Chapter 10 - Chapter 10 Follow Me, and You’ll Have a Future

Yu Sheng was the only one on the school bus. Even the driver had stepped out for lunch. Yu Sheng, however, did not move an inch. Having spent years in Sin City, he had long since fallen into the habit of skipping lunch. After all, in a place like Sin City, such a luxury was simply not an option. Even in his last two years there, when his circumstances had slowly improved, he had clung to this old habit. About half an hour passed. Three boys and a girl strolled out of the school gate, chatting and laughing among themselves. Their body language, however, told a clear story: the most handsome of the three was clearly the leader, and the other two unconsciously lagged half a step behind him. They boarded the bus. The handsome boy spotted Yu Sheng almost immediately. He wore a friendly smile, stepped forward two paces, and said to Yu Sheng, "Hello, I'm Zhao Zicheng, Class 3, Grade 9." "These two are Li Kai and Yang Ruoxin." "We're classmates." "And may I ask your name?" Zhao Zicheng exuded a natural gentleness, the kind of easy politeness that spoke of a comfortable upbringing. The other two, by contrast, looked unimpressed. Their interest faded entirely after a glance at Yu Sheng's gaunt frame; they merely nodded casually and took seats far away. "Yu Sheng." Yu Sheng nodded at Zhao Zicheng, then fell silent once more. Zhao Zicheng did not mind. Instead, he sat down right beside Yu Sheng. "I have inside information," he said, lowering his voice. "This assessment is actually being secretly overseen by the Mo Pavilion." "Cities like ours are too remote, with too small a population— the Mo Pavilion doesn't have the resources to spare here." "But after the tragedy in Xinhai City..." "Elder Sun's orders are to select promising local talent, establish a Mo Pavilion branch here, and station powerful warriors to oversee it and provide resources. Once the new recruits are trained, the warriors will be recalled." "And in the future, it will be our generation's turn to train the next group of protectors." "This is also a direct entry into the Mo Pavilion." "It's a position of great prestige." "So this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To stand out, everything rides on this assessment." "I know the top students from the other two schools, and I have a pretty good idea who'll be selected." "It's impossible for all of us to make the cut." "What I'm trying to say is..." Zhao Zicheng paused, then finally stated his real purpose, his eyes locked earnestly on Yu Sheng's. "It's unrealistic to think all four of us can stand out." "So here's my plan: we pick one person to lead, and the other three support them." "That way, our chances of being selected are much higher." "If I manage to secure a spot and join the Mo Pavilion, all it'll take is a word from me to bring the three of you in with me." "After all, the future of Mobei City rests in our hands— the younger generation's." "Besides," he added, dropping a bombshell, "my father is the Chief of the Mobei City Guard Department." With a background in the Guard Department, paired with his well-reasoned pitch, his words carried undeniable weight. After all, if his intel was correct, this plan was the perfect win-win. But Yu Sheng remained silent. "Yu Sheng, what are you hesitating for?" Zhao Zicheng pressed, his voice rising with passion. "We young people must dare to forge ahead!" "Cultivation is a race— only the bold advance. If you're cowardly, you might as well renounce your Awakening and live as an ordinary person!" "Our future isn't limited to Mobei City— we could even join the Mo Pavilion's headquarters!" "To lead humanity forward!" Zhao Zicheng's words were fiery and inspiring. Even the two students sitting nearby grew breathless, their eyes lighting up as they pictured the future he painted. "Follow me," Zhao Zicheng said, his gaze intense, "and you'll have a future!" Yu Sheng suddenly looked up, his eyes dark and unblinking as he stared at him. "I think you mean your blueprint for the future." The fiery passion in the air froze in an instant. An awkward silence hung over the bus. Zhao Zicheng, who had a whole arsenal of rousing lines ready, found himself lost for words. Then Yu Sheng seemed to remember something. "Your father is the Chief of the Guard Department?" he asked. Zhao Zicheng's eyes lit up. "That's right— the real deal!" Yu Sheng nodded slowly. "My father is currently in prison..." Understanding dawned on Zhao Zicheng, a bright idea flashing across his mind. "I get it! If it's not a serious crime, I'll talk to my dad tonight and see if he can get him released early." But Yu Sheng shook his head. "What I mean is... can he be locked up a little longer?" "Ah?" Zhao Zicheng froze in place, his face stiffening as he forced a shaky smile. Dejected, he trundled back to his seat, his spirits low. Why hadn't that worked? This was the same kind of impassioned speech he'd watched his father give countless times— fiery, stirring words that had the entire Guard Department cheering, their faces flushed with excitement. He couldn't help but feel frustrated. That said, he bore no real ill will toward Yu Sheng, nothing close to a grudge. They were all just students, still sheltered within the school walls. If a trivial exchange like this turned people into mortal enemies, humanity would have ceased to exist decades ago. Li Kai nudged Zhao Zicheng with his elbow and jerked his chin toward Yu Sheng, a dismissive look on his face. But Zhao Zicheng just slouched in his seat, dejected, and paid him no mind. Perhaps, at this age, the grand promises he made were genuine— pure, untainted by greed or ambition. They were just the naive dreams of a boy who saw the world as far too bright and simple. Yang Ruoxin shot Yu Sheng a curious glance, then quickly looked away. It was not infatuation, merely surprise. She had no idea the school had a student like him. ... The driver finally returned from lunch. He boarded the bus and started the engine. Zhao Zicheng soon pulled himself together. All three of them buzzed with a mix of excitement and nervousness, whispering among themselves nonstop. Yu Sheng leaned against the window, his eyes closed, resting. Notably... Not a single wisp of that gray energy had emanated from Zhao Zicheng during their conversation. Moments later, Zhao Zicheng suddenly froze, stood up, and walked to the window, peering anxiously around with a frown creasing his brow. "Wait... are we leaving the city?" he muttered. "Is the assessment not being held in town?" "But after what happened in Xinhai City, the outskirts should be dangerous right now." He spoke more to himself than anyone else. The driver chuckled and replied, "It's just a short way out of the city— an old factory with plenty of space. No room for this kind of thing in the city center." "Don't you worry. The Mo Pavilion's people are there— you'll be perfectly safe."