Lure the Snake from Its Hole

Pre-Exam Class Three.

This was Su Yu's class. Over the past few days, Su Yu had barely come to class, but of course, no one paid much attention to it.

With the higher academy examinations drawing near, everyone was pressed for time. Who had the mind to care whether others attended class or not?

Besides, Su Yu was not the only special case.

There was a Kaiyuan Fourth Stage student in the class who had not come to the academy for a long time either. At this point, adjusting one's mindset was more important.

Su Yu took his seat without rushing to find Liu Wenyan.

It was still too early. Instructor Liu was probably reading right now; the old man had a habit of getting up early to read.

Chen Hao sat down beside Su Yu. The two were deskmates. The teachers had no particular seating arrangements, so students could sit wherever they liked.

Not long after they sat down, a plump woman in her thirties entered with some books in her hands.

She swept her gaze over the students below without checking whether anyone was absent. Opening her book, she said, "The higher academy examinations are not far off, so we won't review the basic courses. Today, I'll briefly talk to everyone about your future choices after graduation."

"There's no need to discuss the four great academies. Everyone knows about those."

"Let's talk about what choices you have if you fail to enter even the Internal Affairs Academy, or if you get in but do not wish to attend."

The female teacher smiled as she looked at the class. "This is a magical era, where ordinary and extraordinary coexist. Some students are unwilling to live an ordinary life and hope to step onto the path of the extraordinary."

"So, if you cannot get into the War Academy, does that mean there is no hope?"

"No, there is!"

As soon as the teacher said that, even though the students had heard some things before, they became somewhat excited. Hearing rumors was one thing, but news from a teacher's mouth was far more trustworthy.

"The first path, and comparatively the most dangerous one, is joining the army!"

The teacher looked at them, her smile fading as her expression turned slightly stern. "I believe everyone knows this. Joining the army is the easiest path for ordinary people to come into contact with the extraordinary. Killing enemies in the military earns merit. Many of your relatives are soldiers, so everyone understands this."

"I believe everyone also understands the dangers involved. Every year, the number of soldiers killed in battle reaches six figures!"

"However, I am not here today to talk about the dangers. Even when joining the army, there are different choices."

As she spoke, the teacher looked toward the eager Chen Hao and smiled. "Chen Hao, tell us. What are the major armed forces of Great Xia Prefecture?"

Chen Hao stood up in excitement and hurriedly answered, "First is the Dragon Martial Guard, the strongest army in Great Xia Prefecture!"

"Second is the Great Xia Prefecture Army, responsible for guarding Great Xia Prefecture and maintaining peace there."

"Third is Jifeng Hall, responsible for hunting down Ten Thousand Races Cult members and maintaining public order."

"Fourth are the City Guards of each city, responsible for city defense."

"When the front lines become unstable, aside from Jifeng Hall, the other three of these four major armed organizations will enter the Battlefields of the Heavens to support the front lines. They can all be considered reserve forces for the front."

The teacher smiled. "That is not entirely wrong, but it is not comprehensive. The Dragon Martial Guard is not a reserve force either. Their absence from the Battlefields of the Heavens is not due to insufficient strength, but simply because the front lines do not yet need the Dragon Martial Guard's aid."

"Actually, apart from the four kinds of armed forces you mentioned, there are two more."

Chen Hao looked curious. The teacher smiled and said, "The fifth is the frontline legions. Some of them are stationed in Great Xia Prefecture as well, though it is difficult to encounter them. They are also responsible for receiving new recruits."

"The sixth is the retired legions. Everyone knows about this. Many of them are veteran soldiers retired from the front lines or various major institutions. They are also a powerful armed force."

At this point, the teacher hesitated slightly before continuing, "Actually, there is a seventh force!"

The students were puzzled. There was another one?

"Yes. Seventh, the guard units of the various academies!"

"Do not underestimate the guard units of the academies. Take Nanyuan Middle Academy, for instance. It is only a middle academy, yet everyone should know about the academy's security office. Director Huang is also a Thousand Jun Ninth Stage expert."

"And that is only Nanyuan. In Great Xia Prefecture, the armed strength of the guard units is formidable. Ten Thousand Stones and even Soaring Realm cultivators are not uncommon. Combined with some instructors and students from the War Academy, the academies are actually extraordinarily powerful—perhaps even stronger than the Prefecture Army, though still inferior to the Dragon Martial Guard."

The teacher explained briefly, and the students understood. They had indeed overlooked this point.

