Chapter 199: The Cripple Was Made to Stand

During the latest Dan Academy student trial, an instructor leading the group secretly harmed his students and was subsequently killed by a Holy Land successor. Another classmate, who had been secretly tracking and plotting, unexpectedly died at the hands of a giant tortoise.

This was one of the rare severe incidents in recent years. News of it spread like wildfire throughout the capital that very day, shaking the entire city.

Qin Zhiyu, still cautious, sought out Ye Tinglan to perform the Reversion Art and confirm Dugu Qingli's account.

While it was difficult to prove that the Dark Nether Grass belonged to the Huo family—it could have been a bribe from someone else—it was clear that Xuan Qing was cultivated by the Huo family, a fact Huo Heng publicly stated in a restaurant. This also logically implicated Wang Yueshen as having been bribed by the Huo family.

Qin Zhiyu was furious. That very night, he penned a lengthy impeachment memorial, and the next morning, he publicly assailed the Huo family in court, accusing them of interfering with the Dan Academy trials and orchestrating harm against the students.

Unfortunately, there was no direct evidence that the Huo family had given the orders. Xuan Qing's actions could be attributed to personal jealousy, and Wang Yueshen could easily deny any involvement. Qin Zhiyu's tirade ultimately devolved into a squabble, leaving the old man's beard bristling with anger.

After several days of contention and dispute, the Huo family could not be convicted, but they were certainly given a significant headache.

Qin Zhiyu was one of the few First-Rank Alchemists in Great Qian. Having served as the Dean of the Dan Academy for so many years, he was highly respected, and his disciples were numerous and spread across the land. Countless high-ranking officials and nobles had also received his medical treatment, granting him influence over half the court. Although the academy itself held little power, Qin Zhiyu's words carried immense weight.

Having gained such an enemy, the Huo family found themselves with a massive headache.

If one possessed the ability to observe auras, they would almost certainly perceive the decay and desiccation pervading the Huo family's residence.

“The Huo family's aura is waning, but not extinguished,” Ye Tinglan murmured from the Star-Gazing Platform, gazing quietly in the direction of the Huo family's estate. “To arrive in the capital as a mere Fifth-Rank practitioner and stir the decline of a First-Rank family... Lu Xingzhou is quite interesting.”

Standing beside her, Dugu Qingli retorted indignantly, “What’s so interesting about him? Didn't I help him? Otherwise, his Third-Rank enemy would have killed him. Would he still have had time to embrace Sheng Yuanyao?”

Ye Tinglan sighed. “Without you, this person might not have participated in the trial at all. You see how he could have easily refined elixirs on the spot and taken first place, yet he willingly settled for second to last. He simply didn't care about the trial's results. If he only cared about gains from the Demon-Suppressing Domain, given his connection with the Demon Suppression Division, it wouldn't have been difficult for Sheng Qingfeng to arrange a private trial for him.”

Dugu Qingli was startled. “Master, do you mean he deliberately entered the Demon-Suppressing Domain just to entrap the Huo family?”

“Evidently so. With the cards he held, he had no ordinary way to deal with the Huo family. This was him putting himself into the situation to take a bite out of the Huo family.” Ye Tinglan shook her head again. “His obsession is still too strong. If he continues to take such risks, he will slip up one day. An ant trying to shake a tree—who can guarantee they will never make a mistake?”

Dugu Qingli remained silent, pondering whether to try and persuade Lu Xingzhou. She then secretly shook her head, feeling that it would be impossible to persuade him.

Lu Xingzhou hadn't explained the full details of his feud with the Huo family to her, but she understood him well. For instance, he had never intended to actively seek trouble with an enemy like Ye Wufeng. This fellow was actually quite magnanimous.

It could only be a deep, blood-soaked vendetta that made him so persistent.

Ye Tinglan continued, “Furthermore, whether or not the Huo family can be brought down fundamentally depends on whether the Emperor loses trust in them. These minor skirmishes are useless; at most, they just let off some steam. The Huo family has far worse secrets; do you really think Gu Zhanting doesn't know? What's murdering a mere student compared to that?”

Dugu Qingli unconsciously asked, “Master, since you also dislike the Huo family, why don't you guide him on what to do?”

Ye Tinglan gave her disciple a strange look.

Dugu Qingli quickly added, “You could also use him as a blade to complete your own grand design, Master.”

Ye Tinglan didn't particularly doubt her disciple, but she suddenly remembered a divination she had performed for Lu Xingzhou, which indicated "Deer Without Officer" (i.e., pursuing a goal without proper guidance).

Lu Xingzhou's acts of revenge against the Huo family appeared effective, but in reality, they were merely minor disturbances. Only Huo Yu had truly died. Huo Lu was severely injured but still had a chance to recover. Huo Jin was merely imprisoned and would be out in three years. None of these inflicted substantial damage on the Huo family.

However, creating several major enemies for the Huo family had some effect. The Huanhua Sword Sect was now constantly harassing those associated with the Huo family outside the capital, and now the Dan Academy had also turned against the Huo family. All of these were quite valuable.

But these were not enough.

He lacked an "officer" to guide him on the true path. He could only put himself in harm's way, pulling chestnuts out of the fire, and sooner or later, he was bound to make a mistake.

Neither the Sheng family nor the Pei family seemed capable of being this "officer." Ye Tinglan herself was qualified enough, but on what grounds? Based on his disregard for the trial rankings and his indifference to opportunities?

“While I, your master, dislike the Huo family... they are not the key. You don't understand these matters, so don't offer random suggestions.” Ye Tinglan said no more, directly changing the subject. “Did you gain anything from your battle with the Third-Rank formidable enemy? Cultivation breakthrough is the only thing you need to focus on right now.”

