Can We Make Peace?

Lianshan Xin felt his luck was truly remarkable. Even though his innate ability hadn't uncovered any Demon Cult fiends, he couldn't help it if they came forward to turn themselves in. "You actually dare to laugh?" Seeing Lianshan Xin's reaction, He Ruoyu's face instantly darkened. Zeng Ningbing was the daughter of Elder Zeng of the Golden Scale Alliance and the love of his life at first sight. Now that she had entered Bailudong Academy, he had the advantage of proximity—an opportunity he could never afford to miss. Whatever Junior Sister Zeng disliked, he had to dislike as well. His teacher had taught him that in this life, there were only two ways to change one's destiny: the martial path and marriage—and the latter was far simpler than the former. From the very first moment he laid eyes on Zeng Ningbing, He Ruoyu knew his chance to alter his fate had arrived. *Kid, I'm sorry.* Internally, He Ruoyu offered Lianshan Xin an apology, but in action, he took a step forward and demanded sharply, "When did you enter the academy? Which discipline are you studying?" Lianshan Xin ignored He Ruoyu's bluster and exchanged another glance with Zeng Ningbing. Zeng Ningbing still maintained her icy facade. However, the look she cast at Lianshan Xin unabashedly betrayed her hostility. And so Lianshan Xin understood: this woman really had seen his portrait. And she genuinely believed he had stolen her recommendation slot. *Taking your spoiled young lady's temper out on me? You've certainly picked the right person.* *What a blessing you are to the Golden Scale Alliance.* At that thought, Lianshan Xin chuckled softly once more. He finally turned his gaze toward He Ruoyu. "May I ask, Senior Brother, are you the Prefect of Jiangzhou or Lord Heavenly Sword? Or did you personally write the laws of Great Yu? To casually slander someone as a Demon Cult fiend like that." He Ruoyu gave Lianshan Xin an astonished look. Seeing that Lianshan Xin's clothes were made of ordinary cloth, he felt reassured once more. He knew every single person in the academy who couldn't be crossed. As for the new students, while he might not know all of them, he recognized the fine silks and satins of those he couldn't afford to offend. Judging the person by their clothes first was his survival wisdom. Just like the ordinary everyday outfit Zeng Ningbing wore, which cost as much as half a year of his living expenses. Whereas Lianshan Xin's attire was worth a day or two of his spending at most. *He can be crossed.* Thus, He Ruoyu continued his rebuke: "Junior Sister Zeng is pure and unblemished. Could she possibly wrong you without cause? What woman would use her own maidenly honor to falsely accuse someone?" Lianshan Xin chuckled and clapped his hands. "Classic. Truly classic. Senior Brother, you make quite the faithful hound." He Ruoyu flared with rage. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?" "True enough. One shouldn't just blurt out the honest truth so casually." Lianshan Xin understood this principle. Hence, he would speak human speech to humans and ghost talk to ghosts. It was just that a sycophantic lapdog like He Ruoyu didn't deserve him speaking against his conscience. "What's your name?" Lianshan Xin asked. Seeing that Lianshan Xin still hadn't answered his question and instead asked for his name, He Ruoyu grew slightly unnerved. He was a bootlicker, not a fool. A student from an ordinary household, faced with accusations from him and Zeng Ningbing, would hardly be able to talk and laugh so casually. Could this fellow be traveling in disguise like a dragon among minnows? *Stay calm.* Even if this fellow had some backing, could his backing possibly surpass Zeng Ningbing's? Thinking of Elder Zeng and the Golden Scale Alliance, He Ruoyu steadily regained his composure and stated his name, attempting to overpower Lianshan Xin: "He Ruoyu." "He Ruoyu? Seventh of Bailudong, the He Ruoyu known as 'Great Wisdom Concealed'?" Lianshan Xin was slightly surprised. The Seven Worthies of Bailudong were the seven most outstanding students from the previous intake of Bailudong Academy. Kong Ningyuan was one of them. Lianshan Xin naturally knew the names of all Seven Worthies of Bailudong, so upon hearing the name "He Ruoyu," he matched it to the person. "No wonder you're only Seventh of Bailudong. Where is this great wisdom? All I see is petty cleverness and genuine folly." Lianshan Xin nodded. *Makes sense.