The Side Effects of the Dagger, Principal Luo Ya of the Light of Hope

"!!"

Gu Yan turned his head and saw Xiao Leng standing by the bed at some point, staring at him with a slightly icy gaze.

Gu Yan was somewhat surprised. "Yeah, I used it once before."

"Dealing with Xiao Lin required it—it was the safest option."

Seeing his indifferent attitude, Xiao Leng sighed softly and said coldly, "Though this is your own business..."

"Still, I have to remind you."

"Using the dagger comes at a cost, especially for someone like you who wasn’t chosen by it."

"Traces of the Power of Night’s erosion are already faintly visible on you."

"If you keep using it, you might... end up like the other version of me from before."

Gu Yan froze at her words.

Become like Leng Qingqiu?

He recalled the first time he met Leng Qingqiu—her expression cold and detached, as if nothing in the world mattered except revenge.

Would he... really become like that?

"No, I won’t."

Gu Yan spoke firmly. "I’ll never become like that."

"......Nothing in this world is absolute."

"Even the other me, after prolonged use of the dagger, became cold and emotionless due to the Power of Night’s corruption."

"Let alone you. If you keep using it, you’ll eventually lose all your emotions."

"Until, in the end, you become nothing more than a hollow shell controlled by the dagger."

Xiao Leng refuted coldly.

Gu Yan fell silent for a moment but then met her gaze seriously. "No, I won’t. And you know why?"

"Because... I have love in my heart! The power of love is great!"

Xiao Leng: ?

"How did you manage to say something so ridiculous in the middle of a serious conversation?"

Xiao Leng sighed helplessly, then glanced at Gu Yan, who was lying on the bed wearing nothing but briefs. "Also, could you at least put some clothes on before talking to me next time?"

"?"

"Hey, this is my house!"

Annoyed, Gu Yan wrapped himself tightly in the blanket.

You’ve messed with the wrong person.

Seeing his body now covered, a faint flicker of disappointment flashed in Xiao Leng’s eyes. She said expressionlessly, "I’ve said all I needed to."

"One last reminder—reduce how often you use the dagger. It’s for your own good."

Xiao Leng emphasized once more.

Gu Yan finally understood the gravity of the situation and nodded. "Alright, I will."

"......"

Seeing his response, Xiao Leng silently studied him before speaking again. "What you asked me to do is done."

"The other me has agreed to join the Martial Arts Department."

"In exchange, I’ve gained control of this body at night."

"It’s a win-win for both of us."

Gu Yan’s face lit up with joy. "Great! Thank you so much, Xiao Leng."

Perfect. With Leng Qingqiu joining the Martial Arts Department, there’s nothing left to worry about!

Thank you...

For some reason, those words stirred an inexplicable emotion in Xiao Leng’s heart.

She looked at Gu Yan one last time, and for reasons unknown, her tone suddenly turned serious—

"Don’t die, furnace."

With that—whoosh!

Her figure gradually faded away.

Gu Yan was stunned. He looked up, but she was already gone.

Xiao Leng... would say something like that?

His heart was heavy with mixed feelings. He could only hope the plan would proceed smoothly.

......

...

The next morning.

Hope Tower.

At the very top of the towering structure, Gu Yan finally met the renowned martial arts research scholar from the original story—Luo Ya!

Her figure was slender, her skin as pale and flawless as sculpted marble.

Dressed in a sharp OL outfit, she looked even more stunning and mature in person than in photos.

"Ms. Luo Ya, welcome to Hope Tower."

"Meeting you in person, I’m certain I’ve found the right person."

"Let me formally introduce myself—I’m Gu Yan, the founder of Hope Tower."

With a smile, he extended his hand.

Luo Ya, surprised by how young he was, shook his hand briefly and praised, "Mr. Gu is truly accomplished for his age."

"But..."

She hesitated before asking, "Why me? I’m just a peripheral member—there must be many more qualified candidates."

"Not to mention, I’m a single mother with a child..."

Before she could finish, Gu Yan chuckled and cut in. "No, no, Ms. Luo Ya, you’re being too modest."

"On the martial arts academic platform, you’ve published countless theories on warrior training under a pseudonym."

"Am I right?"

"Master Ya?"

Luo Ya froze, then laughed awkwardly. "You found out."

"Well, I couldn’t help it."

Gu Yan grinned. "I’m a devoted fan of Master Ya, after all."

"Everyone assumes the person who said, ‘There are no useless techniques, only useless warriors,’ must be some mysterious old monster."

"But now that I see you..."

He paused, admiration in his voice. "Turns out, Master Ya is actually such a beautiful young lady."

"Young lady... Mr. Gu, please don’t say that. I’m already a mother."

Luo Ya smiled, shaking her head in amusement.

Flattery really worked on everyone.

Gu Yan then got down to business. "Ms. Luo Ya, now that we’ve cleared the air..."

"I assume you know why I’ve invited you here?"

Luo Ya nodded. "To serve as a martial arts consultant?"

"That’s just the official title."

Gu Yan shook his head seriously. "I want you... to become the headmaster of Hope Tower."

"And take full charge of all training programs, class competitions, reward systems—everything."

"Right now, we have 53 members, but that number will only grow."

Luo Ya’s expression grew increasingly uneasy as he spoke.

When he mentioned plans to recruit and train even more warriors, she finally interrupted.

"Wait, Mr. Gu. Setting aside how this differs from our initial agreement..."

"More importantly..."

"This isn’t the ancient martial world. Training such a large group of warriors in secret is forbidden."

"If discovered, we’ll all be purged."

"This is extremely dangerous."

She stood up, visibly resistant. "I must decline your offer, Mr. Gu. You can take back the school district housing."

With that, Luo Ya picked up her bag and walked straight past Gu Yan.

But then—

"Mommy, this uncle took me to the amusement park~"

"Mommy, can you see?"

"Hehe, Tongtong, be good. Uncle will take you to the next ride."

"Okay~!"

Luo Ya stiffened at the doorway, her face twisting in disbelief as she turned around.

There, standing before her, was—

The Gu Yan who had been chatting and laughing with her just a moment ago

now exuded an inexplicable, chilling malice as he lounged leisurely on the sofa.

Holding up a 15-second video clip, he murmured, "Tsk tsk, what an adorable Tongtong."

Gu Yan curled his lips into a smirk and turned his head, his eyes flickering with indifference as he gazed at Luo Ya's pale face. "Ms. Luo Ya, did you really think..."

"...that after discovering my secrets here, I'd just let you walk away unscathed?"

"If you ever want to see your son Tongtong again, then stay and become the principal of Hope Light."

"In due time, I’ll arrange for you to meet him."

"Don’t worry—your child will also attend the finest schools in the Eastern Nation."

"He'll..."

At this point, Gu Yan closed the video and stood up.

Then, step by step, he advanced slowly toward Luo Ya.

His face regained that gentle smile, the same sunny demeanor Luo Ya had seen when they first met.

Only when Gu Yan reached her and extended his hand did Luo Ya hear the rest of his sentence.

"He'll... have a happy childhood."

Those words—

"!!"

Luo Ya's mind went blank, her pupils contracting sharply.

Only now did she realize...

She never had a choice to begin with.

Staring at the outstretched hand, Luo Ya lowered her head and tremblingly grasped it with her right hand. "I understand..."

"Just don’t harm my son."

"Of course. Welcome aboard, Principal Luo."

Gu Yan's lips curled faintly.

Well, Hope Light was finally on track.