Yu Lian knew that Teacher Yang was, after all, the Outer Ring Fox who was as sly as a tortoise. Once he started playing dumb, there was no way Yu Lian could get anything more out of him. But the more slippery the man became, the more it suggested that Yawata and the others might really have done something behind his back.
So Yu Lian held his head high and puffed out his chest, copying Teacher Yang as he gazed out the viewport at the stars and the boundless sea of space, wearing the proud air of a man who had everything under control.
Yang Xiyi glanced at Yu Lian and smiled. "That smug look of yours reminds me of the fighting geese raised by the Nedia dragons. Their tradition is to roast and eat any goose that loses a match right there on the spot."
Yu Lian suddenly felt a little hungry, but still said, "I'm not feeling smug. I'm proud of my comrades' initiative! The ability to change the world—that's the most remarkable quality of all."
Yang Xiyi was silent for a few seconds, then couldn't help giving a wicked grin. "The members of your organization are already doing as they please, without their chairman even knowing."
"How is that doing as they please? If the law doesn't forbid it, it's allowed. Every young person with a lion's heart should take the initiative and change the world on their own. That's what they should do."
For a moment, Yang Xiyi couldn't tell whether Yu Lian was putting on an act or being serious. After a long pause, he said slowly, "I've never seen a founder in any dynasty act so... so carefree."
Yu Lian could tell what the other man meant by "founder," and smiled. "Clever people are