NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 55 - 55: On Merit
Chapter 55: Chapter 55: On Merit
It was already evening on the return journey, and since a heavy rain had started again in the mountains, Li Fei and Hao Yi found a cave to take shelter from the rain, planning to stay the night before moving on.
“Have you ever killed someone?”
Hao Yi suddenly asked.
Li Fei nodded, “On the first day of the operation, I killed a few. Later, as we followed the trail and were discovered by the Cult followers, I killed a few more.”
“Mm.”
Hao Yi spoke solemnly, “They all deserved it, you shouldn’t mind.”
He was worried Li Fei might develop some psychological trauma, which was why he specifically brought up this topic.
After all, in his eyes, Li Fei was still just a 17-year-old kid.
“Li Lei must have told you about my previous student, right?”
“Erm, he mentioned some things.”
“That student wasn’t as talented as you are, but he was very perceptive. He could quickly learn any Martial Art. Like you, he wanted to earn a place at a university. But he kept failing and couldn’t see any hope.”
It was pitch dark inside the cave. Li Fei sat opposite Hao Yi, unable to see his expression, only able to hear his voice continue:
“Later, he got involved with the Cult and went down an irreversible path.”
“Was it the Calming Sect?”
“Yes.”
“But isn’t it very difficult for Magic to influence Martial Artists?”
“He wasn’t deceived by the Magic of the Calming Sect, but there are things in this world that can deceive the heart aside from Magic. Some things are even more powerful than Magic.”
“…”
“In the end, I personally caught him and sent him to the Inspection Bureau. Before he was executed with the Gun Technique, I saw him for one last time.”
“…”
“He told me that he didn’t regret his choice, because this world is unfair to begin with.”
“…”
“He said some people are born with most of the resources, and the ways to climb up are monopolized by the powerful. To ascend, either you have enough strength to break through that barrier, or you can only kneel and be someone’s dog. He said he didn’t want to be a dog, but he also didn’t have enough strength, so he chose to take an unconventional path, and even in failure, he had no regrets.”
“…”
“Xiao Fei, you will face the same difficulties as your senior in the future. I hope you won’t be as extreme as him.”
Despite that student eventually being involved with the Cult he most despised, Hao Yi still acknowledged him as his student and referred to him as Li Fei’s senior.
The cave fell silent, with the heavy rain outside continuously pouring down, the swooshing sound of rain echoing between heaven and earth.
After an unknown period, the following conversation took place in the cave:
“Teacher.”
“Mm?”
“I will succeed where my senior brother could not.”
“Mm.”
“No matter how many barriers lie ahead, your student will break through them one by one!”
…
The next morning, teacher and student continued on their way.
Over an hour later, they encountered the straggling members from the Inspection Bureau, and Li Fei also met Li Lei.
Seeing that Li Fei was safe, Li Lei finally let out a sigh of relief:
“It’s good you’re alright, it’s good you’re alright.”
This man, who had been on the battlefield, killed people, and been an Inspector for over a decade, now had slightly reddened eyes.
His best friend had died saving him, and if he had failed to take care of the only kin his friend left in this world, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself for the rest of his life!
Moreover, having raised him for so many years, he had long considered Li Fei as his own flesh and blood.
“Mr. Hao, my apologies, I’ve lost my composure.”
Li Lei wiped his face and earnestly said to Hao Yi:
“I must thank Mr. Hao once again for going to such lengths to come and rescue us!”
Having said that, he was about to bow down in gratitude, but Hao Yi steadied him with one hand.
Hao Yi was solemn, “He is my student, and it was only right for me to come here.”
Li Lei was naturally full of thanks, then gave a few more words of advice to Li Fei before continuing on his journey with his men.
Hao Yi and Li Fei made their way back, this time taking less than a day to return to the mountain stronghold previously occupied by the Calming Sect.
The place had been taken over by the personnel of the Inspection Bureau, with Inspector General Huang Weiguang leading the team holding the fort there.
Despite being in charge of the team, Huang Weiguang, due to his advanced age and faltering physical strength, was unable to join the trek through the mountains and forests, so he stayed behind to guard the village.
Hao Yi led Li Fei straight to find Huang Weiguang.
Upon seeing the pair, Huang Weiguang’s face lit up with joy.
Looking at Li Fei he said, “You must be Xiao Fei, right? You did very well this time. Are you hurt?”
Li Fei shook his head, “I’m fine.”
After expressing concern for Li Fei, Huang Weiguang then inquired about the situation they encountered.
“You tell him,” directed Hao Yi, indicating Li Fei should speak.
Li Fei, sensing the familiarity between the two men, couldn’t help but recall how this very Inspector General had openly supported Li Lei when he was attacked.
Was it because of Hao Yi’s influence?
“Inspector General, most of the Calming Sect’s followers have been captured…”
Li Fei recounted roughly what had happened in the forest.
Upon learning that most of the followers had been captured and that the missing firearms, anti-stabbing clothes, and sabers had been mostly recovered, Huang Weiguang let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Now, he could finally provide an explanation to the Governance Hall, and he wouldn’t have to submit his resignation to Chief Gu Zhenhui in a few days.
After all, there’s a vast difference in treatment between ‘voluntary resignation’ and ‘honorable retirement’!
“Xiao Fei, we owe you a great debt for this time. On behalf of the Inspection Bureau, I thank you!”
Huang Weiguang gripped Li Fei’s hand firmly and spoke solemnly,
“I had previously issued a reward, promising up to ten thousand yuan to anyone who could provide effective leads on the Calming Sect. This successful tracking of the Calming Sect is all thanks to you. When we get back, I will personally give you this ten thousand yuan!”
Ten thousand yuan?
Even though Li Fei had already anticipated that his achievements would be quite valuable, he did not expect to receive as much as ten thousand yuan all at once.
The Platoon Leader of the Inspection Bureau, Li Lei, only made a salary of 1200 yuan a year, so ten thousand yuan was nearly his decade’s worth of salary!
“With this money, can I go to university?”
This was the first thing that came to Li Fei’s mind.
Unfortunately, admissions for the twelve universities had already closed, and it was too late for him to apply now.
Seeing Li Fei lost in thought, Huang Weiguang smiled,
“In addition to the Inspection Bureau, the Governance Hall will also convey its appreciation. Chief Gu himself has spoken of a generous reward, and we at the Inspection Bureau will do our best to advocate for you.”
“There’s more reward?”
Li Fei suddenly felt that his adventurous endeavor was extremely worthwhile!
“Come, take a seat,”
Huang Weiguang invited Li Fei and Hao Yi to sit down in the room, then called for an inspector from outside.
“Xiao Fei, please recount the entire incident in detail.”
Huang Weiguang asked Li Fei.
He wanted to make a personal record of the account.
So Li Fei began to narrate in detail once again, the content he had previously told Cao Mu.
Huang Weiguang asked specifically about the characteristics of the three Refining Strength Martial Masters who had deliberately concealed their identities because the failure of this operation hinged on the appearance of these three unexpected martial masters.
However, since Li Fei was too far away at the time and the martial masters moved too quickly, he saw very little detail.
“I only remember that the martial master who fought Wang Ping used a saber. His saber emitted a chill cold enough to cut through Wang Ping’s Red Snake.”
After recalling for a moment, Li Fei spoke.