Chapter 78 Suppression (Seventh Update)
"Isn't it just about wanting to have your cake and eat it too? I get it!" The tall, Ability User smiled.
" Hong Da, there's no misunderstanding—if you have any students who are close to awakening, I can offer some assistance."
As he said this, he glanced, intentionally or unintentionally, at the cave not far away.
When he was rescued, the battlefield was in chaos, but he still managed to observe who was there and what was going on quite clearly.
The Ability User knew very well that the Knight Apprentice wielding heavy firepower was definitely not an ordinary warrior.
"I don't have students like that right now," Instructor Hong said casually.
She saw the other person's hint clearly and wasn't surprised at all—it was exactly the same as her analysis.
The hostage prince of Jin does indeed possess a certain potential for awakening!
This is a good thing for the human faction, which is fighting against the Weird Race.
Unfortunately, the boy's identity is too sensitive; if she reveals it, the consequences are hard to predict.
She didn't want to get involved in this messy situation.
The tall, Ability User chuckled again, "Just because it's not happening now doesn't mean it won't happen in the future."
It's really rare; since we've met him, we've only seen him smile twice.
"That makes me—never mind," Instructor Hong hesitated for a moment, then finally shook his head.
She emphasized again, "I'm just advocating for resources for Red Pine; I have no intention of turning a good thing into a bad one, understand?"
She was determined to seize this strange object; even if she only handed it over to the Martial Academy, she would still gain considerable benefits.
In particular, the high-level contribution points from Red Pine can be exchanged for many items that cannot be bought on the market.
"Whether I understand or not is not important," the Ability User replied calmly.
"I'm willing to pay a high price. Name your price. As long as you're willing to sell, I'll owe you a favor!"
"That's too polite of you—" A smile actually appeared on Instructor Hong's perpetually icy face.
"But I'm really curious, how do you know it's absolutely necessary when I haven't even had a chance to have it appraised yet?"
For those with Ability User, not all treasures dropped by the Weird Race are suitable for their own cultivation.
The known system of Ability User is divided into three main types: elemental, support, and telekinetic.
The Chief Instructor Hong's question was also based on this understanding; she believed that the other party might not need this strange object.
They simply wanted to use their status Ability User to buy the treasure at a low price. How could she tolerate such deception?
"I can sense it!" the Ability User replied calmly. "You still don't know enough about the Ability User system."
Upon hearing this, Hong Yan laughed in anger, "Do you think I don't have any friends Ability User?"
"You can go back and take care of that," the Ability User shook his head helplessly. "I'll just take a look at the strange creature today."
"You can take the Red Pine back, and I'll trade with you later—" Then he looked at the burly man, "Would you mind being a witness?"
"Of course," the burly Great Knight answered without hesitation, "I want a share too!"
Having said all that, Instructor Hong could no longer insist and could only reluctantly take out the small leather pouch from his waist.
More sophisticated monsters may carry some negative effects, so it's best to insulate them with leather.
What she took out was a columnar object, slightly brown in color, with a texture that seemed neither gold nor stone.
It is about five centimeters long and about two centimeters thick, with a slight reduction in the middle, and looks like a piece of bone.
The Ability User's eyes widened, barely concealing their excitement. "This is amazing! I can use it! Could you—"
"No," Instructor Hong refused outright, then showed it to the others, "Everyone has seen it, it's just—"
Since there's a high probability she can't keep it, she might as well do it gracefully and let everyone present witness it.
However, at that moment, a figure flashed in the distance, drew his sword and rushed out; it was the young man who had led the way.
When Wu Youren entered the cave, someone noticed him.
Although I was a little puzzled as to why he went back, there's no rule that says everyone has to watch the show, right?
He charged out at that moment, and everyone basically recognized him, but what was this external attack?
"Quickly put away the monster!" The burly man reacted immediately, shouting, "We've attracted the Weird Race!"
