Chapter 82: Strategizing with Mastery, All Within One’s Grasp

The old headmaster glanced around at the assembled group, then smiled slyly and said, “As for the terms, allow me to keep you in suspense for now. Once the contest is over, I shall discuss them with you in detail.” Clearly, this old man was convinced they wouldn’t dare refuse him. He was so audacious that he hadn’t even revealed the nature of the conditions, expecting them to agree blindly.

Now, whenever the group saw his meaningful smile, unease inevitably stirred within their hearts. Whenever this old fellow wore such an expression, it never boded well for them; it always meant some troublesome mess was about to be foisted upon their shoulders.

“Hmph! You’re keeping us alive just so Smoke Orchid Academy can win this contest, but after it’s over, we’ll be of no use to you. If you don’t clarify these so-called fair terms now, do you expect us to obediently throw our lives away if you send us on a suicide mission later?” Yan Xue Su said angrily, her brows furrowed.

Just looking at the headmaster’s confident face made her bristle with displeasure. Pulling this stunt at such a moment—truly the height of scheming! He was clearly exploiting their predicament, forcing them to agree to his terms in a moment of confusion. They weren’t useless weaklings—how could they submit to his machinations without resistance?

“And it’s not just about being sent to die for nothing. What if you command us to slaughter innocents? Are we supposed to harden our hearts and carry it out? Headmaster, your terms are far too unjust. At the very least, you should set clear boundaries with us beforehand—we can’t agree to something whose contents we don’t even know!” Lan Wu, not one to be easily bullied, immediately flared up at the old man’s words.

To be honest, she was itching to yank out his beard and humble him a little—he was truly overstepping this time. She genuinely couldn’t understand how someone so cunning had managed to raise such upright and outstanding disciples! Thankfully, they hadn’t picked up his ways, or they’d be walking down a dark path indeed.

“Since you all have so many concerns, I promise you this,” the headmaster replied, bursting out in laughter, unruffled by their objections. “This matter won’t involve wanton slaughter or forced acts against your will. I guarantee you—it won’t cost you your lives. You’ve contributed so much to the academy; how could I bear to send you to your deaths?”

But to the group, his calm and kindly demeanor was nothing but a dangerous ruse. He’d always put his own interests first—why would he suddenly act for their benefit? There must be some hidden agenda at play; otherwise, he’d never make a losing bargain.

“Yu, what do you think?” Lan Bingxian asked, understanding full well that, for those from Smoke Orchid Academy, even if they suspected a trap, they would still throw themselves in without hesitation. After all, they’d grown up there—how could they stand by when the academy was in trouble? Besides, they’d soon be leaving; this could be their last chance to do something meaningful for their home.

As for everyone else, the final decision rested with Yu Shang, their de facto leader, whose wit and cultivation set him apart. It was only natural that they should look to him for guidance—especially since their foray into the treasury had been for his sake. The ultimate choice was his to make.

“The headmaster hasn’t blamed us for breaking into the treasury, and the terms he offers seem to show consideration for us. I truly can’t think of a reason to refuse,” Yu Shang replied with a gentle smile, his tone even and composed, unperturbed by the headmaster’s conditions.

Yet inside, he thought, Given the situation, they truly had nothing with which to bargain. It was better to agree for now; if the task proved too difficult later, they could reconsider then. For the moment, retrieving the family scroll from the treasury was the top priority. Everything else could wait.

“Yu, how could you agree so easily?” Yan Xue Su protested, displeased. Could he not see through the old man’s devious plotting? Was he really going to leap into the trap he’d laid? She truly couldn’t fathom his intentions.

“Yan, don’t make trouble. Yu must have his reasons. We should follow his lead,” Yu Xiaoran quickly pulled the pouting Yan Xue Su aside, speaking sternly. He trusted that whatever Yu Shang decided, he would never harm them—and that was enough.

The old headmaster laughed heartily, looking every bit the sly fox who’d gotten his way. “I like your decisiveness, young man—you see things clearly. How could I bear to send such rare talent to its doom?”

He certainly had the nerve to claim he cherished talent. The group would have bet anything that if it ever came down to it, the headmaster would sacrifice them to save the academy without hesitation. Yet, in a way, he was right—after all, self-preservation was the first law of nature.

