Kasim Zhang bore the brunt of it.
• "Don't worry, my condition is more than enough for some physical activity." Wang Zhenyi nonchalantly waved his hand, dismissing any concern, and strolled away, leaving Kasim Zhang to deal with the school principal's watchful gaze.
• In the hierarchical environment of the palace, even the emperor's casual decisions could set off ripples affecting those in lower positions. Kasim Zhang understood the delicate balance he had to maintain between his loyalty to the emperor and the expectations of the imperial court.
• As Wang Zhenyi left, he couldn't help but overhear snippets of the conversation between Kasim Zhang and the school principal. It was clear that unless there were specific and urgent reasons, disrupting the students' lessons was strictly forbidden—a rule that held firm, even for an emperor attending common classes.
• As Wang Zhenyi continued his leisurely walk, Bai Mohan trailed behind, scrutinizing him with an intensity that hinted at a deeper curiosity. The rumors of the emperor's amnesia, triggered by the coma-inducing pool incident, had reached Bai Mohan's ears. Yet, he grappled with the skepticism of whether a coma could truly reshape someone's character.
• "The lesson for today involves archery on both stationary and moving targets. Following the standard standing position, we will progress to archery while on horseback," Bai Mohan elucidated, his articulate instructions revealing a meticulous approach to the day's training.
• His eyes, however, remained fixated on Wang Zhenyi, subtly gauging any nuances in the emperor's demeanor.
• Before the coma, the busy emperor would never engage in lessons alongside other children. Even during idle moments, such a prospect remained out of the question.
• His rationale rested on the belief that failure to achieve commendable grades would undermine his imperial authority.
• His academic prowess was indeed lacking, contributing to a notable lack of self-confidence.
• Yet, the emperor with amnesia took the initiative to attend common classes during a time that should have been designated for rest.
• It was peculiar.
• Could it be that the loss of memory shielded him from awareness of his subpar abilities, thereby granting him an unexpected boost in confidence?
• Observe the emperor, exchanging casual greetings with a fellow student, accompanied by a gentle laughter that, far from being uproarious, radiated an approachable demeanor.
• It wasn't a hearty burst of laughter but a subtle chuckle, creating an impression that the emperor had transformed into someone amiable and easily approachable.
• In contrast, the other students swiftly paid their respects, their actions reflecting a blend of reverence and trepidation.
• "First group, assemble!" commanded Bai Mohan, seamlessly shifting the focus back to the archery class..
• The class comprised thirty students, and with Wang Zhenyi's inclusion, the count extended to thirty-one. The regular students, well-acquainted with Bai Mohan's teaching style, swiftly organized into three groups. The ten students in the first group eagerly retrieved their bows, poised for the upcoming archery exercises.
• Wang Zhenyi, recognizing his oversight in not bringing a bow, swiftly approached Bai Mohan with a casual demeanor that belied the formality of their surroundings.
• "Hello, master," he greeted with a friendly smile, his tone light and easy. "I didn't bring my bow. Can I borrow yours?"
• Despite the warmth of Wang Zhenyi's demeanor, Bai Mohan's response was marked by a subtle furrowing of his brow, betraying a hint of disapproval. As a master deeply entrenched in the traditions of martial arts discipline, he harbored a distinct disdain for students who displayed a lack of preparation and adherence to protocol, regardless of their imperial status.
• The absence of Wang Zhenyi's bow was not the only transgression that drew Bai Mohan's ire; his attire, too, diverged markedly from the customary dress code expected during martial arts practice. This deviation served as a further indication of Wang Zhenyi's disregard for the established norms of discipline and respect within the martial arts community, a fact that did not escape Bai Mohan's keen observation.