The Hidden Truth

Of course, Yan Jinghong could understand this. If he were in charge of the Remote Heaven Society, he would also try to estimate the opponent's strength. As for the commander of the Mohist Knight Guard, he was a reckless and impulsive guy who preferred quick thinking to planning. He called himself a wise man but only knew how to capture the leader in one move. Such a low probability possibility would not be considered under normal circumstances.

If someone were to tell Yan Jinghong that the person in charge of the Remote Heaven Society was this kind of guy, he would definitely think that guy wasn't very bright.

"What are you thinking about?" Su Yingbo followed Yan Jinghong's gaze and suddenly realized, "Are you worried that your disciple will become arrogant and conceited because of this?"

"There are indeed concerns about that," Yan Jinghong readily admitted.

"I think you're overthinking it. Your disciple isn't as shallow as he seems. At least he's very experienced and definitely not the kind of spoiled brat who's been overprotected by his elders. Rather, do you, Master Yan, really have time to take care of your disciple?"

After a moment's thought, Yan Jinghong realized that few people his age could have experienced as many major events as his apprentice. Arrogance usually stems from a lack of experience and a life of ease, leading to conceit and ignorance of one's own limitations. However, with more experience and a deeper understanding of the vastness of the earth and the height of the sky, one will naturally overcome arrogance.

Judging from the current situation, my apprentice is at most prone to becoming complacent after success and doesn't underestimate his opponents when doing things. It's only natural for a young person to have inflated confidence after achieving great success. If he were someone who didn't show his emotions, I'm afraid I might not have taken him on as an apprentice in the first place.

However, he could only think it; he absolutely could not admit it aloud. Otherwise, given his apprentice's tendency to take advantage of any slight, he would probably fly to the sky if he knew he had praised him.

Yan Jinghong decided to maintain her image as a strict teacher and deliberately said loudly, "You yourself said he seems very superficial on the surface, how can I not worry? He doesn't know how to hide anything, he has no guile, and he lacks composure. How can he shoulder heavy responsibilities in the future?"

Si Ming, with his sharp ears, naturally heard everything clearly. He was currently in "Hanamichi Sakuragi" mode, automatically filtering out the preceding words. "As expected, even you, Master, think I should be entrusted with important responsibilities. I really am a genius, hehehehe..."

Yan Jinghong sighed, "Your reading comprehension is seriously problematic. I'm genuinely worried that you'll become too arrogant and explode."

Now Su Yingbo couldn't offer any more words of comfort, and could only say, "At least he still has a group of reliable companions, who should be able to curb his arrogance, right..."

At that moment, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Xia Guanxue, who stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall, looking out of place with the others. He added, "Moreover, your apprentice is willing to accept help from others and understands the principles of teamwork, unlike someone who is withdrawn, cold-hearted, and always alone. Her future is worrying."

Xia Guanxue clicked her tongue impatiently and turned to say, "Don't think that just because you saved my life you can lecture me like an elder. I've already repaid your kindness; I don't owe you anything."

Su Yingbo sighed, "Alas, it's precisely because of your stubborn personality that I worry about your future."

"Before worrying about others, worry about yourself first. You absolutely cannot stay in France. You will have to spend the rest of your life in a foreign country, and you will have to live under an assumed name. You will have to start all over again."

"Oh, are you worried about me? It seems I misunderstood you. You're not inherently cold-hearted; you just care about others in a different way than most."

"I think your reading comprehension skills are also quite poor. Forget it, we're even now, there's no need for me to see you off anymore. Goodbye, it seems we'll never meet again."

Xia Guanxue stormed off, and when she reached Yan Jinghong, she didn't look him in the eye, keeping her face turned to the side, and said, "I haven't given up my hatred for you, it's just that I'm not skilled enough to take revenge. It's my own incompetence. Once I advance to the Nascent Spirit Transformation stage, I will still come looking for you."

Si Ming narrowed his eyes, about to speak, when Yan Jinghong stopped him.

"You have that right, I'll wait for you."

Xia Guanxue snorted, took a few steps, then stopped and said, "It's precisely because I know the pain of losing a loved one that I don't want others to experience the same pain. I hope you can always hold onto this belief."

After saying that, he finally left without looking back.

Watching the departing figure, Su Yingbo said, "This child isn't inherently bad. If there's a chance, we should guide him back to the right path."

Yan Jinghong nodded and said, "I will do my best."

Si Ming protested, "Hey, hey, hey, Senior Su, how could you dump such a difficult task on my master? According to the usual practice, it's usually when Xia Guanxue is in mortal danger that my master steps forward to take the blow for him, and only then will he realize his mistakes and repent—why should he be given preferential treatment? We're all adults; everyone has to be responsible for their own actions."

