Chapter 37: Yaoxing Academy 37 Part 1

In the vast villa, there was no sign of Lu Zhou.

His bedding lay neatly arranged, untouched, with several medicine bottles scattered on the floor by the bedside. Colorful pills spilled across the ground.

Xun Ji examined them one by one. They were all Psychiatric Medications.

“I was still too careless,” Xun Ji sighed softly.

Over this period, the Blackening Value had cleared far too smoothly, dropping all the way to 20%. The pain of being separated from his family and parted from his lover over those three years seemed to have had no effect on Lu Zhou at all. He appeared to have walked out of that shadow entirely.

Xun Ji had faintly sensed something off about this, but Lu Zhou had been so obedient and compliant, with every smile on his face coming straight from the heart. Gradually, Xun Ji had let his guard down.

【Host, that other system doesn’t seem to have completely disappeared. I can detect its presence again!】

No sooner had the System spoken than it let out an “Eh?”

【Host, Host! The other system vanished again! Is it broken or something? Why does it keep flickering in and out?】

The mobile phone pressed to Xun Ji’s ear kept emitting a busy tone. He hung up, abandoning the futile attempt.

“Because Lin Yule is teetering on the edge of life and death right now.”

The Sea Island was mild and serene on ordinary days, but once the rain started, it put on a completely different face. Fierce winds battered the shore, torrential rain poured down, and bean-sized raindrops hammered relentlessly, airtight and punishing like the wrath of an enraged sea god.

Xun Ji pressed on through the rain and darkness, the wheelchair beneath him groaning under the strain in the storm.

【Host, your body can’t take this kind of torment right now. Let’s head back!】 The System urged anxiously.

Xun Ji did not reply and continued forging ahead in one direction.

【Host, how about… how about you make another call? That way I can trace the sound and help you find him.】 The System was on the verge of tears.

“No need,” Xun Ji said emotionlessly. “I’ve found him.”

Before him loomed the Abandoned Lighthouse.

At the very top, in the disused equipment room, a dim yellow light flickered faintly. Xun Ji wheeled into the lighthouse and looked up at the endless spiral staircase winding into the darkness. He let out a silent sigh.

Bracing himself against the wheelchair, he stood and climbed step by step.

The deafening roar of rain outside the lighthouse completely drowned out the noises from the top—and the heavy panting on the stairs.

Though his body had recovered well over the past month, climbing stairs was still far too grueling for Xun Ji. His leg muscles screamed in agony, trembling and spasming nonstop. He had no choice but to use his hands, even his core, to ease the burden on his legs.

In the end, he was crawling on all fours up the stairs, dragging himself forward with all he had. His clothes were thoroughly soaked, his face deathly pale, streaked with what could have been rain or cold sweat. His golden hair clung limply to his face like wilted seaweed stripped of life.

When Lu Zhou heard the noise behind him and turned, this was the Xun Ji he saw.

Lu Zhou’s mind went blank for a moment, leaving him dazed. He couldn’t understand why Xun Ji was here—or why he looked like this.

Xun Ji steadied himself against the equipment room door and struggled to stand, but he soon collapsed back to the floor. He simply had no strength left.

He glanced at Lin Yule, sprawled on the ground covered in blood, and asked Lu Zhou, “Is he still alive?”

Only after speaking did he realize how hoarse his throat was. He cleared it, but that only irritated his lungs, triggering a violent coughing fit.

Clang.

The bloodstained Iron Rod dropped to the ground.

The cough seemed to snap Lu Zhou out of a trance. He hurried to Xun Ji’s side, deep panic welling in his eyes.

“Xun Ji, are you okay?” He crouched down, his hand trembling as he touched Xun Ji’s back. “Are you in pain? I’ll take you back right now. It’s fine, Xun Ji. Don’t be scared…”

Xun Ji brushed his hand away roughly, steadied his breathing, and asked again, “Lin Yule—is he still alive?”

Lu Zhou looked as if he didn’t understand. “Lin Yule? Why are you asking about him?”

Xun Ji had no patience to talk to Lu Zhou in his current state. He pulled several medicine bottles from his pocket and tossed them to the floor. “Take the medicine.”

The bloodied figure on the ground stirred faintly. Lin Yule’s breathing was shallow; he barely pried his eyes open a slit. Upon seeing Xun Ji, the corners of his mouth tugged into a happy smile.

“Brother…” His voice was faint, yet it cut clearly through the overwhelming roar of the storm into the ears of the other two present.

“Mm, I’m here.” Xun Ji lacked the strength to go to him and leaned against the doorframe, straining to raise his voice. “Hold on a bit longer. The Lin Family’s helicopter will be here soon.”

“Brother?” Lu Zhou murmured the word in repetition, his tone full of confusion. “Why is he calling you Brother? Xun Ji, what’s your relationship with him?”

Xun Ji glanced at the medicine bottles on the floor. “Take the medicine, and I’ll tell you.”

Lu Zhou nodded obediently, picked up a bottle, and twisted it open. His hands were covered in blood, but he acted as if he couldn’t see it. He dumped all the pills into his palm and shoved them into his mouth at once.

“Lu Zhou!” Xun Ji scolded in a low voice. “Spit them out.”

Lu Zhou’s expression grew even more puzzled, but he obediently spat the mouthful of pills back into his hand. A ring of bloody stains circled his mouth, making him look hideous and terrifying. He asked Xun Ji, “So, do you want me to take the medicine or not?”