Chapter 188: Chief Hua again
Imperial Capital Academy.
Within a lakeside pavilion by the not yet bright lake, two people were seated cross legged, facing each other and playing Go.
One had an aged face with a bitter smile it was none other than the most renowned dean of the Imperial Capital Academy, Song He. The other was a middle aged man with black hair and a black beard, exuding a unique aura. He was the kind of person who would undoubtedly stand out in any crowd.
This imposing man sat like a pine tree, draped in a military coat, appearing dignified and grand. While playing black, he said, “Song He, you were wrong in this matter. As a National Institute mentor, you’re supposed to resolve internal conflicts and shield students from external influences.”
A faint pressure lingered around him, subtle yet suffocating, as though the very space acknowledged his authority. This was a man whose word could decide the fate of entire provinces.
“Leader Hua,” Song He sighed, admitting his fault, “I failed to protect the members of the National Institute team.”
That single sentence revealed the identity of the man before him.
Hua Zhanhong — Army soldier of the Nation, one of the strongest cultivators in the Nine Provinces, standing atop the pyramid of power, possessing the strength to single handedly kill a young emperor.
He was more than just a figure of strength. As the commander in chief of the country, he bore the weight of the nation on his shoulders, a pillar that upheld the order of the entire Nine Provinces. Even the highest authorities moved only after considering his stance.
He was also the behind the scenes backer for Mo Fan and many other prodigies, quietly cleaning up the aftermath of their major endeavors and protecting classified information.
Now that Mo Fan had stormed across a thousand miles in a single night, slaughtering all in his path and causing a major uproar, he had no choice but to step in personally.
Leader Hua nodded and casually said, “Song He, this isn’t the first or second time. I’m truly disappointed. Step down from your position as National Institute mentor for now. Dean Xiao will take over.”
Upon hearing this, Song He was slightly stunned and responded in a dazed tone, “Alright.”
Among the five major mentors of the National Institute, the academic institutions traditionally held one position, which had long been occupied by someone from the Imperial Capital Academy.
Though not as authoritative as the Grand Mentor Feng Li, the position still allowed for influence such as arranging the order of appearance or playing time in the Venice Tournament which greatly benefited members of their faction. This had been a key reason for the Imperial Capital’s longstanding exalted status.
Now that someone from the Magic City Academy had taken over coupled with the explosive growth and surge of geniuses from that institution in recent years Song He felt an overwhelming sense of crisis.
He gathered his thoughts and asked, “Then how do we deal with Mo Fan? What he did was too excessive.”
Not only did Song He feel this way anyone would think Mo Fan had gone mad. The opposing party hadn’t even touched Ding Yumian yet, and he’d already killed Lu Yilin. That alone would’ve been enough, but he continued his pursuit, even exterminated the whole clan, and slaughtered at least several hundred mages nearly a thousand in total.
What’s more, it involved the targeted killing of a legitimate councilman.
The matter hadn’t even begun in earnest and could’ve been salvaged. If reported properly, with negotiations on both sides, it could have been resolved peacefully.
This man clearly had no humanity left.
Yet Hua Zhanhong laughed. “Excessive? I think he did a splendid job. If my family were threatened, I’d wipe out theirs too.”
“What kind of logic is it to allow officials to burn houses but not permit commoners to light lanterns? Don’t be double standard.”
Under Song He’s stunned gaze, he continued, “Mo Fan won’t be punished at all. This matter will be made public in its entirety to respond to public opinion. The National Institute team will undergo reforms. These noble clans have gone too far.”
Then Hua Zhanhong rose and departed. He had no concern for Mo Fan’s frenzied slaughter. If he could tolerate the arrogance of Zhao Jing from the noble Zhao Clan, then he could certainly embrace a civilian genius like Mo Fan breaking the rules.
He was simply delighted that another leader worthy prodigy had emerged.
At the same time, Lu Family residence, Manye Town.
Tang Yue looked at the ruins beside her the Lu family courtyard reduced to rubble and ravines and couldn’t help but worry. “You might face severe punishment from the Magic Association for violating the Decree.”
Mo Fan felt a pair of jade arms tightly hugging his arm, his body enveloped in a warm embrace. He calmly reassured, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
To be honest, his impulse was well thought out.
Setting aside the trump card of the Demon element and Zhang Xiaohou's Ancient King’s Armor Robe, based on the connections he’d built, the merits he’d earned, and the support he enjoyed from the public what did the Lu Clan even amount to?
