Shangguan Yutong took a deep breath, her full chest, a feature she was normally most proud of, trembling slightly with the motion. When she noticed the boy's gaze drifting, intentionally or not, toward her chest, a wave of bashfulness washed over her, immediately followed by boundless rage. "Do you have any idea what mistake you've made?!"
Shangguan Yutong kept reminding herself, 'Calm down. You're his teacher. You're close friends with his sister. Your goal is to help this boy get on the right track. Don't let him get to you.'
Ling Xiao shook his head, his face a mask of innocence.
"Getting bold, are we? Don't you give me this silent treatment crap!" Shangguan Yutong's slender brows shot up as her eyes widened in a furious glare at Ling Xiao. For a beautiful woman like her to resort to profanity, it was clear just how incensed she was.
Shangguan Yutong reached up with a slender hand to rub her smooth forehead, trying to calm herself. "When this happened, why didn't you come to me first? Why did you just quietly go home by yourself? Were you hurt by a woman? Did you take a blow to your pride? Do you think Xie Xiaoyan shouldn't have used such methods against you? Or did you think that I don't trust you either? Do you have any idea how much damage this has done to your reputation, how much trouble this has caused for your family's prestige? Do you really think you're a good-for-nothing? Even if others think that, are you going to think that about yourself?!" The barrage of questions made Shangguan Yutong grow angrier and angrier, until by the end, she was practically shouting at Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao stood there, stunned. In his memory, Shangguan Yutong had almost never lost her temper. Why was she so worked up today? Yet, through her words, he could hear a strong sense of protectiveness.
Seeing Ling Xiao's innocent and confused eyes, Shangguan Yutong's heart inexplicably softened. She elegantly tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her voice softening as she said, "Ling Xiao, you're not a child anymore. At fourteen, when your father, General Ling, was your age, he was already fighting on the battlefield. That's why I've always believed you should mature. So what if you can't go far on the Martial Dao? Let's take an example…" Shangguan Yutong gently stroked the spot on the desk she had just slapped. A faint handprint remained there. If anyone else had seen it, they would have been shocked; this desk was made from the hardest millennium ironwood, which ordinary swords could barely scratch.
"Your father, General Ling, has reached his current position through his formidable power, that is true. But do you think, right now, his value lies more in his profound knowledge of military strategy or in his status as a Tier Three Demon Swordsman?" Shangguan Yutong asked, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao frowned in thought before replying, "Right now, it's likely his knowledge of military strategy."
"So you're not completely hopeless!" Shangguan Yutong said sarcastically. "So… do you still think you're a useless person now?"
Seeing Ling Xiao's silence, Shangguan Yutong spoke again, her tone earnest. "Your sister left at the beginning of the year to explore some ancient ruins. When she left, she entrusted you to me, asking me to take good care of you. But look at yourself. When have you ever treated me like family? With something this major happening, how am I supposed to explain this to your sister? That little scheme of Xie Xiaoyan's… do you really think all the teachers in the school are fools? But do you know why not a single one of them stood up for you?"
At this, Shangguan Yutong sighed softly and leaned back into her soft chair. "It's because Xie Xiaoyan clearly has a more promising future than you! On top of that, after the incident, you didn't say a word and just went home. Weren't you just waiting for them to pin the blame on you?!" After speaking, Shangguan Yutong leaned back wearily and looked at Ling Xiao. "If you won't even fight for yourself, what reason does anyone else have to stand up for you? I've always thought of you as a smart student. In this world, it's true that the strong are revered, but nothing is absolute. Isn't the Empire's Prime Minister, Constant, a Celestial Vein Master? And yet, throughout the entire Lanyue Empire, from the nobles to the commoners, is there anyone who doesn't give a thumbs-up at the mention of his name?"
Ling Xiao knew of the Empire's Prime Minister, Constant. He too had been mocked in his youth, but through his own efforts and by ignoring the ridicule of others, he had climbed step by step into the core echelons of the Empire's power, becoming the widely respected Prime Minister.
