Chapter 121 — The Capital Has Many Taboos
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 4
Shen Mu walked with the scholars to the far end of the Scholars' Lodge, chatting all the way. Near the end there was only one courtyard, quiet and secluded. "Senior brothers," Shen Mu said with a smile, "this is where the castoff lodges. Wait here a moment."
He went up and knocked. After a moment the courtyard gate opened, and from behind it poked a round face. Seeing Shen Mu, it started slightly, then smiled. "Brother Shen..."
Shen Mu pushed the gate open and went in; the others filed in after him and jostled that plump-bodied scholar into the middle of the courtyard.
Shen Mu shut the courtyard gate and shot the bolt, his face as still as water. "By the way, senior brothers — does the Grand Academy permit killing?"
The scholars were all taken aback. One of them laughed despite himself. "Brother Shen, we only mean to teach this castoff a lesson and drive him out of the Grand Academy. What need is there to kill? If we killed him, we would all be expelled from the Grand Academy. A beating will do!"
Shen Mu was somewhat displeased, and said sullenly, "So many rules in the capital. You cannot even kill at will. In our Wasteland, kill a dozen people and no one asks a question..."