Chapter 355 - 168: May I Ask Your Name, Master? This Master... Is Xu Longxiang

Chapter 355: Chapter 168: May I Ask Your Name, Master? This Master... Is Xu Longxiang

’A couple of days ago, I heard he wanted to join the Institute. I even received a letter from him asking me to trip the boy up and get him expelled. He promised that the Medicine Shop’s future resources would be prioritized for me, to help me break through the Dragon Tiger Barrier.’

’Initially, I refused. After all, this kid couldn’t even be taken out by the bounty the old man placed on him in the Black Market. As long as he joined the Institute, he was bound to attract the attention of the other Educational Officials.’

’Although the kid has some debts, they aren’t a huge problem in the eyes of these Educational Officials. It wouldn’t stop them from wanting to take such a prodigy under their wing.’

’On top of that, the Dean of the Mansion and Court, Pei Daoran, manages the Institute with an iron fist. He’s spent his entire life wanting to cultivate a "Leader of the Mansions" who could go to Cangbei and make a name for themselves.’

’If I tried to cause trouble right under his nose, I’d just be shooting myself in the foot.’

’But now... things are different.’

Seeing Gao Ye step forward, Huang Hong’s mind began to race.

He ranked among the top Educational Officials at the Jiangyin Prefecture Courtyard, yet the Dean favored Ye Luan above all others.

He was older than her but not as talented. Their Cultivation was about the same, but it was plain to see that when the Dean’s position was passed down, it would not fall to him.

Either a new Dean would be sent down from a Vassal Town above...

...or Ye Luan would break through the Dragon and Tiger level and be personally promoted by the Jiangyin Institute Chief, Pei Daoran.

Rather than stagnate here with no future, it was better to plan an escape route for himself early on.

After all, according to the Six Great Xuan Registers, a Prefecture Official had barely crossed the threshold into the world of the powerful.

In the eyes of some Nobles and royalty from ancient, distinguished lineages, it was nothing more than an acceptable starting point!

If there was a chance to climb higher, who would be content to stay here? A Fiefdom, a Fief—that was the true Merit and Fame a real man should pursue!

Therefore, a golden opportunity now lay before him.

Ye Luan wanted to take that brat Ji Xiu as a student. This was his chance to step forward and back Gao Ye, the "Young Lord" from the Dan Mountain Gao Clan.

With the resources offered by Old Master Huang as well...

...if he gained the support of the Dan Mountain Gao Clan and the Medicine Shop’s faction, his path forward would be wide open. The only trade-off was offending some mud-legged country bumpkin from a rural County.

’Undeniably, the boy has some talent. Even when Huang Ai asked, I had no intention of taking the risk to suppress him within the Institute.’

’If I were to capsize in a gutter, the loss would far outweigh the gain.’

’But things are different now.’

’Even if he has a Double Armor Rating...’

’...in the face of the profound heritage of a Noble Clan with a Fiefdom...’

’...it’s still not enough.’

’No matter how you look at it, he’s only seventeen. The bone age revealed by the Martial God Stele can’t be faked!’

’Even if he became a Guest of the Beicang Marquis’s Mansion, in the eyes of that Young Lady Heir, he’s probably just an Attendant with some Innate Talent. He certainly wouldn’t catch the eye of Marquis Beicang.’

’How could he possibly compare to the designated heir of a Noble Clan with a Fiefdom?’

So, in the middle of the hall, as Gao Ye’s expression soured when he saw Ye Luan stride in, sword in hand, completely unintimidated by his reputation and giving him a cold look...

...Huang Hong followed close behind and stepped inside.

"Within the Institute, strength is what matters."

"Archery, Riding, Weapons, Martial Arts, and Soul—the Five Gates. Only those who rank at the very top in all of them can represent the Institute in the Prefecture Examination."

"Prefecture Student Gao, you come from a Noble Clan with a Fiefdom. You’re someone who aims to take the lead in the Prefecture Examination. Why bicker over a moment of pique and lose face here?"

"If Instructor Ye Luan wants to take him, then let her."

"Our days at this Institute are not just one or two. There will be plenty of time."

"A few days ago, the Lineage Master of the Upper Nine Professions was honored by Lord Gao’s favor and held a reception to welcome you, Young Lord, to Jiangyin."

"On that occasion, I accompanied Old Master Huang from the Medicine Shop and had the chance to meet you, Young Lord Gao. Do you recall?"

"If you are willing, Young Lord, during your time at the Institute, I can be your Master. At the very least... I won’t do a worse job than Instructor Ye Luan."

Huang Hong’s smoothly delivered words gave Gao Ye a way to back down gracefully.

His anger subsided, and he couldn’t help but give Ji Xiu a deep look.

"Prefecture Official Huang is right."

"My ambition is to break through the trials of the Five Gates, establish my merit, and earn the rank of Prefecture Official. I must seize every moment."

"Why should I compare myself to a Prefecture Student who will just follow the standard procedure and participate in the next examination three years from now?"

"We... have plenty of time."

Gao Ye bit out the last four words, "have plenty of time," with extreme emphasis, causing Ji Xiu’s eyes to turn cold.

"That one punch earlier wasn’t enough for you?"

That single sentence sent the smell of gunpowder soaring. Gao Ye was stunned for a moment, apparently not expecting that after he had willingly turned the page, this kid would still be so relentless.

His eyes blazed with fury.

"The trials of the Five Gates are Archery, Horse Riding Skill, Weapons, Fist and Foot, and Divine Soul! After entering the Institute, I swore to take over the previous top rankings and occupy first place."

"Kid, stop with the sharp tongue! If you’ve got the guts, do you dare compete with me in skill?!"

Hearing this, Ji Xiu shot Gao Ye a cold glance and sneered.

The trials of the Five Gates—no matter which one, he had been tempered a thousand times in all of them and received the boons of a Daoist Talisman. Why would he be afraid of anyone?

He had joined the Institute precisely to pass the examination for Prefecture Official and to make use of the Cultivation Rooms and various other conveniences within.

And if he wanted to enjoy those benefits, taking first place and distinguishing himself was a necessity.

Based on that alone, it didn’t matter if Gao Ye was from a Noble Clan with a Fiefdom. Even if royalty or Nobles came, he would still kick them over and crush them underfoot!

’With that level of arrogance, anyone who knows the situation would know he has a Double Armor Rating and his foundation is just a sliver weaker than mine.’

’Anyone who doesn’t...’

’...would think he’s some Qi Cultivation Grandmaster on the verge of receiving a Title, who’s already completely crushed me!’

Just as Ji Xiu was about to offer a few mocking words...

"Enough!"

BANG!

The main doors were suddenly thrown open.

Pei Daoran strode in, his face grim.