In the field, after Ye Guan finished speaking, he clasped his fists towards Yun Chen. “Brother Yun Chen, thank you for speaking up righteously. We shall meet again.”
With that, he turned and left.
Yun Chen watched Ye Guan’s departing back, his expression complicated.
A genius like this should originally have belonged to the academy.
Yet now, he was being oppressed by power, and the academy refused to uphold justice.
Alas.
Yun Chen sighed inwardly, feeling some anger, but mostly helplessness.
From childhood, the education he received in the academy was to be reasonable and fair in all things.
Growing up, he discovered that the books and reality were worlds apart.
If you were weak, no one would reason with you. No one would talk about fairness with you.
In the field, the expressions of the many Guanxuan Academy students were also complicated.
Towards Ye Guan, they felt some sympathy, of course, but that was all.
Young Master Mo’s face, however, had turned terrifyingly dark. The killing intent in his eyes was almost written on his face.
Nevertheless, he did not choose to retaliate on the spot.
So many eyes were watching.
At that moment, an elder suddenly appeared before Young Master Mo. Seeing the newcomer, Young Master Mo quickly gave a slight bow. “Headmaster Li.”
The arrival was none other than Li Qiu, Headmaster of the Enforcement Court.
Li Qiu stared at Young Master Mo. “Young Master Mo, you may return to the Xuan Sect.”
Young Master Mo was slightly stunned, then hurriedly said, “Headmaster Li, what do you mean by this?”
Li Qiu said indifferently, “I mean you can pack up and get lost. The academy will not accept you.”
With that, he turned and departed.
In place, Young Master Mo’s expression became extremely unsightly.
Expelled from the academy.
A great humiliation.
All because of that Ye Guan.
Young Master Mo’s face was utterly grim.
…
After leaving the Guanxuan Academy, Ye Guan returned directly to the Dao Gate.
He did not kill Young Master Mo. First, killing someone in the academy would give the academy a handle against him. This was not the Nanzhou Academy.
Second, killing Young Master Mo would offend the Xuan Sect.
He did not know what kind of power the Xuan Sect was, but without doubt, it was certainly not weak.
Killing Young Master Mo would be equivalent to hitting the young one and drawing the old one. Killing the old one would bring a horde of old ones.
At that time, his situation would become very bad.
The Dao Gate would also be implicated by him.
Most importantly, he had just sensed powerful auras in the shadows. He knew that even if he made a move, he might not succeed in killing Young Master Mo.
The academy would definitely not let him kill Young Master Mo.
Therefore, he chose a different way to handle the matter.
Of course, he was also very clear that Young Master Mo would certainly seek revenge, but it did not matter. As long as it was not the Xuan Tian Sect coming, it was completely fine.
Because Young Master Mo’s strength was too weak. Killing him or not was entirely up to his whim.
What he lacked most now was time.
Development.
He needed time to develop. As long as he became stronger and seized first place, he could obtain the Great Dao Destiny. Actually, even now he did not know what the Great Dao Destiny was.
But he knew that if he took first place, the An family and the Ancient Heavenly Dragon Clan would no longer dare to kill him openly.
As for this Xuan Sect, they would not dare to target him even more.
On the road, Ye Guan took a deep breath. Without backing, without family background, therefore, he had to think thrice before acting in anything. He could not charge recklessly, otherwise his situation would become very difficult.
After returning to the Dao Gate, Ye Guan did not cultivate further. Every day, besides reading books, he helped Nanling Yiyi with chores.
Because the Dao Gate was poor and remote, all food was grown by Nanling Yiyi herself.
Previously, Nanling Yiyi had done it alone. Now, there was an additional Ye Guan.
In a vegetable garden, Nanling Yiyi rolled up her trouser legs. Although her legs were stained with much mud, they remained fair as jade, evoking reverie.
Not far behind Nanling Yiyi was Ye Guan. Ye Guan held a hoe and was weeding.
In the sky, blue heavens and white clouds, a clear expanse.
In the vegetable garden, Nanling Yiyi’s laughter rang out from time to time.
After some unknown time, Nanling Yiyi suddenly sat down. She looked at Ye Guan not far away. Her jade hand gently brushed aside the hair by her ear tousled by the wind. She stared at Ye Guan. After a moment, she smiled faintly. “Junior Brother.”
Hearing this, Ye Guan stopped and looked at Nanling Yiyi. Nanling Yiyi smiled. “You are a sword cultivator, and moreover a great sword immortal. Yet you still do such rough work?”
Ye Guan shook his head with a smile.
Although he was now a half-step Sword Emperor, perhaps because of Tower Grandpa, he felt it was just that.
Nothing remarkable.
There were always people beyond people, heavens beyond heavens.
If a person became complacent, they would stop progressing.
This principle he had read in books. He found it very reasonable. Therefore, after every breakthrough, he strictly required himself to maintain an ordinary heart.
