Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

"Li Yuan, no need for formalities, sit down and let's talk." Su Wenyuan pointed to the chair next to him, then said to the man, "Manager Chen, the person has arrived. Please speak freely."

The clerk, Chen, nodded slightly, looked at Li Yuan, and got straight to the point: "Li Yuan, I am the clerk of the Court of Judicial Review. I have come here today to discuss the case of your father, Li Chongwen."

Are they here for Li Chongwen? Could there be some twist in that case?

Thinking of this, Li Yuan's heart tightened.

"Your father was corrupt and lawless, and colluded with wicked merchants. The evidence is conclusive. According to the law, he should be exiled three thousand miles to the frontier to perform hard labor."

"However, recently a nobleman in the court sent word that, considering your father's past minor merits and the fact that he has already admitted his guilt and repented, he is willing to vouch for him and earnestly request the court to be lenient in his punishment, perhaps by demoting him to a commoner and never employing him again, or even..."

At this point, he looked intently at Li Yuan, "If you have the opportunity to redeem yourself through meritorious service, you may be reinstated in the future."

"Oh no, someone is going to exonerate this old scoundrel!" Li Yuan thought anxiously, but pretended to show a look of surprise on his face.

"Oh? Is that so? I wonder which esteemed person is so kind to my father?"

Manager Chen gave him a deep look and said slowly, "The identity of this distinguished person cannot be revealed for the time being, but he has a condition."

"condition?"

"Indeed, your esteemed master hopes that you will be loyal to him."

Manager Chen stared into Li Yuan's eyes and said, word by word, "As long as you nod and swear an oath, your father will soon be released from prison and will be able to enjoy wealth and honor in the future."

"You will also receive the full support of a benefactor, and your future is limitless. What do you say?"

The study fell silent instantly. Su Wenyuan held his teacup, his eyes lowered, and remained silent, as if he were detached from the situation.

Li Yuan remained silent for a moment, the surprise on his face gradually fading into calm, even a hint of aloofness.

"Sir Chen, the evidence against my father for his crimes is irrefutable, and the law of the land is as firm as a mountain. As his son, I naturally hope that my father can be pardoned. However, if this is used as a bargaining chip, it would be against my conscience and a betrayal of my personal loyalty. Please forgive me..."

He suddenly raised his head, his eyes blazing.

"I dare not obey!"

Manager Chen's face darkened: "Li Yuan, have you thought this through? That's your biological father, now imprisoned and suffering. Can you bear to watch him suffer in prison, or even die during his exile?"

Li Yuan raised his head, his eyes clear: "Steward Chen, it is precisely because I possess talent that I am even more aware of the responsibilities on my shoulders."

"My father has committed a crime and should be punished according to the law. This is the justice of heaven. If I, as a student, were to engage in such a despicable transaction for personal reasons, wouldn't I be betraying the teachings of the academy, failing the expectations of the court, and betraying my own conscience?"

"This is not filial piety, but foolishness."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "This humble student wishes to devote himself to cultivation, achieve mastery as soon as possible, serve the court, vanquish demons and monsters, and accumulate merits."

"If I achieve something in the future, I will write to the court with dignity and honor, using my own merits to get my father's sentence reduced. This is the right way for a son, and it will not fail my father's kindness in giving me life."

"As for asking someone to take care of my father in prison so that he can suffer less, I will do my best. But if you ask me to do this illegal thing on the condition of loyalty to a private person, I will never comply."

Manager Chen's face was extremely ugly. He never expected that Li Yuan would be so unyielding and sharp-tongued, and that he had the upper hand in terms of righteousness.

"good!"

"What a 'upright and honorable' statement!"

Enraged, Chief Chen laughed coldly, then rose with a flick of his sleeve. "Li Yuan, remember what you said today. I hope you won't regret it tomorrow!"

After saying that, he gave Su Wenyuan a perfunctory bow and said, "Dean Su, I'll take my leave now."

He then stormed off in a huff.

For a moment, only Li Yuan and Su Wenyuan remained in the study.

