Chapter 19: Dark Moves

Qian Rushan carefully sized up the parents in front of him.

Strange.

It seemed that Father Shen and Mother Shen were unaware of what had just happened.

The incident at the police station...

Had Shen Ye not told them?

With this thought, Qian Rushan tentatively said,

"Today at school, Shen Ye took a mock test, has he told you about his results?"

"He didn't mention it to me," Zhao Xiaochang said.

Qian Rushan looked at Father Shen, then at Mother Shen, seeing that their expressions were calm and composed.

He then turned his gaze toward Shen Ye.

Shen Ye was sipping tea with his head down, subtly signaling to him with his eyes.

Understood.

Father Shen and Mother Shen had no idea about today's events and thought he had been at school the whole time.

—Shen Ye didn't want to talk about it.

Qian Rushan's eyes twinkled, and he immediately said,

"Our Human Martial Arts Group has many facilities, with dedicated tutors and fully equipped restrooms. Why not let Shen Ye stay over at my place starting from today?"

"—After all, he is now part of the Group, and we will fully support him in achieving good results."

Father Shen looked toward Shen Ye.

Shen Ye naturally nodded in agreement: "I've seen it for myself; the facilities and environment truly are top-notch. I'm willing to prepare for exams there."

Well done, Old Qian!

I indeed need a safe environment!

Shen Shi'an pondered for a moment: "We should also have a look. If it's really good, then you can prepare for exams at the Martial Arts Group."

"Wait a second, I haven't finished reading the contract yet," Zhao Xiaochang said.

"No problem, please take your time," Qian Rushan said.

Half an hour later,

Zhao Xiaochang had finished reviewing the contract and solemnly signed her name as the guardian.

The contract was complete.

"Please follow me!" Qian Rushan said.

By then there were already two cars waiting outside.

Father Shen and Mother Shen got into one car.

Shen Ye, however, went with Qian Rushan into the other car.

"How did things go at the police station?"

As soon as he got into the car, Shen Ye asked.

"A big battle, many people died, and we caught one alive," Qian Rushan said nonchalantly.

Shen Ye looked out the window.

They were now half a city district away from the police station.

People walked lazily on the streets, vendors called out selling snacks and umbrellas, various clothing and commodity stores had their doors open.

Everything seemed completely normal.

Who would have thought that half a city district away, a battle had erupted, with many humans dying?

Such incidents are usually kept under wraps.

Ordinary people had no idea what was happening unless—

The situation completely spiraled out of control.

Once it reached that point, ordinary people wouldn't even have time to escape; they could only count on luck.

Beep beep beep!

Qian Rushan's phone rang.

He glanced at it, his eyes gleaming with joy, "The mission is over. I killed that guy and got 5 points of military merit."

Military merit was a valuable commodity, exchangeable for things not sold on the open market, such as Cultivation Techniques, materials, intelligence, weapons, etc.

"Do I have any?" asked Shen Ye.

"Although you reported the whole incident, you don't have a profession yet, so you probably won't get any military merit," said Qian Rushan.

"That's really disappointing," sighed Shen Ye.

Before he could finish, his phone rang too.

A notification popped up on his screen with lines of text swiftly appearing:

"In this battle, you made a significant contribution."

"For minors, the government has a more reasonable way of rewarding."

"Your parcel has been shipped; please collect it at the first-floor lobby of the Renjian Wudao Building in the coming days."

"—United World Government Military Merit and Rank Management Department."

What could it be?

Shen Ye was genuinely curious and couldn't help but ask Qian Rushan.

Qian Rushan smiled and said,

"Middle school students only improve their physical fitness, learn to comprehend spiritual power, and acquire cultural and scientific knowledge. It's only in high school that they start to learn real professional techniques."

"So, I'm guessing it's a good Cultivation Technique."

"I indeed lack attacking methods," Shen Ye remarked.

Time passed quickly.

After Shen Ye's family arrived at the Renjian Wudao Group Building, they were warmly received.

Qian Rushan personally showed them around the various training and cultivation facilities, armories, and had face-to-face conversations with each professional trainer.

They also visited Shen Ye's dormitory.

—His quarters, meant for one, spanned over a hundred square meters and were fully furnished with all kinds of household appliances.

Finally reassured, Father Shen and Mother Shen left.

Shen Ye stood at the entrance of the building, waved goodbye to his parents, watched them get into a Group car, and depart.

"Do you plan on keeping them in the dark about everything?" Qian Rushan asked.

"There's no need to worry them," Shen Ye said.

The two went back inside the building and entered the elevator.

"President Qian, someone is trying to kill me," Shen Ye said.

"Who?" Qian Rushan waited for his response.

"—I'm just as puzzled; I didn't know my head was in such demand. There have been several attempts on my life already," Shen Ye said.

"I'll look into it right away. It's best if you don't go out unless necessary," Qian Rushan mused.

The elevator climbed all the way to the 135th floor, through the clouds, reaching the top floor.

The day was drawing to a close, and the sky was still a brilliant blue.

