Lu Xiaoliu let out a satisfied belch.
The entire pot of tea Xu Ming had just brewed was now completely gone.
Xu Ming couldn’t help but wonder—was Lu Xiaoliu’s compliment about his tea-making skills just polite flattery, or did he genuinely mean it?
Because otherwise, how could he have gulped down the tea so enthusiastically, like a man who had just walked out of a desert, dying of thirst?
But that raised another question—was his tea-making really that good? Why had he never noticed?
Of course, Lu Xiaoliu wasn’t just here to drink tea.
He asked Xu Ming a few questions about the situation in Wu Kingdom, about what had happened at Tianxuan Sect, and about Xu Ming’s family.
Yet, his inquiries never overstepped—if Xu Ming was vague or hesitant to answer, Lu Xiaoliu never pressed further.
“How has Mo Chi been lately?” Lu Xiaoliu finally set his teacup down, seeming a little embarrassed by how much he had already drunk.
Xu Ming refilled his cup and replied, “I haven’t interacted with Mr. Xiao too much, but I did meet him not long ago. He seems to be doing fine, no different from how he was in the past. It’s as if nothing in the imperial court can affect him.”
“Hahaha…” Lu Xiaoliu chuckled. “That guy—no matter what happens, he won’t show it. You might think nothing has changed, but in reality, he just buries everything deep inside.”
As he spoke, a trace of helplessness flickered through his eyes.
“That’s just how he is. Whenever trouble comes his way, he shoulders it alone. He’s been like that since the day I met him.”
Xu Ming didn’t say much—he simply nodded.
He knew he couldn’t claim to understand Mr. Xiao as well as this old friend of his.
After some thought, Xu Ming cautiously asked, “I’ve heard that, given Mr. Xiao’s talents, he could have even become the Grand Chancellor of White Deer Academy. Returning to Wu Kingdom to take office isn’t exactly unthinkable, but to me, it still seems like a loss. It feels like he has a personal attachment to something.”
It was true that White Deer Academy encouraged its scholars to enter the world, to gain experience in the political arena.
But to Xu Ming, Mr. Xiao wasn’t merely going through a period of “worldly training.”
It was as if he had a mission—something in Wu Kingdom that he had to accomplish.
“Hah. Even a youngster like you can see it, huh?” Lu Xiaoliu mused, a faint smile on his lips. “I don’t know if that means your observation skills are sharp… or if Mo Chi just isn’t hiding it very well.”
Then, with a sigh, he added, “What that guy is holding onto… is big.”
“I’ve heard at the academy that in recent times, Mo Chi has gained the full favor of the Emperor of Wu. He’s been entrusted with all major affairs, while the Emperor himself acts as his shield.
“No matter what happens, the Emperor will stand behind him.”
“But…” Lu Xiaoliu’s smile turned wry. “I fear it won’t be long before the Emperor starts to guard against him instead.”
Xu Ming frowned. “Because Mr. Xiao’s power is growing too great? The Emperor fears he won’t be able to control him?”
Lu Xiaoliu shook his head. “If that’s what you think, then you underestimate the Emperor of Wu. In my opinion, he is one of the wisest rulers of our time—he would never eliminate Mo Chi over something so trivial.
“No… the only person who can bring about Mo Chi’s downfall… is Mo Chi himself.”
Lu Xiaoliu looked Xu Ming directly in the eyes.
“Xu Ming, can you promise me one thing?”
Xu Ming met his gaze, knowing that whatever came next would be the true purpose of this visit.
Solemnly, he nodded. “Master Lu, please speak freely.”
“If—” Lu Xiaoliu’s voice was calm, but his eyes were piercing. “I mean if—the day ever comes… when Xiao Mo Chi is doomed to die…”
“I hope you will stand by and do nothing.”
White Deer Academy, Peach Blossom Peak.
An old man, carrying a rolled-up straw mat, slowly climbed the mountain.
The old man spread out the straw mat at the edge of the cliff, wiped the sweat from his forehead, kicked off his shoes, and lay down comfortably, gazing at the stars above.
“The Headmaster always has such refined taste.”
Just as the old man was enjoying the cool evening breeze and the peaceful night, someone flew over.
The Headmaster of White Deer Academy yawned and said, “I’m just here because it’s too damn hot. Came up to the mountaintop to catch some wind, and suddenly it’s ‘refined taste’? You scholars—everything you do has to be ‘refined’ this, ‘refined’ that. What, even farting needs to be called ‘refined’ now?”
Jia Junjie, the Grand Chancellor of White Deer Academy, twitched his eyebrows slightly. “That remark of yours, Senior Brother, was not very refined.”
“Can’t be bothered with you,” Qi Zhengju, the Headmaster, rolled his eyes and continued staring into the night.
Jia Junjie sat cross-legged beside him and sighed. “Headmaster, what did you promise that rascal Lu Xiaoliu to get him to go on this diplomatic mission to the North Sea Dragon Palace?”
To many, being chosen to represent White Deer Academy at the Dragon Palace was a great honor—something scholars would fight tooth and nail for.
Most assumed Lu Xiaoliu was given this role because he was favored by the Headmaster.
But the truth was, Lu Xiaoliu didn’t want to go. The only reason he agreed was because he and Qi Zhengju had struck a deal.
“What kind of deal could it be?” Qi Zhengju chuckled and shook his head. “He’s always wanted to go to the Western Regions, so I told him—once he’s done with this mission, he can go.”
“Headmaster… If he goes there, he might never return.” Jia Junjie stared at his senior brother.
Qi Zhengju replied calmly, “If he goes there, he might die. But tell me, if we kept him locked up in White Deer Academy, would he really be ‘alive’?”
Jia Junjie fell silent.
Qi Zhengju continued, “Junjie, you have to understand something. I know you’re worried about Xiaoliu. It wasn’t easy for you to take in two exceptional disciples—one, Xiao Mo Chi, the other, Lu Xiaoliu. Both of them had limitless potential.
“But they chose the hardest paths for themselves.
“And since we can’t chain them down, the only thing we can do is let them go.”
“As for what happens to them… who truly knows?
“Even if they die, so what?
“Do you think they would have any regrets?”
Jia Junjie let out a deep sigh. “How did it come to this…”
Qi Zhengju slowly closed his eyes.
“A great era is about to unfold.
“Everyone has their own tribulations to face.
“They’ve learned everything you taught them, and they’re putting it into practice.
“They’ve long understood where this road will lead.”