Will we be expendable?

Yu Sheng felt somewhat irritated.

Clearly, as far as he had understood things growing up, there was nothing wrong with killing.

If someone wanted to kill him, he would kill them.

Solving everything by killing was exceptionally quick and clean.

Although he could make use of some of the policies issued by the Ink Pavilion, others left Yu Sheng feeling somewhat restricted.

He always felt... constrained, and not very comfortable.

Apart from lending his lighter to his teacher that day, he had not used it in a long time. He was not used to that.

The food, though, was far better than in Sin City.

And...

The people seemed... pretty good, too.

That was the most honest reflection of Yu Sheng's experience so far.

Liu Qingfeng glanced at Yu Sheng, his tone growing gentler. "Nervous?"

Yu Sheng looked a little bewildered. "Why would I be nervous?"

"Because... this exam will decide your future fate."

"You might emerge like a hidden dragon rising from the sea."

"Or live an ordinary life."

"If you want to keep growing stronger in this world, you have to fight your way through this exam. Make everyone see and remember that there was once a boy named Yu Sheng whose very debut... stunned the world."

Liu Qingfeng spoke with utter sincerity. The trust in his eyes as he looked at Yu Sheng... was free of any impurity.

It was as though he had already seen that moment.

And was looking forward to it.

"Now and in the future, you will always be my finest student."

"What I hope is that one day, even when I'm old, sitting in a wheelchair with my mind clouded, the smile on my face when your name comes up will still be one of pride."

Liu Qingfeng looked out the window, his eyes full of longing, as though he were looking forward to that day.

As a warrior, his lifelong dream was to slay every demon in the world.

As a teacher, he hoped every student would become a dragon.

And for Yu Sheng, he hoped for more, much more...

Sometimes, he had even unconsciously begun to see himself in other roles.

Yu Sheng watched Liu Qingfeng's back, somewhat lost in thought.

For a moment, he seemed to see a shadow in Liu Qingfeng.

That blurred figure in his dreams... on countless cold nights when he had first entered Sin City.

Like a towering tree that could shelter him from all wind and rain.

But...

What was in a dream was not real.

In reality... it should be the same, right?

Yu Sheng shook his head gently and grew calm again. "But I don't like being in the spotlight. In Sin City, people with big reputations have a hard time surviving."

"Then become stronger!"

"Surpass everyone, so they shrink back at the mere mention of your name!"

Liu Qingfeng's tone was firm, even a little cold. "As your teacher, I want you to be kind, but I don't mean foolishly kind."

"As a member of the Human Race, protecting your home and country is your duty."

"But if anyone dares stab you in the back..."

"Kill them!"

"Even if your killing turns the world upside down and leaves mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the Ink Pavilion will uphold justice for you."

"I can't say everyone in the Ink Pavilion is a good person, but you can always trust the Ink Pavilion."

"The Ink Pavilion stands only with the truth, not with whoever has more people!"

Liu Qingfeng did not turn around. He still stood with his back to Yu Sheng, looking at the view outside the window. But at that moment, his words imprinted themselves on Yu Sheng's mind.

The Ink Pavilion... stands only with the truth.

"If I get the chance, I'll give it a try."

"After all, I need to earn money, too."

With a bashful smile, Yu Sheng scratched his head, smiling just as he always did.

Except his smiles had always been very false.

As though he smiled only for the sake of smiling.

Sunlight streamed through the window onto the two of them, casting their somewhat elongated shadows on the floor.

"Come on, I'll treat you to dinner tonight!"

"A feast!"

Looking at Yu Sheng's reflection in the window, Liu Qingfeng gritted his teeth at the expense, then waved his fist like a boy indulging in overblown heroics.

"Sir..."

"You look... so silly right now."

Yu Sheng quietly watched the scene and offered his assessment.

Liu Qingfeng froze as though struck by lightning.

Just then, a student returned to retrieve something he had left in the classroom. Liu Qingfeng immediately lowered his hand, smoothly bringing it to his mouth to cough twice.

The student gave Liu Qingfeng an odd look, then looked at Yu Sheng before scratching his head dubiously and turning to leave.

For an instant, he had almost had the illusion...

That the teacher who had been stern for years seemed... seemed to have suddenly transformed.

It was probably just my imagination... right?

"Who are you calling silly?"

"Show your teacher some respect from now on!"

Liu Qingfeng glared at Yu Sheng, then put his hands behind his back and walked toward the door, forcing himself to look composed.

He had meant to lighten the mood with Yu Sheng, but had not expected...

It really was a little awkward.

Watching Liu Qingfeng's somewhat flustered retreat, the corners of Yu Sheng's mouth curved slightly...

"Is everyone clear on the situation?"

Pavilion Master Lin sat at the head of the conference table with a serious expression and asked the assembled group.

Seated below him...

Were all the members of the Demon-Slaughtering Pavilion's Third Squad.

Zhao Qingyi of the Dark Pavilion.

The expressions of Wang Wenxuan from the Reserve Corps and the several people from the Guard Bureau were also gradually growing solemn.

The smile had gradually vanished from An Xin's face. She first glanced in Zhao Qingyi's direction and pursed her lips before saying, "There's one thing I'm not quite clear on."

"Based on what you've said, Pavilion Master Lin, this operation doesn't quite make sense."

"What would the Evil Cult gain from causing destruction in Mobei City?"

"The Evil Cult never does anything without something to gain."

"Perhaps you have other plans that our clearance is too low for us to know about, but I only want to be certain of one thing..."

An Xin took a deep breath and stared straight into Pavilion Master Lin's eyes with unprecedented solemnity.

"Will we... be expendable?"