"So what I want to tell everyone today is that even if you cannot enter an academy, there is no need to worry about your future. There are many ways to come into contact with extraordinary power, but..."

"Danger and opportunity coexist!"

"If you cannot study as well as others or cultivate as well as others, then if you want to rise above the crowd, you must pay a greater price—for example... your life!"

The teacher said sternly, "Students who wish to walk the path of the extraordinary, students who cannot enter the War Academy, may consider joining the army. The front lines are the most dangerous, but they also offer the greatest opportunities. Next comes the Prefecture Army. You definitely cannot get into the Dragon Martial Guard, but the Prefecture Army recruits every year, and it is relatively much safer than the front lines."

"Besides the Prefecture Army, Jifeng Hall has also established an academy called Jifeng Academy. However, it is not well known, and it is comparatively rough around the edges. You may be assigned to graduate as soon as you break through into the Qianjun Realm, then sent to various cities for practical training. It is essentially real combat ahead of schedule."

"..."

The teacher spoke at length, mainly about joining the army.

At the end, the teacher changed the subject. "Actually, if you cannot get into the War Academy and worry that the Prefecture Army is too competitive, you can absolutely try the City Guards. The City Guards' assessments are comparatively simple, and their training system is relatively complete."

"Although Nanyuan City is not large, its City Guards are not weak either. Everyone is swarming toward Great Xia Prefecture now, but Great Xia Prefecture is over a thousand li from Nanyuan, far from home. Why not try for an opportunity with the City Guards right under your nose?"

"The current Commander Zhang of the City Guards is a Wanshi Ninth Layer expert. He places enormous importance on the City Guards' reserves and often personally guides new recruits. If he finds good seedlings, he gives them special training. The City Lord also thinks very highly of the City Guards..."

"..."

Hearing this, aside from a small number of people, most of the students understood. This teacher was another recruiter.

No one particularly minded. They were used to it.

With graduation approaching, every place needed to expand its reserve forces. Though Nanyuan City was small, the City Lord also wanted to forge the City Guards into an elite force.

Those nearest the water get the moon first. Every year, quite a few people from Nanyuan City did indeed join the City Guards.

Even if students from Nanyuan Middle Academy could not enter the War Academy, some Kaiyuan Three Stages students still had excellent talent. With proper training, reaching the Wanshi Realm was not impossible.

"Think it over carefully, everyone. Do not rush into making a decision..."

The teacher paid no mind to the noisy students below. After speaking for a while, she let everyone discuss freely, then soon made her way toward Su Yu and the others.

She was not here for Su Yu, but for Chen Hao.

"Chen Hao, you are at Kaiyuan Three Stages. Although you have some hope of entering the War Academy, the chance is very small. If you fail the assessment, consider the City Guards. Your father works in Nanyuan as well. City Guards recruits can return home for three days every month. This is also a very good opportunity..."

Chen Hao wore a mournful expression. Why did she have to say that? He could get in.

He did not want to join the City Guards!

Why was she not urging Su Yu to go?

Was she looking down on him?

Seeing his expression, the teacher could not help laughing. "What, you think the City Guards are beneath you?"

"No... I still want to give it a try. If I cannot get in, we'll talk then."

Chen Hao was utterly dejected. He would talk about it if he really failed.

The teacher did not mind. Soon, she looked at Su Yu and smiled. "Su Yu, you are a promising candidate for the Civilization Academy. Instructor Liu has already spoken for you, so I should not be trying to persuade you. But if, and I mean if, you do not want to go, you can consider this as well."

"The City Lord places increasing importance on the City Guards. You are a good seedling too. If you join the City Guards, they will not have you doing menial tasks. The City Lord's Mansion has a confidential affairs office. You could intern there. That is also a rare opportunity."

Su Yu thought for a moment. "The City Guards do not have many chances to go to the Battlefields of the Heavens, right?"

"Very few."

The teacher thought he was worried and answered swiftly.

Su Yu nodded and smiled. "I understand. Thank you, Teacher. I will consider it."

To consider it meant rejecting it. What a joke. He was not going.

In the past, it might have been hard to say.

If his father were home, and if Nanyuan City truly offered some good conditions, it would not have been impossible for him to remain in Nanyuan.

He knew about the confidential affairs office. It was a fairly important institution in Nanyuan, very safe and with excellent benefits.

But now that his father had run off, why would he stay in Nanyuan?

Besides, if he stayed in Nanyuan, could he obtain the essence blood he needed?

