Chapter 1447: They're Asking for Death

Shen Yi glanced at Gu Chen beside her, eyes wide as if she had heard something unbelievable.

There had always been a rumor in the academy that Department Chief Gu used to be addicted to gambling when he was young, so much so that he nearly ruined his family over it.

Of course, most people dismissed it as just a wild tale. After all, Department Chief Gu was the epitome of righteousness and integrity; how could someone like him have ever gambled? And to become an addict at that?

It was clearly nonsense. It was a baseless rumor, for sure.

Hardly anyone in the academy believed it.

Upon hearing Ye Guan's words, Shen Yi realized that it wasn't a rumor at all. Department Chief Gu was indeed once a gambling addict.

Ye Guan suddenly grinned. "Alright, alright."

Gu Chen breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Then, he turned sharply to Shen Yi and glared with exaggerated menace. "If you dare speak even a word of this, you better not blame me for silencing you permanently."

Shen Yi calmly replied, "If you want me to keep quiet, Department Chief, you'd better make it worth my while."

Gu Chen was stunned beyond words.

Ye Guan laughed and looked at Shen Yi. When their eyes met, she stared him down without flinching.

Ye Guan smiled. "I've thought about everything you brought up. Limiting the Academy Master's authority is not something we can afford to do before the great work is finished."

Shen Yi remained silent.

"Mortal emperors crave power because it is their highest pursuit. But for cultivators like us, power is meaningless in the face of the Great Dao and immortality.

"So you don't have to worry about me becoming drunk on authority... Of course, if I do, that would be perfectly normal. Reasonable, even."

Shen Yi was stunned, staring at him in disbelief.

Ye Guan met her gaze with a faint smile. "Without me, this academy wouldn't even exist, would it?"

Shen Yi lowered her head slightly, saying nothing.

"Have you ever thought about what would happen if my authority were to be curbed?"

After a while, Shen Yi replied, "Internal conflict."

"Exactly. The moment my authority is curbed, all the unresolved tensions will explode. The major clans will scramble to seize control. Things will go down fast."

Shen Yi said nothing, and her head was still bowed.

Then Gu Chen spoke up. "And another thing, if the Academy Master's power is curbed, how will the academy grow? You know as well as I do that the universe no longer revolves around us alone. Take the Old Lands, for example, or the Ancestral Civilization that stands above it.

"They are so mighty that they could squash us like ants."

Shen Yi let out a soft sigh. "I was wrong."

Ye Guan glanced at her. "You're not entirely wrong. You're clear-headed, and I'm sure there are others in the academy like you, those who can see through my desire and Order.

"They must be deeply unhappy about it, so they must have sent you out to test the waters, am I correct?"

Shen Yi's face turned ghostly pale. She dropped to her knees, trembling. "Academy Master..."

Ye Guan sounded calm as he said, "Every era has its share of people—weak and timid toward enemies, yet ruthless and cruel toward their own. Mu Shuo."

Swoosh!

Mu Shuo appeared behind him.

"Investigate everyone involved, and kill them all. No exceptions."

Everyone present was shocked.

In their minds, Ye Guan had always been cultured and composed. He'd never once shed blood within the academy. Yet he had just casually ordered the execution of so many people, even though he was talking like nothing was wrong just moments ago.

Ye Guan looked at Mu Shuo.

Mu Shuo felt a chill run down her spine.

"Understood," she said and left.

"Academy Master!" Shen Yi exclaimed, her face as pale as snow. "Please show mercy..."

Ye Guan gazed at her, his expression unchanged. "They benefited from the academy, and yet schemed against me behind my back, claiming it was for the greater good.

"In truth, it was all just a play for power and personal gain. However, you got greedy too early. Most people wait until the cake is baked before trying to take a slice.

"But you couldn't wait, you want your share before the cake is out of the oven."

Shen Yi's lips trembled. "Academy Master ..."

Ye Guan shook his head. "Lady Shen Yi, save your breath. As for the powers backing you, they're nothing more than clowns in my eyes. And you... seem righteous and bold, someone who dares to speak for the people, but in reality, you're just a pawn who has no idea that she's being used."

Shen Yi was finally afraid. She hadn't realized how the Academy Master had seen through them all. She and her backers had made a critical mistake; they'd severely underestimated his intellect.

Ye Guan said, "Don't worry. I won't kill you. Someone!"

Swoosh!

A man in black appeared.

"Find a random civilization within the Genesis Starry Region and take her there," Ye Guan said. Staring at Shen Yi, he calmly said, "Since you believe the Guanxuan Universe is flawed, then I'm giving you a fresh start.

"I hope you'll be just as courageous and virtuous in your new home. I hope you'll stand tall, speak up, and serve the people."

With that, Shen Yi was taken away.

Only Ye Guan and Gu Chen remained.

Gu Chen stayed quiet.

Ye Guan asked, "Do you think I was being too ruthless?"

Gu Chen shook his head. "Not ruthless enough."

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"

Oh?

" Ye Guan turned to him, amused. "Go on."

