Chapter 83: Mission

—Shrek Academy—

"Why?!" Bei Bei slammed his hand onto table, his eyes blazing with a complicated mix of anger, disappointment, and annoyance.

He glared heatedly at an old man sitting on the couch before him, who calmly looked down at his cup of hot tea, unperturbed by his anger.

This was the Martial Soul Department Dean, Bright Phoenix Douluo, Yan Shaozhe.

'They're alike, master and little Bei. Calm and logical in a normal situation but would become crazy when the one they love is in trouble. Well, not like I'm any different.'

Yan Shaozhe inwardly sighed and took another sip of his tea.

"Elder Yan, please! Let me go out to the Heavenly Soul Empire and help Tang Ya out! She's not thinking straight, she's going to get herself killed!"

"Little Bei," Yan Shaozhe said in a calm voice, "I understand your concern for Tang Ya, but you must also understand that I cannot permit you to go. Not when you're acting this way."

Bei Bei opened his mouth to protest, but Yan Shaozhe sharp gaze froze him.

"I know you care deeply for Tang Ya. She is your friend and lover. But rushing into danger without a plan will only make matters worse. You must trust that our academy has already taken the necessary steps to ensure her safety."

"But what if the academy's efforts are not enough?" Bei Bei's voice cracked, but he quickly regained his composure. "What if Tang Ya needs me, and I'm not there to help her?"

Yan Shaozhe sighed and put down his tea cup. He looked at Bei Bei, his eyes filled with a mix of sympathy and wisdom.

"Bei Bei, I understand your feelings, but you must trust in Tang Ya's strength. She is Tang Sect's current sect master, and she will do everything in her power to protect herself. Have faith in her, and have faith in the academy that has nurtured both of you."

Bei Bei clenched his fists, his knuckles turned white but he took a deep breath and calmed down. He bowed towards him and said, "I understand, Elder Yan."

Yan Shaozhe looked at him with a indescribable look on his face, but a mix expression of annoyance, concern and understanding flashed across his eyes.

'No, you don't.'

He's tutored numerous children for most of his adult life and he could tell when they were putting on a brave face, hiding their true emotions. Bei Bei was trying to appear strong and composed, but Yan Shaozhe could see the turmoil raging beneath the surface.

He'll surely try to leave the academy and run to find Tang Ya.

'Ah, youth.'

Yan Shaozhe stood up from the couch, his presence radiating authority and wisdom. He approached Bei Bei, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Little Bei, as your teacher and uncle, I understand the depth of your love for Tang Ya. And I understand that you would go to any lengths to ensure her safety. But sometimes, the greatest act of love is to trust and have faith in the person you care about."

Bei Bei looked up at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and determination.

"You're right, Elder Yan. I will trust Tang Ya and have faith in her abilities. I won't let my emotions cloud my judgment anymore."

Yan Shaozhe nodded approvingly and patted Bei Bei's shoulder reassuringly.

"That's the spirit, my boy. Remember, true strength comes from within, from the strength of one's heart and spirit. Tang Ya carries that strength within her, just as you do. Follow me to one of the training yards. I'm sure you want to vent some of that pent-up frustration and anger. Let's channel it into your training."

Bei Bei nodded and followed Yan Shaozhe to the training yard. And the latter trained him for the next few hours, to the point that he achieved a breakthrough in one of his soul skills but it also ended up with a few broken bones.

In Yan Shaozhe's office, he was quietly sitting on his chair as he rubbed his beard with a contemplating look on his face.

"...Master, are you truly sure of your decision?"

There was cold breeze going past his face and he closed his eyes, letting out a sigh.

"Ah, little Bei. Do you not trust your family? Or is it that your love for little miss Tang Ya is so overwhelming that you cannot see reason? Aiya, why are all young men so troublesome." Yan Shaozhe muttered to himself before letting out a laugh.

He knew very well how much of a troublemaker he was back in the day. He had no right to criticize Bei Bei.

He stood up from his chair and walked to the window, gazing out into the sky.

The sky outside the window had been dyed red by the evening clouds in the setting sun. Soon, night would fall.

"Master, you called?" A beautiful, voluptuous girl with fiery red hair opened the door.

"Ah, Xiaotao. Yes, come in. And you too, little Zhang." Yan Shaozhe said and both girls looked at each other for a moment before they went inside.

