Chapter Twelve: Seeking Someone

On the back of Xu Yan’s token, the first line bore the character for “nine,” denoting Dormitory Building Nine, while the second line read “three zero six,” meaning Room 306. On the back of Chu Feng’s token, it was inscribed “eleven” and “four one nine,” signifying Dormitory Building Eleven, Room 419.

Chu Feng, mounted on his horse, glanced at the map and remarked, “It seems our lodgings are not far apart.”

Xu Yan shot Chu Feng a glare, saying nothing, though inwardly she mused, “Just wait, you’ll have your reckoning soon enough!”

Following the map, they swiftly arrived at the dormitory quarter of the Twentieth Battalion. Each dormitory was constructed of wood, steeped in ancient charm, bolstered by enchantments that preserved them against the ravages of time.

Chu Feng and Xu Yan stabled their horses and proceeded toward the dormitory buildings. In the gardens outside, along the old paths, newcomers thronged everywhere.

Chu Feng, at seventeen, stood a head taller than the thirteen- or fourteen-year-old boys. No longer possessing the youthful innocence of those younger children, his arrival naturally drew the attention of the surrounding youths.

Carrying their maps and iron tokens, it was obvious they were new arrivals. But newcomers of such age were exceedingly rare, prompting a ripple of whispered discussion.

“So old and only now entering the newcomers’ camp—this brother must be truly determined.”

“What’s the use? Even if he muddles through three years here, he may never awaken his spiritual attribute. Then he’ll have to serve in the army; I wouldn’t waste my youth like that!”

“Our Twentieth Battalion is already the worst. He’s probably the most mediocre among us.”

Though the murmurs were hushed and Chu Feng heard none of it, nothing escaped Xu Yan’s keen ears.

“It seems you’re the center of everyone’s attention,” Xu Yan teased, hoping to provoke Chu Feng.

“And what of it?” Chu Feng retorted. He needed no imagination to guess the subject of their gossip, but remained unfazed, his gaze resolute.

“Hmph!” Xu Yan snorted. She disliked his indifference, her mind whirring with schemes to trip him up or, better yet, see him embarrassed.

At Dormitory Building Nine, Chu Feng parted ways with Xu Yan, arranging to meet again in half an hour to collect their uniforms and then seek out Xu Lan.

The students of the Spirit War Pavilion were required to wear standard attire during training. Chu Feng then set off alone toward Dormitory Building Eleven.

Upon arrival, he ascended to the fourth floor and soon found Room 419. In the center of the door was a recessed spot that matched his iron token. He placed the token there; the recess glowed faintly, and the door swung open.

Chu Feng entered. The room was empty, but traces of activity made it clear his roommates had merely stepped out. The furnishings were simple: twelve beds lined the walls, and the necessities for daily life were already prepared.

Chu Feng found his own bed in a corner, confirmed by his name pasted on the wall beside it. Sitting down, he gazed blankly ahead, torn between joy and melancholy. He had never imagined entering the Spirit War Pavilion in such a manner.

A soft noise broke his reverie. Chu Feng looked up; the door had opened, and seven boys, each about fourteen, entered.

Dressed in silver robes embroidered with the word “newcomer,” they paused upon seeing Chu Feng in the corner. One asked, “Are you a new arrival?”

“I am,” Chu Feng replied.

The seven then ignored him, gathering together to whisper among themselves, casting furtive glances his way. Though Chu Feng couldn’t hear their words, he could easily guess their meaning. Like attracts like, and Chu Feng was already deemed the most mediocre among mediocrities, shunned from their circle lest association with him invite ridicule.

Chu Feng found it almost amusing. They were all in the Twentieth Battalion—hardly distinguished themselves. Did encountering someone even less gifted make them seem like geniuses in others’ eyes?

Without concern, Chu Feng smiled, set aside his blanket, swung his legs over the side, and lay down. He was not one to care for the opinions of others; such resolve had carried him this far.

Despite the crowded room, Chu Feng felt an unprecedented loneliness, missing Xu Yan. Though she constantly opposed him and found fault, he sensed she was different from the others—she wouldn’t shun him simply for being a “failure.”

“Staying here is pointless. Better to go find her,” Chu Feng decided, rising and leaving the room.

After he left, the seven looked at the door. One complained, “How frustrating—how did such ‘talent’ get assigned here?”

“If people know he’s from our dorm, how will we face anyone? Best keep our distance; walking with him will only make us a laughingstock!”

“Such ‘talent’ is rare indeed!”

“In my lifetime, I’ve already met two—sigh!”

“Who else?”

“I met one yesterday, also from the Twentieth Battalion. Not much younger than this one—quite the pair!”

“The Twentieth Battalion will be lively now!”

