Chapter Thirty: We Meet Again

"Why hasn't that sorceress arrived yet? Didn't we agree to meet today?" Zhao Qing frowned, gazing at the blistering sun as noon approached.

A mentor, shielding himself from the sunlight with a parasol, replied, "Has that sorceress ever kept to an appointment? I reckon we'll be waiting until nightfall at the very least. She might not show up until tomorrow, or even in a few days."

Sorceress? The young boys and girls, fresh-faced and curious, exchanged glances. Yet, after Chen Long's earlier outburst that had provoked the mentor's wrath, none dared ask—except for Chen Bo.

"Sir, who is this sorceress? You all seem rather afraid of her," Chen Bo finally ventured.

The six other youths immediately relished his misfortune; the mentor was still simmering with anger, and Chen Bo had just poked the hornet's nest. They maliciously anticipated his downfall.

But Zhao Qing's response startled them. He shuddered, looked cautiously around, and, seeing only their group, spoke in a low voice, "That sorceress is a real scourge at Tianyang Academy."

"Her name is Yu Shifei. Don't let the name fool you into thinking she's gentle—never be misled by appearances! She is the daughter—the actual daughter—of the Academy's headmaster. No one dares cross her at Tianyang. She loves mischief, and the number of students and mentors she's tormented must be close to a thousand."

"She's also a mentor in the Academy’s Artificer Department, with innate talent that speaks for itself. If she weren't so reluctant to leave her father alone in Tianyang, she would have joined the Imperial Academy years ago."

"Remember this well—she's not someone you can afford to provoke. A few years ago, a royal scion tried to take liberties with her, only to have his limbs broken. The royal family didn't blame her; instead, they imprisoned their own kin and haven't released him to this day."

"So, if you ever see her, keep your distance. She also has a student of great talent—what was the name?"

"Yu Xin'er."

"That's it! Yu Xin'er! Eh? Who just spoke?" Zhao Qing froze, as if struck by a sudden realization. He turned, almost mechanically, to see a breathtakingly beautiful woman smiling at him, accompanied by a silent, reserved-looking young girl.

"Ahahaha! Mentor Yu, it's been days—I missed you dearly! And you, little one, you must be Xin'er! Truly graceful, outstanding, dashing—wait, that's not the right word," Zhao Qing stammered, frightened, his words tumbling out. No doubt, this exquisite woman was Yu Shifei, and the girl beside her, Yu Xin'er.

Five of the six prodigies stared at the two women with burning admiration—young men in the throes of adolescence, hormones ablaze. But none dared act rashly; Zhao Qing’s description of Yu Shifei had been terrifying, and she was not one to be trifled with.

The last prodigy, a girl, cast a jealous look—the eternal rivalry women feel when confronted with beauty surpassing their own. Men, too, are not immune.

"Mentor Zhao, I heard every word you said just now. Of course, there is one way I wouldn't have heard—you know the rules," Yu Shifei said, extending her flawless jade-like hand.

Zhao Qing, pained, handed over a dozen spirit stones, nearly in tears, pleading, "Mentor Yu, this is nearly half a month's wages. I've got elders to support and, well, you could show mercy this once. Mentor salaries are low, and I need to feed my family!"

"You make a convincing case," Yu Shifei mused, nodding. She took one stone from the pile and said, "Since you have it tough, and my father docks your pay, I'll just take this much." Then, she swept the rest into her storage pouch, handed the single stone back, and advised, "Prices are rising lately; use it wisely."

She glanced at Chen Bo and the others. "You must be the new students. Your abilities are impressive, though you're a bit older than expected. Wait—weren't we recruiting only six this time? Why are there seven?"

After a quiet word from Zhao Qing, Yu Shifei understood. She pointed at Chen Bo, commanding, "You. Yes, you. Come here."

Chen Bo lowered his head, bitterness flooding his heart. He knew these two beauties all too well—memories he could never forget. He'd once spied on them bathing, and had been thoroughly beaten for it.

Damn it, what a small world!

When the cameras caught Yu Shifei and Yu Xin'er, the livestream fell silent for a moment, then erupted.

"Oh my god! My goddess!"

"A pure, natural goddess! Streamer, ship them over!"

"How delightful! Tipped the streamer 520 gold coins—no mistake, that's for the two goddesses."

"Bookish Fool tipped 520 coins—even as a woman, my heart is stirred. What should I do, am I turning? Should I come out?"

"Streamer, push them down, then broadcast the battle!"

"What a filthy suggestion, but I like it."

"The goddess is calling you! Why aren't you going?"

"I think the streamer seems afraid of the goddess," someone remarked.

Afraid? Of course he was! But Chen Bo would never admit it; otherwise, the animals in the chat would deduce the truth in no time, and he'd end up on the front page for all the wrong reasons.

Could Chen Bo avoid going? Certainly not. He slowly raised his head, forced out what he thought was a radiant smile, and greeted, "Hello, we meet again."

"Huh? Chen Bo, you know them?" Zhao Qing asked, surprised.

"We do—quite well," Chen Bo replied, his smile more pained than cheerful.

"Oh, right! I almost forgot; your sister and Mentor Yu are as close as siblings. It makes sense you'd know each other." Zhao Qing chuckled, then whispered in Chen Bo's ear, "Chen Bo, from now on, the mentors will count on you for protection."

Me, protect you? I'd rather you help me pick out a nice coffin in advance!

Yu Shifei fixed her gaze on Chen Bo, her expression a tapestry of emotions. She wanted to take action, but lacked a pretext. In her fury, she blurted out, "Scoundrel!"

Beside her, Yu Xin'er recognized Chen Bo as well. Her sword flashed from its sheath, the tip leveled at him. "Scoundrel, prepare to die!"

"Wait, wait! Hold on! Why do you keep calling me a scoundrel?" Chen Bo protested.

"Because—" Yu Xin'er began, only for her mentor to clamp a hand over her mouth. Such matters were not for public ears.

"Your name is Chen Bo, right? Sounds familiar. Listen closely—since there are so many people here, I'll let you off today. But you'd best not let me catch you alone," Yu Shifei threatened.

Watching the confrontation, the others were baffled, but from their words, they began to imagine a scene in their minds.

Chen Bo kept silent. At times like this, silence was safest. He mustn’t provoke this madwoman, or she’d surely dispense with decorum and finish him off right then and there.