Qi Mountain.

Pavilion of the Whispering Wind.

Shen Wuxiang held the black piece, decisive and full of offensive momentum.

Shang Xiulin, on the other hand, held the white piece, calculating three steps ahead, calm and composed.

Shen Wuxiang looked up at Shang Xiulin, who was concentrating deeply, and smiled, saying: "The struggle on the chessboard is like the slaughter on the battlefield. The situation changes rapidly, and your opponent won't give you that long to think."

"As 'Chess Classic' says: Therefore, one should use deep intentions and keep careful considerations to seek the reasons for victory and defeat; thus reaching where one has not yet reached." Shang Xiulin responded indifferently, delaying further before placing down the white piece in his hand.

Shen Wuxiang had also read the Chess Classic, understanding that this sentence means one must have far-reaching intentions and meticulous consideration to explore the reasons behind the victory and defeat in the game, so as to accumulate and reach a higher and further realm.

Is this implying that I lack foresight and thus cannot achieve ultimate victory?

Is it about the chessboard? Or the current situation?

"Is it?" Shen Wuxiang asked with a smile.

"Naturally." Shang Xiulin finally placed the piece, making a distinct sound.

After another dozen moves, Shang Xiulin suddenly said, "It's done."

Shen Wuxiang examined carefully and found that his path had been completely blocked by the opponent's white pieces.

Tightly enclosed, with no way to escape.

"I have a plan that can break this predicament." Shen Wuxiang looked at Shang Xiulin, appearing full of confidence.

"Oh?" Shang Xiulin seemed puzzled. Already at a deadlock, how could he possibly solve it?

Pa!

Shen Wuxiang lifted the table from underneath with both hands, suddenly flipping the chessboard into the air.

Crash...

The chess pieces rolled, scattering all over the ground.

Shen Wuxiang looked at Shang Xiulin with a triumphant expression and asked with a smile, "Who loses and who wins?"

"Victory and defeat are in the heart."

"How to prove it?"

"I can prove it."

"Who would believe it?"

"Those who believe, will naturally believe."

"Dean, this is called defeating countless tricks with simple force." Shen Wuxiang looked at Shang Xiulin and said, "In the face of a great situation, all the treacherous ones are like dirt chickens and clay dogs, unable to withstand a single blow. They are reduced to ashes at the snap of a finger."

"Since that's the case... why come to me?" Shang Xiulin sat straight, his back upright, "Could it really be just to accompany an old man like me playing chess?"

"I wish to borrow the Dean's tiger-hide for a moment." Shen Wuxiang looked at Shang Xiulin and said with a smile, "The Dean is a titan in academia, a call from you would naturally gather responses."

"So what?"

"I know Tang Fei and Zhong Yu Xiu Xue are both your students ... if the Dean could step forward to identify them as conspiring against the Empire and sever your teacher-student relationship with them ..." Shen Wuxiang looked at Shang Xiulin and said respectfully, "Then the Empire will be very grateful, with ample rewards in the future."

He didn't say 'I', but 'the Empire'.

I, am the Empire.

Besides, he knew that intellectuals value their reputation the most.

To gain fame to be remembered in life and after death is their greatest lifelong wish.

However, whether your reputation is good or bad, it is written by the Empire, also by the victors.

If the state says you are a literary prodigy, then you are the Great Scholar admired by the world.

If the state labels you as a literary traitor, then you are nailed to the pillar of shame in history, scorned by all.

One stroke of the pen can cast a golden image or execute a Ling Chi.

Truth?

Dozens of years, a hundred years go by, who still cares about the truth? Who can even find the truth?

Shang Xiulin looked at Shen Wuxiang with a calm expression, silently pondering for a long time.

"Dean, think thrice." Shen Wuxiang bowed again.

Think thrice before acting, choose what benefits you the most.

This is both a reminder and a threat.

"A gentleman can be killed but not humiliated." Shang Xiulin said calmly.

"I treat you with sincerity and politeness, when have I ever humiliated you?" Shen Wuxiang was puzzled.

"Your coming to me with such a request is an insult in itself." Shang Xiulin said resolutely, "Tang Fei and Zhong Yu Xiu Xue are both my students. They are humble, courteous, outstanding, and are excellent students of the Imperial First Military Academy."

"They did not violate the national law or the school regulations, outstanding in both character and learning, and rich in both virtue and talent... as their teacher, I only feel proud and honored, how could I possibly cut ties with them?"

"Yet you have the audacity to think I would agree to such demands, what is this but an insult?"

Shen Wuxiang raised his head to scrutinize Shang Xiulin, his eyes flashing with a fierce gleam: "Is this the Dean's final response?"

"This is indeed my final response." Shang Xiulin said emphatically.

"You should be aware that the reason you are still alive... is because you still have utility. If you cannot be used by the state, then... what is the point of keeping you?"

Shen Wuxiang lost patience.

Or perhaps, Shang Xiulin's answer did not satisfy him and instead stirred his anger.

Therefore, there is no more pretense, the spear is revealed.

"Not to harm the public spirit, nor to tarnish my name. Death, what is there to fear?"

Shang Xiulin stood dignified as a pine tree, his lean body at that moment seemed imposing and magnificent.

"Such fearlessness of death," Shen Wuxiang sneered repeatedly, furiously said, "I will not only destroy your body, but I will ruin your reputation..."

"How did Tang Li die? He fought for the country drenched in blood for years, yet was cursed by the citizens he protected for decades... you will be the second Tang Li."

"Not afraid of axe and sword upon my body, why fear this? Use whatever means you have at your disposal."

"Your wife..."

"My wife and I shared hardships, walked through forty-seven springs together. She will naturally accompany me on the journey, Military Minister need not worry."

"..."

Shen Wuxiang and Shang Xiulin locked eyes, one sinister and vicious, like an eagle eyeing its prey, the other deep as the sea, viewing death as returning home.

Shen Wuxiang waved his hand, and shouted: "Take him away."

Two Tiger Guards rushed in, grabbing Shang Xiulin's arms and walked him out.

Chang Zhengxin walked to Shen Wuxiang's side and asked in a low voice: "Military Minister... should we kill him?"

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