You're Strong But Now You're Mine-Chapter 544 - 542 Useless

"We need to reach Tongchuan Ferry before dusk. Yueyang probably won't get a steamship, but a regular cargo ship should be fine. We'll sail down the river without stopping for supplies. The Outer District army is making a lightning raid on Yanjing; they won't bother with a departing cargo ship." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"You all know how to use firearms, right? Everyone should be equipped with a short gun. If we encounter any scattered troops, you can use them for target practice—if they board the ship, I'll handle them."

"If luck isn't on our side, it might take us half a month to reach Dongyang. Prepare any rare daily necessities you need now—otherwise, even if we can stop for supplies then, they might not be available. Yes, I'm talking about toilet paper."

Although he didn't know when Ming Shuiyun would break free, Leyu still seized the moment to discuss the escape plan with everyone. At this moment, Leyu couldn't help but be thankful for Qin Leyin's generous gift—when it comes to running away, Qin Leyin is a professional.

A few months ago, Qin Leyin blew up the cesspool of Xuanzhu County and fled, quickly enough that even the Youth Daily reporters couldn't catch up. The only one who could match Qin Leyin's pace was the man from Chenfeng.

However, losing a round to Blue Flame wasn't shameful; rather, it should be said that Qin Leyin's ability to seize half of Blue Flame's military budget was a great victory for the Qin Family.

Even though Qin Leyin plotted beforehand, occupying the advantage of timing; being in Xuanzhu, occupying the advantage of terrain; and gaining the Silver Blood Association's trust, occupying the human element. Yet, despite having all these advantages, his opponent was Blue Flame, who commanded tens of thousands of soldiers!

In the face of absolute military might, Qin Family's fighting power was nearly nonexistent. Qin Leyin was like a kitten, while Blue Flame was a tiger; for the kitten to snatch away half of the meat from the tiger, isn't this something worth bragging about for a lifetime?

This is one of the reasons why Leyu feels the need to run quickly. If he doesn't run, once Blue Flame enters the capital for reckoning, Leyu can already predict his fate—definitely being enlisted by Blue Flame again.

It's funny, even though Leyu knows Blue Flame is deeply scheming, even though Leyu and Blue Flame haven't interacted much, even though they haven't seen each other for a long time... Yet, Leyu is utterly certain that Blue Flame won't kill him.

Not only will he not kill him, but Blue Flame will offer an irresistible price to have him work for him.

Just like that train ticket Blue Flame offered in the Statistical Department office.

Just like that deal Blue Flame discussed with him at the army camp in Tongling Town.

For some reason, Leyu suddenly felt that Ming Shuangli, Cha Huan, and Blue Flame were very similar. They're the kind of people you'd willingly give up thinking and rely on, even if it means becoming their tool; being used by them is a joy more than desire.

With the Ice Blood Physique as a brainhousekeeper, Leyu could allocate extra mental resources to observe others' expressions. When judging someone's leadership skills, don't look at them, look at the eyes of those around them.

So, Leyu believes the three of them are similar: in the Statistical Department, operatives fanatically worship Blue Flame; in the conference room, all teachers obediently follow Cha Huan's orders; in school, when Ming Shuangli gives an order, many students follow her to bomb the Platinum Tower.

The gaze of trust is a reflection of a leader's capabilities and also represents the responsibility a leader must bear.

Leyu raised his head, meeting everyone's trusting gaze, and revealed a confident smile, "This is the general plan. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"I do!" Li Ying raised her hand high, "I don't have money. Will you support me when we reach Dongyang?"

"I'll support you, next question."

Lin Xue asked, "I remember your reputation in the Dongyang area isn't very good, Teacher Qin..."

"Don't worry about me, next question."

Qin Yueshi asked, "What will we do after we go back? Continue being merchants?"

"You can continue being merchants, or you can do other things," Leyu said casually, "Don't worry, everyone has value, riches come and go. With me, we'll definitely find a foothold in Dongyang."

If worst comes to worst, I'll cling tightly to Qing Lan's thigh and beg my wife to support me.

"You shouldn't ask me what you'll do in the future, but ask yourself," Leyu looked at Qin Yueshi, "In your six months at the Imperial Academy, did you find what you're truly passionate about?"

Qin Yueshi seemed slightly bewildered, lowered her head, thought for a moment, recalling the joy of going to school, the sweat from training, the friendship between classmates, the leisure at the academy...

She took a deep breath, and calmly said, "I'm still the same as before; I want to make wealth flow from those unworthy of it to those who truly deserve it."

"What do you mean?"

"I want to become an industrialist and lead Dongyang to prosperity."

No wonder she's Qin Leyin's sister, able to make profiteering and unscrupulous business tactics sound so appealing. Leyu almost wanted to open the system panel and extract a passive trait of "capitalist blood"—how can all three of this sibling trio be loyal dogs of capitalism?

"Um."

Kui Nian weakly raised her hand and looked around the crowd, hesitantly saying, "Do we... really have to leave Yanjing?"

For a moment, the sixth level of the Platinum Tower fell silent, but Leyu nodded affirmatively, "We must!"

