Chapter 3: Such Master and Apprentice

The flickering flame at Old Gui's fingertips tested Pei Qian's psychological endurance as he replied, "I have checked; Duan Min is using a pseudonym tonight"

At that moment, Pei Qian chuckled, wantonly kneading the delicate chest of Yu Shi, deliberately not avoiding Liu Yunsha's gaze, and said: "Lord Liu Sha, you may not know, life in the mountains is tough! On one side, military regulations call for beheading, and on the other, national laws demand extermination of families. Where can one find such a joyful day as today? Isn't there a saying, 'If one does not indulge in romance, what is youth for?' For Miss Yu Shi, even if it means losing my head, I accept it!"

Bang! The door burst open, and two close attendants of Liu Yunsha, who were waiting outside, rushed into the room. The taller attendant on the left raised his hand and threw three dark flying darts, creating an extremely intimidating scene

By the time the lamps were lit, Pei Qian and Liu Yunsha had fought three matches through the wall, achieving one victory, one draw, and one defeat, resulting in remarkable outcomes

Old Ghost said leisurely: "If I have a way to make Flower Spirit Yao your personal maid, would you go?"

Pei Qian was completely at a loss for words and asked, "Was all of this part of your plan from the very beginning? Including my theft of the silver notes and the sudden assassination attempt by the master of the Ancient Sword Pool... I have to admit, I am impressed by you"

As the saying goes, money can make the devil push the mill, let alone the owner of the Anxiang Studio, who is easily swayed by the sight of money. Starting from the next day, Pei Qian spent one thousand taels of silver to keep Miss Yu Shi for three days, indulging in a carefree and passionate affair in the small building.

What appears to be words of greeting and comfort actually conceals deeper meanings. Pei Qian at least discerns three layers of implication: first, dissatisfaction with his failure to report to the military academy, leading to his unfortunate encounter while staying overnight at the Dark Fragrance Pavilion; second, after facing misfortune, he shows no remorse, not only continuing his indulgent behavior but also escalating it; finally, and most crucially, the military academy will inevitably take an interest in this matter

Suddenly, a loud bang shattered the tranquility of the night sky, debris fell and dust swirled, and a large hole was broken in the roof above Pei Qian. Before he could see who was so bored as to tear off the roof in the middle of the night, a shower of gleaming pear blossom nails descended from the sky, whistling through the air as they shot towards him

Liu Yunsha smiled gently as she raised her wine cup and lightly clinked it with Pei Qian's, saying: "This is the right approach; young people should not act impulsively, as that is the way to preserve one's own well-being."

Looking again, even those two personal attendants had vanished without a trace. Pei Qian quietly slipped into the dense forest by the roadside and muttered, "Do you keep your word? You promised not to pursue and kill within thirty days!"

Liu Yunsha observed Pei Qian's change in demeanor from arrogance to deference, and with a cold smile in his heart, he said: "It seems that Brother Duan has changed his mind."

The two of them arrived together at the flower hall downstairs, and the proprietress hurriedly stepped forward to offer her attentive service. After all, Liu Yunsha held the rank of a third-grade official, which was half a rank higher than that of the governor of Taiyang Prefecture. Such a distinguished person not only should not be offended, but rather must be courted.

As a loyal confidant who has followed Liu Yunsha for over ten years, You Ruohua is keenly aware of the significant distinction between "the most beautiful beyond" and "the most beautiful," and cannot help but admire the profound and unfathomable nature of the Lord of the Academy.

Liu Yunsha waved his hand to decline the suggestion from the proprietress for the young lady to accompany him in drinking, and personally filled Pei Qian's cup with wine, saying: "I have heard that Brother Duan has a natural capacity for alcohol; today, we shall drink until we are completely intoxicated."

As soon as Pei Qian entered the room, the wine awakened within him. He believed that Liu Yunsha next door felt the same way, though it remained unspoken between them

This wine is indeed not good. Pei Qian wanted to probe into Liu Yunsha's intentions, but instead, he was caught off guard as the other party uncovered his own background.

His personal visit to the brothel known as Anxiangzhai to inquire about the overdue appointment of the fifth-rank deputy lecturer undoubtedly demonstrates his regard and concern for Pei Qian (or perhaps Duan Min)

Pei Qian retorted: "But you just said that you have no connection with the people from Gu Jian Tan at all!"

