Chapter 95

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Chapter 95: A Counterattack

From start to finish, the Mansion Master remained silent. The sight of Xu Zhou being thrown off the Cloud Boat elicited no surprise from the onlookers. On the contrary, they seemed almost pleased; someone like Xu Zhou had never been well-liked.

With Xu Zhou gone, the candidates assumed Yi Qianmo’s alignment with the Mansion Master faction was all but guaranteed.

Minister Professor Yu approached Yi Qianmo, his tone self-assured.

“Are you satisfied, Young Master Su?”

“Very satisfied,” Yi Qianmo replied with a nod before dropping a bombshell.

“But I’ve decided to pursue the path of cultivation.”

The room fell into stunned silence. Whispers broke out as those present questioned if they had misheard. Even Minister Professor Yu, usually composed, faltered.

“What did you just say?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“I said, I’m cultivating,” Yi Qianmo repeated, louder this time.

The hall erupted into chaos. The disbelief was palpable—Yi Qianmo had just turned down a golden opportunity to join the Mansion Master faction.

Su Muyu and Su Yucheng exchanged bewildered glances, both caught off guard by this unexpected twist. Even the Mansion Master, seated regally at the head of the room, opened his eyes and cast a scrutinizing gaze upon Yi Qianmo.

But Yi Qianmo stood firm, unfazed by the mounting tension. He hadn’t joined this exam to cater to others’ expectations. His purpose was clear—to bring honor to Su Muyu, regardless of the consequences.

The Mansion Master observed him briefly, then closed his eyes again, unwilling to intervene.

Minister Professor Yu, however, was not as composed. His face reddened with anger as he sputtered, “Didn’t you just say you’d join us if I agreed to your terms?”

Yi Qianmo met his glare calmly. “Did you mishear me? I said I wouldn’t train alongside Xu Zhou. I never agreed to join your faction.”

“You insolent fool!” Minister Professor Yu bellowed, drawing his sword. “Do you think you’re untouchable? Do you think I wouldn’t dare strike you down?”

Yi Qianmo remained steadfast, his hand resting on his own sword. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Minister Professor Yu’s laugh was filled with venom. “I wouldn’t dare? Let me show you!”

Spiritual energy surged as Minister Professor Yu advanced, intent on seizing Yi Qianmo and hurling him from the Cloud Boat. The tension in the room was suffocating.

The candidates watched in stunned silence, unable—or unwilling—to intervene. Even Su Yucheng, who might have had a reason to step in, remained rooted in place. Protecting someone who openly defied the Mansion Master faction seemed like a fool’s errand.

As Minister Professor Yu’s spiritual power enveloped Yi Qianmo, something extraordinary happened. The power dispersed abruptly as Yi Qianmo released his grip on his sword and ended his Disguise Skill.

His previously unremarkable face began to shift, revealing a fair, strikingly handsome appearance beneath.

Minister Professor Yu stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening in recognition. His expression twisted in fury, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

“Disguise Skill!”

The crowd was stunned. While most were confused by Minister Professor Yu’s reaction, Su Yucheng immediately recognized the unveiled face.

“You scoundrel!” Su Yucheng roared. “How dare you show your face here? Guards! Seize him!”

Black Armored Guards rushed forward, their weapons drawn. The candidates were even more puzzled now. Why did Minister Professor Yu and the Crown Prince seem so enraged by this young man’s identity?

Their confusion deepened as the Mansion Master, who had shown little interest thus far, suddenly turned his attention to Yi Qianmo.

“Stop!”

The sharp command came from Su Muyu. Her voice froze the guards in their tracks.

Su Yucheng turned to her, his face contorted with frustration. “Aunt! This thief—he’s the reason for my failure! He’s responsible for my disgrace! We cannot allow him into Tianyuan Academy!”

Su Muyu, however, paid him no mind. Her gaze remained fixed on Yi Qianmo, her tone softening. “I thought you weren’t coming,” she said.

The hall fell silent.

The candidates, already struggling to process the unfolding events, now found themselves grappling with this strange exchange.

Who was Yi Qianmo?

Why had Minister Professor Yu been so enraged by his presence? Why was the Grand Princess, known for her poise and beauty, addressing him so tenderly?

As murmurs spread through the room, Su Yucheng broke the silence again.

“Aunt, we cannot keep him here!” he said desperately.

Su Muyu turned to him, her expression icy. “Listen carefully,” she said, her voice ringing with authority. “His name is Yi Qianmo. He comes from Green Cloud City, and he is my future husband.”

The declaration sent shockwaves through the hall.

“So… this is the son-in-law who lived with them for thirteen years before being dismissed,” someone whispered.

“No wonder the Grand Princess is acting this way. But wasn’t he only able to marry into the royal family because of the Tang family?”

“Perhaps, but his strength is undeniable. First place in the major exam? That’s no coincidence.”

The room buzzed with speculation.

Su Muyu ignored the chatter, focusing solely on Yi Qianmo. Her sharp mind pieced together the truth.

Though she had prepared for many scenarios, she had never imagined Yi Qianmo would disguise himself to take the exam. Just a month ago, he had been at the third level of the Qi Refining Stage. How had he advanced so rapidly to the sixth?

Yi Qianmo turned to Su Yucheng, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Are you still planning to tear me apart, Your Highness?”

Su Yucheng’s face burned with humiliation. After a moment of hesitation, he forced a smile and said, “Those were just angry words. Had I known you were my future brother-in-law, I would have treated you with utmost respect.”