CHAPTER 485: CHAPTER 483: LE YIN’S MUSICAL MISDEED

The Imperial Academy’s Combat Technique teacher, Su Qian, is dead.

This was the conclusion reached by the Yulin Guards after they knocked on the Sima family’s door in the middle of the night, disturbing the refined slumber of Chief Medical Officer Sima Huo, the elderly man known as the ’Living Dead’.

Su Yulou’s fifth son, Su Qian, was killed at the hands of Qin Leyin.

As dawn broke, this news spread throughout Yanjing.

Who is Su Yulou? He is the left army commander of Yanjing’s Five Military Camps, famed as the Broken Sword Martial Pillar, and the current patriarch of the Su family of Yanxia—Viscount Yanxia, Su Yulou!

The real defense force of Yanjing now is the Five Military Camps, stationed at various towns and checkpoints near Yanjing to resist the probing clashes from the Outer District’s armies. If not for the Five Military Camps guarding strategic positions, the Outer District’s army would have long marched to the city gates to ask about the weight of the cauldron and if the Holy Sword’s splendor was blinding!

The peace in Yanjing, likened to a time of prosperity, relies entirely on the burden carried by the Five Military Camps. Without reserve, one could say that the Yan Regiment and Twelve Guards are nothing compared to the Five Military Camps. The Yan Regiment and Twelve Guards excel at internal wars, while the Five Military Camps are the true War Gods of external battles.

Of course, even officers of the Five Military Camps cannot act recklessly. If an officer issues an insubordinate order, the soldiers will not follow blindly—after all, their families and daughters are under the protection of the Yan Regiment and Twelve Guards.

Despite various concerns, the status of the Five Military Camps’ commander cannot be underestimated, especially as the chaotic times approach, resulting in the rise of the Martial Artists’ status as a given fact. Rumor has it that there are currently two Chief Ministers, one being the Cabinet’s Chief Minister Ling Jiangli, and the other being Hundred Rain Gold, Chief Minister of the Near Capital—Hundred Rain Gold, who is also the chief commander and central army general of the Five Military Camps.

In these terms, Su Yulou could be seen as holding military power and wielding martial force as a high-ranking official. He has five children: his eldest son Su Zheng fights in the army, his second daughter is married into the Leiyin District—never mentioned—his third daughter is the daughter-in-law of the Beacon Marquis, his fourth son Su Su is the commander of the Yulin Guards, and his fifth son Su Qian is a Combat Technique teacher at the Imperial Academy; their family is a prominent noble house.

Aside from places like the Silver Blood Association, which are a muddle contaminated by money, the glory family naturally values offspring, especially Martial Artists—even Martial Pillars like Su Yulou have five children, which shows he was working overtime every night in his twenties, not allowing a single night to be missed.

He’s lost a beloved son, would he endure it?

Many felt the looming storm, some jesting, some worried, some inciting, some resolving enmity... Consequently, the news spread faster than people moved, and by the time the Imperial Academy’s first class began, nearly all the students were aware of it.

Ming Shuiyun barely got settled when many people came over.

"Shuiyun Palace, will Teacher Qin be in trouble?"

"Shuiyun Palace, my father and the Su family are friends, should I lend a hand?"

"Shuiyun Palace, why not send a letter to the Su family? Considering the Imperial Family’s face, I’m sure the Broken Sword Martial Pillar won’t turn you down..."

Due to handling the Unmatched Assassination Research Society, Ming Shuiyun had gathered a group centered around her, sincerely wishing to assist Shuiyun Palace in achieving greatness. Now that Shuiyun Palace’s top-star enforcer, Qin Leyin, had caused trouble, they naturally offered suggestions.

"Rest assured, everyone," Ming Shuiyun said with a confident smile, "We have already come to a sound strategy, would Qin Leyin have taken such action without absolute certainty?" The crowd immediately calmed down.

"So it was all within Shuiyun Palace’s plan."

"Teacher Qin must have been prepared for a long time."