Qian Rushan personally finished all the formalities for Shen Ye, and then they had dinner together before he bid him farewell.

"I'll gather some information and then attend to some affairs. I'll not accompany you for now; contact me anytime if you need anything," he said.

Shen Ye immediately replied,

"I'm very grateful for President Qian's assistance throughout the day, helping me so much. Later on, my family will treat you, and I'll get my dad to have a good drink with you."

Qian Rushan's smile became much more animated as he said,

"From now on, you are a member of the group. This month's subsidy funds have already been deposited into your personal account. Spend it as you see fit."

"I'll have someone take you to your room."

"You are free to move around, but I suggest you rest up. Today has been quite long, and your spirit needs to relax."

"Thank you, President Qian," Shen Ye said.

Qian Rushan beckoned, and several capable men and women approached and followed him to the helipad on the top floor.

A roar resounded.

The plane left the building.

As soon as Qian Rushan got on the plane, he started working, quickly reviewing dozens of documents and holding a brief meeting.

After the meeting, he was reviewing a dossier when his female assistant came over quietly and whispered a few words.

Without looking up, Qian Rushan said,

"I don't want to see anything that tarnishes the group's image."

"Your subordinate understands," the assistant nodded and delicately walked away.

"Also, investigate Shen Ye's social relationships to see who might hold a grudge against him."

"Yes," another assistant turned and left.

Elsewhere.

Hospital.

Outside the sickroom.

Zhao Yibing rapidly scrolled through her phone, looking at several videos she had posted online.

"Malicious bullying, ruining a classmate's future!"

"Top of the grade, but after missing one exam, became psychologically twisted and retaliated against society by harming a classmate!"

"The police have already gotten involved. There must be a resolution!"

Perfect.

The matter was gaining traction.

Sun Ming was seen sobbing in the videos, and the pitiable condition of several other classmates had also been uploaded, drawing the attention and comments of many people.

Ordinarily, at this level of widespread concern, the party involved would definitely be dealt with.

In this way, once she got into the key high school, this sensational and controversial incident would still surround her, discussed by her new classmates.

It was Shen Ye who obsessed over her, who beat up the boys who pursued her.

She had stood up for justice online.

That was enough.

Zhao Yibing pondered for a while and then rapidly composed a text message:

"I have more than fulfilled the task you assigned to me."

She sent the message.

Now, all that was left was to wait for the harvest.

"Bingbing!"

Sun Ming's tearful voice came from the sickroom.

A flash of disgust passed through Zhao Yibing's eyes before she turned to walk toward the stairs.

When she reached the bottom floor and walked out of the hospital's main entrance, she picked up her phone and dialed Sun Ming's number.

"Bingbing," Sun Ming's voice came through the receiver.

"Don't worry, Sun Ming, I've posted the incident online, the police will surely bring him to justice," Zhao Yibing said softly.

"But my leg is broken, and I can no longer participate in the upcoming middle school exam," Sun Ming said with despair.

"You still have me. Once I get into the key high school, I'll take care of you," Zhao Yibing said.

"Really? You mean—" Sun Ming's voice lit with unrealistic hope.

"Of course, we are best friends," Zhao Yibing said, trying to keep him aware of reality.

"Bingbing..."

"I can't talk right now, someone is looking for me. I'll contact you later."

"But—"

The call was cut off.

Zhao Yibing swiftly blacklisted Sun Ming and a few other boys, about to delete them completely—

Ding-ling-ling!

The phone rang again.

An unfamiliar number.

Zhao Yibing hesitated for a moment before pressing the answer button.

"Hello, who is this?"

"A reporter?"

"Yes, I am speaking up for them, we can't let Shen Ye bully the other students."

"Agree to an online interview? Hmm... No problem."

"Okay, contact me later."

What a headache.

She couldn't delete Sun Ming just yet.

At this moment of viral attention, he was still useful.

Zhao Yibing quickly removed them from the blacklist.

She would keep them for a few more days, until after the middle school exams were over.

In this whole affair, the only thing she hadn't foreseen was Shen Ye managing to fight several of them by himself.

It seemed he still had some skill.

—But what good would that do?

Without a high school to attend, he would not learn any new moves or have weapons, armor, elixirs, or Evolution Liquid.

Nor would he obtain any inheritance.

When the time came, he wouldn't be able to withstand even a casual move from her.

Moreover—

He had lost the opportunity to take up a higher-level profession.

In the future, he would become a Normal person like Sun Ming and the others, separated from her by an insurmountable gulf.

They would ultimately belong to two different worlds.

The phone suddenly rang several times.

Was it the connection for the online interview?

Zhao Yibing slightly adjusted her makeup before picking up her phone.

But what she saw were several system messages on the screen:

"Your published content has been determined to be rumors and is now completely blocked."

"The police have released a notice regarding the incident."

"The high school mentioned in your posts has also released a statement, please pay attention."

"Furthermore, please stop spreading false information. Otherwise, the platform and the Human Martial Arts Group reserve the right to hold you accountable."