Yanjing Royal Academy bulletin board, pinned hot post:

"Shuiyun Palace Raising Funds and Recruiting Talent to Launch Enterprise, Initial Signs of Grit"

"At noon, Shuiyun Palace announced the development of a new Battle Card game, 'Peerless Kill', publicly raising funds and recruiting talent, hoping to create a new era legend belonging to itself, the Imperial Academy, and young people. They aim to establish a team capable of 'doing big things' through this 'small endeavor'. What are your thoughts on this? Please feel free to leave your views in the comment section."

[Natural Disaster·Ember Black Devouring Dragon: I've never paid attention to the Radiant Celestial Maiden, nor do I care who's eligible to be the next emperor, but Shuiyun Palace's brave attempt this time is commendable, and I fully support it. I hope Shuiyun Palace does even better!]

[Guard·Sword of the Apocalypse: I'm just an ordinary student who only knows how to study usually, never imagined that there are students with big ambitions like Shuiyun Palace in the Imperial Academy. I'll keep following her in the future!]

[Guard·Qin Le Yin is My Wife: I've told other classmates about this, and they all loved it. We have already signed up to join the research society of Shuiyun Palace!]

[Nightmare·Dark Sovereign: Thanks to Shuiyun Palace for this opportunity, I've already borrowed 100 gold rounds!]

[Radiance·Mercury Blood: A friend of mine was previously a neighbor of Shuiyun Palace, he knows a lot about Shuiyun Palace. From childhood, Shuiyun Palace was a talented and diligent genius with a determined personality; I knew she was quietly preparing for this moment to impress everyone!]

[Radiance·Soul of Burning Steel: Unrelated to Shuiyun Palace, but I feel Shuangli Palace is better suited to be an Inspector rather than an Emperor...]

[Natural Disaster·Cold Flowing Flame: To rely on others is to be a Palace Master, relying on oneself is to be an Emperor! Go Shuiyun Palace!]

By the afternoon's first class, Ming Shuiyun's presentation had already swept through the entire Imperial Academy and began spreading to Yanjing. All students were discussing the 'Peerless Kill' divided into four camps, discussing the different eras' national heroes, and whether to join in.

"Ren Zong has to be part of it, right? Widely recognized as one of the top five emperors, Grand Ancestor, Taizong, Lie Sect, Ren Zong, and Shen Zong, there's no reason to exclude Ren Zong."

"Honestly, if we were to discuss it seriously, I feel Shen Zong..."

"Don't don't don't talk about emperor cards anymore. Even Prime Minister Ni Xiao Gu has a card, so shouldn't the then rebel leader, known as the land immortal 'Living Dead' Man Xue with a claimed ten-thousand-flag army, also have one? Whether a hero or a rebel, he has strong qualifications."

"With Long Elegy, Wan Guiliu, Bai Chou included, then 'Black General' Wang Qiong must be there, given Bai Wan Long King, among the Radiant's top four famed generals."

"What Bai Wan Long King, nonsense! Discussing Radiant's top four, when was it Wang Qiong's turn? Wang Qiong, this brute who only knew about small troop raids, how could he compare to 'Malicious Man' Lou Jingmeng who once commanded an army of a million northward against the grass barbarians?"

"Wang Qiong only commanded small troop raids because he needed only those to secure victory, and there was no opportunity for him to organize and lead an army back then! You're aware of Lou Jingmeng's nickname 'Malicious Man', do you know how many died in that Youyun battle, how many soldiers Lou Jingmeng sacrificed in pursuit of victory? Could Lou Jingmeng qualify to stand alongside Long, Bai, Wan?"

"Foolish! In that era, being able to marshal an army of a million as easily as directing an arm proves Lou Jingmeng's capability to be no less than any famed general! Though many perished in the Youyun battle, don't forget, the current Youyun District was seized by Lou Jingmeng!"