At the critical moment, the wall opposite shattered with a loud bang, and a burst of crimson energy shot from Liu Yunsand's left palm, pushing the golden spear of He Tushu three feet away, narrowly missing Pei Qian.

Pei Qian quickly rose and raised his cup, saying: "My lord, you are too kind. To be honest, I have grown accustomed to commanding troops and engaging in battle, and I never expected to be assigned to the military academy as a teacher. Therefore, I have harbored some resentment in my heart, which is why I was quite rude to you earlier. With this cup of wine, I wish to apologize to you, my lord." He tilted his head back and drank it all in one go

Old Ghost leisurely remarked: "That will depend on what you have been doing during these thirty days"

The blood-stained killer wielding a gun operated the golden spear like a wheel, cutting through the flying shuttle, and together with his companion, they escaped through the hole in the roof.

At this moment, You Ruohua, the deputy supervisor of the Cloud Guard Academy stationed outside the house, approached with a beaming smile and whispered, "My lord, I believe this young man has been completely bewildered by you."

The five core figures of the Cloud Military Academy are aware of the complete design and improvement plan. This includes the academy head, Qiu Huosheng, who is one of the three great masters of firearms in the present day. "Old Ghost" continued, "We need the design blueprints of the Cloud Thunder and the gunpowder formula; we must obtain them before they are equipped to the military"

Pei Qian yawned, seemingly feeling it was inappropriate and hurriedly covered his mouth, mumbling: "It seems that according to the rules of the Military Academy, the deputy lecturer has three days of leave each year. May I take my three days of leave first and then discuss it?"

It is indeed outrageous; he actually rented a room next to his own. Pei Qian vaguely heard the moans and gasps coming from the other side of the wall, and could not help but secretly admire the enduring spirit of the legendary dragon horse of Liu Yunsha's treasured blade.

"What change of mind?" Pei Qian was momentarily taken aback before realizing, and he chuckled, saying: "There is still a day left of annual leave, so why not just take it? I would like to invite you to have a few drinks downstairs, if you would be so kind as to grace me with your presence"

Pei Qian glared at the old ghost, his teeth itching with anger, and said: "You are making an outright threat!"

Pei Qiandao: "I appreciate your concern, my lord. This is a demonstration of my commitment to reform after abandoning the darkness and embracing the light."

The poor Miss Yu Shi could no longer withstand such intense fighting, and surrendered first, collapsing onto the bed like a puddle of mud, utterly exhausted and falling into a deep sleep

Liu Yunsha quietly finished the wine in his cup, watching Pei Qian refill it while smiling and saying: "I can see it. Young people always like to achieve great things; how many can truly endure solitude? This is human nature."

Surprisingly, Liu Yunsha merely smiled and said with a sense of ease, "I am old now, and I have not played this tune for a long time." After a pause, he continued, "I heard that Brother Duan encountered an assassin in the Anxiang Studio the night before last, and he narrowly escaped with his life. I couldn't help but feel a bit anxious for him. Fortunately, Brother Duan turned misfortune into good fortune; otherwise, our Military Academy would surely have to bear some responsibility."

Liu Yunsha nodded in satisfaction and walked towards the adjacent fragrant chamber, saying: "Remember, apart from Yu Shi, she is the most beautiful girl in Anxiang Studio. All expenses will be charged to my personal account"

The two personal attendants followed silently, also pursuing after them. Pei Qian was taken aback, wondering if this could be a ruse to draw the tiger away from its mountain lair, and hurriedly shouted, "Where does the thief think he is escaping to?" He rushed up onto the roof, but found it strange—could it be that no matter whether they were working or sleeping, Liu Yunsha never took off his outer garment?

Old Ghost shook his head and said: "To train soldiers for a thousand days is to use them for a moment; do you understand this principle?"

Old Gui confidently added: "I guarantee that you will not be pursued by the Ancient Sword Pool before you complete your task"

In the blink of an eye, it was already late at night, and the noisy brothel gradually quieted down. There were no sounds coming from next door either

Crack! The floorboard split, and another blood-clad assassin leaped up, striking towards Pei Qian's back.

Pei Qian, dressed neatly, came to knock on the door of Liu Yunsha's residence. Outside the door stood two attendants, while You Ruohua had already returned to the military office

Even though Pei Qian had a thicker skin than a city wall, he couldn't help but blush slightly and said with a cough, "I will return the banknotes to you tomorrow morning along with the books."

