I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1657 - Ninety-Seven: The Storytelling Session of Shentu

Chapter 1657: Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Storytelling Session of Shentu

Shentu Jihui, whose true circumstances had been bluntly exposed, was not surprised. If he lacked even such basic discernment, then his trip would have been in vain.

Fortunately, the Dean was as mysterious and powerful as the rumors suggested, justifying his belief that this person could change the martial arts landscape of the Xiehe Continent.

"The injuries on my body are not the price paid for leaving the Bounty Guild. The reason I came here..."

The Demon Slaughter Palace’s Master retracted his killing intent, took out a piece of paper with written characters from his bosom, placed it on the table, and tapped it: "Because of this."

Following Shentu Jihui’s fingertip, Tang Luo saw what was on the table - it was a recruitment notice issued by the Academy.

"Just because of this?"

Tang Luo was still puzzled, considering Shentu Jihui’s cultivation level and combat power far exceeded the scope of recruiting talent.

Unlike the leaders of Xiong Ya Mansion and Blood Martial Gang, with their notorious reputations, the person in front of him was a Titled-class Expert with followers and inheritances.

If he was willing to bow down and serve, not to mention noble families, even religious sanctuaries would welcome him with open doors. Ending up in Da Lin City and joining the Bounty Guild was already a surprise to many, but his desire to join the Academy was even more perplexing.

"When Master Ye invited me, he said the Bounty Guild would bring light to the underworld, but in the end, he only brought to the surface a bunch of savage beasts that should have died in the mud."

Shentu Jihui spoke calmly: "The Bounty Guild can no longer support my ambitions, but Unparalleled Academy can!"

"Aren’t you afraid of making the same mistake again?"

Shaking his head, Tang Luo asked with a smile: "Those who seem to ask for nothing may simply not be ready, or their goals are too grand."

"It seems like the Dean does not welcome me?"

Detecting the undertone in the question, Shentu Jihui countered.

"It’s not that you’re unwelcome, but that you cannot be afforded."

Tang Luo responded helplessly: "Unparalleled Academy is too modest a temple to offer a reward that would satisfy you. It’s better to refrain than to reluctantly accept."

"To refuse without hearing my demands, isn’t that a bit unfriendly?"

Shentu Jihui said with a smile: "The ancient demons are extinct, and Demon Slaughter Palace is left with but a few hundred people surviving in isolation. I have set out not only for the honor of my own martial path but to seek a bright future for our lineage of demon-slaying."

"The Palace Master’s cultivation reaches the heavens, but your vision is indeed mediocre. The path the Academy follows is one that makes enemies of all the noble families and sects in the world. Aren’t you afraid this is a path to death?"

Tang Luo blinked, joking with the Demon Slaughter Palace’s Master.

"Hahaha."

After three hearty laughs, Shentu Jihui said heroically: "Isn’t the path to sanctity in this world always started by opposing noble families and sects? If a man cannot walk this path once, wouldn’t it be a waste of fine cultivation?"

"Since the Palace Master is so resolute, then please stay."

Gripping the chair handles and slowly rising to his feet, Tang Luo said in a grave voice: "The Palace Master should first recuperate from his injuries before considering the matter of teaching."

A few strands of unusual light flashed through Shentu Jihui’s slit pupils. He hadn’t expected Tang Luo to be so decisive; if the roles were reversed, being cautious wouldn’t be too much when faced with such an unexpected allegiance.

However, after Tang Luo finished speaking, he walked directly towards the door, leaving Shentu Jihui somewhat panicked.

"Dean, wait!"

"Is there something else?"

Tang Luo turned around, asking with a pleasant expression.

"You... won’t you reassess my strength?"

Shentu Jihui asked somewhat awkwardly, immediately regretting it after speaking.

His intention to join the Academy was genuine, and this question made it seem like he had a guilty conscience, as if he had come prepared.

"Reassess? There’s no need."

Already at the door, Tang Luo shrugged: "With the Palace Master’s level of cultivation and inheritance, it is more than sufficient to simply act as an instructor. The ancient lineage of the Longzhou sealers is a famous lineage of the strong. Even if the Palace Master does not wish to teach martial arts, just sharing stories about slaying demons in ancient times would be quite valuable."

Now that demons are extinct, the lineage of the Demon Slaughter Palace is gradually declining, with only the past glory of slaughtering demons to take pride in.

Yet the Human Race has dominated Xiehe for a thousand years, and many old tales have been utterly forgotten; the Demon Slaughter Palace is just one of countless vanished legends.

That bit of pride can only be savored in solitude, difficult to share with outsiders.

There are also those aware of the Palace Master’s identity who flatter him by praising the deeds of slaying demons, but the conversation often turns to sighs about being born at the wrong time or lamenting the scarcity of demons.

Such flattery only disgusts Shentu Jihui; after all, the Demon Slaughter Palace was founded with the purpose of eradicating demons.

So, with demons wiped out and the Human Race prevailing in Xiehe, the mission of the Demon Slaughter Palace was accomplished. Therefore, even with the extinction of demons making the tradition of their lineage challenging to maintain, Shentu Jihui never intended for the Human Race to return to the dark ages or for the Demon Slaughter Palace to regain its former glory.

Even though he knew the tales of demon-slaying were outdated, he still held out hope.

Hope that someone would look back and understand that grand era, when all of humanity stood united under the leadership of sages for a common goal, rather than the current era of incessant warfare and mutual slaughter.

That the Dean cherished those ancient times undoubtedly added much favor in Shentu Jihui’s eyes.

But the longer he lingered outside, the more the Palace Master felt that appearances can be deceiving.

Even though Tang Luo’s words scratched right where it itched, Shentu Jihui did not show delight, but calmly responded: "Is that so? It seems then that my teaching duties will be quite relaxed."