Chapter 43: On the Verge of Dropping the Mask Before the Professor; Proving You Aren’t…
He was in the light, while someone was in the dark.
Who just kicked him?
His gaze eventually settled on Xie Huaijin directly opposite him. That manâs fingertips were unconsciously rubbing the edge of the table, his eyes hiding a ruthlessness that hadn’t faded.
Jiang Chenyanâs throat tightened.
He began to review everything that had happened at the auction house.
The more he thought about it, the more something felt wrong…
How many interests of powerful figures were coiled in that auction house? For Admiral Celeus to publicly flip the table was no different from flashing a blade before a den of tigers and wolves. Who knows how many grudges he had built up?
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the Admiral. The Admiralâs character shouldn’t be a problem; for years, reports confirmed by the interstellar news agencies had nailed the words “impartial and selfless” into the publicâs heart. Jiang Chenyan also recognized this uprightness and believed someone was willing to stand up.
But this storm had settled too quickly. It was so fast it looked as if someone were behind the scenes holding a stopwatch to wrap it up, which instead made it feel a bit like a cover-up.
The constant chatter in the room became a blurred background sound. Jiang Chenyan stared at the tabletop, lost in thought. He didn’t really listen to what the others talked about afterward.
“Hey, come back to life.” Ji Xuanâs elbow nudged him, his voice pressed very low. “The Admiral is collecting contact information. Everyone has handed theirs in; you’re the only one left.”
Jiang Chenyan snapped back to reality. His fingertips quickly wrote down the information on a communication card. When he handed it over, he happened to meet Celeusâs dark eyes.
The other only gave the card a glance. His thin lips pressed into a straight line as he placed the card with the others, nothing unusual.
Shen Shiyueâs expression had been consistently flat. When he looked at Jiang Chenyan, their gazes met briefly in the air. Without saying a word to each other, they both frowned in a tacit understanding.
After the talk ended, Ji Xuan and the others couldn’t hide their excitement, rambling on with a pile of questions. Admiral Celeus uncharacteristically showed patience and answered all the questions they had saved up along the way.
The atmosphere in the room was clearly enthusiastic, yet Jiang Chenyan and Shen Shiyue were consistently quietâsomewhat out of place.
As everyone began to leave the venue, Celeus specifically emphasized that Jiang Chenyan should stay.
Xie Huaijin and Mu Sian were the last to leave. As they passed Jiang Chenyan, they both gave him a look in unison. Those gazes were heavy, carrying a meaning that was difficult to voiceâlike a knife was already hanging over his head, about to fall.
Jiang Chenyanâs thoughts froze.
He remembered that Xie Huaijin and Mu Sian had also gone to the auction house, and as invitees.
In those transactions that couldn’t see the light of day, how could they possibly be clean?
In the vast room, only he and Admiral Celeus remained. It was so quiet one could hear breathing.
Suddenly, the Admiralâs lips hooked into a faint curve, breaking the silence: “Something on your mind? I always feel you’re not quite with it.”
Jiang Chenyan lowered his eyes to avoid the otherâs gaze. “You’re overthinking. I’m usually like this.”
“Is that so?” Celeus didn’t follow up, his tone unreadable.
He turned toward a tea table on the side. While pouring tea for himself, he spoke slowly: “These past two days, I have been handling the aftermath of the auction house. I didn’t expect things to turn out like this. For this kind of thing to happen on my own grounds is a failure on my part.”
The teacup was filled with warm tea, steam rising in curls.
Celeus pushed one of the cups toward Jiang Chenyan. The bottom of the cup collided with the tabletop, making a light sound.
Jiang Chenyanâs brows furrowed. “Why are you telling me this?”
Celeus didn’t pick up Jiang Chenyanâs words. He changed the topic, his tone adding a bit of gloom: “The most unexpected was Luo De. I didn’t expect he would do such a thing; it is truly disappointing.”
Jiang Chenyan: “…”
“Taste this tea.” Celeus suddenly spoke, breaking the stalemate. “the taste is quite good.”
Jiang Chenyan was planning to just take a token sip. Just as his fingertips touched the warm wall of the cup, he heard the Admiralâs calm voice ring out again: “Luo De said he wants to meet you once.”
Jiang Chenyanâs movement froze abruptly. the teacup in his fingertips shook. He managed a forced smile. “What does he want with me? I don’t know him at all. Or rather, I can’t say I don’t know him; I should say I’m not familiar with him.”
“Yes… I also find that point strange.” Admiral Celeus let out a light laugh, his fingertips tapping the table. “But he just wants to see you. The reason might be simple: you look too much like that SS-grade Omega. Many people have been discussing this matter recently; you should have come across similar reports.”