Even if Yu Shi does not know that it is Duan Min who has unsubscribed, and has mistaken him for me, I have already clashed with the people from Gu Jian Tan, revealing all my moves and techniques. He engaged in a futile yet necessary struggle, saying: "Moreover, I know nothing about that dead ghost."

Old Ghost calmly stated: "The Blood-clothed Guard is one of the four major guards directly commanded by Qing Zhao Xian, the chief military strategist of the Red Flag Army, responsible for assassination missions, and has nothing to do with the Ancient Sword Pool"

"This means that the Ancient Sword Pool would be very willing to accept your head," the old ghost's erhu played a mournful and desolate tune, sounding like a dirge specifically composed for Pei Qian. "Shui Lingyue would also be very pleased to dig out your heart."

Old Ghost fell silent for a moment, then slowly said: "What do you think of the Flower Spirit Yao from the Ancient Sword Pool?"

She is the second most skilled in the Ancient Sword Pool, but there is another secret identity known only to a few. The old ghost said: "You impersonated Duan Min to infiltrate the Cloud Military Academy. Given your official title as a fifth-rank deputy lecturer, you should have a few attendants and subordinates.

Suddenly putting down the chopsticks and not eating: "It is just that Brother Duan, when will you shave off the black mustache on your lips? It is somewhat regrettable."

"What is going on?" Pei Qian said with a belly full of grievances: "I almost had my head whipped off."

Pei Qian let out a groan and buried his head in the water. When he saw the corpse of Duan Min on the bed, he had already guessed the old ghost's intentions, and at this moment, he was even more determined to drown rather than surface.

Yushi's beauty faded; although she is a woman of the world, she is not without experience in the affairs of love and life.

Fortunately, I had already memorized Duan Min's biography, which prevented me from showing any hesitation in front of Liu Yunsha. At this moment, I undoubtedly need to hasten my pace, cramming the "Eight Strikes of the Astonishing Dragon" and that book on poisonous secret techniques into my mind without any reservations.

Upon her arrival at Yunchong Town's Anxiang Studio, she had already heard of the renowned name of the courtyard supervisor, Liu Yunsha. In these three years, to her knowledge, at least a dozen military academy faculty and students had been dismissed, even imprisoned in the embroidery officer's dungeon by Liu Yunsha, among them many distinguished masters of military strategy and erudite scholars.

Thank you for your understanding, esteemed sir. Pei Qian slowly took a seat and said: "I have heard that you are a secular elder of the Taibai Mountain Yuqing Sect, renowned for your exceptional skills, with few rivals in the world. Even the embroidered-clad envoy of Taiyang Prefecture, Jiang Daren, is your junior. In the future, as I serve under you, I kindly ask for your guidance and support."

With a roar, the spear lunged forward like a tiger swallowing the vast expanse, sweeping directly towards Pei Qian's chest without further ado

With the addition of Hua Lingyao as a bargaining chip, the agreement between the master and disciple was swiftly and amicably reached in the blink of an eye

He is not foolish; in fact, he is quite intelligent. He truly is a talent that Lord Jiang has high hopes for. Liu Yunsha carefully closed the door for Pei Qian and said softly, "Go and take care of something: immediately investigate all his activities, meals, conversations, and behaviors from the moment he left Taiyang Prefecture until today. Be quick!"

Pei Qian stared at the Cloud Thunder deliberately placed back on the stone table by the old ghost, ready to flee at any moment, and said boldly: "If you blow me up, there will be nothing to discuss."

The flowing clouds and sands gazed intently at Pei Qian, slowly saying: "The enmity of killing one's father cannot coexist under the same sky; I do not believe that Brother Duan can truly let it go"

Pei Qian was almost about to fall into the ravine, staring intently at the old ghost and asking, "Are you trying to make me happy?"

Pei Qian opened his mouth to subtly mock Liu Yunsha, suggesting that he wanted to stay in prison for free and enjoy a meal tonight

Pei Qian jumped into the mountain stream to begin bathing. He was not doing this to cleanse the black grime and mud from his body, but rather to wash away the misfortunes of the night. He mumbled, "The Red Flag Army has many benevolent and righteous heroes, and it does not matter if you, old ghost, are one of them."

