Chapter 16 Zhao Wuji & Flenders

Che Jin stopped at the entrance of the village, frankly, he knew this was the best of the few options he allowed himself, he did have others if he was willing to join someone, he just wasn't, but he couldn't help but be assailed by doubts. Anyone would, seeing the academy.

He shook his head and forged on. He already knew that he shouldn't expect much of anything from the facilities.

Chen Jin entered the village from the part he suspected was reserved for the academy, besides the plaque with its name it was also deserted, a straightforward assumption to make.

The village, in general, wasn't that bad, besides the size, much like his own the houses were made of wood, and the streets of dirt. Now that he walked on them he could actually feel that it was pressed dirt, he didn't know if it was like this everywhere, but at least if it rained it wouldn't get as muddy as if it wasn't.

As Chen Jin walked through the street he could hear sound up ahead, like someone was fighting.

And as he came around the bend he could actually see people, one that he was nearly certain of the identity and two he had absolutely no idea.

The older one was probably Zhao Wuji, muscular, not too tall, some kind of bear spirit and six spirit rings around him. If he was right it seemed he was quite a few years before the shrek plot starts he thought.

The other two were younger, probably nearing or at the end of their teens.

One was taller, leaner with long blond hair and had what looked like some kind of Lion spirit. He had four spirit rings around him.

The other looked a bit younger, though not much, and was shorter and way more muscular along with a head of short black hair. He had a shield in HIS hands that was surrounded by three spirit rings.

The older man saw him "Alright, stop for now, it seems we have a guest"

"Little kid, what are you doing here? I haven't seen you in the village before" he asked.

Well, it was now he guessed "I'm Chen Jin, and I would like to talk with Flenders. I have a letter for him".

He might have a measure of trust towards those two because of how they acted in canon, but that was a book and this is real life. Since he had a powerful granduncle might as well use his name for protection here, its not something he can do a lot, but in situations like these where it won't get out Chen Jin saw no problem.

Showing the letter was also a good explanation of why he was here.

"For Flenders you say?" the man thought aloud. After a second or so he said somewhat dismissively "It's the third house on the left if you continue in front, It's not far so I won't guide you"

The two teens suddenly looked hopeful as they looked at each other

"Mister Zhao, well take him there, he's new here, so he might get lost!" the older one said quickly.

"Yes, this seems like it might be important, it's best if we help him go as fast as possible" the other continued.

"Alright, you don't think you can escape your training for the rest of the day do you?" the man said to the two hopeful teens "The two of you have almost graduated, I would be shirking my duties if I didn't bea... Trained you while I have a chance" Zhao Wuji smiled a bit evilly as he said.

The two teens looked at him with hope, it seemed they were grasping at straws for anything that could help them escape. Chen Jin just closed his eyes and shrugged as he shook his head as if to say nothing I can do.

He almost laughed, they looked resigned and very quickly perked up as if they were walking towards their deaths.

Chen Jin turned and continued to where he was pointed as the sounds resumed behind him, may god have mercy on their souls, he restrained a laugh at the thought, it probably wouldn't go over well.

He reached the somewhat bigger wooden house and knocked, with the sounds of fighting continuing behind him.

He felt someone coming to the door.

"Zhao Wuji, are Lu Jibin and Li Yusong back with Cao Desi already?" Flanders asked as he reached and opened the door.

He stopped

"A kid?" he asked himself.

"Hello Mister Flanders, I'm Chen Jin, I'd like to join your academy" Chen Jin said.

"Join my academy?" Flanders said. "It's still a few months until the admissions period, and you're a bit young. But I suppose that if you show that you are talented enough to meet the entry requirements when you're of age I can admit you earlier..." he continued as he scratched his chin.

"I won't have any problem meeting them" he said.

"I'll be the one judging that, before that the testing fee is 20 gold coins" Fender said as he looked him over, even if he did not meet the requirements he looked like he could afford it, so he decided to fleece him a bit more than normal.

Chen Jin's eye twitched, he already knew the guy was a miser, but still... He decided to ignore that and continue.

"Alright, but before that I have a letter from my grand uncle for you" he said as he brought his hand to his pendant.

'A storage soul tool? It looks like I got a fat sheep today' The Dean thought happily.

Chen Jin held himself from laughing at Flanders expression, he could guess what he was thinking.

Flenders eyes bugged out when he looked at the senders name before he restrained himself. He coughed "I don't think this is addressed to me, it has your name after all" he said seriously.

Chen Jin laughed. "I know, I still want you to read it though" he smiled.

Flender's looked down at the letter once again before sighing.

"It's best we get inside before continuing" he said as he motioned inside. He truly wanted this to be a joke, his small academy couldn't handle the blowback if something happened to a titled douluo's family.