Chapter 13: Shock After Shock

Zuo Fang and Traveling Fish had behaved obediently as listeners all along, but now, with a sudden shiver, unease welled up in their hearts. The formidable Deputy Dean of Inspections, Wuying, a figure of the Seer Realm—his deeds were etched upon their very souls. This was a man whose hands had been stained with countless lives, ruthless and decisive in his killings. Even now, his temper was notorious, and they had the “fortune” of hearing tales of his embarrassing moments—would he silence them to keep these secrets?

At the same time, the way they looked at Dugu Bieli changed as well.

Anyone who could converse as an equal with Wuying—who could even have Wuying come knocking to make a request—regardless of their own cultivation, was far from ordinary.

“Sit down, all of you. Why are you still standing?” Dugu Bieli waved his hand in invitation, but Zuo Fang and Traveling Fish hastily demurred, “No need, we’re fine standing, truly.”

Soon enough, they were grateful for their foresight.

From the open doorway, another elderly figure approached.

Xiaohua, Little Sister, and the others all rose to their feet, respectfully greeting, “You’ve arrived, Headmaster.”

Su Xiruo chimed in as well, “Uncle, you’re so free today—have you come to see me?”

...The Headmaster!

Zuo Fang and Traveling Fish exchanged glances, realization dawning—the unremarkable old man before them was none other than the Headmaster of Butterfly Academy, whose word was law.

Astonishment!

The Deputy Dean had just left, only for the Headmaster himself to arrive—not sending someone to summon, but coming in person. Why?

As they speculated, the Headmaster, wasting no time, nodded kindly to Su Xiruo, then addressed Dugu Bieli directly, “Come, step outside a moment—there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“What is it?” Dugu Bieli stepped out, only to see gathered at the Headmaster’s side were several others, all elderly men themselves, bare-chested and dust-streaked.

The Headmaster shrugged. “Let me introduce you—these are instructors from our Academy’s Weapons Division…”

“What does that have to do with me?” Dugu Bieli was utterly surprised. He no longer attended even regular classes, let alone had anything to do with the Weapons Division.

The Headmaster chuckled in exasperation, quickly searching for the right words. The instructors, meanwhile, rubbed their hands awkwardly, watching warily.

“Really, now, don’t be like this,” the Headmaster reminded. “Back when the storeroom was cleaned and your current residence prepared, it was they who led their disciples to help you. You never even offered thanks—don’t you think that’s a bit…”

“Ah, in that case, I ought to thank you all. Please, come in and have a seat,” Dugu Bieli said, stepping aside and gesturing them in.

The Headmaster swatted his hand and sighed, “That’s not why I brought them. I’ll spare you the details—you wouldn’t care for them anyway. There’s just one—no, two—things I need you to agree to, for my sake.”

Dugu Bieli, understanding the hint, quickly interrupted, “Please, Headmaster, don’t put it like that. If there’s anything you need, just say it. If I can agree, I absolutely will.”

“Very well, I’ll be direct,” the Headmaster replied at once. “First, I hope you’ll allow them to assist while you’re cultivating the Path of Weapon Refinement.”

Dugu Bieli pursed his lips. “It’s not just simple assistance, is it?”

The Headmaster coughed, pretending not to hear, and continued, “Second, I hope you’ll let them use some of the ore.”

“That’s easy, Headmaster. If you say the word, how can there be any issue?” Dugu Bieli asked, puzzled.

The Headmaster grimaced, pointing around. “This is the Forbidden Zone. Without the Queen’s permission, it cannot be reopened. The ore isn’t simply available for use.”

“What about me?” Dugu Bieli asked, startled. “I’ve used some myself…”

“That’s different,” the Headmaster replied. “Your case is special—Wuying already sought the Queen’s approval on your behalf; you’ve received special privilege.”

“Can’t you ask again?”

“You were a special case. If the Weapons Division joins in, it would amount to reopening the Forbidden Zone without permission. The Queen would be furious. Wuying could request once for you, but not again—he’d be in a bind himself.”

“But isn’t what you’re doing just the same...?”

“It can be counted as your usage,” the Headmaster said, giving Dugu Bieli a meaningful look. It was unclear whether he truly didn’t understand or was playing dumb. The Headmaster spoke plainly: “You already have permission; how much you use is not an issue…”

“Oh... I see.” Dugu Bieli couldn’t help but laugh. “You mean, no matter who uses the ore, it’s considered my consumption, right?”

