The Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star Chapter 270 (Part 2)
Translated by Pure
Extra 6.2 The Enigmatic Dream - Merely a Mirage?
As darkness fell after sunset, a soldier lightly tapped on the military tent. Chi Jingxi's voice emanated from within, "Enter."
"General, the individual you've been anticipating has arrived," the soldier announced softly.
Chi Jingxi acknowledged with a hum. "Allow him entry and dismiss those near this tent."
The soldier acknowledged and departed. After a brief moment, a figure cloaked in black entered, the voluminous cloak obscuring the person's features and form.
Chi Jingxi held a razor-sharp longsword in his grasp, its blade catching the candlelight and casting a warm glow. He meticulously wiped it with a brocade handkerchief.
"Do you truly have no fear, daring to approach even as I hold a sword?" Chi Jingxi inquired.
The visitor removed his hood, revealing himself to be Cheng Xiao, the youthful emperor who had recently taken the throne.
Cheng Xiao's eyes reddened at the edges. "Chi Jingxi, must you push me to such lengths?"
Chi Jingxi's countenance remained composed. "How does it feel to be ruler above all?"
Cheng Xiao clenched his fists, his gaze unwavering. "If it's power you seek, I can grant you a city or a fief, bestow upon you the title of Prince. Within your domain, you'll wield absolute authority. Why resort to such drastic measures?"
Chi Jingxi lifted his eyes to meet Cheng Xiao's, his expression unreadable. "Now that you sit upon the throne, bearing the burdens of the Shao Jing Nation, you are no longer the Seventh Imperial Prince of the academy. Every action you take is scrutinized by countless eyes. How can you speak so lightly from your current position?"
"There's nothing I can't say to you," Cheng Xiao replied earnestly. "I understand you harbor resentment towards me for failing to protect the Fifth Imperial Brother. But the assassination attempt wasn't solely orchestrated by my mother's clan. I'm still investigating the true culprit..."
"Cheng Xiao," Chi Jingxi interjected with a composed tone, "In terms of lineage and capability, this throne shouldn't belong to you. However, if fate dictates otherwise, then the position of Emperor of Shaojing can only be yours."
"Brother Xin sent me a letter before his death," Chi Jingxi explained methodically. "In it, he outlined plans for the aftermath and entrusted me with supporting you to stabilize our fractured nation. However, I'm hesitant. I'll assist you this once, ensuring you fulfill your duties."
Cheng Xiao's eyes flared with intensity. "I don't require your assistance."
Ignoring his protest, Chi Jingxi examined the blade in his hand. "It's in your best interest to depart now."
"Chi Jingxi!"
"Servant!" Chi Jingxi called out.
With a frustrated exhale, Cheng Xiao pulled his hood over his head and departed in silence.
The tent fell into stillness. Chi Jingxi sat in contemplation for a while before lifting the sleeve of his left hand. His gaze fixed on the snow-white brocade tied around his wrist, he ran his fingers over it with a lingering touch, lost in thought.
That night, the candles in the general's tent flickered until dawn broke in the east.
Clad in battle armor, Chi Jingxi rallied his troops, commanding them to arm themselves fully and line up in formation. With resounding battle cries, they advanced towards Chaoge City in an orderly march.
As the morning sun illuminated the tightly shuttered city, its inhabitants sensed the imminent storm and retreated into their homes, whispering prayers for safety.
Chi Jingxi gazed up at the blazing sun, noting the absence of any movement atop the city walls. With a firm command, he ordered, "Break down the gates!"
The soldiers sprang into action, pounding the city entrance with resounding force. The thunderous noise echoed far and wide, evoking cries of fear from within the city.
Despite the formidable defenses of Chaoge City, standing firm for many years without facing any recent assaults, Chi Jingxi's expression grew increasingly resolute. Halting the attack on the city, his voice ringing clear and authoritative. "Commander-in-chiefs, listen up!"
