Lin Zao Leaves

"Today, Iron-Faced Zhao went crazy again. He actually made us run fifteen laps! I nearly ran these old arms and legs right off."

"By the way, that braised pork yesterday was pretty good. I wonder if they'll have it today..."

Lin Wan talked about the trivial things that had happened at the academy today, trying to divert Lin Zao's attention.

But Lin Zao merely responded with vague hums and acknowledgments, his gaze drifting. He was clearly preoccupied.

Lin Wan silently sighed.

Zaozao, your Brother Wan only knows how to coax eighteen-year-old girls. I don't know how to comfort a six-year-old kid!

The two made their way to the side entrance of Martial Soul Hall, showed their badges, and entered the familiar public dining area.

The abundant food still gave off an enticing aroma, but dinner was unusually quiet today.

Lin Zao absentmindedly poked at the food on his plate. Though he could usually eat five large bowls of rice, he set down his chopsticks after only three today.

Lin Wan watched him and sighed inwardly. He could tell Lin Zao was genuinely upset; he had even eaten less. So Lin Wan stopped deliberately seeking out topics to talk about.

After dinner, Lin Wan rose to leave.

"Come on, Zaozao. I should head back. I have classes tomorrow."

Lin Zao suddenly raised his head. His lips moved a few times, as though he had made an enormous decision, before he spoke in a muffled voice thick with nasal emotion.

"Brother Wan, I'm leaving."

Lin Wan stopped and turned to look at him, calmness on his face as though he had expected this all along.

"Mm, I know."

Those simple three words seemed to open the floodgates of Lin Zao's emotions.

His eyes instantly reddened. Tears he had been holding back welled in his eyes as he choked out, "Brother Wan, I can't bear to leave you and everyone in the village! I don't want to go so far away."

Martial Soul Hall Academy was located in Martial Soul City. To Lin Zao, who had never left Cold North Village, it was a distant land beyond reach.

Lin Wan walked over, raised a hand, and firmly patted his shoulder. His voice was steady and soothing.

"Fool, what kind of man cries? Going to Martial Soul Hall Academy is a good thing. Countless people would beg for an opportunity like this. You have to treasure it."

He paused, then softened his tone. "It's not as if we'll never see each other again. Besides, whenever you miss me, you can write us letters. At least for these next six years, I'll still be at Frost City Junior Academy. The address won't change."

"Really?"

Lin Zao looked up uncertainly. In his mind, leaving meant losing contact. He had originally planned to have Lin Wan come to Martial Soul Academy to find him.

"Of course it's true." Lin Wan nodded firmly.

"I, Lin Wan, keep my word."

"Then, Brother Wan, remember to write to me," Lin Zao hurriedly said.

"Alright, I definitely will." Lin Wan agreed with a smile, though he might not write very often.

Only then did Lin Zao seem somewhat reassured. He hurriedly pulled a neatly folded slip of paper from his clothes and stuffed it into Lin Wan's hand.

"Brother Wan, here! I specially asked Hall Master Moraki for Martial Soul Hall Academy's address. You have to write to me in the future. Don't forget." He emphasized it over and over.

"Alright, I won't forget."

Lin Wan accepted the note and carefully tucked it into his pocket.

"Brother Wan, wait here for me."

As though he had suddenly remembered something, Lin Zao turned and dashed toward the corridor leading to the inner residential area.

Lin Wan was somewhat puzzled, but he remained where he was and watched Lin Zao disappear at the end of the corridor.

He had some idea of what Lin Zao had gone to get.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Lin Zao came running back, panting heavily. Without giving him a chance to refuse, he shoved a heavy bundle wrapped in thick cloth into Lin Wan's arms.

"Brother Wan, this is for you!"

Lin Wan untied the cloth bundle in confusion. When he saw what was inside, even he could not help widening his eyes in shock.

There were two things in the bundle: a warm white jade bottle and a small, weighty pouch of Gold Soul Coins. There seemed to be quite a few coins in it, at least several dozen.

"Zaozao! What is this?"

Lin Wan's voice held disbelief. He knew Lin Zao valued him greatly, but he had never expected him to go this far.

The pills in that jade bottle were clearly no ordinary items! And there were so many Gold Soul Coins as well.

"Lord Moraki gave them to me!"

Lin Zao anxiously explained, "The jade bottle contains Soul-Congealing Pills. Lord Moraki said they're especially helpful for soul power cultivation. I asked him, and he said these pills are excellent for laying a foundation as a soul master, especially for those whose soul power level isn't high yet. They'll definitely be useful for you, Brother Wan."

"These Gold Soul Coins are also the allowance Lord Moraki gave me. Brother Wan, take them all. Don't make yourself suffer as a work-study student." Lin Zao pointed at the money pouch.

"What about you?"

Lin Wan frowned deeply and pushed the items back. "If you give me both the pills and the Gold Soul Coins, what will you do? Expenses in Martial Soul City are definitely higher."

"It's fine! Lord Moraki will give me more."

Lin Zao shook his head vigorously, his gaze exceptionally firm.

"Lord Moraki treats me really well. I can just ask him for more when I go back, and he'll definitely give them to me. Brother Wan, just accept them! Consider it a loan from me! Pay me back after you become a powerful soul master."

Afraid Lin Wan would refuse, he had left no room for argument.

Looking into Lin Zao's stubborn eyes, Lin Wan felt warmth surge through his heart.

This honest, stubborn boy had given him the very best things he could obtain from Martial Soul Hall.

Lin Wan knew that refusing any further would only make Lin Zao more upset and uneasy.

Lin Wan fell silent for a few seconds. In the end, he let out a deep sigh, wrapped the bundle back up, and gripped it tightly in his hand. His voice was low and solemn.

"Alright, I'll accept it. Thank you, Zaozao."

When Lin Zao heard that Lin Wan had accepted it, an honest smile finally appeared on his face.

"Brother Wan, goodbye."

He waved forcefully, his voice choked with emotion even as he tried to smile.

"Goodbye, Zaozao. Take care of yourself."

Lin Wan waved forcefully as well, a gentle and encouraging smile on his face.

Lin Zao gave Lin Wan one last look, then abruptly turned around and hurried into the corridor leading deeper into Martial Soul Hall. His figure quickly vanished into the dim light, and he never looked back.

Lin Wan stood where he was, tightly clutching the heavy bundle in his hand as he gazed in the direction Lin Zao had disappeared.

Only after a long while did he slowly sigh.

He knew that once Lin Zao left, mountains and rivers would separate them. When the two of them would meet again, no one knew.

But an orphan with decent talent would surely receive good training after joining Martial Soul Hall.

Lin Wan turned and slowly walked out through the side entrance of Martial Soul Hall.

He did not return to the academy immediately. Instead, he found a quiet, deserted street corner in Frost City, leaned against the cold wall, and opened the bundle Lin Zao had given him.

He took out the items inside and examined them carefully.