Chapter Ninety-Five: Intrigue Hidden Behind the Wager

Since even the two principals in this contest have agreed to the wager, I have no reason left to stand aside. Very well then, I shall bet on Xiao Yin to win in the end. Of course, that does not mean I look down on Brother Yu's strength. Leng Huaiyi gazed at Yu Shang, whose whole body seemed to radiate a constant, oppressive force, and smiled with resignation. After all, this time he had not chosen to stand on the same side as him, nor had he placed himself in Yu Shang's position. It was only natural that Yu Shang would feel some disappointment. Yet the lure of this wager was truly immense. He could not risk total defeat merely to support Yu Shang, so let him be selfish this once.

I only hope that Xiao Yin can subdue Brother Yu and then implant that spirit essence into your body. In that case, your cultivation will not only rise dramatically, but you will also carry the day in the contest. Would that not be the best outcome for everyone? Leng Huaiyi, unlike his usual detached self, spoke with uncommon excitement as he looked toward the two who were about to fight, as if afraid that the opportunity before him might vanish into thin air the next moment.

At this point, he no longer cared whether this had all been a trap carefully designed by the old dean. He only wanted to seize this rare chance tightly, and then obtain the treasure he deemed worthy of exchanging for a lifetime. This time, he no longer wished to be that otherworldly sage untouched by worldly concerns. He, too, wanted to be practical for once, to live for himself for once. Perhaps in the past he could have remained indifferent to all affairs beneath heaven, but now he only wanted a return.

Just as Yu Shang had once told him, no one could spend an entire life with no desires and no demands, serving only others. Perhaps it was simply that such a person had never found anything worth pursuing, something worth being selfish for. But once such a person did find it, he would go after it with methods far more ruthless and poisonous than ordinary people, never stopping until he achieved his aim, never caring what had to be sacrificed along the way. Even what he had once treasured most, he would push aside without hesitation.

Leng Huaiyi did not know whether he himself would become the sort of terrifying existence Yu Shang had described. He knew there was a dark side within him, though perhaps nothing had yet come along to awaken it. Yet perhaps one day it would stir of its own accord. The only thing he could be certain of was that he would never sacrifice those he loved, nor those who loved him, because without such things, nothing else would matter.

Although no one could tell what it was that Leng Huaiyi longed for so desperately, everyone knew it must be something terribly important, at the very least more important than his own life. If he truly yearned for it and meant to take it, then they would do what little they could to help him obtain it. This was not because they were noble or especially devoted; it was simply their way of repaying what Leng Huaiyi had given them over all these years. Compared with that, what they had done for him was far too little, while what he had done for them was more than could ever be repaid in a lifetime.

Little Yin snorted. "Brat, I think you should just behave and listen to me. Let me quietly plant this spirit essence into your body, and be done with it. Even Brother Leng, who knows you best on ordinary days, has already turned against you. Why must you remain so stubborn? You always say I am willful and reckless, that I cannot tell right from wrong, but in the end, are you any different?"

At that moment, Xiao Yin sounded like an elder offering patient instruction to Yu Shang.

"I understand his thinking, and he understands mine. As for why we stand on different sides this time, it is only because we are pursuing different outcomes. But that does not necessarily mean I am wrong and he is right. I will say it again: I will not change my mind. If you want to fight, then do it quickly. I do not want to waste any more time." It seemed Yu Shang did not blame anyone for their choice; he was simply holding fast to his own decision.

"You stubborn boy, what are you rushing for? Even if we delay a few more days, we will still make it in time for your duel with Ye Wangchen. Stop minding him and go on speaking." The old dean rolled his eyes at the increasingly impatient Yu Shang. He could not understand why this brat, usually as still as a pool of water, had become so hurried today, like a waterfall in full spate. Did he simply want to settle accounts with this little serpent as quickly as possible, or was his true purpose something else altogether?

"My thoughts are the same as Huaiyi's. I also hope Xiao Yin wins this time. Besides, I have a feeling that the one who will smile last will be him as well. So of course I cannot pass up such an excellent wager and instead support the one with far less chance of winning." After the old dean finished speaking, Xun Mishuang murmured her answer from the side, her tone carrying an unmistakable trace of disdain for Yu Shang's cultivation, as though she thought very little of him.

She knew Yu Shang's cultivation was not weak, but the mystic gate within his body had not yet opened. Even if he could defeat formidable opponents of his own age, he still could not match the cunning Blood-Red Serpent Spirit. As for why she would belittle Yu Shang so openly before everyone, it was simply because she wanted to stir his anger. Only when he was angry would he be able to reach a realm beyond the ordinary.

Xun Mishuang also knew a secret about the mystic gate within Yu Shang's clan. Only when a person with such a gate was driven to the utmost rage would that wondrous gate briefly open. At that moment, he would rise to an even higher realm, and his cultivation, physique, and even temperament would all undergo change. If Yu Shang's anger could truly be provoked, forcing the gate open, then his chances of defeating Ye Wangchen would be much greater.