Thinking of essence blood, Su Yu suddenly thought of something and asked, "Teacher, which academy has more essence blood—the War Academy or the Civilization Academy?"

The teacher froze for a moment before quickly replying, "Of course the War Academy..."

"I mean varieties. Since the Civilization Academy is a research institution, would its essence blood varieties be more numerous than the War Academy's?"

"This... probably?"

The teacher was not too certain either. She truly did not know, but she still said, "In terms of variety, the Civilization Academy should have more. At the very least, its samples should exceed those of the War Academy. Some essence blood captured on the Battlefields of the Heavens that cannot be used will be provided to the Civilization Academy as samples. The War Academy has greater quantities, though. For instance, essence blood useful for cultivation—the amount they have must be beyond imagination."

Su Yu nodded faintly. He had considered this before, but he had not been sure. Now that the teacher had said so, he was more confident.

Quantity was important, but variety was even more important.

If there were not enough varieties, how could he keep opening new pages?

If he did not know the language, he would not understand it even after opening the page. Was he supposed to ask others what it meant?

"Looks like... I still have to apply to the Civilization Academy!"

As Su Yu was thinking, someone outside shouted, "Su Yu, come to the instructors' office. Instructor Liu is looking for you."

"Got it!"

Su Yu responded, greeted the teacher, and quickly ran toward the instructors' office.

When he arrived at the instructors' office, Su Yu was not the only one there.

Su Yu saw several familiar faces. They were not especially close, but he knew most of their names.

There were Kaiyuan Fourth Stage geniuses, as well as geniuses who had mastered several Myriad Races Languages.

Liu Yue was among them.

And there was more than just Liu Wenyan in the instructors' office. The Academy Head was there, along with several other Thousand Jun Ninth Stage instructors. Their strength ranked among the best in Nanyuan Middle Academy.

After Su Yu arrived, several more students came one after another.

After seven or eight minutes, when everyone seemed to have arrived, the Academy Head smiled. "The twenty-five of you are Nanyuan Middle Academy's hope this year. You will either enter the Civilization Academy or the War Academy. The Research Academy recruits very few students from us each year."

The Academy Head was a Martial Man, while Liu Wenyan was a scholar. Yet at that moment, this scholar suddenly interrupted, "Stop talking so much nonsense. Get to the point. There is no time to waste!"

The Academy Head was embarrassed. That old bastard—could he not see the students were all here?

He was going too far. The Academy Head truly wanted to break that old fellow's legs.

The other instructors snickered. The Academy Head glared, and everyone instantly fell silent.

Only then did the Academy Head speak directly. "Great Xia Prefecture has not been very peaceful lately. The Ten Thousand Races Cult bastards are hopping about everywhere. Though they cannot make much of a wave, Nanyuan is only a small city, and we do not have enough defensive strength here."

"So the academy's decision is for all of you to head to Great Xia Prefecture in advance. It is safer there."

"Cases of geniuses being attacked have already occurred in other small cities. The Ten Thousand Races Cult is creating chaos..."

Su Yu remained silent, but someone in the crowd hurriedly asked, "If we go to Great Xia Prefecture... what about the examinations?"

"The examinations will be the same in Great Xia Prefecture, and your chances will be better there than in Nanyuan. Great Xia Prefecture has more slots. You are receiving special approval; the academy is recommending you to go. Just wait in Great Xia Prefecture for the assessment."

"How long will it be?"

A female student said somewhat reluctantly, "There are still over two months before the assessment. Do we have to stay in Great Xia Prefecture the entire time?"

"Not necessarily. If the Ten Thousand Races Cult beasts are uprooted and all killed, you can return at any time."

The Academy Head said angrily, "The key is that these rats are causing chaos everywhere. Nanyuan City is small, and we do not have enough strength to protect you. Better safe than sorry. If they set their sights on you, they have too many opportunities to strike."

"On the road, at home, even inside the academy—we may not be able to protect you."

"Rather than split our forces, it is better to send you away together. In fact, once you leave, your families and classmates will be safer too, because... in the Ten Thousand Races Cult's eyes, the others are not worth risking their lives over. You understand what I mean."

Everyone nodded. They were not fools and naturally understood the Academy Head's meaning.

The Ten Thousand Races Cult did not rise early without profit. Killing a few ordinary people was meaningless and would instead put their own lives at risk.

But killing a few geniuses was different. Within their ranks, Human Race Geniuses had clearly marked prices.

If they succeeded, the rewards would be substantial.