The Weird Race can generate treasures within their bodies, and vice versa; many of these treasures can promote the growth of the Weird Race.
However, in everyone's current understanding, the fusion of many strange creatures and Weird Race is just a coincidence and also requires a process.
Treasures that the Weird Race would fight over are extremely rare, and their appearance can trigger Weird Race among them.
Most people have heard of such things, but very few have actually experienced them.
Who would have thought that this small, bone-like object would trigger such a reaction!
Instructor Hong glanced around before packing up the treasure, saying unhurriedly, "This proves I didn't switch it." She wasn't particularly bothered by the Weird Qi emanating from the surroundings, as she had already cleared some of it away.
Wu Youren discovered it in time, before it had a large-scale effect; only the nearby Weird Qi fluctuated slightly.
She was a little puzzled; why was the little guy so impulsive this time?
Then she looked at the figure and saw that it was locked in a fierce battle with several eerie shadows.
It was indeed quite skillful, especially since the blade seemed to be coated with Weird-Dispelling Powder, making each strike extremely effective.
The Ability User also looked at Wu Youren, and couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation, "His perception—is quite remarkable."
With so many people outside, this person inside the cave noticed the Weird Qi aura much earlier.
While everyone's attention was drawn to the treasure, it's also quite remarkable that they weren't.
However, the two did not stop there; they also joined the others in dispelling the approaching Weird Qi.
Wu Youren's actions this time weren't due to arrogance or the belief that he could fight against the Weird Qi; rather, he was fighting against his own desires.
After that strange object was taken out, it brought him too much temptation, and his body and mind were restless!
This won't do; he needs to find something to do!
There are not only two Great Knight outside, but more importantly, there is also a Ability User. If they discover anything unusual, we'll be in big trouble.
This time, by forcing his way out, he gained another wave of experience points, and he felt—once again—that he couldn't handle it.
But even so, it's still better than having his impulse exposed by others!
The battle didn't last long, only about ten minutes.
Then everyone remained on guard for another half hour, and finding that the Weird Qi had ceased its unusual activity, the matter was brought to a close.
Around midnight, the passage at the back was cleared, and two minibuses, five SUVs, and more than ten motorcycles arrived.
One of the Great Knight, from the security department, took the Ability User away.
The other reinforcements were a little curious; what kind of person was this that required Great Knight to receive him?
However, the Instructor Hong and the strong man had already restrained the others, forbidding them from mentioning the matter, or they would be severely punished.
Others could also guess that for Ability User to be so weak as to be weaker than Ability User Apprentice, something must have happened.
It could cause quite a bit of trouble, so you absolutely mustn't gossip.
The burly Great Knight had doubts in his heart, but only dared to quietly ask Instructor Hong: Who exactly is that?
Hong Da snorted coldly, "If you don't share the profits with me, then I'll tell you..."
"Don't even think about it!" the burly man resolutely refused. "I'm just curious, what can Ability User do in the Inspectorate?"
" The Inspectorate also needs the necessary force," Instructor Hong replied without hesitation. "Have you forgotten about telekinesis?"
"Tsk," the burly man decisively changed the subject, "Next, you'll also participate in the battle to take over Suotu Town, right?"
"I'm going for an agile approach," Hong Yan stated clearly, "I'm not going to charge in like a reckless brute like you."
The burly man ignored her sarcasm. "That's how soldiers should act. You could be a scout then."
"Make me a scout?" Instructor Hong scoffed. "We'll talk about that when your military's Divine Might Knight arrive."
The burly man's real purpose wasn't with her; "Then your students can at least be lent to us for a while."
To be honest, the boy's perceptive abilities were indeed quite enviable to him.
"Don't even think about that," Hong Yan said seriously. "I already said not to mention today's matter—don't anger that Ability User."
New reinforcements arrived the next day, and the wounded were transported back, including Cynthia.
Wu Youren was uninjured and couldn't possibly go back with them, but as reinforcements gradually arrived, he was gradually marginalized.
