The man known as Liang Si’an was insufferably vain, insisting on maintaining an air of grandiosity in everything he did. This trait was something he’d picked up from his master, General Lu, though the result was merely a poor imitation—a tiger painted only to resemble a dog.

For instance, General Lu would never carry the battle flag himself; naturally, his entourage would bear it. Thus, Liang Si’an arranged for his personal standard-bearer to follow him closely, step for step, while he himself stood ready, armored and imposing, sword in hand.

Victory was now just a single step away; all Liang Si’an needed was to catch Meng Qinglu, and the A-team’s battle flag would be his, concluding this trial of military strategy and formation. Because of this proximity to success, the standard-bearer relaxed his vigilance, allowing a slight gap to form between himself and Liang Si’an.

When Gu Zhongli materialized beside him, the standard-bearer was still grinning in triumph. By the time he spun around in alarm, Gu Zhongli’s axe had already cleaved him in two!

“Hah!” By the time Liang Si’an realized something was amiss, the B-team’s flag was already about to fall into Gu Zhongli’s grasp. He gritted his teeth and spurred his chase after Meng Qinglu, but the latter was as slippery as a rabbit, evading capture through several swift maneuvers.

And now, Gu Zhongli held the B-team flag high, shouting in victory! Feng Zikang shook his head.

“Liang Si’an didn’t even manage to grasp that last chance…” Gu Ya was astonished. “A comeback is still possible at this point?” “A-team wins!

Disperse the formation!” Yuan Buhuan flicked his wrist, and the formation diagram shot up from the ground, scattering all one hundred and thirty-six disciples of Sunset Peak as it spun. The diagram then contracted and flew back into his sleeve.

The disciples who had been marked as fallen or heavily injured within the diagram were now perfectly safe, though their faces were pale, a testament to how terrifying it was to ‘die’ even within an illusion. Liang Si’an’s expression was grim; he remained silent.

Only the members of the A-team cheered ecstatically. Meng Qinglu, however, remained unruffled by the sudden turn of events, his smile as warm as ever.

Yuan Buhuan called him forward and praised him gently. “Though you come from the Confucian school, you seem deeply versed in military doctrine.

Your victory here, through this illusionary mutiny, truly marks you as a rising talent!” “I dare not accept such praise!” Meng Qinglu bowed humbly. “Qinglu has only read a few military texts.

As the maxim goes: By observing the enemy’s strengths, one discerns their weaknesses; by observing their deficiencies, one knows their surplus. To see victory is like seeing the sun and moon, and deploying victory is like extinguishing fire with water.

Dragon Tiger Mountain is rich in talent; my fellow martial brothers each possess unique strengths. My success here was merely chance.” His voice was not loud, yet by some unknown means, it carried clearly to everyone present.

Though his words were humble, they carried an undercurrent that displeased many. What did he mean by ‘rich in talent, each with unique strengths,’ and that victory was mere ‘chance’?

What did he mean by having ‘only read a few military texts’? What about, ‘By observing the enemy’s strengths, one discerns their weaknesses’?

Decades of rigorous cultivation by disciples of the Military School, and yet they were less capable than this youth who had only skimmed a few books? Even Yuan Buhuan’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

At that moment, a child’s voice suddenly scoffed, “Tch! What’s so great about that?

Even if it came down to the very end, Senior Brother Liang still had a way to prevent your victory. Why the excessive boasting!” This childish voice rang out clearly across the assembly.

Everyone turned to see a boy of about twelve or thirteen standing with his hands on his hips, his face flushed crimson, erupting into a fit of coughing. This boy was Gu Ya.

Although he disliked Liang Si’an, he was fiercely proud of being a disciple of the Military School. When someone slapped their martial tradition in the face, he could not stand idly by.

Having just heard Feng Zikang mention a final chance for a comeback, he was intensely curious and blurted out his interjection. However, his cultivation was insufficient; unlike Meng Qinglu, he could not manage such a casual delivery.

He had to expend all his inner force to shout, causing a misplaced breath that led to his current wretched state. Yuan Buhuan did not recognize him.

Seeing only a small boy, his expression darkened, and he snapped, “Whose disciple are you, speaking such nonsense here? Step down at once!” Meng Qinglu’s eyes flashed.

He bowed slightly. “Sect Master, within the simulation, I deduced Senior Brother Liang’s temperament.

His final move, a desperate ambush, was indeed a successful risk. However, when Senior Brother Liang chased me so urgently and became separated from his standard-bearer, the situation had become irrecoverable.

I wonder what brilliant method this junior brother possesses to turn the tide? The Military School shelters dragons and tigers; perhaps I may be permitted to learn?” He was at the peak of satisfaction after sweeping through the Sunset Peak disciples in the formation trial.

He felt that the game he set up, even with an element of luck, was unsolvable the moment Gu Zhongli appeared. This child stepping forward to debate was the perfect opportunity for him to fully display his prowess and increase his standing in the Sect Master’s eyes.

Having been treated as a genius since childhood, always commanding the center of attention, he naturally failed to grasp the indignation felt by the other disciples. This inherent arrogance had been cultivated since childhood; even rigorous Confucian self-reflection could not entirely alter his nature.

At this time, the disciples of the Military School began to murmur amongst themselves, their discussions overlapping. “Can Little Gu actually do it?

I only heard he’s good at stargazing, not that he’s read military texts!” “Even if he can’t, he has to speak up! Are we really going to let that boy bully the Military School into silence?” “But when Senior Brother Gu appeared, Senior Brother Liang wasn't that far away, yet it was impossible to save the flag!

Unless he could capture Meng Qinglu first and seize the banner…” “That’s impossible. That Meng fellow is too slick.

Even if Senior Brother Liang used the Chiyou Evasion Divine Art, he couldn’t achieve a decisive blow in one strike… Honestly, the rules are flawed. As soon as the B-team flag fell into Senior Brother Gu’s hands, this trial of military strategy ended.

Senior Brother Liang could only sigh in frustration…” The Military School disciples grumbled on, complaining entirely about the unfairness of the rules. If it were a real battle, how could this Confucian boy possibly stand against Senior Brother Liang?

Meng Qinglu smiled faintly, fully aware that the Military School disciples were already developing strong resentment toward him, but he was not in a hurry. If he could subdue them today, cultivating relationships slowly afterward would easily dispel that ill-feeling.

This was precisely why he was determined to make a spectacular debut today. As an outsider, he was bound to face some alienation.

If he offered a smiling face and deliberately sought camaraderie with his peers, it would certainly improve relations, but it would be far too troublesome. Becoming the focus of everyone's attention in a single day, and then displaying an attitude of respecting talent and valuing others, would win affection far more effectively.

Any slight aversion felt today would naturally melt away like an iceberg. Yuan Buhuan looked at Gu Ya, who had just stopped coughing, and waved his hand with a strained smile.

“Since you insist, you tell us: in a desperate situation, how does one find a path to survival?” Gu Ya was overjoyed. Being the boldest among them, he advanced without hesitation and bowed to the Sect Master.

“Martial Uncle Yuan, this disciple is Gu Ya from the Stargazing Chamber. If you are asking how to reverse defeat after Senior Brother Gu suddenly attacked the B-team standard-bearer, when Senior Brother Liang could not come to the rescue, then that is impossible…” “Hush!” All the surrounding disciples hissed in unison.

Was this child truly just here to mock them? “However… preventing the A-team from winning is not difficult at all!”