Only then did Li Yuan realize that cold sweat had seeped out on his back.

so close!

I almost gave Li Chongwen a chance to turn things around. It seems that someone in the court has their eyes on me and is willing to do anything to achieve it.

"Please sit down!"

Su Wenyuan put down his teacup, pointed to the chair, and smiled gently. "You handled it very well just now."

"You were neither humble nor arrogant, and you were reasonable and well-founded. You upheld the name of father and son, adhered to your principles, and placed yourself in a position of righteousness. It seems that your trip to Shenwu Pass has also tempered your character."

"I was terrified, but I acted only according to my conscience." Li Yuan sat down, feeling somewhat relieved. It seemed that the dean's attitude supported him.

"True sincerity is the most precious thing."

Su Wenyuan nodded approvingly, then asked, "How has your cultivation progressed since you entered the academy? Judging from your aura, you've stabilized at the Qi Refining Realm?"

"Yes, I was fortunate enough to have completely stabilized my Primordial Induction Realm the day before yesterday," Li Yuan replied truthfully.

"To go from nothing to a stable index in just a few months is already extremely fast."

Su Wenyuan looked at him intently. "Regarding your talent, have you made any new discoveries in the past month?"

Finally, the most crucial question has been asked.

Li Yuan's mind raced. The existence of the bronze palace was too strange, and he did not intend to reveal it for the time being.

However, it might be appropriate to mention that pale golden aura.

"Reporting to the Dean, I have indeed made some discoveries."

Li Yuan carefully considered the words, "After the student draws the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into his body, the resulting energy seems to be somewhat different from what is described in 'A Brief Description of the Nine Realms of Cultivation'."

"Oh? How are they different?"

"It is more refined and carries a very faint... golden glow. When it is circulated, it feels like it has a noticeable nourishing effect on the physical body. As for that rainbow phenomenon... it has not appeared since that day."

"The student also tried to explore internally many times, but only felt that there was a faint light deep in the sea of ​​consciousness, which was difficult to reach and whose purpose was unknown."

He was only half telling the truth.

Upon hearing this, Su Wenyuan stroked his beard and pondered, "Golden radiance... faint light in the sea of ​​consciousness... truly peculiar."

"A level nine mutated talent is inherently difficult to understand by ordinary standards. You need to cultivate diligently, comprehend it carefully, and deepen your communication with your own talent."

"On the second floor of the academy's library, there are some books about rare talents, mutated physiques, and spiritual cultivation. You can use your credits to consult them and perhaps gain something."

"If there is anything you don't understand, you may ask me, or consult Instructor Liu and Mr. Mo."

"Thank you for your guidance, Dean."

Li Yuan was overjoyed; he had long wanted to visit the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion.

"Well, that's enough for today!"

"Go back and cultivate diligently. The end of the year is approaching, and the academy will make arrangements soon. As for your father..."

Su Wenyuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "The academy can also take care of things for you, so you don't need to worry."

"I understand." Li Yuan stood up, bowed respectfully, and left the study.

Stepping out of Wenhua Courtyard, a cool night breeze was blowing.

Li Yuan looked up at the starry night sky, his eyes sharp, the road ahead seemingly becoming increasingly turbulent and unpredictable.

But he felt no fear; instead, it fueled his fighting spirit.

The cold wind of December added a touch of bleakness to Shenwu Academy.

The year-end exam is a hurdle that all students must face, because it not only concerns credits and resources, but also their personal evaluation for the coming year.

The atmosphere inside the Tian Shu Pavilion was solemn.

Liu Hongyan's sharp black outfit today made her appear even more cold and dignified.

Her gaze swept over the thirteen pairs of expectant eyes in front of her.

The content of the annual examination has been finalized.

"This year's four classes—Di Sha, Xuan Yao, Huang Ji, and Ren Huan—will undergo cross-disciplinary assessments, combining teamwork with individual combat."

She paused, her phoenix eyes sweeping across the faces of the crowd, "But the assessment content for our Tian Shu class is different."

Different? Everyone's hearts tightened.