The two students argued back and forth, suddenly noticing the silence around them. Looking up, they found their usually gentle teacher, Ning Xinyuan, glaring at them with a frosty expression.

Once they quieted down, Ning Xinyuan gently clapped, asking: "Are you done? If you haven't figured out who are the top four generals of Radiance, you can continue the debate on stage; I wouldn't mind if this class turned into a session on war history."

The two students hurriedly bowed their heads silently. Ning Xinyuan said nothing more and continued teaching, though she was also absent-minded, pondering over Ming Shuiyun and Qin Le Yin.

Actually, on the day the scoreboard was posted, Ning Xinyuan foresaw Ming Shuiyun's predicament because it's not an uncommon situation—many tyrannical and foolish emperors in Radiance's history were almost always subject to intense public expectation and disciplined upbringing as children, only to unleash their repressed desires unbridled upon gaining power, eventually consuming themselves utterly.

Anyone with some historical study would realize the events happening at the Imperial Academy were merely a repeated reenactment of events from history. Yet humanity can never truly learn from history, everyone knows excessive pressure shouldn't be placed on Shuiyun Palace, but everyone believes their pressure and expectations are reasonable.

The Crown Prince's tutor believes the emperor must study diligently, thereby assigning a little extra homework and reducing playtime;

The Crown Prince's mother believes the prince must maintain his standing with the king, thus slightly increasing the severity of reprimands and punishments for minor breaches of etiquette;

A little here, a bit there, accumulating over time, the pressure mounts to the extent it would crush an adult, let alone a child?

Ming Shuiyun's situation is even worse than the Crown Prince's—at least the Crown Prince's position is confirmed, whereas Ming Shuiyun is merely 'more likely to become the emperor', making her subject to even greater pressure.

More importantly, not only others but Ming Shuiyun herself is also subjecting herself to pressure. She hopes not to disappoint others' expectations, she hopes to use this opportunity to gain support from other students.

Her strictness towards herself is the heaviest shackle.

If someone else were at the top of the scoreboard, they would receive the same treatment.

Ning Xinyuan initially thought Ming Shuiyun would either endure persistently or directly lose her temper, but could never comfortably enjoy the public's adoration.

Yet Qin Le Yin managed to carve out a third way for Ming Shuiyun.

The 'Peerless Kill' is actually irrelevant, regardless if it's researching a Battle Card game or following Cha Huan to build toilets, it can equally pull Shuiyun Palace out of the current plight—why does everyone feel they have the right to advise and demand of Shuiyun Palace?

Because they truly have the right.

Because Shuiyun Palace is just a little girl with no capabilities or achievements.

To change this situation, Shuiyun Palace only needs to create actual achievements—or not even need to create, just need to be in the process of doing so—then those without better resumes will naturally lack the authority to direct Shuiyun Palace, at most providing suggestions.

Just like how ministers would only 'suggest this and that', rather than 'Emperor, if you don't score a hundred in both language and math, don't step into this Golden Throne Hall'.

Not to mention that through this plan, Shuiyun Palace can gain a large amount of money, recruit many talents from the Imperial Academy, and foster friendships with the nobility and ministerial offspring.

The Sword Sheaths have always focused on seeking the sword and vying for power, yet they've forgotten that the Imperial Academy is the best place for recruitment—a place full of money, power, people, and Shuiyun Palace has already gotten ahead of everyone else, devouring the juiciest part of the Imperial Academy.

If they delay any further, they might not even get to drink the soup.

Shuiyun Palace, which yesterday had nothing, is now dominating the Imperial Academy.

That said, Shuiyun Palace's method is hard to replicate, at least Ning Xinyuan can't replicate it—her Sword Master Ming Chaoyan is too lazy to attract followers, and as a hidden Instant Annihilator, it's impossible for her to cheer for her Sword Master.

Is she just going to watch as Ming Shuiyun rises effortlessly to new career heights, reaping dual successes in seeking the sword and school life?

No.

