A Corner of the Grand Curtain

The time for the higher academy assessments was drawing nearer.

The next day, when Su Yu arrived at the academy, he could feel the tense atmosphere.

The students in the preparatory class walked faster than the others, rushing about. The brief scuffles and fights had quickly passed, and the students no longer had the energy to get into altercations.

Su Yu had intended to find Liu Wenyan, but halfway there, he encountered someone he hadn't expected to see.

Xia Bing!

The squad leader of the Dragon Martial Guard, the head of the Dragon Martial Guard stationed in Southern Yuan.

Except for the period when the Ten Thousand Races Cult attacked, the Dragon Martial Guard was stationed in Nanyuan Academy. At other times, they weren't at Nanyuan Academy, and few people in Southern Yuan knew where they actually were.

He was a cultivator at the Soaring Second Stage, the same realm as City Lord Wu Wenhai.

Su Yu naturally knew how powerful the Dragon Martial Guard was. He had always wanted to join the Dragon Martial Guard before, and he still harbored that thought.

However, it was difficult to get into the Dragon Martial Guard. His father had tried for years without success.

Su Yu saw Xia Bing, and Xia Bing naturally saw him as well.

Xia Bing, who had been rushing along, suddenly stopped as he passed Su Yu.

He turned his head to glance at Su Yu. Su Yu felt his gaze and quickly stopped, bowing as he said, "Lord Xia."

Xia Bing nodded slightly, looked at him for a moment, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. "You're Kaiyuan Eighth Stage already?"

Su Yu was slightly startled and quickly replied, "I just broke through yesterday."

"That's very fast," Xia Bing said. He added, "I originally thought you would quickly reach the Seventh Stage. Reaching Kaiyuan Eighth Stage is a bit beyond my expectations."

Su Yu didn't know how to respond. Was Xia Bing paying attention to him?

He had no connection with Xia Bing.

Xia Bing, without changing his stern expression, said, "Bai Feng's 'Kaiyuan Jue' is only half-baked. The fact that you could quickly reach the Eighth Stage shows you have good talent on the path of a Warrior."

"I know your father. Your father has visited our post many times over the years, but he didn't have the qualifications to join the Dragon Martial Guard."

Su Yu felt a bit awkward; he didn't know how to reply to that.

Xia Bing didn't seem to notice his reaction and continued, "I was also part of the Demon Suppression Army, but I joined later than your father. When your father retired, I was just enlisting. Six years ago, I was transferred back to the Dragon Martial Guard and appointed as the squad leader of the Dragon Martial Guard stationed in Southern Yuan."

Su Yu still didn't reply. He didn't understand why Xia Bing was telling him all this.

"Civilization Academy isn't as good as you imagine. It's full of backstabbing and schemes. You won't be able to hold your head up until you can manifest your abilities."

"I don't like people from Civilization Academy. I prefer War Academy, and I prefer the Dragon Martial Guard... Of course, that has nothing to do with you."

Xia Bing said these words with a serious expression. "Your father said that he couldn't join the Dragon Martial Guard, but he hoped his son could one day join the Dragon Martial Guard and continue to fight alongside the General!"

"You can consider Dragon Martial War College. It's... cleaner than Civilization Academy!"

"Sir..."

Su Yu was somewhat surprised. Was Xia Bing recruiting him?

Xia Bing said calmly, "The Dragon Martial Guard is stationed in various cities and is also responsible for selecting reservists! You didn't have the qualifications before, but now you do. Of course, this is just a suggestion, nothing more."

"I shouldn't have said so much, but your father is an old soldier of the Demon Suppression Army, so I'll say a bit more. Nowadays... Civilization Academy is much more complicated than it used to be. It's not peaceful inside, with factions everywhere. A group of people who originally only focused on research now have more thoughts and ideas, making things chaotic."

"Your teacher, Liu Wenyan, Bai Feng, who wants to take you as a student, and Researcher Hong, Bai Feng's teacher... they are all part of the same faction. The internal situation is even more complicated than what I've described. In short, getting involved now will bring you no benefit whatsoever."

Su Yu was bewildered and a little lost. He said softly, "Sir, I don't quite understand what you mean. I'm just a student from a mid-tier academy who hasn't taken the assessment yet."

"You'll understand sooner or later!"

Xia Bing said firmly, "Remember one thing, Great Xia Prefecture is still Great Xia Prefecture!"

After saying this, Xia Bing turned and left.

Su Yu fell into deep thought. A moment later, he gave a wry smile and walked away.

