Pawns

Eight Treasures Ward, Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy.

Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy stood in the deepest part of Eight Treasures Ward, occupying a vast area.

There was a pavilion in the academy's Inner Court. Chen You stood inside it with his hands clasped behind his back.

At the thought that Fang Han had already been dealt with by the Dragon King Gang, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

His brows carried an unhurried certainty, as though everything were under his control.

The fingers behind his back gently rubbed together, as if calculating something.

"Fang Han, Fang Han, don't blame me for treating you this way."

Chen You murmured softly, his voice so low that only he could hear it.

"When I took your Spirit Fish that day, if you had just died, would there be so much trouble now?"

He paused slightly. The smile on his lips deepened, and a chill flashed through his eyes.

"You should never have survived. And yet, not only did you live, you even entered the academy.

Could a piece of trash with a Lower-grade Bone Constitution like you really intend to pull that 'thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—do not mock the poor youth' stunt?

You want revenge against me, with my Upper-grade Bone Constitution?"

There was a trace of mockery in Chen You's voice, as though he were telling a joke.

"Isn't it just one Spirit Fish? If you had obediently kept being a fisherman,

spending your whole life cowering in Mud Bay Alley as a mud-legged peasant, do you think I would still have noticed you after I succeeded in martial arts?"

In his eyes,

Fang Han's life or death was nothing more than an insignificant episode on his path of martial arts.

The life or death of an ant was not worth much thought.

What truly deserved his planning was a far grander future.

Just then, soft footsteps sounded behind him.

They were neither hurried nor slow, falling on the bluestone path through the garden with faint, fragmented sounds, so light they were nearly inaudible.

But Chen You's senses were now exceptionally sharp. The instant those footsteps sounded, he had noticed them.

He did not turn around immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly and glanced toward the newcomer from the corner of his eye.

"Chen You."

The newcomer was Qin Lingxi, also an Inner-Court Direct Disciple of Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy.

The Qin Household valued Chen You's Upper-grade Bone Constitution and had already decided to support him with all their strength.

They had even promised to marry a direct-line young lady to him, allowing him to fully become one of the Qin Household.

And as the Qin Household's eldest direct-line daughter, Qin Lingxi naturally paid Chen You special attention.

"Tomorrow's Demon-Hunting Trial—perform well and strive to win the reward of ten Blood-Gathering Pills."

Qin Lingxi walked into the pavilion. Her gaze fell on Chen You's face, her tone calm yet unquestionable.

"With Blood-Gathering Pills, it will be much easier for you to reach the Manifest Force Threshold. Do not disappoint the Qin Household's expectations."

Her voice was not loud, as if she were merely explaining something obvious.

This tone was not one of discussion or suggestion, but an order.

Chen You lowered his head slightly, cupped his hands, and bowed respectfully.

"Rest assured, Eldest Miss. Chen You will certainly give his all and will not disappoint the Qin Household's generosity."

His voice was steady, and his attitude respectful.

Yet in the brief instant he lowered his head, a trace of cold malice flashed through his downcast eyes.

Chen You despised Qin Lingxi's subtle, innate air of superiority from the bottom of his heart.

That commanding tone she used with him.

As if Chen You were merely a dog raised by the Qin Household, striking wherever they pointed.

Obey, and he would be rewarded with a couple of bones. Disobey, and he would be kicked aside.

He hated that feeling. Hated it to the extreme!

Naturally, Qin Lingxi had no idea what Chen You was thinking.

Though she was intelligent, she was not capable of seeing through the deepest thoughts in someone's heart.

Qin Lingxi nodded slightly, her tone remaining calm.

"Your current martial arts realm is Body Tempering First Layer, and you have condensed fifteen strands of Blood Qi. When do you plan to advance to Body Tempering Second Layer?"

Chen You straightened up, his expression unchanged.

"In reply to Eldest Miss, I do not intend to raise my realm for the time being."

Qin Lingxi's delicate brows furrowed slightly.

