Chapter 9: Attitude

Though the events unfolded with the swiftness of a falling star, from Jiang Wang's charge into the inner courtyard to Dong Ah's sudden intervention, it all transpired in the blink of an eye.

Just as the coiling vine snake was about to complete its aerial embrace, a pale figure, sighting a brief opening, shot upwards with astounding speed, clearly aiming for escape.

*Swish! Swish! Swish!*

Countless wooden thorns erupted, piercing him through in an instant!

His form hung suspended in the air, only to collapse once the violent torrent of thorns ceased. From head to calf, he was riddled with dense, bloody holes – utterly lifeless.

The entire Dao Academy fell silent, both outer and inner disciples alike struck by a profound shock at the spectacle.

Jiang Wang's eyelids twitched. "That strange Left-Winged Demon... just died like that?"

Dong Ah didn't even spare him a glance, merely stating with a calm voice, "The remaining one... still hiding?"

"Laughable!" He strode through the air, each step measured and deliberate. "Within this jade cage, all is under my command, suffused with vibrant life... only your stench is revolting!"

He extended his right hand, gently clenching it!

A door panel sprouted a massive hand, snatching an outer disciple who stood nearby. The wooden palm unfurled its five fingers, instantly enveloping the man's form and binding him fast.

Simultaneously, the wooden arm extended rapidly, hoisting the captive high into the air before Dong Ah.

"Speak! Who sent you? How dare you commit murder within the Dao Academy?" Dong Ah faced the starlit sky, his gaze fixed upon the audacious assassin.

Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the man's reply.

The assassin, who had appeared utterly unremarkable, suddenly grinned, and his entire head exploded!

Dong Ah clenched his fist, and a layer of water film instantly enveloped the crimson and white remnants, forming a taut sphere of water.

He then turned his attention to the first corpse. A seed burst forth from the earth, grew with astonishing speed, and its bud blossomed into a gaping maw. It swallowed the corpse in a single gulp, and Dong Ah conveniently tossed the water sphere in as well. The monstrous flower mouth sealed shut and shrank back into the soil.

The two corpses were thus disposed of, but the anger on Dong Ah's face intensified.

"The cultivation seeds of my Zhuang Country... actually murdered within the Dao Academy! The Left-Winged Demons are truly audacious! This matter must be thoroughly investigated! The City Lord's Mansion must provide this academy with an explanation, regardless of the mastermind, they shall be put to death!"

The might of a Fifth-Grade powerhouse was on full display, his voice rolling like thunder, shaking the entire city.

Many within Maple Forest City paled upon hearing it.

Then, another resounding voice echoed across the city – it was Wei Quji, the City Lord of Maple Forest. "Fear not, Dean Dong! This mansion shall certainly provide an accounting for this matter! Regardless of who is involved, or what is at stake, once discovered, they shall not be spared!"

Jiang Wang observed the unfolding scene, a faint sense that he had stumbled into a fierce, unseen vortex beneath the surface.

The Dao Academy was a place to nurture talents for the nation, a cornerstone of its fortune. To commit murder within its hallowed grounds had clearly crossed Dong Ah's limit.

The powerful Qin had previously borrowed territory to ambush an enemy, already stripping a layer of dignity from Zhuang Country. Now, the Left-Winged Demons had committed murder in the Dao Academy. While their purpose remained unknown, it was difficult to dismiss the possibility of a calculated move to test the official response.

And before this day, it was widely known that Dong Ah and Wei Quji were not on amicable terms. The former belonged to the faction of the National Phase, Du Ruhai, while the latter was an old subordinate of General Huangfu Duanming.

Given Dong Ah's strength, it was not necessary for him to create such a grand spectacle simply to uncover the demons. His use of Dao techniques to shroud the entire academy and his subsequent remote dialogue with Wei Quji seemed more aimed at displaying his power, clarifying his stance, and deterring those who lurked in the shadows.

Zhuang Country was not at peace.

"Everyone, disperse." Dong Ah was expressionless as he turned and descended from the high altitude.

The door panel leaped back to its original position, the vine snake slithered back to the wall... the entire Dao Academy instantly reverted to its former state.

The night seemed to have remained perpetually quiet.

Everything felt like a dream.

But the unhealed wound reminded Jiang Wang that this was all terrifyingly real.

This was the strength of a Fifth-Grade powerhouse.

And this was the peak he was destined to climb!

When Zhao Rucheng rushed to the Dao Academy upon hearing the commotion, everything had calmed down. Only the outer disciples remained, gathered in small groups, still buzzing with excitement over the dean's display of power.

He found Jiang Wang in the dormitory, at that moment meticulously wiping his sword with a handkerchief embroidered with gold threads.

The handkerchief was, naturally, Zhao Rucheng's; no one else in the entire dormitory would possess such an item.

Zhao Rucheng's gaze first fell upon Jiang Wang's bandaged ankle. He scoffed. "Yo, injured again? You, the foremost in outer-door swordsmanship... is there some hidden weakness?"

"Passable." Jiang Wang continued to wipe the blade. "Squeezing out the weakness, I can still teach you a lesson."

Saying this, he raised his head and looked at Zhao Rucheng with a smile. "Little brother."

"You're only one year older than me, and you've practiced swordsmanship for a year longer," Zhao Rucheng retorted, pressing his lips together.

"A day older is still older. Little brother."

Zhao Rucheng gritted his teeth, feeling irritated. "Stop wiping it, alright? Do you know how many swords you could buy with my handkerchief?"

Jiang Wang smiled with immense arrogance. "Then do you know, how much will the sword that I, Jiang Wang, have used be worth in the future?"

Yet, as these words were spoken, both he and Zhao Rucheng fell silent simultaneously.

Because this kind of talk had always been Fang Pengju's style. Wiping the sword with Zhao Rucheng's embroidered gold handkerchief was also a "bad habit" he had introduced. In his words, 'Our brothers' swords shall be passed down through the ages. How can we not take good care of them? Such a fine handkerchief is a waste to wipe your face! Though Rucheng is handsome, can that face be passed down through the ages?'

Some people had vanished, but the traces they left behind would endure for a long time...

It was Zhao Rucheng who broke the silence, changing the subject. "Third brother. What do you think the demon was trying to do this time by attacking the Dao Academy? Could it have been... an attempt to harm you?"

"The Fang family should not possess such audacity," Jiang Wang shook his head. "But it's hard to say. By the way, have you seen our eldest brother?"

Ling He had gone to the Fang family mansion at noon to return the corpse, but had not returned since, which caused him no small amount of worry.

Zhao Rucheng's sword-like brows furrowed. "I heard he was kicked out of the Fang manor. I don't know where he's gone."

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment. "Let's go. Let's go find him."

"You go find him. I'm not going to accompany well-meaning people on fruitless endeavors," Zhao Rucheng said, his lips pursed.

"Hey, it wasn't me who asked him to face a closed door, why are you looking at me like that?"

Jiang Wang simply stared at him without speaking.

Zhao Rucheng surrendered. "Alright, alright. But it's so late, where would we even find him?"

"First," Jiang Wang analyzed, "He definitely wouldn't discard him in the mass grave."

"But he has no money," Zhao Rucheng added.

"And then, he is a person who values emotion..." Jiang Wang got up and walked out. "I know where he's going."

"I also know what he's doing!" Zhao Rucheng followed close behind, wrinkling his pretty nose. "He's surely crying."