Just when everyone thought that something had happened to the North City Guard captain, who was Uchiha Tonan’s shadow clone, the captain turned to look at Abe Seimei, who was none other than the real Tonan in disguise, with a shocked expression.
The exam participants were expecting Tonan to rebuke the old man who thought that this tough, all-encompassing test was fit for children but the mighty captain was barely able to stand after seeing the answers. Immediately after, the shadow clone knelt on the ground, and paid respect to Tonan, “Elderly gentleman, your talent can bring both heaven and earth under your control. Please accept this bow as a sign of my deepest respect.”
At this moment, Abe Seimei Tonan opened his eyes under everyone’s stunned gazes, and calmly said, “Lord, you don’t need to do this, I made this trip just to make a living.”
The shadow clone got up from the ground, and instructed Ao, “Immediately go and prepare a banquet for the elderly gentleman.” He then stepped forward to help Abe Seimei Tonan get up, and diligently said, “Elderly gentleman, let’s please go over to my study so you can rest for some time.”
After helping Tonan get up, the shadow clone looked around the hall, “Everyone, please accept my apologies but the test for this position ends here.”
All the participants were extremely curious seeing how the events unfolded. Finally unable to restrain themselves, someone asked, “My Lord, may we please ask you to show us this elderly gentleman’s answers so that we can be convinced of our loss without regrets.”
These people did come with good intentions given the growing goodwill towards the North City Guards after Tonan’s feat of cracking down the human trafficking organizations. Inevitably, however, human nature wouldn’t be satisfied being rejected even before they had a chance to answer all the questions.
Especially, since the person who won against them was an old man, who looked like he had a foot in the grave. The shadow clone hesitated for a moment but shook his head and resolutely replied, “Sorry, the words of the sages cannot be disclosed lightly. Please return.”
Hearing this, everyone felt even more restless. They looked at each other in dismay, wanting in their hearts nothing more than to figure things out. However, since they had been firmly refused, albeit unwilling, they could only get up and leave.
Some people still took the unfinished test papers with them, planning to carefully think about the questions after they went back. Not surprisingly, a few days later, the test questions were widely circulated among the capital. As days passed by, more people came to know about what transpired in the North City Guard on the examination day for teacher recruitment.
Someone even managed to access Seimei’s information using unusual channels. Gradually, all the Fire City scholars were discussing the deeds of Abe Seimei. Everyone was curious as to why Seimei, who had appeared out of nowhere, was deemed a sage.
Most of the Fire Capital officials were civil officials, who belonged to the literary circle. These conversations gradually made their way to their ears as well. At first, many didn’t believe there would be such a distinguished man, but when they saw the very comprehensive test questions, they too bought into the rumors.
As the saying goes, there was no vain scholar of great reputation. The more people discussed Seimei, the more the officials became curious about him. Some even came to the North City Guard Residence in person, hoping to meet this so-called heaven-defying sage.
However, no matter how high the officials’ positions were, they were all turned away by the attendants as per Tonan’s instructions.
“Seimei-sama doesn’t want to meet guests at the moment. Your Excellency, we can only request you to kindly return.”
“Didn’t you inform him that I’m the Internal Affairs Minister?”
“I did, but Seimei-sama said he just wanted to study at ease and teach the younger generations.”
“In that case, could you ask Tonan-sama to show me Abe Seimei’s answers to the test questions?”
“Sorry Your Excellency, Tonan-sama said that the words of the sages cannot be passed lightly. If they fall into the hands of people with ulterior motives, it can shake the very foundations of the Land of Fire.”
The more the attendants explained, the more mysterious Seimei’s image became in front of these officials. The Internal Affairs Minister was no exception and became even more eager. After being rejected several times, there was nothing he could do to dispel his edginess.
“Alas…” The Internal Affairs Minister sighed deeply but he could only turn around and leave dejectedly once again. There were many passers-by outside the North City Guard Residence. When they saw this, they gathered together to converse with greater interest.
“Seimei-sama must really be truly amazing. This is already the twelfth high-ranking official that had come to visit him.”
“I heard that he is very knowledgeable. He had completed the entire test before the others had yet to finish the first few questions.”
“Moreover, he said that… the questions were for children.”
“I have seen the questions. Honestly speaking, except for the first part that was about self-introduction, I couldn’t answer any of the other questions.”
At night, the Fire Capital was brightly lit. In the North City Guard Residence attic, Tonan, who had turned into Seimei, stood at the window with his hands behind his back.
His face filled with wrinkles had a pair of black eyes that resembled the abyss. He turned his head slightly and looked towards the Daimyo Residence located at the center of the Fire Capital.
“The line is long enough…. how much more will it take for you to get hooked?”