"So, you must remember, you are not a good-for-nothing! You have to prove… to everyone." Shangguan Yutong pushed a book she had been writing in toward Ling Xiao. "Here, take this. It should be of some help to you."
Ling Xiao stood up silently and saw the title on the book's cover: *Imperial Military Strategy*. Although he had no interest in the subject, and he was no longer the Ling Xiao of the past, Shangguan Yutong's words had still given him great inspiration. At the same time, he was filled with respect for this beautiful teacher.
Ling Xiao accepted the book and said sincerely, "Teacher, thank you!"
"Alright, there's no need for such formalities." Shangguan Yutong waved her hand dismissively, then asked in a soft voice, "What did you come to see me about today?"
Ling Xiao glanced at Shangguan Yutong. The tense atmosphere in the room had finally dissipated. "Teacher, I came to ask for a leave of absence."
"For a day or two, you don't need to ask for leave. It's not like you don't know the academy's rules…" Shangguan Yutong trailed off, then realization dawned. She frowned at Ling Xiao. "What are you planning to do?"
"Teacher, I've learned of a method that might unblock my meridians…" Originally, Ling Xiao hadn't planned on telling Shangguan Yutong the truth, as the Foundation Establishment Pill was something that simply didn't exist in this world. But her genuine care and protectiveness made him decide to reveal part of the truth.
"Hm? Are you talking about a medicinal bath? Absolutely not!" Unexpectedly, Shangguan Yutong's knowledge was quite extraordinary; she had immediately named the method Yisha had mentioned. She shook her head firmly. "No, I won't allow it!"
"Uh…" Ling Xiao began to explain, "Teacher, it's not that method. Let me put it this way, you just said you hoped I would grow up to be strong, right?"
Shangguan Yutong stared at Ling Xiao doubtfully for a long moment before slowly nodding.
"This method is from an ancient text I read. It only requires three medicinal herbs, which can then be refined into a single Elixir that can unblock one's meridians without any danger." 'I can't say it's a method from another world,' Ling Xiao thought, 'so I can only use the excuse of an ancient text.'
"And this ancient text?" Shangguan Yutong looked at Ling Xiao suspiciously. "You're not lying to me, are you?" She stared into his eyes as she spoke.
"I accidentally dropped it in a brazier and it burned," Ling Xiao replied, meeting her gaze calmly.
"You're really not lying?"
"Really!"
"It's dangerous, isn't it?" Shangguan Yutong wasn't a superficial woman who was easily deceived. Although she could hear the insincerity in Ling Xiao's words, she also had a feeling that he wasn't lying.
'This boy…' she wondered, 'how is he so different from before?'
"I've already found an adventuring party. The captain is a Tier One Demon Swordsman named Wang Chao." Ling Xiao knew that if he couldn't completely reassure Shangguan Yutong, she definitely wouldn't let him off the hook today. Although he could just leave, he didn't want to hurt the teacher who cared so much for him. After all, there weren't many people left who trusted and openly supported him like this.
"A Tier One Demon Swordsman? Wang Chao?" Shangguan Yutong's furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. "You're not lying about that, at least. Fine, I'll grant your leave. But you must remember, the promotion exam from the junior class to the senior class is in three months. Even though… I still believe you'll have no problem becoming a Sword Master, right?"
Ling Xiao nodded. He would have no problem passing the exam now, let alone in three months.
"Good! I hope to see a brand-new you in three months!" After speaking, Shangguan Yutong waved her hand, dismissing Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao bowed to Shangguan Yutong, then turned and left.
After Ling Xiao left, Shangguan Yutong leaned back in her soft chair, seemingly lost in thought. She muttered to herself, "Could such a miraculous Elixir really exist? I hope you're not lying to me, you brat! Ling Xiao, you have to know, all the teachers in the school do know you were framed. But the only one still willing to support and believe in you… is me! Everyone else can't wait to see the Ling Family disgraced. They just want a good show. So please… don't disappoint me."