“You flatter me, sir. I must say, I admire your ability to strategize with such foresight,” Yu Shang replied, neither arrogant nor servile. “Truly, age brings wisdom. If I hope to become your equal, I’ll have to study for several more years.”

On the surface, Yu Shang’s words were humble and complimentary, but his tone was laced with irony—praising the headmaster’s cunning, yet hinting at his willingness to squeeze every last drop from his juniors. Sometimes, to protect what mattered, one had to be as ruthless as the old man before them.

The headmaster’s laugh turned awkward, a blush creeping onto his cheeks. The group couldn’t help but chuckle, even his own disciples. Quiet and reserved as Yu Shang usually was, he was hardly slow-witted or easily bullied—far from it. If you ever crossed him, cold steel would be the least of your worries; a few words from him could leave you utterly defeated.

“Ha! Doesn’t the air feel fresher now? Even the sunlight seems gentler,” Xiao Yin quipped, his tone gently mocking. If not for his companion holding him back, he’d have teased the old man a bit more. Still, it was unwise to provoke him when they were at a disadvantage.

The group enjoyed Xiao Yin’s jest, but one among them had not smiled at all—her face was anxious, her gaze furtively flickering toward the headmaster. That was Meng Youyuan. Every time she recalled what Xun Mishuang had once said, she was at a loss as to how to face her grandfather, whose heart was surely as anguished as her own.

She’d always thought herself the most pitiable, but now she realized the old man had suffered even more. Yet, however much they sympathized with one another, she could not deny that a barrier remained between them.

Meng Youyuan simply lacked the courage to tear down that thick wall. She feared that what awaited her behind it was not understanding, but rejection; that the truth she might hear would only be what her grandfather chose to show her.

“Hey, what are you thinking about, little one? Why so silent?” Yin Boxuan asked quietly, noticing Meng Youyuan’s uncharacteristic silence. He understood why she seemed so lost, why she tried to shrink from notice.

He longed to help her take that first step, knowing how badly she’d longed for a family’s protection all these years. Yet, after her true parentage was revealed, the outcome had been a heartbreak she could not bear.

“You’re one to talk, standing there in silence. Why meddle in other people’s business?” Meng Youyuan glared at the grinning Yin Boxuan, wondering why the more she tried to fade into the background, the more he insisted on drawing attention to her. He was clearly doing it on purpose—trying to attract her grandfather’s gaze, trying to expose her presence.

Part of her wanted to remain invisible, but another part wanted to see how others would react if they noticed her. Yet disappointment filled her when her grandfather, following the sound, glanced at her only briefly before looking away, as if her existence mattered not at all.

Meng Youyuan blamed Yin Boxuan for all of this. If only he hadn’t started talking, she could have remained unnoticed and spared herself the sting of disappointment.

“It’s not the same for me. If I speak and upset my master, he’ll find a way to make me pay for it. You know I never watch my tongue. After you all leave him fuming and go on your way, I’ll still be here facing the consequences,” Yin Boxuan whispered, afraid that a third person might overhear.

His greatest fear was that his master would catch wind of this conversation. If he ever learned that his disciple played mind games right under his nose, he’d surely make him regret it. In these circumstances, it was best to keep quiet and avoid trouble.

“I feel the same. He doesn’t want to see me, even warned me not to show my face again. Do you think I’m so fearless as to parade myself before him?” Meng Youyuan replied half-heartedly, concealing her true feelings.

“Don’t pretend, little one. I’ve known you since we were children. You’re about to leave—why worry about pride now? I’d hate for you to go with unanswered questions. Even if the truth is that you were mistaken all along, at least you’d have shown him how much you care,” Yin Boxuan said, his playful demeanor replaced by earnest concern.

“You really are meddlesome lately. Why concern yourself with other people’s affairs?” Meng Youyuan retorted, though inwardly, his words had swayed her. Still, she was conflicted. What if her grandfather truly hated her? Was she really prepared to sever all ties and never see him again?

She dreaded things coming to that point, for it would mean there was no turning back. She would rather cherish a beautiful memory than risk facing a painful truth. She feared that the answer she found would not be the one she wanted.