Pei Qian and he engaged in a casual conversation, and after several rounds of drinks and a variety of dishes, they climbed upstairs, half-drunk and half-awake, with arms around each other, completely disregarding any sense of hierarchy or decorum, each returning to their own rooms to rest

Thus, Miss Yu Shi employed her eighteen martial arts and thirty-six unique skills, serving Pei Qian in such a way that he felt as if he were floating in the heavens, realizing that the past several decades of his life had been lived in vain

With a swift motion, the spear was drawn from the bed. One may evade the first strike, but not the fifteenth. Before Pei Qian could catch his breath, he felt a sharp pain in his side, prompting him to quickly roll over. A sharp blade pierced through the floorboard, slicing into his left rib, and then it moved horizontally to slash at Pei Qian's lower abdomen

Liu Yunsha stared at Pei Qian's sincere and humble face in silence for a long time, and suddenly broke into a smile, saying: "This is very good!"

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You Ruo Hua was momentarily taken aback and quickly bowed, saying: "Yes, I assure you that I will not overlook any details!"

Miss Yu Shi noticed that Pei Qian's appearance seemed to have changed slightly compared to the previous night. However, this was not her primary concern—what she was fully focused on during these three days was how much of the one thousand taels of silver she could obtain from the proprietress as her share.

There exists a terrifying figure in the Cloud Military Academy, and Old Ghost even urged me to steal the blueprints and formulas. What difference does it make to push him into the fire pit? Damn it, who is afraid of whom? Pei Qianhu crashed upwards, flipping over to pin Miss Yu Shi down on the bed, beginning the second round of confrontation with Liu Yunsha.

Watching the flowing clouds and sand leave the fragrant chamber, Pei Qian felt in her heart that she actually did not want to say "goodbye" to him at all

One's arms cannot outmatch one's thighs. Pei Qian has already resigned himself to this fate, but he swore to make the old ghost bleed a little more; otherwise, it would be too easy on him. Thus, without a moment's hesitation, he refused, saying: "I will not engage in such disreputable matters!"

Although the enchanting Hua Lingyao, who seemed to be half-concealed like a pipa, stirred his heart with longing, the moon reflected in the water was far less reliable than the warm, soft jade cradled in his arms. Moreover, after the ecstasy of that night, Pei Qian sadly realized that he had once again fallen victim to the old ghost's trickery: even if Hua Lingyao agreed to be his maid, what difference would it make? There was no law or family rule stating that a maid must share a bed with her master, especially when this master was a counterfeit.

Pei Qian stared at Liu Yunsha, noticing that the smile on his face had not changed at all; it was the same now as it had been when he entered. He couldn't help but secretly admire this person's magnanimity. Undoubtedly, he was deliberately provoking Liu Yunsha, hoping that this gentleman would become furious and immediately order him to pack his things and leave, thus eliminating the need to risk stealing any blueprints or formulas.

Pei Qian pressed his body against the wall and flipped away, evading the blade. Liu Yunsha arrived just in time, using his palm to deflect the assassin's knife.

Liu Yunsha nodded in understanding and corrected, "Brother Duan, military regulations can be discussed, but the term 'national law' is inappropriate and should not be mentioned again in the future. If not handled properly, it could lead to imprisonment"

Liu Yunsha let out a cold laugh and glanced at Pei Qian, saying: "It is the Blood-clothed Guard, as I unfortunately predicted." Before the words had finished echoing, he had already chased out several dozen zhang, leaving behind a streak of sapphire blue lightning in the night.

However, at present, Pei Qian is as carefree as an immortal, truly not in need of the attention and concern from this esteemed official of the third rank. When Liu Yunsha entered the fragrant chamber of Miss Yu Shi, he saw Pei Qian reclining comfortably on the bed, bare-chested, with the embarrassed beauty Yu in his arms, lazily greeting, "Lord Liu Sha, I apologize for not welcoming you properly on our first meeting"

Pei Qian cast a hurried glance and then saw that the assassin was a man in red wearing a bronze mask. His eyes were bright and piercing, and his temples were prominently bulging, indicating that he was at least at the level of the Spirit Refinement realm. Coupled with the equally formidable killer below the building, it was clear that they intended to put him to death

Pei Qian has yet to see what kind of formidable assassin has arrived. He shouted hoarsely into the next room: "Help!" His body, like a flying bullet, curled up and crashed through the bed board, soaring upwards.

Old Ghost ambiguously stated: "There are two small booklets by your bedside, one is the family heirloom skill 'Eight Strikes of the Surprised Dragon' by Duan Min, and the other is a summary of his poison techniques. Additionally, there is a scroll documenting his life and personality. You must memorize them within three days."