Of course, none of the people in Nanyuan counted as true monsters. But Nanyuan's defenses were lax and its military strength insufficient, so cases of small-city geniuses being attacked were not uncommon.

Seeing that everyone understood, the Academy Head continued, "So make your preparations. Those willing to leave should come to the academy together in three days. The City Guards will send people to escort you to Great Xia Prefecture. Once there, all expenses will be covered by the academy, so do not worry too much."

Liu Wenyan had not spoken earlier, but now he said flatly, "It would be best for everyone who can leave to go to Great Xia Prefecture. Lately... things have been unsettled. These past few days, the Ten Thousand Races Cult has become active again, assassinating geniuses, intercepting merchant caravans, even creating several bloody cases outside cities... though they have not reached Nanyuan yet."

"However, something is not right!"

Liu Wenyan said softly, "You are no longer children, so you should be able to judge this situation. The old drunkard's heart is not in the wine—or, to put it another way, they are making a feint to the east while attacking in the west."

"The ones being killed and exposed now are all minor Ten Thousand Races Cult figures. Many are lunatics from the Bloodfire Faction. Those madmen are idiots whose minds have been brainwashed. They do not even know what life and death are. They are merely cannon fodder cultists of the Ten Thousand Races Cult."

"The real big fish have not shown themselves yet. They are creating chaos to draw the Dragon Martial Guard's attention and tie down the Dragon Martial Guard and the City Guards of the various cities..."

Su Yu could not help asking, "Teacher, does Great Xia Prefecture not know this?"

"Of course they know!"

Liu Wenyan smiled. "Great Xia Prefecture is brimming with talent. How could they not know? But even if they know, can the Dragon Martial Guard simply stay put? The Prefecture Army must remain stationed and cannot move lightly. Among the mobile forces, the Dragon Martial Guard is the strongest. They have to move."

"Jifeng Hall is also running around with its head on fire. There are too many places that need defending, because you do not know where the Ten Thousand Races Cult's true target is."

"The people lurking in the shadows can act without restraint and attack at will. Thus, even if Great Xia Prefecture could destroy them in an instant, without finding these stray fish, there is no way to deliver a thunderous blow."

Liu Wenyan continued, "So the most urgent task is to reduce the possible points of attack. By gathering you together and sending you away, we can concentrate greater strength on wiping out those people."

Everyone understood. So that was the reason.

One student said furiously, "Those beasts—when I come out of the War Academy, I'll kill every one I see!"

Several instructors merely smiled without speaking. Everyone had thought about it, but the key was that those people were too difficult to find. Many were deeply embedded.

"Then everyone, go back and think it over. Those leaving in three days should come to the academy. The City Guards will escort you away."

"Understood."

Everyone agreed one after another. Under the current circumstances, it seemed they had no choice but to leave.

Leaving would instead lessen Nanyuan's burden. Everyone understood that in their hearts.

After everyone else left, Su Yu did not leave.

He had come this time to find Liu Wenyan and learn several more Myriad Races Languages, including that of the Liyu. The creature he had dreamed of before was precisely one of those. These past few days, Su Yu had not continued dreaming.

The Liyu language was very obscure. Su Yu had never learned it before and did not know whether Liu Wenyan knew it.

As for going to Great Xia Prefecture, Su Yu did not react much. He was the only one at home anyway, so it was all the same wherever he went.

The other instructors, including the Academy Head, gradually left as well. In the end, only Su Yu and Liu Wenyan remained.

Hearing Su Yu ask about the Liyu language, Liu Wenyan smiled. "Liyu are rarely seen on the Battlefields of the Heavens. Most remain in the Dishan Realm. Their language has very few users, and their writing even fewer. At the very least, the Human Race has not captured much of it, so I truly have not mastered it. But someone in Great Xia Prefecture certainly has..."

Su Yu was not disappointed. Seeing that his teacher did not know, he was about to leave when Liu Wenyan, noticing this, thought for a moment and said, "Your father has gone to the Battlefields of the Heavens. You are alone at home?"

"Yes."

"Then be careful at home..."

Su Yu turned back. Had the situation deteriorated to this point already?

"There are arrangements on the streets, and the academy has arrangements as well. Other households more or less have Qianjun Realm cultivators, so there is no great need to worry about their safety. But you are alone... you are in greater danger."

Liu Wenyan hesitated briefly, then quickly said, "Actually... I do not really agree..."

"Instructor Liu!"

From outside the door came the clanging of armor.

Liu Wenyan's expression did not change as he continued, "His father is a veteran of the Demon Suppression Army. Are you saying even he cannot be trusted?"

