Chapter 36: The So-Called Human Nature

Lin Xi limped alongside Bian Linghan through the rainbow-colored Medicine Valley, heading toward the old bamboo building at the end of the terraced fields.

Although new subjects were introduced daily, the special training related to Windwalkers continued without pause.

On the other side of the mountain slope, the newly cleared terraces by the Medicine Department had also been completed, and a variety of seedlings had already been transplanted into them.

If there had been a sea nearby, the scenery of this rainbow valley wouldn't have fallen short of what you might find in a picture book of Provence.

"You two are ten breaths slower than usual."

The one-eyed, black-robed instructor waiting in the forest behind the old bamboo building voiced his dissatisfaction. Then, turning to see Lin Xi limping with a furrowed brow, a cold glint flickered in his solitary eye. "What happened?"

"I got beaten by Instructor Xu. He made me demonstrate how martial techniques are just quicker, stronger ways to kill. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't even touch the hem of his robe," Lin Xi said with a bitter smile. Especially that final strike with Xu Shengmo's willow switch across his ankle—it had been vicious. Even now, every step reignited that searing pain.

"Even if you were at the level of a Grand Soul Master, you might not be able to touch even a thread of his robe—let alone now," the black-robed instructor said with a frosty expression, eyes boring into Lin Xi. "But why is it that despite being beaten like this, I don't see any resentment in your eyes? Are you really so gentle-natured that you don't even have a shred of bloodthirst?"

"I don't quite understand what you mean, Teacher," Lin Xi replied curiously. "The stricter a teacher is, the more a student stands to gain, right?"

The black-robed instructor looked at Lin Xi and Bian Linghan—still green and slender like bamboo—and gave a cold chuckle. "I can't tell if you're just comforting yourself or if you're really that naïve. Don't tell me you actually think Instructor Xu singled you out because of your status as a Chosen or because you're accompanying Bian Linghan in this special course—trying to temper you on purpose?"

"Why not?" Lin Xi blinked. "That's exactly what I thought."

The instructor shot him a glance and said, "Xu Shengmo and I don't see eye to eye. Not even a little bit."

Lin Xi hesitated, then awkwardly asked, "Wait… Are you saying the academy tolerates personal grudges?"

The instructor sneered. "Wherever there are people, there will be conflict. Just like how you're all naturally divided into Frontier Folk, Golden Spoons, and Country Bumps. Haven't clear social lines already formed among you new students of the Warfare Department based on background and personality? And if even freshmen form factions, what do you think happens across the whole department—or in all of Qingluan Academy?"

Lin Xi's frown deepened.

The instructor's point was easy to grasp. Over these past few days, factions had naturally formed among the new students of the Warfare Department. The ones who got along with him best were Li Kaiyun, Tang Ke, Hua Jiyue, and Bian Linghan. But this was Qingluan Academy—a supposed sanctuary of honor and dreams. He had assumed that every teacher here would be above petty politics. Both Mu Qing and this outwardly fierce one-eyed instructor had left him with good impressions. Yet, if Xu Shengmo was targeting him solely because he had been chosen by this black-robed teacher, Lin Xi's opinion of Xu would inevitably plummet.

"Teacher Tong, why exactly do you and he not get along? What caused the rift?" After a moment's hesitation, Lin Xi asked seriously.

The instructor picked up a black bow, slung a quiver of feathered arrows over his back, and began firing continuously at the targets hidden in the forest. Every arrow struck the bullseye with graceful, rhythmic precision, naturally imprinting a vivid image into Lin Xi and Bian Linghan's minds. The lesson had begun. But he didn't conceal anything, either. While shooting arrow after arrow, he calmly explained: "He and I come from different backgrounds. I'm a Frontier Folk; he's a Golden Spoon. His aptitude and cultivation have always been higher than mine. Yet, I earned two of the same honorary badges as him—one even earlier than he did. But the true root of our conflict is our fundamentally opposing views. I, along with Professor Qin and Vice Dean Xia, firmly opposed one of his proposals. That's the real reason why some lecturers and professors in the academy are so divided. Most of those who disagree with us aren't so petty—but he is."

