"We have to call the police!" Mu Zi Xing insisted. Right now, she was following Si Nan and Na Lan Yan Rou out if the pachinko parlor. Ying Quan was still leading the way, but at her words, he turned back and scoffed.
"The police? They are useless. They can't do anything against the boss. Why do you think they haven't arrested him already?"
He leaned closer with a smirk.
"They are afraid of him."
Si Nan interposed himself between the furious Mu Zi Xing and gloating Ying Quan. He suppressed the desire to punch the gang member, recognizing the difference in their strengths. As skilled as he was, he couldn't defeat the veteran boxer.
"We'll still contact them anyway," he said. "It's better than doing nothing."
"Do whatever you want." Ying Quan waved his hand, and proceeded back inside the pachinko parlor. Si Nan raised an eyebrow when he felt the tremors reverberating beneath his feet.
"What the hell is happening?"
From Mu Zi Xing's question, it was clear that she sensed the quake too. Na Lan Yan Rou pursed her lips. Other than a phone call on the way out, she had stayed silent the entire time. She probably knew something, but Si Nan doubted she would tell them if they asked.
So he instead waited for Mu Zi Xing to call the police. They waited outside the parlor nervously, awaiting them.
To Si Nan's surprise, it was not the police who arrived but a long, black limousine. A middle-aged man strode out, his expression grave. The sleeves of his expensive jacket fluttered in the breeze, the clothing placed upon his shoulders. Behind him, an entourage of men in black suits filed out, their eyes hidden by sunglasses.
"Father?" Na Lan Yan Rou called out, shocked.
The middle-aged man turned to look at her, and then he sighed in relief.
"Are you all right, Yan Rou? Did the fuckers hurt you?"
"No. Brother Cong is downstairs! He's in trouble. Even though the Ghost Bear Clan kidnapped us, their leader's goal was to fight Brother Cong. He used me as bait to lure Brother Cong to his hideout, to kill him! You have to help him!"
"I see." Na Lan Su turned to the men in suits. At his gesture, they nodded and filed into the pachinko parlor. There were confused shouts and yells from the patrons inside, but the Na Lan family's staff ignored them and proceeded into the basement.
Na Lan Su was about to follow them, but he then noticed his daughter's stunned expression.
"What's the matter, Yan Rou? Are you sure they didn't do anything to you? You look…like you're about to cry."
"No…I just…sorry, Father."
In the end, Na Lan Yan Rou was still only an eleven-year-old girl. Now that the shock of the incident had worn off, she couldn't suppress the tears from flowing out. She wiped her eyes, sniffing.
"Everything's all right now." Na Lan Su hugged his daughter tightly, affectionately ruffling her hair. "You're still my precious daughter. I'll never forgive any bastard who dares to lay a hand on you."
He then sighed tiredly, and turned away to follow his men down into the basement.
"The Ghost Bear Clan, was it? Those idiots should never have pissed off your father. I wondered what went on in those empty heads of theirs when they decided to challenge the Na Lan family."
Si Nan and Mu Zi Xing jumped when they heard the unfamiliar voice. Turning around, they caught sight of a frail-looking old man who was leaning on an antique wooden walking stick. Si Nan blinked in shock. When did the old man…?
"Grandfather." Na Lan Yan Rou bowed her head respectfully. "You are here too?"
"Of course. Same reason as your father. How can this old man sit around and do nothing when one of his precious granddaughters are being threatened?" Na Lan Jie glanced in the direction where his son had disappeared into. "I know for sure that your father loves you so much that he won't hesitate to destroy anyone who dares to hurt you. I'm here to make sure that he doesn't go overboard. Otherwise it'll be a pain to clean up the aftermath."
"Clean up…?" Si Nan repeated. Na Lan Jie appeared to pay him no attention, his eyes narrowing as he stared toward the basement. Suddenly, Si Nan felt a chill run down his spine.
Why did the old man seem like a monster all of a sudden?
