Volume One: The Awakening of the Dragon Soul Chapter 9: We Will Protect You!

A trace of light entered his eyes.

Mo Xing slowly opened his eyes and found a lamp glowing overhead. Judging by the furnishings around him, he realized he was in a hospital, dressed in blue and white striped patient clothes.

“Don’t get emotional.”

“Find the other Dragon Gods.”

“Watch the people around you.”

Mo Xing recalled the last words Kashin had entrusted to him, pondering their meaning, when a familiar scent reached him. Aside from the sterile hospital smell, he sensed the fragrance of lilacs and the soft sound of breathing.

His gaze wandered, and suddenly he noticed a girl leaning against the side of his bed.

“Shi... Shiyan?”

Mo Xing was startled, covering his mouth to keep quiet.

Shiyan stirred slightly.

“Mo Xing...” she murmured.

Mo Xing blushed, thinking she must be dreaming, yet she was muttering his name. Could it be... does Shiyan like him?

“Mo Xing, I...” Shiyan continued her sleepy rambling.

Oh heavens! Is she about to confess to me in her dream? Mo Xing’s heart thudded.

“We... will protect you.”

“Ah...” The heat in Mo Xing’s cheeks faded a little. He sighed inwardly: so that’s what it is. It makes sense; he wasn’t outstanding enough to win a girl’s affection. Right now, he was more like someone who needed to be cared for.

He remembered that evening when she had talked with him for so long, even cried for his sake. And on that rainy night in Scarf Town, she had rescued his drenched self and, together with Mianhua and the others, tended to him.

Beautiful, talented, warm-hearted, and kind.

He found himself liking this girl a little. Though they couldn’t be lovers, being good friends was still quite nice. Yet, why was there a faint sense of disappointment in his heart?

Shiyan at the bedside trembled and slowly sat up.

“Mo Xing, you’re awake!” were her first words as she opened her eyes.

“Mm...” Mo Xing looked at her somewhat haggard face, feeling an ache he couldn’t express.

“Dr. Bai said lying for too long would leave you severely dehydrated, so you should drink plenty of hot water now that you’re awake.”

As she spoke, Shiyan picked up the kettle from the table and poured him a cup of hot water.

“I see, thank you,” Mo Xing replied, accepting the cup and drinking it slowly.

“By the way, what happened to me? I remember we were in Combat class, then suddenly everything went dark, and the next moment I was here in this hospital room.” Mo Xing asked after finishing his drink.

“Well—” Shiyan leaned closer.

“Breakfast is here!”

Before she could explain, the sound from the hallway drowned her out. Mo Xing and Shiyan turned to see Mianhua and Cai Hong entering, breakfast in hand.

“You beast! Don’t touch my little Shiyan!” Mianhua’s expression shifted suddenly and he shouted.

“Cousin Mianhua!” Shiyan pouted, “Stop being so dramatic.”

“Hey, Mianhua, keep it down,” Cai Hong admonished, “This is a hospital, not a cabaret!”

“Alright!” Mianhua quickly apologized, “It’s just that this scene felt so familiar I couldn’t help myself.”

“Was it at Scarf Town?” Mo Xing asked, although he actually wanted to say Shiyan’s house, but for some reason felt embarrassed and changed his words.

“Yes, yes!” Mianhua laughed, “It’s just a change of scenery, plus a pesky little brother!”

“You’re the pesky one!” Cai Hong smacked Mianhua’s head, “You’re a third-year still stuck at level forty-something in the Green Wood Tier! How are you not a little brother?”

“As if! You’re only a few levels higher!” Mianhua retorted.

“I’m just a second-year, but I’ve reached level fifty-four in Green Wood Tier,” Cai Hong countered, “Are you sure it’s just a few levels?”

“Enough, stop arguing!” Shiyan intervened.

“Sorry, I... I was wrong,” Mianhua hurriedly apologized, then glared at Cai Hong, his small eyes promising: Just wait!

Mo Xing watched the pair and smiled.

“By the way!” Shiyan suddenly asked, “Cai Hong, how are things on your end?”

“Pretty good. The school newspaper and magazines are all praising Mo Xing,” Cai Hong said, holding up a newspaper, “I grabbed a copy while getting breakfast.”

“All praising me?” Mo Xing asked in confusion, “What about those gossip articles?”

“Let’s have breakfast first, then we’ll explain,” Shiyan said, bringing over the food and newspaper.

“I was worried you’d be mobbed by reporters, so I sent student council members to protect you this afternoon. That Combat class happened to have Chen Anyan assisting Teacher Apocalypse with weapon selection, so he took charge of the task,” Shiyan explained.

“So that’s why Senior Chen Anyan kept staring at me,” Mo Xing realized, “I thought he was some undercover reporter!”

“Too bad he spoke out of turn,” Shiyan said.

“You, overwhelmed by that powerful force within, suffered a backlash and lost control. Fortunately, Teacher Apocalypse rushed in and prevented disaster.”

“I see.” Mo Xing nodded. No wonder Kashin warned him not to get emotional—anger would let the power consume him.

“You’re not level zero,” Shiyan said, “Maybe the crystal ball malfunctioned during the test.”

“Alright,” Mo Xing replied. “So, what’s with the newspaper?”

“I know the editor-in-chief of the school paper quite well,” Cai Hong explained, “I saved her once, so she’s repaying the favor.”

“That sounds like a story,” Mianhua teased.

“Shut up,” Cai Hong glared at him, then continued, “Just come to me if you ever need help. I can solve a lot of problems for you.”

“Thank you,” Mo Xing nodded.

“I’m not as capable as some people,” Mianhua said with a hint of jealousy, “I can only read the paper to you.”

“Uh...” Mo Xing responded, speechless.

“Check this out!” Mianhua picked up the newspaper, cleared his throat, and began reading with gusto.

“Shocking! Freshman Mo Xing’s level zero is a misjudgment—reason pending further investigation!”

“And this! A blow for dignity! A freshman challenges Mo Xing and is sent flying ten meters by a single strike!”

“This one’s even better! Touching! Three hundred people form a support group, cheering for Mo Xing!”

“Wait? I have a support group?” Mo Xing exclaimed.

“The news is a bit exaggerated,” Shiyan stood up, “I’ll go notify Dr. Bai to check your condition and see if you can be discharged.”

“I’ll go with you!” Mianhua declared, following Shiyan out.

Only Mo Xing and Cai Hong remained in the ward. Mo Xing leafed through the newspaper as Cai Hong opened a bag of snacks.

“If you have any questions, just ask,” Cai Hong said.

“Oh, alright,” Mo Xing replied, “I remember after class that noon, I was surrounded by reporters, then rescued by a girl in a black cloak—”

“You’re wondering why the news didn’t mention it, right?” Cai Hong interrupted.

“Yes.” Mo Xing paused, “Did you ask the school paper to cut it?”

“No.”

“They cut it themselves,” Cai Hong said. “That afternoon, I visited the school paper and saw the reporters gathered around a desk, reading a mysterious submission letter. The envelope listed each person’s secrets.”

“That’s incredible!” Mo Xing exclaimed. It was almost like a hacker’s handiwork.

“The last paragraph, written in red, demanded they delete all news about her, or she’d use special methods to silence them all,” Cai Hong explained.

“So forceful!” Mo Xing said, “But I just can’t figure out why she helped me?”

“Maybe she was asked to,” Cai Hong suggested, “Or perhaps—”

“Perhaps what?” Mo Xing asked, puzzled.

“She wants to use you to achieve some goal.”