“Of course I know, and many people do know, otherwise, in just one or two years, you would have been captured and studied long ago, having cultivated from an ordinary person to your current level.” Jiang Luofu leaned back and crossed her legs again. “Even so, more and more people are eyeing that ‘Phoenix Nirvana Scripture,’ but out of consideration for the Emperor, only Prince Qi dares to really covet it now.”

“Ah Zu, you are a smart man. You should know the principle that possessing a treasure is a crime. I don’t know why the Emperor let you go, but given his nature, he will not tolerate you sooner or later.”

"Instead of facing the Emperor alone in the future, it would be better to let Prince Qi deal with him. Prince Qi has been planning for many years, and the only thing he lacks is personal cultivation. If he can obtain the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture, he can completely contend with the Emperor. The more evenly matched they are in their struggle, the safer you will be, and the higher your value will be."

Zu An said calmly, "Are you acting as an advocate for the King of Qi right now?"

Jiang Luofu shook her head: "Although the Jiang family is on good terms with the Prince of Qi, we haven't completely sided with them. I'm saying this only because we're friends. Your current situation is really dangerous. Neither the emperor nor the Prince of Qi will likely let you go in the future, so you need to make some plans."

“You can refuse, and I can just reply to Princess Qi directly,” she said, a hint of worry in her eyes. “But if you do that, Prince Qi will see you as a thorn in his side. You have also caused damage to many of the forces he has worked so hard to build up recently. If he hadn’t been thinking about this all along, he probably would have already taken action against you.”

"The Emperor can also use Prince Qi's hand to get rid of you legitimately, and avoid being labeled as someone who harms loyal and virtuous people."

Zuan couldn't help but exclaim, "Principal, you truly live up to your reputation as the academy's herald. Your verbal skills are top-notch. You've made it sound like my best option is to hand over the secret manual."

Jiang Luofu leaned forward slightly: "Whether you believe it or not, I am indeed considering this matter from your perspective. In fact, I received this task a long time ago, but I haven't taken any action until recently when I figured out what would be most beneficial for you."

"I know that making such a request will definitely disappoint you... Never mind, I'll just refuse them directly. But you really need to make plans soon. Neither the Emperor nor Prince Qi are easy to deal with. They will definitely make their move against you soon."

After she finished speaking, she got up to leave, but was suddenly grabbed by the arm.

Jiang Luofu turned around, her gaze falling on the hand that was holding hers, her expression somewhat puzzled.

Zuan said calmly, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? I didn't say I wouldn't agree."

After saying that, he took out a booklet from his pocket and handed it over: "This is what you wanted."

Jiang Luofu looked surprised: "You actually agreed?"

Actually, she didn't have much hope. Although she was analyzing from Zu'an's perspective, she also knew in her heart that no one would be willing to give such a peerless secret manual to others.

Zu An smiled slightly and said, "If anyone else had said those words, no matter how reasonable they were, I would have spat in their face. But it's different with you, Headmistress. I will give you whatever you want."

The fake "Phoenix Nirvana Sutra" was being presented to the King of Qi under some pretext to avoid arousing his suspicion, but little did he know that the King himself would come knocking on his door.

Jiang Luofu was taken aback at first, and a visible blush immediately appeared on her usually serious and cold face, which was usually reserved for her long time as the principal of the academy.