Old Ghost said expressionlessly: "Plans cannot keep up with changes, for instance, my plan did not include the part where Shui Lingyue loses her virtue."

Pei Qian glared fiercely at the old ghost and said, "What you mean is that the Ancient Sword Pool has promised not to kill me for thirty days, but that does not mean the others in the Red Flag Army will remain obedient during this month"

He sat at the table, lit a candle, and took out the copy of "The Eight Strikes of the Astonishing Dragon" that he carried with him, flipping through it under the light

Pei Qian was suddenly overwhelmed by the impulse to rush into the room and beat Duan Min to death three hundred times. Shui Lingyue was absolutely right: this bastard, who dares to wear a human skin yet does not dare to take responsibility, has caused his death.

Pei Qian's eyes flashed with a fleeting light, yet he nonchalantly remarked, "Who knows whether I was dead or alive at that time"

He slowly took a sip of wine and shook his head, saying: "Now that I serve as an official alongside General Fei, we are united in our loyalty to Your Majesty, and these past matters shall no longer be mentioned. I have shaved my beard to also show consideration for General Fei"

Pei Qian obediently got up and said with a wry smile, "First of all, I can't even pass the test of Yu Shi; she knows very well that my surname is not Duan"

Yu Shi forced a smile, wanting to say a few words to suit the occasion, but facing the gaze of Liu Yunsha, her mind went completely blank

Pei Qian was completely stunned, looking at Liu Yunsha as if gazing at a monster, and said, "You want to book the room next to mine?"

Pei Qian was taken aback as he received the information, still seething with anger, he said: "Why are there still members of the Blood-clothed Guard coming to kill me?"

At this moment, the two blood-clad assassins and Liu Yunsha, along with others, had all exited Yunzhong Town. Pei Qian was uncertain about his decision, yet he seemed to hear something in his ears. Following the direction in which the five were fleeing, he swiftly leaped over rooftops and, in the blink of an eye, also dashed out of the town

Liu Yunsha opened the door, smiling as he assessed Pei Qian and said, "Indeed, heroes have always emerged from the youth."

But what exactly does he want to do? Has he already begun to doubt himself? Pei Qian is very aware that his first confrontation with the Director of the Academy ended in failure. Not only did he fail to provoke the anger of Liu Yunsha, but he was also thoroughly outmaneuvered by the other party, who set up camp right next door to conduct close surveillance.

Unfortunately, things did not go as hoped; he did not suffocate, and his head still emerged. The right hand of the old ghost ignited a cluster of blood-red flames, aimed directly at the fuse of the imitation thunder in the clouds.

He flicked his fingers to allow Yu Shi to sleep a few more hours, then carefully surveyed the room again, finding no signs of disturbance. However, this did not mean that no one had entered earlier. On the contrary, it indicated that the one who searched the room was undoubtedly a skilled expert.

Liu Yunsha smiled and said, "Of course, I can." He stood up and sighed, "Seeing Brother Duan so carefree, I too feel a stir in my heart. Very well, having stolen three days of leisure from this fleeting life, I shall accompany Brother Duan on this holiday!" He instructed the attendant outside the door, "Tell the landlady to prepare a private room next to Brother Duan's for me, and to bring the most beautiful girl from the Anxiang Pavilion!"

"I am unworthy of such an alliance," Liu Yunsha said, raising another cup of wine, drinking no slower than Pei Qian. "However, in the future, as we work together, it is only natural that we look out for one another. Brother Duan, you are a young talent with limitless potential; given time, your rise to prominence is inevitable. Who knows, perhaps in the future, it will be I who benefits from your success."

The old man, Liu Yunsha, nodded with a smile and said, "I shall not disturb Brother Duan's rest. We shall meet again shortly"

The old ghost pondered and said, "After the task is completed, I will let you go to the capital."

The sound of the erhu played by the old ghost rose gently, and he said calmly: "Through experiments in the southern border, they have discovered several flaws in the Cloud Thunder and are preparing to improve it in the near future, then apply it on the battlefield against the Red Flag Army"

Pei Qian's nose detected something, yet he was somewhat hesitant to believe it. He looked at the old ghost and said, "Are you saying..."

Pei Qian impatiently said, "Nonsense, if I die, who will steal the blueprints and formulas for you? I need some tangible rewards for my efforts."

