Chapter 577: Xu You, You're Not Professional at All!

Lu Yuan's eyes widened as he witnessed the sudden scene, his pupils suddenly expanding.

The shock on his face was instantly replaced by extreme terror.

His mind went blank, leaving only instinctive panic.

He screamed, his voice lost: "Ah?!"

His body instinctively staggered backward, and the scroll in his hand fell to the ground, its pages scattering everywhere.

The surrounding Taixue students, seeing this, were terrified to the point of soul fleeing, and they shouted in panic, their voices full of anxiety and fear: "Dr. Lu! Dr. Lu!"

"Watch out!"

"Get away!"

The crowd scrambled; someone tried to intervene, but the distance was too great to act in time.

They could only watch helplessly as a short arrow flew toward Lu Yuan, their hearts lodged in their throats.

Xu You gripped his crossbow, staring straight at the retreating Lu Yuan, his eyes filled with triumphant glee, a wild grin spreading across his face as he laughed loudly, his shrill, arrogant laugh echoing: "I've waited many days for this, finally you give me my chance!"

"You pompous scholar of the Fanyang Lu clan, you finally have your day!"

"Hahaha!"

The laughter echoed through the lecture hall, thick with malice, sending chills down everyone's spine.

Just as that short arrow was a hair's breadth from striking Lu Yuan's chest.

A crisp, bright "Clang!" rang out suddenly.

The arrow, seemingly certain to hit, was precisely struck by a hidden weapon flying in from another direction.

The short arrow instantly changed course, slamming into a nearby beam, its tail still trembling faintly, emitting a buzzing sound.

Lu Yuan, already terrified, had shut his eyes and his body kept trembling.

Cold sweat ran down the sides of his forehead, soaking the hair in front of his brow.

The garment on his back was instantly drenched with cold sweat, clinging sticky to his skin.

He held his breath nervously, his heart pounding wildly.

After a while, the expected pain never arrived; he felt no discomfort at all.

Lu Yuan's mind filled with astonishment and doubt, his trembling voice murmuring: "I... how is it that I feel no pain at all?!"

As the words fell, he suddenly realized something and slowly opened his tightly shut eyes.

He looked down at his body, intact and unscarred, the short arrow nowhere to be seen.

Lu Yuan's eyes widened, his face full of shock, his tone tinged with disbelief: "Wait, I'm not dead yet?!"

On the other side, Xu You's smug grin froze instantly, his pupils contracting sharply, his madness replaced by astonishment.

He stared fixedly at the short arrow lodged in the beam, then turned his head toward the direction the hidden weapon came from, shouting hoarsely: "How... how is this possible?!"

After meticulous planning for a long time, he had been sure today would succeed, but he hadn't expected such an accident...

After a brief shock, Xu You's eyes flashed with fierce cruelty again; he clenched his teeth, his gaze Dark Hawk at Lu Yuan, the crossbow in his hand re-aimed at him, and he roared: "Die for me!"

Before the words finished, he pressed the trigger several times in rapid succession.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!" A few more short arrows flew toward Lu Yuan, their tips still bearing lethal intent.

The next moment, three "Clang clang clang!" sounds rang out in succession.

All three short arrows were blocked by hidden weapons flying in from outside, the arrows dropping to the ground with a crisp sound.

Seeing this, Xu You's unease grew stronger; he abruptly turned toward the lecture hall entrance and only then noticed that, at some point, two men in embroidered robes were standing outside.

Both wore embroidered robes, the hems adorned with exquisite patterns, and each bore an embroidered spring sword at the waist.

Their posture was upright, aura cold, eyes sharp as hawks, staring coldly at everything inside the lecture hall, exuding an authority that warned strangers to stay away.

Seeing their attire, Xu You's complexion turned instantly pale, his color drained, his body involuntarily trembling, eyes filled with terror and panic, he shouted hoarsely: "Bad! Embroidered-robe emissaries of the Mingjing Agency?!"

"How could they be here?!"

The Mingjing Agency in Chang'an—what kind of entity it is, Xu knows all too clearly...

They act ruthlessly, with extraordinary methods.

