Chapter Twenty-Six: The String Stirs the Heart, Remembrance Illuminates the Path

Lan Bingxian couldn’t help but feel a little envious as he watched the group chatting and laughing together. He envied their carefree spirits, their freedom, their friendships, and their love. Everything they possessed now was exactly what Lan Bingxian longed for. He had come to Yanlan Academy when he was very young, and since then, he had never left—apart from wandering around the ancient city of Biluocheng during his leisure time, he had never been anywhere else. He had no idea what the world outside was like, nor what the people out there were like. He truly wished he could venture out and experience the world, to train himself just as his senior had done. More than anything, he wanted to find someone who belonged to him and spend his days with her, happy and unrestrained, for the rest of his life. He didn't want to be trapped in this academy forever, nor did he want to grow old without ever having stepped outside its bounds. Yet, he understood that this was only a dream; everything he wished for would never come to pass. His master had long ago decided that he would be the one to inherit Yanlan Academy, and from a young age, had been cultivating his managerial abilities, rigorously training him, unwilling to let him fall short before others. Yet all the while, his master had neglected his true feelings, never once asking what it was that Lan Bingxian truly wanted. Now, he felt like a puppet, manipulated at will by his master, stripped of even the most basic freedom a person could have.

"It’s not just a little envy, is it? Looking at you now is like looking at myself in the past—the me who only knew to obey Master, to cultivate, and to strive for perfection in all things," Leng Huaiyi suddenly sent a message to Lan Bingxian with a sigh.

"Perhaps Master simply wants to mold me into another you. Senior, why did you have to be so outstanding? It makes things so hard for me. Before I met you, I naively thought I had far surpassed you, but now I see that in every way, I fall short," Lan Bingxian replied despondently.

"You’re mistaken. There was never any hierarchy between you and me. As long as you can truly be yourself, you are already the best. And Master doesn't want you to become me; he just has very high expectations for you. He wants you to be the strongest, to be his pride," Leng Huaiyi patiently consoled him.

"Senior, I really do envy that you could leave so freely to pursue what you wanted. I don't have your courage—I can’t defy any of Master's commands. Whenever he shows even the slightest displeasure towards me, I panic and start to blame myself, wondering if I did something wrong to make him unhappy," Lan Bingxian said helplessly, loathing his own cowardice.

"Everyone has their own helplessness. I can only say that my choice back then was also out of necessity, and I lost what I cherished most because of it. But if you truly believe in what you yearn for, then fight for it—don't let yourself regret it in the future," Leng Huaiyi encouraged.

"So you also think I should pursue what I want, even if the result isn’t as I hoped—I’ll have no regrets?" Lan Bingxian asked thoughtfully.

"If you truly feel the path ahead isn’t right for you, then do your utmost to forge a new road—a road that suits you—and walk it without hesitation. Only you know what is right for you; no one else can understand," Leng Huaiyi continued, a new light shining in his eyes, different from before.

"I understand now, Senior. Thank you!" After hearing these words, Lan Bingxian finally knew what it was he truly desired, and he finally made up his mind to pursue it.

Indeed, everyone has their own path to walk and their own experiences to undergo. It is good to humbly listen to the advice of others, but one must not blindly follow their will. After all, your life is your own and should not be too subject to the manipulation of others. You should follow your heart, moving forward even if it means being hurt or shedding tears, because in the end, it is your choice. Strive for the life you want, strive to do the things you love—that is the true way. Though the journey will bring obstacles, ridicule, and even misunderstanding from those closest to you, none of that matters. Follow the voice in your heart, do your best, and that is enough. Fear neither hardship nor scorn; advance bravely toward your goal.

Suddenly, Xiaoyin seemed to remember something and asked the group, "This competition will be filled with strong contenders and peril at every turn—one simply can’t do without a trump card. To be honest, back then your ‘King’ Fu Youming was worried that my divine weapon would attract deadly trouble, so he sealed it within my body, only to be retrieved once I regain my former strength. Your King is always so prescient—did he tell you any way to unseal the weapon in advance? So I can truly show my skills in the tournament?"

"The King never mentioned this to me. What about you all?" Lan Wu shook his head and looked at the others, who also shook their heads, clearly knowing nothing about the matter.

"I really don’t know if he’s playing with me. Isn’t he supposed to be able to foresee everything? Why hasn’t he given me the slightest hint? Does he expect me to go into battle empty-handed? Is he trying to embarrass me on purpose?" Xiaoyin grumbled, frustrated, blaming Fu Youming, who was far away in Youming City.

"You’re always so disrespectful—thank goodness the King doesn’t hold it against you, or you’d have died a thousand times over by now!" Lan Wu frowned at Xiaoyin, who seemed like he would never grow up, always so unruly. What would happen if he offended some great being because of his temperament one day?

"You said it yourself: if he doesn’t mind, why should I be overly polite? Relax, I know my limits," Xiaoyin replied, seeing Lan Wu’s worried expression and feeling a warmth and happiness in his heart. He immediately turned to comfort her.

