Chapter 197: Following the Heart

Jiang Yunchu's expression now lacked his usual carefree ease; instead it looked a bit like Kang Zhi Xia's, that mean-spirited look making people want to give him a beating.

Hey, just this little killing intent? Not even enough for my master!

That smug tone, he even learned it to a tee.

Ningguang glanced at her, without cold words, only that killing intent had become substantive; the white long sword now showed sword qi all around her.

When sword qi appears, blood must follow.

This is an unchanging rule through the ages.

All of you, retreat!

Just as Bai Zhi and An San were about to move, even Ning Hanmo, who had been hiding in the dark watching, quickly stood up, wanting to join the battlefield, when Jiang Yunchu suddenly shouted loudly.

Master! Bai Zhi stamped her foot anxiously.

But she had to obey the master's order; she widened her eyes and clenched her fists tightly.

Ning Hanmo had already stood at the edge of the training field, his heartbeat seeming to slow a few beats as he watched everything before him, waiting, waiting for the chance to save his mother.

But Jiang Yunchu's swordplay was even more varied, sometimes like a gentleman among swords, sometimes like an assassin, sometimes opening wide like a battlefield general...

Just as Ningguang frowned, puzzled in her heart, a killing intent suddenly appeared, and at the same time a faint wisp of sword qi appeared on Jiang Yunchu's red soft sword.

But unlike Ningguang's white blade, this sword qi bore white, black and red.

The colors were mottled.

Don't move her.

Just as An San and Bai Zhi came up to check the situation, Ningguang suddenly said a sentence, looking at the mottled colors she lightly furrowed her brow.

How could this be?

She only taught Yun Chu the gentleman's way; how could there be a dark way and a killing way?

To grasp so much sword qi at once, how did she manage it?

One question after another, no one could give her an answer, because the person who could give her an answer had already fainted.

In the dream, assassination missions, team commands, emergency rescues repeated over and over, intertwined and continuously ongoing.

Three days later, the students returned to the academy, each face bearing a smile as they discussed New Year's amusements.

I tell you, that newly opened hot pot place is impossible to queue for; my family even got someone to swap our queue number." Zhang Cunwen said helplessly, "But that hot pot is really delicious—what kind of brain does the shop owner have?"

This isn't exactly making a fortune a day, but it's close, right?

Zhang Cunwen wore a worried look, as if others making money caused him to lose a lot.

Ah, so delicious? My father's queue number is two months out, sigh!" Kang Wen let out a sigh, spreading his hands helplessly.

Hearing Zhang Cunwen's description, he couldn't help but swallow his saliva—when will he get to eat it?

Big Brother Ning, what's wrong with you?" Kang Wu asked at that moment.

Everyone's gaze simultaneously focused on Ning Hanmo.

Kang Zhiqiu then asked, "Ning Hanmo, have you seen the Dean?"

Every time the school year starts, the Dean waits for them; this is the first time the Dean is absent, and it's also their longest vacation.

This is obviously abnormal.

The Dean is unconscious." Ning Hanmo lifted his head, these days of worry always weighing on his heart.

When his mother was injured before, he could feel she would get better; he had something to rely on in his heart.

But this time he has no assurance; it's not an illness, and even the imperial physicians can't treat his mother's problem.

What? Unconscious? What's going on?" Kang Zhi Chun shouted loudly, unusually for him.

Everyone's gaze turned toward Ning Hanmo.

Ningguang said, Mother is refining sword qi, yet she hasn't eaten or drunk for several days.

Refining sword qi?

What is that?

Each worried expression now carried an extra hint of inexplicable unease.

Martial arts is like that: familiarize with the moves, when reaching the entry level one begins to condense killing intent; only two types of people, after years of precipitation, will automatically generate killing intent—a genius, or…… an assassin!" Ningguang looked at the curious children, she rubbed her weary brow, these days she too was worried.

Worried that Yun Chu, having grasped too much sword qi at once, would wear away her own original heart and become a slave to the sword.

Do we also have to go through this?" Kang Wen asked.

Some need it, some don't; those who can reach this step are people with certain talent in martial arts." Ningguang didn't beat around the bush, but directly told them the truth; they now train hard every day, and someday they will reach this step.

Rather than deceiving them now, it would be better to have no lies from the start; this saying was Yun Chu's, but that person is still sitting cross-legged in the room right now.

When will he wake up?

Does the Dean have any trouble? Will he definitely wake up?" Kang Nai Xin asked, carefully observing Ningguang's expression and watching her reaction.

Will!

Ningguang answered very definitely.

But her answer made Kang Nai Xin's brows knit tightly.

You're not sure!

Or rather, the outcome is unknown.

The first sentence was spoken by Kang Nai Xin, the second by Ning Qiancheng.

Their words, one after the other, directly let everyone know the result.

Ningguang looked at the two of them; indeed, as they said, she was not sure!

Ningguang, the master moved, he moved!" Bai Zhi came running over, using her lightness skill all the way, flying over.

Mother woke up?

Ning Hanmo stood up directly, then his whole body shot out like a cannonball; at this moment, all composure, careful planning, attention to etiquette—everything was forgotten behind him.

"We'll go too." Kang Wu looked at everyone, then directly followed them out together.

Even if the Dean wakes up and wants to punish them, they will accept it.

On the first day of school, they already skipped work and classes; given the Dean's nature, punishment is definitely coming.

"If we're to be punished, let's be punished together! Let's go!" Kang Zhi Xia gritted his teeth, waved his hand, taking the lead.

Having already had a review, if he commits anything else, the punishment will be doubled.

But this time, even if it's doubled, he is willing.

If they don't see the Dean safe and sound, nobody's mind will settle; how much can they learn in class?

"Go! This time I've got your back!" Kang Wen directly patted Kang Zhi Xia's shoulder; the few people behind exchanged a glance, everyone followed together, no one hesitated, no one gave up for fear of punishment.

Over the past six months, no matter how big the matter, they cannot neglect their studies; this is the rule the Dean set for them. Although they worry about her health, it is not an excuse to skip class.

Punishment will definitely happen.

Just this once, they want to be willful; they have prepared themselves for punishment, whether it's a review or corporal punishment, they are willing.

Following their true hearts is also what the Dean taught them.