The Most Unlikely Person

In a small courtyard, a red clay stove was set atop burning pine branches, warming a pot of freshly brewed green ant wine. 

Vice Dean Xia, wrapped in a thin blanket, sat on a yellow bamboo chair polished to a glossy sheen. Beside him, on a small table, lay a scroll of leather parchment. 

In one's lifetime, true confidants are few and far between, and as one ages, the number dwindles even further. 

With friends scattered like autumn leaves, genuine gatherings in life are rare, while partings are all too common... This is the inevitable sorrow of existence. At this moment, he sat alone, drinking in solitude, amplifying the tranquility and loneliness surrounding him. 

Yet, fortunately, he had many cherished memories and individuals to care for, which kept him occupied, serene, and at peace. 

With a soft creak, the newly repaired bamboo door swung open, and Xiao Mingxuan, wearing brass-framed glasses, entered the courtyard. He flicked his wrist, sending a scroll to land on Vice Dean Xia's lap, then busied himself by retrieving a bamboo chair from within, pouring himself a cup of wine, and sipping it while exhaling warm breaths. 

As Vice Dean Xia unfurled the scroll tossed by Xiao Mingxuan, a look of satisfaction graced his face, and he cast an appreciative glance at Xiao Mingxuan, exclaiming, "This lad truly excels!" 

"I finally understand why Old Zhang believes you are more suited to manage this academy than Old Meng," Xiao Mingxuan nodded. "When it comes to data analysis and reasoning, I surpass you, but in understanding people, you are my superior." 

"Talent and prowess in battle are commendable, but they are not everything. Even Wen Ren Cangyue can achieve such feats. The crux lies in enduring the rigorous training imposed by Xu Shengmo and Tong Wei. He relishes the hardships they inflict, maintaining his composure even in the face of humiliation... This lad is indeed remarkable." After nodding, Xiao Mingxuan removed his brass crystal glasses and leaned back in his bamboo chair, unable to suppress a rare expression of admiration. 

Vice Dean Xia smiled gently, saying, "Yet he still retains a touch of immaturity... Xu Shengmo must be quite upset." 

"Perhaps it would do him good to feel some frustration. No matter how formidable a person may be, how much stronger can they truly become? Those in the south, and the old-timers in the imperial city, who among them is not a formidable character?" Xiao Mingxuan muttered dismissively. "Old Zhang is right; we are merely fish in a vast river. No matter how strong the fish, attempting to change the river is foolish. No one knows what winds may arise a thousand miles away from the fluttering wings of fireflies on the plains." 

Vice Dean Xia chuckled softly and poured himself a cup of wine, savoring it slowly. 

Though this small courtyard atop Tian Shu Peak appeared serene and desolate, the happenings within the academy, the empire, and the world flowed like a river, converging upon this tranquil space. 

Xiao Mingxuan, engrossed in data analysis, was devoid of excessive personal sentiment, yet he took joy in watching the growth of those he favored... Vice Dean Xia observed them much like a parent watches over their child. 

Lin Xi's daily performances were continuously reported to this small courtyard. 

Thus, even without leaving this sanctuary, Vice Dean Xia was aware of the quarrel between Qin Xiyue and Gao Yanan on the mountain path over Lin Xi, and he knew of Lin Xi's pact with Liu Ziyu for a month's time. 

Following that, Lin Xi triumphed over the "Yellow Antelope" in the Trial Valley, then defeated the "Spirit Vulture," and subsequently entered the "Blade and Gun" stone hall. 

Next, Lin Xi bested the "Golden Sun" and conquered the "Purple Blossom." 

As days passed, Vice Dean Xia quietly observed Lin Xi's ever-increasing achievements from this peaceful courtyard. 

Since his victory over the Spirit Vulture, Lin Xi had not suffered a single defeat in the Trial Valley, consistently achieving five-star ratings. To date, Lin Xi's record stood at nine consecutive five-star exits, and according to Li Wu, he had indeed shattered the time record for the Direct Strike Spear Formation. 

Although his recent performances in the "Blade and Gun" stone hall were not as astounding as his earlier feats in the Direct Strike Spear Formation, having remained just forty steps from the back door of the stone hall after nine days, Vice Dean Xia and Xiao Mingxuan attributed this to Lin Xi's additional training session with Xu Shengmo, resulting in physical fatigue. 

In summary, Lin Xi's performance had greatly surpassed both his and Xiao Mingxuan's expectations. 

When one regards another as a child, and they perform even better than imagined, it is certainly a cause for celebration, deserving of a toast. 

Neither Xiao Mingxuan nor Vice Dean Xia mentioned Liu Ziyu, for based on Lin Xi's current performance, the outcome of his agreement with Liu Ziyu was already a foregone conclusion. 

"Isn't it true that Yan Shaoqing's carriage will arrive in two days?" Vice Dean Xia asked, chewing on a piece of smoked cured meat roasting nearby, while pouring another cup of wine. 

