Chapter 53: The Beautiful Dean (Part 2)

  "In a war, what is most important? The timing, the terrain, and the people. The first two can be inferred through one's own knowledge, but the last one, the people, is the most difficult to grasp. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it; whoever gains the hearts of the people will gain the world. I can tell you with certainty that although Ming Yun is a renowned general, he will never receive the highest praise in our Imperial Garden Military Department, let alone become a marshal. This is because wherever he goes, not only do old acquaintances fear him, but even our own people are terrified of him. Few remember his military achievements, but almost everyone curses him as a butcher. He has unparalleled command skills, but he will never be a beloved general in the eyes of the world."

  After listening to Cai Cai's somewhat severe words, Zhou Weiqing finally understood that the person in front of him was not targeting himself, but rather he was suffering an unprovoked disaster because of Ji Xiang! Regardless of whether or not Cai Cai and Ming Yu had a certain relationship as rumored, it was likely that their opinions on military strategy were completely different. Although Zhou Weiqing agreed more with Ming Yu's methods in his heart, he could also hear the reason in Cai Cai's words. Just like the debate over whether to conquer through force or through strategy, there was no absolute answer.

  "Dean, calm down and listen to me for a moment." Zhou Weiqing said somewhat helplessly.

  Cai Cai nodded slightly, her face regaining its usual noble smile, but with a hint of sharpness still lingering in her eyes.

  "Dean, I confess. Actually, that day during the military aptitude test, I was completely writing randomly. In fact, I have never participated in any military training, let alone attended a military academy."

  "Heaven knows how I happened to have the same idea as General Ming Ye. I came to this academy, isn't it for learning military knowledge? I haven't even formed my own style yet, let alone command a war. Whether or not I can be as decisive and ruthless as General Ming Ye is still too early to say. So, you don't have to worry too much either. After all, there are still four years of study left, right? I know nothing, so naturally I would think of direct combat. In the next four years, what I need to learn isn't how to resolve crises without bloodshed? So, I can only say that you're worrying too much. No one person can be a copy of another. I won't become the second General Ming Ye. To put it bluntly, I don't even look up to him."

  While saying this, Zhou Weiqing's lazy and arrogant aura was revealed a bit. He really had nothing to say. This big cow wanted to eat lunch now. You called me over and scolded me for a while. What did I do wrong?

  Upon hearing Zhou Weiqing's words, Cai Cai suddenly burst out laughing, her original nobility not being damaged in the slightest, but instead gaining a few more points of dynamism and liveliness.

  "You're also a complete man, how could you possibly fall for another complete man?" Cai Cai said lightly, her pretty face clearly had a smile on it, but her tone was very flat. Zhou Weiqing looked at her with eyes wide with shock, if he hadn't seen many beauties before, he would probably have been enchanted to the point of losing his soul.

  "You don't need to explain anything to me anymore. What I want to tell you is that the style of Ming Yun can't be learned. Next, let's talk about your problem. At the opening ceremony of the Imperial Academy, I won't mention the fact that you hit someone. You are a third-grade Tianzhu Master and a 17-year-old intermediate-level Condensing Master. What I want to know is, why did you choose to attend our Fei Lian Imperial Military Academy instead of the Tianzhu Master Academy?"

  Cai's gaze became sharp again, staring at Zhou Weiqing's face as if trying to see through him.

  Zhou Weiqing said helplessly, "I don't want to either! This is all because of the arrangements made by my family. What can I do? Moreover, having many skills won't harm me, and in the future, I will definitely join the army, so it's only natural that I should learn more about military knowledge. Besides, doesn't our academy also teach us about the Heavenly Jewel Masters?"

  Cai Cai gently nodded her head and said, "You came here, no doubt because your father is the Yuan Shuai of Tian Gong Emperor's Garden. And as a Tian Zhu Shi like yourself, you will have to take over his position in the future. Actually, this place may not be suitable for you. Although I admire your father very much, I must say so."

  Zhou Weiqing's heart was startled, "You know my father?"

  "It's just a nod of acquaintance, I suppose. As for your identity, it's merely a trivial matter for me to discern. The Tian Gong Emperor Garden and my own Fei Li Emperor Garden were originally allied gardens, but over the years, due to the pressure from the Wan Shou Emperor Garden, we've been unable to provide much substantial support to the Tian Gong Emperor Garden. I must apologize for this. In such circumstances, if not for General Zhou's stalwart defense of the borders, I fear the Tian Gong Emperor Garden would have long since fallen."

  Zhou Weiqing furrowed his brow and said, "Then I should study military knowledge even harder, so that when I return, I can help alleviate my father's worries."

