The Useless Second Young Master

The Useless Second Young Master...

With the dust of the recent turmoil settling, Chu Wuwei wasted no time in addressing the lingering aftermath, prioritizing the revival of the Emperor Star Academy.

In a surprising turn of events, the ultimate victor in the battle for royal authority was none other than Chu Wuwei, considered the weakest contender among the power-hungry factions. This unexpected triumph highlighted Chu Wuwei's remarkable capabilities, filling the hearts of the citizens of Chu with a profound sense of satisfaction.

At the Emperor Star Academy, Qin Wentian gazed upon the structures rising from the ground like phoenixes from their ashes. The academy had initiated its student recruitment process once more, and the returning alumni began to infuse it with the glorious spirit of days gone by.

"I honestly thought I'd never witness this day again in my lifetime. It's come so much faster than I ever imagined," Ren Qianxing remarked, standing beside Qin Wentian. Hints of happiness danced in his eyes, reflecting his immense joy at the Emperor Star Academy's renaissance.

Qin Wentian shared the sentiment. "The Emperor Star Academy will rise once more, just as it was in our heyday, reclaiming its status as Chu's preeminent institution."

He couldn't help but smile as he observed the prospective new students, their youthful faces reminiscent of his own bygone days.

"I've never doubted Chu Wuwei. He's fundamentally different from Chu Tianjiao, and under his leadership, Chu is poised for a brighter future," Ren Qianxing murmured in a low voice, his thoughts drifting to his adopted father, Diyi, the Headmaster of the Emperor Star Academy.

"I'm sure nothing has befallen the Headmaster. One day, I will lead an assault on the Nine Mystical Palace," Qin Wentian declared with a steely resolve. He knew that, without the backing of the Ouyang Clan and the Greencloud Pavilion, he was still not formidable enough to thwart the Nine Mystical Palace's sinister schemes.

Ren Qianxing nodded with confidence. Qin Wentian's extraordinary talent was matched only by his unwavering character. Despite his earlier misjudgment regarding Luo Tianya, Ren Qianxing had no doubts this time.

"We'll see it through together," Ren Qianxing affirmed, his faith in Qin Wentian unshakable.

"Wentian." A voice called from behind, and Mustang, Luo Huan, and Fan Le arrived.

"Teacher, Sister Luo Huan," Qin Wentian greeted them with a smile.

Mustang's gaze turned serious as he asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

"I'm planning to embark on a journey through the vast Grand Xia Empire," Qin Wentian replied. He had a thirst for adventure and wanted to gain experience from the world.

Luo Huan couldn't resist a teasing smile. "Do you want to bring me along, your dear sister Luo Huan?"

Qin Wentian grinned. "Why not? Having a great beauty like Senior Sister with me on my journey would be a dream come true."

Luo Huan rolled her eyes playfully. "You're getting better and better at sweet-talking. But jokes aside, even if I joined you, I'd probably just slow you down. I plan to stay here for a while and then leave later."

"Alright. And what about you, Fatty?" Qin Wentian turned to Fan Le.

Fan Le squinted his eyes and sighed somewhat dejectedly. "Well, initially, I did want to explore the world with you. But let's be real, the gap in our talents is like the heavens and the earth. Forget it, I think I'll stick with our beautiful Senior Sister."

Qin Wentian stared at the "serious" expression on Fan Le's face, rendered momentarily speechless. If Fan Le wanted to be surrounded by beautiful girls, he could at least come up with a more believable excuse, right?

Luo Huan couldn't help but laugh. "Did I say you're welcome to stick with me?" Her laughter left Fan Le looking crestfallen.

"Forget it, I can only endure and follow him," Fan Le mumbled, glancing at Qin Wentian with a helpless sigh. Qin Wentian didn't know whether to laugh or shake his head at Fatty's antics.

