C14 Meeting

The final destination was the shop run by the academy, situated on the top floor of the Crouching Dragon Commercial Building!

Upon entering this level, Jie Mu was greeted by an array of technology and a variety of Machine Arts devices.

Even the most basic Machine Arts items, as described by Yu Wen, seemed quite impressive and novel to Jie Mu.

He wandered around, picking up a few small gadgets, examining them in his hands, and finding them to be quite intricate and interesting.

One was a diminutive dagger that, with a gentle swing, radiated a golden glow and spun continuously around him.

Another was a small sphere that, upon a light touch, projected a barrier enveloping Jie Mu, providing both soundproofing and protection.

Yu Wen, observing these items, let out a weary yawn.

"These are just old trinkets from a few years back, all created by undergraduates. There's not even a single invention from a graduate student..."

She hadn't finished her sentence when she noticed a man dressed in black sitting behind the main counter. She quickly approached him.

The man was strikingly handsome, clad in a black suit, exuding the polished look of a corporate professional. His smile radiated warmth like the sun, and he had an aura of tranquility and approachability.

Though he appeared to be in his early twenties, he conveyed a sense of maturity and sophistication.

Regrettably, he kept his eyes closed, revealing that he was blind.

As Yu Wen approached, the man felt for a pair of sunglasses on the table and put them on with deliberate care.

Yu Wen, seeing his demeanor, struggled to find the right words, her gaze filled with unspoken sorrow and sympathy.

The man offered a calm smile, "That energy must be Yu Wen, right? Long time no see."

"Hmm, haha, you must have grown up quite a bit. Alas, it's a shame I can't see it for myself."

Yu Wen's emotions were tumultuous, and as she tried to formulate a response, she found herself at a loss for words.

Just then, Jie Mu took her hand in his, giving her a tender look.

That look brought a sense of calm to Yu Wen. She took a deep breath and finally addressed the man.

"Senior Brother, it's been ages since we last met. What brings you to this place? Why haven't you returned to Fragrance Light Valley? Teacher and our fellow disciples miss you dearly."

The man gestured dismissively. "Teacher is aware of my whereabouts, so there's no need for me to return to Fragrance Light Valley. My presence there would only bring Teacher sorrow."

"Moreover, this is all part of Teacher's plan."

Upon hearing this, Yu Wen let out a soft sigh, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke up, "Senior Brother, can you tell me who was responsible for blinding you? I swear I'll make them pay!"

The man responded with a serene smile, "Yu Wen, you've truly matured, even thinking about avenging your Senior Brother."

"But there's no need to worry about me. Thanks to my inner strength, I can still perceive the world around me. See, I even noticed you approaching just now."

"And after all these years, I've long since let go of the past."

Yu Wen sighed again, recognizing the man's evasive response.

Senior Brother was trying to keep her from being dragged into dangerous affairs. Indeed, if it was a matter that even Senior Brother struggled with, her intervention would likely be futile.

And if Senior Brother, with his martial prowess and mastery of Machine Arts, was unable to handle this person, then it would be beyond her reach as well.

The man smiled calmly, "Don't be so downhearted. Look at me, I'm living a good life. I have no worries about food or drink, my job is easygoing, and the pay is more than decent."

"Plus, I get to work with the world's most cutting-edge technology every day. What's not to like? Try to see the bright side."

Yu Wen's emotions were a whirlwind as she listened. The Senior Brother she remembered would never have spoken like this. He used to be so full of vitality, so confident, so... untouchable.

Alas, the Senior Brother of today, though unchanged in appearance, has lost the sharp edges of his former self, along with the lofty aspirations he once held.

Yu Wen's thoughts drifted back to the days spent in Fragrance Light Valley, when she, at the tender age of six or seven, looked up to her Senior Brother with great admiration.

Whether it was Machine Arts or martial arts, they were all top-tier geniuses.

Among all her senior brothers and sisters, aside from the Young Martial Aunt, the one Yu Wen had the most contact with was the eleventh senior brother, who was constantly praised by their teacher.

During that time, the teacher regarded his senior brother as if he were his own son.

Rumor had it that the teacher intended to groom him to be the academy's vice president, but alas, it never came to fruition.

Afterward, the senior brother suddenly vanished, completely disappearing from everyone's view.

Though he was gone, his influence remained profound.

It's fair to say that if it weren't for his proposal to collaborate with East Prosperity, the academy wouldn't have achieved its current level of development.

He also made significant improvements to the use and mechanisms of Machinery Weapons, greatly enhancing the academy's combat capabilities.

To this day, numerous tales about Jiang Feng, the eleventh disciple of the Ninth Department, still circulate in the martial world.

Indeed, the other disciples of the Ninth Department were also renowned, contributing immensely to the academy; Jiang Feng was merely one among them.

Yu Wen's heart was a whirlwind of emotions, her dissatisfaction with the academy growing, and even the once towering image of her teacher was now tarnished.

Jiang Feng appeared to understand Yu Wen's thoughts, offering only a serene smile without further comment.

