novelraw Chapter 188: Words That Hide a Blade
Chapter 188: Words That Hide a Blade
The people of Black City, to show their apologies, said they would send him back.
Su Zhan asked, "Send me by what?"
They answered, "By plane."
Su Zhan thanked them for the offer at the time, but declined.
Ah—later on…
They insisted it was a military plane, the pilots were all Awakened, and it would absolutely be safe.
Only then did Su Zhan accept their kindness.
Although he still didn't figure out exactly who they were.
But at least he came back alive and well, right?
Vermilion Bird Academy.The teachers' office.
Thanks to the Academy's better medical resources, the wounds on Su Zhan's body had basically healed, leaving only faint marks. He had deliberately kept those marks so as not to reveal how fast he recovered.
He knocked on the door.
After receiving permission, he pushed the door and walked in.
The office was suffused with the faint scent of books and tea.
Teacher Wang Mingyuan was sitting behind a large desk, bent over grading a document.
He wore a neat white wool sweater, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose; his gaze was gentle, and he exuded a scholarly, refined air.
Hearing footsteps, Wang Mingyuan looked up and, seeing Su Zhan, smiled warmly and set down his pen.
"Student Su Zhan? You're back? Sit down."
Wang Mingyuan pointed to the chair opposite his desk, speaking kindly: "I heard your final assessment went very well this time—you eliminated the targets. The enforcement team had very high praise for you."
Su Zhan sat in the chair. "Teacher Wang, I just completed the task by luck."
"Excessive modesty is just another kind of pride."
Wang Mingyuan chuckled, picked up the teapot on the desk, poured a steaming cup of clear tea for Su Zhan, and pushed it toward him.
"I've also heard about the situation in Black City—it's a mess of fish and dragons. To complete a mission there and return unharmed is itself proof of strength. How did it go? Any major trouble?"
"There was some trouble."
Su Zhan lifted the teacup. "The three targets were craftier than expected; in the end they panicked and triggered a fog, but it worked out—we handled them."
"Handled, that's good. The Academy cares about results, but also about the process."
Wang Mingyuan nodded and blew gently on his own cup of tea. "You have a certificate from Black City’s authorities that fully proves you completed the assessment solo. No problem there."
Su Zhan hesitated slightly, then spoke: "Teacher, actually in Black City after the mission ended… I ran into some extra trouble."
Wang Mingyuan's gaze grew concerned. "Oh? What kind of trouble?"
Su Zhan briefly recounted being ambushed by a masked assailant with Tiger Transformation and his own severe injury while fleeing back to the enforcement bureau, omitting detailed combat descriptions but emphasizing the opponent's cruelty and power.
He had thought it through in his head.
He wasn't the only one who knew—Black City's officials knew too.
So there was no point hiding it.
Even if he tried to hide it, it wouldn't stay hidden, so he might as well say it. It wasn't something shameful.
Wang Mingyuan listened quietly until Su Zhan finished. "How are you feeling now? This sort of power-based life soul attack is most likely to injure internal organs and tendons and bones—you absolutely can't take it lightly."
Su Zhan shook his head. "I'm fine now, Teacher. It's all been handled."
"That's good…"
Wang Mingyuan breathed a small sigh of relief, though his expression remained grave. "To make a move in broad daylight in Black City, and right after you just earned merit… these people have some nerve! This matter absolutely can't be let go! Any leads?"
Su Zhan thought carefully and shook his head. "It was urgent at the time. He was completely shrouded in black. Besides brute strength and berserk aggression, there weren't many distinguishing features."
Wang Mingyuan nodded and offered reassurance: "That's alright. The important thing is you're safe. The Academy won't turn a blind eye—I'll report this to Dean Ye and get you an answer."
Su Zhan nodded.
He was very curious who that person really was.
"By the way."
Su Zhan asked, "Have Liu Ziming and the others returned?"
"Not yet."
Wang Mingyuan shook his head, his warm smile returning. "They won't finish the assessment as fast as you. A month isn't up yet—it's still early."
Su Zhan nodded and said nothing more.
The teacher and student chatted a bit more, catching up on recent events.
Su Zhan was about to leave the office.
The office door was gently knocked twice.
Before Wang Mingyuan could reply, someone pushed it open.
A head of conspicuous short white hair caught his eye first, followed by a sharply defined face with an edge of intensity.
Qin Bai wore a small silver earring on his ear.
He walked straight in.
His eyes swept the office like a hawk's, finally settling on Wang Mingyuan.
A corner of his mouth lifted in a smile that wasn't exactly warm: "Teacher Wang, busy?"
Wang Mingyuan's face immediately brightened. He stood. "Commander Qin? A rare guest—please sit. I just brewed some tea; would you like to try some?"
"I'll pass on the tea."
Qin Bai didn't seem inclined to sit; he casually leaned against the desk. "I heard our Academy produced an incredible student—single-handedly eliminating three Transcendence Society scum in Black City. Impressive for someone so young."
His words sounded like praise.
But his eyes narrowed slightly, carrying a scrutinizing edge.
Wang Mingyuan kept smiling and personally pushed a cup of tea toward Qin Bai. "Yes, Su Zhan really stood out. Young people always have energy; sometimes they catch a lucky break."
Su Zhan silently watched the two of them.
These two seemed very friendly—like old friends.
Hmm…
What he didn't know was that these two had already fallen out over Ye Hongyu's stance.
"Coming back alive from there isn't just luck. I heard the process was pretty intense?"
Qin Bai gave a light laugh. "From what I know, it was one against two, and at the same level. Not bad—indeed impressive."
"Commander Qin is flattering me, but young people have their own ways."
Wang Mingyuan raised his teacup and blew on it. "Us old folks sometimes have to admit we can't keep up with the times."
"Potential is important, but foundation must be stable. Some powers, if acquired too fast and too violently, aren't necessarily a good thing."
Qin Bai said with a smile: "It's like building a house—if the foundation is unstable, no matter how tall you build, it could collapse. What do you think, Teacher Wang?"
"Commander Qin's concern isn't without reason. But how to judge whether the foundation is solid, I don't think we can rely on appearances or preconceived impressions alone."
Wang Mingyuan met his gaze, still smiling gently. "Some materials seem ordinary but can bear tremendous weight; some look dazzling yet shatter at a touch. As teachers, we must observe patiently and guide, not jump to conclusions too early, otherwise… we might miss a true pillar of the future. Wouldn't you agree?"
They stared at each other.
The air seemed to freeze.
Only then did Su Zhan finally understand.
He had misread things before.
These two were at odds—words hiding blades.
He had thought they were just good friends.
But…
Weren't they fine between them earlier?
Qin Bai had even showed sympathy when Wang Mingyuan was injured before.
Has something happened recently?
Have the two of them had a falling out?