He truly didn't quite grasp Xia Bing's meaning.

Of course, Xia Bing's words also contained a warning: going to Civilization Academy might not be a good thing, and Dragon Martial War College might be more straightforward.

If it were in the past, Su Yu would have been very happy.

But now, he had already made up his mind to go to Daxia Civilization Academy. In terms of cultivating willpower, War Academy would definitely not be as good as Civilization Academy.

Moreover, Liu Wenyan had taught him for so long, and he had always wanted to go to Civilization Academy. He was only worried that Civilization Academy wouldn't help improve his combat strength.

In the office.

Liu Wenyan wasn't reading a book this time but was writing calligraphy. Liu Wenyan's handwriting was beautiful, at least Su Yu thought so; it was a hundred times better than his own.

"Lost in thought?"

Liu Wenyan continued writing without looking up, but he could sense Su Yu's hesitation.

"No, I just ran into Squad Leader Xia..."

"Did he ask you to go to Dragon Martial Academy?"

"Mm."

"Don't mind him."

Liu Wenyan didn't seem agitated, just a little emotional. "Did he say that Civilization Academy isn't suitable for you, or that Civilization Academy has degenerated?"

"This..."

"It's fine, it's not the first time he's said this. In fact, many people in the Dragon Martial Guard say the same thing."

Liu Wenyan said calmly, "What he says is the truth. Civilization Academy is indeed different from how it was back then. The Fifth Generation Academy Head perished, and the Sixth Generation Academy Head took over. After that, Civilization Academy entered a period of rapid development, which also brought some negative influences."

"Fifty years ago, Civilization Academy wasn't as strong as it is now, but it also wasn't as chaotic."

"This is inevitable. When people become powerful, they naturally develop other ambitions."

"Scheming, deception, power struggles... these are things that must be experienced, and they are also a form of tempering. Whoever can rise in such an environment is a true powerhouse."

Su Yu frowned. "Teacher, is Civilization Academy very chaotic?"

"It's not extremely chaotic; it's generally still under control. Of course, there are some undercurrents and disputes."

Liu Wenyan looked up at him, at this student he was quite satisfied with, and said in a calm voice, "The Dragon Martial Guard is somewhat dissatisfied with Civilization Academy. This stems from Prefect Xia."

"Ah?"

Su Yu was surprised. "Prefect Xia... is dissatisfied with Daxia Civilization Academy?"

"Something like that."

Liu Wenyan sighed lightly. "This originally had nothing to do with you, and you don't need to pay too much attention to it. However, since Xia Bing brought it up, I'll explain a few things. Prefect Xia... I can't really comment on him, but everyone has a perception of him: iron-blooded, powerful, and stubborn!"

"These three words summarize Prefect Xia."

"Stubborn?"

Su Yu seized on the key point and quickly asked, "What does stubborn mean?"

"The literal meaning."

Liu Wenyan put down his pen. "It's not entirely a derogatory term, but Prefect Xia's political views have caused disagreements with many people. Back then, on the Battlefields of the Heavens, it even caused resistance from many people."

"Why?"

"Too stubborn. On the Battlefields of the Heavens, the myriad races contend for dominance. Some races are mortal enemies and must be killed! Others, however, can be appeased and divided, or at least kept neutral."

Liu Wenyan shook his head and sighed. "However, during Prefect Xia's command of the Demon Suppression Army, he led his troops to ambush and kill several major races, causing several originally neutral races to become hostile towards the Human Race. Therefore, he was removed from his post, and the Demon Suppression Army was no longer under his command."

Su Yu hesitated, then quickly made up his mind and said, "Teacher, those so-called neutral races are merely sitting on the sidelines watching the tigers fight! Once the Human Race weakens, these fellows will quickly swarm forward and encroach upon the Human Race's territory! I've heard about the great victories in the Demon Suppression Army's major battles from my father, and I think those major races deserved to be killed!"

"It's not just you who thinks that way." Liu Wenyan chuckled. "Many people support Xia Longwu, including many in the front-line legions. I'm not saying that what Xia Longwu did was wrong, but... it's normal for there to be disagreements within the Human Race, don't you think?"

Liu Wenyan looked at his student and smiled. It was good to have one's own opinions; blindly agreeing with others without thinking was the real problem.

"Human hearts are varied; you can't make everyone have the same will. There's no saying that Prefect Xia's approach is definitively wrong, but it must be admitted that the Human Race has had more wars because of it, and in some regions, wars have broken out faster and more fiercely."

