"I hope I can trick you."
Lin Jin stepped out of Spirit Hall, pausing to glance back with a quiet sigh.
He was the only tutor in the entire Academy—a lonely, thankless role. (T/N: Bro you own the place)
Out on the street, he opened the map, searching for the location of the Viscount's mansion.
He had to admit, aristocratic life on the mainland had its charms.
When Lin Jin finally caught sight of Peng Fan's mansion, he couldn't help but be awestruck.
A sprawling manor with a massive lawn, right here in Blackstone City?
Lin Jin didn't know what it felt like to live like that—but he was sure Peng Fan did.
Shaking his head at the decadence of feudal life, he told Shen Xin to wait outside, then walked alone toward the front gates of the Viscount's estate.
"Halt! This is the Viscount's residence. No unauthorized entry!"
The guard at the gate stepped forward, voice sharp with suspicion as he spotted Lin Jin approaching.
Lin Jin smiled calmly. "Relax, brothers. I'm not a bad guy."
The guard's expression darkened. As if any villain would actually say that.
With a small chuckle, Lin Jin retrieved a letter from his Spirit guide and held it out.
"I've got a message for your Viscount. From Peng Fan himself. You can choose not to deliver it… but be ready to deal with the consequences."
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. Was this guy threatening them?
The captain narrowed his eyes, snatching the letter from Lin Jin's hand. Just in case, he decided to read it first.
As his eyes scanned the paper, he froze.
The words "Dear Father" were written at the top—in the unmistakable handwriting of the young master.
His expression changed subtly. With a quick glance, he signaled the others.
'Something's wrong. Prepare to subdue him.'
The rest of the guards picked up on it instantly. Without a word, they reached for their weapons, slowly beginning to surround Lin Jin.
But Lin Jin had seen more than enough fights to know when one was coming.
He noticed the shift in their posture and movement almost immediately.
"So we're doing this, huh?" he muttered with a smirk, pulling out his ruler.
The guards froze. A Spirit Master?
"Prison"
Lin Jin's voice was quiet but firm as he traced a circle around the guards with his ruler.
"Farewell, gentlemen."
With a respectful bow, he turned and walked away without another glance.
The guards, now trapped within a glowing prison, slammed their weapons and fists against the shimmering barrier—but it was solid, almost like a physical wall.
"Save your energy," one of them muttered.
"It's a Spirit skill. It'll fade soon enough."
The others backed off, watching him cautiously.
"Captain… what just happened?" one of the younger guards asked.
The captain stared at the envelope still in his hand, letting out a slow breath.
"The young master has sent word."
...
"Dean, is this Peng Fan's family?"
It was Shen Xin's first time seeing such a luxurious mansion.
Awe colored her voice, and it was hard to connect this grand estate with the same Peng Fan who spent his days loudly proclaiming his dreams of becoming a Spirit Master back at the Academy.
"Yeah. Disgusting, isn't it? I wish I was rich."
Lin Jin's tone was tinged with bitterness.
Compared to this manor, their Academy looked like a slum.
He suddenly tilted his head back and sighed dramatically.
"The road is long, and I—"
"Dean Lin?"
A familiar voice interrupted him.
Lin Jin turned around and raised an eyebrow.
"Director Ding?"
He hadn't expected this. Running into Ding Sanshi twice—first in the Star Dou Forest, and now on the street?
Fate had a strange sense of humor.
Lin Jin's eyes flicked to Ding Sanshi's left arm, which had been bandaged and treated.
"Director Ding, shouldn't you be resting? Don't tell me Blackstone Spirit Masters Academy is so heartless they make their injured staff work. If that's the case, maybe you should consider joining our Tianxing Spirit Masters Academy. How does the position of vice president sound?"
Ding Sanshi blinked, then gave a wry smile.
"Dean Lin jests. I'm just on my way to the Spirit Hall to find a Medical Department Spirit Master to finish my treatment."
"Ah, I see. Well… I wasn't joking about the second part. What do you say?"
Ding Sanshi's expression shifted, as if unsure how to respond.
He looked at Lin Jin for a long moment, lips parting—but no words came out.
Seeing his hesitation, Lin Jin waved it off with exaggerated disappointment.
"Fine, fine. Since Director Ding isn't interested..."
Ding Sanshi let out a soft sigh.
"I've been at Blackstone Spirit Master Academy for nearly twenty years. It's not easy to walk away. I hope Dean Lin understands."
As he said that, something seemed to occur to him. His expression brightened, and he gestured toward a nearby teahouse.
"Dean Lin, why don't we sit down for a while? There's something I'd like to discuss."
"Oh?" Lin Jin raised an eyebrow.
"Something important?"
"Very. Maybe even game-changing—if you're willing to hear it."
"Sounds mysterious..." Lin Jin muttered, but despite his grumbling, he was already moving.
"Shen Xin, come on. Upstairs."
"Coming!" Shen Xin quickly followed.
Ding Sanshi chuckled to himself as he watched them go, shaking his head before trailing after them.
Upstairs, they found a quiet table. Ding Sanshi ordered a pot of tea, while Lin Jin got Shen Xin a few snacks.
"Tsk."
Lin Jin took a sip, his eyes narrowing with appreciation.
The tea was smooth, fragrant—a world apart from the bitter leaf water he was used to.
He glanced sideways at Ding Sanshi and set down the cup.
"Alright, Director Ding. Out with it. What's on your mind?"
Ding Sanshi nodded and bowed slightly in his seat.
"I was planning to visit your Academy in a few days to offer my formal apology. But since we've met today… I hope you'll allow me to apologize now."
Lin Jin waved his hand dismissively, a smile tugging at his lips.
"You might've done me a favor, really. Without your interference, I might never have found my footing."
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Ding Sanshi's face, but he composed himself quickly.
And then, he leaned in, voice lowering slightly—ready to talk business.
It was something big. Something that could change everything for Tianxing Spirit Masters Academy.