Chapter 25: Ye Xingchen’s Gambit and the Headmaster’s Calculations

“Ye Xingchen. You had best take responsibility for your words. Otherwise, once you step out that door, no one will be able to protect you.”

The mentor’s voice was low, laced with warning.

‘Hmph, little brat, do you truly believe I’m easily intimidated? The years I’ve lived likely surpass even your great-grandfather’s lifespan!’

Ye Xingchen merely shrugged.

“If the mentor doesn’t believe me, you are welcome to immediately relay the news of the Duke’s son’s injury back to the ducal estate. The truth, whether real or fabricated, will reveal itself within the next two days.”

The mentor’s expression stiffened.

Once the news was released, there would be no turning back.

Yet, Ye Xingchen’s composed demeanor… could this truly be happening?

“Ye Xingchen! You must consider the consequences carefully!”

The mentor clearly remained unconvinced.

Ye Xingchen spread his hands, adopting an innocent expression.

“Consequences? I’m merely an errand boy for Su Liyue; what consequences could I possibly face? However, that esteemed individual did say,”

His tone suddenly deepened, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.

“Any situation concerning Su Liyue is to be reported immediately, and he will handle it personally. But if even a single strand of her hair is harmed… he might casually dismantle a castle for sport.

In a more serious scenario, he wouldn’t mind a thorough ‘cleanup’.”

Establishing a proper display of power was also quite necessary; otherwise, Su Liyue would inevitably be bothered by annoying ‘flies’.

Moreover, he was genuinely curious about the true strength of the powerhouses in this world.

Upon hearing this, even the mentor, who had once met the Saint Archmage and the Emperor of Aetherland alongside the Headmaster, couldn’t help but feel his expression turn stern.

When had such a… terrifying entity emerged in the Empire? Someone who didn’t even regard the ducal estate as significant?!

Ye Xingchen feigned idleness, propping his chin.

“Coincidentally, I’m also rather keen to see… if the Duke’s apologizing posture meets the standard.”

The Duke apologizing? The mentor was now drenched in a cold sweat from Ye Xingchen’s words.

Without immense backing, anyone daring to utter such a statement in the Aetherland Empire would surely be deemed insane!

“Given the circumstances…” The mentor fell silent for a moment.

“Ye Xingchen, I will report this matter truthfully to the Headmaster. As for you,” he deliberately emphasized the word “you,” “return to class for now.”

A barely perceptible curve played on Ye Xingchen’s lips.

He had a faint inkling of the hidden implications within those words.

This individual before him was likely just a mouthpiece; the true puppet master was probably Headmaster Yu Qinglan, residing deep within the White Tower.

As for the truth or fabrication of the matter… delving deeper now was not the crux of the issue; in fact, continuing to probe might even put him at a disadvantage.

“This student takes his leave.” He performed a proper, standard mage’s bow, his wide sleeves sweeping an elegant arc.

As he turned, a ray of light from outside the window happened to brush his lowered lashes, casting a momentary, flickering shadow on the bluestone floor.

Stepping out of the mentor’s office, an imperceptible glint of coldness flashed in Ye Xingchen’s eyes.

‘If others don’t offend me, I won’t offend them. But if they do! Then it’s a matter of whether they possess the capability!’

***

Once the footsteps faded into the distance, the mentor bowed respectfully.

Unbeknownst to him, Headmaster Yu Qinglan had quietly appeared in the room.

“Headmaster.”

“Hmm.” The Headmaster waved a hand, indicating no need for formalities, his gaze steadily deepening.

“This Ye Xingchen is rather extraordinary. Let alone you, even I didn’t see him make a move at the time.

If he and Su Liyue truly have an unfathomable master behind them… setting aside how Xiao Qicai was injured, the familiar contract and the summoning of weapons could also be explained.

Furthermore… this might not necessarily be a bad thing for the academy.”

However, Ye Xingchen was no ordinary person.

Though he had walked away, how could he not have sensed the Headmaster’s presence in the room just moments before?

The instant he stepped out the door, he had silently activated his Qimen Plate (TL Note: A divination tool used in Qimen Dunjia, an ancient Chinese esoteric art of divination, often associated with strategy and tactics.).

