Engagement Canceled: I Can Extract Prefixes-Chapter 213 - 212: The Weak Fear the Strong, the Strong Fear the Ruthless, the Ruthless Fear Those Who Risk Their Lives
When illness strikes, it falls like a mountain; when it leaves, it fades like drawn silk.
Injuries can happen in an instant, but to heal them, one can never tell how long it might take.
"Even with Vermilion Cloud Ginseng, the extent to which meridian injuries can be healed remains uncertain..."
Upon hearing Shen Han’s words, Zhong Nan still smiled.
"Can you not say something pleasant? I have spirit medicine in my hands, so what’s there to worry about~"
Shen Han’s expression remained grave.
"Mr. Zhong, how exactly did you sustain your injury?"
Errors in cultivation can indeed lead to meridian injuries.
But generally, when this happens, cultivators immediately stop since their bodies feel intense pain.
Thus, meridian damage from cultivation rarely causes blood and energy depletion, much less such weakness.
Zhong Nan also knew his clever student wasn’t easy to deceive...
The room was filled with a strong medicinal scent, and Zhong Nan still couldn’t afford to open the windows to catch a breeze.
After a long silence, Zhong Nan finally spoke up.
"It was Luo Zuchen who did it."
During the silence, Shen Han pondered various reasons.
It was just as he thought.
This madman his grandfather mentioned really dared to be so ruthless.
Mr. Zhong Nan was a tutor at Tianyi Academy, and when he decided to act ruthlessly, he did just that.
"The day you were competing with Su Jinyu, Luo Zuchen ambushed you, and I was a bit angry.
So, I went after his disciple, your cousin Shen Ye.
Shen Ye had some magical treasure on him, and I couldn’t hurt him.
But I did ultimately make a move against Shen Ye, and knowing Luo Zuchen’s nature, not retaliating would be abnormal.
I had long expected such a situation would arise."
As he spoke, Zhong Nan still had a smile on his face.
"It’s good that I got hurt; at least I no longer live on edge, constantly worrying about when Luo Zuchen might strike."
Zhong Nan remained optimistic, even with such serious injuries, he could still smile.
Meanwhile, Shen Han found it hard to swallow the anger in his heart upon hearing this.
"Don’t dwell on Luo Zuchen’s actions, and don’t worry.
When he attacked me that day, the Dean was nearby.
I suspect he got injured too, at least he needs some time to recuperate."
"I went to visit the Dean today, but he refused to see anyone. Could it be that the Dean was also injured by Luo Zuchen?"
Shen Han furrowed his brows, the anger in his heart accumulating further.
"Currently, Luo Zuchen possesses strength at the peak of the Third Grade Immortal Realm.
The Dean, though more powerful, always hesitated to act, fearing impacts on the academy’s students.
Unlike Luo Zuchen, whose every move is a lethal strike...
However, the Dean should be fine, just needing some time to recuperate."
Zhong Nan looked back at Shen Han.
"Now, advancing your cultivation as fast as possible is the right path.
If this madman still wants to target you, the best course might be hiding away for a while.
Luo Zuchen is truly a difficult character to deal with..."
The soft fear the hard, the hard fear the unruly, and the unruly fear the fearless.
Luo Zuchen is a step away from reaching Second Grade, and if he becomes desperate, few in Great Wei can completely suppress him...
Shen Han nodded; currently, he could only practice diligently.
He needed to at least raise his strength enough to escape from Luo Zuchen’s grasp.
Living every day in paranoia could even affect his temperament.
But he still had an Inner Armor gifted by Shi Yuezhu, an orange-tier equipment which signified its extraordinary quality.
At least if ambushed by Luo Zuchen, he would have a sliver of hope.
"Oh, there’s one more thing.
The competition between the Capital City Academies was supposed to be held at the end of May.
But during this time, Yexuan Country is returning to allegiance, and the Imperial Court is busy, with the academy’s experts tied up.
So it’s postponed. Use this time to cultivate in peace."
Shen Han nodded, having more time was for the best.
"The academy has officially given you the title of personally taught student.
As your mentor, in my current state, I truly cannot tend to you.
In a couple of days, a tutor will come to guide your cultivation.
Chances are there will be a trial before the month ends."
"Mr. Zhong, don’t say that. You’ve already protected me plenty..."
"Protecting my students is as it should be.
From this standpoint, Luo Zuchen protecting Shen Ye and thus attacking me is justified.
It’s just my strength, Zhong Nan, is lacking; otherwise, I’d definitely teach him a lesson."
Zhong Nan cursed, feeling considerably better afterward.
"Go, cultivate well, and slap those faces hard.
Let’s see if the prodigy Shen Ye is unbeatable!"
Shen Han nodded, his gaze becoming even more resolute.
Without strength, you can’t protect those you wish to protect.
All grievances stem from one’s lack of power.
After bidding farewell to Mr. Zhong Nan, Shen Han left behind a Pill made from the Piercing Mountain Sacred Bud.
He’d had it for a while, awaiting a suitable occasion to use it.
Now, it seemed more fitting to offer it to Mr. Zhong Nan to aid in his recovery.
Returning to his chamber, Shen Han focused his thoughts and entered the consciousness of the Gen Mountain Secret Technique.
Learning of Mr. Zhong Nan’s injury left Shen Han genuinely frustrated.
Summoning a Sword Shadow, his gaze grew fiercer.
Within the space, a figure resembling himself appeared.
Shen Han’s expression was stern as he lunged forward.
The Sword Shadow left a lightning-like trail of light.
Approaching it felt like one could be engulfed.
The sword in his hand slashed through, unleashing a torrent of Sword Might at the figure.
But the figure feared not the Sword Might, wielding its own Sword Shadow.
Even as it absorbed the Sword Might, it aimed its sharp blade at Shen Han.
In that instant, a brilliant light seemed to shine into his heart.
Like a sky shrouded in black smoke, pierced by the first ray of human light.
Shen Han suddenly realized—was this the ultimate Desperate Intent?
Luo Zuchen, the madman, held an arrogant temperament, with the notion of fight to the death intimidating those around him.
Many faced him with submission.
He could disregard everything, but could others?
Others cherished this beautiful world, yearning to see the smiles of those around them.
This very attachment led them into Luo Zuchen’s trap.
Though Dean Tianyi possessed greater strength, he needed to consider others, being naturally restrained.
But now, Shen Han seemed to have an epiphany.
Luo Zuchen’s arrogance stemmed from believing none dared to oppose him.
In the final moment, his opponent would surely dodge.
But what if he didn’t?
He cherished this world, desiring peace and freedom.
Yet if those dear to him perished, what meaning would peace and freedom hold?
Now in clarity, the figure wasn’t one striving for a life-and-death duel with him? 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
Then he too would battle with his life.
