Chapter 54 Stirring Up Trouble

"What are you doing?" Qin Xuan frowned, hurrying over. He hadn't expected Su Muqing to follow him into these deep mountain woods; he was wary of trouble, but what was she so afraid of?

"I..." Su Muqing wanted to say something but found herself at a loss for words.

"Alright, I'm really fine. If you don't believe me, look." Qin Xuan opened his collar. Su Muqing, tense, looked over and saw only a small scrape—nothing at all like a gunshot wound.

"How is that possible..." Su Muqing couldn't believe her eyes. She had seen the bullet strike Qin Xuan's left shoulder with her own eyes; he had dropped to one knee, clutching his bleeding shoulder.

"Now you can rest easy. I'm not an ordinary person," Qin Xuan shrugged.

"I believe you. I do," Su Muqing nodded, her eyes reddening as she recalled her recent misunderstanding. "I'm sorry, Qin Xuan. I misjudged you again... Why aren't you angry with me?"

"Why would I be angry?" Qin Xuan smiled, puzzled. "It's good for a woman to be cautious, but you can't let appearances fool you. Besides, this is probably the last time we'll meet. Is there any point in getting angry?"

"The last time... Qin Xuan, don't do anything foolish!" Su Muqing was startled, then anxiously grabbed his hand.

"I have to eliminate that scum Li Shihao," Qin Xuan said resolutely. "Go back; this has nothing to do with you anymore."

Though Zhao Long had just warned him, the thought of Yang Ling's shattered soul lingering in the sealing talisman reignited his murderous intent toward Li Shihao—an urge he could not suppress.

"No!" Su Muqing blocked Qin Xuan's path, staring into his eyes. "Qin Xuan, tell me again—what you said about Yang Ling, is it true?"

"Believe it or not, it doesn't matter. Do you think you can stop me?" Qin Xuan's tone was cool.

"Fine, I believe you," Su Muqing said suddenly, after a moment's thought.

Her chest rose and fell violently; clearly, believing Qin Xuan was no easy matter for her. After all, Li Shihao had been her boyfriend for two years.

"Do you truly believe?" Qin Xuan fixed his gaze on her striking eyes.

The two locked eyes. Su Muqing did not waver, biting her lip as she nodded. "I believe you! But I need to find proof. Once I have evidence, I'll help you confront him!"

"I'm afraid by the time you find evidence, he'll already be dead..."

"Qin Xuan!" Su Muqing interrupted, her voice almost pleading. "I'm begging you, please—don't be impulsive. Think of yourself. Is someone like him really worth such a sacrifice?"

To her, killing meant forfeiting one's own life, especially when the target was Li Shihao. No matter how capable Qin Xuan was, he couldn't possibly stand against the power of the state.

"Oh? Eliminating such a scoundrel as soon as possible could save many others. Even if it costs me, so be it," Qin Xuan said solemnly. At worst, he'd face his master's wrath and be forbidden from ever leaving Mount Shu again...

"Then how are you any different from Zhou Daqiang!" Su Muqing shook her head. "Qin Xuan, do you think Zhou Daqiang was born a murderer? He was driven by life, killed a villain first, then couldn't stop himself and killed more and more, ending up like this... Qin Xuan, I don't want you to become like him. You said you have a master—surely he wouldn't want you to kill?"

At her words, Qin Xuan felt a tremor in his heart.

To kill is to become a demon; the line between hero and demon is never clear. Although his master hadn't forbidden killing when Qin Xuan left, the spell on the villa prevented anyone who had killed from entering.

In other words, his master had been warning him all along: Do not take life!

For a swordsman, maintaining one's true heart is crucial—but more so, it is vital not to let evil thoughts corrupt the sword's spirit. Many legendary swordsmen in history fell into madness because they killed, their ends tragic.

Even when subduing monsters and demons, his master had always sealed them, never killed.

...

Qin Xuan was silent for a time.

"The purpose of trials is to temper the heart. The more your will aligns with the natural order, the higher your sword's realm will become. Go down the mountain and experience the mundane world; unless you reach unity of sword and spirit, do not return to see me..."

His master's instructions echoed in his mind, resonating so powerfully this time that they replayed again and again, helping him grasp the crucial truth.

"Thank you, Teacher Su," Qin Xuan said gravely.

"Ah?" Su Muqing was startled.

She hadn't expected her words to enlighten Qin Xuan so quickly. She'd prepared to argue all night if needed, anything to dissuade him.

"I've thought it through. I'll do as you say—find evidence first, then bring him to justice. Of course, I'll give you just one month. And if the law can't touch him, I'll stick to my original plan."

Qin Xuan paused, then continued, "In fact, I know you don't truly believe me. But convincing you alone is simple; no other evidence is needed."

"Hmm?" Su Muqing was surprised.

"I'll do my best to find someone with spiritual abilities to summon Yang Ling's soul from the sealing talisman. If you see her spirit yourself, you'll believe, won't you?"

"Really?" Su Muqing was both incredulous and delighted.

The sealing talisman, the soul... These concepts had been pure fantasy to her. Yet, within a single night, she now had the chance to see them for herself.

If Yang Ling's soul could truly be summoned and speak, the truth would be revealed.

"Yes, I'm sure there's someone with such gifts in Jinling," Qin Xuan nodded. "I'll let you know when I have news. And about school—should I go tomorrow..."

Thinking of school, Qin Xuan felt a headache coming on.

His expulsion hadn't been revoked yet, and tomorrow was the first day of military training. He wondered if Zhou Xiaoyu and the others would have time to carry out their plan.

Qin Xuan's goal was simple: stir things up as much as possible.

Since he was in the right and had solid evidence, he wasn't afraid of any commotion. If the matter drew attention from the whole school or even society, he doubted the business school's leadership could withstand the pressure.

Even if they did, Li Shihao's reputation would be ruined—colluding with the dean, abusing power, favoring the Japanese, enough to make angry youths spit at him in the street.

Of course, that was a much better fate than being killed by Qin Xuan; it was letting him off easy.

"Of course you should go. Qin Xuan, my plan is to make this as big an issue as possible. If the school can't handle the pressure, your expulsion will soon be revoked. I've already told my brother about it, and I believe by tomorrow morning, everyone in Jinling will know."

At her words, Qin Xuan was stunned.

Not just because her thinking was the same as his, but—her brother?

Overnight, the whole city of Jinling—could her brother wield such influence? She was from the Su family, but even so, Qin Xuan found it hard to believe.

Unless...