Outside the smallest, least conspicuous courtyard at the northernmost end of Vermilion Bird Academy.
Ren Ye stood staring somewhat blankly at the courtyard gate, two sets of bedding tucked under his arm, a long wooden sign reading "Number Six Institute" in his right hand, and several bags of daily necessities in his left.
Behind him, Brother Huang, the second-in-command of the "Super Empire," was loaded down with odds and ends like a pack mule, his eyes full of bewilderment.
Three paces away, a battered, crooked wooden gate stood before them. A weathered, rotting wooden sign hung on the gray-brick wall to the left. They could just make out the words "Servants' Court."
Clatter!
Brother Huang went limp at the sight, and the bags in his hands slipped involuntarily to the ground. "Comrade Prince Huai, you got the two biggest big shots in Vermilion Bird City to pull strings like mad for three days, and all they approved was a place to store brooms and shovels? Tell me... did Director Zhao give us the academy's janitor's corner?"
Ren Ye turned around, tightening his arm around the bedding that was about to slip, and said solemnly, "Comrade deputy director of Number Six Institute, show some iron will. Don't let this little difficulty trip you up. This is the first step of our journey. Come on, open the gate first... the key's at my waist."
"Whew!"
Brother Huang let out a long breath. After trying to compose himself, he pulled the key from Ren Ye's waist.
He stepped up onto the stairs, took hold of the long iron padlock on the battered gate with his left hand, and instinctively tugged it, trying to shake off the dust.
Then he bent down to insert the key. But unexpectedly...
Creeeak...
A teeth-grating creak rang out.