Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 592: Chapter 495: Confession Leads to Leniency_1

Seeing Huai Shi’s calm reaction to his words, Lin Nineteen immediately gasped. Truly befitting a teacher, always composed in the face of major events. So calm, it’s genuinely terrifying.

After a little thought, he began, ”Because it involves internal issues of the Ivory Tower, it’s a bit of a long story... But first, Teacher, how much do you know about the Ivory Tower?”

Huai Shi thought for a long time, then reached into his pocket and took out a pamphlet.

”I know everything it says. Anything not in there, I’ve basically never heard of.”

...

Isn’t that basically the same as knowing nothing?!

Lin Nineteen wanted to speak but stopped himself.

He didn’t even inquire about the specific conditions of his workplace before taking up the post! Has my teacher become too headstrong? Or is this the confidence of the strong? A sword in hand, and the world is his oyster?

He completely ignored the possibility that Huai Shi might just be habitually clueless.

After thinking for a long time, he tentatively asked, ”So, should I... start from the beginning?”

Huai Shi waved his hand. ”Get on with it, quickly.”

”Er, COUGH, COUGH...”

Lin Nineteen started to get a headache, unsure how to explain.

It was because the Ivory Tower’s actual situation was truly too peculiar.

As everyone knows, although the Ivory Tower is theoretically under the Astronomical Society, it became a highly insular, independent institution after the fracturing of Utopia. Regarding funding sources or personnel appointments, there was virtually no room for outside interference.

Even the Jurisdiction Bureau had no direct jurisdiction over it. After it officially began recruiting students externally, it had always been known for its openness and neutrality. Aside from normal commercial activities, it had rarely taken any proactive measures, maintaining a remarkably low profile.

However, due to its sheer scale, its existence remained impossible to ignore.

Whether it was the numerous research breakthroughs the academy produced annually, the countless industries it directly and indirectly controlled, its vital position in the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy, or its extremely profound and vast influence in all aspects... each component was significant enough to be coveted.

This led to many people setting their sights on the Ivory Tower...

Power itself possesses gravity, drawing an endless stream of moths to a flame.

They wanted to scoop a share from this masterless pot.

Of course, it wasn’t that no one had considered usurping the nest.

But in reality, such a possibility simply didn’t exist.

As an institution directly under Utopia, formerly the logistical supply department for the Heavenly Kingdom, the Ivory Tower could be described as the last remaining crystallization of Utopia in the world.

Neither the Astronomical Society, the Jurisdiction Bureau, nor the many members of Utopia who survived the war of schism would allow this great authority to fall into other hands.

Even the president of the Ivory Tower is merely the Guardian of this authority, not the true master of the school.

Unless the Astronomical Society rebuilt Utopia, a new chairman emerged from the tripartite council, and the Book of Fate heralded a new king for the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy, no one in this world could legitimately wield this power.

Therefore, most people chose to settle for the next best thing.

Since they couldn’t possess the power, they opted for infiltration, becoming a part of it, or at the very least, tying themselves to it.

In this world, aside from a handful of prominent figures who would disdain such methods, everyone else who approached likely harbored this intention.

Having been steeped in an atmosphere of wrongdoing since birth, Lin Nineteen was all too familiar with such schemes.

Compared to other secure departments, the most easily infiltrated and controlled section within the Ivory Tower was the academy division, composed of numerous external professors and students.

Openness itself implied circulation; neutrality meant sitting on the fence; and being all-embracing inherently meant a hodgepodge.

The diversity within the academy division’s ranks was simply astounding.

A glimpse at the composition of the teaching and research departments revealed it all—Dongxia, Rome, America, the Russian Federation, Egypt... Which major Genealogy in the world didn’t have personnel employed at the Ivory Tower?

Not to mention organizations like the Stone Pot Society, Bronze Eye, and others; there might even be people from Green Day among them—

”Including you, Teacher, aren’t you also a representative of the Jurisdiction Bureau?”

Hearing Lin Nineteen’s sudden remark, Huai Shi’s face was a picture of bewilderment.

I’m here to learn and improve myself! How did I become a spy engaged in clandestine operations according to you?

Wait, now that I think about it...

After some thought, he realized: he probably, possibly, perhaps... really was shoehorned in by the Jurisdiction Bureau to bolster its authority within the Ivory Tower?

Otherwise, why would an Executioner of the Astronomical Society, a former Inspector, come to a school? Could he genuinely be here to teach?!

Even Huai Shi found this arrangement too damn preposterous.

Most importantly, school hasn’t even started, so how did I suddenly become a Second fifth? And it seems I’m the Second fifth with the most impressive backing among a whole bunch of them?

But why didn’t even he himself know he was a Second fifth?

Huai Shi was taken aback at first. Then, he raised his eyes and looked at the eloquently speaking Wood Cottage before him.

He decided to follow his instincts and subtly probe first.

Then, a strange, not-quite-a-smile expression appeared on his face. He tapped the armrest of the sofa, studying the young man before him. ”So, what do you think the Jurisdiction Bureau sent me here to do?”

He said gently, ”Don’t be nervous. Speak your mind. Let this teacher see what Little Nineteenth of the Lin Family is capable of.”

Despite his gentle tone, warm expression, and an attitude as inviting as a spring breeze, Lin Nineteen, who had been flaunting his cleverness, was momentarily stunned.

