Nine Star Burden - Chapter 25

Chapter 251: Wasteland Reclamation Disciple?

Three days later, in the classroom of Year Three Class 1 of Jiangbin High School.

During the self-study session in the evening, Jiang Xiao completed a script and took out his mobile phone to read the comments on his Weibo page.

After the awards ceremony that took place three days ago, Jiang Xiao posted a photo of him and his team members wearing medals and holding up the trophy together.

The photo caused an uproar in Jiang Xiao’s Weibo page and thousands of comments to appear.

“The little toxic healer is really menacing~”

“I became a champion of the Wasteland Reclamation Competition at the age of sixteen. What about you?”

“When I was 16 years old, I was a Provincial League champion and a Wasteland Reclamation Competition champion. I also became the MVP. What about you?”

“I want to learn from Xiaopi… No, I want to marry techniques… Uh… no, I, uh, I…”

Among the thousands of comments, Jiang Xiao noticed a few and caused them to be upvoted towards the top:

Zhu Wu: “Damn it!”

Jiang Xiaopi mischievous-or-not: “@Zhu Wu, study more.”

Little Ke likes to sleep: “Wow, God Pi is awesome! The goal is the National League. God Pi, all the best!”

Jiang Xiaopi mischievous-or-not: “How? Use a hundred thousand volts?”

Citizen of China Yi Lianna: “You’re so cool!”

Jiang Xiaopi mischievous-or-not: “Why are you telling the truth!?!”

Bang!

Jiang Xiao was scrolling through Weibo when he felt someone kicking his chair.

Han Jiangxue chided coldly. “Why are you playing with your mobile phone in class? Bring it here.”

Jiang Xiao pursed his lips and thought, I’ve already had a hard time hiding from the teachers. Yet, I still have to hide from Han Jiangxue?

Life in Year Three is too comfortable!

Jiang Xiao leaned backward and cocked his head towards the side before saying softly, “I’m done with my scripts. There are still a few minutes to go before class is dismissed.”

Just as Jiang Xiao turned his head to speak to them, he suddenly saw a figure swaying outside the back door.

Why does that pair of eyes look a little familiar?

“Xiaopi?” Han Jiangxue was just about to say something when she suddenly discovered that he was slightly stunned. She couldn’t help but curl her finger and knock him on the back of the head.

Jiang Xiao’s eyes lit up and he finally thought about that familiar pair of eyes.

Although it sounded strange, the man’s eyes were really beautiful. They were bright and friendly. Hence, it was deeply etched in Jiang Xiao’s memory.

When the situation was dangerous, the look of concern in his eyes seemed to be rather genuine.

Jiang Xiao cocked his head towards the door and asked, “Do you remember the incident that happened on Central Street on the eve of the Lunar New Year?”

“Uh-huh?” Han Jiangxue turned to look at the back door of the classroom, only to catch a fleeting glimpse of a face.

Jiang Xiao continued, “When the young man from the Wasteland Reclamation team saw us, he hurried towards us and showed his concern for us. He said that his last name was Qin, and we even asked Uncle Xia about him when we went back.”

Han Jiangxue asked, “Qin Wangchuan? Uncle Xia said that when this young man first joined the squad, he received great care from our parents. That’s why he’s very concerned about us.”

Jiang Xiao nodded and said, “He should be the one outside the door.”

Han Jiangxue looked at the empty glass of the back door and couldn’t help but frown. “What’s he doing here?”

Jiang Xiao pursed his lips and said, “The important question is, is he here to see us or not? If he is, is he here to see us personally, or as a Wasteland Reclaimer?”

Han Jiangxue nodded in agreement with his words. There was a huge difference.

Just as she was deep in thought, the dismissal bell finally rang.

At this moment, a few male students rushed out of the classroom with their school bags, and the teachers in charge of maintaining discipline during the evening self-study session did not have the time to react at all.

It couldn’t be helped. The group of Awakened children had superb physical attributes. If the school did not forbid them, they would have jumped out of the window…

Li Weiyi them bade goodbye and proceeded to pick Li Qingmei up with his schoolbag.

Jiang Xiao and the rest packed up. If nothing cropped up, they would probably stay over at Xia Yan’s house for the night.

It may seem unbelievable, but the roles were reversed and Jiang Xiao was the one teaching Xia Yan swordsmanship.

During the start of the National League, Jiang Xiao was thinking that he ought to train Xia Yan and make her reach his level in terms of swordsmanship. Only then would the benefits of silent battle tactics be maximized.