“Initially, during the intense battle, I gained significant insights. At that time, he wanted to kill me, and the warning of life-or-death danger honed my sword heart. But then, for some unknown reason, he suddenly wanted to run away, which made me lose my inspiration... Alchemists really aren't a good profession.”

“...Your master is also an alchemist.”

Dugu Qingli fell silent.

“Since that is the case, you should seclude yourself here to digest what you've learned. This is the Mirror of Retrospection; if you review the battle, you might gain something.” Ye Tinglan stepped off the Star-Gazing Platform. “I'm going out for a while.”

Dugu Qingli, who still didn't know her master had started working at the Dan Academy, asked curiously, “Master, where are you going?”

“It's none of your concern. Cultivate diligently.”

“Wait, Master, there's something...”

“What is it?”

“Besides head hair, are there any other places on the human body where hair grows?”

“Armpit hair.” Though for aesthetic reasons, female cultivators had long since begun to remove their armpit hair.

“Besides that?”

This stumped Ye Tinglan. After a long pause, she replied, “None.”

Dugu Qingli scratched her white hair with a puzzled expression. Since her master was the same as her, perhaps this was normal for most people. So, was Lu Xingzhou abnormal?

That's right, what kind of normal person would be embracing Pei Chuyun on a wheelchair one day and then Sheng Yuanyao on a wheelchair the next? Go ask around, which disabled person uses a wheelchair like that?

Oh, wait, he's not faking his limp anymore.

Ye Tinglan stepped into the classroom.

Her gaze swept across the room. Xuan Qing's seat was empty. Lu Xingzhou was no longer in a wheelchair. Chen Yu still sat in the back, expressionless, as if nothing had happened.

However, those whose eyes she swept over unconsciously felt a tingling sensation on their scalps, though they didn't know why.

Normally, she was so indifferent, but today, she exuded a chilling aura. Even Lu Xingzhou and A'Nuo felt their scalps tingle.

“What a terrifying woman,” A'Nuo muttered under her breath. “When her gaze swept over me, it felt like being lifted by one hand, with both cheeks squeezed, and my neck tightening...”

Ye Tinglan glanced at her, deciding to try that posture sometime.

Lu Xingzhou whispered in response, “I feel like I'm being stepped on the chest by a high heel, looked down upon from above... Oh, and a pair of glasses.”

Ye Tinglan: “...”

What are high heels?

“Today, we will still be discussing alchemy and pharmacology, but primarily focusing on analyzing the elixirs you refined from the Demon-Suppressing Domain. To be able to analyze and combine various unfamiliar special crops, and successfully refine elixirs, you are indeed among the best young alchemists. However, there are still shortcomings, for example, the elixir refined by He Hui...”

As Ye Tinglan began her lecture, everyone understood the reason for her cold demeanor today.

Students had only recently enrolled, yet people had already been killed in mutual strife during the trial. Which instructor would be in a good mood?

Moreover, due to Wang Yueshen's affair, the Dan Academy instructors were still under investigation. Who would dare investigate this formidable Lady Ye?

“Lu Nuonuo's elixir demonstrated excellent understanding and combination. But can anyone tell me why a child like you is refining an elixir to calm succubi's bewitching hearts? What does your master usually teach you?”

A'Nuo: “...”

Is that my fault?

Lu Xingzhou replied calmly, “A healer's heart shouldn't be concerned with such distinctions, Master; you are too attached to superficial forms.”

“Very well,” Ye Tinglan said coldly. “The one who submitted a blank paper and came in second to last, stand at the back of the classroom.”

Lu Xingzhou's face turned green. Could he possibly resist such a terrifying woman?

People secretly glanced at Chen Yu. The second to last was getting punished; what about the last one?

Ye Tinglan said, “What's with that expression? Being made to stand means you're still salvageable. The hopeless ones, like the last place, do you see me bothering with them?”

Chen Yu: “...”

Lu Xingzhou: “...”

The cripple was made to stand in punishment.

The darkly humorous news quietly spread throughout the Dan Academy, and then to the neighboring Imperial Academy. Pei Chuyun came gracefully, taking small steps, to enjoy the spectacle.

Spotting Lu Xingzhou obediently standing at the back, looking submissive, Pei Chuyun nearly rolled with laughter. “Hahaha... You got what was coming to you today!”

Lu Xingzhou had always given Pei Chuyun an impression of being formidable, and honestly, she was a little afraid of him. This was the first time she had seen him so flustered and humiliated, which was extraordinarily amusing. It even made him seem rather cute.

She had thought someone as proud as Lu Xingzhou would simply skip class if ordered to stand in punishment. She never imagined he would be so intimidated into obedience. This instructor is truly formidable!

Lu Xingzhou glared at her, his look saying, “Just you wait after class.”

A hint of allure flickered in Pei Chuyun's eyes. She was already contemplating where they would engage in dual cultivation that night... He's been provoked; would he be particularly intense tonight?

However, the female instructor on the platform calmly announced, “Alright, that concludes today's lecture. Next time, bring a re-refined elixir so I can see how much you've absorbed. As for those two who submitted blank papers, I know you also have materials; refine an elixir and bring it in then. Class dismissed.”

Just as Lu Xingzhou was about to make a dash for it, Ye Tinglan said coldly, “You, standing in punishment, come with me.”

Pei Chuyun's smile vanished.

That old woman, she's something else.

“Lu Nuonuo, you too.”

The smile transferred to A'Nuo's face.

Pei Chuyun, however, breathed a sigh of relief. With A'Nuo's dazzling 'lanterns' so prominently displayed, it seemed the old woman didn't have *that* kind of intention.

Their date tonight might be off. Never mind, it's not a special occasion anyway. May everyone else with a date tonight be held after class by that old woman!