As a scholar, Wei Xu had read plenty of books long ago. In the Divine Capital, everyone knew that although this seemingly ordinary scholar might not be the most knowledgeable student under the Dean, he was undoubtedly the student who had been with the Dean for the longest time.
Staying even a day by the side of a figure like the Dean was likely to benefit many people for more than a lifetime.
Wei Xu looked at Chen Chao and suddenly said, "After that day by the lake, have you harbored a grudge against me this entire time?"
During the martial examination, the battle by the lake, Chen Chao originally had the opportunity to kill that Song Changxi. However, just before making the final move, Wei Xu stopped him, preventing him from killing Song Changxi outright. Although Wei Xu ultimately let the young man make his own choice, considering the pros and cons, it seemed that since that moment, the relationship between the two had not been overly friendly.
Chen Chao shook his head, "Back then, I made the choice myself. What does it have to do with Mr. Wei?"
Wei Xu smiled and remained silent. It did not matter whether he believed this or not.
Glancing at him, Chen Chao pondered for a moment before earnestly saying, "In fact, I should thank Mr. Wei for giving me time to think about it. If I had recklessly killed that daoist genius, perhaps there would be no room for maneuver now."
Hearing this, Wei Xu looked at the young man curiously and smiled, "Are you really giving yourself a way out?"
Chen Chao did not respond directly but threw out another question, "According to Mr. Wei's thoughts, do you really have to contend with her for the position of academy dean in the end?"
This question was earth-shattering.
At least, no one had ever asked such a question directly to Wei Xu's face.
Even though there had been endless discussions in the Divine Capital recently, it was unlikely that anyone would choose to ask this question directly in front of Wei Xu.
Wei Xu looked at him, expressionless.
Chen Chao did not speak either.
Soon, the heavy snow covered their heads.
Wei Xu said, "Actually, many people are still considering another matter now, whether to kill you before His Majesty returns to the capital."
Wei Xu continued calmly, "There are things that His Majesty doesn't say, but it doesn't mean he doesn't think about them. In this Divine Capital, there are plenty of people who will try to guess His Majesty's thoughts."
As Wei Xu spoke these words, the lakeside suddenly became colder.
Chen Chao was surprised and asked, "Has Mr. Wei been deliberately waiting for me here all along?"
Wei Xu did not speak, just looking at him like this.
Regarding this scholar, besides the dean, there was probably no one in the world who knew what was on his mind.
Chen Chao stayed silent, but his hand had slowly reached the hilt of his saber. Indeed, as Wei Xu had said, his life and death had become a matter of consideration for many people, especially when a few individuals were certain that the changes in the Divine Capital were just part of the Great Liang Emperor's scheme. Now, they were contemplating Chen Chao's fate.
Whether or not to eliminate Chen Chao on behalf of the Great Liang Emperor to gain his favor, this was worth considering from different perspectives.
Being the legitimate son of the Wei Family, Wei Xu had too many reasons to carry this out.
Chen Chao said softly, "This is the academy."
He was reminding Wei Xu.
Currently, he did not know what Wei Xu was thinking but if there were words that could dispel his thoughts, he naturally needed to say them.
Wei Xu did not speak. At this moment, he suddenly raised his head and looked into the distance. The door of a small courtyard was pushed open, and a young girl, holding an umbrella, walked out of the courtyard. She stood by the door, looking at Wei Xu.
Wei Xu looked at this junior sister with a complicated expression.
The two of them once shared a common understanding: regardless of their personal thoughts, as long as they were in the academy, they were senior and junior siblings; fellow apprentices.
However, now, it seemed that due to the presence of this young man, this agreement had become precarious.
These two individuals, one was a genius girl whom the Xie Family had high hopes for, and the other was the legitimate son groomed by the Wei Family for many years. Both were students of the Dean, and the struggle between Xie and Wei, the struggle within the academy, they could not escape either one of them.
Wei Xu withdrew his gaze, remaining silent, and just continued to look at Chen Chao.
After a moment, he smiled and said, "I also know that this is the academy."
After so many years in the academy, how could he not know that this was the academy?
However, even though he said that, he still walked towards Chen Chao.
When he took a step forward, the girl with the umbrella in front of the small courtyard also took a step forward, neither more nor less.
The two stood facing each other.
Wei Xu paid no attention and walked straight up to within ten feet of Chen Chao.
A flying sword was already suspended in front of the girl. In the midst of the wind and snow, it trembled slightly, as if warning Wei Xu.
Wei Xu suddenly stopped, smiled, and said, "Little Junior Sister, do you really not trust your senior brother?"
The girl holding the umbrella said softly, "Whatever senior brother wants to do, I can't stop senior brother."
Wei Xu chuckled, just about to speak, when the flying sword next to the girl suddenly emitted a sword cry, shooting forward swiftly, piercing through the wind and snow towards Wei Xu. Xie Nandu's expression changed slightly. Seeing this scene in front of her, she was also somewhat surprised.
Because even though this flying sword belonged to her, at this moment, the sudden attack was a bit surprising to her.
Because it was not her intention.
Wei Xu looked at the flying sword coming towards him, his expression changed slightly, but he did not try to dodge. Instead, he rolled up his sleeve and took the flying sword into it. The flying sword erupted with countless sword qi within his sleeve, but it still could not break free. However, after a moment, Wei Xu took the initiative to let the flying sword go, then lowered his head to look at his sleeve, which was somewhat tattered.
Xie Nandu's thoughts stirred, and she retrieved the flying sword.
Suddenly, a voice echoed from a distance.
"Wei Xu, it's been so many years, and you're still so dull."
Wei Xu followed the sound and looked into the distance at the lakeside. A figure had appeared there at some point.
The person wore a green robe, with a sword hanging by the side, looking very casual.
The person glanced at Wei Xu, then turned his gaze to the girl holding the umbrella. A smile appeared on his face. "I presume this is Little Junior Sister. Teacher's eyes are indeed sharp. After practicing the sword for such a short time, this flying sword has already synchronized with the junior sister's mind. I borrowed the sword temporarily, and for a moment, I actually couldn't fully control it."
At this moment, how could Xie Nandu not know who this newcomer was? She quickly saluted and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother Liu."
Since she started practicing swordsmanship, it could be said that the man before her had always been answering her questions about Sword Dao.
Wei Xu also knew who the newcomer was but remained silent. Although he had written a letter to him when Xie Nandu began practicing swordsmanship, it did not mean that their relationship was amicable.
Liu Banbi shifted his gaze to Chen Chao, but quickly looked away after a brief glance.
Finally, his eyes fell back on Wei Xu. Regarding this most famous person in the Divine Capital, Liu Banbi chuckled and said, "Wei Xu, I didn't expect a dull person like you could reach such a realm one day."
He repeated the word "dull."
There was not much emotional expression in his words.