Liu Yunsha lightly tapped the table and praised, "Very good, very good... But I have also heard that back in the day, Brother Duan vowed with a beard to signify his resolve, swearing a deadly oath before your father's grave: 'I will never shave my beard until I kill Fei Dele.' Is there any truth to this matter?"

Liu Yunsha smiled nonchalantly and said, "It seems that Brother Duan has no intention of reporting to the Military Academy today."

Pei Qianshan is skilled at pretending to understand when he does not, but he is even better at feigning ignorance while being fully aware. After enduring various inhumane torments from the old ghost over the past seven years, he has long been tempered like steel; how could he fear a few words laced with sarcasm and threats?

Pei Qian felt a chill run down his spine and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

A single misstep can lead to a lifetime of regret; the wrongs committed are hard to undo, and Pei Qian can only resign himself to his misfortune. However, he has never been the type to willingly allow himself to be deceived—today, he intends to show Liu Yunsha a bit of his displeasure, believing that the old ghost will soon come knocking at his door

Liu Yunsha inadvertently frowned; it was the first time in twenty years that a subordinate dared to greet him while embracing a courtesan in a brothel, even too lazy to get out of bed.

The old ghost stood quietly in the forest, not holding a two-stringed instrument, but instead possessing a small rolled manuscript in hand. He flicked his fingers towards Pei Qian and said, "This contains the daily action details since your departure from Taiyang Prefecture. Memorize it and then immediately burn it."

Unfortunately, the good dream did not last long; the next morning, someone arrived by carriage to pay a visit. The visitor was Liu Yunsha, the director of the Cloud Military Academy, a short and plump middle-aged man who wore a smile even before he spoke. He was the second most powerful figure in the academy, responsible for the daily affairs of the six departments: etiquette, morality, archery, horsemanship, literature, and mathematics, as well as the revision and enforcement of the academy's regulations.

Pei Qian muttered to himself, "What does it matter to me that Federer killed that old man Duan Tianliang? Why are you so fixated on this issue when you have nothing better to do?" He stared wide-eyed at Liu Yunsha for a while, and suddenly a strange smile appeared at the corner of his lips as he said, "What can I do if I can't let it go? After all, he is a highly sought-after general in today's world. As a mere teacher, if I keep dwelling on old grudges, wouldn't I be courting my own demise?"

"It is not me, it is you." The old ghost clearly did not want to give Pei Qian the chance to beat around the bush and act confused, "You go to the Cloud Military Academy."

Pei Qian swiftly stretched his body and slid under the table, using his legs to kick the table upwards. He heard the sound of "thud thud thud thud," as a torrential downpour of pear blossom nails pierced through the tabletop and shot towards him with great force

Unexpectedly, Liu Yunsha cheerfully pulled a chair and sat down calmly in front of the bed, her eyes unabashedly fixed on Yu Shixue's delicate bosom, and said, "Brother Duan has a good eye."

Pei Qian rolled his eyes upward and feigned ignorance, saying, "That's great, this iron watermelon tastes quite good; I have tried it."

Pei Qian, having set aside his previous arrogance, humbly remarked, "I, with my limited virtue and shallow knowledge, am far from being comparable to your esteemed self, who grows ever more steadfast with age"

Old Gui finally relaxed a bit and said, "For the next three days, you will stay in the Anxiang Studio and not step outside."

Pei Qian feigned surprise and said, "Thank you, Lord Liusha, for the reminder. It was indeed something I mentioned casually in the past"

Pei Qian thought to himself, "Your dead ghost's eyesight is quite good; where are you looking?" He smiled and said, "Likewise."

Pei Qian rolled under the bed along the floorboard, and before he could start cursing, "Bang!" A bright, gleaming gun barrel thrust toward his chest. Pei Qian quickly adapted, executing a move from the Dragon Eight Strikes, the "Divine Dragon Extends Its Claw," as he turned sideways and raised his hand to grasp the gun barrel.

It is a blessing, not a curse; if it is a curse, one cannot escape it. Pei Qian understood that Liu Yunsha and Lao Gui had already made up their minds about him, and he had no choice but to go to the Cloud Military Academy the next morning. He vaguely heard the sound of Xue Xue calling from the next room, and couldn't help but sigh at Liu Yunsha's good fortune.

"Relationships are built," said the old ghost. "If I can establish a good relationship with the Ancient Sword Pool, why would I not be willing to do so?"

Seeing the old ghost silent, he sighed, "The emperor is not short of hungry soldiers, let alone such a job that could cost one their head"