Only one thought flashed in his mind: flee! If caught by the Mingjing Agency, there would be no good outcome!

Xu You hesitated not a moment, and hurled the crossbow away.

He turned and sprinted toward the lecture hall exit, his steps frantic, speed astonishing, only wanting to flee this place of trouble.

The two embroidered-robe emissaries saw this and simultaneously curled a cold sneer at the corners of their mouths; one snorted coldly: "Still want to leave?"

Before the words finished, the two flicked their wrists, flinging several slender silver needles from their sleeves.

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh!" The silver needles whistled through the air toward the fleeing Xu You, their aim perfect.

Just as Xu You stepped into the courtyard outside the lecture hall, before he could go further, those silver needles precisely pierced his legs and back.

"Ah!"

Xu You let out a harrowing scream, his body instantly losing strength, he fell forward onto the icy ground with a heavy thud.

His limbs convulsed, unable to move, only able to moan in pain.

At that moment, a tall, slender figure slowly emerged from outside the courtyard, dressed in a dark-colored Brothel.

The Brothel was embroidered with dark patterns in silver thread, a jade belt tied at the waist, its bearing dignified yet with a hint of casual laziness.

It was Chen Yan, who had appeared here at an unknown time, conveniently blocking Xu You's path.

Chen Yan lowered his gaze at the struggling, whimpering Xu You on the ground like a dying dog, his eyes full of mockery, a playful curve at the corner of his mouth, his tone light and teasing: "He hasn't even been killed yet, and you just retreat?"

"Xu You, you are not professional at all!"

Xu You lay on the icy ground, his back and knees throbbing with piercing pain, his limbs feeling as if his whole body had fallen apart.

Chen Yan's light, mocking words reached his ears, but reason in his mind had already been shattered by fear and anger, leaving no room to hear a single word.

He only felt the blocker before him was an eyesore, and instinctively roared at Chen Yan: "Blind thing, don't block the way!"

Hurry up and get out of my way!

The words fell, and without time to think further, he strained all his strength to try to pull himself up and keep running.

His hands clutched the mud of the ground tightly, knuckles whitening, arm veins bulging, legs kicking the earth, trying to lift his heavy body.

But the moment he moved, he felt his whole body limp and weak, limbs as heavy as if filled with lead, making every motion painfully difficult.

Not to mention getting up to flee, even a slight shift of his body drained immense effort.

With the slightest exertion, the spots where silver needles pierced him sent waves of numbing pain along his meridians, making his whole body tingle as strength faded bit by bit.

Xu You's heart raced with panic, cold sweat covering his forehead, his eyes filled with ferocity and resentment.

He could only watch helplessly as he was trapped in place, unable to move, lying on the ground futilely struggling, emitting heavy breaths.

Standing beside Chen Yan, Hou Mo Chen Xiao took in Xu You's reaction, his face showing a half‑smile, his gaze full of mockery.

Then, stepping forward, he looked down from his height at the prone Xu You, his tone cold and slightly teasing, "You really have the heart of a dog daring the heavens!"

"Not only daring to assassinate the great scholar within the Imperial Academy, but also speaking insolently to Chen Zhuguo!"

"I think you're sick enough to think you have enough heads to be chopped off!"

He hadn't seen such a tough Nine‑Clan guy in a long time…

Hou Mo Chen Xiao's voice was soft but icy, landing in Xu You's ears, making his whole body shiver, and his struggling movements paused instinctively.

Lying on the ground, he muttered subconsciously, "Chen Zhuguo?"

His eyes were blank, and for a moment he couldn't grasp what those three words meant.

But in an instant, as if something clicked, his pupils snapped shut, his blood seeming to freeze at that moment.

The ferocity and anger on his face were instantly replaced by extreme shock.

He lifted his head with difficulty, his gaze fixed on the figure not far ahead, a person wearing a dark Brothel and standing dignified; his lips trembled, his hoarse voice exclaiming in disbelief, "Could it be… Chen Yan?!"

