Chapter 497: I Never Trick My Friends (3)
After dealing with both Wu Lan and Zheng Yunhui, Su Yu exhaled in relief.
It was all done.
A formation had been obtained, the information he required for his research center had also been obtained, and he had even found himself free laborers. His next priority was to look for suitable races and open their respective pages in his book. He could also start combing his book for suitable cultivation methods.
With more people, he was able to get more things done.
With more people, he would have access to more languages. And with that, he would know more about the various races, allowing him to be more specific on the pages he wanted to activate in his book.
He should also start making his plans for the Divine Skywing Sect's buried treasure. He was in a lot of debt, after all. He needed to get himself some money. Of course, he wouldn't go anywhere before reaching the Infinite Strength Realm. Thus, he would still remain in the academy for now.
He was walking while thinking. Suddenly, he overheard some whispering students again. The topic of their conversation was related to him.
He sneered inwardly. Xia Qing...Foreign Students Faculty.
How audacious.
Did they believe that he was a pushover?
He had ignored them once, but they were targeting him again and again?
After checking the time and noting that it was getting late, Su Yu started heading toward the Foreign Students Faculty. It was time for him to catch up with his dear friend, Xia Qing. That way, his future invitation to her to go out on a mission with him wouldn't seem too sudden.
...
Foreign Students Faculty.
With a cloak that covered his face, Su Yu finally found Xia Qing's residence after asking around.
When he arrived outside, he knocked on the door.
Xia Qing opened the door. The two old men were nowhere to be seen. Evidently, Xia Qing was aware that the visitor was Su Yu. She thought that Su Yu would be there to question her about her actions, but that didn't happen.
The moment the door was opened, Su Yu grumbled, "Princess Xia, you shouldn't have told everyone that we are friends. Sigh. Now that everyone knows about it, even visiting you has become a very troublesome task."
Xia Qing blanked out slightly before she apologized, "I'm sorry. I did not expect this as well. I had thought that the humans won't be so prejudiced against their allies. I'm really sorry, Student Su."
"Just call me Su Yu." Su Yu took off his cloak and smiled helplessly before asking, "Can we have a chat inside? I don't want anyone to see me here. Things have been very troublesome for me during the past few days."
"Please come in!"
Xia Qing hurriedly stepped aside, allowing Su Yu to enter. Su Yu glanced at the tail that she was hiding behind her before moving his gaze away. This was his first time looking at Xia Qing's face. She looked weak and delicate.
Naturally, Su Yu was completely unmoved by her delicate appearance. He never judged a person from the outside. After entering, he saw that the house was very luxurious. The environment inside was very good.
After inviting Su Yu to take a seat, Xia Qing was about to pour him a cup of tea when he stood up and said, "I'll do it myself, Princess. You're being too polite. I don't blame you. I understand why you did that. You were only trying to help me. But what was up with that Niu Zheng who had also challenged a single character faction student today?"
"I'm to blame for that." Xia Qing had a look of self-reproach as she said, "Previously, I told everyone that you are the only human who is kind to us. You treat us with no prejudice. I don't know if that was the reason, but eventually, Niu Zhen decided to fight for you as well. Su Yu, if you think that this is improper, I'll have a talk with him."
"It's fine." Su Yu sneered, "The academy is filled with fools. Everyone believes every single rumor they hear. If the human race views all foreign races with prejudice, can we still survive? Can we stand against the myriad races all by ourselves? Those shortsighted fools! We naturally need some allies on our side! Principal Wan is aware of that. I am aware of that as well! In fact, anyone with a brain understands this. We can't become enemies with every foreign race in existence."
Xia Qing hurriedly said, "Su Yu, thank you for your voice of confidence."
Su Yu smiled, "Don't worry, and don't misunderstand the human race because of what you see. Some people are fools, but the truly smart ones understand that Principal Wan is right. Just ignore the fools when they wag their tongues about.
"I'm here today to remind you to settle down for now. I will be fine, but you guys...will have a hard time after offending the single character faction."
Su Yu said, "The myriad race students are here to befriend the human race, not make enemies. In all honesty, I would be happy to see all the single character faction members dead. But that isn't something I can do. And I don't want to drag you guys into my troubles. Instead, you should befriend them. They are quite powerful in the academy and even the Human Realm as a whole. Offending them won't bring you any benefits."
Su Yu spoke in a self-mocking tone, "Fifty years ago, the multiple character faction was in power. But things are different now. I'm only telling you this because I consider you a friend. Otherwise, I would be more than happy to see you and the single character faction tear at each other. I am not a good person. If we are strangers, I will happily enjoy the show. But I can't do this. I always return any respect shown to me tenfold.
"Therefore, do not act on your emotions, Princess Qing. I really can't do much to help you guys. If required, you can always apologize to the single character faction. I won't blame you. I also won't stop being your friend just because of that. Do not ruin the plans of your race just for a friend of yours."
Xia Qing was quite surprised. With a gentle expression, she asked, "Brother Su, you mean that...I was wrong?"
"Of course not!" Looking at her pitiful expression, Su Yu hurriedly explained, "That's not what I meant. I am very grateful for what you did for me. But I am only telling you all this because we are friends. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered. I could have stepped forth and denied all involvement with you."
