Murim's Weakest Princess-Chapter 262: A Teacher’s Heart

Anji’s heart pounded as she hid in her spiritual form. Thankfully, it seemed Yan Ping could not see her. Was there a difference in sensing energy in the spiritual realm and the physical realm? Anji knew her shifu had excellent control of energy in the physical realm. However, did her spiritual body count as energy in the physical realm? Perhaps not. Anji knew her energy hiding technique was sloppy. If Yan Ping wanted, she would easily sense her presence. Yet it appeared she did not notice anything amiss. Maybe the spiritual body existed only in the spiritual realm and did not affect the physical one?

Either way, Anji gained new courage and boldly emerged from her hiding spot. In the spiritual body, Anji could pass through any physical objects, including people. She simply did not do that often, as it felt awkward going through someone. Even in her spiritual body, Anji acted as if she were human. Some habits were hard to kill.

Floating from the floor to under the table, Anji took a peek and saw that her shifu was not alone. Although she did not recognise everyone just by seeing their shoes, anyone could make an intelligent guess that an important strategy meeting was about to happen.

Swiftly, Anji dashed in her spiritual body from underneath the table to the curtain behind her shifu. Nobody else in the sect could sense or see spirits like her teacher. Anji only had to mind Yan Ping’s radar as she scanned the room.

The familiar faces made Anji smile. After her promotion, Senior Researcher Ke became an influential advisor to the war meetings. Her duties extended beyond improving technical inventions. As part of her promoted responsibilities, she now had to work on par with Senior Researcher Mo to coordinate logistical efforts and interpret casualty reports. Although the new workload was tedious, she had never looked more determined in Anji’s eyes. The shadow of doubt and hesitation she once had was now gone. Instead, a blazing gaze of resolution replaced it despite the severe dark circles.

Sleep deprivation was no good. Even those with the Enlightened Core must spend a few hours a week meditating to maintain the energy needed to sustain the body. The fact that Senior Researcher Ke looked this haggard told Anji just how busy she had been that she had neglected basic self-care. Assistant Hu, who had been promoted to the rank of a researcher to assist Senior Researcher Ke better, was nowhere to be found. Anji assumed he too must be swamped with work. Otherwise, there was no way the motherly man would allow his childhood friend to overwork herself to the point of looking like a skeleton.

The other Elders who were more active with the war effort were also present. Anji noticed how the elders looked as if they had only finished Anji’s surgery, even when she had long recovered from it. What has everyone been doing while she was in the trial chamber? The only person who appeared healthy enough was Yan Ping. Even so, it did not seem like her teacher was as healthy as a horse. She was the only person who seemed stable enough, but with most of her face and body hidden behind the long white veiled hat, Anji could not make an accurate judgment.

"Thank you for attending the thirty-sixth war council meeting," Yan Ping announced as soon as everyone was seated. Anji noticed two empty seats and soon understood why.

"As the casualties have reduced thanks to the new curse-dispelling array and chambers, Senior Researcher Mo and the doctors have decided to focus on setting up a proper herb cultivation patch. The shortage of herbs and medicine is still a problem, but with the gardening team, they should be able to get by as we speak. Elder Quan is helping them cultivate qi-infused herbs for greater potency. We will exclude them from today’s meeting."

At the side table, Anji noticed Senior Researcher Ke scribbling away. As the most junior member of the war council meeting, she must have been appointed as the scribe. Anji peered over her teacher’s shoulder to look at the new tactical map with updated wooden pieces and red ink that Elder Shen was in charge of.

As expected of the sect’s archivist and right-hand man of the war council, Elder Shen explained the present situation of the war according to updates he collated from the Rainbow Alliance. Once again, Anji was impressed by her second brother and Hong Nian Niang’s intelligence network. The Gentleman Club was able to identify and narrow down possible locations of all demonic cult hostage camps while other sects were still rebuilding their territory after the ambush attack.

After explaining the new situation, Elder Shen proposed a counter strategy that made Senior Researcher Ke stop writing.

"To ensure the counter-ambush operations go smoothly, we need to deploy more skilled members of our sect to participate in the war effort. Sect Leader Yan, I implore you to consider this as an exception to our sect’s rules. The counter ambush is a crucial moment to turn the tide of this war into our favour. To strike and cripple the enemy when they have the upper hand is the smart thing to do."

Yan Ping was a logical person. To Anji, it sounded like the right thing to do. However, as she was also a successor of the Mystical Qilin Sect, she knew her teacher could not readily agree to such a thing. To break the rule once was to compromise the very pillar that held up their sect. Exceptions always weakened the foundation of resolve. It was a huge risk, and as a responsible leader, Yan Ping was unlikely to agree to it.

"I agree," Yan Ping finally spoke, shocking Anji. "However, I cannot allow that to happen. We have already sent too many outer disciples for the war effort because we know they cannot threaten the sect even if they divulge our secrets under torture. However, the more skilled talents are the inner disciples of our sect and our core branches in the upper ranks. They know too much to fall into the enemy’s hands. Can you guarantee that they will not pose a threat to the Mystical Qilin Sect’s stability if I permit?"

Elder Shen remained silent. Pu Jianming was an example of the sect’s greatest mistake. To send more like Pu Jianming to catch him was a foolish solution.

Even without eyes, Yan Ping understood the silence.

"You are not at fault," she told the elder, who was stewing in guilt. "Pu Jianming might have been your brightest student while he was in your care. But now, he is nothing more than a traitor who has turned his back on the sect he renounced when he left us. If even you waver on the battlefield, we cannot send anyone out."

Anji wholeheartedly agreed. She had only heard bits and pieces about Pu Jianming and Elder Shen’s relationship from others. However, it was clear that the grumpy elder still felt guilty about how Pu Jianming turned out. Nobody expected such a bright talent to fall into corruption. The future was truly unpredictable.

"We let the Rainbow Alliance and existing battle squad members handle the counter-ambush plan. The Mystical Qilin Sect will continue supporting them from the back line as we have always done. There is no need to change just because others demand it. However, should it become critical, I will send the best candidate for it."

The best candidate? Anji wondered who her teacher had in mind.

"Are you referring to our young successor?" Elder Kun, who had been silent since the start, quipped.

Yan Ping did not reply immediately, and Anji felt her heart race. Did they really think that highly of her?

"It depends on whether she can successfully clear the trial before her tenth birthday, as she claimed. If possible, I do not wish to leave because there is no telling when she might require my assistance. The successor trials can be dangerous. I would rather have her disqualified than dead. However, I will personally join the war if she cannot complete it within a year, as this matter cannot be delayed too long. No matter what, our young successor is still the youngest daughter from another prestigious sect. She will shed tears for the people who were sacrificed outside these walls because they are her family as much as we are."

Even without a physical body, Anji felt tears welling up inside her. Yan Ping was not an affectionate person. However, in moments like this, her teacher’s heart beats with a love comparable to the depth of her own parents. She might not be great with her words, but Anji understood her affection through every gesture.

Determined to finish her trial within the year, Anji tore herself away from the rest of the strategic war meeting. Now that she had confirmed her spiritual body could travel farther and for longer, she had to finish what she set out to do. While her shifu worried about the murim war, she had to worry about fulfilling Lady Mang Yuan’s final wish and visiting their founder, Bi Yao.