Gratitude and Qian Renxue's Move

"Um, Master, please wait a moment!"

Wang Chuan's clear voice suddenly rang out. Chen Xin, who had been stepping forward, paused and turned around with a slight lift of his snow-white brows, looking somewhat puzzled. In the sunlight, the youth still carried a faint warmth in his eyes after resolving the trouble. He hurriedly explained, "Master, aside from you, Teacher Qin Ming and his students also came to help me just now. If I leave without even thanking them, I really won't feel right about it."

At his words, a pleased smile appeared on Chen Xin's aged face. The Seven Kill Sword rested lightly at his side as he said gently yet solemnly, "It is good that you think this way. When others help you unconditionally, you should remember their kindness. If you cannot even spare them a word of thanks, it would seem cold and improper."

Having earned his master's approval, Wang Chuan immediately turned and ran toward Qin Ming's group. His small figure radiated complete sincerity. "Teacher Qin Ming, thank you so much for being willing to stand up for me today. Wang Chuan is deeply grateful! And to all of you brothers and sisters, thank you for being willing to testify for me and speak up for me."

Qin Ming quickly waved his hand, a gentle smile on his face. His tone carried a trace of displeasure toward nobles who bullied others through their status. "Silly child, what are you thanking me for? I have always disliked people who use their status to bully others. Besides, I did not provide much real help in the end. You were the one who held your ground."

Watching Wang Chuan raise his head to thank them, Ye Lingling found his sparkling eyes remarkably like those of a docile little beast. She could not help curling her lips into a smile and comforted him softly, "Exactly, little brother Wang Chuan. We only stepped forward because we could not stand seeing someone slander you for no reason. It was nothing much, so there is no need to be so polite."

"It was not nothing." Wang Chuan shook his head seriously, his little face full of stubbornness. "No matter the reason, anyone willing to help me is my benefactor. It is just that I do not have anything to repay everyone with right now, so I cannot help feeling bad about it."

His earnest manner softened Ye Lingling's heart. Her eyes shifted, and she suddenly suggested with a smile, "Since you are so determined to 'repay' us, why not make a little promise? Once you successfully absorb your second soul ring and officially become a Soul Grandmaster, how about sparring with our captain, Yu Tianheng? He has been worried lately because he cannot find a suitable opponent to practice with."

"Hey, Lingling!" Yu Tianheng immediately frowned and hurriedly tried to stop her. His voice held some helplessness, as well as concern for Wang Chuan. "Little brother Wang Chuan has only just broken through level twenty. He has not even absorbed his second soul ring yet. Sparring with me would be unfair to him. How can you bring it up like that?"

Ye Lingling ignored his objection. Instead, she gave Wang Chuan a playful wink, her tone carrying a slightly coquettish note of probing. "It is fine. Little brother Xiao Chuan will not mind, right?"

Seeing Ye Lingling's expectant gaze and recalling how everyone had helped him just now, Wang Chuan nodded without the slightest hesitation. His voice was crisp and resolute. "All right! I will remember this promise! Once I return from training with Master, I will definitely find Brother Yu Tianheng and fulfill it!"

After saying that, he gave Qin Ming and the others another solemn bow before turning and quickly catching up to Chen Xin, who was waiting ahead. The old man and young boy soon headed out of the academy together.

As he watched Wang Chuan depart, the smile on Qin Ming's face gradually faded, replaced by contemplation in his eyes. He stroked his chin as a thought suddenly surfaced—this child was not only steadfast in character and grateful, but also exceptionally talented. If he could be brought into the Imperial Fighting Team, he would surely become a great asset.

But as soon as the thought emerged, he suppressed it. They had only just helped Wang Chuan, and bringing up joining the team now would seem far too deliberate. It might even look like he was seeking repayment for a favor, tarnishing the friendship they had just established.

"Better wait a little longer," Qin Ming muttered softly, his gaze falling into the distance. "Once the child has grown more and we know each other better, it will not be too late to mention it."

Seeing him lost in thought, Yu Tianheng could not help asking, "Teacher Qin, what are you thinking about?"

Qin Ming came back to himself and smiled as he shook his head. "Nothing. I just feel that this child is destined to be extraordinary."

At the same time, deep within a study in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, flickering candlelight cast unsteady shadows throughout the room. Xue Qinghe gripped the intelligence report that had just arrived, his knuckles turning white from the force. Uncontainable fury gathered between his handsome brows. When his thin lips parted, his voice was filled with suppressed chill. "Caspar... very good. Truly very good!"

He slammed the report onto the desk. The paper snapped sharply, making the candle flames jump. In truth, when Caspar first caused trouble for Wang Chuan, Xue Qinghe had already considered taking action. But when he later learned that Sword Douluo Chen Xin had personally intervened and punished Caspar, he had decided it was better to avoid further complications and temporarily restrained his anger. Yet this time, Caspar had not only failed to restrain himself, but had intensified his slander and harassment, thoroughly igniting Xue Qinghe's fury.

"Xuan Chenzi, are you here?" Xue Qinghe took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions. His voice regained some calmness, but still carried unquestionable authority.

The moment his words fell, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows in the corner of the study. Xuan Chenzi wore fitted black clothes, his face concealed beneath the shadow of a conical hat. Faint Soul Power fluctuations lingered around him. He was unmistakably a Titled Douluo. He dropped to one knee and spoke in a respectful, low voice. "Your subordinate is here. What are your orders, Young Master?"

Xue Qinghe turned around, his gaze falling upon the heavy night outside the window. His voice was as cold as ice. "I do not want Caspar to make it back to his family alive." He paused, then added, "But make it clean. No one must discover that we were behind it."

He had more in mind than merely helping Wang Chuan vent his anger. Caspar already bore an old grudge against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If Caspar's death could be cleverly pinned on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it would both weaken the noble factions and bring trouble upon the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—a win-win outcome.

Xuan Chenzi did not hesitate in the slightest. He merely nodded faintly. "Understood. I will see to it immediately." As his words fell, his figure moved. Like a drop of water blending into ink, he vanished into the shadows of the study in an instant, as if he had never been there. Only the faintest trace of Soul Power remained in the air, soon dispersing without a trace.

Xue Qinghe walked to the desk and picked up the intelligence report. His fingers gently brushed over the two characters for "Wang Chuan," and a complicated glint flashed through his eyes before being covered by coldness once more. Looking toward the empty corner, he murmured, "Caspar, you brought this upon yourself. Who told you to provoke someone you should never have provoked?"