Resistance to change is human nature. Even changing jobs makes ordinary people anxious, not to mention moving to a different city altogether. Yet, in moments like these, Leyu needs to demonstrate his firm stance to dispel everyone's unease.

"I've talked about the military disaster and political reasons just now, so I won't repeat them here. I just want to say one more thing—" Leyu said seriously, "Trust me."

Kui Nian was of a timid nature, so with Leyu's firmness, she obediently nodded her head even if she had any fears or reluctances. Besides, this time she'd have the company of her friends like Lin Xue on the journey. Compared to when she went to Yanjing alone, after accepting the fact of leaving, Kui Nian even felt a slight anticipation—traveling with friends sounds fun!

"Where's Shuiyun?" Qian Yuya asked.

"She seemed to participate in the Imperial Family meeting at the White Box. I just went down to let Laina find a way to send a message to her."

"Can't you and she communicate telepathically at any time?" Qian Yuya's voice was flat, but for some reason, Leyu felt that she seemed to want telepathy too.

"No battery... no energy left," Leyu said helplessly, "Last night when I was locked in the stone coffin, Shuiyun kept using telepathy to contact me, depleting all the Light Energy inside. A night has passed, and without a chance to recharge, I can't use it at all."

"But it's alright. With the situation being so tense now, the Imperial Family meeting should end soon. By then, we'll meet up and leave the Imperial Academy secretly; no one will pay attention to us."

"Right." Li Ying nodded, "Who would notice a male teacher taking away a few female students?"

Leyu solemnly said, "Li Ying, I can write you a recommendation letter, and when you reach Dongyang, you can directly become a writer for Youth Daily and earn big money. I believe you'll become a famous editor everyone knows."

"Ah? Really? I'm actually not that great..." Li Ying giggled foolishly, and Lin Xue reminded her next to her, "Teacher Qin is saying you're being sarcastic and stirring the pot."

Kuinian weakly swayed while sitting on the bench, "Can we continue our studies after reaching Dongyang?"

"Yes, even if Dongyang has a shortage of teachers, I can continue teaching you," Leyu said. "I've mastered quite a few study secrets like 'Tianli Thirty-Eight Sets', 'Huanggang Secret Papers'... I guarantee that your youthful days will become more enriching, and you'll certainly achieve academic success."

For some reason, everyone felt a faint malice. Li Ying quickly changed the topic, "Actually, we don't necessarily need to study; we're all not that young, maybe it's time to start working."

Lin Xue suggested, "Maybe we can continue to perfect Wushuang Kill in Dongyang?"

"Yes, Wushuang Kill!" Qin Yueshi's eyes lit up, "We can totally use Wushuang Kill as an entry point to re-enter the Dongyang market!"

"By then, we can use Shuiyun Palace's name, 'the Imperial Family's latest card game', we'll definitely make a name for ourselves!"

"Right, since Shuiyun can leave the Imperial Academy, does that mean we can finally live together? Besides Shuiyun, there's Laina... Speaking of which, Teacher Qin, what about Laina?"

"Laina went to find Shi Wen, and if possible, I'll take them with us," Leyu said.

Soon, everyone started dreaming about a new life in Dongyang, leaving behind the war-torn Yanjing. This is only human nature. It's not that they lack empathy or sympathy for the civilians and classmates staying in Yanjing but rather the weight of reality is too overwhelming, and Leyu painted a dreamlike world for them. Naturally, they escape into dreams, refusing to consider the impending disaster at Yanjing.

This is why people like Ming Shuangli, Cha Huan, and Blue Flame can gather their forces together: not everyone has the courage to accept reality and still continue loving life. Heroes who can ignite a brilliant flame under the crushing weight of fate naturally attract countless followers. After all, when the entire world is enveloped in darkness, who wouldn't long to fly into the fire like a moth?

Only Qian Yuya did not enter the dreamscape meticulously woven by Le Yin. She walked over to him and asked in a low voice, "What if Shuiyun she..."

"There's no what if," Le Yin replied. "I already explained everything to her last night."

"But..."

"She has no reason, nor need to. She knows who's truly looking out for her."

"Precisely because she knows, there's a what if."

Le Yin was a bit puzzled, but Qian Yuya just shook her head. "Let's hope everything goes smoothly then."

Just then, a buzzing bell suddenly rang on the sixth floor, startling the female students. Li Ying turned pale, "Did we get discovered?"

Le Yin walked over and tapped her on the head, irritably saying, "This is the notification bell from the principal's office. After all, we're a floor apart and don't have telepathy, so he can only notify me with the mechanical bell."

"How come we never heard it before?"

"It's my first time hearing it too, maybe the principal has something urgent." Le Yin headed towards the mechanical ladder, calling out loudly, "You all stay here and don't move, I'll just brush the principal off and be back."

Lin Xue couldn't help but laugh, "Teacher Qin, your voice is so loud, aren't you afraid the principal will hear you?"

"I want him to hear, knowing I'm injured and still coming for me, it can't be anything good." Le Yin grumbled and took the mechanical ladder to the seventh floor.

After Le Yin left, Kui Nianruo suddenly realized a question. "We were talking so loudly just now, could the principal have heard that we're planning to leave Yanjing?"