In reality, Fan Le's talent wasn't shabby at all. Following the events where Qin Wentian saved Mustang and Luo Huan from captivity, he realized that Fan Le had already broken through to the Yuanfu realm. Luo Huan playfully teased Fan Le, asking if his breakthrough was all thanks to her. Fan Le, with his usual silver tongue, honestly replied that he dreamt of saving Luo Huan, leading to his "accidental" breakthrough.

Fan Le had been Qin Wentian's first friend upon arriving in the Royal Capital. They would undoubtedly risk their lives for each other. Qin Wentian naturally hoped that Fan Le would accompany him on his adventures. Aside from being a bit lecherous and incredibly shameless, Fan Le had no other flaws.

At that moment, a silhouette approached. A slender woman with a beautiful countenance and a dignified demeanor appeared; it was none other than Qian Mengyu.

Qian Mengyu smiled at Qin Wentian, extending an invitation to him.

Qin Wentian felt a deep sense of gratitude for the unwavering support he had received from the Greencloud Pavilion during these challenging times. The unpleasant memories of the past, particularly those from the refinement grounds, had faded into obscurity. However, he harbored no immediate desire to align himself with any of the transcendent powers, making it impossible for him to accept Qian Mengyu's invitation.

"For now, I want to journey independently, exploring the vast expanse of the Grand Xia Empire and experiencing the world beyond. I'll decide later which transcendent power to join," Qin Wentian explained, a warm smile gracing his face.

Qian Mengyu responded with a hearty laugh. "Fair enough. When the time comes for you to consider joining a transcendent power, remember to think about my Greencloud Pavilion, alright? After all, I'm the first to extend such an invitation." Her tone and demeanor no longer carried even a hint of superiority. She regarded Qin Wentian as an equal.

"I promise I'll keep it in mind," Qin Wentian affirmed with a chuckle.

"In that case, I bid you farewell for now. Let's hope we meet again in the future," Qian Mengyu said, her smile radiating warmth as she prepared to depart.

"Absolutely, don't forget me, the wandering cultivator, when the time comes," Qin Wentian teased, his laughter filling the air.

Qian Mengyu left, and as Qin Wentian watched her receding figure, Fan Le couldn't help but lament, "Why is it always you who has such incredible luck with women?"

Fan Le shook his head despondently and retreated, as though he had suffered some psychological trauma, leaving Qin Wentian utterly speechless.

After some time, Ouyang Kuangsheng also bid his farewell. His initial reason for coming to Chu was to find Qin Wentian, and now that the matter in the Dark Forest was nearing its conclusion, it was time for him to depart. However, he was convinced that fate would eventually reunite him with Qin Wentian in the future.

..........

Meanwhile, at the Mo Clan's residence, Mo Qingcheng had been closely monitoring the news from the Royal Capital. Her heart finally settled when she learned of the recent events.

She felt immense happiness for Qin Wentian. Hearing of his effortless victory over Luo Qianqiu, a second-level Yuanfu cultivator, and his dominant suppression of Chu Tianjiao filled her with anticipation for his future achievements.

While Mo Qingcheng was preoccupied with her thoughts about Qin Wentian's journey, the elderly Mo was more concerned about when she would leave to join the Pill Emperor Hall. He had little interest in the affairs of Chu and its small country. He had witnessed countless wonders during his travels, and in his eyes, Qin Wentian's victories were achieved with the help of others. He wondered what Qin Wentian could truly accomplish on his own.

Old Mo sat in a pavilion, his face contorted in frustration. Earlier, Bai Fei had delivered a troubling message – if Mo Qingcheng continued to delay her decision and refused to return with them, she would report this to her teacher.

"Old Mo, don't fret too much. I believe Qingcheng is waiting for Qin Wentian to leave Chu before she can bear to depart. Why not give her a few more days?" Hua Xiaoyun, seated across from Old Mo, offered a comforting perspective.

Old Mo, however, found his anger growing. "That girl is utterly outrageous. Why is she so fixated on Qin Wentian?"

