Chapter 78

Donglin Academy.

In the morning, the academy was bathed in sunshine, with lush grass and trees. Students in dark blue school uniforms gathered in small groups, heading towards the cafeteria.

When Lian Fei walked out of the dormitory, his eyes were bloodshot, and his brows were furrowed.

He had not slept all night, waiting for a message, but even now, he had not received any news.

Could something have happened last night?

This doubt, like a tide, kept surging in his mind, tormenting him throughout the night.

"Lian Fei, how are your preparations?" A delicate girl approached from a distance, wearing a well-fitted school uniform, her steps full of vitality.

"What preparations?" Lian Fei was taken aback. The girl was named Yao Susu, his classmate, who had always been fond of him.

"Have you forgotten? The prefectural examination is in ten days!" Yao Susu scolded.

Lian Fei exclaimed, "Oh, is that so? Do I need to prepare? It's just a test of age and cultivation; I'll definitely pass smoothly."

Yao Susu walked beside Lian Fei and said, "Don't be complacent. You're fifteen this year, which isn't an advantage in terms of age. I heard that this time, three thousand people from our Donglin Academy alone want to participate in the prefectural examination, but only a thousand will be admitted. If you add the other applicants from Donglin City, the elimination rate will be even higher."

Lian Fei replied absentmindedly, "My age is indeed a weakness, but I have already reached the Fifth Level of True Martial cultivation, which is undoubtedly an advantage compared to others. I won't be eliminated in the prefectural examination."

Yao Susu giggled; she liked Lian Fei's confident demeanor.

As they talked, they arrived at the cafeteria, which was already filled with students. The breakfast was rich, consisting of specially made eight-treasure spirit porridge and several dishes of fresh green spirit vegetables, all of which tasted good.

The students at Donglin Academy were all young, the youngest being only five or six years old, and the oldest just fifteen.

Donglin Academy was an official school, not a local power, established to select talents for the imperial prefectural examination.

Students over fifteen could not participate in the prefectural examination and would not be admitted to Donglin Academy.

At this moment, the students in the cafeteria were eating and discussing, creating a lively atmosphere. The topic of conversation was almost entirely about the prefectural examination that would begin in ten days.

Lian Fei was not interested in these discussions and quietly ate his meal.

Yao Susu noticed that Lian Fei seemed troubled and couldn't help but ask, "You seem to have something on your mind?"

Lian Fei nodded and then patiently explained, "Don't worry, it's just a small matter."

Yao Susu had a complicated background; it was said that her family had considerable influence in Qingfeng County, which had twelve prefectures and counties, including Donglin City.

In other words, Donglin City was also under the jurisdiction of Qingfeng County.

Lian Fei would eventually go to Qingfeng County to take the provincial examination. Given Yao Susu's admiration for him, he naturally did not dare to be negligent.

Yao Susu said with concern, "Lian Fei, if you have any trouble, feel free to tell me. Although my family is not in Donglin City, we have many connections."

Lian Fei smiled, "Relax, do you really have so little faith in the man you admire?"

Yao Susu blushed and lightly scolded, "You're being slick."

Distracted by this, Yao Susu forgot to continue asking.

After eating, as they walked out of the cafeteria, a middle-aged man hurried over, his expression showing a hint of anxiety.

When he saw Lian Fei, he was about to speak but was stopped by Lian Fei's gaze. Lian Fei then smiled at Yao Susu, "A friend is looking for me. Why don't you go to the classroom and wait for me?"

Yao Susu nodded and turned to leave.

Watching the girl's figure disappear, Lian Fei's smile vanished, and he asked the middle-aged man, "Why are you only here now?"

Speaking, he led the middle-aged man to a secluded corner.

The middle-aged man was named Xue Yong, a contact sent by the Wu Clan to communicate with Lian Fei.

"I just received the news," Xue Yong sighed. "This morning, the Black Widow returned double the deposit and admitted the mission's failure."

These words made Lian Fei's body stiffen, his face changing. The worst had come to pass!

"How is this possible?"

Lian Fei tried to suppress his anxiety, "That boy is only at the Fifth Level of True Martial cultivation. We spent a fortune to hire the Black Widow, Du Xiao, and Choumei翁. They could easily kill a Ninth Level True Martial expert, so how could the mission fail?"

Xue Yong's face darkened, "This is true. It's said that Du Xiao and Choumei翁 have completely failed and will not appear again."

Lian Fei drew a sharp breath, feeling a chill run through his body. After a long moment, he suddenly had an idea, "Could there be a powerful expert helping that boy?"

Xue Yong replied, "The Black Widow didn't say it outright, but I suspect that's the case."

Lian Fei asked anxiously, "Could it be the Stone Cauldron Hall?"

He was most worried about the Stone Cauldron Hall, one of the top forces in the empire. Even in this remote Donglin City, no one dared to provoke them.

