375: Chapter 375 There's Another Choice

The moment she heard that voice, a rare look of astonishment appeared on Xiao Qingxuan's face.

She turned her head and looked toward an elderly man wearing a cyan-gray robe. He had graying hair and beard, an excited expression, and appeared quite energetic.

Lin Xiao and the other girls naturally heard it too. Glancing over, they saw the old man was sitting with the Academy faction.

Judging by his seat, his rank was not low. Dai Yunchuan, the fourth on the prodigy rankings whom they had met yesterday, was sitting obediently behind the old man.

[Wu Zike, 66 years old, Academy Master, former Right Chancellor of Western Shu, Aptitude: mystic grade]

[Traits: Erudite (Special), Double-dealing (Special), Imperial Teacher (Special)]

Double-dealing?

An Academy Master paired with such a trait matched Lin Xiao's view of the Academy lineage perfectly.

At that moment, Wu Zike had already stood up. Ignoring the bewildered looks of those around him, he left his seat and hurried over with a look of pleasant surprise and emotion.

"Husband, his name is Wu Zike. He is the former Right Chancellor of Western Shu and was my teacher when I was young. I didn't expect him to still be alive..."

Xiao Qingxuan's heartstrings were taut. Although Lin Xiao had said he didn't care if her identity became known, that didn't mean they should broadcast it to the whole world!

If it were made public at the Tianwu Grand Tournament, the entire world would know by morning.

Furthermore, they couldn't return to the Zhenbei Army camp in the short term.

By the time they returned from Wuliang Mountain, who knew what public opinion would be like, how the officials across the North would change, or if the army would face unrest?

Lin Xiao was currently revered by the world largely because he came from humble roots and had carved out the title of a Prince with a different surname through his own military achievements!

But once everyone knew that the woman by Lin Xiao's side was the Empress of the fallen Western Shu... things would change.

Talk of "climbing the ranks through a woman" would surely reach a fever pitch!

And even if Xiao Qingxuan said she was willing to give up the throne and wouldn't incite Lin Xiao to rebel, who would believe her?

Rumors would inevitably fly regarding who Lin Xiao's achievements truly belonged to and whether he had the support of "Western Shu remnants" behind him!

If someone with ulterior motives fanned the flames in the North, saying Lin Xiao was controlled by the Empress and was preparing to rebel, how would Lin Xiao respond?

Kill those people? That would be equivalent to surrendering and bowing to Emperor Hong.

Actually rebel? Even if he succeeded, he would be a treacherous subject, having gained the country illegitimately!

Of course, Lin Xiao could choose not to care and just power through it, but his glorious image as the Prince of Zhenbei would inevitably suffer, planting hidden dangers in the North.

Wu Zike's appearance was effectively giving Xiao Qingxuan a "lose-lose" choice!

If she acknowledged him, rumors would fly, and Lin Xiao might instantly turn from a hero into a rebel.

If she denied him, others weren't fools; it would only make them look like they had sinister motives and were plotting something!

The more Xiao Qingxuan thought, the more anxious she became. No matter how clever and quick-witted she usually was, facing her former mentor made her lose her composure...

"How dare you!!"

Lin Xiao suddenly raised a hand and pointed angrily at Wu Zike. "What did you just call this Prince!?"

Wu Zike froze halfway. He looked at Lin Xiao with a look of shame.

"I am from the Academy..."

"Your—Majesty!?"

Lin Xiao directly interrupted Wu Zike's self-introduction and roared, "You dare call this Prince that in front of everyone?! How malicious of you! Your treacherous heart deserves death!!"

Before his voice had even faded, Lin Xiao raised his hand and fired a finger of sword qi, directly piercing through Wu Zike's forehead!

Until the moment he died, Wu Zike felt incredibly wronged—Lin, I wasn't calling you!!

The scene erupted in an uproar!

Taoist Master Cangshuzi's mouth hung open, his expression losing control.

Infinite Heavens! This was an Academy Master, a member of the Academy's highest echelon, and he just killed him like that?!

Meanwhile, Xiao Qingxuan suddenly felt her mind clear!

Right! So there was such a choice—wouldn't it be fine to just kill him?!

Dead men tell no tales!

As for the fact that the person who died was her former teacher, Xiao Qingxuan didn't feel uncomfortable about it.

With the benefit of hindsight, she had already realized that there was definitely something wrong with this Wu Zike...

"Elder Wu!!"

Another Academy Master ran down in a panic. Dai Yunchuan and the others also looked terrified as they stood up.

"Your Highness! Why did you kill our Academy Master?!"

This person was Dai Yunchuan's master, Yan Xueming. He was considered a specialist in martial arts within the Academy, so he was leading the group this time.

Ten days ago, Wu Zike had suddenly said he wanted to join them.

Yan Xueming thought that since the fall of Western Shu, Wu Zike had been quite dejected, so he brought him along.

Who would have thought... on the very first day of the opening, he would be killed by the Prince of Zhenbei?!

How was he supposed to explain this to his fellow disciples when he returned?!

"You still have the face to ask?!"

Lin Xiao said with righteous indignation, "He dared to call this Prince 'Your Majesty.' He was trying to label this Prince as a rebel!"

"Since I raised my army, I have only sought to protect the country and the people. I have worked diligently and sought only to be worthy of the people of the North. When have I ever committed even the slightest act of treason?!"

"Is your Academy trying to fan the flames and create a rift between this Prince and the Imperial Court, causing chaos in the world so you can profit from it?!"

Yan Xueming was dumbfounded. The labels being pinned on him were so heavy he could hardly breathe.

Unfortunately, Wu Zike indeed shouted "Your Majesty," and many people present had heard it.

Although he hadn't specified a name or said he was calling Lin Xiao, who else besides the Prince of Zhenbei was qualified to be Emperor?

"Taoist Master Cangshu! How are you running this Tianwu Grand Tournament?! If I hear such nonsense again, don't blame my Zhenbei Army for flattening your Wuliang Mountain!!"

The flesh on Taoist Master Cangshuzi's face trembled as he hurriedly pleaded for mercy, "Your Highness, please calm your anger! I don't know what was wrong with this Wu Zike, but it has absolutely nothing to do with our Daoist Sect!"

"Master Yan, explain yourself! What exactly was going on with this Wu Zike?! How could he utter such nonsense?!"

Taoist Master Cangshuzi knew there must be more to it, but it didn't matter; protecting the Daoist Sect was the top priority.

"I..."

Yan Xueming was also completely confused. He could only cup his fists and say, "Sect Leader Cangshu, please forgive us. Since the fall of Western Shu, Elder Wu has been in a daze. His mind must have been muddled."

One must bow when under another's roof. His side was isolated and weak, so he had to show respect to the Daoist Sect.

Even if they suffered a loss, they had to grit their teeth and accept it!

"I see..." Taoist Master Cangshuzi said to Lin Xiao with a smile, "Your Highness, you see... the man is dead. Please be magnanimous and let this matter pass."

"For the sake of the Old Celestial Master, let this not happen again!" Lin Xiao said with a grim face.

"Thank you, Your Highness! Your Highness, Princess, please take your seats up here!"

Taoist Master Cangshuzi breathed a sigh of relief and signaled his disciples with a look to dispose of Wu Zike's body. To have this happen on the opening day... what bad luck!

Lin Xiao and the others' seats were directly opposite the main arena, the best position.

The Daoist Sect had even sent disciples to guard both sides to prevent anyone from disturbing them, creating a partitioned space.

Once they were seated, Xiao Qingxuan said apologetically, "Husband, I lost my composure just now and almost made a grave mistake..."