Chapter 4734 — A Letter from Above

Apart from those few, the rest of the crowd stirred somewhat at the news but paid it little mind. After all, neither Wei Zhao nor Huo Yudie had anything to do with them, not so much as a single spirit jade's worth, and they had certainly not gathered here for those two.

To them, whether Wei Zhao lived or died was of no consequence whatsoever. They cared about one thing only: who among them would have the last laugh in this West Island trial and ultimately become the chosen son-in-law of West Island Master Ning Shanghe!

Today was, by any objective measure, the deadline of the trial—the moment when every participant's gains would be weighed. If all went smoothly, the results might well be known before the day was out, which was precisely why Ning Shanghe had shown herself in person.

But now this sudden turn had struck Ning Xuefei, the star of the occasion, a devastating blow. Her face was deathly pale, and she could scarcely stand upright, kept on her feet only by Han Jingyi and Shangguan Lan'er supporting her on either side. And Liu Ziqi, the leader of the East Continent Academy and an honored guest, wore a face full of care as well, plainly not himself.

Under such circumstances, carrying on with the original plan was clearly out of place. Ning Shanghe pondered a moment, then changed her mind and bade Vice Island Master Yan Xinlan step forward and announce: "Everyone, please present the spoils you have won in this trial. We have dedicated staff to record and register them all. After that, you may go and rest. We will choose an auspicious day and invite honored guests to judge the results. As for what comes next, please return and wait patiently for word."

At this the crowd was immediately disappointed. They had assumed the results would be known today, and had not expected to wait still longer. For those participants who fancied they had a chance to distinguish themselves, this waiting was nothing short of torment.

Yet since Yan Xinlan had announced it publicly, the die was cast; protest was useless—and in truth no one dared protest. At most they grumbled a few words in private. Once the West Island disciples came to register their spoils, they dispersed one after another.

No sooner had Xu Lingchong and Kang Jingming returned to their quarters in the West Island envoy's residence and not yet sat down to catch their breath than a blood bat came swooping at their faces. It bore a handwritten order from the mysterious figure.

"The matter of Wei Zhao demands an accounting, or you will bear the consequences yourselves!" The writing was severe in the extreme. This time the mysterious figure had not even bothered with cipher, proof enough that he was truly enraged.

Gazing at the sharp, cutting strokes, Xu Lingchong and Kang Jingming felt their eyelids twitch wildly. "Bear the consequences yourselves" might not sound so terrifying at first glance, but this was the mysterious figure speaking. Behind those four words lay the direct disposal of their lives.

Neither Xu Lingchong nor Kang Jingming doubted for an instant that if they failed to offer a reasonable excuse and explanation this time, they were utterly doomed. It was not even impossible that it would cost them their lives.

"What do we do? Think of something, quickly!" Xu Lingchong's voice was harsh, and he eyed Kang Jingming with open menace. If no decent excuse could be found, he was already prepared to make this boy the scapegoat. That was the only way he might escape disaster.

"Yes, yes, Young Master Xu, don't worry—there'll be a way. There's bound to be a way!" Kang Jingming felt a jolt of fright. He had no great wisdom, but he had never lacked for petty cunning, and in nasty, vicious schemes especially he was an old hand. One look at Xu Lingchong's eyes told him exactly what the man was thinking.

"You had better think of something. Otherwise, when the higher-ups really come calling, one of us two is bound to die. See to it yourself." Xu Lingchong's voice was cold.

"Yes, yes!" Kang Jingming was sweating profusely with anxiety. Seeing the killing intent already faintly kindled in the other's eyes, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "I have it, Young Master Xu—I have a way!"

"What way? Out with it!" Xu Lingchong urged him on.

"Look here, Young Master Xu. That thing Wei Zhao is badly wounded, yes, but he has held on until now without dying, which shows he most likely won't die. I know the creature well—he has an absurdly strong will to live. Several times before he has been in such straits and never once died, and this time will be no different. Besides, if he truly were finished, why would the girl still be keeping watch over him?" Kang Jingming licked his lips nervously and laid out his analysis with great care.

"That makes sense!" Xu Lingchong's eyes lit up at the words. If they could prove Wei Zhao would not die, then the higher-ups ought not to keep harping on the matter, and the two of them could escape disaster. He nodded at once: "Good—send back just what you said!"

After dispatching the reply, the two shut themselves in their room and did not venture out, waiting in fearful suspense for the mysterious figure's answer. If even this failed to satisfy, they would truly be in for it.

After half a day of trembling anticipation, the blood bat finally returned. They tore open the mysterious figure's letter at once; it contained a single line: For Lei Xuanteng's sake, this will not happen again.

Xu Lingchong and Kang Jingming exchanged a glance, then let out a long, foul breath and collapsed to the floor like deflated balls, motionless for a long while. This time they had truly been frightened out of their wits—but at least they had escaped disaster.

Their troubles were over, but elsewhere, Ning Xuefei collapsed outright the moment she returned to the Island Master's palace. The pressure upon her had been too great; even Han Jingyi's few murmured words of comfort had been to no avail. She had forced herself to hold up on the road, but once back in her room a wave of dizziness swept over her and she immediately lost consciousness.

The sight gave even Ning Shanghe a severe fright. She hastily examined Ning Xuefei carefully and found that apart from a slight fever, there was nothing else amiss—a good sleep should set her right. Only then did the West Island Master breathe a sigh of relief.

With two such close friends as Shangguan Lan'er and Han Jingyi at her side, Ning Shanghe had no worries on that score, and she withdrew with her people. She could not personally keep vigil beside Ning Xuefei; as West Island Master there was still much to attend to—consoling Liu Ziqi, for one, who was equally frantic with worry.

Keeping watch at Ning Xuefei's bedside, Han Jingyi and Shangguan Lan'er were anxious enough themselves, but far better off than she. For them, so long as Wei Zhao lived, that was enough.

Ning Xuefei was different. The blow and the pressure of this matter were simply too much for her. Not only had her lifelong prospect lost its support, but more than that, she would blame herself! (Today is Yunhai Shuku's birthday, so three updates! And good news for everyone—the 3D mobile game of School Beauty goes live tomorrow!) (To be continued..)