Chapter 4945 — Alchemy Failure
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 3
"Speak freely, there is no harm in it." Liu Ziqi was slightly taken aback. Given her ties with Huo Yudie, Wei Zhao ought to have addressed her as Aunt Liu to sound more familiar; suddenly calling her Dean Liu could only mean this concerned a grave matter between the two academies.
"Pray go on, Master Lin," Li Ren said, likewise puzzled.
"In my view, since Morning Proud and Morning Star were originally one body, and there is no irreconcilable hatred between them, I would presume to ask Chairman Zhuang to step forward as a peacemaker, so that the two academies may shake hands and make peace from this day on. What do you two think?" Wei Zhao said with great solemnity.
Liu Ziqi fell silent for a moment at these words, and quickly grasped Wei Zhao's deeper intent. Reconciling the two academies' feud was merely a pretext; his true aim was to let Morning Proud Academy seize a share of the advantage while the chance was there. If he were the one to raise the matter, Zhuang Yifan could not possibly play favorites and back only Morning Star; Morning Proud Academy would inevitably secure a place for itself as well!
Neither Morning Star nor Morning Proud was weak in foundation. In the years before the split, theirs had been the foremost academy in the Yellow-rank sea region; it was only because they had gone their separate ways that their strength had been so grievously sapped.
Even so, the two academies' strength could still rank among the first class. If they truly could shake hands and make peace, and with the full support of Zhuang Yifan, the Alliance Chairman, restoring their former glory would be no difficult feat. When that day came, the likes of Thunderstrike Academy and Dingcheng Academy would have to stand aside.
"I have no objection on my side," Liu Ziqi said, nodding without the slightest hesitation. Though many among Morning Proud Academy's upper echelons still nursed grudges over the events of those years, none who had risen to such a station failed to know which way the wind blew. Before solid, tangible gain, no one would cling to an old grievance—to do so would make one a traitor to Morning Proud Academy.
"And what say you, Libation Li?" Wei Zhao turned to look at Li Ren.
"This..." Li Ren looked awkwardly at Wei Zhao, then at Liu Ziqi, and said with a bitter smile, "The two academies stand to gain from union; personally, I am a hundred times in favor. But this is a matter of great moment, hardly something a mere libation like myself can decide. At the very least it would have to be submitted to Dean Ling for approval. I must beg Master Lin's and Dean Liu's pardon."
"By reason and propriety, this matter should indeed be left to Dean Ling to decide in person, as Libation Li says. But this chance must not be lost. Once it slips by, it will not be easy to prevail upon Zhuang Yifan to step forward again." Wei Zhao mused for a moment, then struck the table and declared, "Very well. I shall overstep my office and decide this on Morning Star Academy's behalf. Dean Ling is a man of great understanding; I trust he will not object."
"Then I thank you, Master Lin!" Li Ren at once echoed his assent. A mere libation like himself had no right to decide a matter bearing on the academy's future, but Wei Zhao was different. Given his ties to the three giants of Morning Star and the backing of his various strengths, even if Ling Yuanqing learned of it he would not blame him—he would only be grateful.
In truth, it would not have mattered had it been Wei Zhao; even if his undeserving disciple Qing Xuanzi had settled the matter on the spot, Ling Yuanqing would not have blamed him. After all, the man was a pillar of the academy—and besides, the affair did Morning Star Academy no harm. Only a fool would object!