Chapter 281 The Tree Wants to be Still, but the Wind Does Not Stop

“That’s right.”

Yang Feng chimed in, “One of the missions for this Cyan Mountain Hunting is to join forces under Dean Jiang’s leadership to slay a Tier Three Demon Beast. We’ll get its Inner Core to help me break through and enter the Alchemy Dao!”

At this, Yang Feng paused for a moment before adding, “Of course, my father and his men hunt Demon Beasts all the time, so they have plenty of chances to get Inner Cores.”

His words carried several layers of meaning.

Besides showing off his own Cultivation at Innate Realm Perfection, he was also hinting at his father’s power.

Lu Bai acted as if he hadn’t heard and asked, “What are the rules for an expedition like this? How are the Martial Artists from the academy chosen?”

“I haven’t really heard.”

Luo Qing shook her head slightly. “Usually, only Martial Artists at the Late Stage of the Innate Realm or at Perfection are qualified. After all, if your Cultivation is too weak, you’ll just be a liability at the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground. I’m only at the Innate Four Meridians level, so I’m not sure why I was qualified to go.”

Yang Feng smiled. “Junior Sister Luo, your talent is plain for all to see. You don’t need to sell yourself short. Getting an opportunity like this shows how highly the academy thinks of you.”

Lu Bai fell into thought.

After a bit more small talk, Yang Feng gradually relaxed. He glanced sideways at Lu Bai and asked, “So, you’re Lu Bai?”

“You recognize me?”

Lu Bai retorted.

“Heh. After all, you caused a world of trouble back in Jingzhou City. Your reputation precedes you.”

Yang Feng chuckled, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Lu Bai didn’t take the bait, having no interest in humoring the man.

Yang Feng frowned to himself.

‘Normally, when I take the initiative to ask someone a question, they should at least ask for my name and background in return. But this guy just went silent. How arrogant! He has no respect for anyone!’

Displeased, Yang Feng declared in a heavy voice, “I am Yang Feng, at Innate Realm Perfection!”

‘Since you won’t ask, I’ll just tell you myself.’

Yang Feng’s tone was thick with pride.

Reaching Innate Realm Perfection in his thirties was a sign of peerless talent. Among the younger generation in the entire Jingwu Academy, very few could compare to him.

“Hello.”

Lu Bai didn’t even spare him a glance, merely nodding.

Yang Feng sneered inwardly. With that same sarcastic tone, he said, “I heard that before you were exiled to the frontier, Brother Lu, you had opened the Innate Seven Meridians. Half a year has passed; I wonder what Realm your Cultivation is at now?”

“It’s about there.”

Lu Bai said nonchalantly.

‘About there?’

‘You’ve also reached Innate Perfection?’

Yang Feng laughed, incensed.

‘Of the Innate Twelve Meridians, the further you progress, the harder it is to open them. It takes more time, more energy, and far more medicinal resources.’

‘There’s no way this Lu Bai could have reached Innate Perfection in just half a year.’

‘He’s being deliberately vague. He’s probably a few minor realms weaker than me.’

While they were talking, the three arrived at a residence.

“Student Luo Qing, paying my respects to Dean Jiang.”

Luo Qing announced from outside the door.

Moments later, a man pushed the door open and stepped out.

He was a True Master of the Martial Dao, after all, so his true age was impossible to tell. He wore a dark cyan Martial Arts Uniform and had a tall, slender figure. His features were refined and scholarly, making him appear to be in his forties, yet his eyes seemed to hold the weight of a century.

“Yang Feng, Luo Qing. Is something the matter?”

Jiang Tao’s gaze swept over the three of them. It lingered on Lu Bai for a fraction of a second before moving on.

“Dean Jiang.”

Luo Qing got straight to the point. “Dean Jiang, I have some personal matters to attend to and won’t be able to get away. I’d like to ask you to give my spot in the Cyan Mountain Hunting to another student.”

“Oh?”

Jiang Tao frowned. “Luo Qing, you’re only at the Innate Four Meridians level, yet you were chosen to go to the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground. An opportunity like this is incredibly rare. What could be so important that you can’t make time for it?”