While teaching, Ning Xinyuan secretly made up her mind—she must stop Shuiyun Palace's continued rise.

She knew that not just her, but other Sword Sheaths were certainly thinking the same thing now.

Even though Qin Le Yin is her ally, Ning Xinyuan will not show mercy. Fighting for victory for the Sword Master is the highest law for a Sword Sheath, and alliances between Sword Sheaths are made because of this; if they go against the Sword Master's interests, the alliance will naturally dissolve.

Moreover, what reason does she have to defend Qin Le Yin's interests?

But what method does she have to stop Shuiyun Palace? The Sword Masters cannot be killed; the Holy Sword Radiant gives them a mark that protects them, and her Instant Annihilator ability is practically useless...

Sigh, such a hassle.

Still, killing Qin Le Yin would be simpler.

Speaking of which, yesterday someone asked how they would choose to die if they could, and Qin Le Yin actually said he wanted to try dying on a woman's belly... ugh! Pervert! And is this something he can try just by wanting to?

The students were suddenly bewitched, realizing that Teacher Ning's voice was even more melodious, and male students who had never been in love blushed while looking at Teacher Ning's figure.

...

...

After the first class, Ming Shuiyun stretched comfortably and smiled, "Captains, let's head to the next classroom!"

"As you wish, Your Majesty." Li Ying made an exaggerated courtly bow, and the group left the classroom laughing and chattering, only to be blocked at the door.

"Shuiyun Palace."

Senior sister Long Xiaoyuan, along with the members of the 'An Guo Tea Party', stood in front of them and said, "We need to talk."

"Do you want to lend money to Shuiyun Palace?" Qin Yueshi boldly stood in front, "Just tell me the amount, 10 Gold Coins? 100 Gold Coins? Or lend 198 Gold Coins to secure the 'Captain' position in the future?"

Long Xiaoyuan was slightly impatient and wanted to push Qin Yueshi aside, but as soon as she raised her hand, Qian Yuya grabbed it. Feeling the strength in her hand, she silently gave up on the idea, sincerely looking at Ming Shuiyun and saying, "Shuiyun Palace, is this your rebellion?"

"I admit, we might have demanded too much from you before, but we did it for your own good, with absolutely no personal agenda. And now you're putting up a financial barrier with the Qin Family to keep us out, is this really okay?"

"Draw near to the virtuous, distance from the petty, bitter medicine cures disease, harsh words benefit deeds. Shuiyun Palace, you're ruining yourself."

"Senior Sister Long."

Ming Shuiyun showed no anger on her face, stepping out to face Long Xiaoyuan, she said, "Everything you said is right, truly, I also hope you can continue to stay by my side, to guide me, correct me."

Long Xiaoyuan looked delighted, "Then..."

"However, I can't take back what I said earlier this afternoon. And I don't think what I said was unreasonable. How can I trust someone's loyalty if they're not even willing to lend me money? If you and Senior Sister Long are so stingy, yet I favor you, wouldn't that be extremely unfair to those who are willing to lend me money, to the captains like Qin Yueshi who fully support me?"

Ming Shuiyun sincerely said, "I can't break trust with others, nor can I be indiscriminate in rewarding and punishing. Senior Sister Long, don't you think?"

"Yes." Long Xiaoyuan said helplessly, "But we really don't have that much money, and those who are willing to lend you money might not be loyal ministers, but opportunistic speculators!"

"Firstly, I, Ming Shuiyun, have limited ability and cannot judge who is a true loyalist and who is an opportunist. Secondly, solving this problem is simple." Ming Shuiyun blinked, "Senior Sister Long, just sell yourself to the Qin Family for a loan, then lend the money to me, and I'll believe you are truly and deeply working for my good."

"If Qin Yueshi only lent a tenth of her family's wealth to me, but you sell yourself for a loan, equivalent to giving me your entire one hundred percent, how could I not trust you?"

"Senior Sister Long, are you willing to sell yourself for me?"

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