"Anything is possible. Su Long has been discharged for a full eighteen years!"

"Then arrange for someone to protect him, or I won't be at ease."

"We currently cannot spare the manpower to protect an individual!"

Liu Wenyan frowned and said unhappily, "The Dragon Martial Guard is carrying out military orders. I have no authority to question that, but... I believe Su Yu is fine. Of course, if you are still worried, Su Yu will stay with me these next few days. Otherwise, letting him return home would be irresponsible toward him."

"..."

The person outside hesitated for a moment, seemingly making a decision.

Su Yu, meanwhile, was rather baffled. What did that mean?

Of course, he did not interrupt at this moment.

Was the person outside from the Dragon Martial Guard?

Before coming in, he had not seen anyone else outside.

"Fine!"

A moment later, a voice came from outside, and soon everything fell silent.

Liu Wenyan looked at the silent Su Yu and chuckled. "The Ten Thousand Races Cult has burrowed in rather deeply. We suspect that their recent chaos-making has another purpose, so... we cannot wait passively. We can only take the initiative!"

"But we are not sure whether the academy, or even the City Guards, have been infiltrated. Someone may be lurking in secret, so... at a time like this, we need an opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

Su Yu seemed to understand, yet did not fully grasp it.

"That's right, an opportunity!"

"Nanyuan is only a small city. There is nothing particularly important here, and its value is limited. If it has any value at all, it is probably this Nanyuan Middle Academy! Or perhaps the City Lord's Mansion, but the City Lord's Mansion has the City Guards and is much safer than our side."

"We are not sure whether they have come to Nanyuan, but to prepare for every possibility and turn passivity into initiative, we have decided to lure the snake from its hole."

"You... are bait, though not entirely bait."

Liu Wenyan sighed softly. "If there are members of the Ten Thousand Races Cult in Nanyuan, and if they are plotting something, once the news of you being sent away spreads, they will have only a few possible choices."

"First, strike early and kill you."

"Second, strike on the road. But with the City Guards present, killing the City Guards would require them to deploy a great many people, and the Great Xia Prefecture military will certainly be there to receive you midway."

"Third, wait calmly for you to leave, taking some of the City Guards with you in the process, weakening Nanyuan's strength before making their move."

"Fourth, abandon Nanyuan. Once you leave, we can concentrate even more strength on defense, and they will find it difficult to get an opportunity."

Su Yu frowned. After thinking for a moment, he said, "So what Teacher means is that if their target really is us, they may choose to strike early at this time?"

"Correct. They will reveal themselves."

"Then what if it isn't us..."

"Then you will leave Nanyuan. Great Xia Prefecture really is somewhat safer, and in one or two months, the Dragon Martial Guard will be able to uproot them."

Liu Wenyan said seriously, "So you count as bait meant to lure the snake from its hole, but not many people know about it, because... we are not sure whether their eyes are all around us."

"Then will we be in great danger?"

"Most people will not. You are harder to say, because there is no one in your home."

Liu Wenyan said, "That is why I am telling you, so that you will not be completely unprepared if you encounter an assassination attempt. Stay with me for the next two days. If nothing happens after three days, we will send you away."

Su Yu thought about it but said nothing.

Nanyuan's intention was to prepare for every possibility by sending them away early. If nothing happened, that would be best. If something did happen, they could seize the initiative.

As for danger... having arrangements was safer than having none.

If the Ten Thousand Races Cult had truly set its sights on them, now that Nanyuan had made preparations, they were actually safer.

Su Yu could understand that. Smiling, he said, "Don't worry, Teacher. I understand. But has the Ten Thousand Races Cult really infiltrated this deeply?"

"Yes!"

Liu Wenyan sighed. "Otherwise, why call them rats in the gutter? They are simply too good at hiding. It would be best if Nanyuan remains peaceful. If something does happen, we can only make every possible preparation."

"For these two days, you will stay at my place. The reason will be that you are learning a new Myriad Races Language."

"Alright!" Su Yu did not care where he stayed, though he asked curiously, "Teacher, haven't you mastered willpower? Can't you tell whether there are any Ten Thousand Races Cult members lurking around?"

Liu Wenyan merely smiled without answering, unfathomable.

Guess whether I can or not?

It was fine when dealing with a rookie like him, but adults all had complicated thoughts. Who would expose their thoughts so clearly? Especially those Ten Thousand Races Cult members—who among them was not hiding themselves to the bitter end? The ones who were not afraid of death had long since died.