Chapter Eighty: Good News
“I don’t quite understand…” Ye Xin spoke slowly. In truth, he understood everything, but the events had unfolded too abruptly; he needed a moment to think it over.
“Alright, let me tell you everything from beginning to end.” Wen Rong glanced around. Aside from Shen Miao and Ye Ling, there were no other outsiders. Gathering herself, she said, “The Wolf Marshal was killed by cultivators from the Azure Cloud Sect. Whether the Lord was the mastermind is unclear, but he certainly played a role in fanning the flames. You possess the Body of Primordial Spirit. If you never manage to condense your primordial energy, perhaps you could enjoy wealth and comfort all your life. But now that you can begin cultivation, the Lord faces two choices: destroy you, or support you.”
“To destroy you—because the Wolf Marshal’s death is, in some measure, tied to him. To support you—because you have always been guileless, knowing only how to eat, drink, and amuse yourself. Ye Xin, I’m not mocking you; what was once a flaw is now your greatest advantage.” Wen Rong continued, “Moreover, your relationship with Third Brother is excellent. There’s certainly a chance to sway you. Coupled with the fact that the Azure Cloud Sect was the executor, the Lord has ample reason to absolve himself. So he does not necessarily need to destroy you.”
“My father’s death… I’ve thought about it a lot,” Ye Xin said. “The Azure Cloud Sect targeted him alone; maybe Father did something inappropriate and angered them…”
“You don’t hate the Azure Cloud Sect?” Wen Rong was momentarily stunned. “Whether you mean it or not, you shouldn’t say it to me—you should find a moment to tell Third Brother. If you remain silent about the Wolf Marshal’s death, it will inevitably arouse suspicion. Perhaps in the future, someone will use the Azure Cloud Sect against you. That would be unfortunate. It’s better to make your stance clear as soon as possible.”
“They say a father’s murderer is irreconcilable. If I admit defeat like this, don’t you think I’m a petty man?” Ye Xin smiled. “Is it worth telling me all this?”
“What you think is your business,” Wen Rong said coolly. “I only do what I ought to do.”
Ye Xin’s implication was that he was not worthy of trust, a small-minded man. Wen Rong’s attitude was clear—she would only fulfill her own responsibilities.
“Alright…” Ye Xin sighed. “Go on.”
“The Lord’s greatest flaw is indecisiveness. Destroying you means destroying the backbone of the Great Wei Kingdom. Keeping you may lead to disaster. He will vacillate between these two options,” said Wen Rong. “The Lord’s greatest ambition is to be a ruler, to unify the Nine Dukes, to forge a third empire that could rival the Law Empire and the Empire of the Gods. Yet a mere Great Zhao Kingdom has blocked his path for more than twenty years, preventing him from displaying his talents. Your emergence is like a new hope for him.”
“But even the most indecisive person has a bottom line. As you grow, he will eventually make his decision,” Wen Rong continued. “Li Shichuan, who founded the Law Empire, after awakening his divine thunder, reached the peak of advanced innate martial warrior in eleven months and forged his killing move. You must be faster than him, for the Lord cannot wait that long. Before he decides, you must possess the power to protect yourself. The stronger you are, the more cautious he will be!”
“How much time do I have?” Ye Xin asked.
“One month! You must become a junior innate martial warrior!” Wen Rong’s expression was bitter, for she knew how slim the hope was. “Then you can openly participate in the Academy Competition. In three months, you must break through the primordial barrier and become an advanced innate martial warrior!”
“That’s impossible, Wen Rong!” Shen Miao cried out. Li Shichuan was hailed as the greatest genius in centuries—he took eleven months to reach advanced innate martial warrior. How could Ye Xin be eight months faster than Li Shichuan?
“I’m not only considering your Ye family; I must also think of myself,” Wen Rong’s face grew more bitter. “If the Lord decides to destroy you, he’ll test the waters with my father first. The general election is still far off; I fear I won’t last until then. I can only place all my hopes on you.”
Ye Xin turned to look at the box on the table—seventy-three primordial stones. This must be all Wen Rong possessed.
His vision blurred, and Ye Xin seemed to see his previous life. Back then, his financial chain had a massive gap. That foolish woman sold her homes, shares, even her car, all for him. She had freed herself from money’s shackles, able to travel and enjoy life, but in the end was forced to work as a net café attendant. At the time, Ye Xin thought little of it, believing a few times’ profit would settle things. When his funds recovered and he made money, he went to the café and saw her eating the cheapest meal. When she noticed him, she smiled foolishly, a bit of vegetable stuck to her teeth.
