Bodyguard

That night, Ronan did not see Wei Wei, and the Elf Meditation Technique nearly failed him for the first time.

It was an utterly baffling situation. He kept feeling that there were things he needed to explain clearly to Wei Wei, yet if she were standing in front of him, he was afraid he would not know what to say.

In his previous life, he had possessed no emotions whatsoever. In this life, because of that woman, he had gradually begun to develop feelings. Yet this was the first time Ronan had experienced the troubles brought by emotion.

It was as though an invisible thread were hanging from his heart, tugging at it from time to time and leaving him unable to eat or sleep in peace.

The next morning, after finishing his Eleven Arts practice, he went to find Wei Wei.

However, he was told that Miss Wei Wei had already left even earlier.

Ronan could only leave, thinking that he would find another chance to make things clear.

What he had not expected was that over the following week, he would encounter the same situation every single day!

According to the manor servants, with the school term approaching, Miss Wei Wei had many friends to bid farewell to, so she had been leaving early and returning late each day.

And Ronan missed her every day.

For the first time, this situation stirred ripples in his usually tranquil heart.

Even when he had escaped from prison, he had never felt this way.

What made him even more uncomfortable was that, during this seemingly peaceful week, there had also been no news at all from the other girl.

He had called Su Xiao, only to find that her phone was always switched off.

Undercurrents were surging through Bo Ning District's aristocratic circles, yet he could not see what exactly was happening.

Of course, Ronan was a strong-minded person. The unusual circumstances surrounding the two girls did not completely disrupt his life. He still kept to himself and maintained a perfect routine, practicing the Elf Meditation Technique at night and the Eleven Arts while studying during the day.

Soon, it was the day before Bo Ning Academy opened.

That day, Ronan went to find Wei Wei as usual, only to be told once again that Miss Wei Wei had left before dawn...

By then, Ronan was used to it and naturally left.

But at that moment, a young man stopped him.

"Young Master Ronan, I heard them say you were here. Sure enough, you are."

It was that young butler.

Ronan looked at him and asked, "What do you need from me?"

The butler smiled gently. "Tomorrow, you will be heading to Azure Ring Island to attend school. The Earl asked me to make some arrangements for you. I should explain that the Earl has been extremely busy lately with the Military Department contract and could not spare the time, so he could only send me. I hope you do not mind."

Ronan nodded and followed the butler deeper into the manor.

Naturally, he knew the butler was merely being modest. Everyone in Yi Lin Manor knew that this young man, not yet thirty, had quietly taken hold of the head butler's authority and become the manor's steward. He was deeply trusted by Earl Will.

The young butler's name was Chen Du, simple and straightforward, nothing unusual about it.

Yet often, being ordinary was precisely the most unusual thing.

Especially within aristocratic circles, where the rules of the power game were unpredictable and ever-changing.

For Chen Du to wield such power at his age, he naturally had considerable ability.

The two arrived at a courtyard deep within the manor. It was designed after an ancient elven courtyard—humans and elves had once shared a close relationship, and many human customs today had actually originated from elven culture. Among the Empire's upper class in particular, pursuing elven culture was considered a mark of refinement.

The courtyard was deep, but they did not walk far.

After passing through the gate, they arrived before a small house.

Chen Du stepped forward respectfully and lightly knocked on the door.

After a while, a lazy voice sounded from within. "What is it?"

Chen Du bowed and said, "Mr. Fan, Young Master Ronan has arrived."

"Got it. Wait a moment."

The lazy voice answered, then fell silent.

Ronan was very curious.

What was this Mr. Fan's background?

Why was Chen Du so respectful toward him?

And why had Chen Du brought him here to meet the man?

The answer was revealed soon enough.

The door opened, and a middle-aged uncle with disheveled hair appeared before Ronan.

He grinned at Chen Du. "I had a few drinks last night, so I'm not fully awake. But don't worry, I'll definitely handle what Will asked me to do."

Chen Du nodded humbly. "I would not dare question Mr. Fan's abilities. I only brought Young Master Ronan here to meet you today."

