Chapter 47: Returning to School

I replied to my master with the words he often said to me. He paused, looked at me, and asked, “I am the greatest in your eyes, but what about your grandfather?”

I was taken aback as well and answered, “Both are great, haha!”

My master laughed, patted my hair, and sighed, “Such a small child, yet you understand so much. Alright, off to bed now.”

I nodded. He went down from the rooftop alone, while I sat there for a while longer before finally returning to my room. The next morning, sunlight streamed in brightly. Master and Senior Sikong Fan sat together for breakfast, but no one else was present. I stretched, puzzled, and asked, “Master, where are the other elders?”

He sipped his milk and answered, “They all left early, each off to their own affairs.”

I walked to the table and nodded, glancing at Senior Sikong Fan. He was surprised, took the bread from his mouth, and asked, “Why are you staring at me?”

I chuckled, “Nothing, nothing!”

Sikong Fan nodded. Master pushed breakfast toward me and said, “Boy, it’s time you went back to school. How long have you been on leave?”

The mention of school made me reluctant, but there was no way to resist Master’s temper. After breakfast, I obediently headed to school. Returning to campus felt pretty good, especially since I’d get to see Chu Mengxi, that girl.

I stepped into the classroom and sat in my seat. Chu Mengxi had already arrived. She was startled when someone sat beside her, looked up, and finally recognized me.

“Oh! Lin Xuan, you’re actually at school. Wait, so you’ve finally returned to the organization after so long!” Chu Mengxi joked.

I smiled, stuffing my backpack under the desk, “What’s wrong? Did you miss me?”

“Please, who’d miss you? Don’t flatter yourself.”

I pulled out my books and grinned, “Well, in any case, I’m back at school.”

Chu Mengxi nodded and asked, “Lin Xuan, what have you been up to these past few days? Tell me about it.”

I hesitated, seeing her expectant face. My flashy heart couldn’t resist her questioning, so I told her everything—Zhang Family Village, Red Fox Cave, the Underworld. Of course, I left out the battle with King Qingchen, since Chu Mengxi’s father, Chu Feng, was involved, and I wouldn’t reveal too much. Chu Feng had only told his family he was away on a business trip.

Chu Mengxi listened, ignoring her books, gazing at me with admiration, “Wow! Lin Xuan, you’re amazing, even went to the Underworld! Hey, what’s it like there? Is it like in Journey to the West? Is there a King of Hell, judges, and the Book of Life and Death—the one where a stroke of the pen grants immortality?”

I gave a bitter smile, exasperated at her wild imagination, dragging TV dramas into it.

“It’s just gloomy, really. As for the King of Hell and judges, I didn’t see them. But I did see countless ghosts—so many it was terrifying. The Underworld isn’t a place to visit often,” I explained.

Chu Mengxi, however, said out of the blue, “Lin Xuan, next time take me along. I want to see what the Underworld is like too.”

I stared at her, speechless, and replied perfunctorily, “Maybe someday, maybe someday! Anyway, Mengxi, how’s school lately?”

She paused, blushed, and complained, “School’s the same, but lately I’ve been stalked, and people come to the classroom to harass me openly. Look, those things over there are what they've given me, and it’s so annoying. I tell them, but it only gets worse.”

She pointed at the trash bin in the corner. Curious, I walked over and saw it was full of pink cards and roses. I immediately understood what was happening and asked her, “Name, grade, class.”

Chu Mengxi was startled, glanced at me, and asked, “What are you going to do?”

I shook my head, “Nothing, just want to see.”

“See? With that look? Forget it, Lin Xuan. They’re all from the high school section, not weaker than Kang Shun.”

Before she finished, I interrupted, “If I dared to take on Kang Shun, I don’t care about the others. If you won’t tell me, I’ll find out myself. Anyone who dares to mess with my—”

Halfway through, I realized what I was about to say. My stern expression suddenly turned awkward. Chu Mengxi also caught the implication, blushed, and asked, “Mess with your what?”

I laughed, “Nothing, nothing, let’s get to class.”

