Chapter 97 – Before the Transfer
Murong Yan stood upstairs with his arms crossed, looking down condescendingly at Zhuang Yu and Ye Shi, who were sparring with swords. A strange glint flashed through his eyes.
"The relationship between Zhuang Yu and Ye Shi doesn't seem very good," Murong Yan said with great interest, watching Ye Shi baring his teeth and claws, and Zhuang Yu filled with resentment.
"It's more than just not good. Those two are constantly clashing even in part-time job matters," a close aide beside Murong Yan shook his head and said.
Murong Yan narrowed his eyes and said, "Speaking of which, Ye Shi's fiancé, Mu Chen, has been pretty high-profile lately. A mere freshman has actually sparked a secret struggle between the leaders of the Pill Academy and the Talisman Academy. Interesting."
"Seventh Prince, His Majesty hopes that you'll build a good relationship with Mu Chen."
Murong Yan nodded casually. "Alright, I understand."
Mu Chen's excellence didn't just provoke Lan Ruofeng. Murong Yan, who had always been a point of comparison, was also feeling the pressure.
"Mu Chen is indeed talented, but he only has sixth-grade aptitude. In the end, strength is what matters. Right now, he might be relying on a few tricks to dazzle everyone, but later, he'll slowly fade. The Emperor's special treatment of him is excessive," Murong Yan said disapprovingly.
"What the Seventh Prince says makes sense. But regardless, it doesn't hurt to befriend him for now."
"Yes, being able to refine Flame Talismans alone makes him worth a bit of investment," Murong Yan said, squinting slightly.
---
Ye Shi didn't want to see Zhuang Yu's face, so after grabbing some food, he turned and left.
Watching Ye Shi leave, Zhuang Yu felt a bit down.
"A-Yu, what's wrong?" Lan Ruofeng asked.
Zhuang Yu said dejectedly, "Ye Shi, he always seems hostile to me. I haven't even offended him…"
Lan Ruofeng looked at Zhuang Yu's sad expression and felt distressed. "A-Yu, don't be like that. Ye Shi is just jealous of you, that's why he acts that way."
Zhuang Yu frowned, staring at Ye Shi's retreating back with a gloomy look. Ye Shi is so jealous and hateful, how can Mu Chen still put up with him?
"Alright, Zhuang Yu, don't think about it anymore," Lan Ruofeng said.
Zhuang Yu nodded, then suddenly thought of something. "Ruofeng, Mu Chen might be transferring to Danyuan. If that happens, you'll be classmates."
Lan Ruofeng frowned. Whether Mu Chen would transfer to another courtyard was still uncertain.
Many girls in Danyuan seemed to believe Mu Chen would transfer in, and they were secretly preparing a welcome ceremony.
The higher-ups in the department were also anticipating Mu Chen's arrival. It was even said that the vice-dean wanted to take Mu Chen as his personal disciple.
If Mu Chen really did transfer to Danyuan, it would be hard not to feel inferior in comparison...
---
"You've got quite a pile of letters," Ye Shi said, carrying a large box of mail and tossing it at Mu Chen.
Looking at the huge pile, Mu Chen felt helpless. "There's so much…"
"I've got a lot too, but you've got even more," Ye Shi muttered as he sat beside Mu Chen.
Most of the letters were clearly addressed to him and Mu Chen. Some were even because he was a disciple of Jing Chiyan. Of course, there were some weird ones too.
Someone had even written to ask him to act as a matchmaker for Mu Chen! Only if I'm sick would I help set up my own fiancé with someone else. Lately, he'd been focusing on studying, but even so, sorting through letters and stones of different elements was a headache.
"What are you thinking about?" Mu Chen asked, noticing Ye Shi's strange expression.
"Nothing. What's your letter about?"
Mu Chen put the letter away and said casually, "Nothing much." He tossed it straight into the trash bin. "Just some nonsense."
Ye Shi flipped through Mu Chen's letters and suddenly pulled one out. "Hey, this one's from Uncle Mu!"
"It really is a letter from my dad!" Mu Chen's eyes lit up. "Good thing you noticed, or I might have thrown it out by mistake."
"Let's see what Uncle Mu says," Ye Shi said.
Mu Chen opened the letter, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "Dad says he's already arrived in the imperial capital, and Uncle Chen is here too. He wants to meet us at Xiangyue Restaurant on the next rest day."
Ye Shi lit up in surprise. "Uncle Chen is here too?"
Mu Chen nodded. "Yeah."
"That's great!" Ye Shi said happily. "Oh, by the way, don't you have class today?"
"I asked for leave. The Yellow Class instructors are mediocre. It's more productive for me to buy books and study on my own." Mu Chen shrugged. "Fan Li used to find fault with me all the time. Now that I've switched instructors, the new one is overly enthusiastic—it's annoying."
