"Really?"
Chu Lingguang asked excitedly.
"His Highness’s word is his bond. There’s no room for doubt," Grand Protector Yan said.
"Master, you can finally be reunited with Guo Xiaotian!"
Chu Lingguang said, overjoyed.
He knew Guo Wei had never stopped thinking about Guo Xiaotian. Opening the Martial Arts Hall, recruiting countless disciples—it was all for the sake of becoming a Grandmaster and going to Wolf Valley Pass to rescue Guo Xiaotian.
Chu Lingguang was the only one who truly understood how much his master had agonized over the countless obstacles in his path. Now that his goal was finally about to be realized, Chu Lingguang was genuinely happy for him.
However, Guo Wei remained perfectly calm. He clasped his hands in a salute to Grand Protector Yan and said, "I am but a humble martial artist who has rendered no service to the state. How could I dare trouble His Highness to go to such lengths? Besides, my unworthy son is only getting what he deserves. I dare not hope for such a thing."
"Master Guo, you are too modest. Everyone knows of the six prodigies from your school, especially Chu Lingguang. He is about to become an Advanced Scholar and will surely help the Great Yuan expand its borders in the future. His potential is limitless. His Highness has a keen eye for talent," Grand Protector Yan said with a smile.
"Thank you for the high praise from both His Highness and Mr. Yan. However, the Palace Examination has yet to begin, and it is still uncertain whether Lin Guang will pass. As for my unworthy son, I dare not trouble His Highness with his affairs," Guo Wei said with a deep bow.
"Master..."
Chu Lingguang’s expression froze. He couldn’t understand why Guo Wei would refuse. ’Doesn’t he want Guo Xiaotian to be released sooner?’
Grand Protector Yan was also taken by surprise. He couldn’t help but glance at Eunuch Liu before stepping forward to help Guo Wei up. He smiled and said, "Master Guo, is there something you find difficult to say? Or perhaps... has someone else already come to see you?"
"Mr. Yan, you’re overthinking things. My unworthy son committed a heinous crime. I am filled with guilt and truly dare not try to absolve him of his wrongdoing," Guo Wei said, his face earnest.
Grand Protector Yan frowned. He glanced at Chu Lingguang, who stood to the side, and an idea seemed to strike him. He smiled, "Master Guo, you have a fine sense of righteousness. I admire that. I hope the Court releases Guo soon. Farewell!"
"Farewell, Mr. Yan."
Guo Wei said, bowing once more.
"Mr. Yan, take care."
Eunuch Liu escorted Grand Protector Yan to the gate. He watched as the Grand Protector boarded his carriage and only returned inside after it had vanished down the street.
"Master, the Seventh Prince was willing to help you rescue Guo Xiaotian. Why did you refuse him?"
Chu Lingguang asked, confused.
"There’s no such thing as a free lunch. You’ll understand one day."
Guo Wei didn’t explain further.
"Master Guo, about what just happened..."
After seeing Grand Protector Yan off, Eunuch Liu approached Guo Wei, also wanting to ask for clarification. But when he saw Chu Lingguang was still there, he held his tongue.
"Master, Eunuch Liu, I’ll return to my studies."
Chu Lingguang could tell there was something going on, so he found an excuse to leave.
"Let’s... have a drink."
Guo Wei said with a bitter smile.
"Excellent. I’ll prepare some side dishes myself."
Eunuch Liu could see that Guo Wei was burdened by thoughts he couldn’t share with just anyone.
Grand Protector Yan’s carriage entered the Imperial City. In a lavish training ground, he met with the Young Master Jin Yi, who was none other than the Seventh Prince.
"Teacher, you’ve come at the perfect time. The Empress Mother just sent word. We can have Guo Xiaotian out in three days at most."
SWOOSH!
...
Having spoken, the Seventh Prince fired a volley of arrows at a target before him.
The Six-Star Linked Pearls Archery Technique!
His skill far surpassed that of Chu Lingguang, Yan Zhen, and even Qin Yu.
As a member of the Royal Family and Relatives, he lived a life of pampered luxury and had access to every profound Cultivation Technique imaginable. Though he appeared young, his Combat Power far exceeded that of other experts his age. At times, even Grand Protector Yan found him difficult to read.
"Guo Wei refused,"
Grand Protector Yan said.
THWACK!
The final arrow shaft fired by the Seventh Prince veered slightly off course.
"Refused?"
The Seventh Prince tossed the Jade-encrusted Great Bow to one of his men. The man’s brows furrowed as he caught it, clearly struggling with its weight.
"Guo Wei said that Guo Xiaotian committed a heinous crime and that he didn’t dare try to absolve him,"
Grand Protector Yan explained.
"The first thing Guo Wei did after receiving his title was find Zhang Tao to try and buy his son’s freedom from Wolf Valley Pass. ’Not wanting to absolve Guo Xiaotian’ is just an excuse. He doesn’t want Chu Lingguang joining my faction."
The Seventh Prince said with absolute certainty after a moment’s thought.
"Master Guo, why did you refuse Mr. Yan? Haven’t you sacrificed so much precisely to save Guo?"
Inside the study, Eunuch Liu asked in confusion as he filled Guo Wei’s cup with wine.
"Eunuch Liu, who do you think Mr. Yan came for?"
Guo Wei countered.
"For the both of you, master and disciple."
Eunuch Liu said.
"You’re not saying it directly to spare my feelings, Eunuch Liu. But we both know the Seventh Prince’s true interest is in Chu Lingguang,"
Guo Wei said bluntly.
"But he’s the one you personally taught,"
Eunuch Liu added.
"And for that very reason, I cannot be the one to ruin him,"
Guo Wei said grimly.
Eunuch Liu looked stunned.
Guo Wei sighed softly. "Since ancient times, every change of imperial power has left fields of corpses in its wake. The Seventh Prince is powerful and holds a high position. Lin Guang is far out of his league."
Eunuch Liu was deeply moved. "Master Guo, are you worried that Chu Lingguang will be dragged into factional struggles? Especially the power games between the princes? Are you afraid he’ll be implicated later on?"
"Correct."
Guo Wei nodded and continued, "Lin Guang is not just my Direct Disciple; he is the future of our school’s legacy. When he enters the Court someday, factional struggles will be inevitable. But for now, he at least has a choice. The political waters of the Imperial City run too deep for him."
"The Seventh Prince isn’t the only one with his eyes on Chu Lingguang,"
Eunuch Liu reminded him.
"It doesn’t matter how many others there are. As long as they realize they can’t easily control Lin Guang, they will all eventually give up,"
Guo Wei said with conviction.
"So that’s why you refused the Seventh Prince. First, to prevent Chu Lingguang from being entangled in the struggle for the throne. Second, to show everyone that you won’t use Guo Xiaotian to force Chu Lingguang to pledge allegiance to anyone. And third, to make it clear to all that you will not be Chu Lingguang’s weakness."