According to his knowledge, the Stone Cauldron Hall had protected Lin Xun, even going so far as to confront the Wu Clan, making the Wu Clan hesitant to act.

If not for this, Lian Fei would not have been pushed to the forefront by the Wu Clan to deal with Lin Xun!

Lian Fei knew the Wu Clan was using him, but to avenge his father's death, he had no choice. He also needed the Wu Clan's help; otherwise, the Stone Cauldron Hall would be an insurmountable obstacle for him, a mere student at Donglin Academy.

Xue Yong's eyes narrowed at the mention of the Stone Cauldron Hall, "This is still uncertain. The decision must be made by you, Young Master."

Lian Fei was taken aback, then sneered inwardly, knowing this was the Wu Clan's way of shirking responsibility. If the Stone Cauldron Hall blamed him, he would bear the consequences alone.

This was the agreement he had already made with the Wu Clan.

However, Lian Fei was not content to be used. He took a few deep breaths and gritted his teeth, "The situation has already occurred, and the other party is now on high alert. If I were to decide, we should immediately dispatch more forces to resolve this matter thoroughly!"

Hearing this, the gloom on Xue Yong's face disappeared, and he smiled, "I heard that Mr. Wu Deyong of the Wu Clan also thought this way. Indeed, great minds think alike."

Lian Fei sneered inwardly again, "Great minds think alike" was just an excuse. The Wu Clan had already planned their strategy and needed him to take the lead!

Lian Fei was not polite, "If so, what else did Mr. Wu Deyong say?"

Xue Yong replied, "We can no longer hire assassins. With the deaths of Du Xiao and Choumei翁, many waves have been stirred, and assassins on the streets are unlikely to get involved again."

Pausing, he continued, "However, we don't need assassins; we can use some gangsters."

Lian Fei pondered, "What do you mean?"

Xue Yong smiled meaningfully, "Lin Xun is currently living in the civilian area, where many underground gangs are distributed. Coincidentally, the leader of the largest gang, 'Tiger Lu,' is a ruthless character who values money over life. More importantly, despite his apparent old age, he is a genuine Early Spirit Qi Realm expert!"

Lian Fei was startled, "Hiring an Early Spirit Qi Realm expert? That will cost a lot. Is it worth it?"

Xue Yong's face showed determination, "Du Xiao, Choumei翁, and the Black Widow could not handle this boy. We can only ask Tiger Lu to take action. This matter must be resolved quickly; the longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous it becomes for us."

He suddenly realized something and added, "Of course, this depends on whether you agree, Young Master."

Lian Fei could not refuse, and he coldly said, "This is best. Let's see if Tiger Lu is a true tiger!"

Xue Yong did not linger, smiling as he left.

Watching his figure disappear, Lian Fei's lips curled into a mocking smile. What a bunch of cowards at the Wu Clan, afraid of the Stone Cauldron Hall's might, using him as a pawn. Once he rises to power, he will make the Wu Clan pay first!

Returning to the classroom, Yao Susu had already saved him a seat. Lian Fei looked at her delicate face and couldn't help but smile brightly.

Whether he could rise to power in the future depended on whether he could win over Yao Susu...

...

Civilian Area, No. 49 Courtyard.

Lin Xun sat under an old locust tree, holding a cup of hot tea, and said in surprise, "You let the Black Widow go?"

Xia Zhi sat quietly opposite him, reading a book titled "The Empire's Past Campaigns." The warm winter sunlight bathed her serene and beautiful face, giving it a holy aura.

"Yes, they were just assassins hired for money. Killing them would have been meaningless," Xia Zhi said casually.

Indeed, it was meaningless.

Lin Xun thought for a moment and appreciated Xia Zhi's approach. Knowing when to act and when not to, her judgment was commendable.

"The prefectural examination is in ten days," Xia Zhi suddenly looked up and glanced at Lin Xun.

"Right," Lin Xun smiled, "I'm not even fourteen this year, and my cultivation broke through to the Sixth Level of True Martial last night. I should have no problem passing the prefectural examination."

He then asked, "By the way, are you going to participate?"

Xia Zhi shook her head, "I'm not interested."

Lin Xun nodded and did not press the issue. Xia Zhi was always very independent, and although she followed his advice, Lin Xun did not want to go against her wishes.

"What do you plan to do about the Wu Clan? Last night's incident was likely their doing," Xia Zhi asked.

"Lian Fei is very smart to stay at Donglin Academy. It will be difficult to deal with him first," Lin Xun was somewhat surprised. He was Lian Fei's father's killer, yet Lian Fei could remain patient and hide in Donglin Academy, showing remarkable patience and intelligence.

As they spoke, someone came to visit. Lin Xun opened the door to see a voluptuous, beautiful woman in a black short leather skirt standing there.

The Black Widow!

Lin Xun's eyes narrowed. What was she doing here?

---

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