Some people know that he has a strong sense of the Weird Race, but when it comes to that rescue, the Ability User.
Very tacitly, everyone kept quiet about the boy's situation.
Even if someone had any ideas, they would first ask the burly man or the Instructor Hong in private, and the result was self-evident.
So much so that three days later, someone saw that Wu Youren's cave was well-equipped and located close to the center, and went directly to requisition it.
This was done by a Knight from the military; the Instructor Hong watched coldly and remained silent throughout.
Wu Youren stated. "I have no objection to the military requisitioning us, but -- they have to pay us!"
On the front lines of the battlefield, money is the least useful thing, far less valuable than hard currency, and few people carry it with them.
In the end, the Knight offered ten silver dollars, a price he only paid because of the traps around the cave entrance.
He didn't offer much, but it was a task that a Knight Apprentice could complete in two days, and it wouldn't be worth that much outside of the battlefield.
The Knight requisitioned this place not for their own enjoyment, but to temporarily house the wounded.
Wu Youren wanted to dig another cave nearby, but his plan was stopped because it did not conform to the overall plan for the front line.
He could only set up a makeshift tent; there was no other way. Even on the battlefield, earning those ten silver dollars was no easy feat.
He deliberately kept a low profile these past few days, and with the changing situation, he quickly faded from everyone's view.
However, from time to time, someone would conscript him to do some hard labor, such as cutting down trees, building sheds, and setting up traps.
There were also night patrols—not because they knew he had strong perception, but because the Knight were busy preparing for various battles.
Chapter 79 Debt (Eighth Update)
Most of the Knight Apprentice were assigned various tasks.
On two occasions, Wu Youren was almost drafted to the front lines, but was stopped by the Instructor Hong.
Hong Yan said that this trainee is skilled in construction, so it would be a waste to send him to the battlefield.
Her real worry was that if the hostage prince of Jin was treated as ordinary cannon fodder and something happened to him, she wouldn't be able to explain herself.
Whether a young person displays their skills or acts discreetly and suffers injury or death, it could trigger significant unpredictable changes.
Wu Youren also took this opportunity to accumulate some experience points.
However, to his amusement and dismay, being on the front lines meant he had no shortage of experience points; he would gain more as soon as he had digested the information.
It's like being fed by God!
Fortunately, as the battle lines advance, the amount of new experience points gained is gradually decreasing; otherwise, he would have to consider how to suppress his advancement.
On this day, three more vehicles arrived. They were neither from the military nor the Martial Academy, but the Knight leading them had a formidable presence.
He took out a picture and asked everyone to identify if they had seen this person before.
Wu Youren showed no outward sign of distress, but inwardly he sighed: What was bound to happen has finally arrived!
The person in the image is the Knight who broke into the cave on that rainy night, and was later tested for life and death by him with several daggers.
In short, it's the one whose nitrogen was blew up by him.
He remained silent, and no one else would go looking for trouble—these people looked like troublemakers, so why bother?
Even the military, which is usually very clear-cut, gave a definitive answer: they didn't know and had never seen it.
This group refused to give up and organized people to go to Suotu Town while investigating the situation.
During this process, Wu Youren was also investigated, as he was in the vicinity when the Knight went missing.
However, he was quickly cleared of suspicion; the missing person was Knight, and there was Knight Apprentice with him.
A lone Knight Apprentice cannot possibly defeat such a combination silently, let alone escape unscathed.
Zhengjing, a lone Great Knight, was very interested in this information. "What exactly happened? Can you tell me?"
"It's none of your business," the Knight replied, which was also quite peculiar, as he didn't seem to care about the Great Knight.
Strictly speaking, a lone Great Knight isn't really that scary.
With proper teamwork, it's not uncommon for Knight to outwit Great Knight.
However, saying it to someone's face is ultimately a bit offensive.
The Great Knight was a little annoyed. "I was just wondering, whose Knight acts so arrogantly—oh well, never mind."