I brushed it off and sat down. After the first period ended, I went straight to Yu Wen Zhou’s side. He was surprisingly doing homework. I nudged his arm, and he accidentally scratched his workbook with the pen, then turned to curse, “Damn! Who is it? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

When he saw it was me, he paused and changed his tone instantly, “Oh, it’s you, Lin Xuan. I thought it was someone else.”

I smiled awkwardly, “Sorry about that. But what’s going on? Did the sun rise in the west today? You’re actually doing homework?”

Yu Wen Zhou sighed, “I have no choice. Teacher Mu singled me out. If I don’t finish, I’ll get whipped.”

“Haha, even you have days like this. I thought you only feared your parents. Is Teacher Mu, a pretty teacher, someone you’re scared of too?” I teased.

Yu Wen Zhou pursed his lips and placed his pen down, “That’s a separate matter. Anyway, where have you been these days? You just disappeared, always on leave.”

I glanced around, leaned toward him, and said quietly, “Didn’t I tell you there was stuff at home? By the way, I want to ask you about someone. Mengxi said she’s been harassed lately. Do you know who it is?”

Yu Wen Zhou looked puzzled, “Yeah, I know. Why? Are you going to confront someone again? Honestly, you should chill out. You’ve just returned to school and already went up against Kang Shun. A few days later, you caused trouble in the cafeteria. I swear, you come to school to fight, not to learn. Look at me—I feel sick if I don’t study. You should learn from me…”

I sat by him, listening to his endless rambling, quickly growing impatient. I picked at my ears and cut him off, gesturing for him to stop, “Alright, alright, pause. I just want to ask about someone, not hear a lecture. I know what kind of guy you are—studying, really! Just tell me his name and class.”

Yu Wen Zhou was embarrassed by my sudden interruption but finally answered, “Okay, fine. I know you like Chu Mengxi, so here it is: his name is Lin Feng, same surname as you, from High School Grade Two, Class One. His father’s connections are even greater than Kang Shun’s. I advise you not to mess with him, but I know your temper, so go ahead! For love, risk everything—I support you, haha!”

By the end, Yu Wen Zhou became playful, striking a superhero pose. I stared at him speechless, murmuring the name and class to myself, then slapped the table, “Thanks! Carry on with your studies, I won’t bother you.”

Yu Wen Zhou was startled, clutching his chest, “Damn, are you crazy? Why the table slap?”

I smiled and walked back to my seat. After the second period ended, I got up and left the classroom. Yu Wen Zhou and Chu Mengxi happened to be outside. When they saw me heading off toward the high school section with my hands in my pockets, both felt uneasy. Yu Wen Zhou whispered, “No way, he’s really going? Shouldn’t have told him.”

Chu Mengxi watched my back, frowned, and said, “Yu Wen Zhou, you told him?”

Yu Wen Zhou turned to her, nodded sheepishly, and heard Chu Mengxi say, “You…ugh, why did you tell him? You know his temper. Come on, let’s go, pull him back.”

And so, Yu Wen Zhou was dragged off by Chu Mengxi, utterly bewildered. I arrived at the high school section, and many students eyed me curiously. Hands in my pockets, my face dark, people moved aside as I passed. Clearly, they thought trouble was brewing.

I quickly found Grade Two, Class One. By now, a crowd had gathered behind me. I stood at the classroom door, leaned against the frame, and knocked. Instantly, the room fell silent. I scanned the room and called out, “Who’s Lin Feng?”

No one spoke, tension thickened. I checked the time and called again, impatient, “Who is Lin Feng?”

After a while, a student sitting in the corner stood up, surrounded by a few thuggish-looking juniors. He said irritably, “I’m Lin Feng. What do you want?”

I nodded, skipped the pleasantries, and walked over. None of them understood what I was doing. By now, the classroom and hallway were packed with onlookers. I ignored them and said to Lin Feng, “I hear you’ve been harassing a girl named Chu Mengxi these past few days. Is that right?”

Lin Feng paused, emboldened by his crowd, and retorted, “Yeah, so what? Got a problem?”

I shook my head, “No problem. I just came to say, if you dare harass Chu Mengxi again, don’t blame me for breaking your hand. Try it if you don’t believe me.”