Chapter 370

Chapter 370: Xiao Mochi and Lu Xiaoliu

“Burp”

Lu Xiaoliu let out a full-bodied belch.

The pot of tea that Ming had just brewed was entirely consumed by Lu Xiaoliu.

Ming began to doubt whether the earlier compliment on his tea-making skills was sincere or not. Otherwise, why would he drink it all down like someone who just emerged from the desert?

But then again, am I really that good at making tea? How come I don’t know this? Of course, drinking tea wasn’t all Lu Xiaoliu did.

Lu Xiaoliu asked Ming about the Wu Kingdom’s situation, inquired about events that happened at Heavenly Profound Gate, and also asked about Ming’s family.

All of Lu Xiaoliu’s questions were appropriate and not overly intrusive. If Ming didn’t want to answer or gave vague responses, Lu Xiaoliu wouldn’t press further.

Lu Xiaoliu appeared like a regular elder showing concern for a junior.

“How is Mochi doing recently?” Lu Xiaoliu felt he might have drunk too much tea and put down the cup with slight embarrassment.

As Ming refilled Lu Xiaoliu’s cup, he replied, “I don’t interact with Mr. Xiao often, but we did meet once before. Mr. Xiao seems fine, no different from when he was a child, unchanged as if nothing at the Imperial Court can affect him.”

“Hahaha,” Lu Xiaoliu laughed, “Mochi, this guy, even if something happens, he won’t show it. You might think he shows no change on the surface, but actually, he hides everything inside.”

Speaking of which, a flicker of helplessness crossed Lu Xiaoliu’s eyes, “This kind of person, when faced with problems, will only bear them alone. He has been like this since I’ve known him.”

Ming didn’t say anything, just nodded.

In terms of understanding Mr. Xiao, Ming definitely couldn’t match this classmate-turned-friend of Mr. Xiao’s.

Ming carefully chose his words and then said, “Youngster here heard that with Mr. Xiao’s talent, he could even be the chief of White Deer Academy. Although it’s not impossible for Mr. Xiao to return to serve in the Wu Kingdom, I always feel a bit regretful. It seems Mr. Xiao has some sort of fixation?”

Indeed, White Deer Academy encourages scholars to enter the world and experience the rough and tumble of officialdom for a while.

But in Ming’s view, Mr. Xiao isn’t merely completing a training mission.

It seems there’s something real he wants to accomplish in the Wu Kingdom.

“Even you youngsters noticed, huh? Don’t know if it’s because you’re sharp or because Mochi hasn’t hidden it well.”

Lu Xiaoliu chuckled.

“That guy’s fixation is pretty big.

“In the academy, I heard that Mochi has been highly favored by the Emperor of Wu lately, entrusted with all sorts of powers, while the Emperor acts as his protector.

“No matter what happens, the Emperor will back Mochi up.

“But soon enough, the Emperor will probably start guarding against him too.”

Ming furrowed his brows, “Is it because Mr. Xiao’s power has grown too great? Does the Emperor feel unable to control him?”

Lu Xiaoliu shook his head, “If that’s what you think, then you underestimate the Emperor too much. In my opinion, the Emperor is one of the wisest rulers in the world. He wouldn’t harm Mochi over something like this.

“The one who will kill Mochi is none other than himself.”

Lu Xiaoliu looked at Ming, “Xu Nephew, can you promise me one thing?”

Ming looked at Lu Xiaoliu, realizing that now he was going to reveal the main purpose of this visit.

Ming solemnly nodded, “Uncle Lu, please speak freely.”

“If… I mean if one day… if Xiao Mochi is about to die,” Lu Xiaoliu stared directly into Ming’s eyes, “I hope you can stand aside and do nothing.”

At the Peach Peak of White Deer Academy,

An old man carrying a roll of straw mat climbed up the mountain peak.

“Huff”

The old man spread the straw mat at the edge of the cliff atop the mountain, wiped his sweat, took off his shoes, lay down comfortably, and gazed at the stars in the night sky.

“Our Dean Brother always has such refined tastes.”

Just as the old man was enjoying the evening breeze and the night scenery, someone flew over.

The Dean of White Deer Academy yawned, “I just find the weather too hot and came up here to cool off. How does this become ‘refined’? You bookworms always call everything refined. Would you say even farting is done elegantly?”

The Chief Sacrificial Wine Steward of White Deer Academy, Jia Junjie, twitched his eyebrows slightly, “Brother, that statement wasn’t very refined.”

“Can’t be bothered with you.” The Dean of White Deer Academy, Qi Zhengju, rolled his eyes at Jia Junjie and continued admiring the night scenery.

Jia Junjie sat cross-legged beside Qi Zhengju and sighed, “Dean, what condition did you promise Lu Xiaoliu to represent White Deer Academy on the mission to North Sea Dragon Palace?”

To many people, representing White Deer Academy on a mission to the North Sea Dragon Palace is an extremely honorable task, and many would fight for the opportunity.

Most people thought Lu Xiaoliu was favored by the Dean.

In reality, Lu Xiaoliu didn’t want to go, but Dean Qi Zhengju struck a deal with him.

“What conditions?” Qi Zhengju smiled and shook his head, “Isn’t he always wanting to go to the Western Regions? So let him go.”

“Dean, he might die there,” Jia Junjie looked at the Dean beside him.

Qi Zhengju, “He might die there, but tell me, by keeping him locked up at White Deer Academy, is he truly alive?”

Jia Junjie, “…”

Qi Zhengju, “Junjie, you must understand one thing. I know you’re worried about Xiaoliu. You finally got two good disciples, Xiao Mochi and Lu Xiaoliu. They originally had limitless futures, but they chose the most helpless paths.

“Since we can’t hold them back, we can only let them go and let them do what they want.

“As for the results, who really knows? Even if they die, so what? Do you think they would regret it?”

Jia Junjie sighed deeply, “How could it be like this…”

Qi Zhengju slowly closed his eyes, “A great era is coming. Everyone has their own tribulations. What you’ve taught them, they’ve learned, and they’re putting it into practice.

“They already know the outcome of walking down this path.”

…

…

[Hold on, there’s one last chapter. I’m halfway through writing it. It’ll be a little late, but definitely before 12 o’clock.]