Besides, he was the National Institute’s team vice-captain and an honorary councilman of the Ancient Capital. He also held the moral high ground he could kill freely without consequence.
If Lu Xin and his son could interfere with him under the guise of family affairs, then he could likewise use the excuse of inter family disputes to evade responsibility.
The magical society had a very peculiar rule noble families possessed fiefdoms, and within their private territories, they held supreme authority. No organization was allowed to intervene, making them akin to independent kingdoms.
Manye Town was exactly that type of place, and all the killing there could be classified as internal family strife.
Later, Mo Fan and Zhao Manyan casually plopped down. Though technically Manyan was an accomplice, he showed no concern like pigs unafraid of boiling water.
Soon, a dozen black dots appeared in the sky, descending upon them.
Judgment Leader Tang Zhong glared at his niece Tang Yue, but his face was filled with helplessness.
There was nothing he could do the Guardian Spirit only listened to Tang Yue and Mo Fan.
Still, when he looked at Mo Fan, he didn’t say anything. He had been shocked upon learning that higher authorities were backing Mo Fan. He had once wondered why until Han Ji called and told him that Mo Fan was an honorary councilman of the Ancient Capital.
From that point on, speaking to him as an elder no longer felt appropriate.
The status of a councilman in a big city was on par with his own slightly higher than Lu Xin’s even.
This made the situation interesting. Lu Xin threatening a colleague’s relative was undoubtedly taboo.
Tang Zhong, though aware of Mo Fan’s complex history with women, had to admit that his niece Tang Yue had a discerning eye. After this incident, forces from all sides scrambled to protect Mo Fan clearly a young man of great promise.
Dean Xiao, ignoring the corpses strewn across the path on his way in thinking this was nothing yet spoke kindly to his disciple Mo Fan: “Are you alright?”
“Sorry to make you worry, Teacher. And thank you as well, Chief Inquisitor Tang,” Mo Fan said apologetically to everyone, well aware of the support and effort his backers had exerted on his behalf.
Tang Yue didn’t bother with anything else and anxiously asked, “Uncle, what are the higher ups going to do with Mo Fan?”
“Ah, daughters grow up and can’t be kept,” Tang Zhong sighed and said, “Don’t worry. He’s not in any trouble at all. On the contrary, the Lu Family will have to pay the price.”
Upon hearing this, everyone was delighted. Even Ding Yumian showed a faint smile.
Tang Zhong gestured toward a middle aged man in Tang suit standing nearby and said, “He’s the representative of the Lu Family, here to reconcile with Mo Fan. His name is Lu Kun.”
As the words fell, Mo Fan’s eyes swept toward the man, his thoughts stirred.
Looking at Lu Kun’s refined demeanor and approachable manner, it was hard to imagine he was actually a Red Demon.
Which meant he was the hidden manipulator of the Demon Element.
But if Mo Fan remembered correctly, the first generation Red Demon had already hidden himself among the masses. The one posing as Lu Kun was likely just an avatar a derivative Red Little Demon, with strength around mid level Monarch tier at best.
Originally, Mo Fan had intended to wipe out the entire Lu Family in one go. Unexpectedly, this group turned out to be so tactful.
What they didn’t know was that the other branches of the Lu Family had already been frightened by Mo Fan’s ruthless and vengeful actions. They hurried to send someone to make peace.
At once, Lu Kun bowed deeply and said, “Vice-Captain Mo Fan, we are deeply sorry for this incident. We hope you will be merciful and spare the innocent members of the Lu Family. We are willing to offer Manye Town as compensation.”
Upon hearing this, Mo Fan found it amusing.
He couldn’t guess what the real Red Demon Lu Kun was planning, but the Lu Family was clearly scared out of their wits this noble family was now pathetically groveling, begging not to be bullied.
Offering up Manye Town, however, was a sign of real sincerity.
One had to know the foundation of a noble family lay in its private territory. Just looking at the legal protections in place showed how unshakable this was. With such lands, one could raise a private army of mages.
He was quite pleased with the effect of his deterrence.
As for Manye Town? He felt indifferent.
In the future, when most of Magic City would be destroyed and it became the front line against the Ocean Demon Empire, he wouldn’t have a family to support anyway might as well set it aside for now.
Perhaps it could become the base for the force he would establish later in Magic City. The Ancient Capital was a great headquarters, but if one wanted to sell goods, a prosperous, financially and commercially vibrant international metropolis was still better.