These words were like a bucket of cold water being poured over him. Jiang Chenyan completely lost interest in drinking tea.
His fingertips clenched. “It’s just a similarity in looks; it’s nothing major. To be honest, I was dumbfounded at the time. I even thought it was my own twin brother.”
Then, a faint smile hooked his lips. “But I heard that SS-grade Omega is already goneâforced to jump from the rooftop by Luo De.”
“Mm, that is indeed what’s being spread on the network.” Celeus responded, put down his teacup, and his gaze landed on Jiang Chenyanâs face. “But a meeting wouldn’t hurt. You don’t need to worry; he is currently in a state of life imprisonment and doesn’t have the ability to do anything.”
Admiral Celeus seemed very troubled, rubbing his forehead with a bitter smile. “Perhaps heâs gone mad, insisting on seeing you.”
“After all, he has followed me for so long; I can’t just watch him stay frantic.” Celeus picked up his teacup, his gaze falling on the dense steam, his voice deep. “the person who tied the bell must be the one to untie it. Go once. Pull him out of his obsession. It’ll be a release for him, and for you, it’s also a chance to prove yourself.”
He looked up, his eyes like black whirlpoolsâvery deep and heavyâas he emphasized:
“Prove that you are not that Omega.”
Jiang Chenyan suddenly laughed, but his tone cooled by a few points: “That Omega is already dead. What else do I need to prove?”
Was it really Luo De who was obsessed with seeing him, wanting to see something in him? Or was it this Admiral before him who never believed him and was testing his background?
“If you don’t want to go, then forget it.” Celeus let out a light laugh, casually glossing over the previous topic. “It wasn’t something that had to be done anyway.”
His tone suddenly shifted. “By the way, I watched your performance in the simulated competition. It was very brilliant.”
Celeus had always followed the trends of the Alliance Military Academy. Once he heard that the military academy produced an Alpha who reached a new peak level, he sent people to check the background.
But the result was unexpectedâ
This person was like he had appeared out of thin air. His past resume was a mess, with no outstanding results. One could even say it was extremely ordinary.
Perhaps it was a genetic mutation; after all, that was unpredictable.
Jiang Chenyan frowned. the otherâs attitude changed too fast, making it truly difficult to grasp. One second he was talking about Luo De and the SS-grade Omega, and the next second he was praising the simulated match performance…
He could only temporarily suppress his doubts and end the talk quickly. “Thank you, Admiral. Since thereâs nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
Celeus didn’t speak, only nodding slightly in tacit agreement. Jiang Chenyan turned and left, casually pulling the door shut behind him. Just as he looked up, he saw Shen Shiyue standing at the door, his deep, black eyes staring straight at him.
Having a person suddenly appear before him, Jiang Chenyan was startled.
Fuck.
Shen Shiyue stepped forward, his voice pressed very low: “Are you okay?”
Jiang Chenyan settled his spirits and shook his head: “I’m fine…”
It was just a bit strange.
While walking out, he was tangled tight by the doubts in his heart. Jiang Chenyan simply asked Shen Shiyue directly: “What kind of person do you think Admiral Celeus is?”
Shen Shiyue looked at him sideways and gave an objective evaluation: “I haven’t had close contact with Admiral Celeus, but everyone praises him in unison. His reputation is exceptionally good.”
Jiang Chenyan nodded and said softly: “Indeed.”
He didn’t know what he was worried about; his whole body just felt off, and that sense of unease in his heart kept surging.
Jiang Chenyan clenched his palms. He couldn’t continue to be passive like this. He had to establish a clear goal and plan as quickly as possible and grab the initiative. If he was always pushed by the situation, sooner or later he would fall into a pit he couldn’t see.
At this time, he should return to school. School was instead the safest place.
He had planned to take the initiative to suggest leaving, but Admiral Celeusâs proposal broke his plan. the Admiral hoped they would stay for a few more days so he could personally point out some things to them. Once these words were out, even if Jiang Chenyan wanted to leave, he couldn’t find a suitable reason.
Ji Xuan and the others each had eyes glowing with excitement. Jiang Chenyan swallowed back the refusal that reached his lips.
Whatever, staying a few more days was nothing.
But once he thought about the probability of running into Mu Sian or Xie Huaijin, he felt uncomfortable all over. His irritation couldn’t be suppressed; he only hoped these few days would pass steadily.
That day…
Jiang Chenyan turned on the faucet and scooped up cold water to splash hard on his face, wanting to use the chill to clear his head. Just as he straightened up to wipe his face, he looked up and saw a figure reflected in the mirror. Someone was standing silently behind him.
You tell meâis it eerie or not?
Jiang Chenyanâs goosebumps rose. He didn’t even bother to wipe the water beads from his face and turned abruptly to glare at Xie Huaijin behind him. “Are you sick?”
