Chapter 225: But you, can you do it with a clear conscience?

Children, I am grateful that not a single one of you gave up; even in the critical moment, you helped each other and never complained.

She felt relieved about this.

Everyone had wounds; the bruises on each person took a long time to fade.

Yet they never blamed their companions, never said anyone was dragging them down; this was the original intention of her academy—they are a collective, they are the kind of people who entrust their backs to their companions.

Is this not the greatest meaning of her Chun Hua Xue Yuan?

"But do you know?"

"Because you are too weak, because you are too miserable, because you cannot support yourselves, it stirred their compassion."

"Have you ever wondered who destroyed those traps?"

"Have you ever wondered whether the path has been too smooth all along?"

"Have you ever even for a second doubted who helped you?"

At that moment, her gaze was sharp; looking at the children's expressions, she felt neither disappointment nor joy, only calm, without any ripple.

"It was them."

If it weren't for them, none of you would have completed today's mission; while you were secretly rejoicing, they would have to bear the punishment for defying orders.

They did it voluntarily; and you, can you do it with a clear conscience?

After she finished speaking, she looked at each child with their heads lowered in thought, and said no more.

"Your punishment has already been reported to His Majesty by this Princess Consort; go back and await the imperial verdict." Jiang Yunchu looked at those black-clothed people, feeling no other emotion; her words were meant for the children, unrelated to these dark guards.

They had their own choices; during the drills, she had already prepared herself to accept variables.

The variables of the dark guards were beyond her expectation, yet still within reason.

"Yes!"

The dark guards glanced at the Dark Guard Captain, each saying nothing, and directly withdrew from this area; their mission was over, and they had to return to accept the punishment for their choices.

"Dark Guard Captain, why did you help them?" a dark guard from another region, whose area was more remote, said that the children had bypassed that area, so he had never come into contact with them.

"Probably seeing them reminded me of the past." The Dark Guard Captain smiled and said nothing.

"If you haven't seen them, if you did, you would know that their bond is what we aspire to, yet cannot attain."

A dark guard spoke in a low voice, saying this person was responsible for Kang Nai Xin; from the start to the end of the descent, he had been nervous, fearing something might happen to her, yet hoping she could continue.

Kang Nai Xin's smooth descent was largely thanks to this person.

Some other dark guards spoke a little about their own areas, some about the people they followed; the dark guard who had not contacted the children realized this was not an order from the Dark Guard Captain, and could even be said to be a decision made by everyone together.

"So that's how it is." Regarding this punishment, he had no resistance; for the sake of these children, he was willing to accept it.

The Royal Dark Guard selects one in ten thousand; those who have reached this point have already eliminated countless people.

The brothers around them, those who walked together, have gradually disappeared, replaced by strangers; yet those children, in their own way, are pressing forward with effort.

"Dean, are we too weak?" At that moment, a voice suddenly asked.

Jiang Yunchu curled the corner of her mouth and looked toward Han Wen Jun.

"Do you feel weak?"

Facing this question, Han Wen Jun rarely furrowed his brow; after more than ten breaths, he suddenly lifted his head and said, "No, I am not weak."

His voice carried firmness.

This was the first time he so firmly told everyone that he, Han Wen Jun, was not weak, absolutely not a weakling.

Jiang Yunchu smiled, then pointed to Ning Hanmo, pointed to Kang Zhi Xia, and pointed to Kang Wen and Kang Wu.

"Do you know why they wouldn't ask that?"

Han Wen Jun shook his head and said nothing.

"Because they have always known they are strong, the strongest among their peers, they are progressing, they are striving, and their fighting goals have never been limited to just their peers."

"Their goal is to become generals on the battlefield, high officials in the court."

Jiang Yunchu smiled, the corners of her mouth slightly turning up, and said, "Compared to your peers, you are all too outstanding, you are all too formidable; whether it is your joint examination scores or your current physical strength and martial arts, you far surpass your peers."

"But..."

"More importantly, it is your mindset; that is your greatest wealth."

Without the previous sternness, Jiang Yunchu gave them full confidence and a sense of security.

"But..."

"Still not enough."

"Han Wen Jun, I ask you, why does Old General Han not allow you to leave the capital? Do you know?"

After hearing the question, Han Wen Jun's face grew somewhat gloomy, "I know."

"I am the sole heir of the Han Manor; if I were assassinated, the Han line would end."

"My father died on the battlefield, my Second Uncle died on the battlefield."

"They want the Han family to die out."

Jiang Yunchu nodded, "You are right."

The Han clan has slain too many enemy troops, making the foes fearful; they dare not gamble, nor even let Han family members go onto the battlefield, fearing that Da Ning would produce a second youthful general, fearing that Da Ning would advance irresistibly, and that at that time, wherever the Da Ning cavalry went, would all be Da Ning's territory.

"You should feel proud."

After she finished speaking, she looked toward Jia Chuan and said, "Think before you act; it may not be wrong."

In a unit, having all kinds of people is what makes it endure.

In the world, there is no absolute good, no absolute evil; likewise, there is no absolute right, no absolute wrong.

Always remember to adapt to local conditions; different situations call for different approaches.

When you reach a dead end, consider what your brother would do if he were here.

Her words left everyone in contemplation.

Her voice wasn't loud, but the thatched hut couldn't block the spread of sound; a few girls inside the house listened to the outside noise, they couldn't see the Dean's expression, yet their hearts were still shaken.

"Your Dean is a person of great talent; to receive her guidance is your fortune." Ningguang said softly.

Before, she didn't understand how Jiang Yunchu's nature could allow her to survive.

Now she understood; that girl had merely been hiding until now, and it was time to show her talent.

While the night was still not deep, there were over twenty carriages in the procession, just moving along in that line.

Jiang Yunchu leaned to one side; the kerosene lamp on the carriage had already been lit by Bai Zhi, and both Ningguang and Jiang Yunchu each held a book in their hands.