Chapter 47: I’m Here to Challenge You

  Transtor: Krukist

  The old e so attention. Though a servant, her status wasn’t low. L her voice, she asked, “Miss, you think the Seve Houses will move on Lin Yu?”

  Lin Yu gnced over, his eyes weighing her words. Lin Ling’er’s face creased with worry.

  Han Ya hesitated, wary of spooking Lin Yu into quitting. “ Shuitian’s kept the Houses in check for years, but they won’t just watch Lin Yu take Vice Head.”

  “At Shuitian’s level, it’s all verbal sparring—no one dares touch him. That’s suicide. Lin Yu, though? If the Houses want him gohey could pull it off . Everyone’d know it was them, but proof? None.”

  Lin Ling’er paled, clutg Lin Yu’s arm. “That dangerous? Brother, maybe go back? Skip Vice Head, and you’re safe, right?”

  Lin Yu patted her head, grinning. “Han Ya’s got a point, but that’s the worst case.”

  Han Ya nodded. “Worst case, yeah. Shuitian’s eyes are everywhere in the Academy. The Houses would o bleed big to act—otherwise, no ce.”

  Lin Yu’s tone grew firm. “ Shuitian told me being Vice Head brings more perks than risks.”

  He stretched the truth— Shuitian had only promised safety, not perks. But Lin Yu sensed Han Ya wasn’t just aor. If she flexed her clout, she could shield him hard.

  Before she replied, the e spoke. “Lin Yu, I hate to say it, but that’s naive. Not just the Dining Pavilion—all four branches carry danger.”

  Her eyes glinted. “With Puye behind you, though, you won’t die. Rest easy there.”

  Shuitian appeared, dust-ot from the Academy’s paths but the road behind their carriage. Lin Yu clocked it—he’d rushed from Southwestern Marquis Manor, where he’d lihese years, ment Nan Ziyan. Her frail health kept her there, and Shuitian, bored of campus life, had settled in, hosting wis to funt his Spirit Brewer fir at Nan Zhan’s behest.

  Spotting Lin Yu, he g the sky. “Night’s falling—none of you ate yet, huh? e to my pce for a bite. We’ll hash out this Vice Head gig too.”

  “It’s just a title for now—I said you’d gain big. This is your shot at something good. But you’ve got three tasks to nail.”

  He smiled at Han Ya. The e bowed. “This old servant greets Puye.”

  Shuitian waved her off. “No need, Elder Liu—I owe you thanks for that old favor.”

  Her gaze sharpened, brushing it aside. “Nonsense.”

  Lin Ling’er whispered to Lin Yu, “Brother, why’s Puye ag with Master Han’s servant?”

  Lin Yu peeked at their beaming faces—zero tension. Grinning wide, he muttered back, “Grown-ups love their fake games.”

  At Shuitian’s Academy residence, Lin Yu grasped his clout. Like Earth’s sprawling campuses, Heavenly Cloud Academy was a mini-city. Mentors’ quarters clustered like apartments—low-rise, usually one room per teacher. Han Ya, rid noble, cimed a whole three-story block. Lin Yu learned Lin Ling’er buhere too.

  Han Ya shrugged. “When Ling’er became my disciple, your father vanished. I worried for her mood—and it’s easier to teach her living together.”

  Her casual tone hid a deep bond. Lin Yu —Lin Ling’er’s foothold among the Academy’s elite, unscathed as a oner, owed much to Han Ya.

  Shuitian’s setup dwarfed it: three buildings—one for his crafts’ materials, one for training and occasional lectures, and the st his home.

  Lin Yu gawked. “ Shuitian, this is over-the-top luxury, huh?”

  Shuitian replied evenly, “You’ll stay here. I’m mostly at the manor with Ziyan, rarely back. Plus, you living here signals my support. I’m not around, but the message stio one’ll dare move.”

  “Sit.”

  Lin Yu settled in. Shuitian lifted a jade pendant, its gl. Soon, nearly ten figures gathered below. “No time like now—meet your future crew,” he said with a grin.

  ered at his nod, their faces shifting as they eyed Lin Yu. One youth stepped up, disdain in his gre. “Vice Head, I’m He Wu. I’m here to challenge you.”

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