Volume Four: The Struggle of Emperors

Life is indeed filled with contradictions. 

For the new students of Qingluan Academy, who have yet to encounter the darker aspects of this world and the myriad of unsettling and even infuriating elements it harbors, the academy remains tranquil and serene, unchanged in its essence. 

Little do they know that the Emperor of Yun Qin has departed from the imperial city of Zhongzhou, wielding the formidable authority of the sovereign, embarking on a northern expedition toward the Teng Tian Mountain Range and ultimately, toward Qingluan Academy. 

However, amidst the half-snowy expanse, Lin Xi's encounter with Wanyan Muye and Helan Yuexi has led him to increasingly sense the approach of an extraordinary event. 

On the return journey, the Qingluan Academy instructor guiding them, after listening to Lin Xi's accounts and inquiries, remained silent, offering no responses. Yet, on the very first day back at Qingluan Academy, during the morning's special training, Lin Xi unexpectedly noticed a hint of uncontainable joy on Xu Shengmo's face. 

This was remarkable for Xu Shengmo, who had always appeared as if the world owed him a fortune, displaying nothing but disdain and indifference. The sudden brightness in his demeanor contrasted starkly for Lin Xi, akin to a drop of ink falling into a pot of clear water. 

… 

Lin Xi was uncertain whether Tong Wei understood the underlying reasons and whether he would share any insights with him. However, due to his nature, during the afternoon's Windwalker training, Lin Xi followed closely in Tong Wei's footsteps, continuously releasing arrows while recounting his encounter with Helan Yuexi in the glacial realm above the snowline, detailing the palpable intent to kill he had sensed from her. 

Throughout the training, Tong Wei listened intently, refraining from voicing any opinions or interrupting Lin Xi's narration. It was only after the training concluded, as he hung his bow and arrows, that he regarded the scattered dry twigs on the forest floor and remarked, "You have indeed not disappointed me." 

Lin Xi's gaze lingered on the twigs, somewhat taken aback and puzzled, he asked, "Teacher, do you mean my improvement in archery or that I managed to defeat Wanyan Muye in the half-snowy expanse?" 

Tong Wei had always been exceedingly demanding, seldom offering praise. Now, during the Windwalker training, he had first shot down a segment of a dry twig from the trees, after which Lin Xi and Bian Linghan took turns shooting arrows at the fallen branch. 

Due to Tong Wei's unpredictable strength, the direction and speed of the fallen twigs varied, compelling Lin Xi and Bian Linghan not only to keep pace with Tong Wei's rhythm but also to aim and shoot in an instant—this challenge surpassed shooting at the sparrows flitting through the trees. In today's lesson, Bian Linghan managed to hit only two or three arrows out of ten, while Lin Xi consistently struck three to four. Ever since he grasped the essence of the wind and snow in the half-snowy expanse, he had experienced significant progress in his fingertip sensitivity and control over the arrow's fletching, as well as an enhanced perception of the wind. 

"Defeating an opponent of Wanyan Muye's caliber is hardly remarkable; in a true battle, with the right bow and arrows, it would be quite easy to eliminate him," Tong Wei observed, casting a glance at Lin Xi, and continued, "In terms of archery alone, you have indeed shown the most rapid progress among all my students." 

Lin Xi and Bian Linghan exchanged glances, unable to suppress their surprise, yet Tong Wei did not exhibit his usual intent to depart. Instead, he turned to them and inquired, "Do you truly wish to know the real reason behind the presence of the students from Thunder Academy here?" 

Lin Xi furrowed his brow, looking at Tong Wei with confusion, "At the very least, I must understand why Helan Yuexi, someone who has never known me, harbors a murderous intent against me. I do not wish for another person in this world to inexplicably seek my life." 

Tong Wei nodded, regarding Lin Xi and Bian Linghan, "There is a choice before you. A competition is imminent between the new students of our academy and Thunder Academy, and this will be a genuine contest... meaning there is a possibility of casualties. Vice Dean Xia has already selected five representatives from our academy, and both of you are among them... Given the gravity of this matter, and in accordance with our Qingluan Academy's tradition, I must first inquire about your willingness. If you are willing to represent the academy, then you shall do so; if not, you may speak freely, and Vice Dean Xia will select others. Should you choose to participate, I can reveal some of the true reasons behind this." 

The expressions of Lin Xi and Bian Linghan shifted slightly, and they exchanged glances once more, feeling a chill in their hearts as they pondered the nature of this competition that could potentially lead to injury or death. 

Recalling previous events, Lin Xi's brow furrowed even tighter, sensing that something extraordinary was unfolding. 

"Teacher, could you tell me who the other three participants are, apart from Linghan and myself?" Before Bian Linghan could speak, Lin Xi gazed intently at Tong Wei and earnestly inquired. 

