Bitter Realm: Have the Four Realms been united today?

Chapter 19 The Plan: Taking on Apprentices

Mu Yunzhishu sensed the misunderstanding in his words and was momentarily taken aback. He gently shook his head, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said in a relaxed tone:

"So you're just going to leave like this?"

"The Soul Emperor is your savior!"

"Such a great favor, do you intend to 'not repay the debt'?"

Xuanming panicked immediately: "No, that's not it!"

"I absolutely did not mean that!"

"I just... I'm just afraid of causing you any more trouble."

"I don't know how I can help you, I..."

He became increasingly incoherent as he spoke, almost rambling incoherently.

Seeing that he was serious, Mu Yunzhi sighed and gently interrupted him:

"I misspoke; it was just a joke, please don't take it seriously."

His expression became even more serious as he continued to explain:

"Soul Emperor's injuries have not yet healed. Even if you want to leave now, Huan Chen Bu Wu will not let you go at this time. I have no intention of forcing you to leave."

"As for the so-called 'trouble'..." he smiled faintly.

"With hundreds of thousands of warriors in Huanchen, one more person is nothing. You can stay here without worry."

Xuanming relaxed slightly and said in a low voice, "I didn't realize you were joking... I should be the one apologizing."

"Thank you for letting me stay, Secretary."

Upon hearing Xuanming's words, Muyun Zhishu felt an immense headache coming on.

This familiar feeling...

This reminded him of the scene yesterday when Xuanming had just woken up and was talking to everyone in a completely different way.

Yesterday, Ling Shuangjie was enraged by this young man, and today he got to experience what Ling Shuangjie felt like.

He simply wanted to ask where the boy had lived before.

The result was that he kept explaining the inexplicable misunderstandings.

Mu Yunzhi completely abandoned her previous idea and stood up, saying:

"I still have some matters to attend to; the cultivation manuals will be sent over later."

"If you have any questions, you may come to the council chamber to find me."

Mu Yunzhishu withdrew from Xuanming's side room, and with a flick of her finger, the door closed silently, restoring the silence to the blue-clad youth.

He stood under the eaves, rubbing his temples, as if trying to dispel the awkwardness from the previous misunderstanding.

After a moment, he shook his head slightly, turned around, and strode quickly toward the council chamber.

He should have reported directly to his master, but the soldier had said that Xuanming had been waiting for an hour, and he was afraid that the young man might have something extremely urgent, so he turned back to the side room halfway.

Half an hour later, Mu Yunzhi strode into the council hall with a brisk pace.

However, the hall was empty, with only a few lamps burning silently, casting a solemn and desolate light on the vast hall.

"If he's not in the hall, he must be in the study." Mu Yunzhi knew Mu Yunzhi's habit of reading secrets like the back of his hand.

He turned into the corridor to one side, walked to the outside of the study, straightened his slightly wrinkled clothes, and raised his hand to knock on the door.

"Come in." A calm but slightly lower-than-usual voice came from inside the door.

Mu Yunzhishu responded and pushed open the door to enter.

Inside the study, Yue Tianji sat upright behind his desk, reviewing a letter of criticism.

His expression was normal, except that his face seemed a few shades paler than usual, but his aura was calm and there was no sign of anything amiss.

"Sir." Mu Yunzhi bowed respectfully and then promptly reported:

"General Ren and the Left Vanguard have led the main force to Dangyan Blood Sea as scheduled at noon."

"The Right Vanguard and General Du Miao each led four thousand men to sweep away the remnants of the Battle Hall and the Demon Cave. Everything is progressing smoothly as you predicted."

"Hmm." Yue Tianji did not look up, his pen gliding smoothly across the paper on the table.

"Has something gone wrong in the military?"

He knew his student's abilities all too well.

If not for some other matter, Mu Yunzhi should have come to report back half an hour ago.

"It's Xuanming looking for students," Muyun Zhishu replied truthfully.

"The student moved to a side room midway through the course. He... wanted to cultivate and borrowed cultivation manuals from the student."

"The student did not dare to act on his own authority, but only gave him a few basic books that are widely circulated in the world."

Upon hearing this, Yue Tianji put down his brush, stood up, walked around the desk, and handed over a newly written edict.

"Order that the three armies set off at midnight and follow the Soul Emperor's army northward."

"This time, you will assist the Soul Emperor and advise him on military affairs."

Mu Yunzhi looked up abruptly, but did not take the imperial edict. Her face was full of surprise, but a trace of worry quickly flashed in her eyes.

"Is the gentleman not accompanying you?"

"What happened?"

Heading north was a predetermined plan; in the past, whenever the Soul Emperor personally led an expedition, the Heavenly Insights would always accompany him.

This sudden change made him nervous, fearing that Yue Tianji might be unwell or that the situation might have changed.

"I must remain in the Blood Sea of ​​Dangyan for now; I will not be traveling with the Soul Emperor this time..."

Yue Tianji, his tone unchanged, began to elaborate on the subsequent plans for the north.

Mu Yunzhishu was increasingly alarmed as she listened, her expression changing several times before finally turning into deep admiration for her teacher's courage and decisiveness.

Immediately, a burning fighting spirit, eager to challenge him, quietly flashed across his eyes.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his surging emotions, and bowed solemnly.

"The student understands."

"Please rest assured, sir, I will do everything in my power to assist the Soul Emperor and clear away all obstacles in his path!"

He took the token with both hands, turned to leave, but then hesitated, saying:

"Sir, since this plan involves Xuanming, what... should be done with him?"

"When Xuanming was mentioned, a subtle, complex, and profound light flashed in Yue Tianji's eyes."

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Starting tomorrow, let him stay by my side."

Mu Yunzhi was suddenly startled, and the imperial edict in her hand almost slipped from her grasp.

He suddenly looked up at Yue Tianji, his face full of disbelief, almost wondering if he had misheard.

"Sir...do you wish to take him on as a student?"

Having someone follow you around and give you personal instructions—isn't that a clear indication that you want to teach them yourself?

"Sir, please forgive my bluntness!" Mu Yunzhishu could no longer suppress the surging confusion in his heart.

"Xuanming's power is not strong except for being difficult to detect. Even if he can use it freely, he is no match for the Soul Emperor."

"Sir, isn't your emphasis on this... a bit of an overestimation?"

Yue Tianji shook his head slightly: "Compared to external forces, what it can do on its own is more worth my effort."

"The Soul Emperor has never lacked fierce generals charging into battle, however..."

His gaze fell on the token in Mu Yunzhi's hand, the unspoken meaning of which was obvious.

Mu Yunzhi frowned, his tone urgent, even carrying a hint of resistance that he himself was unaware of:

"teacher!"

"Xuanming's origins are unclear, his behavior is erratic, and he lacks social skills; he even appears awkward and uneasy when engaging in normal conversation!"

"The way of a strategist requires insight into people's hearts and the ability to maneuver skillfully. How can someone who cannot even hide his own fear succeed?"

"Besides..."

Yue Tianji slightly raised his hand, stopping him from saying anything more, his tone remaining calm.

"You underestimate him, Zhishu."