“I…”

Luo Qing hesitated.

As if sensing something, Jiang Tao looked at Lu Bai and asked, “Who is this?”

Luo Qing replied, “He is my uncle. He just returned to the Capital City, and he’s the only family I have here. I need to spend a few days with him.”

Jiang Tao smiled at her words. “So it’s just a small matter like that. The trip to the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground, if all goes well, will only take a day and a night. Why let one day bother you?”

“He’s right, Junior Sister Luo. You mustn’t be foolish about this.”

Yang Feng chimed in from the side.

“But…”

Just as Luo Qing was about to speak, Jiang Tao cut in, “Is this uncle of yours in a hurry to leave the Capital City?”

“Not really.”

Luo Qing shook her head slightly.

During their earlier chat, they had agreed to return to Jing State together after the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion, before the new year.

“Well, there you have it.”

Yang Feng said, “You’ll be back in a day and a night. But if you miss this chance for the Cyan Mountain Hunting, it’ll be gone for the rest of the year. Besides, the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion is coming up, and we have to stay in the Capital City to watch the grand tournament anyway.”

Luo Qing fell silent.

What Dean Jiang and Yang Feng said was not without reason.

It was just that she had only just been reunited with Lu Bai, and she was reluctant to suddenly leave the Capital City.

Just then, Lu Bai suddenly spoke up. “Dean Jiang, I was just hearing about this Cyan Mountain Hunting, and it sounds fascinating. I was wondering if I might have a chance to go along?”

“Absolutely not!”

Yang Feng immediately retorted, “You’re not a disciple of our Jingwu Academy. How could you possibly come with us?”

Jiang Tao was taken aback for a second. After a moment’s thought, he smiled. “Technically, the rules don’t allow it. But I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to make an exception just this once.”

“Dean Jiang!”

Yang Feng scowled and cried out in protest.

“Really? You can?”

Luo Qing asked, pleasantly surprised.

Jiang Tao shook his head and smiled. “This saves you from a difficult choice. With the new year approaching, the desire to reunite with family is understandable.”

“Thank you, Dean!”

Luo Qing hurriedly bowed.

With a faint, unreadable smile, Lu Bai also thanked him along with Luo Qing.

Yang Feng stood to the side, his face grim, and let out a soft snort.

“What time do we leave tomorrow?”

Luo Qing asked.

“Tomorrow at seven in the morning, gather at the front gate of Jingwu Academy.”

Jiang Tao said, “I will personally lead you to the Cyan Mountain Hunting Ground then.”

Luo Qing thanked him once more before turning to leave with Lu Bai.

After seeing Lu Bai out of the Jingwu Academy, the two said their goodbyes, and Luo Qing returned to her quarters.

The great gates of Jingwu Academy rumbled shut behind him.

Lu Bai took a few steps, then turned back, his gaze profound.

‘This Cyan Mountain Hunting came up rather suddenly. And it’s quite a coincidence.’

‘On the surface, it’s an opportunity for Luo Qing, but it’s more than likely aimed at me!’

‘That’s why I asked to go with them. I was worried about Luo Qing, but I also wanted to test the waters.’

‘The fact that Dean Jiang Tao agreed with almost no hesitation confirmed my suspicions.’

‘The tree may crave calm, but the wind will not subside.’

‘I’ve only just returned to the Capital City, and someone is already making a move against me!’

‘Marquis Jingzhong?’

The name was the first to flash through Lu Bai’s mind.

‘I offended plenty of people in Jingzhou City.’

‘But if we’re talking about a blood feud, he would be the one.’

‘It seems that even though Marquis Jingzhong was stripped of his title and is now confined to the Capital, he still wields considerable influence.’

‘A centipede dies, but never falls over.’

‘Marquis Jingzhong followed the Late King for many years. He was a First-Grade Marquis with a vast network of protégés and former subordinates. His roots in the Wu Dynasty run far too deep for me to oppose.’

‘This Dean Jiang of Jingwu Academy… he’s very likely one of the Marquis’s men!’