Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return-Chapter 1137: Hoist with One’s Own Petard

Han Yan stayed true to her word; after leaving the Sword Casting Hall, she led Ling Baobao and the Gu Family brothers to Yingfeng Building while Tan Yu went to inform Huayue and the others.

Just as the food and wine were served, Huayue and the others arrived with faces full of delight.

The events that occurred at the Sword Casting Hall had spread through Long Yan Academy like wildfire, and Huayue and the others had received the news.

"Everyone’s here; let’s start eating." Han Yan naturally wouldn’t wait for Nie Fangsheng and the others to join the feast, as she knew he wouldn’t come unless he wanted more embarrassment.

"Congratulations, my lord. I knew it; with your natural talent, learning the Sword Casting Technique is completely beneath you. That Nie Fangsheng was simply asking for trouble by trying to make things difficult for you." Zirong commented while eating, accustomed to flattering, though her skills had clearly improved, becoming more subtle than before.

"I heard Nie Heilian was so ashamed and furious that he spat out blood. Tsk tsk, it’s a pity we didn’t witness it; what a shame." Jiang Yuzhe said with regret.

Initially, they wanted to join in on the spectacle, but Han Yan outright refused, leaving them to practice diligently on their own. Hearing about Han Yan’s impressive feats at the Sword Casting Hall later, Jiang Yuzhe found it both stirring and regrettable that he hadn’t seen it firsthand.

"Don’t worry; I doubt the Qiu Family and Jiang Qiling will let it slide easily. They’ll surely trouble my lord again, giving us plenty of chances to watch the spectacle." Huayue said with a smile, looking at Han Yan with admiration.

"By the way, how is your progress? If you can’t pass the assessment, you’ll disgrace me." Han Yan said half-jokingly, half-seriously.

Although she successfully forged the Blood Gall Sword and received a Trial Token from Nie Fangsheng, to partake in the Illusion Dragon Tower trial requires three tokens. Han Yan had no doubts about Huayue and the others’ talent and diligence but worried that instructors might trouble them just as they had troubled her.

"Don’t worry, the Beast Taming Technique isn’t that hard. Though I wouldn’t claim to be a Beast Taming Master, passing the assessment shouldn’t be a problem." Zirong said confidently.

"Breaking the seal of the Demon-breaking Spear might be tough, but passing the assessment shouldn’t be too hard." Huayue said confidently as well.

"I’ve even managed to figure out the Shadow Shifting Barrier on my own; how could Tian Wenliang’s array formation barrier technique be difficult for me?" Jiang Yuzhe boasted, forgetting he only comprehended half of the Shadow Shifting Barrier and needed Han Yan’s help to perfect it, lest he still face Mu Yuying’s wrath.

Though Jiang Yuzhe’s words were bold, Han Yan admitted that he had a reason to be confident in array barriers. If asked whom among Huayue, Zirong, and Jiang Yuzhe had the best chance of passing, it would undoubtedly be Jiang Yuzhe.

"My talent is mediocre, but Master Yu doesn’t make things too difficult for me. I think it should be fine." Tang Bufan added.

Though not as confident as Huayue and Zirong, nor as boastful as Jiang Yuzhe, Han Yan understood his temperament. His humble background meant his talent was average, hence his reserved nature. Saying as much was already a sign of his confidence. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Seeing their confidence reassured Han Yan.

As long as the instructors don’t trouble Huayue and the others, that’s good. As for Han Yan, she wasn’t afraid of being troubled unless they thought Nie Fangsheng hadn’t been taught a harsh enough lesson.

...

The Sword Casting Hall was emptied, with only Nie Fangsheng and a few others remaining.

"Lord Nie, don’t take Han Yan’s actions to heart. I think he was just lucky, maybe happened to have learned sword casting before; that’s how he managed to forge the Blood Gall Sword so easily. Next time during the assessment, show him some real skill." Qiu Zizhong consoled Nie Fangsheng.

"You’re underestimating Han Yan; his Sword Casting Technique isn’t that simple. If I continually trouble him, what will happen to the other disciples?" Nie Fangsheng, having spit out that blood, felt calm and said ruefully.

He could keep raising the difficulty of the assessments, troubling Han Yan time after time, but even if he eventually defeated Han Yan, the other disciples wouldn’t be able to pass.

In truth, with this assessment’s standards, none of the other disciples could pass.

Continuing like this, who would dare come to his Sword Casting Hall to learn the Sword Casting Technique? What qualification would he have to stay at Long Yan Academy? Surely he couldn’t give up his current status and position just because of one Han Yan.

"Are we just going to let him go? It’s bad enough that he passed the assessment to humiliate you, but they shamelessly deceived us out of more than two thousand Silver Taels." Qiu Zizhong said resentfully.

Faces can be saved, after all, it was Nie Fangsheng’s embarrassment. But those two million Silver Taels were all his wealth. He intended to trouble Han Yan, yet ended up losing his shirt; Qiu Zizhong found it incomprehensible.

Mentioning those silver notes, Nie Fangsheng felt even more frustrated. Despite being Long Yan Academy’s leading Sword Casting Master, having earned significant income from sword casting over the years, he spent plenty on improving his technique, unknowingly wasting lots of Meteorite Gold. Those twenty million taels were all he had, now gone completely, extending his disappointment.

"Alright, I have this figured out; you may leave." Thinking about it made Nie Fangsheng disheartened; he gloomily told Qiu Zizhong.

"Yes, Lord Nie, I’ll take my leave. You’ve just spat blood, take it easy, rest, and don’t let this worsen your health." Qiu Zizhong left after his farewell.

Just as Nie Fangsheng’s face regained a hint of color, it darkened even more. Qiu Zizhong had zero tact, his words stung like salt in a wound. No wonder the Qiu Family ended up like this; they deserved it!

"Master, shall I assist you back to your room for rest?" Seeing Nie Fangsheng’s poor complexion, a disciple stepped forward.

"There’s no rush; you all keep an eye on Han Yan’s movements these days and report any news back to me immediately." Nie Fangsheng waved his hand, ordered.

"Master, are you planning to trouble Han Yan again? I think it’s better to leave him be; after all, your promise of marriage with Lord Qiu’s children was merely drunken words, no need to take it seriously." The disciple advised.

"Yes, Master, Han Yan is the Mu Family Sect Master’s eldest grandson and Lord Gong’s first disciple in years. Why become enemies over the Qiu Family? Besides, Qiu Ping’an dared to cheat under Lord Gong’s nose; he’s reaping what he sowed. Family Head Qiu assumed his own disciples were numerous within Long Yan Academy, hence he was arrogant and reckless, deserving the Qiu Family’s fate." Another disciple echoed.