He came from the Eastern Frontier, Great Liang land to the east of Daliang, and was also responsible for suppressing the barbarian tribes on the border.
The warriors of Eastern Liang were not only fierce, but also well-equipped due to their long-term exploitation of barbarians. They didn't really respect the warriors of Tianjing.
However, upon seeing the other party display a sign, he immediately lost his temper.
As he turned to leave, he could barely contain his frustration. He kicked at a Knight Apprentice, yelling, "Get out of the way!"
Unfortunately, the man turned around and narrowly avoided the kick.
"You dare to dodge—" the Great Knight Eastern Liang roared in fury, but then paused slightly, "Huh?"
He saw the other person's profile and forcefully suppressed his anger. "Who are you?"
Wu Youren didn't bother with him at all and quickened his pace to leave. "He shows his sheepish nature when he sees a wolf, and his wolfish nature when he sees a sheep—is there any point in paying attention to this kind of person?"
The Great Knight frowned, about to continue his outburst, when a hoarse voice rang out, "What, trying to cause trouble in Red Pine?"
" Red Pine?" He chuckled dismissively. "It's nothing more than the foot of Tianjing. Do you dare venture into the Eastern Frontier?"
"Don't bring your barbaric air over here," a figure flashed, and Instructor Hong arrived. " Tianjing is the most virtuous place in Liang."
"Compared to the Jin, the Great Liang is also a barbaric land," the Great Knight continued with a sneer, "But isn't the State of Jin still at our mercy?"
"You really know how to give examples," the husky voice trembled slightly, almost cracking.
"That young man—" the Great Knight said, gazing at the figure disappearing into the misty rain, "Hmm, very handsome!"
The Instructor Hong's lips twitched slightly. "I suggest you find someone else to target!"
She knew all too well how desolate, wild, and perverse that desolate land of the Eastern Frontier was.
Let alone women with some beauty, even cattle and sheep that are somewhat pleasing to the eye cannot escape the hands of those barbarians.
A handsome young man is most suitable, especially Knight Apprentice, as he can stay in the game longer.
In the end, they might even be able to pull off a "rape first, then boil" scheme, making the best use of the resource.
She had no interest in interfering with those strange desires, even those involving interspecies communication, since they were far removed from her.
But a hostage from Jin —forget it, that would be an international scandal.
"What are you thinking?" The Great Knight glared at her angrily. "Have you even considered Princess Shang?"
" Yongning?" Instructor Hong sneered. "Who do you think you are to offer up such a handsome young man?"
Yongning is choosing a consort, and they've even chosen someone for the hostage residence! Who in the entire Great Liang doesn't know that?
"Not just Yongning," the Great Knight declared solemnly, "This year, there will be more than one princess to be married!"
"Just like fruit trees, there are good years and bad years. This year is—a good year for Princess Shang!"
"Damn it—" Wu Youren was some distance away, stumbled and almost fell over. "Princess Shang, is there still the New Year?"
Instructor Hong couldn't help but roll his eyes. "These are Red Pine's students. Do you think I, Red Pine, can't marry a princess?"
"I'll buy this young man," the Great Knight declared solemnly, "Five hundred silver dollars!"
"Get out!" Instructor Hong replied without hesitation. "I already told you, you're one of my Red Pine's students!"
Wu Youren was charged eighteen silver dollars every month at Jin Garden, which would amount to five hundred and forty silver dollars over thirty months.
He stayed in Jin Garden for about eight years, which is at least ninety months.
In fact, the tuition at Red Pine was not low; five hundred silver dollars wasn't even enough for the basic fees.
"One thousand," the Great Knight immediately doubled the price.
The result was a glare from Instructor Hong Yan.
The man seemed a little disappointed, shook his head, and muttered under his breath, "This boy's skills—what kind of eyesight do you all have?"
Wu Youren felt a growing unease: there were far too many discerning people here.
So the next day he asked Instructor Hong for permission to return to the Martial Academy, as he had been away for quite some time.