Su Yu smiled bitterly, "But...I was taught by my father that I should be ruthless toward enemies and sincere toward friends. Princess Qing, even if you don't care about your well-being, you need to think about your race. The cloud tiger race isn't too strong. This is the truth. You will have a hard time after offending the single character faction."
Xia Qing had a terrified expression as she said, "Will they start targeting us?"
"That's hard to say. Those people are absolute villains."
Su Yu clenched his teeth in anger as he said, "Princess Qing, you let go of your emotions and apologize to them."
Xia Qing hesitated and said, "How about you? Have I...brought you trouble?"
"Nope." Su Yu smiled, "This is a small issue. If even something like this can bring me trouble, then I won't be able to live this long. I have merely been too busy to deal with them."
"You're busy with the Source Soul Research Center?"
"You know that as well?"
"Yeah. Everyone is talking about that." Xia Qing smiled, "It's a pity that I'm an outsider. Otherwise, I could have helped you with it as well..."
"Forget about it." Su Yu shook his head, "We still can't recruit any outsiders. Princess Qing, I am a blunt person. Don't mind me. We're at the starting phase. If I recruit a foreign student into the research center, I will be in even more trouble."
"I understand. Don't worry, Brother Su. I am just feeling regret that I can't help you. Brother Su is one of the few genius humans willing to think for outsiders like us..."
Su Yu said, "In truth, most people know the truth as well. They are simply unwilling to make their stand. There is no need for you to get involved in this. If I really need your help, I won't hesitate to ask for it. We'll see. By the way, can I ask you something?"
Su Yu's tone turned awkward as he asked, "Can your dao protectors leave the academy?"
"Huh?"
Su Yu said, "I might need to take a trip outside the academy soon. But my teacher is not around, my grandteacher is in seclusion, and my martial uncle can't leave. To speak the truth, I don't even dare to leave the academy nowadays because I have too many enemies. But I have something urgent to deal with outside the academy. Princess Qing, if your dao protectors can leave the academy, can you consider having them escort me on this trip?"
Xia Qing's heart thumped.
"This...it should not be possible. The dao protectors are supposed to stay in the academy. They can only leave the academy if they're leaving with us."
"I see. Forget about it, then." Su Yu shook his head regretfully.
Xia Qing smiled, "Brother Su, have you encountered something troublesome? If you really need my help, I can go with you. That way, I can take my dao protectors along with us..."
"Forget it." Su Yu shook his head, "It's too dangerous outside the academy. The dao protectors are strong enough to not have to worry that much. But Princess Qing, I'm being honest here. If you leave and something bad happens to you, I won't be able to answer for it. Not only will this ruin humanity's relationship with the cloud tiger race, I also won't be able to forgive myself."
He stood up and said, "Princess Qing, this is all I have to say. Brothers and sisters of the myriad races, there is no need to worry about it. The human race definitely needs allies. All the smart ones understand this. A little bit of misunderstanding right now doesn't matter. It is only a matter of time before everyone understands you."
"Yeah." Xia Qing nodded her head heavily. When Su Yu stood up to leave, she said, "Brother Su, if you really encounter something difficult, don't hesitate to look for me."
"I'll think about it." Su Yu waved his hand, "I'll try to solve it myself first. I am not the type of person that would bring my friends trouble. If the dao protectors can leave independently, I will be grateful for the help. But since that's not possible, forget about it. I'll think of something else."
"Oh..."
Numerous thoughts appeared in Xia Qing's mind. Su Yu wanted to leave. Why? He even needed some experts to go with him? She wanted to ask more, but Su Yu was already leaving after putting his cloak back on.
After Su Yu left, two old men appeared behind her.
"Princess..." One of them asked with a soft voice, "What is...Su Yu trying to do?"
Xia Qing smiled, "It doesn't matter if he's faking this or not. It is clear that he doesn't wish to offend us. He's here to extend an olive branch, hoping that we will stop creating trouble for him."
The two old men nodded.
That wasn't Xia Qing's focus. With a frown, she said, "He's leaving the academy. He even needs the protection of some experts. What is he planning to do?"
"Princess, we can't leave. Neither Principal Wan nor the Great Xia would agree to that."
Xia Qing smiled, "Who says you can't leave? We are allowed to accept missions and leave the academy as well. Of course, we need to be in a team with at least one human to do so. At that time, you will be able to leave openly."
The two hurriedly said, "That won't do, Princess. Su Yu has too many enemies. It's too dangerous to go out with him. He wouldn't have tried to borrow some experts otherwise..."
"That's why I'm so curious." Xia Qing's eyes flickered as she said, "He knows it's dangerous, yet he insists on leaving. Isn't this curious? Grandpas, I am wondering if Su Yu has actually obtained an inheritance from a ruin. Just look at how fast he has been growing."
The other two were shocked by those words.
"He is probably in a rush to leave and receive the remaining part of the inheritance. However, it is too dangerous, so he wishes to solicit some help."
Xia Qing licked her lips, "Grandpas, isn't these ruins the reason why the myriad races are so interested in the Human Realm?"
Ruins!
Su Yu might be heading to one of these ruins!
Silence descended.
If that was really the case, then this could be a massive opportunity for them.