The disciples all gasped while the group showed surprised expressions. Only Li Shen showed no reaction.
“And he’s my grandfather.”
The middle-aged man frowned at Mu Fan, who laughed meekly and scratched his head.
Again, seeing him acting like this continued to freak the others out, especially Jun.
“He’s not my Grandfather, I just called him that, he was the one who took me from my clan and brought me to the Celestial Academy.”
The middle-aged man huffed out, reluctant to argue with Mu Fan calling him grandfather.
He wasn’t that old…
Turning to him, Mu Fan said.
“So? What are you doing here old man?”
The middle-aged man said with a frown.
“What am I doing here? What are you doing here on the Sword Pavilion, running around pretending to be a member when you use a saber.”
“Huh?! Then what was I supposed to do? You went into seclusion and the Ming Clan kept harassing me to join them. They have completely taken over the Blade Pavilion, if I didn’t leave I might have lop their heads off for continuing to pester me.”
At the end of his sentence, Mu Fan’s demeanor changed. The others saw this to be the Mu Fan they knew.
They were now wondering what cultivation method he was cultivating. It was just now that they realized Mu Fan hadn’t told them anything about it.
As for Li Shen, he had asked but Mu Fan refused. He thought that was Mu Fan just being difficult, but no matter how hard he whacked him with the metal pole, Mu Fan's lips would stay clamped shut.
It was then Li Shen realize he must have his reasons to not reveal it and let him be. He helped him in his martial arts instead as that was the only thing he could do.
The Blade Pavilion Headmaster had his face contorted into a dark expression when he heard the Ming Clan being mentioned.
Mu Fan saw this and commented.
“Old man, are you even still the Headmaster? From the way I see it, the Ming Clan has completely taken control over the Blade Division.”
The middle-aged man’s expression was ugly but he couldn’t refute Mu Fan’s words.
Lihua and Fei Yin began ushering the disciples out of the courtyard as this was going onto sensitive topics.
The disciples were reluctant, but they still bid Li Shen farewell as they left.
Now the only ones remaining in the courtyard were Li Shen and the others, along with mu Fan and the Blade Pavilion Headmaster.
Turning to look at Li Shen with folded arms, a thoughtful expression appeared on the Headmaster’s face. He then let out a sigh before he said to Mu Fan.
“I can’t fault you for leaving the Blade Pavilion, it was because of my inability to protect you that you had to seek help from him. I won’t ask you to come back with me since the Blade Pavilion is even worst than before. That Ghuanyu has been sending all of the Ming Academy exchange Disciples there.
“He might not be planning on expanding his force in the Academies across the Continent as initially believe, but instead he’s creating a single stable stronghold in each one. What his intentions are by doing that I don’t know. Maybe the Li Royal family has an idea?”
The Headmaster turned to Li Shen again, who was opening and closing his fan.
Pausing, a thoughtful expression appeared on Li Shen’s face before he said.
“My force is not associated with my family if that’s what Headmaster is trying to figure out. The Major Clans aren’t fighting for power in the Academy with my Li Clan, but me.”
Snap.
Li Shen slap the fan shut as he turned to the Headmaster.
Their gazes remained locked, and Mu Fan seeing this looked between them both with a nervous expression.
“Child, aren’t you afraid you’re pompous arrogance will be your downfall?”
The Headmaster huffed.
It was ridiculous how Li Shen was speaking to him, a Soul Transformation Realm expert that could literally kill him with a look, it was like he was talking to a random person on the street.
The guts he has.
“Your saying I should be afraid of you? Why is that?”
Li Shen titled his head to the side, while a dark expression appeared on the Headmaster’s face.
“A brat from the younger generation should know how to show respect to their seniors.”
“Respect through fear is a form of intimidation. Why should I let myself be intimidated by you or anyone?”
There was another part to Li Shen’s words.
‘Are you forgetting what I'm capable of?’
The Headmaster didn’t need to hear it to understand Li Shen’s words.
“Humph, relying on your family to be so confident, that’s only external strength.”
“Who says I’m relying on my family?”
Li Shen was in no way referring to his position as the Second Prince. He regarded himself as more than just that, and he wanted people to see that he didn’t need his father behind him.
If it continued, people will think they could step on him at any time when he's not, and that mindset needs to change, even if it was only to a select few people rather than the entire populace.
He was far more threatening as it is already.
If he could get that into people's heads, they’d know not to underestimate him by making such remarks.
Having people respect or acknowledge your personal strength was far more important than who was in your corner.
Him stepping into the true cultivation world with his current persona as the Second Prince being perceived as such, while his Faceless Hero was lurking in the dark, was the outcome he sought.
Having the strength to dictate his own faith, and to protect the ones he loved in this life, from the light or darkness.
After his birthday and through much contemplation, this had become his resolve.
The Headmaster’s eyes narrowed at Li Shen’s words, and he recall what he heard before coming here. Of this Second Prince influencing the Sword Pavilion and Academy, as well as his shocking Soul and Soul Art ability.
In fact, he only came out of seclusion because of the news of his ability, Mu Fan being here was the perfect excuse to scout him out.
‘Is he the Hidden Puppet Master?’
This thought appeared in the Headmaster’s mind.
Only such an existence was able to manipulate the inner workings of the academy as he did.
But he quickly discarded that notion.
‘No, probably not.’
The Hidden Puppet Master was someone who was active for close to a decade. Li Shen was an immature brat, that was busily causing a ruckus in the Li Imperial Palace at that time.
But despite being around for only a decade, even powerhouses such as himself that don’t often pay attention to the ongoings of the Continent have come to know of this Hidden Puppet Master’s notoriety.
The presence of that mysterious figure had spread like wildfire across the continent into the ears of the higher-ups of each Power, causing numerous clans and academies to be on alert for spies, including the Celestial Academy.
‘He’s not at that level to encapsulate the entire Continent like that person, but what he’s shown in the academy is him becoming that.’
The headmaster thinking up to here, change his view of Li Shen slightly.
'His talents might not be in cultivation, but in strategizing. And he's proven to be terrifying at that so far.'
Breaking eye contact with him the Headmaster let out a huff.
The others who were holding their breaths at this tense situation released internal sighs of relief.
“Brat I’m leaving, if you want to stay here then go ahead.”
Mu Fan hearing that nodded.
However, before he left, the Headmaster suddenly pointed a finger at Mu Fan.
A flash shot from it to enter Mu Fan’s forehead.
“That’s the remaining 9th and 10th levels of the Blade Symphony and how to properly cultivate it. Don’t disappoint me.”
With that, his figure disappeared.
Li Shen flipped open his fan and began walking towards the restricted area of the courtyard while fanning himself.
“Mu Fan!”
Mu Fan suddenly jumped at hearing his sudden yell.
“Come with me, you’re going to answer my questions in detail… or else.”
Mu Fan’s back became soaking wet, a hesitant expression appearing on his face.
However, before the thought of running away fully settled in his mind, Jun suddenly wrapped a hand around his shoulder with a broad smile on his face.
Mu Fan glared at him and pushed him off before he barked.
“Bastard Jun, what are you hugging me for?!! There’s Lihua over there!”
Mu Fan pointed at Lihua who turned upon hearing her name being called, a frown on her face.
Jun's smile froze at that, before his face contorted into an ugly expression.
Mu Fan was the same loud-mouth Mu Fan, nothing had changed.
The two friends butted heads and glared at each other while walking behind Li Shen and the others. No one paying their antics any mind.
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