Volume One: First Signs of Brilliance Chapter Fifty-One: The Dark Night

“Hm... am I still too late?”

Just as Wang Jue struggled to hold on—he didn’t know how long he had been trapped in that endless cycle of black and white—Lan Yiyi finally arrived, albeit belatedly.

“I didn’t expect you to still be conscious. Looks like you’ve gotten yourself into quite a bit of trouble.”

Hearing this familiar voice, the last vestiges of Wang Jue’s willpower, which had nearly been depleted, vanished in an instant, and he fell into unconsciousness. Yet, before he blacked out, it was as if a great burden had been lifted from him, leaving him feeling at ease for the first time in what seemed like an eternity.

“She finally came...”

And so, darkness claimed his world completely.

He was no longer aware of anything.

...

He didn’t know how much time had passed.

When Wang Jue opened his eyes, he could feel his own breath, his body—everything that made him who he was.

“I’m... alive?”

Though his body was in poor shape, there was no doubt that he still lived.

“You’re awake?”

Just as Wang Jue’s mind was clearing and he was about to take stock of his surroundings, a woman’s voice sounded from his right.

There was surprise and curiosity in that voice—perhaps she found it unbelievable that he had regained consciousness.

Wang Jue turned toward the voice and saw Lan Yiyi standing beside him, her tall figure radiating a commanding presence at all times.

Glancing around at the medical equipment, the beds, the white sheets, Wang Jue realized he must have been brought to a hospital.

“Phew...”

Truly taking in the scene, having survived such a calamity, Wang Jue couldn’t help but sigh in relief. “It seems I really did make it.”

Only then did he remember that his savior was still at his side.

He recalled the words he had heard before losing consciousness—there was no doubt they had come from Lan Yiyi. She must have rushed over as soon as she received his distress call. Even if she hadn’t arrived in time, she had made it in the nick of time and managed to save him.

If it hadn’t been for her, whether he’d been taken to the hospital by someone else or if his enemies had gotten to him first, he probably wouldn’t be alive right now.

Thinking of this, Wang Jue’s face was filled with genuine gratitude as he said, “Thank you, Captain Lan.”

He truly meant it; how could he not, when she had saved his life?

“You really did exceed my expectations—waking up so soon. It seems your constitution is something special. Even the doctors said you’d be out until at least tomorrow.”

Lan Yiyi stood beside Wang Jue, speaking as she pressed a button on the right side of his bed—clearly summoning the doctor to check on him.

Though she spoke of being surprised, her face showed no emotion whatsoever. Her ability to remain expressionless was truly remarkable—no wonder she’d become captain of the Hunting Squad.

“Haha, is that so?” Wang Jue could only force a laugh in response.

He didn’t understand what had happened, just as he didn’t know the identity of the person who had entrusted him with the jade box in their dying moments, nor who the two people that came after him were, or what secrets the jade box concealed.

He was in the dark about everything.

After pondering for a while, Wang Jue realized that no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn’t figure it out on his own. He decided to ask Lan Yiyi—perhaps she knew something.

Without further hesitation, he voiced his doubts: “By the way, Captain Lan, what happened to the two people who attacked me? Do you know who they were?”

Now that Lan Yiyi was here, and with the resources of the Hunting Squad at her disposal, she should have managed to uncover something, right?

What worried him most was whether they had been targeting the jade box or the contents within.

If they only wanted the box, he could give it to them. But if their real goal was what lay inside, there was nothing he could do—he had already cultivated the technique, and the rhombus-shaped gems had been converted into starlight points.

For now, he had no solution—he could only hope this matter wouldn’t implicate his family. As for himself, worst case, he could run.

After all, Blue Star was vast; he didn’t believe his pursuers could track him down every time. He’d just have to wait until his strength grew, and then settle accounts with them.

Originally, Lan Yiyi had planned to wait until Wang Jue was in better condition before questioning him, but since he’d brought up the matter, she saw no reason to wait.

“They wouldn’t talk.”

After a brief silence, Lan Yiyi gave a bitter smile. “By the time I arrived, those two were already dead. Judging from the scene, it was most likely suicide. But we’ve confirmed that they were from Nightfall. How did you end up provoking them?”

“Nightfall?” Wang Jue frowned. The name alone didn’t sound like any reputable organization.

