"How will the Academy deal with you?" Jiang Nannan asked nervously. She was still holding on to Shi Yu, as if afraid that if she let go now, she might never have this chance again.
Killing a fellow student from the same Academy was no small matter. Surely, the punishment would be severe.
Her eyes, bright with tears, looked up at him, and that gaze made Shi Yu's heart tremble ever so slightly. He reached out and gently wiped away her tears before answering.
"They won't punish me. This matter is over."
"Huh?" Jiang Nannan blinked in disbelief, certain she had misheard.
"You heard me right," Shi Yu repeated with a faint smile, his expression relaxed. "It's over. I'm fine."
"Just like that?" Her voice carried both relief and doubt—it felt unreal.
Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao, who had just approached, overheard the conversation. Both showed visible surprise.
"The Academy didn't punish you?" Zhang Lexuan asked, as if trying to confirm she'd heard correctly.
Shi Yu met her eyes. "You could say that."
He didn't mention the truth—that his punishment was to spare the Xuan Ming Sect twice in the future, nor that he had become Mu En's disciple. Those were things he didn't intend to bring up; talking too much about his teacher might risk Mu En's displeasure.
"Do you have a connection with one of the Academy's senior executives?" Ma Xiaotao asked bluntly.
Shi Yu gave her a strange look—he didn't even recognize her. He shook his head without explanation.
Turning to Zhang Lexuan, he said sincerely, "Senior Sister, thank you for standing up for me."
Xu Sanshi was Bei Bei's brother, yet Zhang Lexuan had still been willing to escort Xu Sanshi to the disciplinary office to face punishment. That alone made Shi Yu feel a certain warmth toward her.
"I actually regret my decision," Zhang Lexuan admitted openly, her expression complicated. She couldn't help feeling guilty toward Xu Sanshi. If it weren't for her, things might never have escalated this far.
"No matter what, I still thank you," Shi Yu said firmly.
By now, Jiang Nannan had calmed down somewhat. Flustered, she stepped back from Shi Yu's arms, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Senior Sisters, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Shi Yu said politely, preparing to go.
Ma Xiaotao seemed like she wanted to say something, but Zhang Lexuan's sharp glance stopped her. Ma Xiaotao, fiery-tempered though she was, had great respect—and a touch of fear—for Zhang Lexuan. One look was enough to silence her.
"Goodbye, Senior Sisters," Jiang Nannan said as well, before leaving with Shi Yu.
Ma Xiaotao frowned. "What exactly is going on?"
Just then, her teacher, Yan Shaozhe, walked out. She immediately hurried over.
"From now on, you should show Shi Yu proper respect. He is your junior uncle," Yan Shaozhe said plainly.
"What?" Ma Xiaotao's eyes went wide.
Even Zhang Lexuan froze. That would mean Shi Yu was Dean Yan's junior brother—Mu Lao's newest disciple.
"Mu Lao has already accepted Shi Yu as his disciple," Yan Shaozhe explained. "One is my own disciple, and the other is Mu Lao's favored student—there's nothing wrong with you calling him junior uncle."
"He killed Xu Sanshi, and instead of punishing him, Mu Lao accepted him as a disciple? Are you sure you're not mistaken?" Ma Xiaotao said incredulously.
"Blame Xu Sanshi for provoking Shi Yu with his words, and blame Shi Yu's extraordinary talent," Yan Shaozhe replied calmly. "Sometimes, when a person's value is too high, some mistakes can be forgiven. Also, remember—Xu Sanshi isn't dead. He was saved."
"He's alive?" Ma Xiaotao exclaimed in surprise.
Yan Shaozhe gave her a deep look, the kind that said she should figure out the rest on her own, before walking away. He still had matters to settle in the Outer Courtyard.
Ma Xiaotao was left convinced Xu Sanshi was alive, while Zhang Lexuan wore a thoughtful expression, more or less understanding Dean Yan's meaning.
On the way back, Jiang Nannan finally asked the question that had been burning in her mind. "What really happened?"
Shi Yu told her just enough to reassure her. Upon hearing it, she felt a wave of relief—Shi Yu was safe. That alone was enough to make her smile brightly.
But soon, her smile faded.
Seeing her expression drop, Shi Yu guessed she was thinking about those painful memories again. Looking around, he spotted an empty pavilion and gently led her there to sit.
"That's all in the past," he said softly. "Are you still holding on to it in your heart? Or… are you worried the people in the Academy will find out and start looking at you strangely, making you feel ashamed?"
It was all because she had tried to save her mother—an act of pure filial love. Yet now, it had become the sharpest weapon others could use against her. The thought of it filled him with heartache.
Jiang Nannan lowered her head, fighting to keep her tears from falling. After a long silence, she whispered, "I want to drop out."
Shi Yu's heart clenched. Without thinking, he took her small, cold hands in his own, gently rubbing them as if to warm not just her skin but her spirit.
"I don't want you to drop out," he said after a pause.
She looked up at him, her tears finally spilling over. "But if I stay, there will be endless gossip… I can't bear it."
"You're a brave girl," he said earnestly. "You dared to face Soul Beasts head-on, yet when it comes to gossip, you want to run? Gossip is just noise. As long as you don't care—let it in one ear and out the other—it can't hurt you.
"I believe you can handle it. And I'll be right there with you, facing it together. Anyone who dares to talk about you, I'll scold them until they're covered in dog's blood, scold them until they're speechless, scold them until they want to jump over the wall in desperation."
"Pfft." Jiang Nannan couldn't help but laugh. "How is being good at scolding people something to brag about?"
"Because this particular skill can help protect you," Shi Yu replied without hesitation.
Her cheeks turned pink again, and she lowered her head shyly. "Smooth talker."
Shi Yu smiled faintly, still holding her hands. "Don't drop out. Face it bravely… okay?"
Jiang Nannan hesitated, her voice trembling. "But I'm afraid I really can't bear the gossip."