Yu Wen let out a sigh, about to speak again, when a thunderous boom interrupted her thoughts.

Then, a formidable surge of inner energy erupted across the rooftop, startling all the ordinary people there.

...

Without notice, Jie Mu had released Yu Wen's hand, captivated by the novel curiosities surrounding him.

He wasn't concerned with the conversation between Yu Wen and Jiang Feng; he didn't even grasp what the academy truly was.

The staff didn't recognize Jie Mu, but they knew Yu Wen. Naturally, they assumed Jie Mu was part of the academy and showed him all the entertaining things on the rooftop.

For a time, Jie Mu was so absorbed in his enjoyment that he inadvertently bumped into a young man just exiting the elevator.

Jie Mu quickly offered his apologies. Looking up, he saw the young man he had bumped into was clad entirely in black, strikingly handsome with an air of arrogance about him. The disdainful gaze he cast upon Jie Mu seemed to say, "You should feel honored that I'm even glancing your way."

Jie Mu recognized immediately that this person must come from a powerful background, and he repeatedly expressed his regrets. "Are you a scion of some major family? May I ask which young master you are?"

Before the young master could respond, a black-clad bodyguard stepped forward, hoisting Jie Mu up with a menacing growl, "Are you looking for trouble?"

As Jie Mu opened his mouth to reply, the young man dismissively waved his hand. "Put him down. This kid looks like he's got no one in the world. Just shove him aside."

The muscular bodyguard complied with a curt "Yes," and prepared to toss Jie Mu aside. Jie Mu grabbed the man's arm, pressed down hard, and using the reaction force, leapt up. With a powerful "Bone Shattering Fist," he struck the bodyguard's neck.

The bodyguard, who possessed the prowess of half-step Dark Strength, would have been a formidable opponent in a direct confrontation, far outmatching Jie Mu. But he had underestimated Jie Mu, and not expecting him to actually strike, was caught off guard, allowing Jie Mu to succeed.

Standing his ground, Jie Mu fixed a cold stare on the arrogant man before him. His hands glowed with a dark red hue as the Electronic Pattern spread up his forearms, his aura surging to a level nearly matching the Acquired Stage Inner Strength.

"Well, well, an academy student," the man remarked, gesturing to halt the other bodyguards from advancing. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a burst of peak Rank Four Inner Strength, even more refined than Jie Mu's.

Such formidable inner strength in one so young clearly marked him as no ordinary individual.

Jie Mu immediately thought of the potential consequences but remained fearless. He had never been one to care about the antics of spoiled rich kids, even back in his tavern days.

He clenched his fists, fixing the man with a steely gaze, and demanded, "What did you just say?"

The man pondered briefly, then sneered, "Oh, what I said was, you're a nobody, a bastard with neither mother nor father. But now that I think about it, that's not quite right. Your parents must have been beasts to have spawned a mongrel like you, haha!"

He burst into laughter, echoed by the chuckles of his bodyguards.

Spoiled from childhood, the man was accustomed to deference from others. Jie Mu's accidental collision was, to him, a personal affront, prompting his insults.

And when Jie Mu had the audacity to fight back, knocking out one of his men, it was a slap in the man's face.

Jie Mu's fists tightened. "You're going to pay for your words!"

Without another word, Jie Mu lunged forward, his hand shooting out in a punch that showcased the Advanced Human Rank martial skill, "Bone Shattering Fist"!

The man reacted quickly, raising his hand and blocking Jie Mu's punch with a forward strike.

The clash sent a shockwave of force reverberating through the hall with a thunderous boom.

Both men retreated from the push, but it was clear the young man's power exceeded Jie Mu's.

Despite Jie Mu's enhanced cultivation from the Machine Arts, the man's martial skill was evidently of a much higher caliber.

In a few swift steps, the man advanced, aiming a palm strike at Jie Mu's face.

Just then, a woman's silhouette darted in, seizing his arm. With a deft twist, she neutralized his strike and sent the young man tumbling away.

It was Yu Wen. With a furrowed brow, she glanced back at Jie Mu and muttered, "You just can't help but find trouble, can you?"

The man, having been repelled, took in the newcomer and his aggressive demeanor softened into a congenial smile.

"Well, well, if it isn't Sister Yu Wen. It's like a flood in the temple—family not recognizing family. My apologies, I'm Lee Xian."

Upon hearing this, Yu Wen managed to suppress the nausea she felt inside and smiled back with a polite response.

"Brother Lee, you're taking it too seriously. The fault lies entirely with my friend. Please, I ask for your forgiveness."

Lee Xian, hearing her words, dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand. "Ah, if they're a friend of yours, Yu Wen, then they're a friend of mine too. I can't possibly hold a grudge against a friend, can I?"

"By the way, I'll be joining my father for a drink at the Zhang family's place tomorrow. You absolutely must come."

Yu Wen gave a nod of acknowledgment. "How could I refuse an invitation from Brother Lee?"

Lee Xian let out a hearty laugh. "Well then, I'll be on my way. Don't forget about tomorrow."

Yu Wen nodded again. "Take care on your way, Brother Lee."