“Always be wary of those with malicious intent—they’re far more terrifying than monsters.”
“Thank you. I’ll remember that.”
“Good. Now, follow me.”
Shen Ye asked, puzzled, “Follow you? But isn’t the other culprit about to emerge from the spell?”
“This place will be sealed off soon. More specialized personnel will handle that. We need to leave immediately,” Qian Rushan replied.
With no choice, Shen Ye followed him downstairs. They hurried out of the police station, crossed two streets, and got into a black car waiting by the roadside.
Inside the car, Shen Ye asked, “Where are we headed now?”
“I’ve just gotten in touch with your parents and arranged a meeting spot. You’ll come with me to see them,” Qian Rushan said as he opened a bottle of strong liquor and took a swig.
“Why not stay and wrap up everything at the police station?” Shen Ye asked.
“Me? No, no. Kunlun’s task for me was to kill one person and ensure your safe departure. The rest will be handled by more specialized teams,” Qian Rushan replied.
“Judging by the power of that strike earlier, taking down another one shouldn’t be too hard for you,” Shen Ye remarked.
“Don’t even think that way,” Qian Rushan said, taking another swig. “Who knows what kind of horrors that person will bring back from the Church’s ‘abnormalities’?”
“Do you even know what an ‘abnormality’ is?”
“No,” Shen Ye admitted.
—Right now, I’m just an ordinary middle schooler. If it weren’t for my ability to sense corpses, I’d have no idea what an ‘abnormality’ is.
Qian Rushan explained the concepts of “abnormalities” and “disasters” before continuing, “I remember once, a guy came out of an ‘abnormality’ seemingly normal, but he was just a human skin. Inside that skin was a completely unrecorded monster.
“The creature wiped out half a city block before its weakness was discovered and it was killed.
“That’s why I’d rather take assassination jobs than have anything to do with the Church’s ‘abnormalities.’”
“We all feel the same way.”
As he spoke, Qian Rushan suddenly flipped open his phone and dialed a number.
“Luo Feichuan… Luo. That reminds me of someone. Look into this for me. The name is Xiao Mengyu—check her connection to Luo Feichuan.”
Whatever he heard on the other end of the line made him sit up straight.
“Damn, this is bad,” he muttered softly.
Seeing his mood shift, Shen Ye remained silent and simply listened.
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of a teahouse.
“I picked this place,” Qian Rushan said. “It’s half a district away from the police station—far enough to buy us time to escape if necessary.”
Shen Ye sighed. “I never realized just how hard it is for humans to survive.”
“Recognizing life’s hardships is part of growing up,” Qian Rushan said, patting him on the shoulder.
“Ordinary people don’t realize this?” Shen Ye asked.
“Most of the time, when ordinary people encounter the Church’s spells, they don’t even sense anything before they’re dead. Meanwhile, we’re left to struggle for the survival of human civilization,” Qian Rushan replied.
From a distance, Shen Ye spotted his parents, Shen Shian and Zhao Xiaoshang, waiting outside the teahouse.
“Dad! Mom!”
He got out of the car, waving at them.
His mother looked radiant, and his father wore a relieved smile as they watched him approach.
Qian Rushan also stepped out of the car and walked over with a smile, shaking hands with Shen Ye’s parents.
After exchanging pleasantries, the group entered a private room in the teahouse and sat down.
“I’ve already explained the situation over the phone. Here’s the detailed contract for you to review,” Qian Rushan said, his demeanor warm and professional, betraying no hint of the fact that he had recently killed someone.
Shen Shian took the contract, placing it on the table without so much as glancing at it. “Before we proceed, there’s something Shen Ye needs to know. He has to make his own choice before we look at this contract in detail.”
Qian Rushan seemed to understand and nodded. “Of course. I’ll step out for a smoke. Call me when you’re ready.”
He got up and left the room, politely closing the door behind him.
Shen Ye turned to his parents.
What are you trying to say?
“Xiao Ye, we won’t keep it from you anymore,” Zhao Xiaoshang said. “Your father’s side of the family is part of the Shanxi Shen clan. Strictly speaking, you’re a descendant of a noble family.”
The Shanxi Shen clan?
The name rang a bell for Shen Ye as he tried to recall what he’d learned in history class.
The clan was mentioned briefly in his textbooks—one of the few families in history to possess divine legacies and sacred artifacts.
But the middle school curriculum didn’t go into detail. He would only learn more about such topics in high school.
“Your father was a genius in his youth, admired by everyone. But after a mishap during his cultivation of an ancient technique, he lost his powers and was immediately shunned by the family,” Zhao Xiaoshang said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Disheartened, he left the clan and started a quiet life in this city on his own.
“That’s when he met me,” she said, her tone softening.
“Your grandfather arranged a marriage for him, but he refused it for my sake. This enraged your grandfather, leading to his complete detachment from the family.”
Shen Ye looked at his father.
—You really have a love story like that?
Shen Shian remained composed, gently stroking his wife’s hand as he picked up the story.
“So we’ve lived a peaceful and content life ever since. And we were blessed with a healthy and thriving child.”
The couple shared a tender smile, radiating warmth and harmony.
Shen Ye felt as though he’d been force-fed a mouthful of saccharine affection.
