Era of Mist

Chapter 144: Chapter 143: Kind-hearted Person and Warm-hearted Person

Shi Tiexin’s pupils contracted.

This young man—no, on closer inspection, he was actually a bit younger than a ”young man.” He was a boy not much older than Shi Tiexin himself.

But the boy had a mature air about him, making him seem older than he really was.

This guy was the very same Student Union staff member who had just been organizing the qualification test.

’A big shot!’

At least to Shi Tiexin, anyone the headmaster of the Star Worker School would respectfully accompany was an undeniable big shot.

This big shot glanced at the ambulance in the distance, then turned back to Shi Tiexin with a casual smile. ”Hey, I’m asking you a question. You sent him to the hospital?”

’This guy is being so random. What does he want?’

’Did he see me beating up that kid and decide to disqualify me from the test?’

’Doesn’t seem likely.’

Shi Tiexin had no idea what was going on, but he couldn’t just ignore him. He decided to play it cool, putting on his usual calm expression. ”Yeah, he’s on his way to the hospital.”

The youth looked Shi Tiexin up and down with great interest and asked, ”Who are you?”

’Trying to get my name so you can screw me over? Not a chance!’

”A good Samaritan.”

”A good Samaritan?”

”A good Samaritan who found an injured person and sent them to the hospital.”

Shi Tiexin was determined not to admit he was the one who had beaten up Wang Jiaxu. Besides, the term ”good Samaritan” wasn’t wrong. Back then, bastards like He Chong and Wang Jiaxu could play the part of ”good Samaritans,” so today, he, Shi Tiexin, could do the same.

”Haha, interesting!” The youth watched Shi Tiexin, studying him for a moment before suddenly speaking. ”Alright then, good Samaritan. In that case, I’ll give this ’good Samaritan’ a piece of news, free of charge.”

Shi Tiexin frowned. ”What news?”

’Is he going to disqualify me?’

The youth spoke in a conversational tone. ”At the school just now, I happened to overhear Student C telling Student B, ’This is not the Wenxin Secret Realm, so think twice.’ I noticed Student A seemed a bit confused, so here’s a little reminder: inside the Wenxin Secret Realm, Heart Skills stack with physical techniques. The balance of power might be completely overturned. Also, while Student A’s Body Refining and fist techniques are decent, his essence-qi level is still too low. He might get beaten so badly he won’t know which way is up, so it’s best to be mentally prepared.”

’Huh?’

Shi Tiexin froze, suddenly realizing this youth wasn’t here to cause trouble. On the contrary, he was here to warn him.

Shi Tiexin couldn’t help but ask, ”And you are...?”

”A concerned citizen.”

Shi Tiexin didn’t know how to respond to that.

”Alright, that’s all I have to say. Let’s part ways here.” The youth reached out and patted Shi Tiexin’s shoulder. ”Kid, you’re still too weak. You need to work harder. If we get the chance to meet again, we can exchange names then—good Samaritan.”

The youth waved and turned, walking back into the old alley.

Shi Tiexin watched his retreating figure. This Student Union youth, who had appeared and disappeared so suddenly, left him feeling a bit baffled. But looking at that back, at that confidence, that nonchalance, that unrestrained freedom to do as he pleased—Shi Tiexin felt a pang of genuine envy.

’Coming and going as he pleased, doing whatever he wanted, not caring if others thought he was a little crazy. Now that was the way to live!’

Shi Tiexin stopped watching the youth and turned to look ahead once more.

’Today, I crippled He Chong’s lackey, venting some of my frustrations and feeling a bit of relief, but that was nothing in the face of true experts like this youth. Just like he said, I’m still too weak. So weak I don’t even have the right to exchange names with him.’

’But one day, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with him and meet him as an equal.’

His resolve firm, Shi Tiexin strode forward. He walked out of the dark old alley and into the sunlight. Meanwhile, another person walked from the sunlight into the shadows.

He Chong?

No, He Chong was tangled up in his own troubles, scratching his head in frustration.

The one who truly stepped into the shadows was the person who always stayed half a step behind—unassuming, uncontroversial, and seemingly harmless.

”You’re home, Shaoqiu! Did the qualification test go well?”

”It went well. Thank you for asking, Uncle.”

The boy returned to the Star Worker Union’s family courtyard, greeting elders he knew and waving to the younger children along the way. He appeared refined and gentle, his handsome features tinged with a shy and timid demeanor that made him look utterly harmless.

Until he closed the door to his home.

”Did you get a clear look at today’s events?” the boy asked nonchalantly to the empty room as he changed his shoes in the entryway.

”Replying to the Young Master, I saw everything.” No one appeared, but a voice answered respectfully from the empty air.

”What did you think?”

”So-so.” The hidden person considered for a moment before summarizing, ”From his Body Refining to his cultivation level, everything is unremarkable. He’s a nobody. But if we’re picking the best of a bad lot, he’s a bit stronger than He Chong.”

”A bit stronger is good enough. A bit stronger means we can replace He Chong with someone better.” The boy slipped on his slippers and walked into the house. He started making coffee and turned on the TV, his actions and tone completely domestic. Only his eyes held a chilling light. ”I’ve really had enough of that He Chong.”

The voice in the air said with a sigh, ”It truly has been an injustice to you, Young Master, having to hide your identity and restrain yourself for so long. In that case, I will go and investigate.”

”Go. Investigate his background thoroughly. Don’t rush. Good work takes time.” Holding his coffee, the boy sank comfortably into the sofa cushions like any ordinary teenager, his mind calculating something meticulously.

The boy sat there quietly by himself for ten minutes.

But after just ten short minutes, the voice from the air spoke again.

”Young Master, the investigation is complete.”

The boy wasn’t surprised. ”It seems our friend Shi Tiexin’s situation is quite simple.”

”It is indeed. I’ve reviewed his adoption records, his rearing records from the Orphanage, and his purchase history. I investigated the entire history of his grudge with He Chong and found nothing out of the ordinary. However, I was wrong about one thing.”

”Heh, interesting.” The boy was a little surprised. ”It’s rare for you to be wrong about something.”

”I’m surprised, too.” The voice sounded amused. ”Other than purchasing the standard edition Heart Skill Secret Manual from the Star Worker School, some generic essence-cultivating and fist technique manuals, and a very limited amount of body-nourishing spirit food, he hasn’t bought any other cultivation resources.”

”Oh?” The boy was also surprised. ”No supplementary manuals?”

”None.” The voice said, ”I have already reconciled all his income and expenses from childhood to the present day. Every single transaction matches up. He has no financial means to purchase supplementary manuals. Not a single one.”

The boy frowned, asking cautiously, ”Could he be a hidden pawn for someone? Or perhaps he encountered an expert at some point and received guidance by chance?”

”The possibility of him being a pawn is extremely low. This kid has had a very tight schedule his entire life; he works whenever he has free time. I’ve already checked the camera footage from his commutes, his workplaces, and even the living quarters at the Orphanage. There’s no time or evidence of him receiving any guidance or training.”

In just ten minutes, the person had already filtered through practically Shi Tiexin’s entire life story!