"Grandfather?" Na Lan Yan Rou prodded. For a few seconds, Na Lan Jie didn't respond. Then he blinked and smiled. That instant, Si Nan felt as if a weight had been lifted off his chest and he could breathe again.
"Sorry, I appear to have zoned out for a bit there."
"Are you all right, Grandfather? Maybe you should go back and rest…" Na Lan Yan Rou looked worried.
"No need. I'm not even doing anything." Na Lan Jie shook his head and sighed. Once again, his eyes had that faraway look, but it was no longer as intense as earlier. "If I was ten…no, five years younger, perhaps I would have the energy to chase and hunt down a rat, but right now I'm far too old for such vigorous activities."
"A…rat?" Si Nan repeated, bewildered.
"Ah, but I do apologize for getting you kids involved." Na Lan Jie bowed toward Si Nan and Mu Zi Xing, as if suddenly realizing they were present as well. "But we would prefer if this doesn't get out to the public."
Si Nan and Mu Zi Xing exchanged a glance, the both of them completely lost. Normally, Si Nan would tease his childhood friend for her lack of comprehension, but right now he was just as baffled at the developments as she was.
"Uh…" he began, only to trail off when Na Lan Jie turned to him.
"The both of you have potential," the old man said abruptly, stunning the both of them into silence. "Would you like to learn…martial arts?"
"Huh? Martial arts?" Mu Zi Xing repeated incredulously. Si Nan could literally see the smoke pouring out of her head as her brain overloaded from its attempt to process the current state of affairs.
"Yes. Especially you." Na Lan Jie scrutinized Mu Zi Xing so intently that Si Nan stood in front of her reflexively, as if to shield her from the old man's gaze. Na Lan Jie merely chuckled and rubbed his white wisp of a beard. "You have the Holy Maiden Constitution…which is very rare."
"What?! Is that true?!" Na Lan Yan Rou couldn't help but blurt out.
"What are you talking about now?" Si Nan frowned. Mu Zi Xing was also gaping at the Na Lan family members.
"Holy…what?"
"Holy Maiden Constitution," Na Lan Jie repeated.
"It's a very rare physique," Na Lan Yan Rou quickly explained. "Someone with the Holy Maiden Constitution has extreme compatibility with healing techniques. For us cultivators, this is a great boon, because not everyone can learn and use healing techniques."
"Healing techniques?" Mu Zi Xing tilted her head, still not understanding a single word of what she was saying.
"We'll explain more to you in due time." Na Lan Jie chortled and then turned toward Si Nan. "And you, young man, you also have talent. I can see the immense potential in you. If nurtured the right way, you can become an elite cultivator."
"Cultivation?" Si Nan sighed and buried his face in his palm. "What the hell are you guys talking about now? Do you think this is some stupid urban cultivation web novel? Why are you still indulging in chuunibyou fantasies at your age?"
Na Lan Jie merely smiled mysteriously and raised a hand. Si Nan's eyes widened when he saw white mist freeze into an ice sculpture of a rose in the old man's palm, gleaming brightly.
"Still think these are mere fantasies, young man?"
"How…how did you do that?"
"That's amazing!" Mu Zi Xing was marveling over the white flames, her eyes bright. "It's just like magic straight out from a drama series!"
"How about it?" Na Lan Jie smiled. "Do you wish to learn to cultivate, young man?"
Si Nan's brow twitched and he felt a headache building up inside his skull. He sighed and shook his head.
"Sorry. Not interested."
"I see. That's a pity." Na Lan Jie then turned to Mu Zi Xing. "What about you, young lady? Would you like to learn healing techniques?"
"Huh? Can I really?"
"Yes. If you'd like, I'll arrange it for you."
"I heard from my sister that there is a specialized academy for training cultivators!" Na Lan Yan Rou sounded excited. Si Nan glanced at her, taken aback by her enthusiasm. "That they have dedicated teachers who teach students how to cultivate!"