"You all needn’t worry. My master anticipated this problem, and that is why I’ve come today. In Yanlan Academy, we have a treasury dedicated to storing divine weapons. Although the artifacts within aren’t particularly powerful, they should suffice in a pinch. Since you’ve all put in such effort for our academy, it’s only right we show some appreciation. If you don’t mind the weapons being a little lacking, please feel free to take what you need. Consider it our return gift," Lan Bingxian said gently. One could only wonder what he had experienced as a child to cultivate such noble grace—always approachable, always courteous.

"Your master is truly thoughtful. We thank you now," Yu Shang replied politely at once.

"Then let’s hurry up and go!" Yan Xuesu urged excitedly.

"Alright, I’ll lead the way. Please follow me," Lan Bingxian said with a smile as he walked out.

Along the way, birds sang and flowers bloomed, the lakes and mountains were elegant and refreshing. With the men so dignified and the women so beautiful, the students of the academy could not help but whisper among themselves. "Look, that purple-haired man walking beside Brother Lan is so handsome and charming!" "The others are quite good-looking too!" "Didn’t you notice the rest all have companions by their sides?" "What about the one whose demeanor is so similar to Brother Lan’s?" "Haven’t you heard? That’s Leng Huaiyi, who was once the most popular in the academy!" "Wow, so that’s Senior Leng! I didn’t know our academy once had such a talent!" The girls, chattering like nightingales, gossiped endlessly.

"Stop daydreaming! Don’t you see they’re already accompanied by beautiful ladies? Even if they weren’t, none of them would look twice at you ordinary girls!" a boy suddenly interjected, harshly crushing their hopes.

"Only someone as pedantic as you would care so much about appearances. No wonder you can’t compare to Brother Lan—your thinking is so terribly vulgar!" retorted a plump but fresh-looking girl with disdain.

"You’re just jealous. You call it vulgar simply because you lack their eye-catching looks. How laughable!" the boy shot back mercilessly.

"It’s pointless to argue with someone like you. I can’t be bothered!" With a glare, the girl turned and hurried after Lan Bingxian and his group.

"Brother Lan, wait for me!" She ran a few steps, grabbing the hem of his robe to stop him.

"Yuanyuan, it’s you!" Lan Bingxian’s smile became gentle and indulgent as he spoke to her kindly.

"Brother Lan, what have you been up to these past few days? I couldn’t find you anywhere! In the end, I had to ask around, and they said you were entertaining guests in the small house behind the bamboo forest. That’s Master’s private retreat—I didn’t dare intrude for fear of being scolded again. So I waited elsewhere, hoping to bump into you, but I didn’t even see your shadow!" she said in disappointment, her eyes brimming with a pitiful sorrow that tugged at the heart.

"I was indeed entertaining some friends," Lan Bingxian replied with a smile, pulling her to stand before the others. "Everyone, this is my junior, Meng Youyuan."

"Hello! You can just call me Yuanyuan—it sounds friendlier that way," the girl said playfully, showing no hint of shyness before strangers.

Perhaps it was just fate, but upon meeting Meng Youyuan, Yan Xuesu and Lan Wu immediately felt at ease, and after a few words became fast friends. Meng Youyuan, too, found that these two beautiful sisters were not as aloof as they appeared, but rather approachable and warm, and she chatted with them happily. The men, left on the sidelines for quite some time, grew rather helpless, until finally Xiaoyin could bear it no longer and interrupted, "Please, ladies, can we finish our business before continuing your conversation?"

"What are you off to do? Can I come with you?" Meng Youyuan pleaded, looking at them expectantly.

"Yuanyuan, don’t be willful. We’re going to the ‘Divine Armory’ on official business—you know students aren’t allowed to enter at will," Lan Bingxian said to her rather sternly.

"Master treats you all so well, letting you go wherever you please, even to such important places," the girl replied, a little downcast. "Alright, I won’t bother you then. Sisters, let’s chat another day. I’ll take my leave." With that, she turned obediently and left.

"Why did she look so disappointed but also a little envious? Does she really want to enter the Divine Armory?" Leng Huaiyi asked, confused.

"I think it’s because your master treats us so well that she feels that way," Yu Xiaoran said, watching her departing figure.

"It’s just as Brother Yu said. For some reason, the master, who is always kind and gentle with everyone else, seems cold and strict with Yuanyuan. In my memory, he has never treated her well; even the smallest mistake earns her a long scolding," Lan Bingxian said with a tone of pity.

"There must be a reason for his behavior. I have a feeling that this girl will stir up great waves in the future," Yu Shang said, for some reason feeling uneasy about her.

"Even if a storm comes, I believe it will be for the good. Her nature is pure—she would never do anything wicked," Lan Bingxian replied, continuing on his way.

"Let’s hope so," Yu Shang murmured quietly.