Chapter 95

## Chapter 95. How Did You Know?

Nogunsang stared blankly at the resignation letter Gongsunshu had handed him.

"Resigning right after enrolling... This is a first."

"Hehe. It seems I'm setting new records at Qinglong Academy."

Gongsunshu, sitting opposite him, smiled wryly.

Nogunsang sensed the bitterness hidden in his smile and asked quietly,

"Are you not disappointed?"

"...I am. Very disappointed."

Gongsunshu looked at the Qinglong token on the table along with the resignation letter.

Since he had submitted the resignation letter, he had to return the Qinglong token.

"However, I'm not shameless enough to practice martial arts while watching the country rot due to treacherous officials."

While Gongsunshu was absent, the power brokers in the imperial palace had been restraining the emperor and greedily seeking power.

The emperor was benevolent and wise, but he still lacked the experience to deal with these seasoned power brokers.

This was why Gongsunshu had to go to the imperial palace.

"Even though I'm resigning, I hope to contribute to the development of Qinglong Academy from afar."

"Contribute...?"

Gongsunshu saw Qinglong Academy as a fertile ground for talent, where many hidden dragons were stirring.

However, due to the lack of achievements in the Heavenly Martial Competition over the past ten years, the students' confidence had waned, and financial support was gradually decreasing.

Gongsunshu intended to break this vicious cycle.

"Headmaster. Don't worry about financial issues from this year onward."

"Hehe..."

In the future, financial support for Qinglong Academy would be more abundant than for any of the other five great academies.

This was something that could be achieved with just a few words from Gongsunshu.

Nogunsang, suddenly faced with this stroke of luck, looked bewildered.

"Hehe... I don't know how to express my gratitude."

"All I can do is this. I hope the classmates who entered with me will continue to be proud of Qinglong Academy."

"..."

After a moment, Nogunsang suddenly tore up Gongsunshu's resignation letter on the spot.

Rip.

"Why...?"

"Freshman Gongsunshu."

Nogunsang's tone of addressing Gongsunshu had suddenly changed.

"Your case will be treated as a leave of absence, not expulsion."

"Really?"

Nogunsang pushed the Qinglong token back to Gongsunshu, refusing to accept its return.

"Return to your studies when your business in the imperial palace is over."

"..."

"You'll have to take a simple re-exam. If you neglect your training, I won't accept you back, so be aware."

"Hehehe..."

A leave of absence.

Gongsunshu was already sixty-five years old.

In five years, he would be seventy, and in ten years, seventy-five.

'Can I resolve the issues in the imperial palace within five years?'

He couldn't make any promises.

But...

Whether it took five years or ten, what did it matter?

Gongsunshu was already smiling.

"If I return to my studies later, I'll listen. So don't get fired and continue to serve Qinglong Academy for a long time."

"I'll try my best."

They were the only two people there.

Weizhichuan had to stay at the academy due to his subsequent schedule, and Xuan Yuan Gang was not in a condition to come out so far. Therefore, he was sent back to the doctor after the enrollment ceremony.

Gongsunshu had sent Hei Ying to greet Tian Jian.

Within half an hour at the latest, Tian Jian and the troops of the Jin Yi Wei would arrive here.

"So, why did you send Hei Ying away and have a private conversation with me?"

Gongsunshu's question made Baishulong grin.

Hei Ying had been sent away by Gongsunshu, but it was at Baishulong's secret request.

"I just thought we could have a chat before you leave. Shall we sit over there for a moment?"

At the start of the mountain path leading away from the main road.

The two sat facing each other in a small pavilion.

"Thank you for all your hard work over the past month and a bit."

Baishulong took out the wine and cups he had prepared. It was an expensive white wine he had bought the day before.

Gongsunshu's eyes widened in surprise.

"Hehe. I'm drinking the wine you gave me. You wouldn't let me touch it before."

"That's why I prepared it specially. One cup before you leave should be fine, right?"

Wine he hadn't tasted in a month.

Gongsunshu's eyes sparkled as he said,

"Of course. It's perfect since there's no one to nag me. Is that why you sent Hei Ying away first?"

"Exactly."

Like two mischievous troublemakers, the two men began to pour and drink wine, grinning at each other.

"Ah! This is good."

"It's expensive, you know."

There was no need for many words between them.

Memories were their snacks, and the wind blowing through the pavilion and the rustling of the bushes were their music and dance.

After a moment of enjoying the scenery, Gongsunshu spoke.

"Teacher."

"Yes."