"Don't worry, I didn't hear anything."

"That's good then." Kui Nianruo patted her chest, breathing a sigh of relief. But soon, she noticed the other companions all staring at the window behind her with stiff bodies, and realizing something, she turned her trembling head to look.

There sat Cha Huan in a gold-trimmed white robe on the windowsill, not looking at the female students, but gazing up at the ceiling. His expression was neither angry nor particularly happy.

His silver hair was, as always, neatly groomed, his clothes ironed smooth, his back straight, no different from the usual principal.

But everyone could see the difference.

He seemed like he really had aged.

...

...

Upon reaching the seventh floor, Le Yin squinted.

This was his first time seeing so many people in the principal's office.

Six brocade-robed warriors were lined up on either side, and an elderly man in a purple robe stood by the table made of pearwood. Though it was their first meeting, Le Yin instantly determined his identity based on the man's appearance - Chief Minister Liang Jiang.

The one sitting in the only chair in the principal's office, indeed, was the Sword Holder Cha Shiyin.

He was teasing a colorful parrot perched on his arm, the same parrot Cha Huan used to prank guests with the phrase 'Help me, Cha Huan turned me into a parrot!'

Upon hearing the mechanical ladder, he looked towards Le Yin and smiled, "Good afternoon, Vice Principal Qin. Have you eaten yet?"

Le Yin strode onto the seventh floor, responding casually, "I was just about to, but the dining hall was closed, so I thought I'd just eat some dry rations to make do."

"Dry rations don't suit your status, do they?"

"Which of my statuses allows me to eat for free? Vice Principal, sword sheath, one of the Silver Blood Trinity, or... the Four Guardians Walker?"

Cha Shiyin chuckled, ignoring Le Yin's provocation. With a wave of his right hand, the colorful parrot flew to Le Yin's shoulder. It flapped its wings and shrieked, "Enough, enough, being human is too tiring, I'd rather be a parrot, don't save me again!"

With that, it flew back into its cage, using its wings to shut the cage door as well.

"Do you think this parrot might really be someone who's been transformed?"

Le Yin looked at the colorful parrot for a while and retorted, "What do you think?"

"According to folklore, there's said to be an Illusion Divine Weapon called the 'Evil Scythe,' which can transform living humans into small animals, like lambs, little frogs, or small birds."

Cha Shiyin said, "Though it's unverifiable, if the principal really owned such a Divine Weapon, he would have used it last night, thereby disproving those rumors. I even suspect that the rumor about the 'Evil Scythe' is something the principal spread himself to keep visitors to the principal's office paranoid."

"I knew the principal was highly educated, but I didn't expect he could even teach a parrot this well." Le Yin couldn't help but joke, "He's even prepared a response for when the parrot gets rescued."

"Indeed, it could gain freedom, but the caged bird returned to its cage willingly." Cha Shiyin remarked, "Is the outside too dangerous, or is it more comfortable in the cage? Or perhaps it just doesn't want to trouble the kind person willing to save it?"

Le Yin did not respond, and Cha Shiyin did not continue speaking. The seventh floor turned a bit silent and oppressive for a moment, as if resentment was brewing in the shadows, even the air grew cold and harsh.

After a long silence, Le Yin broke it, "I want to see Ming Shuiyun."

"Interesting." Though he said so, Cha Shiyin showed not a trace of a smile, "Just as you're sure you can convince her upon meeting, she knows seeing you will sway her. You're the same type of people, like looking into a mirror. You reach towards her in the mirror, and she reaches back out to you - though you both have the same thoughts, only one needs to shatter the mirror."

"I don't understand what you're saying."

"I sincerely hope you don't understand, after all, a heartless Qin Le Yin is much easier to handle than a sentimental one." Cha Shiyin stood up. "Though the world celebrates deep feelings and loyalty, I personally prefer indifference and disdain."

He approached Le Yin step by step, and Le Yin didn't move, allowing him to get closer. He gently tapped Le Yin's shoulder, speaking softly in his ear, "If you truly don't understand, just take the mechanical ladder down, and obediently wait for the mirror to break."

Le Yin silently stared at the ground, as if the patterns on it shared some profound truth.

Perhaps the students previously punished in the principal's office had turned these patterns into theses... he suddenly had this irrelevant thought.

But soon, Le Yin realized the reason for his drifting thoughts: he was subconsciously choosing to escape. Escape the harsh reality and retreat into whimsical imagination. Compared to the agony of facing challenges, fleeing into a refuge was far easier.

However, the Ice Blood Physique stripped Le Yin of the right to escape. Whenever he wished to avoid reality, the Ice Blood Physique forced him to harshly scrutinize his cowardice.

As the blood ran cold, so did the heart burn hot.

"Sword Holder," Le Yin exhaled softly, "I actually have a method to shatter the mirror myself—"

"I know."

Cha Shiyin moved to his left, abruptly grabbing his left hand and raising it, revealing the iron bracelet on Le Yin's left wrist.

"The Saint's Relic, right." In the face of Le Yin's shocked gaze, Cha Shiyin calmly said, "I know what you're thinking, and I can tell you directly—"

"It's useless."