Chapter 4 Instructor Song!
The vast courtyard instantly returned to its previous tranquility, leaving only Ye Haocheng and the team leader codenamed "Leng Yi."
Ye Haocheng sat back down, his gaze falling upon the only man who remained before him.
"From now on, you will stay by my side and be responsible for my safety."
He said calmly.
Before he possessed sufficient strength, a personal guard at the Martial Saint Realm Seventh Heaven was absolutely necessary.
"Yes, Master."
Leng Yi replied respectfully, his voice steady and devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
The two stood facing each other, and the atmosphere was silent for a moment.
Ye Haocheng examined the bronze mask on his face, thought for a moment, and said, "Take off your mask."
Since he would be staying by his side, wearing a mask all the time was too attention-grabbing.
"Understood."
Upon hearing this, Leng Yi did not hesitate in the slightest; he raised his hand and removed the mask from his face.
A young and handsome face appeared before Ye Haocheng.
His features were well-defined, as if carved by a knife and axe, with sword-like brows, star-like eyes, and a high, straight nose bridge.
It was only that his complexion was excessively pale, and his gaze was as cold as ten-thousand-year-old ice, as if nothing in this world could stir a ripple in it.
This was a man who could make countless women swoon based on his appearance alone.
But just then, this iceberg-like man suddenly spoke, asking a question.
"Master, why are we not leaving with Leng Er and the others?"
His voice carried a hint of pure confusion. In his view, since a plan had already been formulated, it should be executed immediately; staying at this Qingping Academy seemed to have no purpose.
Upon hearing this, the corners of Ye Haocheng's mouth curled into a faint arc.
He turned around, looked at the patch of sky cut out by the eaves outside the courtyard, and said softly, "My life was saved by someone from Qingping Academy. Having received such kindness, I cannot just leave without saying goodbye."
After hearing this, Leng Yi nodded thoughtfully and asked no further questions.
Just then, Leng Yi's brow suddenly furrowed slightly.
His cold gaze instantly became sharp, like a drawn sword, sweeping toward the entrance of the courtyard.
"Master, someone is coming."
He said in a low voice.
Almost at the exact same moment his voice fell.
A hearty laugh drifted from far outside the courtyard.
"Hahaha, Brother Haocheng, why are you daydreaming alone in the courtyard?"
Accompanied by the laughter, a young man dressed in a green shirt, with a free and easy demeanor and a wine gourd hanging at his waist, walked in with brisk steps.
The person who arrived was none other than Song Baiyuan, the Qingping Academy instructor who had saved Ye Haocheng from pursuit a month ago.
All the emotions on Ye Haocheng's face instantly vanished, replaced by a perfectly measured gentleness and politeness.
He stood up with a smile and bowed slightly to the newcomer.
"So it is Instructor Song, please forgive me for not greeting you sooner."
He appeared composed and unhurried, as if Leng Yi were merely an ordinary visitor.
"What instructor or not? Just call me Brother Song!"
Song Baiyuan waved his hand carelessly, appearing very straightforward and bold.
His gaze swept around the courtyard, then landed on Leng Yi behind Ye Haocheng, a flash of surprise appearing in his eyes.
"Eh? This is..."
He could feel that the handsome but expressionless man before him was somewhat extraordinary. Although there was no spiritual energy fluctuation on him, making him look like an ordinary person, that steady-as-a-mountain temperament was not something an ordinary person could possess.
"Oh, this is Leng Yi, an old subordinate of my father. Hearing that I was here, he came specifically to visit."
Ye Haocheng introduced him without changing his expression; this identity was something he had thought of long ago.
"I see."
Upon hearing this, Song Baiyuan nodded in realization and did not delve deeper. The former subordinates of the Zhenbei Princes Mansion were spread throughout the world; it was reasonable for someone to come and visit this sole orphan.
He shifted his gaze away from Leng Yi and looked back at Ye Haocheng, a warm smile on his face.
"Brother Haocheng, I came today because I have a great piece of news to tell you!"
"Oh? What could make Brother Song so happy?" Ye Haocheng asked, feigning curiosity.
"Today is the triennial disciple recruitment ceremony of our Qingping Academy!"
Song Baiyuan slapped his thigh and said excitedly.
"All the talented elites within our entire Great Xuan Dynasty have gathered here; the scene is exceptionally lively! I came here specifically to invite you to join in the fun and witness it for yourself!"
Ye Haocheng watched him quietly, observing the "sincere" smile on his face, but his heart was as clear as a mirror.
He suddenly smiled.
"Brother Song, don't hold anything back from me."
His voice was not loud, but it caused Song Baiyuan's smile to freeze on his face.
"You came here this time under orders from Master Chen, didn't you?"
He had revealed the truth in one sentence.
The expression on Song Baiyuan's face instantly became somewhat awkward; he subconsciously rubbed the bridge of his nose and gave a dry laugh.
"Heh... hehe, I knew I couldn't hide it from you, kid!"
He laughed and cursed with some embarrassment.
Since he had been exposed, he no longer pretended and simply laid his cards on the table.
"Fine, I admit it. I did come here under the instructions of the Dean, to... um, to 'coax' you to the scene of the disciple recruitment ceremony."
When he said the word "coax," his voice couldn't help but lower a little.
"Then, you just go through the motions and, under the gaze of everyone, directly become an inner disciple of our Qingping Academy. The Dean has already arranged everything for you."
After finishing, Song Baiyuan's expression became somewhat complex.
He looked at Ye Haocheng before him, feeling quite emotional.
A month ago, when he was ordered to save this "good-for-nothing" who was famous in the Great Chu Dynasty, he was actually quite disdainful inside.
But after getting along for this past month, he realized how ridiculously wrong the rumors outside were!
This young man before him, how could he be a good-for-nothing who didn't study or practice?
His mentality, his depth, his eloquence and knowledge far exceeded his peers, and he was even more intelligent and insightful than many so-called "prodigies" in the academy.
The only, and most fatal, flaw was his cultivation talent...
It was truly too miserable to look at; he was like mud that couldn't be plastered onto a wall.
But even so, Song Baiyuan still appreciated this young man from the bottom of his heart.
This kid's personality was just to his liking!
Therefore, he supported Master Chen's arrangement with both hands. If such an interesting soul could not become his junior brother, it would be a great regret in life!
He looked at Ye Haocheng expectantly, waiting for his answer.
A smile of certainty hung on Song Baiyuan's face, as if Ye Haocheng were already in his grasp, and he only needed to nod to immediately change into the Qingping Academy disciple uniform and become one of them.
This proposal was full of goodwill and temptation.
What did joining Qingping Academy mean?
It meant he would receive the protection of Master Chen, the strongest expert in the Eastern Continent.
It meant the persistent pursuit by the Great Chu Dynasty would have to restrain its edge. Before any force made a move against a Qingping Academy disciple, they would have to weigh whether they could withstand the thunderous wrath of Master Chen.
For the Ye Haocheng of a month ago, this was undoubtedly help in a time of need, the only light in the darkness, and a life-saving straw he could grasp and rely on to survive.
If it were then, he would surely have accepted this immense favor without hesitation.
Because back then, he was helpless and had nothing except for a heart full of hatred.
But now...
Everything was different.