"I called you two here for a very special mission. Xiaotao, this mission involves helping your 'problem' so show enthusiasm and do not fail. Zhang Lexuan, this involves little Bei so I know you want to join and that the place you're going to is Heavenly Soul Empire, your hometown. Are you two willing to take on this mission?" Yan Shaozhe asked, his eyes piercing with determination.

Xiaotao, with her fiery personality, immediately nodded in excitement and said, "Are you kidding me, Master? Of course I'll do it!"

Zhang Lexuan, who was more reserved and calm, hesitated for a moment before nodding as well. "I care deeply for Bei Bei, I am his fiancée. I will do my best to assist him in any way I can."

Yan Shaozhe smiled approvingly at the two girls. "Good. I trust that the two of you will be able to handle this mission. You will leave tomorrow morning, so prepare yourselves."

As the girls left, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but feel a mix of worry and hope.

'I hope... everything will go well.'

—Ironblood Sect Headquarters—

"You fuckers still haven't found my son?!" Tie Li roared, his voice echoing throughout the grand hall.

The Ironblood Sect members looked on fearfully, their heads bowed in submission. They had been searching tirelessly for Tie Li's missing son, but their efforts had so far been in vain.

Numerous throbbing veins appeared across his face and neck.

When he woke up this morning, he expected a lot of things. Mostly good news and that they started generating back a steady supply of money, food and other logistics.

But he did not expect to hear, was his son's subordinates to come back in pieces in little white boxes delivered to their doorstep with a letter that had exquisite writing and was cold to the touch that read: "I have your stupid bitchy son! The Akatsuki! Who would've thought I'd be so lucky to find your boy when I was killing a man for bad mouthing my mom. Listen up, I'm going to demand a ransom later on for his release so be prepared with a lot of money and other useful treasures. If not, I'll be cutting off his head and drop it on top of your head, or ya wife. But anyways, be prepared!"

"Love, the Akatsuki."

Tie Li was absolutely incensed, and mobilize all his men everywhere to find his son and his kidnappers.

"We apologize, Sect Master. We have searched high and low, but there is still no sign of him or the Akatsuki," one of the members stammered, fear evident in his voice.

Tie Li's rage only intensified at the news. He slammed his fists onto the table, causing the room to tremble.

"I don't care how many resources you need or how many men we lose, FIND MY SON!" he bellowed, his voice filled with fury.

The Ironblood Sect members nodded, fear evident in their eyes. They knew they had to find Tie Li's son, no matter the cost.

"..." Tie Li gritted his teeth, he was feeling so angry and frustrated that he suddenly coughed out blood.

"Ah! Medicine, medicine! The boss needs his pills!"

"Boss, you need to calm down! Watch your health!"

"Someone call the doctor, quick!"

As Tie Li's health deteriorated, the Ironblood Sect members scrambled to find medical assistance. Panic filled the grand hall as they desperately tried to save their leader.

For the next few days, although they still haven't found Tie Tang, Tie Li slowly began to calm down and focus on his health. He begrudgingly listened to the advice of his subordinates and took his medications regularly, resting as much as he could. The fear of losing his son and the stress of the situation had taken a toll on his body, and he knew he had to prioritize his health if he wanted to be strong enough to find Tie Tang.

"Ah, Tie Tang. My sweet child, Tie Tang. I hope you're safe."

As Tie Li laid in bed, his mind racing with thoughts and worries, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. One of his trusted subordinates entered the room cautiously.

"Sect Master, there's a package here for you."

"Package?" Tie Li sat upright and the sect member set it down before him.

"What the hell is this?"

He looked down at the white package box in doubt, but urged by his curiosity, Tie Li reluctantly opened his package.

'I hope it's another–'

A couple bloody fingers were arranged neatly on a small pillow in the box, a small white was put below it that said:

"Tie Tang's fingers. Now, you're next."

Tie Li widened his eyes and he started through up on his bed, before falling back unconscious.

.....

AN: Yo! I just bought dying light from steam, it's on sale at $5 and I am loving it. I haven't played dying light until now because a) I didn't have a PC at the time of its release and b) I didn't have any money. With it being on such a low discount with all some of its bundles, why would I not buy it?

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