Chu Feng soon reached Building Nine. Though they’d agreed to meet in half an hour, it was clearly early; he decided to find Xu Yan.

As he approached, about to ascend, a chill ran through him. He turned to see a middle-aged woman seated in a small room by the corridor, her gaze icy and fixed upon him.

Realization struck—this was the women’s dormitory, and men were forbidden upstairs. Chu Feng gave a sheepish smile. “Ah, so men aren’t allowed in the women’s dormitory!”

The woman sneered. “Didn’t you see the sign, boy?”

Chu Feng glanced around and saw, indeed, a wooden plaque by the corridor entrance: “Women’s Dormitory. Men Keep Out.”

He was dumbfounded. How unfair! He muttered, “Why isn’t there a sign forbidding women from the men’s dormitory?”

The woman seemed to catch his words, glared at him, and said coldly, “You seem to have an opinion, boy?” She flexed her fists as she spoke.

“Heh, what opinion could I have?” Chu Feng retreated two steps. He remembered Xu Lan’s warning: in the Spirit War Pavilion, even the kitchen aunties had awakened their spiritual attributes—he couldn’t afford to provoke anyone.

Chu Feng felt in his pocket, glanced at the woman, and thought, “With the Spirit War Sacred Order, I should be permitted anywhere in the Pavilion, including the women’s dormitory.”

He shook his head, smiling wryly at the thought. If Senior Yu Yang knew he used the Sacred Order for such a trivial matter, his reaction would be priceless!

Not wanting to expose the Sacred Order here, Chu Feng refused to give up so easily. If this path was blocked, he’d find another way.

He stepped back again, took a deep breath, then looked skyward and shouted, “Xu Yan! Xu Yan! Xu Yan!”

His voice boomed like thunder, even leaving the middle-aged woman momentarily stunned.

In moments, all eyes turned toward him; windows opened on Building Nine, and girls poked their heads out to see who was making such a scene.

The woman watched Chu Feng, torn between amusement and exasperation. She pointed at him and scolded, “You rascal! If you’re looking for someone, why didn’t you say so?”

Chu Feng was momentarily baffled, thinking, “If I’m trying to enter, it must be to find someone—why say it upfront?”

Just then, from a third-floor window, Xu Yan appeared, her face flushed, shouting angrily, “You wild brute! Why are you yelling like that? You may not care for embarrassment, but I do!”

Chu Feng looked up and grinned. “I’m just looking for you.”

“You’re insufferable!” Xu Yan snapped before disappearing inside.

Soon, several other girls leaned out the window beside her, smirking and scrutinizing Chu Feng, chattering among themselves.

“Is that Big Sister’s boyfriend?”

“He’s handsome and dignified—not bad!”

“A real looker!”

“So bold—he and Big Sister really are a perfect match!”

Around them, the crowd buzzed with speculation. They hadn’t expected such a spectacle—why shout when a message could be sent to the women’s dormitory?

“Wild brute? He really lives up to the name!”

“What a strange name—does he have ‘Wild’ as his surname?”

“Is this the old bull after tender grass?”

“I’ve seen him before. He must be a newcomer. His talent may be low, but his courage is impressive!”

Chu Feng stood tall—rarely moved by the world, but now his brows twitched, his face involuntarily contorting. He couldn’t help but admire the crowd’s talent for nonsense.

At that moment, Xu Yan, fuming and flushed, stormed out of the corridor. The stares from the crowd only deepened her embarrassment.

“You wild brute! Look what you’ve done!” Xu Yan nearly lost her composure. She’d hoped to see Chu Feng embarrassed, but it was always she who suffered.

Despite everything, Chu Feng remained calm and unruffled, which only incited Xu Yan further. Her fists flew at Chu Feng in a flurry.

The nearby boys, seeing Xu Yan’s elegance and beauty—like a goddess—couldn’t help but stare. Learning that this “wild brute” was only a newcomer made jealousy burn; they cursed him silently, lamenting that a flower was planted in cow dung.

As Xu Yan struck Chu Feng, her dorm mates leaned out and egged her on, shouting, “Oh…”

Xu Yan, mortified, dragged Chu Feng away at once, not stopping until they reached a secluded garden.

“Wild brute!” Xu Yan scolded, her fists raining down, though she dared not use full strength, knowing Chu Feng could not awaken his spiritual attribute.

“Ouch, any more and I’ll die!” Chu Feng cried out, but Xu Yan was relentless.

Finding the blows too lenient, she changed tactics—pinching and twisting him. Chu Feng’s waist, arms, and ears suffered, and he yelped in pain.

Only then did Xu Yan feel a measure of relief, stopping her assault and saying bitterly, “Are you stupid or just an idiot? You could have had the housekeeper send a message using spiritual arts, but you insisted on making a spectacle by shouting!”