  Cai Dao said: "There's a saying that goes 'greed will not bring prosperity', and another phrase is 'specialization'. Although the phrase 'having many skills won't burden one' hasn't been fulfilled, it refers to survival. But you're different, you have exceptional talent. A Condensation Master under 17 years old is extremely rare! Moreover, according to Director Xiao, you should be exceptionally gifted in Condensation Mastery, not just a beginner at the intermediate level. Plus your identity as a Spatial Heavenly Jewel Master. If you divide your attention to military affairs, it's likely to hinder your progress in both Condensation Mastery and Heavenly Jewel Mastery, do you understand?"

  Here is the translation:

  "Up to here, Cai stopped for a moment and said elegantly: 'If you weren't the only son of General Zhou, I would definitely try every means to get someone with your talent to join my Imperial Garden. But now it seems that's clearly impossible. In fact, for your Tian Gong Imperial Garden, having one more excellent Condensed Form Master is much more important than having one more outstanding general. I think you should understand what I mean. Moreover, your father Zhou Yuanding won't need you to take over for at least twenty years. If you're willing, I can write a letter of introduction right now and recommend you to the Tianzhu Academy for further study. There are professional Condensed Form Masters there, with teachers who are responsible for guidance, one of whom is a Grandmaster of Condensation.'"

  Zhou Weiqing's eyes flickered, he was somewhat unsure what Cai Cai meant, as a Condensation Master, shouldn't she be trying her best to stay in the academy? Why did it seem like she wanted to drive herself out of the academy instead?

  Her eyes sparkled as she smiled slightly, "I know what you're thinking. I can tell you straight out. It's not that you're not good enough, but I don't want you to continue staying in the Academy. The reason is simple, because I don't want to wait until you graduate and take all the commoner students from the Academy back to Tian Gong Emperor Garden."

  As soon as Cai's words came out, Zhou Weiqing suddenly felt a chill in his heart. He never thought that everything he had done was under the watchful eyes of someone with ulterior motives. Without a doubt, before calling him today, this Dean must have thoroughly investigated everything about him and all his performances after entering the academy.

  Another extremely intelligent person. Perhaps, in terms of actual strength, she couldn't compare to the likes of Yu Tianyi or Mu Ye, but the feeling she gave Zhou Weiqing was even more terrifying. The oppressive nature hidden within her elegant and refined demeanor was revealed without a doubt. Moreover, she didn't give Zhou Weiqing any room to turn around.

  Zhou Weiqing took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart, his gaze also gradually turning icy from its previous casualness.

  It's only been two days since he arrived at the Royal Military Academy, and he's already encountered so many troubles. Not to mention the trouble brought by his fellow students, but also the threats from the Sky Evil Sect and the academy itself have made his patience gradually disappear. Don't forget that Zhou Weiqing is no longer the same person as before when the Heavenly Jewel had not awakened yet. Over the years, he has fully merged with the black pearl that was swallowed into his body, and while gaining great benefits, his personality has also been influenced by the black pearl, carrying a hint of evil aura. He was originally the kind of person who would bounce back even harder when suppressed, and now facing threats again, he no longer had any intention to continue enduring.

  "Dean Cai, I'd like to show you something." Zhou Weiqing said very calmly. As he spoke, he had already taken out a piece of paper from his storage ring and handed it over to Cai.

  Cai Cai was taken aback, she had already thought that victory was in her grasp. In her opinion, Zhou Weiqing either had to choose the axe and leave or he must compromise with her. But she did not expect him to react like this.

  As she took the paper handed over by Zhou Weiqing, Cai Cai brought it in front of herself. When she first looked at it, her originally calm and composed body trembled violently for a moment. Her eyes revealed an unbelievable look of shock.

  Zhou Weiqing stood up, his hands pressed on the desk in front of him, looking down at Cai Hong, "Dean Cai Hong, with your intelligence, you should be able to tell what this design is."

  Cai Cai suppressed the shock in her heart and calmly said: "Divine Master-level Condensed Form Scroll Design Diagram."

  "That's right, the design drawing that Zhou Weiqing gave to her was this one. Of course, he would never be reckless, what he gave to Cai Cai was the design drawing of his already-completed Twin Dragon Great Strength Hammers. Even if Cai Cai forcibly took it for herself, he wouldn't be afraid. Moreover, he believed that Cai Cai absolutely wouldn't do such a thing, or rather, she didn't dare to."

  "Exactly, it's a Divine Master-level Condensed Form Scroll design diagram. Do you still think I need a Master-level Condenser to train me?"

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