Words Strategize for the World

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Fang Wei tried to escape with Lan Xi, but was eventually captured by Zhang Xiao and his men using their abilities.

He still managed to get caught. This general is truly different from other seasoned scholars; he's several levels above those who have just entered the general rank.

Now that we're tied up and unable to escape, it's better to stall for time and wait for Qu Yashi to arrive.

"Zhang Xiao, as a teacher at the Prefectural Academy's Elegant Hall, aren't you afraid of Qu Xuezheng if you try to harm me?"

Upon hearing Fang Wei's words, Zhang Xiao burst into laughter.

"Haha, Qu Xuezheng? That old stubborn fellow? If he hadn't been promoted to the prefectural level, would I be afraid of him? Besides, he's about to go to the capital, and it's hard to say when he'll be back. I might be the next Xuezheng."

"I hadn't even thought of it until you mentioned it. When that stubborn old man Qu Zheng comes to the capital, I'll become an academic official, and then you'll be my student. Don't worry, Fang Xuezi, I'll definitely treat you well, hahaha..."

He had intended to stall for time, but unexpectedly, he heard some shocking news that left Fang Wei feeling very depressed.

If Zhang Xiao becomes the head of the academy, I'll have a good time at the prefectural school. This Zhang Xiao has really done a lot of harm.

Let's deal with the future later. For now, let's stall for time and wait for Qu Yashi to arrive. Otherwise, if he really takes half my life, that would be tragic.

"Qu Yashi is going to the capital? How come I didn't know? That's impossible, you must be lying to me, I don't believe it, you're lying to me." Fang Wei said, pretending to be flustered, scared and worried.

Seeing Fang Wei's disbelief and fear, Zhang Xiao's mood instantly improved.

Zhang Xiao was naturally overjoyed to be able to shatter Fang Wei's confidence. Therefore, instead of immediately dismembering Fang Wei, Zhang Xiao continued his story.

"Isn't it normal that you don't know? It won't hurt to tell you. All scholars who have reached the Earth Rank must go to the capital to serve the Emperor."

"You're just a lowly scholar of the legal class, of course you wouldn't know anything about the important events in the capital. Let me tell you now, Qu Zheng will be arriving in the capital soon. Then I'll become the head of the academy. Fang Wei, don't worry, I'll make sure you have a very fulfilling life. Hahaha..."

Seeing Zhang Xiao's smug face, Fang Wei felt contempt.

It's true what they say, a petty person who's gotten rich doesn't care about being struck by lightning. One day I'll make sure you never have a laugh again.

Although he despised Zhang Xiao, he needed to buy time. Therefore, the more smug Zhang Xiao was, the better.

Fang Wei continued to pretend.

"What are you going to do to me? I... I'll tell Qu Xuezheng beforehand if you do this."

"That old bastard Qu Zheng, that stubborn old man, do you think I'm afraid of him? You're overthinking it. That old man is arrogant and self-righteous. One day I'll trample him under my feet."

Zhang Xiao's face was contorted with rage, which showed that he must have suffered a lot at Qu Zheng's hands.

"Hmph, Fang Wei, do you think I don't know you're stalling for time? You'll find out how I treat you later. Right now, I'm going to take your legs first, then your hands. I'll make sure you can never write or walk again. I'll make sure you have the title of a refined scholar, but no substance whatsoever."

Zhang Xiao remained expressionless, and immediately began writing in mid-air after finishing her sentence.

As if he harbored a deep-seated hatred for Fang Wei, he directly wrote the character for "sword".

After the character for "sword" took shape, it immediately disintegrated, and then golden light gathered in the air to form a sharp sword.

Zhang Xiao pointed, and the sword flew towards Fang Wei.

Fang Wei was startled to see the sword flying towards him.

Zhang Xiao is indeed ruthless; he dared to hurt someone like that in front of everyone.

Despite his thoughts, he still had to try his best to save himself, otherwise, if he broke his leg, his life would be ruined.

Lanxi was equally shocked to see Zhang Xiaoshu write the character for "sword." If Fang Wei were injured by a sharp sword, even by the slightest hair, she would never forgive herself.

Lanxi immediately wrote the character "防" (fang), which was the only one among the four characters she wrote in rhythm that could be used for defense.

"Hmph, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, overestimating your own strength."

Looking at the letter written by Lanxi, Zhang Xiao said disdainfully.

The word "defense" had barely taken shape in Lanxi when the sharp sword arrived.

The sword passed through the defenses without any hindrance and stabbed directly at Fang Wei's thigh.