“Clever,” the Headmaster said with delight. “I knew you’d agree. Good—that’s the kind of big-picture thinking I like…”

With that, he turned and left, ignoring Dugu Bieli’s calls, departing the Forbidden Zone within moments.

“So, whether I agree or not, I’m stuck with it.”

Dugu Bieli glanced at the instructors, who looked back at him…

A breeze swirled past.

...

Zuo Fang and Traveling Fish left the Forbidden Zone, their souls still adrift, unable to recall what excuse they’d used to make their escape. The shock brought by the Deputy Dean was swiftly eclipsed by the Headmaster’s arrival, and from the bits and pieces they’d overheard, they discovered that Xiaohua’s “boss” even had ties to the Butterfly Queen herself.

Truly, to be a “boss” was no small feat.

Such deep connections.

Having reached a tacit understanding, the two exchanged a look, each seeing envy in the other’s eyes.

“If we could establish a good relationship with him, would that not benefit our families?” Traveling Fish mused, calculating.

“Friendship should be genuine, with sincerity, not always driven by profit,” Zuo Fang reminded.

“Yes, I understand,” Traveling Fish nodded, then teased with a grin, “But I noticed you seemed distracted the whole time, your eyes drifting toward that ‘Little Sister’—could it be your heart is stirring?”

“Go away,” Zuo Fang retorted. Yet his heart skipped a beat, and the image of a quiet young woman rose before his eyes. “Little Sister, was it…”

...

“Since the Headmaster has spoken, and so earnestly, I can’t refuse,” Dugu Bieli said, seeing how uneasy the instructors were. He offered a few words of comfort, then decided, “I won’t actively teach you anything. In the future, when I cultivate, you may watch and learn for yourselves. As for the ore, don’t worry—it will all be attributed to me… Hm, you have a question?”

As he was giving instructions, one of the instructors hesitantly stepped forward, wanting to speak but uncertain. When prompted, he stammered, “It’s not just us—there are more than a dozen students as well… all at the Headmaster’s direction… Everything is for the Academy’s benefit.”

These people possessed some basic knowledge of weapon forging, but not enough to be considered true artisans—more like apprentices. That the Academy would bring them in with generous treatment left them deeply grateful, and they were determined to make something of themselves. Unfortunately, their talent was limited, and without guidance, they lingered outside the gates of mastery.

Now, with the Headmaster’s introduction and the opportunity to observe cultivation firsthand, they resolved to overcome every obstacle and forge weapons for the Academy. The Academy’s interests were their highest pursuit.

“More than a dozen?” Dugu Bieli was a little impatient, but then thought, what’s a few more? He waved his hand, “Let them come, then.”

The instructor immediately turned and ran off to inform the Headmaster and ask Deputy Dean Wuying for help, so the students could access the Forbidden Zone.

From that day on, the Forbidden Zone became lively. Whenever Dugu Bieli went to the storeroom to cultivate the Path of Weapon Refinement, nearly twenty “tails” would follow behind him.

After a few days of observation, Dugu Bieli was surprised to find that one of the students had great talent for weapon forging. This student was also quick-witted and adaptable; since Dugu Bieli would not actively teach, the student took the initiative to ask questions—always with utmost respect.

Whenever Dugu Bieli was in a good mood, he would share a little—such as explaining that the early stages of the Path of Weapon Refinement required one to refine the spirit of the weapon and comprehend its various attributes.

The student pondered these insights deeply, and a few days later approached Dugu Bieli again to share his own thoughts.

Since refining the spirit of the weapon was so crucial, could there be another method, aside from the special techniques of divine refinement?

Indeed, there was.

The student suggested that, in forging weapons, one could incorporate one’s own flesh and blood—infusing the weapon with the essence of martial spirit.

He called this “Blood Forging.”

Whether this method would work remained to be seen, but from that day, Dugu Bieli regarded him differently, sharing further insights into the Path of Weapon Refinement. It was as if they were master and disciple in all but name. The student, greatly encouraged, devoted himself to tireless research and experimentation, undaunted by repeated failure.

Years later, he would finally create a complete forging method—Blood Forging.

Dugu Bieli could not foresee the future; for now, he was wholeheartedly teaching Xiaohua and Wolf the techniques of combat.

After days of recovery, Wolf was almost fully healed.

As he listened, his fists remained tightly clenched, knuckles white with force. He longed to achieve mastery as soon as possible, so he could find the scoundrel who had once broken his ribs. Deep in his memory, Dugu Bieli’s words echoed unceasingly:

“If anyone bullies us, we hit back—hard!”

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