No wonder Qian Rushan had excused himself earlier.
He probably uncovered their background and realized he’d be subjected to this sentimental scene.
“Mom, Dad, aside from showing off your love, do you have anything else to say to me?” Shen Ye asked, exasperated.
Shen Shian grew serious. “Xiao Ye, do you want to reconnect with the clan and train there?
“I can appeal to your grandfather.”
Shen Ye took a moment to reflect.
Over the years, their visits to his grandfather had been rare.
And in his childhood memories, the only joy he recalled from those trips was playing with the other kids during the brief New Year celebrations.
“Looking back, every time we visited, Grandpa never showed Mom or Dad a kind face.”
“The other relatives were also cold and indifferent toward us.”
“Later, as I grew older, we practically stopped visiting altogether.”
Having experienced countless hardships and a lifetime of solitude in his past life, Shen Ye now longed only for genuine familial warmth.
—Why would I return to such a cold-blooded family?
Zhao Xiaoshang spoke softly, “Xiao Ye, don’t worry about us. If you really want to return to the family, we can—”
“Mom, there’s no need to say more,” Shen Ye interrupted firmly. “I’m not going back.”
“The family’s legacy is something countless people can only dream of, Xiao Ye. If you join the Mortal Martial Arts Group, you may lose access to those secret inheritances forever,” Shen Shian explained.
“And once your grandfather agrees, you’ll return to the Shen family, at the very least ensuring a life of comfort and security,” Zhao Xiaoshang added.
Shen Ye smiled faintly. “Dad, Mom, I don’t want you to have to beg anyone.”
“I want to join the Mortal Martial Arts Group. This is the path I’ve chosen, and it has nothing to do with Grandpa or the Shen family.”
“I’ll be able to support myself in the future—please trust me.”
His parents gazed at him silently.
Shen Ye nodded resolutely.
“You’ve truly grown up,” Zhao Xiaoshang said, wiping away tears.
“Good—just like me,” Shen Shian added with a satisfied smile.
“You’re really okay with this?” Shen Ye asked.
“We respect your decision. After all, it’s your life. Your choices are what matter most,” Zhao Xiaoshang said.
“Then I’ll go call Director Qian back in.”
“Go ahead.”
Shortly after, Qian Rushan returned to the private room and sat down beside Shen Ye.
“Director Qian, from now on, I’m following your lead,” Shen Ye declared.
Qian Rushan’s face lit up as he pulled a golden pen from his pocket.
“To be honest, we regional heads are also tasked with scouting talent—it’s one of the key metrics the organization values most.”
“Shen Ye’s abilities are exceptional. I have high hopes for him.”
He handed the pen to Shen Shian.
Shen Shian carefully reviewed the contract, read it again, then slowly signed his name and passed it to Zhao Xiaoshang.
Zhao Xiaoshang put on her glasses and analyzed the document line by line.
“Will he also need to participate in the selection process for the Three Great Schools?” she asked.
“Yes, it’s an incredibly rare opportunity. He’s just in time for their entrance exams,” Qian Rushan replied.
“When?” Zhao Xiaoshang asked anxiously.
Qian Rushan smiled and explained, “Actually, Shen Ye is the very last candidate I managed to secure before the deadline.”
“All other participants were finalized long ago.”
“In a few days, there will be an official notification, followed by the assembly for the exams.”
Zhao Xiaoshang couldn’t hide her excitement.
Those were the top three high schools in the entire world!
Feigning calmness, she said to Shen Ye, “Don’t worry, Xiao Ye. Just do your best. The results don’t matter.”
Shen Shian’s expression grew more complicated. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “Xiao Ye, there’s something I must tell you.”
“What is it?” Shen Ye asked.
“If you take the exam as a descendant of the Shen family, you’ll have access to better resources and support. Your chances of getting into those schools will be much higher. If you’re willing to return, we can go to your grandfather and—”
“Dad, stop. I’ll take the exam on my own,” Shen Ye interrupted firmly.
Having been granted a second life, no amount of riches could buy his happiness. And now, they wanted him to endure humiliation by begging to others?
No way.
Even if I don’t pass the exam, I’d rather sell fish at the market and enjoy a carefree life!
—That is, once I solve this whole being-hunted issue.
“Very well,” Shen Shian sighed, turning to Qian Rushan with sincerity. “This exam will likely be tough. I entrust my son to your care, Director Qian.”
“Of course!” Qian Rushan assured him repeatedly. “For now, it’s my responsibility to look after Shen Ye. Who knows—maybe in a few years, Shen Ye will be the one looking after me.”
He laughed heartily.
At 15 years old, Shen Ye was already:
- Above average in strength,
- Maximally agile,
- Exceptionally strong in spirit.
With a clean background and a clear history, he didn’t need this contract. He could have simply returned to the Shen family and inherited everything.
But this family had their pride, which was why they lived frugally despite their struggles.
At such a critical moment, extending an olive branch to them could only be a worthwhile investment.
Even without considering their background, successfully recruiting such a talented youth would already add a bright spot to this year’s performance.
And if Shen Ye’s brilliance only grew more dazzling in the years to come—
As the one who introduced him, Qian Rushan’s fortunes would inevitably rise along with him.
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