Chapter 311: Shadows Closing In on the Academy

Min Tianyou walked alone through various courtyards of the Chen Family, his steps not quick, his brows furrowed, the conversation with the old steward of the Chen Family echoing repeatedly in his mind.

"…that so‑called 'secret treasure' was actually lent by Miss Xiao Shuang to a friend months ago," the old steward's voice was steady, carrying the wear of worldly experience.

This completely violated family rules, but he had watched the Chen siblings grow up, and had personally seen Miss Xiao Shuang go from being ignored by the elders to firmly grasping the whole Chen Family in her hand.

"Lent it to someone? Who?" Min Tianyou immediately asked.

The old steward slowly shook his head, "You should already know that person's identity. Back when Miss Xiao Shuang was still studying at the Academy, she also had frequent contact with your sister."

At this, a complex expression appeared on the old steward's wrinkled face.

"Miss Mu asked me to convey a message—are you perhaps placing too much trust in that child Ying Duo?"

Min Tianyou froze on the spot.

The old steward continued, his voice low yet each word struck Min Tianyou's mind clearly:

"There are too many doubts about him: the source of the Mutation? Cognitive abnormalities? Untraceable origins? Can all of these be explained merely by 'Mutation‑induced cognitive impairment and memory loss'?"

The old steward paused; he was pleased that Chen Mo Zhi had made a group of friends, but unlike the sociable Miss Xiao Shuang, Young Master Chen Mo Zhi still knows too little about human hearts.

"Sometimes excessive trust becomes the sharpest knife that pierces oneself; every necessary precaution must not be omitted."

Having said that, the old steward said no more, turned and left, leaving Min Tianyou standing alone, a chill running down his spine.

She does not know much about Ying Duo either; even though she appears indifferent, she cannot accept the possible hidden danger.

But.......

Min Tianyou recalled the ruins in the Slum, recalled Ying Duo's eyes—golden and so calm they were almost hollow—and recalled his alien way of perceiving the world....

Honestly, the doubts surrounding Ying Duo are indeed many.

Yet this kid never does anything to eliminate his own doubts, and he himself truly has flaws.

A spy would try to dispel others' suspicions, but Ying Duo simply invites doubt wherever he goes.

This reverse mindset causes everyone to subconsciously overlook the possibility that Ying Duo harbors ulterior motives, and even his vague background can be brushed off as a muddled mind and forgotten past.

Ying Duo doesn't even need to speak; everyone already assumes his "mind is sick" and finds a reasonable explanation for him.

"Hoo…" Min Tianyou let out a long sigh, stopped, and gazed at the meticulously trimmed plants in the courtyard.

Doubts abound, warnings in his ears.

Yet clearing the layers of fog to uncover the hidden truth is exactly what he does best, isn't it?

After eliminating all impossibilities, the final one, even if unbelievable, is still the answer...

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The alley was narrow; it lay a distance from the Academy's main entrance, and except for students who occasionally cut shortcuts, few passed through.

At this moment, two groups gathered in the alley, the atmosphere a little uneasy.

One side consisted of five or six men in matching black suits, led by a middle‑aged man of about forty, who frowned slightly as he listened to the conversation opposite.

The other side held three Mitra Academy‑uniformed students, two males and one female, all looking young, their faces showing obvious tension and hesitation.

Leading them was a bookish‑looking boy who was rubbing his hands, speaking in a low voice to the man in the black suit.

"Sir, we understand everything you say, and we sympathize with the Zhao Family's situation."

The bespectacled boy glanced at his companions, received their equally uneasy looks of affirmation, and continued.

"Meng Kexin is now tied to the Chen Family, and we are just ordinary students; if we bring her out to hand her over to you, the Chen Family will later investigate…"

The man's face showed no change in expression, only his voice remained steady.

"The Chen Family is currently preoccupied; although Young Master Chen Mo Zhi values her, for him a beautiful girl attached to him has never been irreplaceable. Once the Chen Family resolves its own troubles, they may not even remember her."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three students' slightly pallid faces, trying to make his tone sound as kind as possible.

"Moreover, our Zhao Family will handle the aftermath; after all, this is fundamentally a Zhao Family matter."

At his signal, a subordinate behind him stepped forward in time, placed an inconspicuous black briefcase on the ground and opened it.

Inside were neatly arranged rows of medium‑grade Source Crystals, their alluring luster flickering in the dim light.

The three students' breathing visibly quickened.

For ordinary students like them, these Source Crystals were certainly a fortune.

"This is a deposit," the man said, "and if the deal succeeds, we will also attach a token of gratitude."

The terms were so generous they were hard to refuse, yet the risk was equally evident.

They exchanged glances; the hesitation in their eyes was gradually replaced by rising greed.

The lanky, thin boy licked his slightly dry lips, his gaze wavering for a moment, then lowered his voice.

"Actually… it's not completely without a way."

The man's eyes brightened, "Oh? Please, go on."

The boy looked left and right, his voice even lower.

"When we slipped out today, we happened to notice that some bricks on the Academy's east side were loose, the Rune there had lost its original effect; the Academy's logistics department seems not to have discovered it yet, so it hasn't been repaired."

As he spoke, he also gestured.

"It could probably let a small‑statured person squeeze through; your people could go in directly, head to the places Meng Kexin often visits, and it wouldn't involve us."

After speaking, he looked at the man with a hint of nervousness.

The man's face showed satisfaction, and he nodded.

"Of course, but the students must keep it confidential."

A guard behind him immediately understood, stepped forward, and slipped a thinner yet still money‑filled small envelope into the lanky boy's hand.

"This is a token of goodwill from our Zhao Family."

"Then… then we wish you success."

He forced a dry laugh, exchanged a look with the other two classmates, and the few hurried out of the alley as if fearing that lingering another second would change their minds.