Chapter Eighty-Seventh: A Difficult Choice

from such a detached perspective, they could still feel Guanyan's trembling at the time...Xiao was a mischievous adventurer who stole out of the clan's territory, igniting the heartwood of the divine...Sān Shān City.

Sun Xiaoman hurried into her mother's room.

After the battle on Yuheng Peak ended, Dou Yuemei locked herself in her room and refused to come out. She entrusted all matters of the city to Sun Xiaoman, and she did not even appear for the inauguration of the new headmaster at Sanshan City Academy.

This is the first time in these past few days that I've been willing to see people.

"…" Mother," Sun Xiaoman's heart skipped a beat the instant she saw Dou Yuemei.

So haggard and weary, could that still be her mother

"Xiao Man," Dou Yuemei looked at her daughter, a trace of color finally appearing on her pale face: "How is the city"

“It's okay, it’s almost the same.” Sun Xiaoman didn't dare to say it. Ever since the Battle of Yuheng Peak, several talented disciples from the Dao Academy had left for other domains, saying they couldn't see any hope here.

Although these people are not numerous, they add insult to injury for the talent-starved Sancheng.

"That's good then." Dou Yuemei didn't seem to care much about the answer, and turned to ask, "How is Xiayan"

“Still locked in his room, saying he never wants to see you again.”

Dou Yuemei sighed and said somewhat wistfully, "It seems like this time she is really angry."

"It's fine, you'll forget about it in a while."

Sun Xiaoman's eyes held a hint of fatigue, but she tried her best not to let her mother notice.

Though handling the City Lord's Mansion affairs wasn't her forte, Sun Xiaoyan was a pushover. Her mother was so downcast and listless all day. She had no choice but to bite the bullet.

For her, she would rather wield a sledgehammer against hundreds of masters than bury herself in paperwork.

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"These days, I've also figured things out." Dou Yuemei perked up slightly and sighed, "Sashan City still needs to hold on, your brother's cultivation can't be neglected. Most importantly, mother can't delay you any longer."

Sun Xiaoman looked up at her: "Mother..."

"Go to your master!" Dou Yuemei sighed, "This world is not as your father believes. Everything he has done is meaningless. This world is not a world of reason, but a world of the strong."

It's truly unimaginable. As a woman who finds strength in her husband and has unwavering faith in him, to utter such words and deny the efforts he has made is simply heartbreaking.

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Sun Xiaoman felt that what her mother said was not correct, but she didn't know how to refute it.

“Your master is strong, but your mother insisted on keeping you by her side because she was confident that one day, she would not lose to him. Living with your mother will not affect your cultivation.”

Dou Yuemei was somewhat dejected: "Now... Mother will never be able to surpass him again."

At that time, Dou Yuemei sat in front of her usual dressing mirror, but with her back to the glass. Sunlight streamed through the windowpane and illuminated her haggard face, making it appear even paler.

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Sun Xiaoman simply sat on the ground, a silver small hammer swaying at her wrist. She used her hand as a pillow and leaned her head against her mother's knees.

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Dou Yuemei caressed her cheek and continued, "Pure martial cultivation hasn't paved a complete path yet. So the path of a warrior is difficult to walk. Your master is just one of the explorers. Many times you have to rely on yourself, you need to think more."

"Hmm," Sun Xiaoman's voice was soft.

"You are gifted. The first twelve heavens were effortless for you, so I won't mention the cultivation within the Inner Palace."

Dòu Yuèméi took out a small booklet, so thin it was only about a few pages of paper: "This is my mother's exploration of the divine abilities seeds, her insights. Take it. The great road takes many paths, one hundred ways lead to one goal, perhaps it will be of some help to you.”

Seeing Sun Xiaoman had accepted it, she continued to sigh, “A martial artist traversing the thirty-three heavens is still just an imagination. No one has ever completed it. I truly don’t know where my daughter will end up.”

Sun Xiaoman raised one hand, her silver hammer swaying: "Go to the highest point!"

Dou Yuemei smiled, she poked her daughter's nose with her finger: "Go go."

Sun Xiaoman stood up and stepped barefoot on the ground: "Mother, then I'll leave"

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Dou Yuemei smiled with tears in her eyes: “Let’s go.”

Sun Xiaoman suddenly smirked: "Before I leave, I'll help you give Sun Xiaoyan a little lesson!"

Seeing Dou Yuemei open her mouth to object, she interjected, “Mother, listen to me. It's good for a child to be beaten occasionally, it benefits their mind and body. Don't hesitate. Father is gone, the past stays in the past. But the future is still long!”