Yan Jinghong said, "You're right, so I must take responsibility for my decision back then."

Si Ming was speechless, but in his heart he was thinking that he should find Xia Guanxue first when he had time. If the kid knew what was good for him, then he could let bygones be bygones. But if he didn't, then he shouldn't blame him for being ruthless and should learn from Professor Yang, the King of Thunder.

"Speaking of which, I should also thank you," Su Yingbo said to Si Ming. "Originally, I planned to take Ai Qing with me and perish together with the Nether Master. I can be manipulated, but I will never allow Ai Qing to lose her freedom. Living a life worse than death is meaningless. Fortunately, you know the art of spatial teleportation and sent her out of the Sea Continent, freeing her from control."

Si Ming, "Speaking of this, I also need to remind you. We suspect that the Barbarian Continent also has traces in the Remote Heaven Society Continent. Of course, it's also possible that we're overthinking it, and it's all just an unconscious coincidence. For example, the 'savior' of the Barbarian Continent may not know about the existence of the Remote Heaven Society, but only calculated that the Eternal Barrier would be damaged on this day, and he needed the fragments of the Eternal Barrier, which is why he coordinated with the Remote Heaven Society's actions. But ultimately, there is still a possibility of danger, so you'd better be vigilant."

Su Yingbo said, "I know."

"Actually, you could have chosen to go to the other side of the Barbarian Continent. I have influence there, and it would be easier to arrange your food, clothing, and lodging. The reason I didn't choose that option back then was because the area swallowed by the Black Tide is filled with the Evil Qi of the Five Turbidities, which can effectively prevent various Technique Method and Curse from taking effect. Even if the methods of the Nether Master can be effective across continents, they cannot deal with the interference of the Evil Qi of the Five Turbidities qi."

"No need. The Evil Qi of the Five Turbidities is fine. Ai Qing doesn't like practicing martial arts, so whether she has Spiritual Qi or not makes no difference. Besides, according to your description, the land of the Barbarian Continent is much larger and the population is sparser. It will be even less likely to be discovered after she hides her identity. That's enough. Moreover, I don't dare to gamble on whether the Remote Heaven Society's methods can be effective across continents. Even if the Nether Master is dead, I don't dare to take the risk."

At this point, Su Yingbo gave a self-deprecating laugh, "That guy Nether Master is right. I am a weakling. If it were you, you'd probably Remote Heaven Society right now. But what I want now is to live out the rest of my life peacefully with Ai Qing, and not to be involved in the turmoil of the martial world again. Now that I think about it, I shouldn't have taken on the position of the Imperial Army in the first place. The Remote Heaven Society only targeted me because my identity was valuable. If I had been as carefree as other Spirit Transformation Grandmaster, not involved in politics, I probably could have escaped this calamity."

Si Ming, "Your thinking is quite pessimistic, senior."

"Sigh, to have experienced the ups and downs of life and still be able to face everything with optimism and positivity—such a person is undoubtedly strong. And now I even want to learn the Daoist School tranquility and non-action."

Si Ming didn't try to persuade him any further. He also felt that someone with Su Yingbo's personality was more suited to be a reclusive Rogue Cultivator in the mountains than to holding an important military position. If he lived in a peaceful and prosperous era, he would probably live a very carefree life.

"Unfortunately, chaos has already descended upon the Sea Continent..."

With a touch of emotion, Si Ming activated the spatial array he had prepared and watched Su Yingbo leave.

Chapter 533 The Inside Story

Before stepping into the formation, Su Yingbo turned back to Yan Jinghong and said, "Everything I said that day was from the bottom of my heart."

"Me too."

"... Let it go. You've done enough. Stop living for others and try living for yourself."

"What if I told you not to live for your wife and to think more about yourself?" Yan Jinghong smiled. "Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you."

"It's different. The things your second sister said before she died were meant to encourage you and give you a goal to strive for, not to bind you for life. If she had known it would turn out like this, she would never have said those words."

"You all feel that Yinglan's words are shackles on me, weighing on my shoulders and preventing me from being free, but you don't know that her words are the motivation for me to keep going."

"But even without these words, you can keep going now. It's like a crutch; you need to rely on it when you can't walk, but now that your legs have healed, you should put it down."

Yan Jinghong shook her head. "It's not a cane, but a prosthetic limb. At first, I was indeed not used to it and felt that living like this was very hard, but gradually I found a new purpose, and it has become an indispensable part of my life."

"Living like this must be very hard."

"It's hard work, but my heart isn't bitter."