As the sword approached, Fang Wei felt a chill run down his spine and broke out in a cold sweat.

In the nick of time, Lanxi suddenly lunged forward and pinned Fang Wei beneath her.

Lanxi wanted to use her own body to shield Fang Wei from the sword.

"No, don't..." Fang Wei shouted.

Fang Wei was unwilling to accept this; he didn't want things to turn out this way.

I don't want to be weak and powerless, I don't want anything to happen to Lanxi, and I don't want to regret it for the rest of my life.

"Haha... The Zhang family really raised a scoundrel, so protective of outsiders. Fine, then you can all die together."

Looking at Lanxi's actions, Zhang Xiao thought about how the Zhang family had raised Lanxi for so many years, yet she showed no affection whatsoever and instead always helped outsiders.

Now that he could actually shield someone from a sword, he roared furiously.

Lanxi, prepared to die, threw herself on Fang Wei.

She made this decision without a second thought. When she heard Zhang Xiao's words, she felt that dying like this wouldn't be so bad, at least she would die in the arms of the person she loved.

In an instant, the sword would pierce through Lanxi and then through Fang Wei's thigh.

In the most critical moment, a dazzling golden light flew from the side. With a "clang," the sword was struck and then disintegrated into specks of golden light.

After the sound subsided, Lanxi opened her eyes in surprise. The feeling of surviving such a disaster was wonderful.

The sky was high and blue.

Fang Wei, who was unable to move, was equally overjoyed. He hadn't expected someone to come to his rescue at the most critical moment.

Seeing that he was about to succeed, but was ultimately saved by Qu Zheng, Zhang Xiao was furious and blurted out, "You old stubborn man..."

Before Zhang Xiao could finish speaking, Qu Zheng looked at him and said, "Hmm? Old stubborn man? Hmph, not bad, not bad. A family of high-ranking officials, bullying the weak and oppressing the small, they've already hurt people and drawn blood, yet they show no remorse. They deserve to be beaten."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qu Zheng immediately manipulated the "slap" character to slap Zhang Xiao across the face.

"Slap, slap, slap, slap"

The crisp sound rang out, and Zhang Xiao's face instantly turned red.

"Ugh...you damn old stubborn fool, I won't send you that message."

After saying this, Zhang Xiao wrote the words "sword" and attacked Qu Zheng.

Qu Zheng manipulated the spell to untie Fang Wei. Then, with a wave of his hand, he deflected the incoming sword and blade attacks and slapped Zhang Xiao again.

"Slap, slap"

When Fang Wei stood up, he saw Zhang Xiao's flushed face and felt as if he were looking at a monkey's bottom.

"Zhang Xiao, you are a scholar of the academy, yet you do not value our lives. I will definitely return this honor to your Zhang family in the future."

Thinking of how Lanxi was almost killed and how he was crippled, Fang Wei was filled with rage.

Zhang family, you just wait, one day I, Fang Wei, will repay you tenfold.

Fang Wei turned to Qu Zheng, bowed, and said, "Thank you for saving my life, teacher."

"Fang Wei, you were too impulsive. Why did you come to rescue Zhang Nianwei alone? If I hadn't arrived just in time, would you and Zhang Nianwei be alright?"

Qu Zheng saw Fang Wei bow, accepted the bow, and then simply flicked his sleeves and turned around.

"Teacher, it was my fault. Please punish me." Fang Wei knew that Qu Zheng was only concerned for him, so he said sincerely.

Qu Zheng turned around and looked at Fang Wei, saying, "It's not that I want to punish you, but you've been too reckless. If anything were to happen to you, what would I, as your teacher, do?"

"Teacher, Fang Wei knows he was wrong," Fang Wei said sincerely again.

"It's not Fang Wei's fault, he's also..." Lanxi said.

"Alright, that's enough. Let's go back to the academy." With that, Qu Zheng turned and left.

Fang Wei and Lan Xi exchanged a glance, then smiled and followed Qu Zheng away.

Zhang Xiao's cheeks were flushed. She stood there watching Qu Zheng leave with Fang Wei and Lan Xi. She opened her mouth, but dared not speak.

You stubborn fool, you've got guts! You actually slapped me and took those two brats with you. Very well, very well indeed. Given the chance, I'll definitely trample you under my feet.

And Fang Wei, this time you have that stubborn old man Qu protecting you. But after he leaves, let's see who can protect you then.

Then I will experience what it means to be worse than dead, what it means to be half-dead...

Fang Wei glanced back at Zhang Xiao. He didn't want to guess what Zhang Xiao was thinking, but he felt very pleased.

Zhang family, you just wait.