"Yes!" The response echoed loudly through the ranks.
"Burn Chaoge and compel the populace to evacuate," Chi Jingxi commanded, his tone chillingly decisive.
"General!" a soldier interjected anxiously, "But Chaoge City is teeming with innocent civilians!"
"This is a military directive!" Chi Jingxi's voice remained stern, brooking no argument.
The soldiers, bound by duty, swiftly executed the orders. Flint and wood, prepared since dawn, were swiftly stacked in large heaps near the city walls. At the tolling of the bell, sparks ignited, and within moments, flames roared to life.
Thick black smoke billowed skyward, casting Chaoge City's walls in a sinister hue as they were swiftly consumed by the relentless blaze.
Chi Jingxi remained atop his steed, his gaze fixated on the unfolding spectacle before him with an air of detachment.
Amidst the cacophony, the gates of Chaoge City creaked open, revealing rows of soldiers clad in armor, their spears poised outward. At the forefront stood Cheng Xiao, resplendent in yellow armor, his eyes meeting Chi Jingxi's through the swirling flames.
A faint smile graced Chi Jingxi's otherwise impassive visage. "You've come at last," he remarked.
"Shao Jing Nation, besieged by internal and external strife, requires not a hesitant and inexperienced emperor, but a hero—"
"A hero who vanquished Chi Jingxi, a rebel whose nefarious deeds and self-serving ambitions plunged Shao Jing into chaos, disregarding familial ties and wreaking havoc upon our land."
Thus, in the eyes of the world, Cheng Xiao was hailed as a hero, while Chi Jingxi was condemned as a rebel sowing discord at every turn.
"Hero, hero, our Brother Xi shall be the hero, safeguarding Shao Jing Nation~~~"
It sounded as if Mu Yang was singing without a tune——
"I also want to be a hero. Brother Xi will put pen to paper and I hold a sword. Together, we will protect the Shao Jing Nation!~~~"
"Don't you dare move!" Wen Yantong's stern voice pierced through the air, "What on earth are you singing? You made me draw it all crooked!"
Suddenly, Fu Zixian snapped out of his dreamlike state. The familiar surroundings of the study hall came back into focus. He blinked, feeling the cold sweat on his forehead.
Mu Yang chimed in beside him, "You can't even draw properly yourself, yet you blame me? If you ask me, you should just stop painting. The last one was invalid!"
"Keep dreaming!" Wen Yantong retorted, frustration evident in her tone.
Fu Zixian took a deep breath, calming his racing heart. He turned to see Wen Yantong holding Mu Yang's face, her other hand wielding a brush as she drew something on his cheek.
Mu Yang scrunched up his face, intentionally making Wen Yantong's painting more challenging.
"Mu Yang!" Wen Yantong fumed, "What are you doing with your face?! Can't you just stay still?"
Mu Yang huffed, "It's my face. I can make whatever expression I want. What are you going to do about it?"
Wen Yantong's frustration boiled over as she hastily drew a crooked X on his face before slamming down her brush. "Fine! Let's go again! And if I don't paint your face completely black today, I won't eat dinner tonight!"
Mu Yang was happy when he saw her putting down her brush and rolled up his sleeves enthusiastically. However, he happened to see Fu Zixian looking over here, so he exclaimed in surprise, "You’re awake?"
Fu Zixian observed Mu Yang's half-blackened face, with the other half adorned with an unfinished Old Man Ding. His eyebrows had also been specially exaggerated, lending him a rather comical appearance.
Hearing Mu Yang's words, Wen Yantong also turned around to look at Fu Zixian.
Seeing her face, Fu Zixian fell completely silent.
Wen Yantong's face was no in any better shape. She was sporting an exaggerated beard, eyes encircled with black ink, and brows extending to her chin.
"Fu Zixian, do you want to come and play too?" She issued a kind invitation.
Fu Zixian immediately shook his head like a rattle, "What are you playing?"
