Yan Shaozhe's Concerns

"I know you're unhappy about this.

The Martial Soul Department is your life's work. You're afraid that if the Soul Tool Department rises, it'll take away resources and promising students.

But look at it another way. Sooner or later, someone has to walk the path of Soul Tools.

If we don't make the students learn now, what will they use to save their lives when they truly reach the battlefield?"

Yan Shaozhe remained silent for a long while before saying in a low voice, "I understand all that. But what Xuan Zi said today was in front of me, Lin'er, and Teacher.

Opening courses in the Outer Court, recalling the Inner Court, raising graduation requirements—every single point was thrown right in my face, as if everything the Martial Soul Department had done over the years was wrong."

Cai Mei'er sighed softly. "Shaozhe, you've gone too far. Elder Xuan is our senior; we can't address him by name."

Yan Shaozhe froze, as though his wife's words had awakened something in him. He opened his mouth, but only after a while did he say, "I lost my composure."

Cai Mei'er did not rebuke him, merely sighing softly. "It's only natural that you fight for and protect the Martial Soul Department outside. But you must never abandon proper respect for your elders or the boundaries between superior and subordinate.

Back then, when Mu En was severely injured and withdrew from public affairs to oversee matters from behind the scenes, the burden of Shrek—the turmoil both within and without—fell almost entirely on Elder Xuan's shoulders.

For all these years, the academy has remained peaceful and orderly because Elder Xuan has stood guard as its stabilizing pillar.

No one can deny that achievement."

Yan Shaozhe slowly nodded and let out a long breath, the knot in his heart easing slightly.

He reached back to take Cai Mei'er's hand. The sharpness had left his tone, replaced by weariness and sincerity. "In the end, you see things more clearly than I do."

Cai Mei'er smiled. "It's not that I see more clearly. I simply don't have your pride or your need to excel.

As the dean of the Martial Soul Department, you oversee a legacy built over a thousand years. Of course you don't want others to think the Martial Soul Department is declining and being surpassed by the Soul Tool Department.

But the more forcefully you confront them, the more likely those below will follow suit and turn against one another, causing the two departments to wear each other down. In the end, the ones caught in the middle and suffering the most will always be the innocent students."

Yan Shaozhe nodded and was about to speak when a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

"Dean, Vice Dean Cai." A middle-aged man's voice came from outside. "Director Du has arrived."

"Let him in." Yan Shaozhe released Cai Mei'er's hand and composed himself.

The door opened. Director Du entered, holding a stack of documents, his face wearing its usual cautious smile.

He first nodded to Yan Shaozhe, then greeted Cai Mei'er before taking a seat across from them.

Director Du was an old hand of the Martial Soul Department. He had been responsible for the Outer Court's martial soul courses for many years, handling everything flawlessly and earning Yan Shaozhe's deep trust.

Director Du first paid his respects to the two of them. Once seated, he lowered his voice and spoke cautiously. "Dean, Vice Dean, word of the Sea God Pavilion's new regulations has already spread below.

The higher-ups have ordered the Martial Soul Department to fully cooperate with the Soul Tool Department in opening courses, and they also want all Inner Court students recalled for special training. Quite a few instructors have been discussing it in private."

Yan Shaozhe raised his eyes and asked evenly, "What are they discussing?"

After considering his words for a moment, Director Du replied truthfully, "Most of the younger instructors think the Soul Tool Department is using this opportunity to rise up and seize the Martial Soul Department's resources and student pool.

Some have even been making reckless remarks in private, saying Elder Xuan is old and no longer thinks things through, blindly favoring the Soul Tool Department."

At those words, Yan Shaozhe's gaze darkened abruptly, and a chill entered his presence. "Who has been spreading such gossip?"

"They're only private complaints from those below, with no one named directly," Director Du hurriedly explained with an ingratiating smile.

