The sky had completely darkened, with candle lights flickering around.
The starry sky above was filled with twinkling stars.
Both of them found the moment somewhat beautiful.
After nightfall, Chai Haifu and the other three classmates were quite considerate and would never disturb Shen Han unless it was something extremely urgent.
Looking at the inner armor in his hand, a delicate warmth was still present at the touch.
After hesitating for a while, Shen Han finally accepted the inner armor.
For himself, it might indeed be something necessary.
Then, silence fell between the two...
They glanced at each other from the corners of their eyes.
"Was Xilan here to see you earlier?"
Hearing Shi Yuezhuâs words, Shen Han was slightly taken aback.
When he was talking to Liu Xilan, she should have already been there.
He nodded, "Fairy Xilan and I discussed some Sword Dao experiences. She was curious about the reason Miss Su lost to me.
In fact, itâs been a while since I last saw Fairy Xilan, and many of my sword techniques were learned from her."
Hearing Shen Hanâs explanation, Shi Yuezhu softly responded, "Calling her Fairy Xilan seems quite intimate."
Shen Han: "..."
His words were still gentle, and his tone was calm.
But Shen Han sensed something was off...
He seemed to have misspoken.
"Back then, when we were at Shen Mansion, I had already met Fairy Liu, and fortunately, she helped me.
It was only on the path of Sword Dao, that I made slight progress...
So, chatting with Fairy Liu Xilan today led to more discussions."
Driven by a strong survival instinct, Shen Han added the surname before âFairy Xilanâ in the address.
Thus, it sounded less intimate.
Shi Yuezhu nodded at his words, her voice still soft, "So you do have some connection with Xilan."
An inappropriate designation seemed to leave her with a slight...
So even a gentle woman like her could feel upset...
"The matter of your duel with Jinyu was assigned to her by the Peak Master.
Besides that, did Xilan say anything else?"
Shen Hanâs mind kept working, trying to think of words that would not upset her.
"Fairy Liu Xilan mentioned Moon Bamboo Peak Master you, she didnât know we were acquainted, and said that Moon Bamboo Peak Master has a gentle temperament and a good heart..."
Before he could finish, Shi Yuezhu softly interrupted.
"I donât have a good heart; the reason she reminded you was probably because sheâs worried that I, as Su Jinyuâs master,
would harm you due to Jinyuâs matters, thatâs why she told you to be cautious in advance.
She does care about you..."
Her gentle nature was indeed gentle, but she could be sulky sometimes, even speaking with a hint of sarcasm...
"Fairy Liu Xilan and I are really just acquaintances, nothing more...
To Fairy Liu, I have more feelings of gratitude for her.
Iâm grateful for her timely assistance..."
Shen Han explained softly.
Fortunately, even with a slight temper, Shi Yuezhu listened to him seriously.
Seeing that Shen Hanâs explanation was clear, the displeasure in Shi Yuezhuâs eyes finally dissipated a lot.
There was another matter not talked about today.
"Jinyu, she..."
Before Shi Yuezhu could finish her sentence, Shen Han couldnât help but ask.
"Did the Moon Bamboo Peak Master ever think she would lose to me?"
With a slight look of helplessness in her eyes, Shi Yuezhu looked at Shen Han.
He did care a lot about her evaluation; before they parted last time, she had mentioned that he was slightly inferior to Jinyu in Sword Dao.
She didnât expect the competition between them to come so quickly...
"Did you ever think about it..."
Seeing Shi Yuezhu not answering, Shen Han couldnât help but ask again.
"Actually, I did think about it... just didnât anticipate it coming so quickly..."
These words indeed reflected Shi Yuezhuâs true thoughts.
For Shen Han to enhance his cultivation realm to the Sixth Grade Half-Step Realm at his age,
just this fact alone shows that Shen Hanâs talent and potential are extraordinary.
But Su Jinyuâs talent in Sword Dao was indeed remarkable, which made Shi Yuezhu initially think that, in terms of Sword Dao, Shen Han would not be able to win against Su Jinyu at least.
"The stakes you promised before the competition with Jinyu..."
Shi Yuezhu looked somewhat distressed.
She knew it was quite excessive to ask Shen Han to completely forgive and not hold any grudges against Su Jinyu.
If her disciple had won in the end, she definitely wouldnât have easily let go of those stakes.
"Does the Moon Bamboo Peak Master intend for me to entirely disregard it, to just act as if the stakes for losing donât exist?"
Hearing this from Shen Han, Shi Yuezhu quickly shook her head.
"Thatâs not what I mean.
I just wonder, could you not ask for too harsh a condition...
After all, Iâm Jinyuâs master, and in this instance, itâs my fault for not managing her well..."
interrupted by, Shen Han retorted.
"This has nothing to do with the Moon Bamboo Peak Master.
Besides, even her own father canât convince this Miss Su, let alone anyone else.
She was just born with a willful nature.
She only thinks of herself, only looks out for herself."
Shi Yuezhu wore an expression of difficulty; such an evaluation was indeed a bit harsh.
Yet Shi Yuezhu didnât argue back.
Her discipleâs behavior in front of her was different from how she was elsewhere.
Perhaps, in othersâ eyes, she really was quite troublesome.
"Jinyu grew up in the grand courtyard of the Su Family, receiving all sorts of favors, maybe a little spoiled..."
"Wouldnât that mean she should be taught a lesson to prevent further wrongdoings?
Do we wait until she causes bigger trouble to impose punishment?
Overindulging her is not a good thing for her."
For every sentence Shi Yuezhu said, Shen Han had a response.
Just from the conversation, one could feel Shen Hanâs aversion towards Su Jinyu...
Hearing this, Shi Yuezhu could only sigh lightly.
"Before the competition, Jinyu promised you that if she lost,
she would follow any condition you set, be it as a slave or servant...
I wonder if I could take her place for that..."
Take her place...
This statement had some implications...
Upon hearing this, Shen Hanâs eyes slightly brightened, "Take her place?"
"Yes."
Shen Hanâs gaze flickered slightly, making him feel like a knave...
Seeing this, Shi Yuezhuâs heart felt slightly stirred, yet she still showed a teasing expression on her face.
At their first encounter in Qianyang Country, Shen Han was so courteous.
How did he learn to misbehave...
This institute in the Capital City seemed to have issues.
Feeling Shi Yuezhuâs teasing glance, Shen Han pursed his lips, feeling a little timid.
"Then Iâll keep this condition in reserve for now, raising it later when itâs suitable, if thatâs okay...
But thatâs still not enough, Su Jinyu, she also must agree to a small, simple condition of mine.
Of course, this condition is not demanding, it shouldnât be difficult for her."
Shi Yuezhu was about to inquire further when suddenly, a powerful aura approached.
Her brow furrowed in vigilance.
In the next moment, Dean Tianyi appeared in front of Shen Han.
Standing protectively before Shen Han, he looked at Shi Yuezhu with caution.
"Peak Master Shi from Xiaoyao Peak, what brings you to our Tianyi Academy so late?
Your Xiaoyao Peak has always remained neutral, making a visit at night, do you intend to break this stance of neutrality?"
Such words clearly treated Shi Yuezhu as if she were harboring ill intentions.