Su Yu disagreed. "At the very least, it has deterred a group of neutral races!"

"You could say that."

Liu Wenyan nodded. "Let's not discuss this for now, as it's a front-line issue. The reason Prefect Xia is somewhat dissatisfied with Civilization Academy is that some people within Civilization Academy have proposed some ideas... Know yourself and know your enemy, and Civilization Academy is willing to open up to the myriad races!"

"What?"

Su Yu was shocked!

"Recruiting students from the myriad races!"

Liu Wenyan said in a deep voice, "The current head of Civilization Academy is also a capable person! He suggested that instead of the Human Race struggling to explore and analyze the civilizations of the myriad races, why not let the civilizations of the myriad races enter Civilization Academy? Who could understand their own civilization better than the races themselves?"

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles! Let them analyze themselves, let them contribute their civilizational heritage..."

Su Yu exclaimed, "Then wouldn't that also mean opening up Human Race civilization to them?"

"Yes!"

Liu Wenyan said in a deep voice, "The myriad races aren't fools. Would they provide methods to target themselves to the Human Race for free? If the Human Race wants their things, they also want to understand the Human Race more deeply."

"So, this is a double-edged sword, and it's also the reason why it hasn't succeeded over the years. There are many opponents, but also supporters."

"Prefect Xia disagreed, which led to some divisions."

"Prefect Xia even... forget it, it's best not to mention this."

Su Yu became anxious. You stopped in the middle of your sentence, which is too suspenseful.

"Teacher, what happened to Prefect Xia?"

Liu Wenyan looked at his impatient expression and said with a laugh, "This matter... it's hard to say. It's considered a dark history. When you get to Daxia Civilization Academy, absolutely do not mention it."

"Okay, definitely."

Liu Wenyan laughed, then shook his head. "Twelve years ago, Daxia Civilization Academy proposed this suggestion again. Prefect Xia was not present at the time, and Daxia Prefecture had remained silent."

"The current Academy Head thought that since he remained silent, it was tacit approval."

"So, at that time, they contacted a few small races and wanted to try recruiting a few students from these small races into Daxia Civilization Academy..."

"The result... shortly after they arrived, a battle broke out on the Battlefields of the Heavens. Prefect Xia led the Dragon Martial Guard to raid these small races, directly destroyed their strongholds, and seized a large number of cultivation techniques, secret manuals, and other resources."

"Prefect Xia didn't even come to Civilization Academy, yet he sent the Dragon Martial Guard with over ten thousand books... the meaning is clear: what you've been desperately seeking, I'll go and take it directly on the battlefield!"

Liu Wenyan sighed, "With this move, the plan for the Myriad Races to enroll in academies is completely shattered! He sent people over, and you raided their nests. Would others dare to come? Could they even come?"

"What the current Academy Head worked years to achieve by contacting various parties was instantly and completely destroyed."

As Su Yu listened, for some reason, a surge of heat rose within him, and he said in a low voice, "This... isn't it a good thing?"

What I want, I'll take myself!

Better to take it head-on than to seek it indirectly!

"I didn't say it was a bad thing, but it certainly invites jealousy," Liu Wenyan said softly. "The Human Race cannot resist the Myriad Races alone, Su Yu, you need to understand this."

"Small races, weak races, they can all be won over."

"Back then, we contacted those small races, the ones that could be won over, but they were wiped out. This will make other small races feel like fish in a drying pond! If you push them to the enemy's side, even if one is no match for the Human Race, what about ten or a hundred acting together?"

"You can't kill them all!"

Su Yu nodded slightly. He understood this point, but Xia Longwu's actions were indeed inspiring.

"So, a division has emerged!"

Liu Wenyan sighed. "Prefect Xia is very stubborn. He believes that decapitation is more effective in deterring the Myriad Races! But many people feel that this will make the Human Race's situation more difficult. Fortunately, Xia Longwu was subsequently ordered not to appear on the Battlefields of the Heavens again, which calmed down the anger of many small races."

Su Yu said indignantly, "So Prefect Xia can't go to the Battlefields of the Heavens anymore? Isn't that tying his own hands?"

"Not necessarily."

Liu Wenyan chuckled. "It's just some concessions made by the strong on the front lines, mainly to appease the smaller races among the Myriad Races. In reality... if Prefect Xia truly went and caused a huge uproar, who would pay attention?"

"Who would let a top expert retire in the rear?"

"Moreover... it might not be a bad thing. Give him some time to polish his realm. He was progressing too quickly then; a period of relaxation is better for stepping into that next level."

