Love letters are not allowed in the exorcism notebook!-Chapter 735 - 157: One Must Have Value to be Exploited

"Mountain Leader, I have returned..."

In the study, the person who was furiously writing at the desk stopped his brush and looked up.

Glancing at Cheng Xuefei who was wheeled in by Master Jin, he said indifferently, "Trash."

Cheng Xuefei scrutinized the subtle changes in Kong Ting’s facial expressions with precision and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and say, "The plan isn’t progressing smoothly... Mountain Leader, why take your anger out on me?"

"Hadn’t you already foreseen this situation?"

At this moment, crumpled waste paper on the ground had piled up into a mountain, unlike the orderly sight she saw the last time she came here; the consumption of these drafts was already far exceeding the rate of production.

The grand array enveloping Tianmen City above was collapsing at a visible pace, its array eyes shattering one by one.

In the parlance of modern stand-up comedy, this is called a "complete collapse".

You confidently try to test another’s limits, but when they actually reveal their hand, you’re displeased.

Scholars administering the country often amount to mere talk.

Like Western economists who first create a rational agent, then let this rational agent generate rational actions and thus summarize so-called economic laws.

Even Cheng Xuefei could see that the grand array Kong Ting had set up could no longer be maintained for much longer.

Everywhere lay black boxes that could not be probed into, indescribable.

The scholar-officials of the old era, despite realizing the necessity of changing to adapt to the currents of the times, still could not step out of their comfort zones.

Now they’ve become outcasts of history, unwilling to accept their fate, deluding themselves with disruptive fantasies and making a desperate last stand. Even if they fail, they aim to secure some benefits for their aftermath.

Yet the outcome wasn’t so heroic and awe-inspiring, even somewhat absurd and ridiculous.

There was neither the anticipated rally cry that echoed with the masses nor the presence of loyal and righteous men seizing the moment to arise.

Hasn’t the nation nurtured scholars for five hundred years, only to not warm your frigid hearts?

But in the end, there was no response.

Human nature is inherently wicked, cold, and fails to withstand any test.

In the end, they have been enchanted by that woman.

The Saint’s teachings of benevolence and righteousness over thousands of years are no match for a demoness’s seductive words, which is the tragedy of our times, and the tragedy of civilization.

I’m afraid this country is beyond saving.

Kong Ting let out a deep sigh, his face showing a look of exhaustion.

"Has no one come yet?"

"No..."

Master Jin replied softly.

It’s not that no one has come, but those who have come are just passionate youths, whose clamor he deems unworthy of his attention.

The person he’s waiting for has not arrived.

The phone call he’s expecting has not rung.

This made Kong Ting feel an unprecedented level of humiliation.

Do you really see me, the Mountain Leader of Jishan Academy, as someone who should be reduced to sitting at the same table with children?

He casually crumpled a heavily blackened paper manuscript from his writing and threw it onto the ground, turning his gaze back to Cheng Xuefei in her wheelchair.

"Don’t you have anything you want to ask?"

No...

Cheng Xuefei thought to herself that as a Flower Amidst Guests, what I want to know can be seen with my own eyes. There’s not necessarily a need to converse with you.

But now, it isn’t appropriate for her not to answer, because she had already seen that Kong Ting was teetering on the edge of anger and disappointment, in need of someone suitable to exchange a few words with him and alleviate the pressure in his heart.

This person can’t be like Master Jin, who would only nod and echo in agreement.

Neither can it be like Han Bin, who seems brash but in reality is clear-headed and sharply articulate, able to argue you into a brain hemorrhage within three sentences.

And certainly not like Xia Yubing, who without a word would swing a brick to strike someone, paying no heed to your nonsense.

He just needs someone who knows how to play the supporting role to his straight man.

Now, Jishan Academy might seem peaceful, but that is because Kong Ting, with his own power, has suppressed all intruders.

However, those who managed to track down clues and arrive at the academy tonight, are without exception strong adversaries, against whom common methods are simply ineffective.

If Kong Ting had cultivated a Dharma Gate specialized in killing, perhaps he could have slain these adversaries.

Unfortunately, in this world, there is rarely a solution that satisfies all, once a person’s beliefs are set, they are not easily changed.

The Scholarly Heresy Skill that Kong Ting has cultivated, once advanced to its utmost limit, is known as "Beguiling the Divine".

As the name suggests, it is the power to create fiction and twist reality.

But this is not something that can be mentioned in front of him—bring it up and you’re asking for death.

After all... the Mountain Leader originally intended to cultivate the Righteous Path of the scholars.

"What does the Mountain Leader want me to ask?"

Cheng Xuefei calmly began, "You wanted me to lure the three demonesses from the Longevity Sect here, and I have done so. I encountered Han Bin along the way and almost got killed by him. Now, I even find it difficult to move, and truly cannot share your worries."

Kong Ting spoke with a heavy voice, "Why would Xia Yubing be in the Longevity Sect?"

"I truly have no idea, aside from Shen Qingxi herself, I don’t recognize either of the other two demonesses."

Cheng Xuefei confessed honestly, "If I had not heard the name Princess Zhaoning from the Mountain Leader just now, I would have no clue who this Miss Xia is. If I’m not mistaken, Princess Zhaoning should be one of the initial disciples recruited by the Mountain Leader at the Academy, and also the first leader of the interest group, right?"

"Correct, Zhaoning was a favored disciple of mine, exceptionally talented but also of a strong-willed nature, like a sharp sword that is prone to snapping due to its rigidity. I intended to temper her well, so that her future achievements would be boundless. Unfortunately... the sword broke too soon."

Kong Ting sighed, "I didn’t expect that after her death she would still have such fortuitous encounters. If I could have found her sooner, maybe I could have convinced her to see the error of her ways and use her for my purpose. Now... there simply isn’t enough time."

Cheng Xuefei asked in confusion, "Shouldn’t there still be some time left before the critical window?"

"That would just be making a wedding dress for someone else; distant waters won’t quench immediate thirst."

"So now... the situation is already irreparable?"

"That arbitrary woman, in the end, refuses to leave me any way out. Well, I’d like to see, with her persisting in going against the grain, how long she can last!"

Kong Ting said through clenched teeth, "The cultural heritage passed down by our ancestors over the years isn’t something she can simply discard if she wishes to."

He glanced at the telephone again subconsciously.

"Since it has come to this, don’t blame me for a fight to the bitter end!"

After mumbling to himself with gritted teeth, he looked toward Cheng Xuefei.

"Xuefei, help me with one last thing."

"Me? Mountain Leader..."

"There’s an old saying, ’Once a teacher, forever a father.’ I’ll decide for you and betroth you to someone."

Have you lost your mind!

Cheng Xuefei frowned, "Mountain Leader, have you forgotten why I joined in the first place? I only have Wei Anran in my heart; I won’t consider any other man besides him."

"You are not seeing clearly. If our plan fails, Wei Anran cannot come back to life, and all that we have done will be rendered meaningless. Since you love him so much, why can’t you make an additional sacrifice for his sake?"

"So finding me a man, what impact does that have on such a grand plan?"

"I am not asking your opinion."

Kong Ting looked up at the clock on the wall, stood up, walked to the door, and spoke softly, "One must have value to be exploited, to have a chance at obtaining what one desires. You still have value now, don’t be like your master, failing to appreciate your own depth and shallowness, to be used by others like a night-pot, summoned and dismissed at whim!"