Chapter Forty-Six: Masters (Part Two)

Damn it, does delivering clothes really require such bravado?

The training room was filled with students from the advanced class. They had been practicing energy control, and because the exercise demanded total concentration, the door had been tightly shut under the influence of telekinesis. When Ye Ran suddenly pulled open the door, the crystal balls they had been manipulating with airflow immediately lost control, which explained the chaos that had just ensued.

Still, this young man’s physical skills were truly impressive; those two moves he had just displayed were enough to leave everyone astonished.

“Ye Ran,”

Xu Nan stood up and waved to him. After saying a few words to the instructor who was teaching energy control, she stepped outside.

“Ye Ran, what brings you here?” Xu Nan’s attire at school was refreshingly simple—long top and short skirt, not the least bit flashy. She was already beautiful, but this outfit made her look even more pure and innocent.

Ye Ran handed her the bag and said, “The boss—your father asked me to bring this to you.”

Seeing that he was still wearing his work uniform, Xu Nan accepted the bag and let out a soft laugh, “So you’re working at the shoe store now?”

Ye Ran nodded, “Yeah, I just started yesterday.”

“That’s good. You look pretty nice in this uniform. When the holidays come, I’ll go back and visit you at the shop.”

She scratched her head a little bashfully.

Back when they were in the underground lair, she had been too harsh with Ye Ran, and she never got the chance to apologize. Now meeting him again, her attitude had completely changed.

Ye Ran didn’t seem to mind. “Alright, then I’ll get going—there aren’t enough staff at the shop right now.”

Xu Nan murmured her assent.

Just as Ye Ran was about to leave, a sprightly old man with snow-white hair called out, “Young man, wait a moment.”

“Sir, is there something you need?” Ye Ran turned back and finally got a good look at the old man—white-haired but youthful-faced, dressed simply yet with an air of capability, his sleeves rolled up. Although clearly advanced in years, his vigor was unmistakable.

“Young man, your physical technique is impressive. Care to spar with an old man like me?” he said with a cheerful grin. But as soon as he spoke, the training room erupted in excited whispers. The students had already been talking among themselves when Xu Nan called Ye Ran’s name, but now their curiosity and anticipation were palpable as they looked at Ye Ran and the old man.

“This Ye Ran is something else. Even Old Master Sun wants to spar with him!”

“Yeah, the principal has tried several times to get Old Master Sun to teach us martial arts, but he always refused.”

“Even though Ye Ran probably isn’t a match for Old Master Sun, I really want to see them go at it.”

...

Xu Nan, who was just stepping back into the training room, turned around, her gaze first surprised, then delighted.

But Ye Ran sized up the old man and replied, “Sir, you aren’t trying to scam me by pretending to get hurt, are you?”

Thud.

A wave of exasperation swept through the training room.

The instructor, who had been sipping tea, sprayed his mouthful all over, while Xu Nan was left at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Old Master Sun wasn’t offended. Instead, he chuckled, “You rascal, come with me. Opportunities to spar with an old fellow like me don’t come often.”

Ye Ran was baffled, but seeing Xu Nan nod at him like a pecking chick and noting the old man’s kindly face, he followed along.

All the students in the training room stared after them, eyes burning with expectation.

The female instructor who taught telekinesis waved her hand, “If you’re so eager to watch, go on then—no point keeping you if your minds are elsewhere. Just remember to make up the lesson tonight.”

“Long live Miss Meow!”

“Miss Meow, we love you!”

The students dashed out one after another, and one bold boy even blew a kiss at the instructor.

Walking ahead, Ye Ran was struck by how open-minded Taiding Academy was compared to the strictness of Maple Leaf Academy.

At the center of the gymnasium was a circular arena, usually used by students for sports and games, but today it had become a dueling ground.

The advanced class students had found mats from somewhere and gathered in groups.

Old Master Sun walked to the center of the arena, adjusting his sleeves, while Ye Ran still felt dazed, unable to make sense of what was happening.

“Don’t be nervous, it’s just a friendly bout—nothing more,” Old Master Sun said gently, seeing Ye Ran wasn’t quite ready.

Ye Ran replied, “Master, my skill isn’t exactly supreme. If I can’t pull back my strength in time...”

He’d already realized the old man wasn’t ordinary, so he stopped calling him “sir.”

He didn’t finish, but his meaning was clear. As the saying goes, fists are dangerous for the young, and staffs for the old. Ye Ran was in his prime, strong and resilient—he could take a few knocks. But the old man, despite his vigor, was still elderly; if something went wrong, Ye Ran could be held responsible for the rest of his life...

Old Master Sun chuckled, “No need to hold back—give it your all.”

It seemed there was no escaping the match.

Ye Ran stepped forward, “Then, forgive my boldness.”

With that, the two paused for two seconds before suddenly launching simultaneous attacks. Each threw out a punch, and with a loud thud, Ye Ran was sent flying sideways.

The students were stunned. They had seen both punch at almost the same time—Ye Ran first, Old Master Sun after—but the old man’s blow landed first, sending Ye Ran flying with a fist to the face.

It was a decisive defeat—Ye Ran, renowned throughout Taiding, seemed utterly outmatched.

Ye Ran got up, staring at Old Master Sun in shock.

Yes, shock.

Only he knew that the old man’s fist hadn’t actually struck his face—instead, the force of the punch alone had swept him off his feet.

He wiped his nose, and a thin trickle of blood appeared.

This wasn’t an injury from internal energy but pure physical technique—the Birdflow style.

So far, there had been few who could beat him with pure physical technique. His competitive spirit flared as he wiped away the blood: “Master, I underestimated you. From now on, please be careful.”

As soon as he spoke, his body leaned to the side, leaving an afterimage in place. The next instant a powerful gust erupted, surging straight toward Old Master Sun. Ye Ran’s figure appeared right in the eye of the storm, his palm pressing toward Old Master Sun’s chest.

Yet Old Master Sun, standing within the gale, remained utterly still—not just his body, but even his clothes and hair didn’t stir. With a gentle wave, he brushed aside Ye Ran’s attacking hand, and with a subtle maneuver, Ye Ran’s body was shifted off course, the force of the wind bending with him.

Yet Ye Ran reacted just as swiftly, spinning on one hand to regain his balance, both legs sweeping out with the momentum, twisting the wind back around.

“Not bad—that’s starting to look like something,”

Old Master Sun commented, but his response was effortless; a single tap on Ye Ran’s ankle sent him flying again. This time, though, Ye Ran managed to adjust midair and land steadily, the turbulent wind swirling around him undiminished.

His admiration for the mysterious old master only grew—he was so calm and at ease, not even breaking a sweat.

With a smile, Old Master Sun said, “The Birdflow style I created suits you well.”

Ye Ran, who was about to change his technique, froze in astonishment, staring at the old man before him.

Was this the creator of Birdflow?