Chapter Sixty-Two: Gathering of Masters

Samobikyu from the Temple of Thunder and Yu Bo from the Martial Hero Hall entered Samobikyu and gained an ancient treasured blade. The news swiftly reached Taiding Academy and Shali Academy, and Ye Ran was notified, hurrying to Taiding early that morning.

"Ye, the Temple has acted ahead of schedule," Sun Jiulou said as he and Teacher Meow awaited him in the office. With them was another person—Elisa.

Ye Ran was quite surprised to see Elisa. She still looked at him with that burning gaze, but she seemed to have regained her composure overall.

Ye Ran nodded to her, pulled out a chair, and sat. "I've heard the news. Are we moving ahead of schedule as well?"

Sun Jiulou replied, "I'm afraid we have no choice."

Ye Ran asked, "Then I'll set out immediately. Is everyone else ready?"

"The others..." Sun Jiulou's expression grew awkward. "Ye, there are no others—just you and Elisa."

"What?" Ye Ran frowned. Red Maple Academy was sending everyone. The Temple had mobilized large numbers. Yet Taiding was only sending him and Elisa?

Sun Jiulou, helpless, explained, "The underground lair is highly confidential. Few know of it. Only those on the Martial Ranking and the Hall of Fame are eligible. But most on the Martial Ranking follow Ronin, and even those who don't... well..."

He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear: there were experts on the Martial Ranking who didn't support Ronin, but that didn't mean they were willing to follow Ye Ran. In the end, Ye Ran's status at Taiding was little more than honorary; in terms of real strength, he likely wasn't even on par with Elisa. There were few who truly respected him.

"Two it is, then. I'll leave now," Ye Ran said, rising.

"Don't be hasty, Ye. Have lunch before you go," Sun Jiulou urged.

"No need, sir. I'll go now," Ye Ran replied, and with that, he returned to his office, changed into his uniform, and went downstairs. Elisa silently followed behind. Ye Ran noticed, glanced back at her with a meaningful look.

Hands in her pockets, Elisa smiled, "Don’t misunderstand, Instructor. I'm not following you. I'm just interested in that place."

She drew closer, laughing softly. "And in you, a little," she whispered, inhaling his scent with a hint of intoxication in her expression.

Ye Ran ignored her and hurried on.

Downstairs, a figure in white awaited, idly fanning herself. Elisa leaned in and whispered, "I dislike people who play with others' minds. I'll wait for you at the academy gate."

Ye Ran nodded and walked on.

Ronin still dressed as a refined nobleman, approached, fanning herself elegantly. Ye Ran thought if she ever wore women’s clothes, she’d be beautiful as well.

"Ye Ran, our second meeting," she greeted.

Ye Ran nodded.

"You don’t seem to take Gao Taiqing’s prophecy and commentary to heart. If you did, you would have sought me out the very first day at Taiding."

Ye Ran gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I would have liked to, but what difference would it make? Would the illustrious Ronin, who commands half of Taiding Academy, be won over by a mere prophecy and follow me loyally?"

At this, Ronin also laughed.

Ye Ran continued, "No one in history has succeeded by prophecy alone. When I was starving, Gao Taiqing’s predictions did nothing for me. When I was unjustly rejected at the martial exam, she didn’t say a word in my defense. I neither dare to believe nor distrust her prophecies entirely. But what I truly rely on, from start to finish, are these hands of mine."

His words were calm and forceful, neither arrogant nor servile.

Ronin found herself thinking more highly of him. Clearly, he was not just a brawny simpleton.

She covered her mouth, laughing. "If you don’t believe, you don’t believe. No need to be so passionate about it. I have an astrologer’s prophecy too, so I came to see you. It’s fine if you don’t believe—don’t let such things bind you."

She waved her fan. "Ye Ran, I wish you luck."

"Mm..."

Ye Ran watched her leave, some questions on his mind left unspoken. After leaving the academy, he bought a weapon case, some rations, and water, then went straight to the underground lair.

By the time they arrived, a group from Red Maple Academy had already reached the site. Leading them was a youth with sinister, predatory eyes. He was tall and lean, dressed in black leather, heavy boots on his feet. Another youth with a curved blade at his waist followed, his face full of sycophantic flattery.

Besides them, there were several familiar faces. Miffy from the Sixth Temple was among them. The group numbered nine in all, each well-equipped and exuding powerful energy.

The sinister-eyed youth glanced at the badges on Ye Ran and Elisa’s chests, a sneer curling his lips. "Taiding Academy’s representatives. We don’t expect you to help, but at least don’t hold us back."

He slid his bayonet into his boot, patted his leg, and strode into the lair, his followers close behind. Each looked at Ye Ran and Elisa with an innate sense of superiority. Miffy, clad in silver armor, also cast them a contemptuous glance.

Ye Ran and Elisa remained unmoved, waiting quietly until the Red Maple group entered the lair. Then Hu Ben approached, speaking in a low voice, "That was Viper Du Yu himself, master of Wang Aoran the lackey."

Ye Ran nodded. "I figured."

Du Yu, known as Viper of Red Maple Academy, was infamous. His sharp, triangular eyes and predatory look made him easy to recognize, even on a first meeting.

"Though he’s only ranked ninth, he’s more dangerous than Wang Aoran," Ye Ran observed.

Hu Ben grinned. "Aoran wouldn’t serve just anyone. On Red Maple’s Martial Ranking, every one of them is arrogant. People call Wang Aoran a lackey, but the only one he follows is Du Yu—not even Wang Li can command him."

He glanced at Elisa, surprised. Why was this unusual girl with Ye Ran? And the fervor in her eyes—he hadn’t seen that look from her in a long time. Stranger still, she seemed completely unfazed by Du Yu’s provocation. This girl was very different from his memory of her.

Ye Ran asked, "Why is he leading? Wang Li and Lin Yuan aren’t here. Has Red Maple changed their plans?"

Hu Ben shook his head. "I don’t know. But that’s how it looks. Samobikyu and Yu Bo have already entered the lair as well. They brought food and water. Looks like they’re in for the long haul."

He found it somewhat amusing—compared to the fully armed Red Maple group, Ye Ran and Elisa looked more like refugees.

Ye Ran just nodded, and he and Elisa sat down casually to the side.

"Aren’t you going in?" Hu Ben asked, surprised.

"We are," Ye Ran replied, "but we’re waiting for two more people."

Sorry for being late today. Here’s the continuation.