She took two steps, then suddenly turned back and blinked: "I think my master is quite interested in you!"

"Get out! You know nothing!"

>

The daughter has left, she's going to see her son now.

Dou Yuemei inexplicably felt a sense of comfort. She cast this strange thought out of her mind.

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Turning around, she looked at the mirror.

In the mirror, there was a face that hadn't been touched by makeup. Though haggard, its beautiful features were still discernible.

She reached out and gently stroked her face, letting out a soft sigh: "You died so young, ghost. Do you feel it was worth it What a pity, my beautiful face..."

As for Deputy Dean Song Qifang, Jiang Wang was certainly no stranger to him, nor did he lack respect. Dong A's demotion to Fenglin City was only a matter of these past few years. Before that, Fenglin City Daoist Academy had always been under Song Qifang's control.

>

Of course, due to his own strength and vision, during his tenure, Fenglin City's Daoist Academy has always been weak.

Now that Dong A is in charge of the main hall, Song Qifang serves as his deputy. Besides teaching, he diligently practices alchemy and the art of deduction. Their division of labor is clear, each playing to their strengths.

Because he was not competitive, kind and amiable, he has always been respected by his disciples.

It's just that Jiang Wang couldn't figure out why Song Qifang had suddenly contacted him.

"Dean Song," Jiang Wang walked into the alchemy room and bowed respectfully. "Is there something you need me for"

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With white hair and beard, Song Qifang turned back from the alchemy furnace, looking at Jiang Wang with a kind smile: “Jiang Wang, how’s your cultivation recently Are there any problems”

“It’s no trouble at all,” said Lao Song. Jiang Wang was taken aback: “The instructors are all very responsible, and my cultivation level is still very shallow right now. The problems I encounter are all quite basic, and sometimes my senior brothers help me solve them. There hasn't been any particularly difficult challenge yet.”

Song Qifang nodded with satisfaction: “You are one of the most outstanding disciples in Chengdao Institute. The old man is confident in you.”

"There are many masters in the Daoist academy, and I am ashamed to be called a disciple."

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“I’ve heard about what you did in Wangjiang City,” Song Qifang turned his head to glance at the fire in the alchemy furnace before continuing, “You performed very well. However, some things still need to be done carefully. Our city shares a border with Wangjiang City, and there is no need to make things so rigid.”

Regardless of the circumstances, and without judging right or wrong, it's really upsetting to have someone put a label on you as soon as they open their mouth.

But his face remained impassive, he merely replied, "The teachings of Master Song are indeed profound."

“Of course, it’s understandable for young people to be impulsive when it comes to family matters.” Song Qifang smiled and fanned the fire, seemingly casually saying: “I heard you have a superb sword technique that has shone brightly in both Sanshan City and Wangjiang City”

“The disciple did indeed get lucky and learned a sword technique by chance.” Jiang Wang frowned and said, “But this sword technique isn’t as miraculous as others say it is.”

"It's good to be successful without being arrogant," Song Qifang paused for a moment, then turned to look at Jiang Wang's eyes and said, "I wonder if you are willing to contribute this Taoist technique to the Daoist Academy So that other disciples in our academy can also benefit. Rest assured, your Taoist merit will definitely be credited, I promise."

The Zhuangguo Daoist Academy indeed had a tradition of exchanging resources for Dao merit. This allowed wealthy disciples to contribute materially, benefiting both the academy and the cultivators themselves. Of course, techniques were also included in this exchange.

But that is purely a matter of principle.

In other words, if Jiang Wang was willing, he would have changed it long ago. Why wait for you, Song Qifang, to speak up

>

Sharing with Zhao Ruocheng, Ling He, and Du Yexi was done willingly. But this doesn't mean Jiang Wang had much love for the world or concern for all living beings. That wasn't benevolence; it was foolishness.

Therefore, Jiang Wang directly asked, "Was this idea from Dean Dong"

Song Qifang's face was slightly somber: "It seems that in Fenglin City Daoist Academy, this old man's words still carry some weight. Even Dean Dong wouldn't disrespect this old man's opinion."

No wonder the Fenglin City Academy was so mediocre under his control before, this whole atmosphere is so outdated!

Ginger looked in her heart, bowed and performed a courteous bow: “In that case, I’m afraid Ginger declines.”

After the ceremony, he turned and left on his own.

His sword hung at his side.

At this moment, he had the sharpness of a sword.eigned weakness to deceive the enemy.However, Yun Youweng let him go and chose to snatch the Yunwen token from the white-clothed Taoist boy's hand first.While he waited for the right moment, or fought...