The Card Apprentice

Wei-ah suddenly turned his head, his gaze falling onto Jiao Si.

A powerfully murderous aura densely filled every corner of the training field as though it were tangible. It was oppressive to the point of stopping everyone’s breath. Everyone’s complexion changed, and they went stiff as though the tip of a knife were being held to their throats.

Jiao Si’s eyes contracted as he stared closely at Wei-ah. Scholars who were familiar with him clearly grasped that there was a surge of battle lust in the academy president’s constricted gaze!

That guy had actually provoked the president’s battle lust! The Origins Academy scholars were stunned; the adversary’s strength had been affirmed by the president, no matter how they looked at it. Good lord, could that place be the camp where monsters gathered?

“Would you care trade some tips, my lord?” Jiao Si made his invitation with a solemn expression while the battle lust in his eyes grew stronger and stronger.

“Not interested.” Wei-ah retracted his own murderousness as though nothing had happened. Without looking at Jiao Si, he turned his gaze upon Lu Xiaoru.

Lu Xiaoru felt her voice tremble. “I… I might know, but… but not exactly.”

“Take me to find one,” Wei-ah said calmly. His gaze then swept over the card artisans. Those touched by his gaze unconsciously avoided it. Quite a few of them felt their hearts tighten.

Wei-ah’s gaze stopped at the bar-browed man in the corner. “Follow me.”

The bar-browed man’s body shook, and he remained silent as he straightforwardly went over to Wei-ah.

He then led the two of them out of the training field. There wasn’t a single sound during the entire process. Even Jiao Si remained silent.

By the time the three left, everyone on the training field loosened up, many of them finding their legs had gone weak. They were mostly aghast and finally understood how terrifying the pressure was that Wei-ah had just brought to bear.

Alarmed as they were, how would the card artisans under Chen Mu still have any thoughts of teaching the Origins Academy scholars? None of them said a word as they continued to bury their heads in their training.

Jiao Si’s lingering gaze followed their backs as the three of them left.

***

The situation in the Heavenly Federation had deteriorated with shocking speed. It was as though the desire to fight, which had been building up over several hundred years, had burst out all at once. The battle between the Western Sheng District and the Bai Dong District was then in full swing.

It was a dark night without a ray of light. Zu Ning’s handsome face looked unspeakably hideous in the dark.

One of the Federation Comprehensive Academy scholars spoke in a low voice. “Everyone is prepared, senior classmate.”

All of the Federation Comprehensive Academy’s power in Pomelo was in front of him. For the past few days, in order to crack down on Faya, he had already concentrated most of his academy’s power in Pomelo.

Looking out over his classmates, Zu Ning was full of pride. Those classmates were the elite, who had undergone the academy’s most systematic cultivation. Before coming to Pomelo, he had never thought he would be able to deploy such drastic means.

He had become extremely enraged when both he and Jie Yanbai had been attacked. Then, after the battle between Desert Camp and Moon Frost Island exploded, he swiftly calmed—the chaos in the federation had begun.

He was incessantly tipping the balance to gain victory in that back-and-forth battle for the Central Island Firm. If he were still hoping for things to remain the same, that notion was already outdated. They had no more time. If they were still unable to get the Central Island Firm, it would get harder the further they fell behind. Pomelo had already become chaotic. When the time came, no matter who joined in, it wouldn’t be easy if they wanted to get out of there.

The technology Ren Wenzhou had in his hands was really important to the Federation Comprehensive Academy! The academy president’s orders had already been turned over to him; no matter how and at any cost, he had to get that technology.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought of using force. Because of Jie Yanbai at his side, he was rather wary and preferred to use above-board tactics.

However, Jie Yanbai’s heavy injuries had given him the perfect opportunity. It was then the weakest time for the Central Repository of the Classics in Pomelo. To make a move at that time would provide his greatest chance for victory. There were nearly no obstacles, and his proposal got everyone’s agreement.

The time was chosen for that evening.

“Go!”

Having been long prepared, they all flew into the sky like a stream of shooting stars, heading for the Central Island Firm.

Zu Ning had done a lot of preparation for that day’s action, particularly regarding the positions of the director general of the Central Island Firm and his confidante, Qian Mingyi. Those two were the true core of the Central Island Firm.

The operation went smoothly. Facing the elite from the Federation Comprehensive Academy, the defenses of Ren Wenzhou’s residence were as weak as paper. The Federation scholars all looked excited. If that evening’s action went smoothly, the credit they would establish would be enough to provide them with stunning rewards inside the school.

The two sides’ power was really lopsided, and Zu Ning made a brazen move to save time. He released the high firepower of the two beside him, which shortened the entire process of the battle.

Ren Wenzhou restored his calm from having just turned white. Qian Mingyi’s gaze to his side was full of rage as he looked at Zu Ning.

“What’s the meaning of this, young Zu?” Ren Wenzhou asked in a low voice.