"Let me introduce you. Young Master Ronan, this is Mr. Fan. Starting tomorrow, he will serve as your personal bodyguard. Throughout your time studying at Azure Ring Island, you will be under his full protection. Rest assured, Mr. Fan is one of White Dove Company's elite members and a retired officer from a very powerful Imperial special forces unit. He will be responsible for all matters concerning your safety."

"Mr. Fan, this is Young Master Ronan."

"Now that you have met, I still have some matters to handle, so I will take my leave."

Chen Du smiled and withdrew, leaving Ronan alone in the courtyard with Mr. Fan.

"Heh, actually, I've met you before."

"Your hands are very quick."

The middle-aged uncle looked completely harmless.

Yet at that very moment, Ronan was on full alert!

Even the hairs on his back stood on end!

The Danger Perception his mother had personally solidified for him told him that the man before him was extremely, extremely dangerous!

The middle-aged uncle merely stood there, smiling as he spoke to Ronan, yet Ronan felt an indescribable pressure.

Ronan remained silent.

The middle-aged uncle seemed somewhat surprised. "You're quite sensitive, kid."

"Don't... be too nervous..."

The next second, he lightly placed a hand on Ronan's shoulder.

Ronan's body trembled slightly. He wanted to dodge, but discovered that he simply could not!

Was this guy even human?

The question arose deep within him.

Ronan, who practiced the Eleven Arts, was already a monster among humans. Yet this Mr. Fan left him with no ability to resist at all!

Earl Will had actually managed to hire someone like this? Ronan's estimation of Yi Lin Manor rose another level.

"I told you not to be so nervous!"

The middle-aged uncle patted Ronan's shoulder in dissatisfaction. "Take a deep breath. Relax."

Ronan obediently did as he was told. He was a very practical person. If he could not beat the other party, there was no harm in listening obediently.

The next second, his body truly relaxed a little.

"You're a fine kid, just too high-strung."

The middle-aged uncle chuckled. "Don't worry. With me handling your safety, no one can touch you."

Ronan nodded. That was indeed true.

He had great confidence in his own strength, but this Mr. Fan was at least three times stronger than him!

Both were retired special forces soldiers, but Xiang Feihu and the like were not even worth mentioning before this middle-aged uncle!

For someone like this to be his personal bodyguard... Yi Lin Manor truly was extravagant.

"Thank you for looking after me." Ronan thought for a moment and asked, "May I ask how I should address you? I can't keep calling you Mr. Fan."

The middle-aged uncle waved a hand. "No need to be so formal. Will and I have been comrades for many years. It's only natural for me to help him with a few things. If you want, just call me Uncle Fan."

"Uncle Fan." Ronan was very obedient.

"Alright, we've met. Tomorrow morning, I'll come find you and we'll set off together. As for the rest, we'll talk about it later." Uncle Fan waved his large hand and bluntly sent him away, showing none of a bodyguard's politeness.

Ronan finally understood a little why Chen Du had treated Mr. Fan with such respect.

A powerhouse like this would be treated as an honored guest wherever he went.

The only baffling thing was why he was willing to serve as a bodyguard for a little kid like Ronan.

But that was not something Ronan needed to think about.

After exchanging greetings, Ronan quickly left the courtyard as well.

The meeting with his personal bodyguard had left a deep impression on Ronan, but it had also stimulated his nerves.

So there were people in this world who were so much stronger than him.

After more than ten years of training, there really was not much for him to be proud of.

His time at Yi Lin Manor had been too comfortable, and it had caused him to slacken somewhat. Uncle Fan's appearance made him realize that immediately.

"I still need to practice more..."

After returning to his room and thinking it over, he ultimately decided to increase his daily Eleven Arts sessions from three to six.

Just as he made that decision, something unexpected happened.

A vibration came from his pocket.

Someone was calling him.

Ronan's heart stirred as he took out his phone.

On the enormous screen, two green characters trembled continuously—

Su Xiao

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