Chapter 29

“Leave the Martial Academy?!”

Hu Tian froze, his pupils contracting violently, his face shifting through a dozen expressions.

Though he came from the countryside and acted naively, he understood the weight of the words “leave one’s sect.”

In a world where martial power reigned supreme and teacher-student bonds were sacred, betraying one’s master meant, at best, being despised, at worst, shunned by all fellow cultivators.

Everywhere, it was an unforgivable sin.

He instinctively wanted to shake his head and refuse, but then he remembered he had already offended Liu Yiyi and Su Yan—living inside the academy now meant constant dread...

A flicker of conflict passed through Hu Tian’s eyes; he lowered his voice: “Brother Zhang Xu, this… this isn’t right…”

Seeing the struggle on Hu Tian’s face, Zhang Xu knew there was still room to sway him.

“What’s not right?”

Zhang Xu forced out a breath, his voice hoarse and soft, yet each word like a poisoned nail, slow and deliberate, driving into the cracks of Hu Tian’s heart.

“My feud with Qing Shi Martial Academy is already a dead knot—no need to mention it.”

“Just consider how you’re treated here.”

“Do you know what kind of treatment a cultivator with your talent would receive in another martial hall?”

Hu Tian blinked, instinctively shaking his head: “I’m not sure.”

Zhang Xu gritted his teeth against the pain and forced out a cold smile:

“In any other martial hall, a disciple with your talent would’ve been taken as the master’s final disciple long ago—tuition waived, elixirs supplied endlessly, status and standing utterly different!”

He paused, his gaze clinging to Hu Tian’s face like spider silk.

“And you? Has Qing Shi Martial Academy ever given you any special treatment?”

At these words, Hu Tian’s face darkened.

He recalled when he first mastered fist techniques, and Liu Qingshi had gifted him a bottle of Blood-Replenishing Pill—he’d thought it was meant solely for him.

But when Shi Lei, with his mediocre roots, also mastered fist techniques, he received the same bottle.

Now he realized: as a top-tier talent, he’d received no special treatment at all.

A flicker of resentment surfaced on Hu Tian’s face.

A new emotion, like an underground current, rose silently in his heart, washing away the faint remnants of reverence and gratitude he’d once held.

Zhang Xu caught that flicker of resentment.

He didn’t press further; instead, he slumped weakly back onto the pillow, his voice softening, carrying the weary sincerity of an elder brother:

“Hu Tian, I’m not asking you to forget your debts. I’m just… saddened for you.”

He coughed lightly twice; fresh red stains spread across his chest bandages, stark and alarming.

Hu Tian’s heart tightened; he unconsciously took half a step forward.

Zhang Xu continued, speaking softly:

“You know Ji Quan Martial Hall, right? My father has some ties with its master. If you leave Qing Shi Martial Academy and join Ji Quan, I guarantee your treatment will be better—not worse—than here!”

“Ji Quan Martial Hall?!” Hu Tian’s eyes lit up.

After days of training in the academy, he was no longer the ignorant country boy he’d once been.

He knew that in Anxi County, Ji Quan Martial Hall was the strongest and most renowned.

After all, Ji Quan housed two Hua Jing martial artists.

If he could enter Ji Quan through Zhang Xu’s introduction, his future would indeed shine brighter than staying in Qing Shi.

Zhang Xu added one final spark: “Brother Hu Tian, I treat you like my own brother. If you join Ji Quan, besides the hall’s rewards, my family will also provide you with cultivation resources!”

Hearing this, Hu Tian could no longer resist the temptation—he nodded firmly: “Brother Zhang Xu, I’ll follow your advice!”

Seeing this, Zhang Xu, sprawled on the bed, finally revealed a chilling smile.

He and the Qing Shi Martial Academy were already locked in a life-or-death feud.

Luring away a talented disciple like Hu Tian would weaken Qing Shi and strengthen his own position.

A perfect two birds, one stone.

“Qing Shi Martial Academy, the Su family—I will never forgive you!”

Hatred burned fiercely in Zhang Xu’s eyes.

That night, Liu Yiyi and Su Yan had been within his grasp—yet that white-haired elder had shattered all his hopes with a single punch.

He assumed without doubt that the white-haired elder was the Su family’s secret bodyguard assigned to Su Yan.

Thus, his new goal: at any cost, destroy Qing Shi Martial Academy and the Su family.

The next morning.

Jiang Ye didn’t expect the first person to arrive at the academy today would be Hu Tian.

“Could it be that after yesterday’s breakthrough into Ming Jing, he’s decided to train harder?”

Jiang Ye lifted his eyelids slightly, watching Hu Tian sprint toward him from afar; his aged eyes flickered with unusual interest.

On Hu Tian’s face: three parts anxiety, three parts struggle, and a touch of resolve.

Hu Tian clearly had no intention of greeting Jiang Ye; his steps were unusually swift, and he crossed the academy’s main gate in mere strides.

He’d come early today precisely to speak with Liu Qingshi before the other disciples arrived, while the academy was empty, to declare his wish to leave.

Yet, for some reason, as soon as he stepped into the inner courtyard, the resolve and courage he’d mustered yesterday seemed to fade.

For a moment, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

He procrastinated until afternoon, finally gathering enough courage to stand before Liu Qingshi’s study door.

“Come in.”

A deep voice came from within; Hu Tian took a deep breath and stepped inside.

“Hmm? Hu Tian, did you come to ask about a difficulty in your fist techniques?”

Seeing him, Liu Qingshi lifted his head slightly and asked gravely.

“Master Liu… I… I…”

Meeting Liu Qingshi’s gaze, Hu Tian trembled, nearly fleeing in panic.

But then he remembered the bright future awaiting him at Ji Quan, and Zhang Xu’s kindness—he forced himself to speak: “I want to leave Qing Shi Martial Academy…”

As soon as he spoke, he dropped his head, Buganzaikanliuqingshideyanjing , his body trembling, fearing Liu Qingshi might strike him down in rage.

He’d heard rumors: in other martial halls, disciples who tried to leave their masters without cause were beaten into cripples…

When he finished speaking, silence fell in the room.

Liu Qingshi did not erupt as he’d feared.

He looked at the boy before him—his gaze not sharp, not even disappointed.

“Why do you wish to leave the academy? Can you give me a reason?”

Liu Qingshi studied Hu Tian with deep eyes.

“I… I feel this place might not suit me…”

Hu Tian swallowed hard, reciting the excuse he’d rehearsed.

“Is that so.”

Liu Qingshi shook his head noncommittally, then asked again: “Are you truly certain you want to leave Qing Shi Martial Academy?”

He could guess Hu Tian’s sudden desire to leave was tied to Zhang Xu.

Honestly, he didn’t want such a promising disciple to go.

But if the boy truly wished to leave, and his heart was no longer here, he wouldn’t hold him back.

“I… I…”

Hu Tian swallowed again, his voice trembling: “I’m certain…”

At that moment—

A disciple’s voice rang from outside: “Hu Tian, your sister brought you food!”