Liu Wenyan explained, "This isn't a bad thing. Prefect Xia himself knows it. Otherwise, given his personality, do you think he would be so obedient and willing to stay in Great Xia Prefecture?"

Liu Wenyan said with a smile, "Then you underestimate our Prefect too much. Although he hasn't been to the Battlefields of the Heavens much in recent years, it's not that he's never been. The Battlefields of the Heavens are vast; who would constantly keep an eye on him? The Dragon Martial Guard also frequently appears on the Battlefields of the Heavens, and the Prefect's army is often pulled in for training, so Great Xia Prefecture's combat power is top-notch among all prefectures!"

Su Yu nodded silently. At this moment, he somewhat understood what Xia Bing had meant earlier.

Liu Wenyan exhaled and said, "Just listen to these things. Don't say you're not qualified to get involved; even Bai Feng, or even his teacher, isn't qualified to get involved. This is a matter on another level, and it actually has little to do with us."

"Xia Bing felt you had some talent and that you would be influenced at Civilization Academy. In reality... I hope you are influenced."

Liu Wenyan said slowly, "Life is full of various experiences; everything is a trial! A pure environment is suitable for soldiers; the military needs purity, but... strong individuals need to be knowledgeable! If you don't witness the malice of human hearts, don't experience schemes and calculations, don't experience infighting, you might fall prey to a small trick on the battlefield."

"Xia Bing doesn't understand. If Prefect Xia truly disliked Civilization Academy, why wouldn't he restrict it? Instead, he allowed Civilization Academy to grow stronger and stronger?"

"He's stubborn, but not stupid. Great Xia Prefecture also needs different voices, to cultivate strong individuals in different directions. Otherwise, the various legions wouldn't have strong individuals from Civilization Academy; many strong individuals are leading troops in battle."

Su Yu nodded again. He vaguely began to understand.

Of course, he was still very weak and ordinary. He was just listening to these deep-level conflicts, acting as an eavesdropper. If he were truly in the thick of it, his feelings and thoughts might be different.

"Teacher, then my father is in the Demon Suppression Army, will he be alright?"

"No problem. There are still several invincible experts guarding the front lines. Who would dare to target the Demon Suppression Army on the front lines?"

Liu Wenyan shook his head. "The competition is only in the rear. The front lines are the lifeline! No one dares to fight there; it's much purer. War is war. Even if there's infighting in the rear, the front lines must follow orders strictly!"

"Even Prefect Xia, when he reaches the front lines, unless he's acting privately, any large-scale army action must be reported to several invincible experts and approved before marching."

Su Yu's eyes flickered slightly. "Then the Dragon Martial Guard and the Demon Suppression Army ambushing the legions of various races... was that with permission?"

"Of course."

Liu Wenyan also smiled. "Do you think Prefect Xia would dare to initiate conflict without permission? Among the invincible experts, quite a few support him."

"So that's how it is!"

Su Yu breathed a sigh of relief. He had suddenly become worried that Xia Longwu might be targeted, but now he thought... he was truly being ridiculous! He, a mere Kaiyuan, was worrying about a Prefect-level expert? His brain must be waterlogged.

"Let's not talk about these things anymore."

Liu Wenyan smiled. "What you should know, you will know in the future. What you shouldn't know, knowing it will be of no use, except to disturb your mind; it brings no benefit."

"You've reached Kaiyuan Eighth Stage. I sensed the Yuan Qi fluctuations around you; it seems your progress isn't slow."

Liu Wenyan was very satisfied and said, "Prepare yourself. This afternoon, I will write a Willpower Script for you, the 'Thunder Origin Blade' Qianjun Chapter! Take a look at the translated version this morning to understand the content."

Su Yu was overjoyed. "Teacher, is it a Martial Skill?"

"It is a Martial Skill."

Seeing his joy, Liu Wenyan said faintly, "But you may not gain much from it. Even if you do, it probably won't be much, as you've only opened eight acupoints, which is too few. You might not be able to use it even if you learn it, as the Thunder Origin Blade requires many acupoints to be activated."

"Mhm, mhm, I know."

Su Yu nodded quickly, still unable to suppress his joy. He knew the benefits of Willpower Scripts; the immersive teaching, that feeling was completely different. Of course, this also required the transcriber to have a deep mastery of this Martial Skill. Otherwise, even if it was written down, it would only be the transcriber's own insights, and if they hadn't grasped it deeply, you wouldn't gain anything from your own insights.