Lin Xi closely observed every nuance of the instructor's archery—how he lightly tapped the arrow's fletching with three fingers just before release. At the same time, he frowned and asked, "What kind of proposal could create such irreconcilable differences?"

"He wants to use live humans for teaching," the instructor replied coldly. "He advocates students facing real enemies, assassinating prisoners and captured foes. He believes that the most authentic form of killing best enhances one's ability."

Lin Xi and Bian Linghan were both stunned and looked at each other.

"Well… that proposal isn't entirely without merit," Lin Xi said after a deep breath. "Especially for the Warfare Department. Since most of us will eventually face brutal battles, wouldn't such methods train more lethal students? Why are you against it?"

"Our reason is simple. If it's on the battlefield and we kill an enemy in combat, that's one thing. But killing a prisoner in class—that has no honor. It's just too cruel." The instructor's voice chilled. "Xu and his lot think we're too soft, but we believe this is what defines human nature. Even our Headmaster once opposed it."

He looked straight at them. "The Headmaster once said, 'Even weapons forged in Qingluan Academy must carry humanity within. They must understand that they are not born to kill for killing's sake.'"

"You're trying to change the world by instilling your principles into students?" Lin Xi's mind briefly flashed to that unseen middle-aged uncle again. He smiled bitterly. "Sounds like Xu has plenty of supporters, though… Why tell us all this? Aren't you worried we'll think you're trying to recruit us?"

The instructor gave a scornful laugh—this time fully visible on his face. "I just want you to understand—whether it's the lecturers of Qingluan Academy or the high officials of the Yunqin Empire, all are flesh-and-blood humans with their own desires and perspectives. There are factions within the academy and the empire alike—formed from differences in power and belief. I don't care which side you join in the future. I only hope the students I personally teach always retain their humanity—and learn to look at everyone with cautious, skeptical eyes. That alone might help a Windwalker live a little longer."

Lin Xi and Bian Linghan both caught the sincerity in the instructor's tone. In the quiet woods, the two respectfully bowed. "We have learned much, Teacher."

The black-robed instructor said nothing further. Lin Xi and Bian Linghan naturally picked up a pair of black longbows.

"Oh, right," Lin Xi suddenly thought of something and smiled. "Could it be that Instructor Xu has such a grudge against you that he even despises bows and arrows? In today's martial class, he said all weapons should be viewed as simple extensions of the body—like your own limbs. Except arrows, which he called 'stupid things' that can't be controlled once released."

The instructor curled his lip in disdain, too proud to comment.

Grinning, Lin Xi continued, "Teacher, is it true that Qingluan Academy doesn't teach any formal techniques? That we only rely on real fights to hone the simplest methods of dodging and attacking?"

"That's only his opinion," the instructor scoffed. "Saying that now—but just watch, next lesson he'll start teaching you the 'Qingluan Twenty-Four Forms' body technique. Those twenty-four movements include many combat maneuvers. And once you begin using weapons, the fastest ways to strike, the deadliest angles to stab—all that is technique."

"Alright, last question," Lin Xi said, now fully attuned to the instructor's temperament. He looked at him seriously. "If you and Instructor Xu fought to the death, who would win?"

"If it were a sudden duel within Qingluan Academy, he'd be more likely to kill me. But outside… if I wanted to kill him, he'd be the one more likely to die." The instructor furrowed his brows, gave Lin Xi a deep look, and answered slowly.

Lin Xi smiled faintly and said nothing more. He focused entirely on practicing his draw, nock, and aim.

But this time, the black-robed instructor coldly added, "From now on, you may release your arrows."

"We can actually shoot now?" Lin Xi said, pleasantly surprised and a little proud. "Looks like I've made good progress with archery."

"To achieve the most precise strike, it's not just about your posture. What's most important is controlling the string's vibration and how it affects the arrow's release—and sensing how the wind alters its flight." The instructor remained calm. "Wind can cause deviation. But a Windwalker must move beyond the influence of wind—and learn to command it."

Swish!

As he spoke, Lin Xi let loose his first arrow. It struck the lower half of the target—exactly where a foot would be on a person.

Lin Xi chuckled, unembarrassed. He focused again on drawing, aiming, and firing.

One black arrow after another soared through the wind of the forest.