Zu Ning’s face was filled with a mild smile. “Our president very much admires Mr. Ren and hopes to meet you soon. As his student, how could I allow the president to remain so anxious? So, I had to come and urge Mr. Ren along.”

“Oh.” Ren Wenzhou’s expression didn’t change, and he spoke neither urgently nor slowly. “So, you are saying young Zu intends to use force?”

“Ha ha, Mr. Ren must be joking. Your little brother is just reminding you.” The smile on Zu Ning’s face didn’t change as he said something meaningful. “Mr. Ren has been hesitant for too long. Holding out for a price is a common enough sentiment, but if someone’s appetite gets too big, that wouldn’t be good.”

Ren Wenzhou’s expression slightly changed, having all along been wanting to see who would finally come up with the highest price. He hadn’t thought the Federation Comprehensive Academy would already have run out of patience. He suddenly thought of something else, which made him jump.

He stared at Zu Ning dead-on as his expression gradually become a little hideous. He squeezed out the words between his teeth. “Could it be that young Zu isn’t afraid of people dying and walls coming down?”

With his expression as ever, Zu Ning said languidly, “Why would Mr. Ren fret like that? All of Central Island’s important people are already under our control. If Mr. Ren takes things too hard, I’m afraid those below you might not be of the same mind as Mr. Ren. Then, we’d have to waste a little more time. In other words, Mr. Ren might as well consider his wife and children.”

Ren Wenzhou wasn’t the least bit moved by that as he stared as fiercely as ever at Zu Ning.

Zu Ning kept smiling, and that smiling face chilled Ren Wenzhou to the bone. “Mr. Ren still isn’t clear about his situation. For us, not getting the technology that’s in your hands wouldn’t be the worst result. The worst result would be for that technology to fall into someone else’s hands. If we really don’t get it, my responsibility is to prevent the worst situation from happening.” Taking a look at Ren Wenzhou, he lightly spat out, “If we don’t get it, we’ll just destroy it.”

That was when Ren Wenzhou’s face abruptly turned white.

“I’ve heard the Ren family has been multiplying through the years, with a long history. Ai, history is so indifferent. It annihilates so many families.” Zu Ning’s speech was full of emotion.

Ren Wenzhou’s face looked ashen. He had never thought a big team from the Big Six would use such methods. If he didn’t cooperate, he was afraid the Ren family would be erased in the blink of an eye. Seeing the panic on the faces of his wife and children, Ren Wenzhou was suddenly stung.

It was all over.

Having been about to open his mouth, there was suddenly a faint voice.

“It breaks the rules for young Zu to act this way.”

Zu Ning’s expression changed slightly.

He then saw Jie Yanbai leading a group of card artisans who were rushing over in a menacing manner. Jie Yanbai’s face was white, his grave wound evident. But the card artisans beside him were glaring at them like tigers watching their prey.

The apparatuses on both sides had been activated, and they could make their moves at any moment.

“Please forgive me. I didn’t want to shock brother Jie. The wind is strong tonight, and brother Jie should take care about catching a cold and aggravating his wounds.” Zu Ning was full of concern.

Jie Yanbai maintained his calm expression. “Thank you very much for your concern, young Zu. Since I’ve made my promise to the owner of this estate, of course I must do my best. If I haven’t yet lost my life, it’s only because I am so deficient. I must at least account for myself to the owner to clear my conscience.”

Zu Ning’s expression abruptly darkened. “Has brother Jie made up his mind to make an enemy of his little brother?”

“Don’t forget the responsibility is on you.” Jie Yanbai’s expression was determined, and the card artisans beside him watched in admiration.

Zu Ning pointed to Ren Wenzhou and said, “Well, why don’t the two of us fight? The winner takes all.”

A look of fury flashed through Ren Wenzhou’s eyes.

The card artisans around Jie Yanbai were becoming restless, with their gazes at Zu Ning full of fury. Quite a few of them were already cursing beneath their breath. “He has no f***ing face!”

Jie Yanbai said sarcastically, “Is young Zu really unafraid of taking advantage? Knowing his little brother is wounded and still acting that way, how could one not look down on you?” He then said with pride, “After Yanbai has healed, I will certainly come to young Zu for some advice.”

Zu Ning deliberately opened his hands as though there were nothing he could do. “Could someone else besides brother Jie fight with me?”

That really stirred the emotions of all the card artisans with Jie Yanbai into a fury.

“Senior classmate Jie, let me teach him a lesson!”

“I’m going to f***ing blow you up!”

“You little bastard with the name of Zu, how did your grandpa raise you in place of your parents?”

* * *

Zu Ning wasn’t going to be pushed around. The corner of his mouth held a cold smile. But the card artisans by his side were becoming impatient, with all of them cursing at the Central Repository of the Classics card artisans.

Jie Yanbai signaled for the card artisans at his side to calm down.