At this moment, someone in the classroom shouted, "Why did you kill Teacher Su?"

"Teacher Su was such a good teacher..."

"Not only Teacher Su, it seems Teacher Ying also died at Teacher Qin’s hands."

"Someone who kills colleagues like this doesn’t deserve to stay at the Imperial Academy!"

Those around Ming Shuiyun immediately rebutted, "Surely Su Qian framed Teacher Qin, forcing Teacher Qin to retaliate!"

"Ha, now that they’re dead, you can accuse all you like, but our eyes aren’t blind!"

"If Su Qian hadn’t offended Teacher Qin, why would Teacher Qin target him?"

"Who knows, Qin Leyin with his bloody-red hair might just be a reincarnated star slayer... Moreover, even if Teacher Su offended him, does that give him the right to kill Teacher Su? Who granted him such authority?"

The classroom erupted with two groups arguing fiercely, stopping only when class began. Ming Shuiyun maintained a smile throughout, watching the commotion like a spectator. She only slightly relaxed when Qian Yuya and others sat beside her.

Kui Nianruo hurriedly asked, "Shuiyun Sister, what happened to Li Ying? Teacher Qin suddenly sent word stating Li Ying was injured and had to stay in the Medical Bureau for a day—Is she truly injured?"

"I don’t know either." Ming Shuiyun said with a bitter smile, "I only learned about the events last night upon arriving at the classroom."

Lin Xue exclaimed, "Then just now..."

"’Showing weakness would only reveal your vulnerability to being bullied.’" Ming Shuiyun replied, "I couldn’t say I didn’t know. When he’s not here, I am the final banner, it’s my responsibility. Sister Shi, do you have any news from your side?"

"No, but my second brother left early in the morning." Qin Yueshi shook her head, "Even if Protector Country killed someone, it can’t affect my elder brother, right? He is Shuiyun Palace’s scabbard; harming him would be like intervening in the quest for the sword..."

"Impossible." Qian Yuya outright rejected this naïve thought, "If being a sword scabbard allows one to kill without consequence and others can’t retaliate, wouldn’t the seven scabbards run rampant in Yanjing? It’s clearly impossible when you think about it."

"Then what about the Sword Holder?" Kui Nianruo asked, "Doesn’t the Sword Holder protect the quest for the sword?"

Lin Xue explained, "Sword Holders only ensure the protection of the Sword Master, not the scabbards. Did you forget the attack on the Platinum Tower a few days ago? Teacher Qin survived that attack on his own."

"So what can be done now?" Kui Nianruo was anxious, "The Su family is said to be a noble family, and Teacher Su’s father is a commanding general. If he pursues this, does that mean Teacher Qin will go to jail? How can we help?"

"We can’t help." Lin Xue noticed Ming Shuiyun wanted to speak, but shook her head, "Shuiyun Palace can’t help, and may even hinder. If General Su supports other palaces rather than you, he’ll have more reasons to put Teacher Qin to death."

"Within the Imperial Academy, only one person can help Brother Hongle." Qian Yuya said calmly.

Everyone understood and silently finished the first class. After class, Ming Shuiyun said, "I’m skipping the next class to visit Li Ying, will you come?"

"Humph, what’s so special about her." Kui Nianruo grumbled a few complaints, but stood up obediently nonetheless.

"An entire year without skipping class, and the first time is for Li Ying." Lin Xue couldn’t help laughing.

Qian Yuya: "I suspect she plans to stay in the hospital a few more days to avoid classes."

Qin Yueshi: "I even suspect she’s using this opportunity to shirk the recent week’s homework assignments."

They left the Guards Department building, arriving at the school Medical Bureau just as the class bell rang. Upon inquiry, they learned Li Ying’s ward was on the second floor. As they were about to knock, they heard Li Ying inside weakly imploring:

"Teacher Qin, could you stab me once more? I remember you stabbed me really comfortably last night."

Ming Shuiyun / Qin Yueshi / Kui Nianruo / Lin Xue: "Hmm?"