Lingling silently handed the commission letter to Ye Chenfeng without a word.
"Ahem, Lingling~, I'll handle this commission," Ye Chenfeng offered confidently.
He picked up the letter, read it carefully, and placed it down.
"Oh~ to protect Mo Fan," Ye Chenfeng muttered, touching his chin thoughtfully.
It was clear that Tang Yue was behind this. Why she didn't mention herself puzzled him, but he quickly guessed the reason. Likely, it was because, just before the last semester's holiday, she had gone to Mo Fan to inquire about him. When Mo Fan and Tang Yue came to see him, he was in the middle of breaking through the intermediate magic system and couldn't meet them. They hadn't returned since, probably realizing that Mo Fan was indeed comparable to Ye Chenfeng in combat and then heading straight back to the Lingyin Temple Trial.
Another crucial factor was evident: she couldn't afford a high-level mage as a bodyguard. She didn't hold as much value as Ye Chenfeng in this regard.
But why resort to hiring someone? Couldn't she simply call for assistance? Was she afraid of dragging a student into the dangerous vortex of the Black Church?
Ye Chenfeng thought carefully about Tang Yue's character. Yes, this was very much in line with her.
"What do you plan to do with this commission? Should I take it over?" Ye Chenfeng asked for Old Man Bao's opinion.
"And how much is she offering?" Ye Chenfeng glanced again at the letter, which didn't specify any payment.
"Normally, this should be enough to hire a senior mid-level mage."
"It's not impossible to let you handle it, but do you have experience in protecting people?" Old Man Bao asked, narrowing his eyes.
Ye Chenfeng was caught off guard. Experience in protecting others? Did he need experience for that?
"No," he admitted.
"Let me call Mo Fan over first," Lingling suggested. Given that someone had placed a bounty on Mo Fan, it was essential to inform him and take necessary precautions.
As they waited for Mo Fan, Ye Chenfeng speculated if this was related to the split Holy Earth Spring, attracting different groups in waves. But those people had already triggered alarms long ago, and both Mingzhu Academy and the Tribunal had prepared for this possibility.
"What?" Mo Fan exclaimed when he arrived, surprised by the news.
He picked up the letter and read it carefully, confirming the details. The words "Freshman of the Summoning Department of Mingzhu Academy Qing Campus - Mo Fan" made it undeniable.
"Mo Fan, what do you think? I can take this commission," Ye Chenfeng offered, ready to be his bodyguard.
"Hey, we're on the same team, right?" Mo Fan felt a bit awkward. Although Ye Chenfeng was often aloof, he was still part of their close circle.
What did this mean? A team member tasked with protecting their captain and taking the team along to protect... the captain? Mo Fan rolled his eyes at the absurdity.
"I might as well protect myself."
"That won't do. If something happens to you, our Qingtian Hunting House will lose its reputation," Old Man Bao interjected. "Besides, Ye Chenfeng isn't the best fit for this. Dasheng should be back from the Demon Capital soon. He's a professional protector—people don't even sense danger when he's on duty."
Ye Chenfeng looked at Old Man Bao's serious expression and sighed. It seemed he was being overlooked.
"Old Ye, who could have commissioned this?" Mo Fan asked, trying to piece things together.
"It must be Tang Yue. Didn't she visit you during winter break?"
"Teacher Tang Yue?" Mo Fan's eyes widened.
"Do you remember the attack I suffered last semester?" Ye Chenfeng continued. "It was likely the Black Church. They're probably looking for the Holy Earth Spring, and since I split it into two parts, they might assume part of it is with you. I'm too formidable for them, so they turned to you."
Mo Fan's face went pale. He wasn't angry at Ye Chenfeng, just terrified. The last time, Ye Chenfeng faced three general-level monsters and a mid-level magician. How could Mo Fan, with his limited abilities, withstand such a force? His summoned beast would likely be defeated instantly.
"Old Ye, I've decided to go train at the Three-Step Pagoda. You've been at Mingzhu Academy longer. What can you tell me about it?" Mo Fan asked, realizing strength was the only solution.
"Now? It's risky. With your power, reaching the third floor would be challenging," Ye Chenfeng advised. "Each level in the Three-Step Pagoda increases cultivation exponentially." He shook his head. "I'm waiting to break through after stabilizing my Galaxy Vein."
But Mo Fan's determined expression said it all. He was going.
"If you're set on it, bring magic tools to replenish your energy," Ye Chenfeng said, knowing Mo Fan's financial situation. He offered him one of his own.
It was late when they returned. To be safe, Ye Chenfeng escorted Mo Fan back to campus. His intermediate-level shadow magic made him an adept protector. In the dead of night, who else could boast such mastery?
Suddenly, Ye Chenfeng sensed a presence on the rockery ahead.
"Enemy detected," he muttered. Activating his shadow skills, a large star map lit up beneath him. With a wave, dark energy surged, launching shadow spikes across the space.
The shadowy figure, caught mid-leap, was impaled and crashed to the ground in an awkward, tumbling mess.
"Old Ye, who are they?" Mo Fan asked, noticing the motion.
"We're students from Mingzhu Academy," one of them stammered, eyes wide with fear. "We thought you were someone else—a misunderstanding! Please, show mercy."
The trio trembled, realizing the powerful figure before them.
"Who sent you?" Mo Fan demanded.
The two looked nervously at Jia Wenqing, who stepped forward with a rehearsed confession.
"It was me," he admitted. "I was jealous. I planned this to teach Mo Fan a lesson."
Mo Fan's heart sank. Had they really attacked him, he might not have been so forgiving.
"Old Ye, let them go," he urged.
"Let them go? You believe them that easily?" Ye Chenfeng scoffed.