Chen Yan and Chen Zhuguo—those are Senior Minister, Duke of Wei, Prefect of the Capital, Left Martial Marquis Grand General, Left Martial Guard Grand General, Former Bright Mirror Department Chief, and they have never lost a battle…

Chen Yan heard this, his face still bearing a calm, composed smile, his eyes calmly meeting the shocked Xu You on the ground, and in an even tone he replied with two words, "Exactly!"

Those two words exploded in Xu You's mind like a thunderclap.

He was completely stunned, countless emotions surging in his eyes—astonishment, fear, despair, regret—all tangled, thousands of words stuck in his throat, only managing a "This…".

Before he could finish, the silver needles the Embroidered‑cloth Messenger had shot into him began to unleash their full effect.

A sudden intense dizziness surged, and the scene before his eyes began to blur…

The numbness in his limbs grew stronger, his strength drained instantly, his mind went blank.

Xu You instinctively let out a muffled "Uh!"

His body went limp, he fainted completely, his head striking the ground heavily, motionless.

Inside the lecture hall, a group of Imperial Academy students had already perched by the window, holding their breath, watching every detail of what unfolded in the courtyard, fearing to miss anything.

The recent shock still lingered in their hearts, and Chen Yan's appearance now stirred a tidal wave of excitement, their faces full of exhilaration.

Shen Zaizhou perched by the window, hearing the courtyard conversation clearly, his face instantly lit with joy, his eyes brimming with uncontainable excitement.

He abruptly turned to the classmates beside him, his tone bubbling with excitement, and asked eagerly, "Did you hear clearly what that lord just said?"

Song Tingwu stood nearby, his face equally radiant with excitement, and replied resolutely, "Of course!"

Immediately, a smile tugged at his mouth, his gaze toward Chen Yan in the courtyard filled with reverence and worship, and he loudly told the surrounding classmates, "The one who blocked Xu You's path is Chen Zhuguo!"

"He is the contemporary guardian of our Great Zhou, Lord Chen Yan and Chen Zhuguo!"

As the words fell, the lecture hall erupted, the students' lingering shock instantly replaced by excitement and ecstasy.

Lin Wuke stood by the window, his eyes fixed on Chen Yan in the courtyard, thrilled beyond words, joy overflowing, and he said with emotion, "I never imagined I'd see Lord Chen Yan in person today!"

"To see his true form today is a blessing across three lifetimes!"

Lou Guanshu also stood nearby, gazing at Chen Yan's figure, admiration in his eyes, and slowly said, "Lord Chen Yan appears even more righteous than the portraits circulating among the people!"

The other Imperial Academy students also chimed in.

Each wore the expression of an adoring fan.

Their eyes were full of worship and excitement.

They talked all at once, their tones unable to hide their excitement.

"We've long heard Lord Chen Yan is both wise and brave, upright and incorruptible; seeing him today proves his fame is well deserved!"

"If Lord Chen Yan and the Embroidered‑cloth Messenger of the Bright Mirror Office hadn't appeared in time, Dr. Lu would have faced a grim fate today; Lord Chen Yan truly is a savior of the suffering!"

"Being able to see Lord Chen Yan in person is a story worth bragging about in the future!"

Amid the excited chatter, one Imperial Academy student fixed his gaze on Chen Yan in the courtyard, suddenly as if discovering something, his eyes flashing brightly.

Immediately, he shouted to his classmates, "Look! Lord Chen Yan is coming toward us!"

As the words fell, the students fell silent at once, a hint of tension and solemnity added to their excitement, all turning to follow his gaze…

Sure enough, they saw Chen Yan, accompanied by Hou Mo Chen Xiao, slowly walking toward the lecture hall.

Their hearts raced with excitement and nerves, and they hurriedly scrambled to tidy their attire.

Some smoothed the folds of their robes, others fixed disheveled hair buns, and some brushed dust off the desks…

Each gave their all, hoping to display the best spirit of Imperial Academy students before Lord Chen Yan, daring not to slack.

Chen Yan walked slowly into the lecture hall.

Inside, the students held their breath, their gazes fixed on him, even their breathing lightened.

The earlier clamor vanished instantly, leaving the room solemn.

He walked straight toward the front of the hall, his steps unhurried.