Xiao Mingxuan shook his head, glancing at the enticingly colored and aromatic cured meat, then cast a worried look at his own plump figure, finally grumbling as he poured himself a cup of wine, "It will take three more days. They encountered a mudslide near Linqi, and it took a day to clear the road." 

Vice Dean Xia nodded, looking directly at Xiao Mingxuan, he stated plainly, "What is your perspective?" 

"Zhan Tai Mang and I assessed the situation similarly; they are undoubtedly no less formidable than the old-timers in the imperial city. The treasury of Da Mang has already seen significant expenditures, and some previously sealed granaries have been opened. The quantities are immense, indicating preparations are being made to supply multiple armies advancing towards the border." Xiao Mingxuan's chubby fingers lightly tapped the rim of his wine cup, his round face displaying a hint of frustration. "Many from Thunder Academy have already ventured into the Teng Tian Mountain Range for training, so the emperor is clearly becoming impatient. With Zhan Tai Mang stirring the pot, he will surely find more excuses. If we wish to gain the upper hand in negotiations with the emperor, we must first secure an advantage over Thunder Academy. Otherwise, given the emperor's current mindset, our Qingluan Academy can refuse, but Yun Qin cannot bear the cost." 

"Three more days... If Lin Xi has four days, he should be able to challenge the 'Blade and Gun' record." 

Vice Dean Xia pondered for a moment, then turned to Xiao Mingxuan, saying, "I will make arrangements to observe how this year's elite newcomers from Thunder Academy perform in four days. Keep an eye on the military department in the west; Wen Ren Cangyue will likely grow anxious." 

"Understood." Xiao Mingxuan set down his wine cup, intending to rise, but then slapped himself sharply on the left cheek, leaving it flushed. "There has been too much going on lately, and my memory isn't what it used to be; I almost forgot the most crucial matter... News has come from within the Tang Zang Imperial Palace, indicating they wish to exchange Gu Xinyin for Nangong Mo." 

As he spoke, his voice trembled slightly, seemingly filled with self-reproach for not mentioning it sooner. 

Vice Dean Xia's breath hitched momentarily, his expression darkening with an unusual chill, shaking his head, "That price is insufficient." 

"That price is insufficient." His heart seemed to waver as he repeated the phrase, then looked at Xiao Mingxuan, speaking in a grave tone, "The Tang Zang people must believe we are aware of the immense suffering Gu Xinyin has endured over the years, and that we would immediately agree to the exchange. However, it is precisely because we know the many torturous methods they have employed to extract secrets from him... Given that he has borne such suffering for so long, that price is far from adequate." 

Xiao Mingxuan remained silent for a moment before asking, "What if they change their minds?" 

"Since they cannot extract information from Gu Xinyin, he holds no value for them. Moreover, they wish to uncover certain secrets about our Qingluan Academy through Nangong Mo. Therefore, you must convey to them that I need Gu Xinyin to be alive and well, and I will ensure that Nangong Mo is returned to them safely. Yet, the price remains insufficient." Vice Dean Xia inhaled deeply, looking at Xiao Mingxuan, "Even if Gu Xinyin knows we have rejected this proposal, he will understand that we are seeking to pay the price for him after all these years." 

Xiao Mingxuan nodded, saying nothing further, and turned to leave the small courtyard. 

...

"Who is this Silver Fox? So formidable, and why has he suddenly emerged?" 

The atmosphere before the bulletin board outside the Trial Valley was anything but tranquil. 

All the newcomers discovered that a new name, "Silver Fox," had appeared on the leaderboard, and its rise was astonishing—achieving a five-star rating every day, culminating in nine consecutive five-star exits. 

"By this timeline, when the ninety-pound Chosen One made a pact with Brother Liu, this Silver Fox must have begun his winning streak. You don't suppose this Silver Fox could be the ninety-pound Chosen One from the Zhi Ge system, do you?" boomed a burly youth from the Apothecary Department named Ge Yinglang, one of those who had previously berated Lin Xi on the mountain path. 

"Utter nonsense! If a character like him can achieve such a winning streak, it would truly be the sun rising in the west. At that point, I'd eat this bulletin board!" scoffed a proud and arrogant youth from the Zhi Ge system, known as Mu Shan Zi. 

"Haha." 

Ge Yinglang couldn't help but burst into laughter. Though Mu Shan Zi's words were crude and his demeanor haughty, he found himself increasingly in agreement with him, and they began to see each other in a more favorable light. 

"Here comes Wen Xuanyu..." 

A sudden hush fell over the crowd before the bulletin board as Mu Shan Zi frowned, watching Wen Xuanyu, pale and drenched, slowly emerge from the valley. 

Ignoring the gazes of others, the prideful youth, Wen Xuanyu, cast a glance at the bulletin board before silently departing. 

"Could it really be him... Silver Fox?" Wen Xuanyu clenched and then relaxed his fists, while the group of students before the bulletin board perceived him as aloof and overly proud, unaware that his mind was consumed solely with that thought.