While I was chanting a curse, the system said I was Xiao Yan?

Tianyan stood at the door, looking at Yamada's face, which was flushed with anxiety, and remained silent for a long time.

"exile……"

He repeated the word, his tone so calm it didn't sound like he was talking about himself.

Yamada stamped his feet in frustration: "You've done so much for the family, how can you just banish me like that? This isn't fair!"

"fair?"

Tianyan smiled, a smile devoid of emotion: "When has the Zen family ever spoken of fairness?"

He turned and went back into the house, took a clean coat from the clothes rack, and put it on.

"Let's go."

"Where to?"

"Go find Uncle Shenyi and Mr. Xinlang."

Tian Yan fastened his belt, his tone as calm as if he were remarking on the nice weather: "Let's first confirm if the news is true."

Yamada opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he just nodded vigorously and followed behind Tenyan.

The two walked through the bamboo forest path and along the road paved with bluestone slabs.

Along the way, we encountered many members of our tribe.

When they saw Tianyan approaching, some lowered their heads to avoid eye contact, some bowed from a distance and hurriedly left, while others stood at a distance whispering to each other, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

No one stepped forward to speak.

Tianyan didn't care, his pace was neither hurried nor slow, and his face wore his usual gentle smile.

Yamada walked half a step behind him, watching the reactions of the tribesmen, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

"A bunch of ingrates," he muttered under his breath.

Tianyan didn't respond, but just continued walking forward.

When we arrived at my uncle's house, the door was wide open.

When Tianyan walked in, Zenji Shinichi and Zenji Shinro were sitting inside, with teacups in front of them, as if they were waiting for him.

Shen Yi's massive, mountain-like body leaned back in his chair, his short, spiky hair disheveled, and the cross-shaped scar on his forehead stood out prominently in the candlelight.

Xin Lang sat upright to the side, his back straight and his face expressionless, just like an emotionless machine as always.

"They're here," Shen Yi said first, his voice rough and deep.

"Uncle Shenyi, Mr. Xinlang." Tianyan bowed and sat down opposite the two.

Yamada didn't dare to come in; he knelt outside the door, his ears perked up.

Tian Yan didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "I heard that the patriarch asked me to go to a vocational college for further studies. Is that true?"

Shen Yi and Xin Lang exchanged a glance.

"It's true."

It was Xinlang who spoke, his voice flat and monotone, as if he were reading an official document: "The head of the family has already issued the document. You are to report to Tokyo Higher Vocational School at the end of this month."

"The end of the month..." Tianyan repeated, then nodded, "That means I only have one week left at the Zen Temple."

Shen Yi's voice deepened: "Tian Yan."

Tianyan looked up at him.

"This is the head of the family's decision."

Shen Yi avoided Tian Yan's gaze: "He thinks you need more systematic learning now. The teachers and resources at the vocational college will help you recover your strength."

"Is that so?" Tianyan's tone was unreadable.

"and......"

Xinlang chimed in, "The vocational college isn't such a bad place. If you go there, you can meet more sorcerers and build connections and experience."

"Once you graduate, you can come back anytime you want."

I can come back anytime.

Tianyan silently recited the sentence in his heart, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

The smile was faint, so faint that it was almost invisible.

"I see."

He stood up and bowed to the two men again: "Thank you for informing me, Uncle Shenyi and Mr. Xinlang."

"Tianyan," Shen Yi suddenly called out to him.

Tianyan stopped in his tracks without turning back.

Shen Yi was silent for a few seconds, as if considering his words, and finally only said, "Go out and study with peace of mind, don't think too much."

"Yes."

Tianyan responded and stepped out the door.

Yamada quickly followed, jogging to catch up to his side.

"Lord Tianyan! What did they say?"

"It's confirmed. I'll be leaving at the end of the month."

Instead of returning to his own courtyard, Tianyan turned around and headed towards the main courtyard where the family head resided.

Yamada took two steps, but was stopped by Tenyan.

"Go back and rest. I'll walk the rest of the way myself."

"But……"

"Go."

Looking into Tianyan's calm eyes, Yamada ultimately decided not to follow. He bowed, turned, and left.

Tianyan walked alone along the long stone path, through the moon gate, and arrived at the main courtyard gate.

The guards at the gate saw him and immediately opened the gate, indicating that the head of the family had already given the order.

Tianyan nodded his thanks, walked through the courtyard to the door, stood for a moment, and then raised his hand to knock on the door frame.

"Come in." Naobi's voice came from inside, sounding as lazy as ever, with a hint of drunkenness.

Tianyan pushed open the door and went inside.

The Naobi man lay half-reclined on the tatami mat, a sake gourd hanging from his waist, with several small dishes in front of him. He looked like a lump of mud.

"Oh, Tianyan."

He raised his eyelids slightly: "You've come at the perfect time. Have a couple of drinks with me."

Tianyan didn't sit down, but stood at the door, looking straight at the drunken old man.

"Master, I have something I'd like to ask you."

"What is it? Sit down and tell me, sit down and tell me." Naobi patted the tatami mat next to him.

Tianyan did not move.

"I heard you suggested I go to a vocational college for further studies."

The Jibi man paused for a moment while holding his wine glass, then casually took a sip.

"That's true."

Why?

Why?

The Giovanni put down his wine glass, tilted his head, and looked at him: "Why do you think that is?"

Tianyan remained silent for a moment.

"I want to hear it from you yourself."

The Gibito stared at him for a long time, a rare glimmer of clarity flashing in his drunken eyes.

"Sit down," he said, his tone more serious than before.

Tianyan hesitated for a moment, but eventually walked over and sat down opposite the Zhibi person.

The Zhibi people wanted to pour him a drink, but Tianyan politely declined.

"Have you gone to see Shinichi and Shinran?" Naobi asked.

"Yes."

"What did they say?"

"They said it was the head of the family's decision, and told me to go out and study without worry."

The Naobi chuckled, a laugh tinged with self-mockery.

"My decision? Heh, in some ways it's not wrong."

He picked up the gourd and took a big gulp, wiped his mouth, and then looked at Tianyan.

"Alright, since you asked, I'll just say it directly."

"It was indeed Jinichi and Shinro who suggested that you leave the Zen family. Not only them, but several other old people also nodded in agreement."

Tianyan's expression remained unchanged.

"They think you're too strong."

Naobi's voice was as calm as if he were talking about something trivial: "So strong that the direct descendants can't hold their heads up, but that's nothing, until..."

You bared your fangs at the fan.

"A sixteen-year-old with only level three magic power can defeat a level one. They're starting to get scared, and the old folks are having trouble sleeping."

"What are you afraid of?"