Yan Shaozhe tapped the tabletop lightly with his fingertips. The sound was soft, yet every tap carried the cold authority of one long accustomed to power. His words were crisp and clear.

"Go back and relay my order. The Sea God Pavilion has made its decision. Everyone in the Martial Soul Department will cooperate with the Soul Tool Department with their full effort. No exceptions.

Anyone who is dissatisfied or has objections may come to me directly and argue their case.

But if anyone dares to shirk their duties in private, obstruct things behind the scenes, foster internal strife, hold back the students, or disrupt academy order, don't blame me, Yan Shaozhe, for showing no mercy."

Director Du quickly nodded. "Understood, understood. I'll make sure your instructions are conveyed in full."

At the side, Cai Mei'er added at the right moment.

"Old Du, personally keep a close eye on the transition of Outer Court courses.

Follow up on the scheduling of Soul Tool classes, coordination of instructors, and placement of students throughout the entire process. There can't be the slightest bit of carelessness.

The Martial Soul Department stands on orthodox foundations. In the scale of our conduct, we absolutely cannot lose to anyone else."

Director Du said solemnly, "Rest assured, Vice Dean Cai. I'll keep watch."

Yan Shaozhe gave a hum, lifted his teacup for a sip, then set it down. "Director Du, what do you think about this matter?"

Director Du was startled, seemingly not expecting Yan Shaozhe to ask for his opinion.

After thinking it over, he said cautiously, "Dean, to be honest, I initially thought Elder Xuan had taken too large a step.

But after giving it careful thought, Soul Tools really are becoming more and more important.

To say nothing else, if the Inquisitorial Legion had had a few more life-saving Soul Tools during missions these past years, their casualties wouldn't have been so severe.

So I think this can be done. We just have to keep it within proper limits."

Yan Shaozhe looked at him, his gaze deepening slightly. "Go on."

Encouraged, Director Du continued, "The Martial Soul Department's foundations cannot be shaken. That is the premise.

But letting students learn more about Soul Tools, even if it's only how to use a few standard-issue pieces of equipment, would do them no harm.

What truly requires attention is how to balance the resources of the two departments.

We can't trample the Martial Soul Department just to support the Soul Tool Department. Shrek only has what it has today because of the Martial Soul Department."

Yan Shaozhe nodded, and for the first time, a faint smile appeared on his face. "You've hit the key point. I don't oppose learning about Soul Tools. What I oppose is using the Martial Soul Department to fill the Soul Tool Department's gaps.

What Elder Xuan said today sounded like equal emphasis on both departments, but who knows what it will turn into once it reaches those below? So we must first stand firm ourselves."

Cai Mei'er sighed softly. "When all is said and done, you still refuse to suffer this loss."

Yan Shaozhe turned to look at her, his tone serious. "It's not that I refuse to suffer losses. I'm afraid of chaos.

The academy can't withstand upheaval right now. The Soul Tool Department can develop, certainly, but it cannot rise by stepping on the Martial Soul Department."

Director Du hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "The dean and Vice Dean Cai both have the academy's best interests at heart.

The higher-ups set the direction, and those below carry it out. As long as we keep a tight hold on the details, things won't fall into disorder."

Yan Shaozhe nodded. "That's why I had you keep a close eye on the Outer Court. Go handle it first."

Director Du acknowledged the order, rose, and took his leave.

After he left, Cai Mei'er looked at Yan Shaozhe and said quietly, "Weren't you a little too stern with Old Du just now? He is one of our own, after all."

Yan Shaozhe rubbed his temples, weariness showing in his expression. "Precisely because he is one of our own, he needs to understand the boundaries even more.

Today, Elder Xuan could bypass me and directly back the Soul Tool Department. Tomorrow, someone else may dare to overstep the rules.

If I'm not forceful, the Martial Soul Department will truly be left on the defensive."

Cai Mei'er looked at him and asked softly, "Then what do you intend to do? Are you really going to stand against Elder Xuan?"