Looking at the sword and knife behind the boy, Instructor Hong asked with a strange expression, "Sixty percent of your spoils are mine?"
"Huh?" Wu Youren was taken aback. "You even know this?"
He used this reason to refuse the Life and Death Knot's exploitation of him.
It's become the norm for household expenses to be withheld, but he really doesn't want his hard-earned money to be withheld anymore.
"What do you think?" The husky voice gave a light snort. "Do you think my name is so easy to establish?"
How the Life and Death Knot deals with others is none of her business, but she is responsible for handling the matter of the hostage prince from Jin.
"Then I'll have to go back to the Martial Academy to cash in," Wu Youren made his decision after only a moment's hesitation.
He agreed to pay the protection fee!
His trust in Instructor Hong even surpassed that of his proton companions with whom he had lived for eight years.
Regardless of the other party's motives, they will genuinely step in to protect you when you're in trouble.
Although they are all minor matters, the feeling of having someone to protect you is definitely different.
Just like yesterday, if Instructor Hong hadn't spoken up, that Great Knight might have really grabbed him and taken him to marry the princess.
The guards at Jin Garden and those people at the Life and Life and Death Knot felt they deserved the protection money and were even being kind by not causing trouble for him.
So, it's about 60% or 60%. At this level of protection, he really doesn't mind paying for it.
The key point is that he has also figured out the direction for his future cultivation, and he feels that the economic pressure is not so great anymore.
"Give me three thousand silver dollars later," Instructor Hong said calmly, "Regardless of how much you gain this time."
"I'm not short of money, but my reputation isn't so easy to establish."
"Understood," Wu Youren nodded readily. He felt that the other party's request was reasonable, except for being a bit expensive.
The title of Great Knight isn't something you can just wave around casually. If it were those guys from the Life and Death Knot, he'd not only have to pay a fee, but he'd also get a beating. "A little lesson!" the smoky-voiced man snorted again. "My warrant—give it to me!"
Seeing him take out the warrant from his person, Instructor Hong nodded in satisfaction and took it away.
Then she took out another warrant and quickly wrote a few strokes.
She handed the new warrant to the boy, "This time the deadline is longer, but you need to understand what you can and cannot do!"
The warrant that was taken away was valid for three months, but this time she extended it to six months.
Regardless of whether it was because of the three thousand in income, at least their attitude made Wu Youren feel that the money was worth paying.
He accepted the warrant and sincerely said, "Thank you very much, Hong Da. I will use it with utmost care!"
"Go," Instructor Hong waved his hand, speaking expressionlessly, "Just don't make me regret issuing you the warrant."
As an instructor at the Martial Academy, she did have some appreciation for talent, but she hoped this young man wouldn't grow up too fast.
If she were forced to take action and it resulted in the other person's death—she shook her head, "Why am I worrying about this?"
Wu Youren left with a knife and a sword, his first destination being the outer perimeter of Red Pine's quarantine point.
Unsurprisingly, the Knight- grade sword he carried was questioned more than once.
After all, the battlefield is a bit chaotic right now. What did the Knight Apprentice do to acquire such a weapon, and one that's neither new nor old?
However, after everyone verified the information, they discovered that he was on a mountain patrol mission, so they did not pursue the matter further.
As the war continued, large numbers of people entered and exited the quarantine sites, and the process of settling, screening, and treating them was extremely chaotic.
Many unexpected events also occur.
In this situation, nobody paid any attention to his status as a hostage.
Two days later, Wu Youren heard that Cynthia, who had been on patrol duty with him, had returned to the Martial Academy to recuperate after completing her three-day quarantine period.
Another piece of news is that Naimuer has completely lost contact and it is almost certain that he is dead.
Life and death are unpredictable; that is war.
(Eight chapters on the first day of release, over 24,000 words. More chapters tomorrow! Please subscribe and vote for the guaranteed monthly pass in August.)