* When the outside world spoke of Kong Ningyuan, they always referred to him as one of the Seven Worthies of Bailudong. When they spoke of He Ruoyu, they called him Seventh of Bailudong. Even among the Seven Worthies of Bailudong, there was a hierarchy in ranking. "You..." Hearing Lianshan Xin's critique of him, He Ruoyu found the words exceptionally grating. Just as he was about to retort, Lianshan Xin cut him off once more. "If I were you, I would shut my mouth right now. Knowing you're one of the Seven Worthies of Bailudong, I still dare to speak to you like this—are you a pig?" Lianshan Xin sneered. "You've been studying at the academy for two years, and you still haven't realized that I'm someone you can't afford to offend?" He Ruoyu's heart sank. To be honest, he had begun to realize it. Yet, glancing back at Zeng Ningbing, He Ruoyu quickly regained his nerve. He couldn't back down in front of Zeng Ningbing, or he would never be able to hold his head high before her in the future. Besides, just because he couldn't afford to offend the guy didn't mean Zeng Ningbing couldn't. "I don't care what your background is. If you dare disrespect Junior Sister Zeng, you must apologize," He Ruoyu took a firm, unyielding stance. "Bailudong Academy doesn't care whether you're the scion of princes or marquises; once you enter the academy, everyone is treated equally." Lianshan Xin was amused by He Ruoyu. "You're quite humorous." He Ruoyu felt he was quite humorous too, and very clever—surely this would establish a towering image of him as an upright, fearless man before Junior Sister Zeng. "Apologize to Junior Sister Zeng." He Ruoyu took a step forward. His cultivation at the Qi Condensation realm erupted with full force. He intended to suppress Lianshan Xin with his aura. Unfortunately, the Qi Condensation realm merely allowed one to project true qi outward. Only by advancing further and ascending to the True Intent realm could one infuse true qi with mental will to perturb an opponent's mind. This meager momentum of He Ruoyu's was not even comparable to a gentle breeze brushing past Lianshan Xin's face. Instead, it left him slightly disappointed. "That's it? This is the cultivation of the Seventh of Bailudong?" It seemed he truly couldn't set his sights too low. This time, He Ruoyu was genuinely enraged. "I reached Qi Condensation at twenty-one, a renowned genius in Jiangzhou! Do you think having a prominent family gives you the right to look down on me? Kid, if you don't apologize to Junior Sister Zeng, don't blame me for getting rough with you." Lianshan Xin clicked his tongue. "Oh, I'm so terrified." Zeng Ningbing, who had been watching the spectacle all along, finally spoke up: "Senior Brother He, as far as I know, he has no backing whatsoever. His family isn't even a lesser clan." He Ruoyu burst into laughter. "So you were bluffing! What guts! You're courting dea—" His words cut off, his eyes suddenly going wide. Because he saw Heavenly Sword. Heavenly Sword happened to be passing by just then. Spotting Lianshan Xin, he casually waved in greeting. Lianshan Xin inquired with concern, "My lord, how are things on Tanhua Qi's side?" Zhang Aniu shook his head. "Shiyun's foundation is still a bit short. Most likely, she'll need you 'Chosen Sons of Heaven' whom she picked out to contribute a little more for her." Lianshan Xin nodded slightly. "This student will do his best. Where is my lord headed?" "The Prefectural Estate, to handle some official business." "Safe travels, my lord." Having seen Zhang Aniu off, Lianshan Xin turned around. Only to see He Ruoyu, his face dead pale, stammer out: "Um... can we make peace?"