Reaching Lu Yuan, Chen Yan halted, raised his hand in a fist‑hold, his tone calm yet caring, and said gravely, "Dr. Lu, you were frightened!"

Lu Yuan, seeing this, quickly brushed away the lingering shock, showing a gentle smile, waved his hand, and replied earnestly, "No problem, no problem!"

"Thanks to Chen Zhuguo's timely arrival today, the consequences would have been unimaginable; this gratitude, I shall never forget," Lu said.

The words fell, he bowed low and respectfully paid his respects to Chen Yan, his voice full of gratitude: "Thank you, Chen Zhuguo, for the life‑saving favor!"

Chen Yan saw this, stepped forward, steadied his hand on Lu Yuan's arm, his grip calm, and lifted him gently, then spoke loudly: "I, the Duke, am the current Prefect of the Capital, also hold the office of Left Martial Marquis Grand General, and concurrently oversee the affairs of the Bright Mirror Department, capturing and suppressing treacherous and evil ones, protecting the safety of court officials and students; this is merely my duty, why speak of gratitude?"

Lu Yuan straightened up, shook his head, his tone earnest, refusing to dismiss the favor lightly: "You can't speak like that!"

"The events of today erupted suddenly and were extremely perilous; had it not been for Chen Zhuguo and the envoys intervening in time, my life would have already been forfeit…"

"I, Lu, will forever remember this life‑saving favor; on another day I shall prepare a modest gift, visit your door to give thanks, and express my sincerity!"

Hearing this, Chen Yan raised his hand, tapped it, and said: "Dr. Lu, you are being overly courteous!"

"I, the Duke, and several of your clan brothers are close friends!"

He paused, flicked his sleeve lightly, and continued: "Now the assassin has been captured; the Bright Mirror Department will thoroughly investigate and handle the aftermath, so the Imperial Academy will no longer be disturbed. Feel at ease and resume your lectures!"

Warmth surged in Lu Yuan's chest; he bowed respectfully and replied courteously: "Yes."

Chen Yan nodded, his gaze slowly sweeping over the Imperial Academy students in the hall.

All the students sat upright, their eyes burning as they stared at him, full of reverence and worship, not daring to even breathe for fear of missing a single word he uttered.

Seeing this, Chen Yan spoke aloud, his tone weighty and full of expectation, urging: "You all are the future pillars of Great Zhou; the Imperial Academy is the Court's place for cultivating talent…"

"You should devote yourselves to studying, cultivate virtue, temper your mind, strive to achieve mastery early, so that you may later enter the Court as officials, serve the nation, and protect all under heaven!"

"Do not disappoint the Court's great expectations, nor the people's hopes!"

These words rang out like thunder, falling upon the ears of the students; each syllable resonated, striking straight to the heart.

The crowd bowed in unison, answering loudly and evenly, full of resolve and fighting spirit: "We will faithfully follow Lord Chen Yan's teachings!"

Chen Yan, seeing this, nodded with satisfaction, raised his hand in a fist‑hold, gave a slight nod to Lu Yuan and the students, and said calmly: "Farewell!"

His words finished, he turned and walked toward the exit of the lecture hall, with Hou Mo Chen Xiao and Zhu Yi following closely.

Shen Zaizhou stared toward the doorway, his face trembling with excitement, his eyes a bit dazed, muttering subconsciously: "Lord Chen Yan just now—did he praise me as a future pillar?"

Song Tingwu, standing beside him, heard this and turned his head at once, his face beaming, a smile tugging his lips, replying with a hint of pride: "You're reading too much into it; Lord Chen Yan clearly praised me!"

"Just now the Lord's gaze at me was clearly approving, surely recognizing my learning and character, which is why he admonished me so!"

The two went back and forth, arguing endlessly, their eyes alight with excitement, causing the surrounding classmates to glance over and burst into laughter.

Lou Guanshu watched Chen Yan's departing silhouette until the dark figure vanished completely, then slowly withdrew her gaze.

He lifted his hand to brush the scrolls on the desk, his fingertips tingling, his eyes full of longing and hope, murmuring earnestly in his heart: "If one day I could follow Lord Chen Yan, serving him, that would be wonderful…"