Xie Huaijin had no expression on his face, only staring fixedly at Jiang Chenyan. After a moment, he let out a sneer. “We’re classmates; why so much hostility toward me?”
Jiang Chenyan didn’t want to waste words with him and prepared to leave.
After just two steps, his wrist was deathly gripped by Xie Huaijin. Xie Huaijin moved closer, his voice pressed extremely lowâlike a threat, yet also like a reminder: “I advise you to be smarter in the future. Don’t lose your life in a muddled way. When the day comes that you die in a gutter, no one will collect your corpse for you.”
Cursing him? Jiang Chenyanâs eye color suddenly cooled down. He only squeezed one word through his teeth: “Scram.”
He exerted force in his wrist, shaking off Xie Huaijinâs grip with ruthlessness, his knuckles turning white from the effort.
How much had this plot collapsed? What kind of fit was Xie Huaijin throwing now?
Xie Huaijin stood in place, his gaze icy. Yet he didn’t approach again. The sensation of gripping the otherâs wrist just now still lingered on his fingertips. This person was no different from when they first met; the stubbornness in his bones hadn’t changed at all.
His gaze fell on Jiang Chenyanâs tensed profile. He suddenly remembered the first time they metâthe other was wearing a black mask, revealing only a pair of clear eyes.
He had long since forgotten how he treated Jiang Chenyan the first time. He only vaguely remembered the irritation of that first meeting. It was probably just that he thought this person was seeking death, daring to even talk back to him. That stubbornness in his bones was an eyesore.
Xie Huaijin was suddenly annoyed. He ordered, “Scram.”
Jiang Chenyan: “?”
He only felt this person was inexplicable. His own anger also surged up. He let out a low curse and turned to leave.
The more Xie Huaijin thought, the more he felt stifled in his heart. He suddenly smashed a fist against the mirror before him. the mirror surface cracked instantly, sharp glass shards splashing all over the floor.
…
Arriving at the cafeteria, Jiang Chenyan saw Shen Shiyue and the others sitting in their old spot at a glance. several meals were already on the table, clearly waiting for him.
He was indeed a bit hungry. Just as he sat down at the table, picked up his utensils, and scooped a mouthful of rice into his mouthâbefore he even finished chewingâa person in military uniform walked quickly into the cafeteria and stood straight at their table, reminding them:
“the Alliance Military Academy sent a professor over. Now you must go to the entrance to receive him.”
A professor?
Jiang Chenyan was stunned, instinctively following up: “Which professor?”
“Not clear. You’ll know once you go look.” the person left those words and turned to leave.
Jiang Chenyan clenched his palms, an ominous premonition wrapping around his heart.
When he followed the crowd to the entrance and saw Arielâs face, the ominous premonition reached its peak.
Ariel was currently shaking hands with Celeus.
He was wearing a black trench coat, the hem swaying lightly with his movements. the obvious dark circles under his eyes were exceptionally eye-catchingâit was clear he had been traveling overnight. Fatigue didn’t dilute the coldness around him; his face wasn’t just gloomy, his eyes were frighteningly cold. his whole being was enveloped in un-dissipated ruthlessness.
“Welcome.” Celeus withdrew his hand, somewhat surprised. “I didn’t expect you would come. Is there something important?”
If he remembered correctly, Ariel was quite busy and didn’t really pay attention to things other than research.
Ariel nodded indifferently. his gaze crossed the crowd and accurately locked onto Jiang Chenyan in the corner. He walked straight toward him. “Yes. I came this time to find my disciple.”
“Your disciple?” Celeus raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t heard that you would take a disciple.”
Ariel didn’t respond. He reached out and directly pulled the stunned Jiang Chenyan from the crowd. He said to Celeus: “It’s him.”
Jiang Chenyanâs whole body was stiff, meeting Arielâs bone-chilling eyes.
His arm was being squeezed until it pained. Jiang Chenyan gritted his teeth and didn’t make a sound. He knew the other was currently in a fit of rage; that force was as if he wanted to crush his bones.
Celeus stood in place, not having finished digesting this sudden “master-disciple” drama.
“I’ll talk to him alone.” Ariel left these words. Under the bewildered gazes of the others, he dragged Jiang Chenyan away.
Jiang Chenyan kept his eyes lowered, feeling extremely guilty in his heart.
He knew why Ariel was angry.
Ariel took a step forward, the pressure around him dropping abruptly as he questioned: “Where is Kai Lan? Where did you hide him?”
Sure enough…
Jiang Chenyanâs Adamâs apple rolled. “Not clear.”
He truly wasn’t clear. How would he know where the person went?
“Didn’t he already…” Jiang Chenyan didn’t say the subsequent words. Those who understood, understood.
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