Kapitel 202: Li Sheng Surrenders
Listening to Fu Qing's words, the students from the Imperial Academy began to understand what the so-called autumn hunt truly entailed.
The autumn hunt was both a trial and a large-scale resource extraction method for the Blue Flame Empire.
Rather than calling it plundering, it was more like an exchange—trading lives for resources with the Demon Kingdom.
The Blue Flame Empire highly valued the items within the Demon Kingdom, such as rare flowers, herbs, and monster cores, which were excellent materials for alchemy.
Similarly, advanced human tools, divine weapons, and everyday items were equally valuable to the demon race.
It was foreseeable that the autumn hunt would result in significant casualties.
With heavy hearts, everyone returned to their rooms.
Mo Qingkuang entered his courtyard for the first time. He carried all his luggage in his spatial ring, so there was no need to place anything in the courtyard.
The courtyard had two rooms, separated by an old living room to ensure privacy for both students, with the living room being shared.
Li Sheng had chosen one room, leaving the other for Mo Qingkuang, who didn't mind.
"Mo... Mo Shao."
(T/L: Shao is commonly attached to someone's surname or given name to show politeness or deference, often implying a young master, a young lady, or someone of noble birth.)
Li Sheng, back in the courtyard, didn't rush to his room but cautiously called out to Mo Qingkuang, who was about to enter his.
"Hmm?" Mo Qingkuang turned, looking at Li Sheng with interest.
Mo Shao?
This title felt both familiar and unfamiliar to Mo Qingkuang.
Familiar because he had been called Mo Shao for sixteen years in Tiannan City, with everyone addressing him with a mixture of respect and fear, just like Li Sheng now.
Unfamiliar because he didn't expect this title from Li Sheng, who was the first to challenge him when he arrived at the inner court and showed little respect even to the ninth princess, Han Yan.
Now, Li Sheng was suddenly showing him such respect, which Mo Qingkuang found odd.
"Senior Li, what can I do for you?" Mo Qingkuang raised an eyebrow at Li Sheng.
Li Sheng felt complicated. He was part of Han Kongming's faction and had previously harassed Chen Kong and even picked on Mo Qingkuang.
Now, with Chen Kong and Mo Qingkuang leading the group, everyone instinctively distanced themselves from Li Sheng, leaving him in an awkward position of sharing accommodations.
With Chen Kong and Mo Qingkuang's strength far surpassing his, Li Sheng felt uneasy. He had been somewhat secure in the inner court but now had to share a roof with Mo Qingkuang and potentially follow him and Chen Kong into the dangerous autumn hunt.
Li Sheng was highly sensitive to danger, which allowed him to take on tasks that even stronger students hesitated to accept.
After hearing Fu Qing's explanation, fear began to set in. It was almost certain that Mo Qingkuang and Chen Kong would lead the autumn hunt.
While Chen Kong was loyal to Tianxuan and had previously trusted Li Sheng with temporary command in the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb, Mo Qingkuang was not as magnanimous.
Based on Li Sheng's knowledge, those who offended Mo Qingkuang ended up in terrible conditions, including himself.
Now, with his life potentially in Mo Qingkuang's hands, and with Han Kongming unable to protect him here, Li Sheng was terrified.
Moreover, after witnessing Chen Kong's one-against-ten strength at Yunxiao Palace, Li Sheng was certain Han Kongming couldn't match that.
Mo Qingkuang could rival Chen Kong, possibly even surpassing Han Kongming in combat strength.
"Well, it's not about teaching anything. I just genuinely want to apologize to Mo Shao for what happened before..." Li Sheng said, stammering with an awkward smile.
Mo Qingkuang gave Li Sheng a deep look. As Li Sheng spoke, Mo Qingkuang finally understood his true intention—fear of revenge.
With Chen Kong injured, Mo Qingkuang was now the only protector of the Imperial Academy team at Blue Flame Royal Academy, forcing Li Sheng to submit.
Recalling the scene when Li Sheng had forced him to compete, Mo Qingkuang couldn't help but find it amusing. Now, if Mo Qingkuang were to force Li Sheng into a duel, Li Sheng would undoubtedly be too scared to accept.
However, since Li Sheng was Han Kongming's man, there might be...
Mo Qingkuang waved his hand casually, "The past is the past. We're fellow disciples, aren't we?"
"Yes, yes. Mo Shao, please forgive me!" Li Sheng nodded repeatedly.
Just as he was about to leave with thanks, Mo Qingkuang's tone shifted, "But—"
Li Sheng, who had just relaxed a little, tensed up again, "Mo Shao, what else do you need?"
"If I remember correctly, you're one of Han Kongming's people, right?" Mo Qingkuang didn't address Han Kongming as the senior brother, calling him by name instead.
He didn't know much about Han Kongming. To him, there was only one senior brother in the Imperial Academy, Chen Kong. As for Han Kongming? He could talk about him after beating him.
Li Sheng's heart sank. Here it comes.
It was best to distance himself from Han Kongming verbally, "Not really. When I first joined, Senior Brother Han took care of me, so I stayed close to him."
Mo Qingkuang stared directly into Li Sheng's eyes, making his legs feel weak.
"Han Kongming was the one who instructed you to block me when I first came into the inner court, right?"
Li Sheng froze for a moment. Mo Qingkuang's reputation for intelligence was well-deserved; his little tricks were no match for him.
But he didn't know that behind Mo Qingkuang was a knowledgeable Mo Fan, which helped shape Mo Qingkuang's image as both a scholar and a warrior.
Li Sheng's face showed his inner struggle. Mo Qingkuang wasn't just asking about the past; he was demanding a declaration of loyalty.
If Li Sheng admitted Han Kongming's involvement, the imperial family's Han Kongming would undoubtedly hate him for disloyalty, ending that path for him.
If he didn't admit it, it would show his unwavering loyalty to Han Kongming, making him an enemy of Han Yan and Mo Qingkuang, likely resulting in his mysterious death during the autumn hunt.
Did Mo Qingkuang really not know who had orchestrated the past incident? He was just asking to confirm.
After much deliberation, with his back soaked in sweat, Li Sheng finally made a decision. He had initially aligned with Han Kongming for a better future.
But now, Mo Qingkuang and Chen Kong's futures seemed far brighter than Han Kongming's.
A wise bird chooses a sturdy tree to nest in, and a wise minister serves a capable lord.
If he could seize this opportunity to join Mo Qingkuang, there might be even greater prospects ahead.
"Yes!" Finally, Li Sheng made up his mind and uttered a single word.
"Good. Senior Brother Li, you are honest. I'm a vengeful person. If it were just you, I'd let it go, but Han Kongming... I'll remember this debt." Mo Qingkuang finally smiled.
With his mind made up, Li Sheng hurriedly said, "I have been by Han Kongming's side for many years. Mo Shao, I will obey your commands without question."
Mo Qingkuang smiled and waved his hand, "No rush. I heard you haven't obtained the Withering and Flourishing Sutra yet?"
"Uh, I haven't had the funds for it."
Mo Qingkuang took out a handwritten copy of the Withering and Flourishing Sutra from his robe and handed it to Li Sheng, "Get some rest early."
***
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