"That's incredible!" Mu Zi Xing almost resembled a puppy wagging her tail. "I would love to!"
"Good. I'll make the arrangements then. Yan Ran will contact you when everything is ready."
The old man made to move, but Si Nan quickly made to stop him.
"Please wait." He bowed his head, stealing a glance at Mu Zi Xing. "I changed my mind. I would like to learn these skills too."
"Excellent. Then Yan Ran will contact you too after we make the arrangements." Na Lan Jie smiled broadly, noticing Si Nan's imperceptible peek at Mu Zi Xing. "I see. You can't bear to leave her side. You remind me of myself when I was younger…when I first met my wife."
"It's nothing like that," Si Nan said automatically. Na Lan Jie laughed and turned away.
"Whatever you say, lad. Whatever you say."
*
When I woke up, the first thing I saw were the worried faces of my parents.
"Cong, are you all right?" Dad asked, leaning forward to scrutinize me in concern. I nodded groggily and sat up. My vision was still blurry and I could only squint at them.
Fortunately, Mom offered me a pair of glasses. I noticed that they were new. Apparently, my old pair got destroyed during the fight with Gui Xiong.
Speaking of which…
"Why were you so reckless?" Mom asked. "You made us so worried!"
"Sorry." I prepared to listen to a lecture about getting into fights and everything, but to my surprise, my parents didn't do that.
"Well, I'm glad you are all right." Dad sighed a breath of relief. "The doctor says your injuries aren't serious."
"You were really lucky," Mom added, shaking her head. "To think that you managed to escape with such light injuries, considering that you got hit by a car…"
Wait, what?
I got hit by a…car?
I frowned, trying to digest what my parents were telling me. That couldn't be right. The last thig I remembered, I was barely fighting on par with the massive Gui Xiong. If it weren't for my final gambit, where my double palm strike managed to somehow hit his weak spot, I would have died.
Gui Xiong was not a merciful opponent.
However, I remained silent. Obviously I couldn't let my parents know that I had been out fighting gangsters and secret societies, or they would freak out.
Fortunately, my parents interpreted my silence as me still being groggy from what happened the other day. I reached up and felt the bandage. Right, Gui Xiong had grabbed my head and smashed me about, so it was only natural that I appeared to have a concussion.
"Even if it's to save somebody, you shouldn't jump in front of a car like that!" Mom continued to lecture me. Now this was new. I supposedly got hit by a vehicle just to rescue somebody? Well, it wasn't far from the truth…
My suspicions were confirmed when there was a knock on the door. Na Lan Yan Ran and Na Lan Yan Rou stepped into the room. The younger girl, in particular, brightened up when she saw that I was awake.
"Brother Cong! Are you all right?"
"Yeah. I think."
"Once again, I would like to thank you for saving my sister." Na Lan Yan Ran bowed her head. "My family owes you again."
"Not at all." I shook my hands frantically, feeling uncomfortable.
"That's right, Ms. Ling." Dad chuckled. "The most important thing is that your sister is safe. If anything, it's our son who has been a tad too reckless."
"We are the ones who should thank you," Mom said. "You've paid for Cong'er's hospitalization fees and medical bills too. We owe you."
"Not at all. It's only natural. After all, Shu Cong saved my sister's life."
"Yeah!" Na Lan Yan Rou nodded. "It's my fault that Brother Cong got hurt in the first place!"
"No, it's not. The fault lies with the driver who wasn't careful." Dad shook his head. "So don't blame yourself. If anything, we're proud of Cong."
"That's right," Mom agreed. "You don't have to be so reserved.
Evidently, the Na Lan family had helped me cover up everything.
"Well, we'll leave you young folks to catch up then." Dad rose from his seat. "Your mother and I have to go back to work tomorrow. Take a good rest and make sure you heal up!"
"Yeah, okay."