So Xun Mishuang became a little girl who spoke without restraint and aimed only at others' sore spots. This sacrifice of hers was no small thing, for she had given up even her own image for his sake. If that brat still refused to accept everyone's goodwill, she really might not be able to resist stepping forward and giving him a proper lesson. Though he might be somewhat stronger than her in cultivation, when it came to wit, she did not believe she would lose to him.

"By that reckoning, you little brat may well find yourself completely isolated. You had better surrender quietly. Why insist on disgracing yourself before so many people? In truth, your image among them has always been quite good. To be honest, I really do not want to see you lose so utterly. But if you insist, then I can only help grant your wish." Xiao Yin chuckled in gleeful mockery from the side.

"You say that because you want me to grow angry, lose my composure in the contest, and end up defeated in misery, do you not? If that is your plan, then you are mistaken. The more critical the moment, the less use your words are to me. I will only take them as a joke and nothing more; I will not let them touch my heart." Yu Shang ignored Xiao Yin's sneers and smiled faintly, taking no real offense at the cruel remarks.

But Xun Mishuang grew somewhat vexed. In her heart she was already cursing him to no end. Was this brat not perhaps too clever for his own good? Why did his way of thinking differ so much from everyone else's? They were trying to help him out of kindness, yet somehow they were the ones ending up in the wrong. It infuriated her. Just wait until this is over, she thought. Let me see how I deal with you then. Damn brat, I really do not know what is so special about you. How could Huaiyi possibly admire someone like you?

"All right, since none of us has anything else to do, a wager only makes things more interesting. I also think Xiao Yin will win, for the same reasons as the two of you, so there is no need for me to waste more breath on needless explanation." Though Yu Xiaoran knew perfectly well that this was a carefully laid scheme, designed to trap them until they were unable to resist and then make them obediently follow the old fellow's orders, he still had no intention of giving that man any chance to profit at his expense.

At first, he truly did not want to give this old fellow the satisfaction of scheming against him. But his good brother was already mired in it and unable to extricate himself. He could hardly be the only one to remain clean and untroubled; that would be far too ungracious, and he would have no face left to call anyone brother. So, in the end, he could only wade into the muddy waters with everyone else. If misfortune was coming, then let them bear it together.

Besides, he felt that although this old fellow was cunning and greedy, he would hardly harden his heart enough to take their lives. Their value to him was still great; he would not so easily leave so many benefits untouched. But if they truly lost this round, it probably would not amount to anything catastrophic. At worst, he would merely have to swallow his pride and serve the Mist Orchid Academy once more.

"Do not think that just because I usually look down on you, I am not impressed by you at critical moments, you frivolous boy. Knowing when to yield to the situation is what makes a true talent. Only such people have boundless prospects. You had better not imitate certain others and overestimate yourself." Xiao Yin was as sharp-tongued as ever, merciless whenever he had the upper hand. Yet he truly did possess such strength now, and others could not help but look up to him.

"Hmph, little serpent, do not get so full of yourself. Who has the time to worship you? Before you speak, you had better take a good look at yourself. Careful that I do not lose patience and come over to teach you a lesson." Yu Xiaoran was no less skilled in verbal sparring. The moment he heard Xiao Yin's arrogant words, he shot back without hesitation, as though it did not matter whether he could truly beat him to a pulp.

"If you have the skill, come on then. I will just treat it as a warm-up. I dare say that swaggering rogue of yours could not even take one move from me!" Xiao Yin, like a child, traded these exasperating insults with Yu Xiaoran. It seemed the two of them were fated to be mortal foes, able to bicker so recklessly at any time, in any place, and on any occasion. Yet in truth, there was something strangely entertaining about it.

"Enough. How old are you two, and yet you still behave like children? We have not even finished our proper business yet. If you ask me, then from my own interests alone, of course I would wager on Xiao Yin. Once he wins, Brother Yu will have no choice but to implant that spirit essence into his body, and then the chance to kill Ye Wangchen will only grow greater. So for your sake, for my sake, for whatever reason you choose, I hope the one who wins is Xiao Yin, not Brother Yu. Of course, perhaps that sounds selfish, but I cannot deny what is truly in my heart." Yan Xuesu had always been forthright in matters like this. Whatever she thought, she simply said.

Because she believed that if she had to conceal her true thoughts even before these people, then her world would be left with nothing but lies and falsehood. Perhaps she could wear a mask before others, but not before them. She knew that no matter what she thought, they would understand. Even if some of those thoughts were not supported, they would still understand why she thought and acted that way.

Only before them did Yan Xuesu have the courage to be truly herself. She believed that even if her true self were as detestable, as contemptible, and as irritating as could be, these people would not abandon her or cast her aside because of it. That was why she could speak so plainly. She knew they could understand Yu Shang, and that no one would blame her.

"Ha ha, you young lady speak very directly indeed, but that is also a reason that cannot be refuted. I did not expect that such a woman would still exist in this world. I must say, I admire your candor." The old dean listened from the side and smiled in approval. It was clear that Yan Xuesu's temperament was indeed very much to this old fellow's liking. Could it be that his own daughter was the same way?