Qin Xu's ears twitched at the mention of Li Yang Academy; the name seemed vaguely familiar.
After a long pause, realization dawned. He looked at Zhou Boyuan and asked: "Li Yang Academy? The academy established by the late Crown Prince Zhang Huai?"
Zhou Boyuan's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yes, yes! It is indeed the academy founded by His Late Highness, Crown Prince Zhang Huai."
Qin Xu studied Zhou Boyuan like one might study a rare panda, recalling bits and pieces about the late crown prince. He murmured to himself: "Crown Prince Zhang Huai… what a distant name. He must have been a contemporary of my father, right? Passed away twenty years ago. I never thought I'd still hear his name today."
Seeing Qin Xu's attitude friendly and respectful, Zhou Boyuan raised his head, eager, and asked: "Young Master Qingyu, what is your view on the late Crown Prince Zhang Huai?"
Qin Xu recalled childhood stories from his elders and the books in the family library about Zhang Huai. Those youthful memories were nostalgic.
"I know of the late Crown Prince Zhang Huai through my elders and historical records. I respect his deeds, admire his ideals, and it is truly a pity he passed away so young."
Being of noble birth, Qin Xu spoke only of the prince's merits.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Boyuan took these words as great encouragement. Bowing deeply, he said: "Student Zhou Boyuan thanks Young Master for vindicating my late master and speaking in his honor."
Since Zhou Boyuan had this personal connection, Qin Xu did not pursue any earlier rudeness. Just as he prepared to take his leave, Zhou Boyuan pressed further with another deep bow: "Young Master Qingyu, since you acknowledge my late master, please help fulfill his final wish! Restore Li Yang Academy to the world! I beg of you!"
Qin Xu was dumbfounded.
Is this man insane? Does he even understand what he's asking?
Frowning, he stared at Zhou Boyuan as if looking at a madman: "If you request the restoration of Li Yang Academy, surely you understand the Crown Prince's original intent was to break the monopoly of noble families over martial and scholarly arts, strengthening imperial authority. Why would you think I, a scion of one of those noble families, would agree to rebuild the academy? Absurd."
Yet Zhou Boyuan showed no fear, shouting: "Young Master, martial arts belong to all humanity, not just a few noble families! The monopoly of literature and martial arts is humanity's loss, a regression in history! For the progress of our people, this monopoly must be broken. Please, Young Master, set aside personal interest for the greater good, and grant humanity this chance!"
Qin Xu felt his blood rise and coughed repeatedly. Only after swallowing a pill from Elder Huang did he regain some composure. Huang glared at Zhou Boyuan in annoyance, tempted to strike him, but Qin Xu gently waved his hand to stop him.
Qin Xu frowned, shaking his head. "You follow the martial will left by the Crown Prince at Li Yang Academy, don't you? Such a pity… no wonder, with your constitution, you can only reach Preeminent Perfection, and no further."
He glanced at the modest mountain hideout and continued: "Do you wonder why, with your strength, no one took you in, leaving you in this state? Actually, you are lucky. It is by the grace of the late Crown Prince that you enjoy this comfortable, carefree life…"
To Zhou Boyuan, Qin Xu's words sounded like biting sarcasm. He glared in anger: "Young Master, retract your words! They insult me and show disrespect to the late Crown Prince!"
Qin Xu, filled with sympathy, shook his head: "You've never been to a true battlefield, have you? You know nothing of reality, living in a carefully woven illusion. Lucky, yet unlucky."
Here it came again—our sentimental Young Master.
Qin Yi, standing behind Qin Xu, listened intently, absorbing every word. He learned a great deal.
Glancing at Qin Wei, he saw that though feigning casualness, his brother was equally attentive.
Zhou Boyuan, stunned by Qin Xu's words, immediately retorted: "Again with this speech? Again? I have been on battlefields! I've served as a scout against the Northern Di, fought pirates in the East, hunted southern barbarians, and defended the western borders from the Xifan. I've traveled across the world for over twenty years, witnessing humanity's suffering. Young Master Qingyu, I am not the naive scholar you describe, unversed in the world!"
In noble families, some with intellect but no constitution were trained as scholars, strategists, and advisors, supporting high-ranking martial experts in governance or military command.
These scholars, while bookish, knew the people's struggles even better than many martial experts.
Qin Xu, however, did not correct Zhou Boyuan's misperception. He had no interest in further debate but, for courtesy's sake, replied: "The battlefield I speak of is not these low-level skirmishes. When you encounter a battlefield of higher levels, you will understand how naive and unsuitable your ideals truly are."
"Elder Huang, let's go." Elder Huang supported Qin Xu, and in a flash, they disappeared.