The ‘Xun’ trigram symbolizes wind, the ‘Xun’ palace, the ‘Wind Listening Art’! No matter how stringent the magical barrier of that office, to him, it was merely an empty facade.

Sound propagates through the air as waves, and the Headmaster’s and mentor’s hushed conversation had already reached Ye Xingchen’s ears, not a single word missed.

As the saying goes, ‘Know yourself and know your enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without peril.’

Ye Xingchen, after all, was a powerhouse at the Transcendent Saint realm, and naturally, he acted with caution.

Moreover… ‘Those skilled in attack cause their enemies to be ignorant of what they defend! Those skilled in defense cause their enemies to be ignorant of what they attack!’

Formulating rational tactics and strategies was also crucial for controlling the overall situation, as maintaining the initiative ensured one wouldn’t easily fall into a passive position!

Inside the room.

The mentor lowered his voice.

“Headmaster, should this matter be reported to the board of directors? Or… should we inform Duke Xiao directly?”

Yu Qinglan pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Duke Xiao is already one of the board members. Reporting it to the board would make it an official matter. If Su Liyue truly has a powerful master behind her, it could prove more trouble than it’s worth. Instead…”

Yu Qinglan’s tone shifted.

“Immediately arrange the fastest Dragonblood Steed (TL Note: A rare, swift magical beast used for urgent dispatches.), and secretly inform Duke Xiao of Xiao Qicai’s injury at the earliest opportunity!”

The mentor’s pupils constricted slightly.

“The Headmaster means…”

“Let the ducal estate handle it themselves.”

Headmaster Yu Qinglan stroked his long beard, the window’s shadow casting varying shades across his face.

“This way, without offending the ducal estate, we can also…”

He cast a meaningful glance out the window.

“…see just how capable that ‘master’ truly is. Even if no such person is found, the academy must still ensure Su Liyue’s safety. As for Ye Xingchen… even without evidence, with the Duke’s methods, he is not someone we could protect.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Xingchen already had his answer.

Indeed, the value of interests was often reciprocal; when one possessed value, the academy would naturally find ways to protect them.

But if their value was deemed unequal, the academy might then have to weigh the pros and cons.

After all, offending a Duke of the Aetherland Empire for a low-value student was certainly not a wise move.

However, if this situation allowed the academy an opportunity to forge ties with a powerful individual, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for them.

The academy was not a nation; though it was a cradle for mages, it ultimately lacked substantial military or political power.

The key lay in how to navigate and survive among the various major forces.

Dragonblood Steed? Ye Xingchen narrowed his eyes.

This exotic beast, nearly two meters tall at the shoulder, bore dragon scales on its forehead.

When running, its mane would ignite with illusory blood-red flames.

Fewer than twenty such steeds were bred throughout the entire empire, and they were typically used as urgent dispatch mounts only by those of Marquis rank or higher.

Moreover, it was said their routes were guarded and maintained by dedicated personnel, serving as a strong symbol of status.

“That certainly saves me the trouble of finding the way…” A slight upturn graced his lips as a miniature Qimen Plate appeared in his palm.

Within the Qimen Plate, a faint blue light circulated in the ‘Xun’ position.

A wisp of ‘Ding Fire’ (TL Note: One of the ten Heavenly Stems in Chinese metaphysics, representing subtle fire or spiritual light.) combined with ‘Yi Wood’ (TL Note: One of the ten Heavenly Stems, representing flexible wood or plants.) spiritual energy, like a filament, pierced through the breeze, silently entwining itself around the Dragonblood Steed’s horseshoe.

The magical beast, currently snorting hot air, suddenly pricked up its ears, but merely dismissed it as the night wind.

“Hup!” As the rider cracked the whip, the Dragonblood Steed’s four hooves suddenly erupted in fierce flames, transforming into a crimson meteor that streaked across the long street.

Ye Xingchen closed his eyes and focused, the scenery along the route vividly appearing in his divine consciousness.

The boundary markers by the official road, the iron chain bridge spanning the raging river, and even the brightly lit ducal estate atop the distant mountain peak!