"It's a game Wen Yantong came up with, called 'Five-in-a-Row.' It's quite entertaining, but I always end up losing. Come and learn it with us, maybe you can help me," Mu Yang said.
Wen Yantong quickly protested, knowing Fu Zixian's intellect. "You can't invite outside help!"
Fu Zixian, observing the squabble, intervened, "Why don't we go eat first? We can call it a day, and I'll study the game tonight to join tomorrow."
Mu Yang readily agreed and was about to rise when Wen Yantong interjected, "No leaving! We'll battle till dawn."
Mu Yang reconsidered, "No, Brother Xi will be looking for me later." With that, he resolved to wash the ink off his face first.
Wen Yantong, with Chi Jingxi's stern face in mind, felt a pang of fear. As she and Mu Yang were about to head to clean up, they encountered Teacher Li returning to the lecture hall.
Seeing the two with their faces adorned in a chaotic state, Teacher Li, known for his sternness, was incensed. "This is unbecoming! If this gets out, it would only invite ridicule on how immature the students of Songhai Academy still are!"
Terrified, Wen Yantong trembled. Ever since Teacher Li had coerced her into practicing calligraphy, it had left a lingering fear in her heart. She often took detours to avoid encountering him. Now, caught red-handed, she burst into tears. "It was Young Master Mu who forced me to play, Teacher! I-I won't dare to do it again!"
Mu Yang's eyes widened. "You... venom slanderer!"
"It's ‘venomous slander’!" Li Boyuan was furious to death.
Chi Jingxi had been following Li Boyuan. He glanced at Wen Yantong, who was pretending to cry, and then at Mu Yang, who was nursing a grievance. "Teacher, please appease your anger. Since Yang’er and Wen Yantong lack knowledge and are too playful, they should be punished with five days of copying articles. Firmly critiquing past mistakes can prevent their repetition and ensure they won't commit them again."
Wen Yantong inwardly thought ‘not good!’
Chi Jingxi is so full of evil tricks!
Originally, Wen Yantong could have played dumb and confessed her mistake after being scolded. But now, thanks to Chi Jingxi's intervention, they were sentenced to five consecutive days of article copying! It felt like he was out for blood!
Li Boyuan had always favored Chi Jingxi and readily agreed to his proposal. He gave Mu Yang and Wen Yantong a stern reprimand and lectures in front of everyone, instructing them to copy articles for five consecutive days and deliver them to him the next day, before departing.
Wen Yantong was at a loss for words, unsure how to react.
Mu Yang turned to Chi Jingxi with hope in his eyes, "Brother Xi..."
Chi Jingxi's gaze landed on Mu Yang's face, where the incomplete Old Man Ding was still visible. His response was icy, "You've mistaken me for someone else."
"With you around, even the second young master of the Qi Residence stumbling drunkenly through the streets in the east without pants is barely a scandal," Chi Jingxi remarked before departing.
Mu Yang attempted to call out to Fifth Imperial Prince, "Brother..."
Cheng Xin offered a soft smile, wiped the ink from his face, and sighed with relief, "Thankfully your surname isn't Cheng."
Fu Zixian approached from behind, unable to resist intervening. "You should both go wash your faces."
Wen Yantong huffed, "It's your fault for challenging me in the first place."
Mu Yang chimed in indignantly, "And whose idea was it to teach me the game?!"
"You're just shifting the blame!"
"I haven't settled the accounts with you yet. In front of the Teacher just now, you..."
As they made their way to the washbasin, the two of them bickered back and forth.
Chi Jingxi walked ahead and glanced back at them. Instantly, they fell silent and could only make do with exchanging competitive glares.
Cheng Xin shook his head, smiling as he followed behind.
Fu Zixian gazed up at the sun sinking in the western sky, the corners of his mouth gradually curling into a smile. "So it was merely a dream," he muttered to himself.
