"This shouldn't be that difficult, Jinyu. Could it be that the Shen Family is unwilling to help you with such a small matter?"

Hearing Shi Yuezhu's words, Su Jinyu gently shook her head.

"It's not a difficulty. I just... I just...

He actually took this opportunity to only ask for a maid's contract of sale..."

...

The matter was almost dealt with, as Tianyi Academy was becoming increasingly stringent.

Experts like Shi Yuezhu in the Immortal Realm would be on the academy's radar if they got too close.

After some thought, Shi Yuezhu used a Sound Transmission Magical Artifact to communicate.

The two met in a secluded spot outside the academy.

"I need to return to Xiaoyao Peak. I promised earlier that I could grant you one request. Have you thought it through yet..."

Shen Han shook his head: "I'll save it for later... I'll let you know once I've decided..."

In truth, Shen Han's real intention was to save it until he was thick-skinned enough to ask.

Once that was said, the two didn't know what else to talk about.

Shen Han thought he had decent eloquence; he could speak confidently in front of some powerful figures.

But in front of Shi Yuezhu, he never knew how to start a conversation.

At 3:00 PM, Shi Yuezhu looked at the sky.

"I need to return to Xiaoyao Peak. If you need anything, just call me with the Sound Transmission Magical Artifact."

Seeing Shi Yuezhu about to leave, Shen Han interrupted.

"Moon Bamboo Peak Master, there's actually something I want to ask your opinion on.

It concerns my own matters..."

Shi Yuezhu stopped and looked at Shen Han.

"The day before yesterday, Dean Tianyi gave me a task to go to the southern Yexuan Country to promote Great Wei's might.

After Yexuan submits to Great Wei, it would be an achievement in expanding territories.

If I want to enter the political arena, it would be a great advantage...

But, should I enter the political arena..."

He looked at Shi Yuezhu, waiting for her response.

Upon hearing this, Shi Yuezhu also frowned, contemplating for a while.

"People are like chess pieces, and in Great Wei, the Imperial Court is the player.

If you can enter the political arena and gain some power, it's better than practicing in silence."

Hearing this, Shen Han slightly bowed his head.

"I thought you would advise me against getting involved, to focus on pure cultivation..."

Spring Equinox has passed long ago, and it's almost summer.

The sunlight was getting more intense.

The insects, silent in winter, were now chirping loudly, making it noisy.

Shi Yuezhu turned her head, looking at Shen Han seriously.

"Once you set foot in this world, everyone is already tied to the political arena.

Even our Xiaoyao Peak, although maintaining a neutral stance, is still entangled in political matters.

Unless one is insignificant like dust, how can they avoid the political manipulations?

It's better to step into the chessboard laid by the political arena and control your future path..."

Shi Yuezhu shared her thoughts fully with Shen Han.

Shen Han also lowered his eyes, thinking about the pros and cons.

"When I went to see Jinyu, I heard General Su holds you in high regard.

He said you are steady and thoughtful, able to see through both open and hidden schemes in the political arena.

General Su has navigated the political arena for decades; with his endorsement, you should thrive in it."

Hearing Shi Yuezhu's words, Shen Han showed a bitter smile.

"General Su probably meant I'm smooth-talking...

He just spoke freely with me, forming an impression.

But if I truly step into the political arena, I might not be able to be that smooth.

Seeing some filthy affairs might compel me to speak up.

I might end up offending many people..."

Shen Han's disposition is indeed quite stable.

But being stable doesn't mean he can tolerate everything.

Seeing greedy people might test his patience.

Out of sight, out of mind; but if he truly steps into that pool, he doesn't know if he can hold back.

Upon hearing this, Shi Yuezhu looked at Shen Han more intently.

"If that's how it is, you should all the more enter the political arena.

Presumably, people would hope for you to be part of it."

In today's world, when speaking to outsiders, everyone professes to benefit the world, the nation.

It's all grandiloquent speech.

But in reality, who isn't just serving their own interests?

Shen Han remained silent, not mentioning other matters.

He just hoped that if he really entered the political arena, he could maintain some integrity.

...

After responding to Dean Tianyi, preparations began.

This journey had some distance and extended beyond the national borders.

The submission of Yexuan Country was a significant matter of territorial expansion.

Safety on the road wasn't a concern; the court had arranged for two Immortal Realm powerhouses to protect secretly.

The accompanying team also had Fourth Grade Guards for protection at all times.

This level of protection was comparable to the Imperial Family's standards.

During preparations, Dean Tianyi brought some letters for Shen Han to read.

To get familiar with Yexuan Country so that things wouldn't get confusing upon arrival.

The letters were quite explicit.

The history of Yexuan Country is only over five hundred years old.

Due to scarce resources, there's not much useful material, so Great Wei hasn't been particularly interested.

Now, Great Wei wants submission, mainly to gain a reputation.

Because of the lack of resources, interactions with Great Wei have been minimal, so Yexuan Country knows little about Great Wei.

This exchange aims to show the nation's power as the citizens of Yexuan Country have limited exposure.

May 16.

Everyone officially set off.

Shen Han noticed there were three luxurious carriages in total.

Counting himself, there were five young people in this journey.

Apart from himself from Tianyi Academy, the other four were from different academies.

Three were from the other three academies in the capital, one each from Mountain Sea Academy, Jade Dragon Academy, and Qiling Academy.

The other was from an academy in the western part of Great Wei, not well-known, Hongtai Academy.

All five were under twenty, considered young among their peers.

The court truly balanced the scales in this matter.

Before departing, the Dean of Tianyi Academy gave Shen Han some additional advice.

This journey aims to demonstrate the power of Great Wei, but Yexuan Country is, after all, to be submitted.

So conduct should be mindful of impact, to display national prestige without causing undue embarrassment.

Always give Yexuan Country a way out.

Shen Han nodded, understanding Dean Tianyi's point.

At 7:00 AM, they set off.

Traveling southward from the Capital City to the southernmost border.

They traveled along official roads, passing through many cities.

After the encounter with Su Jinyu, Shen Han's name naturally became well-known.

In the carriage, his companions showed some friendliness.

Even the student from Mountain Sea Academy was easy to get along with.

Those who claim one academy or another is full of fools and idiots...

Such peculiar individuals were indeed scarce.

More often, interactions depended on whether personalities matched.

Of course, those with certain influences might greatly value their friends' backgrounds.

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