Chapter 1615: Chapter 69: Running a School

“I…I’m thinking of opening a swordsmanship academy in Danmu Town…”

Xu Lao Ying stuttered, then nodded vigorously: “Yes, to open a swordsmanship academy!”

“Open a swordsmanship academy?”

Lifting the red silk, the alluringly made-up Zhen Ping’er opened her mouth slightly: “Young Master, you…”

“Drifting all over the place is not a solution, we need a place to settle down, don’t we.”

Xu Lao Ying lifted his head slightly, his gaze connecting differently with Zhen Ping’er: “Besides, this time Kaba has made a name for himself in Danmu Town, establishing a swordsmanship academy with this momentum should attract many people to enroll…”

The Swordsman from Yuanzhou prattled on and on, while Zhen Ping’er listened with a beaming smile. When he finished speaking, she tenderly asked: “What would you have me do, Young Master?”

“…”

Sensing the excitement in Zhen Ping’er’s heart, Xu Lao Ying said with complexity: “First, I want the Zhen Clan to invest, and second, I want you to learn the sword.”

“Invest? Learn the sword?”

Zhen Ping’er chuckled bitterly: “I am currently sidelined by the elder, unable to partake in the Zhen Clan’s decisions. As for learning the sword, being just a woman… I’m afraid it’s unlikely I’ll achieve much.”

“If several elders of the Zhen Clan suddenly die, Madam could take back control of the Zhen Clan…”

“Young Master, no!”

Zhen Ping’er stood up quickly, her face filled with urgency: “My father is also among the elders, and besides, clan matters have traditionally favored sons over daughters. As a mere woman destined to marry out, how could I wield power over the Zhen Mansion.”

“Clan matters should not be divided by gender–those with virtue shall rise, while the mediocre shall fall. The two elders of the Zhen Clan, without talent or virtue, claim authority just because they lived longer, arrogant from age, where is the way out for the Zhen Clan.”

Xu Lao Ying said indifferently: “It’s true that men inherit the clan, but if there’s no one left to inherit, what’s the point of discussing rules and etiquette? In Xiehe, martial prowess is revered. If Madam’s cultivation surpasses the rest of the Zhen Clan, everyone will naturally be willing to honor you.”

“Young Master jests, what cultivation does a mere woman like me have…”

Zhen Ping’er said quietly, her head lowered.

“Madam can deceive others, but not old Ying. Without a strong heart for the path, how could you have such pure Spiritual Power.”

Speaking of cultivation, Xu Lao Ying became confident again: “Having only the realm of cultivation is like boiling dumplings in a teapot–it takes a profound technique to mobilize the Spiritual Power circulating through the meridians.”

Exposed, Zhen Ping’er’s heart was naturally in turmoil, but what Xu Lao Ying said was also her heart’s desire, leaving her both delighted and shocked.

Feeling the joy in Zhen Ping’er’s heart, Xu Lao Ying grew more spirited and continued introducing: “Women have a delicate and meticulous mind, fitting well with agile and swift movements; learning the wise sword couldn’t be more suitable. I believe with Madam’s talent, it won’t take more than three years to reach minor achievement.”

“I shall follow Young Master’s instruction obediently.”

Dressed in festive garments, Zhen Ping’er bowed slightly, the form of her peachy, curvaceous figure sketched out like a gourd by the red silk. Xu Lao Ying coughed lightly, turned his head away, and bolted out of the door.

…

In front of the Zhen Mansion

Ghost Fox Zhan Jiao was sitting and sipping tea. Two Zhen Clan elders stood with bowed heads to either side, making it seem at first glance that Zhan Jiao was the true master of the Zhen Mansion.

It’s no wonder the two were so nervous; after all, many of the mansion’s guards had fled, and Zhen Zhuo was injured. Although the main lineage still had several Transcendental pinnacle experts, two fists can hardly beat four hands. If the Zhan Mansion turns on them, the Zhen Clan will follow the Liu Family’s fate in less than half a day.

Everyone prefers life to death, especially for the two uncles who had just wrested back control of the Zhen Clan. The good times had only just begun.

So seeing Zhan Jiao was like seeing their own grandfather–begging for mercy, offering lavish gifts, an endless stream of flattery.

For the elders’ eagerness, Ghost Fox of course accepted everything, but his face remained unmoved until he left the Zhen Clan elders hanging for half an hour before finally uttering slowly:

“Zhan Qi was the disciple Great Elder valued most but was injured by the guards from the West Wing of the Zhen Mansion, hence the Great Elder, is very displeased.”

It wasn’t a declaration of war, which meant there was room for negotiation.

The two elders exchanged a glance, their eyebrows shooting up joyfully for a moment before returning to a look of utter sorrow.

“Ghost Fox, your insight is clear!” The Great Elder of the Zhen Clan said with a crying tone: “Our Zhen Clan is utterly in favor of this alliance by marriage, it’s just that this new guard didn’t know the rules; it was a thoughtless offense, not deliberate at all!”

“Save those words for the Great Elder,” Zhan Jiao scoffed, setting down his teacup, “Before striking outwards, ensure internal stability. Just as I was planning to send troops to Wuning Village, you’ve set my backyard ablaze. Your Zhen Clan, how very interesting indeed!”

The sarcasm laced with scorn made the two elders’ backs crawl with cold sweat. Just as they were about to speak, they felt their hearts ready to burst from their chests.

“Thump thump, thump, thump thump, thump–”

As if a giant hammer was drumming inside, making it hard to breathe, the two elders turned red in the face, clutched their chests, twitched, and collapsed.

“Playing dead?”

Zhan Jiao watched their poor act, feeling both amusement and disbelief. He had come to pressure them, but before he could say much, both of them clutched their chests–what on earth did that mean?

With disdain, Ghost Fox intended to further mock them, when suddenly he found the two old chaps flushed with crimson cheeks, sweat pouring down, gasping as if they were lifting a tremendous weight.

Realizing something was amiss, Zhan Jiao stood up quickly and shouted outside: “Come, someone, the two Zhen Clan elders are having an attack!”

Hearing the call, the servants hurried in, and upon seeing the elders clutching their chests, they turned pale with fright and called out hoarsely for the household doctor.