Han Shu's words were resolute. Mo Qingkuang could imagine the pain caused by the collision of the two opposing forces within him for the past twenty years.
But Han Shu had not succumbed. He continued to seek every opportunity to live positively.
He was a prodigy meant to dominate his peers and rule the world, yet he struggled to survive.
His demeanor was always gentle and kind, enduring pain wherever he went, always facing the world with a smile.
"I am living for my brother. What right do I have to die?"
Perhaps this was the obsession in Han Shu's heart.
Zheng Tao was moved, Hua Ge was moved, Fu Qing was moved, and even the usually cold Chen Kong showed a slight change, with a hint of gentleness in his indifferent eyes.
Even though they already knew the truth, the four of them were deeply touched by Han Shu's story.
He just wants to live! Is that wrong?
"I agree." After a long while, Zheng Tao sighed, agreeing to the exchange student plan.
"I agree."
"I agree." Hua Ge and Fu Qing also agreed.
Chen Kong pursed his lips. "I will accompany Senior Brother Han."
Han Shu's eyes reddened. Zheng Tao and the other three were as close as brothers. Among the second-generation disciples, Han Shu was actually the first to join, slightly older than Chen Kong.
But because Han Shu couldn't cultivate, he always called Chen Kong 'Senior Brother Chen,' addressing himself as a junior.
Chen Kong was not talkative and had never agreed or refused, but he had never called him 'Senior Brother Han' either. They seemed to have little interaction, one focused on scholarly pursuits, the other on martial arts.
This was the first time Chen Kong called him 'Senior Brother Han.' The Blue Flame Empire was full of danger and hidden threats. Chen Kong's willingness to accompany him was like saying he was willing to face death together. How could Han Shu not be moved?
"Yes, Han Shu, I will personally lead the team, with your junior brother Chen Kong accompanying you!" Fu Qing stroked his beard, giving Chen Kong an approving look.
This disciple, though not very talkative, was sincere in his actions, and Fu Qing was very pleased.
"Thank you, Principal Fu! Thank you, Junior Brother Chen!" Han Shu bowed deeply to both of them.
Fu Qing smiled and waved his hand. "We're family; there's no need for formalities."
"Old Zheng, old Hua, let's finalize this! Now, let's discuss the list of ten exchange students."
Zheng Tao and Hua Ge nodded. Fu Qing's arrangement was correct. The Imperial Academy needed a genius to lead the team. Although Chen Kong wasn't the strongest in Imperial Academy, he was second only to Han Kongming.
Han Kongming, being slightly older and stronger, needed to stay in Imperial Academy to hold down the fort and ensure the students from the Blue Flame Empire didn't look down on them.
So, Chen Kong was the best choice to lead the team.
As for Fu Qing personally leading, it spoke to Tianxuan's scarcity of strong figures. The Empress was a Martial Emperor but couldn't be easily moved, and Fu Qing was the only other choice.
The three of them began discussing the list of exchange students.
"Li Sheng from the Martial Arts Academy, second place in the previous ranking, decent talent, already an eighth-rank Martial Master. Include him."
"Liu Kong from the Martial Arts Academy, first-rank Grandmaster, though older, has a stable temperament and potential. Include him."
***
"Gu Hongyi, her father gave me a jar of good wine a few days ago. Let's include her," Hua Ge suddenly suggested when it came to the last spot.
Fu Qing and Zheng Tao were both exasperated, shouting at Hua Ge, "This is not the time to repay favors!"
Hua Ge shrank back, clutching the wine gourd to his chest and weakly said, "The girl isn't bad either. She's already a third-rank martial master!"
"Gu Hongyi is indeed good, but she's a freshman this year. Her strength is limited and won't be of much help in the short term," Zheng Tao said irritably.
The candidates they selected were not from the current batch of martial arts students, not because the current batch wasn't strong, but because they were too young.
Training older students would allow them to be of use sooner, and what Tianxuan Empire lacked most now was time.
Hua Ge scratched his head, "So, should we forget it?"
"What do you mean forget it? I think Song Xuan is good. Let's give the tenth spot to him," Zheng Tao glared at him.
"Alright, then..." Fu Qing was about to finalize the decision when a weak voice interrupted.
"Um... I want to go too." Mo Qingkuang raised his hand, looking very aggrieved.
These three old men had been discussing for so long, from the first candidate to the tenth, even thinking of Gu Hongyi, but why hadn't they thought of him?
Mo Qingkuang felt very aggrieved and speechless.
His strong support for the exchange student plan was not for the future development of Tianxuan, nor was it initially for Han Shu's illness.
He wanted to go himself!
Now, the three seniors had accepted his suggestion, but after discussing for so long, they didn't include him. How could he sit still?
Hearing Mo Qingkuang's words, Zheng Tao's face changed, "Why do you want to go? Stay in the inner courtyard and behave!"
On this point, the three elders were surprisingly unanimous: "Yes! Behave yourself."
"Why?" Mo Qingkuang was very helpless.
"Do you know that the information Wang Hua sent over indicates that you are the primary target! In the Blue Flame Empire, you are Tianxuan's biggest potential threat! Are you going to die?" Zheng Tao glared at him and scolded.
"Yes, your brother Han Shu is already difficult enough to protect. Don't cause more trouble. You stay in the inner courtyard and help Han Kongming deal with the exchange students from the Blue Flame Empire," Hua Ge added seriously.
"Yes, Junior Brother Mo, the teachers are doing this for your own good. This isn't a game! Even if the prominent figures don't make a move, their senior students at the Royal Academy have stronger individuals than you. They won't show you any mercy on the stage! You are ranked second on the Young Qilin Ranking!" Han Shu also tried to persuade.
Wait a minute! Mo Qingkuang suddenly caught the key point, "What did you say? I'm second on the Young Qilin Ranking? Who's first?"
Chen Kong was already over twenty and no longer qualified for the Young Qilin Ranking. Mo Qingkuang naturally thought he would take the top spot, but according to Han Shu, someone else held the first place?
Han Shu took out a booklet from his pocket and handed it to Mo Qingkuang, "Here, see for yourself."
This was the latest issue of the Young Qilin Ranking published by the Dazhi Gate. Mo Qingkuang opened it and his pupils contracted sharply, his face darkening instantly.
He lowered his head, gripping the booklet tightly, his knuckles turning white, and asked through gritted teeth, "Do you all think I can't protect myself?"
The others were silent, seemingly agreeing with this assessment.
Mo Qingkuang had great talent, but his speed was only advantageous against martial artists who lacked long-range attack capabilities.
At the grandmaster level, where everyone could project their true qi, Mo Qingkuang's advantage was not as pronounced.
Seeing their silence, Mo Qingkuang's face grew colder as he walked step by step to Chen Kong, "Senior Brother Chen, please teach me."