If they wanted to value me, they should've done so earlier. Now it just feels fake.
Ye Shi nodded. "That's true."
---
Fu Yuan Courtyard
"Dean, Mu Chen didn't show up for class today," Huang An reported helplessly.
The dean had asked him to find a way to keep Mu Chen in Fu Yuan, but now Mu Chen was either on sick leave or staying behind closed doors. Even if he tried his best, how was he supposed to persuade him like this?
Song Cheng clenched his teeth. "That damned Fan Li…"
"Dean, are we really going to do nothing? Letting Mu Chen go will be a huge loss for us."
Song Cheng sighed. "Lu Han's been watching us like a hawk. If he catches wind of anything, he'll seize the opportunity…"
"But judging by Mu Chen's attitude, it really seems like he's planning to transfer to Dan Yuan," Huang An said worriedly.
Song Cheng's expression darkened. Ever since Mu Chen got out of the quarry, his attitude toward Fu Yuan had been lukewarm. That Lu Han had been watching from the sidelines the entire time, clearly waiting for Mu Chen to jump ship.
If only I had come out of seclusion earlier… Song Cheng regretted. Back then, Mu Chen took a hit for Ye Shi and got punished by the dean for causing trouble. If he had intervened then, Mu Chen might not have such a poor impression of Fu Yuan now.
Fu Yuan's tutors weren't skilled in talismans, but their ability to stir up messes was top-tier.
That damn Fan Li actually put Mu Chen in the Yellow Class. The only third-rank talisman master among freshmen, and he was thrown into a basic class! What a joke!
"Actually, Mu Chen might not transfer to Dan Yuan," Song Cheng said suddenly.
"Dean, how can you be so sure?" Huang An was surprised.
"I went to ask Jing Chiyan. He said Mu Chen holds a deep bias against the Alchemy Academy and wouldn't transfer easily."
"Then there's hope," Huang An said in relief.
Song Cheng nodded. "Yes, I think so too."
---
Dan Yuan Courtyard
"Dean, Senior Jing said Mu Chen doesn't have a good impression of Fu Yuan and likely won't stay there," Tai Shuming reported.
Lu Han nodded. "That's right."
"Jing Chiyan may not be great, but he's always honest."
"That's great. If Mu Chen transfers here, I want to take him as a disciple!" Uncle Ming said excitedly.
Yan Wu rolled his eyes. "You? What can you even teach him?"
"I'm a fourth-rank alchemist! At least I'm better than him for now!"
"But your fourth-rank pill success rate is under 10%—you're barely better than him," Yan Wu scoffed.
Uncle Ming frowned. "What's your problem, Yan?"
Lu Han cut in, "Enough, both of you. Mu Chen hasn't even transferred yet and you're already fighting? If he comes, clearly I'm the best mentor for him."
"Senior Jing said Fu Yuan likely won't retain Mu Chen," Yan Wu added.
Lu Han exhaled slowly. "I get the feeling Jing Chiyan's words have a hidden meaning."
---
Inscription Academy
"Jiejie, do you think Mu Chen will transfer to Dan Yuan?" Xia Qingli asked.
"I don't know. Why do you care? No matter what he chooses, it won't be our Inscription Academy," Xia Qingyan said, clearly disappointed.
Compared to alchemy and talisman arts, inscriptions were much less popular. Students typically prioritized the other two, leaving the Inscription Academy far behind.
Over the years, enrollment at the Inscription Academy had steadily declined. Though Xia Qingyan didn't show it on her face, she was worried inside.
Since the other academies snatched away all the top talent, she held a grudge.
Xia Qingli narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "Jiejie, it's not necessarily impossible for Mu Chen to choose the Inscription Academy."
Xia Qingyan looked at her suspiciously. "Why do you say that? Do you know something?"
"It's just a guess. Our family's shop said Mu Chen and Ye Shi came by and bought some inscription books. They had disguised themselves, but the shopkeeper still recognized them."
Xia Qingyan narrowed her eyes. "No way. That guy has the brain to study both alchemy and talisman arts, and now even inscriptions?"
Xia Qingli smiled. "Who knows."
"Don't let word get out about this," Xia Qingyan warned.
"I know," Xia Qingli nodded. If Dan Yuan and Fu Yuan heard Mu Chen was considering the Inscription Academy, they'd probably unite just to stop him.
Xia Qingyan narrowed her eyes and murmured to herself, "Even if Mu Chen doesn't have talent in inscriptions, I have to recruit him. Worst case, we just stop him from going to the other two academies."
Their academy had lost too much funding over the years. It was time to steal back some talent.
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