He subconsciously sensed something was wrong.

Especially when met with that unreadable gaze, he realized: Damn it, I seem to have said the wrong thing!

Facing his teacher’s implicit test and warning, he dared not refuse to answer.

After hemming and hawing for a long time, unable to withstand the pressure, he braced himself and replied, ”In this student’s humble opinion, Teacher, your presence here might not be a plot to seize the Ivory Tower’s authority—if I’m not mistaken, it should actually be the principal’s intention.”

”Oh?” Huai Shi raised his eyebrows.

Seeing Huai Shi’s reaction, Lin Nineteen sighed in relief. His mind raced, and he discerned the most probable truth:

”Exactly! Precisely because the Jurisdiction Bureau wouldn’t so blatantly usurp the authority remaining from the former Utopia, the principal must intend to use you, Teacher, as a Sharp Blade to deter those with ill intentions in the teaching and research department!”

”Well said!”

Huai Shi clapped and laughed, his expression growing increasingly gratified.

Finally noticing the implied ’chill’ in his teacher’s eyes vanish, Lin Nineteen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, only then realizing his shirt was soaked through with cold sweat.

Those few short seconds had felt like an endless, agonizing struggle.

He was thoroughly frightened and dared not speak further.

But Huai Shi didn’t let him off the hook.

After a brief silence, Huai Shi stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked to the window. With his back to Lin Nineteen, seemingly gazing at the scenery outside, he suddenly asked in a low, eerie voice:

”So, Little Nineteen, who do you think are these people with ill intentions?”

...

Lin Nineteen’s expression twitched.

Knowing this was a test from his teacher, he dared not evade, speak vaguely, or claim ignorance.

After much hesitation, he finally gritted his teeth and answered, ”Based on this student’s private speculations, the main ones are undoubtedly those Purebloods Families.”

To avoid implicating himself, he had to start selling out his teammates!

Huai Shi glanced back at him, a surprised look on his face.

He seemed surprised by the answer.

This made Lin Nineteen even more certain that his candor had been correct. If Teacher hadn’t already known, why would he ask such targeted questions?

It’s a good thing I listened to Grandfather’s arrangements and came today! Otherwise, if I’d rashly mingled with those idiots, wouldn’t I inevitably be blacklisted in the future?

He quietly breathed a sigh of relief, grateful he’d seized the opportunity and hadn’t been seen as a scheming Second fifth by this murderous teacher. Though still apprehensive, he spilled everything he had seen and suspected over the past few days, like beans from a bamboo tube.

This included those Purebloods Families that had even left Huai Shi looking bewildered.

Truth be told, I never expected to get involved with these people after leaving the Group Star.

But now, it seemed that for Sublimators to achieve anything significant, those Purebloods were an unavoidable factor.

These families might have existed long before the Astronomical Society was even founded.

From the Astronomical Society’s inception, they were intricately linked with the then-Guide Association, and many family heads later held important positions in the first-generation Astronomical Society.

Today, besides their deeply entrenched connections within the Astronomical Society, every Purebloods Family wields special influence and status among the Five Constants to varying degrees.

One only had to consider the Fred Family, representing the Howlers on the former Group Star, to understand their formidable stature—such a vast Group Star, a Mobile Border so magnificent it was like a dream, was merely a minor enterprise for the Fred Family.

It could be said that each of the seventy-odd Purebloods Families represented a pinnacle that the Yin Family Old Master could only dream of reaching. Even becoming the least among them would be enough to make a family with shallow roots, like the country bumpkins of the Yin’s family, laugh in their graves.

They themselves were important components of various Genealogies, even their main branches.

Among them... naturally, were entities like the Yuan Shi and the Lin Family.

Indeed, not only Huai Shi’s good friend Yuan Zhao, but even Little Nineteen standing before him, was a genuine, pure-blooded Sublimator.

Otherwise, how could he possibly have been accepted into the Brotherhood and societies formed by Purebloods within the Ivory Tower, and thus hear related rumors?

”Just as you know, Teacher—”

Lin Nineteen reported meticulously, ”Including the Howlers, the Immovable Ones, the Sugawara family, the Ptolemy family, and others, these Purebloods have constantly sought to expand their influence within the Ivory Tower. They support their own proxies to join the teaching and research department... thereby gaining some degree of control over the Ivory Tower’s internal authority. They are the ones causing trouble now!”

Huai Shi looked utterly bewildered.

How would I know that?! I’ve never even heard of it, okay?

Thinking this, he couldn’t help but frown and glance back.

Swept by his teacher’s gaze, which implied ’displeasure’ and ’doubt,’ Wood Cottage’s face grew increasingly panicked. He flusteredly defended himself, ”This student only chanced upon some rumors, I absolutely did not presume to get involved—”

Fearing he would meet a disastrous end on his very first day as a disciple and be ’cleaned up’ by his teacher, Lin Nineteen was on the verge of rushing forward, crying and begging Huai Shi to sign the contract his Grandfather had prepared.

It wasn’t me, I didn’t do it! Our Lin Family is not in league with them, Teacher, you must believe me!

Huai Shi grew increasingly perplexed.

He was completely at a loss as to what was happening.

Why did this silly kid suddenly start crying while talking?

In his confusion, he stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, analyzed carefully, and then had a sudden realization: This kid... could he have been bullied by those Purebloods because he’s too young?