“Nightfall—a criminal syndicate that moves from one safe zone to another,” Lan Yiyi explained, her expression growing more grave. “They’ve got criminal records in several of the safe zones surrounding Jiangnan District. There’s no evil they won’t commit. Their usual tactic is to seize resources—if you’re not especially strong and you have something they want, they’ll come after you without mercy. Anyone who crosses their path rarely survives—entire families are wiped out.”

Her words made Wang Jue’s hair stand on end.

Wiped out, not a soul left? That was a textbook case of total extermination.

“Well, I’ve answered your questions. Now answer one of mine.”

After her explanation, Lan Yiyi’s beautiful eyes fixed intently on Wang Jue, exerting a subtle pressure that gave him no time to think. “Tell me—how did you get on their radar? Why were they after you? What did they want?”

“How could I dare provoke them? This is the first I’ve even heard the name—I’m just an ordinary high school student,” Wang Jue protested bitterly.

He wasn’t stupid, nor was he looking for trouble. Why would he ever go after a group infamous for wiping out whole families? He’d just been caught up in something by accident, though he had reaped some benefits from it.

The more he learned about Nightfall and the two who’d nearly killed him, the more he feared them. This time, there had been two assailants—what about next time? He couldn’t count on being this lucky again.

“You call yourself an ordinary high school student? Two third-tier Essence Nurturers were crippled by you. Are you just being modest, or are you trying to insult us?”

Lan Yiyi didn’t hold back. “I think I’ve been underestimating you. With your strength, there’s probably not a single middle schooler in all of Harmony Community stronger than you.”

In fact, this was a compliment to Wang Jue.

Indeed, in all of Harmony Community, not even a single middle school student could display the battle prowess of an Essence Nurturer. Not just middle schoolers—even among high schoolers, few could measure up.

“All right, let’s not get off topic. Answer my question first.” After her brief praise, Lan Yiyi returned to the matter at hand.

Wang Jue hesitated, debating whether to tell Lan Yiyi everything or to hold something back.

The truth was, when he’d called her for help, he had already made up his mind—he needed someone’s protection, not just for himself, but for his family as well. Especially after learning about Nightfall, his desire for protection had only grown stronger.

Knock, knock, knock...

Just as Wang Jue was about to speak, a knock sounded at the door. Lan Yiyi gestured for him to remain silent.

Wang Jue sensibly closed his mouth at once.

“Come in.”

Lan Yiyi’s expression didn’t change; with her level of cultivation, her senses were keen. She’d already sensed that the person outside was no threat.

As the door opened, a middle-aged man entered, sweat beading on his forehead—he must have hurried over.

“Captain Lan, hello, hello.”

He greeted Lan Yiyi the moment he entered, looking genuinely nervous, almost frightened.

The sight left Wang Jue speechless.

What on earth has he done to be so intimidated?

“Examine him.”

Lan Yiyi’s tone was icy as ever, her face expressionless. Her lack of warmth made it obvious she didn’t care much for the doctor—even though he was just doing his job.

Wang Jue couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat. In his weakened state, would the doctor take out his frustrations on him for being mistreated by Lan Yiyi?

His mind raced, conjuring dozens of melodramatic tales of enmity and romance between the doctor and Lan Yiyi, and hundreds of scenarios in which the doctor sought revenge on him because of her.

“Yes, of course, I’ll examine him right away.”

The doctor said nothing more, quickly coming over to check Wang Jue’s condition. He was thorough and professional, not daring to dawdle for even a second.

After confirming that Wang Jue’s wounds hadn’t reopened and there were no new issues, he reported back that everything was stable, then, with Lan Yiyi’s permission, all but fled the room.

He looked as if Lan Yiyi were some terrifying specter rather than a striking beauty.

“What...?”

Wang Jue stared blankly at Lan Yiyi, unable to make sense of what had just happened.

“What was that about?”

Watching the doctor’s hasty retreat, Wang Jue couldn’t help but ask.

“Nothing much. When you were brought here, I had to put him in his place.”

Lan Yiyi glanced at Wang Jue, offering a brief explanation without elaborating.

“Uh...”

Judging by her words and the doctor’s reaction, Wang Jue doubted it was as simple as she made it sound, but he didn’t press further.

It was none of his business, so long as the doctor didn’t try anything against him.