Nothing remarkable.
Unless he reached the level of the Sword Master of Man.
At that moment, Nanling Yiyi walked to Ye Guan’s side and sat down. She lay back smoothly, hands pillowing her head, gazing at the drifting white clouds in the sky. She said softly, “Junior Brother Ye, in this grand competition, will you take first place?”
Ye Guan also lay down. He slowly closed his eyes. “I do not know. After all, future matters are uncertain. I only know that I must do my utmost. As for the rest, leave it to heaven’s will.”
Nanling Yiyi turned her head to look at Ye Guan. Gazing at Ye Guan so close, her face suddenly flushed somewhat red.
This junior brother seemed to be getting more handsome.
Ye Guan suddenly said, “Senior Sister, I heard Master say before that the Nanling family came looking for you again.”
Nanling Yiyi nodded. “Yes.”
As she spoke, she paused, then said softly, “Do you also hope I return?”
Ye Guan shook his head. “I think that even if you return, you will not be treated well.”
Nanling Yiyi nodded. “I think so too. But Master wants me to go back.”
Ye Guan said, “Master is worried that the Dao Gate will hold you back.”
Nanling Yiyi shook her head. “I like staying here.”
As she spoke, she glanced at Ye Guan.
Ye Guan smiled. “Then stay here. As long as I am here, no one can force you.”
The corners of Nanling Yiyi’s mouth lifted slightly. “Good.”
Ye Guan slowly closed his eyes again. Feeling the cool breeze blowing around, his heart gradually became tranquil.
Cultivation.
For some reason, since emerging from the Xuan Tower, he had not thought about cultivating again.
No, that was not right.
He felt that cultivation did not solely refer to strength.
There was also the state of mind.
Cultivation was not cultivating realms, but cultivating the heart.
To cultivate the heart, one must experience the mortal world.
The mortal world was the whetstone for the heart.
At this thought, Ye Guan suddenly said inwardly, “Tower Grandpa, tell me honestly. My father was actually not some live-in son-in-law, right?”
Little Tower was silent.
Here it came.
This little bastard was at it again.
Ye Guan continued, “According to my guess, placing me in the Ye Clan probably had two reasons. The first should be some unavoidable circumstance. The second might be to let me cultivate from the beginning, to let me experience hardships, right?”
Little Tower remained silent.
Ye Guan smiled. “Tower Grandpa, reveal just a little.”
Little Tower countered, “You hate your parents, don’t you?”
Topic diversion technique.
When a question could not be faced, decisively divert the topic and let another topic offset it.
Ye Guan smiled. “Depends on the situation. If there were some unavoidable reasons for leaving me to fend for myself, I could understand. However, I still harbour some resentment. After all, I am not a saint. Growing up without father or mother, that bitterness, outsiders do not understand.”
Little Tower sighed softly.
Ye Guan added, “Regardless, Tower Grandpa, I must thank you. Without you, even with more effort, I could not have reached this level.”
He was now a half-step Sword Emperor, but he knew clearly that it was all thanks to Tower Grandpa’s help.
Talent?
Effort?
They were not unimportant, but without a benefactor’s assistance, even with talent, even with great effort, one could not go far.
The world had strict hierarchies. Without great opportunity or fortune, crossing classes was undoubtedly like ascending to heaven.
Little Tower said softly, “No need for thanks.”
Ye Guan smiled faintly. “Tower Grandpa, I have one last question. After asking, I will not ask again in the future.”
Little Tower was silent for a moment, then said, “Ask.”
Ye Guan asked, “My parents, are they good people?”
Little Tower replied, “Very, very good people.”
Ye Guan laughed.
That was enough.
A month’s time passed in an instant.
This day, just as dawn was breaking, the door of Ye Guan’s thatched hut opened. Today, he wore a cloud-coloured long robe, long hair cascading over his shoulders, sword-like brows and starry eyes. As he walked slowly, he was composed and unhurried. In his restraint, he resembled a sword half-unsheathed, its edge fully revealed.
Still: I am a good person.
In motion: I am a ruthless person.
Ye Guan walked towards the distance, but at that moment, he suddenly froze in place.
Because not far away stood two people: Dao He and Nanling Yiyi.
Seeing the two, Ye Guan fell silent.
He had originally intended to leave quietly, because he disliked partings.
Especially this time. This time it might not be parting, but farewell forever.
Soon, Ye Guan directly flew on his sword and vanished at the horizon’s end.
Not long after Ye Guan left, a woman suddenly walked to where Ye Guan had been. The arrival was Nanling Yiyi.
Nanling Yiyi gazed at the sky. After a long, long time, she turned and entered the main hall. She slowly knelt before the incense table, hands pressed together, devoutly saying, “Ancestor, please protect my little junior brother and let him return safely. I am willing to exchange my life for my little junior brother’s safety…”
…