Gu Chen replied in a low voice, "Do you remember the Ten Desolates back in the day? The Old Lands' Suiming Civilization sealed them off so tightly that even Supreme Emperors rarely emerged from there.

"The great clans also strangled any chance for the common people to rise. You're the one who shattered that system. Now, the Guanxuan Universe might not be a utopia, but at least everyone has a fighting chance.

"If those people took the time to study history, both past and present, they'd realize how much better life is now compared to back then. Of course, the academy still has flaws, and there's plenty of room for improvement.

"If their criticisms were truly for the good of the academy, I'd support them wholeheartedly. But unfortunately, that's not their goal. They only want to climb higher themselves.

"Too many people disguise selfish ambitions as banners of righteousness. They're no different from corrupt officials who exploit the system for personal gain; they're just as despicable."

Ye Guan smiled. "I'm glad that you can see that."

Gu Chen looked him in the eye. "You've never cared about power. For you, it's a burden. You genuinely want to make the world better. And I want you to know that your goal is my goal, too.

"If I ever lose my way, kill me without hesitation. And if you ever lose your way, I'll stake my life to remind you who you are."

Ye Guan chuckled. "Deal."

In Ye Guan's eyes, the issue with Shen Yi was a trivial matter.

He had no interest in petty infighting, but it wasn't because he was above it. It was all because no one in the academy was even qualified to oppose him. He didn't mind using force, not for vengeance, but as a warning.

He could have taken the time to reason with them, appeal to their better nature. However, he knew that greed would never truly disappear.

At best, it would retreat in the face of strength. Thus, he made his point with blood, to remind the entire Guanxuan Universe what the cost of rebellion looked like.

Gu Chen added, "Academy Master, Shen Yi and her backers weren't the only ones stirring up trouble. While you were away, many people have lost their sense of awe toward you.

"Some even resent how much power you've given to Mu Shuo, especially the members of the temporary Inner Committee."

Ye Guan's voice was calm and cold. "Then, they're all asking for death."

After settling the affairs of the academy, Ye Guan made his way to Shang Hongyi. Upon arrival, he immediately used the tiny pagoda's power to engulf the surroundings, making sure no one could eavesdrop.

Shang Hongyi was still kneeling, and her face was blank. When she saw Ye Guan, she merely cast a glance his way.

It was like she became a completely different person. She was cold, quiet, and distant.

Ye Guan asked, "Where's Jingzhao?"

"In the Tianxu World," replied Shang Hongyi. She then handed him a scroll. "Crush this and you'll be transported there. It contains a few items that should prove useful to you."

Ye Guan nodded.

Shang Hongyi raised her head to look at him. "What else do you want to know?"

"Tell me about the 'Breaking Wall Scripture.'"

"I don't know much. Just that it allows one to pierce the barrier between reality and the virtual world... Beyond that, I'm not sure."

Ye Guan fell silent for a moment before asking, "What's his real identity?"

Shang Hongyi shook her head again. "He's extremely secretive. He has more avatars than I do. I've followed him for years, but he's sharp. I've never been able to dig up anything concrete. All I can say is that he's unfathomable."

Ye Guan nodded, a bit disappointed. "I was hoping to take him out while I had the chance. But it looks like... it's not his time yet. A miscalculation on my part."

Shang Hongyi looked at him. "Aren't you worried that your father and the others will..."

Ye Guan chuckled. "Why would they? Aside from my upright grandfather, my father and aunt must've known everything from the very start."

Ye Guan slowly closed his eyes as he said, "They understand me, what I want to do, and the kind of enemies I'm up against. I'm so busy that I don't have the luxury to bea straightforward, honest man... Planning is like playing chess. Every step has to be calculated, every move must be deliberate.

"It's just a shame that even with all that, I still couldn't take down the Great Daoist Brush Master."

"Your grandfather was ready to kill him. He was so close to flipping the table."

"Yeah, he needed just a bit more push, but I guess it's fine. If that guy could be killed that easily, he wouldn't have lasted this long. He's far more dangerous than I expected.

"Right now, it seems my grandfather and the others

do

have the strength to kill him, but they can't. I'm part of the reason, but I'm sure there are other factors at play that I don't know about yet."

"His real target is the Breaking Wall Scripture."

Ye Guan replied, "I doubt it's that simple. He's good at hiding his true intentions... and even better at playing weak."

Shang Hongyi nodded silently.

Ye Guan looked at her. "Miss Shang, I'm sorry you had to go through that. What my grandfather did was just part of an act we had to put on together..."

Shang Hongyi looked back at him but still said nothing.

Ye Guan continued, "Don't worry. I gave you my word, and I'll keep it. If I ever fail and become the King of Relying on Others, I'll have my aunt fulfill that promise for me."

"W-wait!" Little Pagoda's voice trembled as he exclaimed,

"S-she doesn't belong to Sui Gujin! S-she's yours! No wonder! No wonder! You're not the type to spare people when you get mad, but you held back and didn't kill her when you could.

"You also didn't go on a rampage. You even kept this a secret from me... When did this even happen?!"