I watched them leave, and then turned to Na Lan Yan Ran. She took a seat that my mom had vacated, assuming a dignified posture.
"Thank you for the other day."
"Not at all," I replied with a shake of my head. I turned to Na Lan Yan Rou. "The Ghost Bear Clan didn't do anything to you, did they?"
"No. Thank you for saving me, Brother Cong!"
"What about Mu Zi Xing?"
"She's also safe," Na Lan Yan Ran assured me. "She's currently with her childhood friend right now. Except for you, nobody else was too badly hurt. Si Nan might have a few scrapes and bruises, but nothing serious."
Nobody else not from the Ghost Bear Clan, she meant.
Seeing my expression, Na Lan Yan Ran shook her head.
"You don't have to worry about them. The Ghost Bear Clan is notorious for their criminal activities. I wouldn't be surprised if they reneged on their promise and ransomed my family. It was only when they realized the Na Lan family was coming that they gave up on that idea."
"Your family would have rescued you anyway," I pointed out. "So maybe my interference was unnecessary. I'm glad it all worked out."
"I still appreciate it all the same." Na Lan Yan Ran took a deep breath. "Also…cultivators aren't supposed to be known to the public, so my family took steps to cover things up. The underground is one thing – usually people like the Ghost Bear Clan leader keep their abilities a secret – but we can't let people like your parents know. Also, we have managed to convince Si Nan and Mu Zi Xing to step into the path of cultivation, so they will not be revealing that to other people too."
"Thanks. I appreciate that." I wouldn't know how to explain this to my parents otherwise. They would think me mad and lock me up in a psychiatric ward. Or freak out if I punch a hole in the wall or something. Speaking of holes in the wall, I was reminded of my opponent. "What happened to Gui Xiong and the Ghost Bear Clan?"
"My family took care of that," Na Lan Yan Ran assured me. She avoided my gaze. "We did not spare their lives."
I said nothing. I had killed a few of them. Unlike that time with Qi Fu Ren and the rest, I didn't feel anything this time. They were enemies who attacked me, and I had retaliated in self-defense. If they died, then…too bad. I wasn't going to hold back because it was my life that was at risk.
"Even Ying Quan?"
"No, Ying Quan was the only survivor. He was taken away. Grandfather saw some potential in him and says he intends to rehabilitate him. But…Gui Xiong couldn't be allowed to live." She cocked her head. "Not that he survived your strike. From what Father said, you were the one who killed him."
"I didn't have a choice. He was trying to kill me."
"Oh, we know. Nobody is blaming you. That's how it is in the cultivation world." Na Lan Yan Ran sighed. "For better or for worse, when people with such terrifying abilities battle, deaths are inevitable."
I chewed on my lip, wondering if they knew that I was also responsible for the deaths of Qi Fu Ren and the thirty Black Serpent Gang members. Best not to mention them. That was a secret that I would take to the grave with me.
"My father would like to personally thank you."
"Grandfather too!" Na Lan Yan Rou blurted out. "He says he is very impressed by what you did! He wishes to offer you a place among our Na Lan family's staff."
"Uh, that's a little…" I shook my head reluctantly. "Sorry, but I plan to enroll in university after this. I don't want to start working yet."
"I understand." Na Lan Yan Ran rose to her feet. "Speaking of which, Grandfather would like to talk to you regarding your choice of university."
"I plan to apply to Guo Jiao University, if my results permit it," I told her. She smiled.
"Of course. But I would like you to consider Xing Hao Island."
"Xing Hao Island?" I raised an eyebrow. I had never heard of that before. Na Lan Yan Ran giggled at my reaction.
"My grandfather will tell you more about it. For now, I'll keep it as a surprise." She turned to her sister. "Yan Rou, let's go. We should let Shu Cong rest for now. He has yet to recover fully."
��Get well soon, Brother Cong!" Na Lan Yan Rou called out to me before following her elder sister out of the room. I nodded and sent them off with a wave.