That heart-wrenching pain, he could never forget. From that day, he truly understood that one must never measure everything by profit. Several times’ profit? Far from enough. Even if he spent the rest of his life repaying her, it would never suffice.
Wen Rong didn’t notice Ye Xin’s changing expression. She spoke again: “You have other troubles—the Zong family is one! They’re close to the Wei family now, but that won’t last. Zong Bieli has been silent; perhaps he’s still finishing affairs in Great Chen, or maybe he’s already on his way to Nine Cauldrons City, or even arrived. Two tigers cannot share one mountain. Both Zong Bieli and Wei Juan have immense command. To control more troops, they will eventually oppose each other! Forming an alliance with the Wen family, breaking into the circle of families in Nine Cauldrons City, gaining recognition—this is the Zong family’s century-long plan. Moreover, even if I fail the election, I’ll likely enter the sect for cultivation and become a strong support for the Zong family. Zong Yunjin won’t allow you to interfere!”
“I…” Ye Xin sighed again.
“We know you’ve done nothing, but the situation has already escalated. The Zong family won’t believe you’re innocent. Last time, the Sky Wolf Legion killed Zong family assassins, and the Zong family immediately retaliated. You’re already mortal enemies,” Wen Rong paused. “Also, Third Brother may face changes. The Fifth Prince, Ironman Hao, is backed by Iron Crown Tian, an outer disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect. Third Brother can only try to ally with the families of Nine Cauldrons City. He wanted to use me to get closer to the sect. This marriage ruined his plans.”
“Others see you as a bargaining chip—that’s one thing,” Ye Xin said quietly. “But you… seem to have accepted being a bargaining chip. Are you resigned to it?”
“It’s a woman’s fate,” Wen Rong’s expression was indifferent. “In the struggle for power, women are not the equal of men. Even if I enter the sect, I may not control my own destiny.”
“Three months, is it?” Ye Xin pondered. “I’ll do it. Starting tomorrow—”
“Don’t wait for tomorrow. Begin today,” Wen Rong interrupted. “Before coming, Shen Miao and I went to the Academy and found Instructor Xie. I want you to train in the Cambrian Hall every night. I thought Instructor Xie would be hard to persuade… but fortune favors you. He agreed without hesitation. Seems he has great hopes for you too.”
Ye Xin was momentarily speechless. This wasn’t Wen Rong’s doing—he was already planning to train in the Cambrian Hall that night.
“I’ll give you some time to prepare,” Wen Rong said. “Then Shen Miao and I will take you to Cambrian Hall. Take your household guards, too.”
With that, Wen Rong gave Shen Miao a look, then rose and walked out.
Wen Rong, Shen Miao, and the others left. Only Ye Xin remained. Mountain Cannon, hidden under the bed, was utterly silent; who knew what he was up to.
Ye Xin turned his gaze once more to the box, silent for a long time.
Wen Rong was clever, but her grasp of the larger picture was still somewhat immature. She didn’t realize that if Ye Xin stood out, her fate would become extremely tragic.
Some things that frightened her greatly were very likely to happen!
He didn’t know how much time had passed before Xue Baiqi appeared at the doorway. He waited a moment, but seeing Ye Xin unmoved, he had to speak: “Young Master, shall we go to the Academy?”
“Baiqi,” Ye Xin said softly, “Tell me… do I have a conscience?”
“Uh…” Xue Baiqi was startled, then smiled wryly. “Which aspect does Young Master mean?”
“Forget it, it’s pointless to ask you.” Ye Xin stood up. “Put away this box. Don’t touch what’s inside. Hmm… today, you and Hao Fei will accompany me to the Academy. Xie En has broken through the primordial barrier and become an advanced innate martial warrior. You two must hurry as well.”
“If others see us training in Cambrian Hall, might that be improper?” Xue Baiqi asked.
“No matter. Xie En has earned the Academy’s favor. An advanced innate martial warrior at twenty—how many are there in the whole Great Wei Kingdom?” Ye Xin said coolly. “Use your privileges before they expire. Even if someone objects, the Academy will suppress dissent. Besides, we can give Xie En some primordial stones for him to hand over to the Academy to compensate for Cambrian Hall’s wear.”
“That… works,” Xue Baiqi nodded.
“These days… all bad news. I really don’t know what ill luck I’ve triggered,” Ye Xin shook his head. He had never counted Wen Hongren in his plans. Now Wen Hongren was mad enough to betroth Wen Rong to him, and so protecting the Wen family had, inexplicably, become his responsibility.
“Want to hear good news, Young Master? That’s easy,” Xue Baiqi smiled, handing Ye Xin a letter.
Ye Xin looked at him curiously, then tore open the envelope and read the letter carefully.
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