Le Yu stopped, blinked, and looked at Cha Huan. Cha Huan pushed him away, removed his hood and mask, and revealed an old, calm face. "I've finally caught my breath. This Blood Essence Stone is way too inconsiderate of the elderly. It doesn't even know to be gentler."
"You did that on purpose?"
"Say what you will, but the Spirit Condensing Pill, the Immortal Palace Project, and the immortal blood were all actually aimed at me."
Cha Huan gave Le Yu a sidelong glance. "I'm not looking down on you, but whether it's the seven palace masters, you seven Sword Sheaths, or the other Imperial Academy teachers and students, none of you are qualified to make the other side use an Illusionary Divine Weapon as bait."
"The other side's target has always been the Sword Bearer."
"The obstacle they want to eliminate isn't the Imperial Academy. It's me."
"You're merely hostages they've strapped to their war chariot."
Le Yu said, "Since you knew that, why did you still step into the trap?"
Cha Huan said calmly, "Since he's going to such lengths to play a game with me, I might as well play along."
"Besides, if they can't deal with me, then I'll have won the game, and you hostages will naturally be released safely."
"What if they can deal with you?" Le Yu asked.
Cha Huan looked at him as though he were an idiot. "If even I can't hold them off, don't you know to run as fast as you can? At that point, forget about the Sword Quest for Succession. Just take your Sword Master and leave Flame Capital to find a blessed place where you can make babies."
"Hey, hey, you old geezer, don't slander me. I have a fiancée."
"It's not as if you can