Hua Xiaoyun attempted to console him. "Qingcheng is still young, and she hasn't had many opportunities to interact with people. Her outlook may change after experiencing life in the Grand Xia Empire."

"Perhaps," Old Mo sighed. "Xiaoyun, spend more time with Qingcheng. Despite her stubbornness, she has a good heart. Don't let past conflicts weigh on you."

Hua Xiaoyun agreed with a nod. "Of course, I'll make an effort to get to know her better."

"Very well, then," Old Mo responded, seemingly reassured.

Hua Xiaoyun excused himself, but a sinister gleam in his eyes went unnoticed by Old Mo. He had received news that the situation in the Dark Forest was nearing its conclusion, signaling Luo He's impending departure with her disciples. This was the perfect opportunity for him to make his move.

Mo Qingcheng's attitude towards him had always been frosty, and she had even snapped at him. Hua Xiaoyun couldn't stomach her arrogance, especially when he believed he had played a pivotal role in her current position. It was time to put her in her place.

Mo Qingcheng's courtyard was nestled in a tranquil corner of the Mo Residence. When she spotted Hua Xiaoyun approaching, she couldn't hide her disdain. "What are you doing here?"

Hua Xiaoyun's grin widened in response to her icy tone. "Miss Mo, despite your feelings towards me, I'm the one who recommended you to join the Pill Emperor Hall. As an esteemed guest of your Mo Clan, isn't it appropriate to show some civility?"

Mo Qingcheng's frown deepened as he approached. Suddenly, he was right in front of her, and a strange grayish smoke enveloped her, catching her off guard. She involuntarily inhaled the noxious fumes, her strength rapidly diminishing, and her body going numb.

Panicking, Mo Qingcheng managed to whisper, "What are you trying to do?"

Hua Xiaoyun's expression turned sinister as he stared at her with an unsettling desire. "You're exquisite, my dear. What do you think I want to do?"

Mo Qingcheng's voice grew weaker as she took tentative steps backward, struggling to remain upright. Her face turned pale. With her voice barely audible, she repeated, "What are you trying to do?"

Mo Qingcheng's realization that her voice was fading away alarmed her, but she was too weak to resist.

Hua Xiaoyun's wicked smirk only intensified. "You're so beautiful, darling. Do you really need to ask?"

"Dare you?" Mo Qingcheng managed to utter, each word requiring tremendous effort.

"Dare I? Why wouldn't I dare? What's my status, Mo Qingcheng? Even if I make you mine, your Mo Clan would protect your reputation. If they objected, what could they do to me? And as for the Pill Emperor Hall, even if they were angered, they wouldn't dare harm me. I have nothing to lose, but I'll have gained your purity," Hua Xiaoyun sneered. "You act pure and virtuous, but I wonder how long that act will last when you're beneath me. Perhaps afterward, you'll become a devoted servant to me, unable to resist my desires."

Hua Xiaoyun's face twisted with grotesque desire, and he had fully shed his gentlemanly facade.

"You're stunning, my dear. How could I not be tempted?" he continued to taunt, his eyes fixed on Mo Qingcheng's trembling form.

Mo Qingcheng, her voice barely audible, managed to produce a dagger. She gazed at Hua Xiaoyun with eyes brimming with rage.

"Intend to kill me? Do you have the strength?" Hua Xiaoyun mocked.

"Father, Mother, Wentian, I'm sorry." A tear trickled from Mo Qingcheng's eye as she drove the dagger into her own heart. Despite her weakness, the divine weapon sliced through her flesh effortlessly, staining her pristine robes red. Tears welled in her eyes as witnesses felt their hearts ache.

She had never imagined that Hua Xiaoyun would be so despicable. If that was the case, she had no choice but to choose death to protect her virtue.

"ARE YOU INSANE?" Hua Xiaoyun screamed, his face contorted with horror. Even he was shocked by Mo Qingcheng's unwavering determination. She would rather die than be defiled by him. This woman was mad!