Chapter 192 - 191: You Are My Children

Cyan Snake’s pupils dilated drastically. Ye Xuan’s fist was so fast and fierce that he didn’t even have time to defend himself. If that punch landed, Cyan Snake’s face would likely be completely ruined.

He was terrified. Just as he thought he was done for, the whistling fist stopped a mere centimeter away from him. The intense gust of wind stirred the hair on Cyan Snake’s forehead, and a drop of cold sweat slid down his cheek.

He gulped hard. His arms were still raised in a defensive posture, and upon closer inspection, one could clearly see he was trembling slightly.

This was absolutely unreal. Five years had passed, and not only had Ye Xuan’s strength not diminished, but he was even more formidable than before. Cyan Snake stared at the man before him in disbelief, too shocked to speak a single word.

The Qilin Chief’s face completely darkened. He clenched his fists, his muscles bulging all over his body. He thought, "What a piece of trash! He couldn’t even last ten moves against Ye Xuan."

"Are we done sparring? If so, we’re leaving." Vermilion Bird cast a faint, disdainful glance at the dumbfounded members of the Qilin Hall.

Even Xuanwu was dazed at this moment, his eyes filled with astonishment. He knew Ye Xuan was strong—five years ago, he was already the most powerful existence in Huaxia. However, Xuanwu never expected that after five years, he would become this ridiculously strong.

"I... I lost..." Cyan Snake muttered, looking blankly at Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan gave him a complex look. After a pause, he said, "Your fundamentals are lacking. Go back and practice more."

Ye Xuan had originally meant well and wanted to console Cyan Snake; after all, this match was only supposed to be a friendly exchange. He actually appreciated the young man’s talent. Cyan Snake wasn’t lacking in natural ability; he was just too competitive and overly eager for quick success. His foundation was unsteady, making his punches floaty and preventing him from maximizing his true strength. If he was willing to calm down and properly train his fundamentals, he would make significant progress. Hence, Ye Xuan kindly offered a word of advice.

But who would have known that in Cyan Snake’s eyes, this advice was nothing but mockery?

"Ye Xuan, don’t you look down on me! I just wasn’t ready earlier, and I didn’t use my full strength!" Cyan Snake stretched out his arm to block Ye Xuan’s path, his face full of defiance. "Fight me again! This time, I definitely won’t hold back!"

Vermilion Bird looked at his unreasonable behavior, her eyes gradually filling with impatience. "Give it a rest. Anyone with eyes can see that Ye Xuan’s strength is far above yours.

"You weren’t unprepared; you’re just outmatched.

"Cyan Snake, just accept your defeat gracefully, okay? It’s really pathetic watching you act like a sore loser."

Just because Ye Xuan saved face for Cyan Snake didn’t mean Vermilion Bird would. After delivering her scathing remarks, she shoved Cyan Snake aside, grabbed Ye Xuan, and marched straight into the military headquarters building.

Cyan Snake’s face turned pale and then green. His unwillingness to concede twisted his expression into a scowl.

"Heh, Cyan Snake, it seems to me that you’re no longer fit to sit in the position of the Qilin Hall’s number one assassin." The Qilin Chief’s attitude toward Cyan Snake had taken a 180-degree turn.

Previously, even though he didn’t trust Cyan Snake one hundred percent, he had still entrusted him with heavy responsibilities. But after this battle, he was thoroughly disappointed. What right did a man who couldn’t even survive ten moves against Ye Xuan have to be the top assassin of the Qilin Hall?

"Qilin Chief! Please give me one more chance! I’ll prove it to you!" Hearing the Qilin Chief’s words, Cyan Snake panicked. He fell to his knees with a heavy THUD and begged subserviently.

The Qilin Chief looked down at him condescendingly for a long time before finally saying indifferently, "Very well. I have a mission for you to take. If you handle it well, the position of the Qilin Hall’s top assassin remains yours.

"If you fail, you know my rules."

The Qilin Chief’s icy tone made Cyan Snake involuntarily shudder, and he answered loudly, "I will not let you down!"

Meanwhile, Ye Xuan, Vermilion Bird, and Xuanwu had already arrived at the old commander’s office. Seeing them enter, the guard standing by the old commander sensibly excused himself.

The old commander cast a glance at Xuanwu, then immediately lowered his head again to focus on the documents on his desk. Xuanwu stood perfectly straight, his body tense. His emotions were incredibly complicated; he had countless things he wanted to say, but he didn’t know where to begin.

"Old man, stop pretending. What’s so interesting about those documents? Look up at us," Ye Xuan said, curling his lip as he looked at the old commander who kept his head lowered.

The pen in the old commander’s hand paused, and he let out a soft sigh. He looked up at Xuanwu, his voice tinged with reproach. "So you finally remembered to come back?"

Xuanwu’s body gave a violent jolt. It felt as if a fishbone was stuck in his throat, hurting so much that he couldn’t speak.

"You brat! Back then, you left without a word and never sent me a single message.

"Do you have any idea how much effort I put into searching for you?

"So what if your Martial Arts are gone? It’s not like you’re crippled. What’s the big deal?

"I just can’t f*cking understand it! How could a stubborn mule like you be so narrow-minded as to let those little scumbags force you into discharging?"

Seeing Xuanwu remain silent, the old commander felt a whirlwind of mixed emotions. He looked at Xuanwu with a pained expression; although his words carried blame, they contained even more concern.

"Old commander, I... I didn’t want to drag you down," Xuanwu explained in a low voice, keeping his head bowed, not daring to meet the old man’s eyes.

Hearing Xuanwu’s words, the old commander flew into a rage. He slammed his hand on the desk, stood up, and pointed right at Xuanwu’s nose as he scolded, "That’s pure bullshit! Who in the entire Four Palaces has ever looked down on you?!

"Don’t you dare put that on me! I’ve never considered you a burden!"

Listening to the old commander’s booming, furious reprimand, Ye Xuan and Vermilion Bird exchanged a glance, both catching a hint of amusement in the other’s eyes. Xuanwu was just asking to be scolded.

"No, old commander, I never thought of it that way," Xuanwu said, growing anxious after hearing the old commander’s words. He was desperate to explain. "It’s just that a piece of trash like me is useless to the military. Staying would only make things difficult for you, so I—"

Before he could finish, the old commander ruthlessly interrupted him.

"Shut your mouth! I raised the four of you single-handedly!

"In my heart, you’ve long surpassed the simple status of subordinates. You are my children!

"What kind of father would let his own children suffer injustices?!

"I’m f*cking warning you—now that you’re back, don’t even think about leaving. If you dare disappear without a word again, I will skin you alive!"

By the end of his tirade, the old commander’s voice had gone hoarse.

Upon hearing the words "you are my children," Xuanwu could no longer control his emotions. His tears instantly broke the dam, and he covered his face with his hands, crying like a child.