"Take good care of Tian. He has a gentle heart, and there will be those who will try to bring him down and make his life miserable out of jealousy for his talent."

"Understood."

"Jiang is upright and has a strong sense of justice, but his temper is like fire. While discipline is good, sometimes you need to be gentle and comfort him."

"I will keep that in mind."

Baishulong nodded, listening attentively to Gongsunshu's words.

Gongsunshu was the current emperor's teacher.

While he was not as skilled in martial arts as Baishulong, he was unmatched in his wisdom and as a teacher of virtue and etiquette.

"…I hope Jiang doesn't have any lingering effects."

"He's a tough kid. He'll recover quickly."

Gongsunshu, with a bitter smile, nodded and poured wine into Baishulong's cup.

"By the way, have you ever thought about getting married?"

"Choke!"

Caught off guard by the unexpected topic, Baishulong spat out his wine.

Marriage, all of a sudden.

Baishulong's mind raced.

He didn't need to think long to know who Gongsunshu had in mind.

"No, I haven't."

"You're too quick to catch on. What's wrong with my Hei Ying?"

"Have you asked her opinion?"

Though it was a refusal, Gongsunshu's eyes lit up as if he had caught something.

"You seem to have some interest. If my daughter likes you, would you consider meeting her seriously?"

"No..."

"This isn't a joke. Think about it."

"..."

Baishulong fell into thought.

Meeting a woman and getting married.

A future he had never imagined in his previous life.

Back then, just surviving each day was a struggle.

'Now?'

Compared to fifty years ago, it was a much more peaceful world.

The Blood Sect, which had dreamed of unifying the martial world, had been destroyed, and the evil forces had greatly diminished.

However, Baishulong knew this peace wouldn't last.

'The Blood Sect hasn't disappeared.'

He had already noticed several signs.

Perhaps they had formed an even larger force than he imagined, and their resurgence was imminent.

If the Blood Sect were to rise again...

Baishulong answered with a serious expression.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have the desire to get married right now."

"…There must be a reason."

Gongsunshu, observing Baishulong's expression, did not press further or pry into the details.

Before they knew it, the bottle of wine was empty.

"Oh. The wine is all gone. Did you only buy one bottle to stick in someone's nose?"

"This amount is perfect. Besides, a guest has arrived."

"Guest? Is Tian Jian already here?"

Baishulong smiled and looked over Gongsunshu's shoulder.

Gongsunshu also turned his head to follow the gaze.

A familiar face was walking towards them.

"Senior Xuan Yuan Gang?"

It was Xuan Yuan Gang.

Xuan Yuan Gang, with a pale face, waved at the two when he saw them.

Gongsunshu stood up to greet Xuan Yuan Gang.

"Senior, what brings you here? Even though you're not well...?"

Xuan Yuan Gang scratched his head awkwardly.

"I felt suffocated staying in the clinic. And I have a gift for the old man."

"Gift?"

Xuan Yuan Gang reached into his robe and pulled out something.

Gongsunshu was so moved by his gesture that he felt tears welling up in his eyes.

'Such a caring kid...'

Despite being stabbed and looking so pale, he didn't harbor any resentment and was still thoughtful enough to bring a gift.

"What kind of gift is this?"

"I thought I might not get another chance to give it to you."

Xuan Yuan Gang pulled out a short sword painted black from his robe.

It had a plain, unadorned blade, and in the dark, it was so black that its shape could hardly be discerned.

Xuan Yuan Gang smiled brightly and stabbed Gongsunshu in the neck with it.

"Hmm...?"

Even at that moment, Gongsunshu felt no threat.

The short sword was extended naturally, without any aura or killing intent.

He simply thought it was a gift for him.

Clang!

The blade was deflected to the side, and Xuan Yuan Gang, who had seemed so weak just moments ago, instantly retreated.

Thud.

Gongsunshu fell to the ground.

The fear and shock of death finally hit him.

"Why, why...?"

Gongsunshu shouted, staring at Xuan Yuan Gang's expressionless face.

"Why are you trying to kill me!"

"Sir, please calm down."

At that moment, Baishulong stepped in front of Gongsunshu.

He had just blocked Xuan Yuan Gang's attack.

"That's not Xuan Yuan Gang."

"What...?"

As Gongsunshu was surprised, Xuan Yuan Gang's expression changed strangely.

"How did you know? I copied Xuan Yuan Gang's manner of speaking, his gait, and even his scent."

The assassin, Qisha, who had disguised himself as Xuan Yuan Gang, asked.

"Because I was waiting for you."

Baishulong smiled wryly in response to the question.