Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Resolution of Severance

Every word from Ronin struck at the heart. She had expected Ye Ran to either enlighten her with a stern face and leave, or to explode in anger and lash out at her.

But Ye Ran merely turned his head with scorn and sneered, “Master Luo, I thought your insight would offer something worthy of my admiration, but it turns out you subscribe to the same tedious arguments. Let me be honest with you: I, Ye Ran, was born in the slums. I know better than anyone the brutal law of the jungle that governs this world. Have you ever seen brothers fight until their heads are bloodied over a mouthful of rotten food? I have. Have you seen the impoverished risk everything—even kill—for ten copper coins? I have. Have you seen someone so tormented by hunger that they cut off their own flesh to stave it off? I have.”

“But what does that prove? These are all wrong, so should I follow suit? No, Master Luo. Precisely because I have lived in such cruel conditions for so long, I treasure all the more the kindness others show me: Yunmeng’s care, Furuya’s unwavering companionship, Sinclair and Meng Qi’s friendship and trust. These, too, are things I have seen, and things I desire.”

“This world is indeed ruled by the strong, but the warmth among people is all the more precious. Master Luo, when you have time, take a stroll through the streets and see the beauty that still exists. If everyone thought as you do, what would distinguish people from beasts?”

“It’s not the world that changed your views, but people like you—when enough of them exist, the world becomes worse.”

“Farewell, Master Luo.”

Without looking back, Ye Ran walked away.

Ronin stood for a long time, her eyes filled with seriousness as she watched his retreating figure. After a while, she muttered, “To think I was lectured by that guy. Hmm, his spirit is commendable, but if he had been born on Slaughter Island like me, would he still speak such words?”

“Though it’s the first time I’ve seen you bested, such a fool isn’t even worth exploiting, is he?”

At some point, Bei Yuming appeared behind her. He wore brown leather, his belt slung diagonally across his waist.

Born into the noble house of Grusburg, he found it difficult to take anyone like Ye Ran seriously.

“Now, surely you’ll admit that Gao Taiqing’s prophecy was utter nonsense. If either of us were to sympathize with someone like him, it would be truly bizarre.”

Ronin laughed softly. “Oh~ I actually find him quite interesting. Don’t you think working for someone like him is more worthwhile, more reassuring, than working for the likes of us?”

“Heh, not in the least.”

“There’s a long road ahead; who can say what the future holds?” Ronin unfolded her folding fan, and as she passed Bei Yuming, she laughed quietly, “Keep that drum safe, Marquis Jade of Grusburg.”

“And you keep that gun well, Master Luo of Slaughter Island.”

Their eyes met, and they shared a knowing smile before parting ways.

“I grew up with Brother Xin. When I was little, I was only about this tall—short and skinny, always bullied. Every time, Brother Xin would stand up for me. You know, he’s tall and strong, and those guys would be scared the moment they saw him.”

Meng Qi sat on the hospital bed. His severed hand could not be reattached; he was destined to be disabled for life.

The academy and Sinclair’s side were beset with bad news as well. At first, he was dispirited for several days, but soon accepted reality.

Ye Ran sat beside him, peeling an apple and listening quietly to his stories.

“Brother Xin has plenty of flaws: he’s hot-tempered, impatient, but when it comes to friends, he’s loyal to the end. When I turned rebellious at fourteen, whenever someone bullied me, I insisted on fighting back. Every time, Brother Xin would grab a knife or a club and stand up for me without a second thought. That year, he spent half his time in the Guard Hall. After all these years, following him, I have no regrets.”

“This time, Brother Xin got involved because of me. Taken away by the Divine Messenger, and with the temple’s usual methods, he’ll be imprisoned for at least two years. If he ends up in the Martial Palace, Yubo will have plenty of ways to deal with him. With Yubo’s vengeful nature, he’ll probably lose a hand at minimum.”

Ye Ran nodded; he knew that Meng Qi was completely right.

“Brother Xin’s parents are honest merchants; they won’t think of these implications. Now, I’m the only one who can save him.”

Ye Ran asked, “How do you plan to rescue him?”

Meng Qi glanced around the empty hospital room, then looked at Ye Ran and said, “I’ll rescue him from the Divine Messenger, then we’ll leave Torrent City and carve out a new world for ourselves. Honestly, Ye Ran, Brother Xin and I don’t care about our studies at Shali Academy. With our backgrounds, it’s nearly impossible to get into the temple anyway, but there’s always another path. The world is vast; I refuse to believe Brother Xin and I can’t achieve something great.”

Even after one blow after another, his spirit remained undiminished.

Ye Ran handed him the peeled apple and smiled. “I’ll go with you.”

“How can you?” Meng Qi waved his hand. “We’ve already dragged you into this, and besides, you and Sister Yun now…”

“Ahem, don’t think we don’t see it. If Sister Yun knew you risked yourself for us, she’d hate us for life.”

“She and I are merely fated to meet, whether we’re destined to be together… who knows?”

He walked to the window, gazing at the plane trees whose leaves had turned yellow, autumn wind sweeping the fallen leaves like lives nearing dusk.

Who was Yunmeng? The third lady of the Yun family, her status at Shali Academy surpassed all the experts on the Martial Ranking, even Du Yu held her in awe.

Who was Ye Ran? An orphan from the slums, a nameless nobody who lost every fight.

One was in the heavens, the other on earth; how could they ever hope for a happy ending?

Ye Ran was no longer the child who used to dream in the slums. He knew how hard it was to hold on to what he desired in this world.

“This matter began with Yubo; he should be punished. Brother Xin acted rashly, and should also be disciplined, but the temple’s punishment isn’t just. I can’t accept such a verdict.”

“As for Yunmeng…”

“The Ye Ran of today isn’t worthy of her. When someday I am draped in the seven-colored clouds, I’ll naturally return for her.”

He laughed at himself, hands behind his back. “I ought to leave Torrent City. This city is rotten to the core. For people like us to rise here is as hard as climbing to the heavens. If so, why should I remain trapped? There’s wide open world beyond these walls.”

Ye Ran had thought more than once of leaving Torrent City, but it wasn’t until Tiding Academy expelled him that he finally made up his mind.

“I’m already prepared to risk everything; what’s one more adventure?”

“Brother Ye…”

Warmth flowed through Meng Qi’s heart; only those who help in times of hardship can warm someone so deeply.