"Certainly." After a moment of contemplation, Tong Wei nodded, "Aside from you and Bian Linghan, the other participants are Gao Yanan, Wen Xuanyu, and Yu Huatianji." 

"Wen Xuanyu and Yu Huawuji?" Lin Xi was momentarily taken aback, and images of an exceptionally aloof and proud young man from the literature department and a slender boy with golden hair flashed through his mind. 

"This competition must be of great significance to the academy." As Lin Xi contemplated the chosen candidates, Bian Linghan, with a resolute expression, turned to Tong Wei and firmly declared, "I am willing to participate." 

"It seems Helan Yuexi indeed possesses some formidable capabilities." Lin Xi offered a wry smile, "I suppose I will have to face him once more." 

Tong Wei glanced at Lin Xi, "So you have agreed as well?" 

Lin Xi met Tong Wei's gaze, "I must tell you, it is not merely due to the academy's prestige, but because two of my friends are involved, and at least one of them has already consented." 

"All I need to know is your genuine desire to participate; the reasons behind it are not my concern," Tong Wei replied, his expression unchanged as he regarded Lin Xi and Bian Linghan. "I can now inform you that the students from Thunder Academy have appeared in the half-snowy expanse because the current emperor intends to intervene in our Qingluan Academy, demanding that we relinquish control over our cultivation elixirs and methods. As you are aware, many of our professors hold differing philosophies from Vice Dean Xia, and thus the focal point of contention has become whether Vice Dean Xia's views or those of the emperor are correct. Thunder Academy was established and instructed in accordance with the emperor's will, so if we were to lose this competition, the emperor would have grounds to meddle in our academy's affairs, compelling us to make certain changes." 

"The Emperor of Yun Qin?" 

Both Lin Xi and Bian Linghan paused, their breaths caught in their throats. Even Lin Xi, who had come from another world, understood the immense power and authority embodied in the name of the Emperor of Yun Qin, particularly in a realm that upheld the divine right of kings. As he recalled the iron-blooded aura surrounding Wanyan Muye, Lin Xi's expression turned cold as he contemplated a possibility, speaking in a chilling tone, "Teacher, does this mean Thunder Academy has already adopted the methods endorsed by Xu Shengmo and the others?" 

A layer of frost settled upon Tong Wei's face, his voice grave as he replied, "This was a secret known only to a few just two days ago, but it is no longer so." 

Bian Linghan's complexion began to pale as she thought of the youthful faces of the Thunder Academy students, realizing that their hands were stained with blood that could not bring them glory. A sense of indescribable resentment and sorrow filled her heart. 

Lin Xi shook his head, understanding that with the prestige of Qingluan Academy, the emperor could not force the academy to this point without sufficient justification. Thus, he looked at Tong Wei earnestly and asked, "So, does this mean that this competition must end in victory for us?" 

Tong Wei regarded Lin Xi and Bian Linghan, shaking his head as he replied solemnly, "You must understand that currently, the professors who support Xu Shengmo's views likely constitute the majority. However, the reason Vice Dean Xia and we still hold the dominant position is that many disputes in this world are ultimately resolved through force... They are unaware of what Dean Zhang left behind, and no one can surpass Vice Dean Xia. Therefore, even if we were to lose, Vice Dean Xia could still refuse to comply, and no one could force the academy to implement changes. However, without sufficient justification, the emperor will undoubtedly resort to more drastic measures. At that point, we would not only face the emperor's wrath but also bear the burden of countless lives lost due to our refusal." 

After a brief pause, Tong Wei added gravely, "In the eyes of some, lives are worthless, easily sacrificed for the sake of posturing, even if it means the lives of hundreds of elite soldiers from Yun Qin. But we cannot turn a blind eye... We cannot disregard the many connections and individuals left behind by Dean Zhang; we cannot simply walk away into the depths of Teng Tian Mountain. Vice Dean Xia has stated that human intentions and actions can often be a source of contradiction... Dean Zhang sought merely to observe the world, to transcend the mundane, to be a quiet spectator, yet he became embroiled in it, leaving behind Qingluan Academy. You, too, are in a similar predicament; you initially wished to avoid this conflict, but your concern for those you care about compels you to confront the storm." 

"Indeed, life is fraught with contradictions." Lin Xi nodded quietly, sighing, "Ultimately, one can live for oneself, but one cannot live alone in this world." 

Tong Wei raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised by Lin Xi's profound words. 

"Five new students from each side—how will this competition be conducted? Given that they have already taken lives and experienced genuine bloodshed, are we not at a disadvantage?" Lin Xi asked directly, his gaze fixed on Tong Wei.