Belro, still immersed in his own world, couldn't comprehend Chen Yu's thoughts.
It was as if—
He also couldn't understand the attitude of the Tatu royalty towards him, nor Lena La's instructions and warnings.
Perhaps, he didn't intend to show off.
For Belro, the Academy, where he had lived since childhood, was his home. Elevating his home when he was away was his nature, but his considerations were still too lacking.
"Mr. Chen Yu."
Although Belro couldn't understand his actions, he could keenly perceive the killing intent that Chen Yu momentarily displayed.
Looking up at Chen Yu,
He had even secretly made preparations to defend himself.
Little did he know that Belro, with his superficial social experience, had all his thoughts written on his face for everyone to see clearly. To Chen Yu, his thoughts were no different than being laid bare.
'He's quite sharp at times like this.'
Chen Yu murmured inwardly, his gaze quietly watching him. After a moment of contemplation, he deliberately adopted a distracted demeanor.
"My apologies, Scholar Belro. What you just said was so shocking that I lost myself for a moment. I hope you can forgive me. You must know, I come from outside the caves. Although I've witnessed many mysteries of the caves, the Academy's mastery of worldly affairs already strikes me as astonishing. I am truly ashamed to have lost my composure before you."
Chen Yu delivered this speech flawlessly.
It was too simple to understand Belro's character from his various reactions. In fact, to Chen Yu, even Li Ya was somewhat harder to fathom than Belro. What Belro sought was respect.
That kind of admiration from outsiders for the Academy and reverence for him.
As expected,
Belro, whose attitude towards Chen Yu had been somewhat suspicious a moment before, seemed to have forgotten Chen Yu's killing intent in the next instant. With a hint of smugness, he crossed his arms, his inner pride impossible to hide.
Even though he tried his best to control it, it was still so obvious.
"Mr. Chen Yu, you are too modest. My teacher has a very high opinion of you, so you don't need to belittle yourself or feel ashamed. The power of the Academy is something that the cave kingdoms can't even imagine. Let alone you, even the monarchs of those kingdoms would be like this."
"Indeed, indeed."
Chen Yu agreed complacently, but his heart inexplicably worried for the Academy.
He didn't know if scholars in the Academy were all like Belro, or if everyone in the Academy was as arrogantly conceited as him. If it was the former, it would be manageable. But if it was the latter—the Academy might be on the verge of collapse.
After pondering for a while, Chen Yu brought up his confusion.
"From what you said, Scholar Belro, have you mentioned what you just told me to any monarch before?"
"Naturally." Belro, with a proud gaze, slightly raised his chin, the pride of a scholar. "Not long ago, the royal family of the Tatu Kingdom invited me into the inner city. Their purpose was actually related to Mr. Chen Yu."
"Oh?"
Chen Yu feigned ignorance.
He actually knew very well that the royal family invited Belro to obtain information about him from the Academy. If he couldn't figure out such a simple reason, then he shouldn't even dream of competing in the caves.
But—
He absolutely couldn't say it.
In Belro's eyes, Chen Yu was a fool.
Or rather, the entire cave was ignorant and uncivilized in his eyes, and only those in their Academy were wise beings looking down upon the world. The fact that he was entrusted by his teacher to meet Chen Yu showed that he was highly relied upon within the Academy, and among the many scholars, he was a standout.
If Chen Yu easily discerned his thoughts, how would he accept it?
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Chen Yu didn't want to break through his immersed inner world. What harm was there in going along with him?
"Haha, can't Mr. Chen Yu figure that out?" Belro seemed to want to mock, but didn't show it too much. "You are the focus of the cave right now. You must know something about the importance of the Imperial Command Token. The Tatu Kingdom has intentions of contention, so they must have a desire to seize the Imperial Command Token. Our Academy happens to oversee the secrets of the world, so it's only natural to get some information from us, isn't it?"
"So you came here to be a spokesperson for the Tatu Kingdom?" Chen Yu asked with a smile.
"Why?"
Belro let out a disdainful snort, his expression one of contempt.
"What qualifications does the Tatu Kingdom have to deploy people from our Academy? It's even more laughable to be their spokesperson. If our Academy were reduced to being lapdogs for the Tatu Kingdom, it would be an insult to our esteemed predecessors."
"Didn't you just say they invited you..."
"They invited me because they wanted to gain favors from us. But our Academy was established with a purpose: to maintain absolute neutrality and never bow to anyone. Perhaps, in the future, our Academy will find someone to cooperate with, but the Tatu Kingdom is by no means the most suitable target. Looking at the entire cave, the Tatu Kingdom, in terms of national strength and power, is not top-tier. Having such a weak ally is dragging down our Academy's self-development."
"Scholar Belro, you are far-sighted."
Chen Yu praised and gave a thumbs-up, and Belro beamed with pride.
"Their invitation was their own humiliation. I humiliated them with just a few words. Seeing those generals and high-ranking officials of the royal family, daring not to speak despite their anger, it's truly hilarious to think about."
"You humiliated them too?" Chen Yu was greatly shocked.
"What's there to be surprised about? Those barbarians, wanting to be on equal footing with our Academy, is truly ridiculous." Perhaps he got carried away, Belro even started to gossip about Lena La, a senior scholar of the Academy, behind her back. "My teacher too, I don't know why she's so wary of the Tatu Kingdom, when those people are so terrified of us. Do they dare to touch our Academy? As long as they show any such thought, we can show favor to any kingdom, and it will be a disaster for the Tatu Kingdom. Not to mention, the Tatu Kingdom is already in a precarious situation. If you ask me..."
Belro, talking to himself, suddenly seemed to realize he had said too much. He urgently swallowed the words in his mouth and changed the subject.
"Mr. Chen Yu."
"Yes, Scholar Belro, please speak." Chen Yu hurriedly responded. Belro also looked at him with proud, light eyes and said softly, "I came here with my teacher's instruction. For some reason, my teacher has always had a high evaluation of you."
"Is that so? That's my honor."
Chen Yu nodded with a simple smile and replied softly.
"I just don't know, Scholar Belro, what your teacher's instructions are for coming here?"
"My teacher wants me to follow you."
Almost the moment Belro finished speaking, Chen Yu's pupils contracted violently and uncontrollably. Even the little demon gnawing on cheese at the next table was stunned. The two of them instinctively looked at each other, their eyes filled with intense despair.
Follow him? Please don't!