The Qin Household had supported him because they valued his talent and potential.

If he could not break through for a long time, the Qin Household's investment would go to waste.

Seeing the doubt in her eyes, Chen You calmly explained:

"I want to strengthen my foundation through Body Tempering Third Layer. If my realm rises too quickly, my foundation will be unstable.

When I later reach the Manifest Force Threshold or even the Dark Strength Threshold, I will lack endurance.

Rather than rushing for success, it is better to proceed steadily and firmly, ensuring every step is solid.

That way, reaching the Manifest Force Threshold and even the Dark Strength Threshold later will be greatly beneficial to me."

His words were logical and flawless.

Hearing this, Qin Lingxi's brows gradually relaxed. She nodded slightly in agreement.

Though she was born into a great household, she was not unreasonable.

What Chen You said did make sense. Whether one's foundation was solid determined how far one could go in the future.

Since she wanted Chen You to fully become part of the Qin Household, Qin Lingxi naturally had to show appropriate respect for some of his ideas.

After all, Chen You possessed an Upper-grade Bone Constitution.

So long as he did not die young, reaching the Dark Strength Threshold and becoming a Dark Strength expert in the future was virtually certain.

A Dark Strength expert was enough to support the foundation of an entire family.

Though the Qin Household was powerful, it had only two Dark Strength experts.

With one more Dark Strength expert, the Qin Household's position in the Outer City would become even more secure.

Qin Lingxi turned to leave.

After taking two steps, she stopped again, turned her face slightly, and still reminded him:

"However, I still suggest that you reach Body Tempering Third Layer as soon as possible, attain the Manifest Force Threshold, and become the headmaster's direct disciple.

Practice the Standing Post Skill. That is your most important task at present."

Her gaze rested on Chen You's face for a moment. Only after confirming that he had taken her words to heart did she withdraw her gaze and walk away.

Although Chen You, with his Upper-grade Bone Constitution, was especially valued by Headmaster Chen Daqing,

and was allowed to enter and leave the Inner Court, exchanging martial arts experience with the Inner-Court Direct Disciples,

Qin Lingxi understood clearly.

As long as Chen You had not attained Manifest Force and become a Manifest-Force Martial Artist,

he would never receive the headmaster's true teachings, much less his genuine regard.

If the Qin Household wanted to take another step forward among the various powers of the Outer City,

then Chen You had to gain a voice within Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy!

And influence came from strength, status, and the headmaster's favor.

Qin Lingxi's figure gradually receded, her pale green dress swaying in the night.

Chen You stood where he was and watched her retreating back.

His gaze fell upon that graceful, alluring silhouette as she walked away.

From her slender waist, to the long hair draped over her shoulders, to the embroidered shoes faintly visible beneath her skirt,

Chen You's gaze swept over her inch by inch, yet there was no warmth in his eyes. Like a serpent appraising its prey, they were cold and dangerous.

Once Qin Lingxi's figure had completely disappeared, the respectful look on Chen You's face gradually faded.

He returned to his usual indifferent demeanor.

His eyes were sinister, and a mocking curve appeared at the corner of his lips.

"The Qin Household," he murmured.

How could he not know the Qin Household's true attitude?

They merely valued his Upper-grade Bone Constitution and treated him as a pawn.

But Chen You had never been anyone's pawn...

He was a genius with an Upper-grade Bone Constitution, someone destined to stand at the peak of martial arts.

He was a player seated at the chessboard!

The Qin Household wanted to use him, but was he not using the Qin Household as well?

Each was simply taking what they needed.

Once the day came when he possessed sufficient strength, who would be using whom would remain to be seen.

Chen You turned around as the night wind stirred the hem of his robe.

"In a few more days, I will be able to cultivate Thunderclap Palm to Perfection."

He spoke to himself in a low voice, determination flashing in his eyes.

"Once Thunderclap Palm reaches Perfection, the foundation that belongs to me will become even deeper."