Free Web NovelChapter 159: Chapter 159: Delegates from the Central Tower
The Central Tower Youth Exchange delegation entered Heavenly Gate Academy under formal banners.
Students gathered at a distance, whispering.
The delegation was not large, but every member carried weight.
Central Academy Instructor Bai Chengsu, a calm middle-aged man with silver-rimmed glasses and a scholar’s robe.
Military Youth Division Captain Han Zhaolie, broad-shouldered, stern, and direct.
Merchant Alliance Representative Su Mei, smiling with eyes that measured everything.
Ancient family observer Jiang Yuexuan, young but composed, wearing blue-white robes embroidered with flowing star-river patterns.
Several aides followed them, but those four mattered most.
Yu Qingmei received them politely.
Principal Shen Taixuan appeared in person, which showed the importance of the visit.
Qin Yuheng did not stand in the greeting line as a performer. He stood among selected academy seed students: Wei Chen, Lin Xian’er, Qin Yuchen, Qin Lian, Qin Mo, Zhao Tianyu—still pale from recovery—and several older academy talents.
Zhao Tianyu’s presence surprised many.
Yu Qingmei had allowed it deliberately.
Hiding him would create rumors. Showing him under control showed academy confidence.
Jiang Yuexuan’s gaze passed over the students.
When it reached Qin Yuheng, it paused for half a breath.
Not admiration.
Assessment.
Qin Yuheng noticed but did not react.
Bai Chengsu spoke first.
"We have reviewed Heavenly Gate Academy’s recent reports. Your young climbers have shown unusual performance."
Han Zhaolie’s gaze landed on Qin Yuheng.
"Especially the post-Third-Gate commander."
Qin Mo whispered, "Here we go."
The first event was not combat.
It was a tactical simulation.
The delegates wanted to observe decision-making, not just strength.
The simulation scenario: defend a supply convoy while one ally team is compromised and communication is unreliable.
Qin Yuheng was assigned command over a mixed group including his team, Wei Chen, two older students, and—deliberately—Zhao Tianyu.
Qin Mo looked at the roster.
"This is rude."
Qin Yuheng agreed internally.
The simulation began.
A map formed inside the academy tactical hall: forest road, convoy wagons, hidden ravines, possible ambush points.
Qin Yuheng assigned roles.
Wei Chen protected convoy center.
Qin Yuchen led forward guard.
Qin Lian scouted left ridge.
Qin Mo handled communication markers.
Zhao Tianyu was assigned mobile strike reserve.
Zhao Tianyu frowned.
"Reserve?"
"Yes," Qin Yuheng said.
"I am not a spare weapon."
"No. You are the strongest burst response. If placed front, you overcommit. If held reserve, you decide the critical point."
Zhao Tianyu opened his mouth, then closed it.
The explanation was tactically sound.
The simulation inserted compromised ally signals. Qin Mo detected false communication patterns. Qin Lian found ambush markers. Wei Chen held the convoy under pressure.
At the critical moment, a simulated beast commander struck the rear wagon while raiders attacked the front.
Qin Yuheng ordered Zhao Tianyu to strike rear.
Zhao Tianyu hesitated for one breath—then obeyed.
His burst attack saved the rear wagon.
The simulation ended with high success.
Han Zhaolie looked satisfied.
"He uses difficult assets properly."
Zhao Tianyu heard that.
His expression was complicated.
Jiang Yuexuan asked one question.
"Why assign Zhao Tianyu to reserve instead of suppressing his aggression through front-line exhaustion?"
The hall quieted.
Qin Yuheng answered calmly.
"Because exhaustion is not control. It only delays instability. A reserve role gives aggression a decision point."
Jiang Yuexuan’s eyes sharpened slightly.
"Then you trusted him to decide?"
"I trusted the role to make the correct decision more visible."
She smiled faintly.
"A commander answer."
After simulations came resource theory.
Su Mei asked pointed questions about reward management.
"How does your team decide distribution?"
Qin Yuheng gave a safe answer.
"Role suitability, survival priority, long-term compatibility, and family/academy restrictions."
She smiled.
"Very clean."
Lin Xian’er watched Su Mei carefully. Merchant against merchant.
Bai Chengsu asked about class development.
Qin Yuheng revealed only public traits: balanced tri-gate foundation, thunder command field, battlefield awareness, resistance to confusion.
He did not mention Blood Contract Resistance in detail.
The delegates did not press openly.
But they all understood he was hiding depth.
That was normal.
The day ended without combat challenges.
Qin Mo looked relieved.
Then Han Zhaolie announced, "Tomorrow, controlled combat demonstrations."
Qin Mo closed his eyes.
"Relief was temporary."
That night, Jiang Yuexuan walked alone through the academy’s river garden.
Qin Yuheng happened to be there, reviewing the simulation notes.
They saw each other across the bridge.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Jiang Yuexuan said, "Your command avoids domination."
Qin Yuheng looked at her.
"That is the point."
"Many commanders say that. Fewer build systems around it."
"You observed a lot."
"That is why I am here."
She looked at the river.
"The Youth Exchange Assembly will be dangerous for you."
"I know."
"No," she said calmly. "You know it will be dangerous. You may not yet know why."
Qin Yuheng waited. ƒreewebɳovel.com
She continued, "Some forces recruit talent. Some test talent. Some fear talent. And some collect abnormal talent."
His eyes sharpened.
"Collect?"
Jiang Yuexuan looked back at him.
"My clan has old records. When a young climber converts every danger into foundation too efficiently, certain people stop seeing a genius."
"What do they see?"
"A key."
She walked away after that.
Qin Yuheng remained by the river. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
A key.
Blood Sun called him vessel.
Others might call him key.
The wider stage was not safer than the Tower.
It was only better dressed.
