HBWMA -Chapter 243 The Answer Sheet Three Years Later

An autumn breeze drifted through the lattice window, stirring the curling incense in the teahouse.

Shen Zhuang gazed at the stalemated chessboard before him, lost in thought.

The black pieces advanced aggressively, launching constant checks and pressing forward with force. The red side had already lost the initiative and could only respond move by move. Yet mere defense could not break the double-check situation.

After hesitating for a long while, Shen Zhuang pushed his red rook forward to draw the opponent’s forces, covering a pawn as it crossed the river. The rook fell, the horse was lost, but the pawn line advanced.

But when it came to the next move, he hesitated again.

At that moment, Shen Zhi pushed the door open and walked in, carrying a teacup to Shen Zhuang’s side.

“Did she drink it?”

Shen Zhi nodded. “Yes, not a drop left.”

Shen Zhuang looked at the chessboard in front of him and suddenly lost interest.

After all, children were not chess pieces.

“Call Zheng Song.”

Shen Zhi nodded and turned to leave. Shortly after, Zheng Song entered.

“Old Master.”

Shen Zhuang glanced back at the teacup on the table.

“Notify the people in Country M—if the eldest young lady enters together with the young miss, cancel all prior arrangements. Doctor Meng doesn’t need to follow either.”

No one knew that, in truth, Shen Zhuang had already received news when Shen Rang mobilized the hidden forces. Without his tacit approval, those shadow guards would never have been able to appear at Yucai out of nowhere.

So, he had been Shen Mianzhi’s unsung hero.

The same was true in the main hall—he had allowed the second and third branches to argue freely, because only when interests collide do people reveal their true nature.

In the end, when family conflicts escalate, the truth often no longer matters. To Shen Zhuang, Shen E’s foolishness was the original sin.

She couldn’t read the situation. For the sake of aligning with the Zhou family, she even framed her own niece. If she had the ability to seize that piece of the pie, Shen Zhuang might have regarded her more highly. But Shen E had ambition without brains—she committed wrongdoing yet left flaws everywhere. Even a child who wasn’t fully grown could manipulate her at will, let alone the wolves and tigers lurking outside.

When Shen Zhuang drove Xiao Lanlan away, he had already made thorough preparations. If Shen E had ultimately compromised and let Xiao Lanlan leave Country A alone, it would have meant she still had ulterior motives. He would have dispatched shadow guards and Doctor Meng to monitor Xiao Lanlan completely—both physically and mentally.

Fortunately, Shen E came to her senses in time and drank the tea, not disappointing him.

After a full day of arguments, Shen Zhuang’s head throbbed painfully. Seeing this, Zheng Song quietly withdrew.

In the vast side room, only a half-played game and an old man remained.

Shen Zhuang casually picked up a small biscuit and rubbed it between his fingers, his gaze drifting unconsciously toward the bright moon outside the window.

The courtyard lights glowed softly, their scattered illumination spreading across the pathways, lighting every step forward and back.

When Shen Mianzhi stepped out of the side hall, she was momentarily captivated by the scenery in the garden.

Shen Rang walked out from the main hall and stood at the far end of the corridor bridge, watching her.

Shen Mianzhi smiled, stepped onto the light-drenched path, and ran quickly toward her hero.

Her steps had never felt so light before.

It was the feeling of being free from restraints—the feeling of a liberated soul.

“Dad!”

She wanted to give Shen Rang a big hug, but remembering the injury on his back, she only gently threw herself into his arms instead.

“Have you settled things with your grandfather?” Shen Rang wasn’t a gentle man, but when it came to Shen Mianzhi, his voice was always soft.

Shen Mianzhi nodded.

Shen Rang glanced back at the side hall, then gently rubbed her head. “Let’s go. Time to head home.”

Shen Mianzhi took the initiative to hold Shen Rang’s hand. It was broad and thick, the joints covered in calluses. After examining it carefully, she asked softly, “Dad, what kind of place is the Dark Hall?”

Shen Rang froze slightly. “Why are you suddenly asking about that?”

He had never told Shen Mianzhi anything about the Dark Hall—he was afraid it would frighten her.

Shen Mianzhi took off her glasses, her faint gray eyes carrying a trace of a smile. “Grandpa apologized to me.”

The old master… apologized?

A hint of surprise flashed through Shen Rang’s eyes.

“Grandpa said he feels guilty for not noticing my condition sooner. But he’s also glad I was strong enough to overcome myself. He said he’s proud of me.”

Shen Mianzhi’s eyes reddened slightly, both excited and moved. “Grandpa also said that brave children deserve rewards. I can ask him for anything.”

Shen Rang felt a mix of emotions. He gently stroked his daughter’s forehead. “Really? Then what did our Zhizhi ask for?”

Shen Mianzhi lifted her head and met his gaze. “I asked for the Dark Hall.”

“The… Dark Hall?” Shen Rang’s expression stiffened. He almost thought he had misheard. “Zhizhi… did your grandpa agree?”

Shen Mianzhi shook her head.

Shen Rang let out a long breath of relief.

Her expression turned subtle. “But he didn’t refuse either.”

Shen Rang’s brows knitted together again.

“Grandpa said the Dark Hall carries great responsibility, so he can’t give it to me directly. But if I insist, he’ll give me a fair chance. If I can win against Brother A-Ze or Brother A-Jie with my own ability, then when Dad grows old, the Dark Hall will be mine to command.”

“…” Shen Rang studied Shen Mianzhi carefully. Once he confirmed she wasn’t joking, he felt like the sky was about to collapse.

He tried to change her mind. “Zhizhi, listen to me. The Dark Hall isn’t as simple as you think. Let me put it this way—once you enter the Dark Hall, you can only turn yourself into a demon. Otherwise, you won’t be able to suppress the evil inside. That place isn’t suitable for girls.”

The Dark Hall was the Shen family’s hidden blade, bound to rise and fall with the family’s honor. Even Shen Yijie and Shen Yize had to train in the military first before qualifying to enter—one could only imagine how strict the selection for its master was.

Although the benefits involved were beyond imagination, compared to that, Shen Rang would much rather let Shen Mianzhi live as a delicate princess.

Shen Mianzhi understood his concern, but she had no intention of compromising. She spoke frankly, “I can imagine everything you said. But I’ve already chosen this reward.”

Shen Rang’s vision nearly went black—his daughter becoming stronger was a good thing, but she couldn’t just jump straight into becoming overwhelmingly fierce.

“Zhizhi… shouldn’t you have discussed this with Dad first? No matter what you do, I’ll support you, but…”

The master of the Dark Hall?

In the Shen family’s hundred-year history, not a single girl had ever entered it. What kind of situation was this?

Shen Rang was at a loss for words. “How exactly did you convince your grandpa?”

A light sparkled in Shen Mianzhi’s eyes.

“I told Grandpa that today is the happiest day of my life. My father descended from the sky on seven-colored clouds—like a great general, commanding with authority and summoning warriors with a wave of his hand. I finally understood what a hero looks like.”

“So I want to become a hero too. I want to wield the sharpest sword in the world and protect the general who will one day grow old.”

“Dad, I don’t want to be a princess. I want to be a dragon-slaying knight.”

The answer sheet from that night banquet three years ago—she had finally handed it in, three years late.

With her blade pointing upward, she would forever chase freedom and glory.