The college entrance examination would be occurring in three months and the National League would take place before that. It was a herculean task!

The trio walked out of the classroom with their school bags on their backs when they saw a slender figure in the corner of the staircase. Perhaps because he had good proportions, he gave off the impression of being slender. However, that young man was, in fact, tall and muscular. He was at least 1.85 meters tall.

He had a neat, buzzcut. Although he was dressed in simple and ordinary clothes, his posture made it obvious that he was from the military.

He was about 28 or 29 years old and had an ordinary appearance. However, his eyes were bright and friendly, giving him an amicable vibe.

“Hello.” The young man greeted them with a gentle smile.

Jiang Xiao and the other three kept their guards up. As the only Melee fighter, Xia Yan blocked for them.

Although they were in school and not a battlefield, the habit that she had developed over time made Xia Yan act instinctively.

“It’s me.” The young man placed a hand on his forehead while keeping the other on his mouth. He looked at the three of them, seemingly trying to remind them.

Xia Yan looked at him with a retarded gaze and thought, Who are you? Do I know you?

Jiang Xiao was also a little confused. Isn’t this guy one of the Wasteland Reclaimers? What’s he doing? Is he serious?

Han Jiangxue was watching the show and thinking to herself, Seems like this guy is really here to look for me.

The young man blinked, feeling a little awkward because no one answered him. He stepped forward and asked, “You don’t remember? It’s me!”

Xia Yan stretched her hand out and flames were suddenly ignited in it. She placed it in front of the young man to stop him from moving forward.

Xia Yan answered, “What do you mean ‘you’?”

The young man took a step back and said, “It’s me! I used to…”

Xia Yan interrupted, “What ‘you’!?! You’ve once crossed mountains, rivers, and seas? You’ve also trod through… masses of people?”

“Hahaha…” Jiang Xiao burst into laughter and thought to himself that Xia Yan was really toxic.

When they were in the Arsenal at the beginning, Jiang Xiao told Han Jiangxue to use Barren Wind and repeatedly told her to “Blow, blow”. At that time, Xia Yan said, “My pride and joy”, which made Jiang Xiao incredibly thrilled as well.

“Uh.” The young man said, “We met each other on Central Street, I am…”

“We know who you are.” Han Jiangxue interrupted Qin Wangchuan and asked, “Why are you here to see us?”

Qin Wangchuan heaved a sigh of relief, for he was insulted badly by Xia Yan. He finally didn’t have to explain any further. He said, “I’m on leave today. I’m here to see you guys.”

Han Jiangxue shook her head slightly and kept her guard up. “That’s not necessary. If you have something to say, please go ahead. If not, we’ll be leaving now.”

“Uh.” Qin Wangchuan explained, “We met briefly on Central Street that day, but I didn’t get to say much to you. You guys don’t know this, but when I first joined the team, your parents took great care of me.”

“No need.” Han Jiangxue interrupted Qin Wangchuan again and continued, “It’s getting late, we should get going.”

Qin Wangchuan felt rather helpless. He didn’t want to visit them so late and cause them to keep their guards up. However, he had no choice because he could only take a break tonight.

Han Jiangxue really felt that he had an ulterior motive. If he was telling the truth, why did he only show up now?

Her parents had gone missing for three full years. If Qin Wangchuan really wanted to repay them for their kindness, he would have at least expressed it before. Why did he only appear at this juncture?

Now that they had already made a name for themselves in the Provincial League, he actually showed up?

Seeing how cautious and suspecting Han Jiangxue was, he could understand their predicament. He also knew that some things couldn’t be forced. He explained, “I just returned from a mission a few months ago. During the first mission I received after I returned, I ran into you two and I’ve been thinking about you guys.”

Qin Wangchuan continued, “I came this time to remind you guys. The Wasteland Reclaimers are very pleased with your performance and they’re very interested in you guys too. However, your stands are key. If possible, I’ll strive to be the messenger and face you personally. Regardless of whether you agree or not, I can speak up for you guys.

“If I fail and someone else invites you to become apprentices of the Wasteland Reclaimers, their attitudes might be harsher. However, you don’t have to be affected by any external factors. Just decide according to your own thoughts. Don’t worry about anything else too. I’ll do my best to help you settle things.”

Han Jiangxue was stunned for a while and she asked, “Apprentices of the Wasteland Reclaimers?”

Qin Wangchuan answered, “Yes, just apprentices. If all goes well, you will eventually become official Wasteland Reclaimers.”

Han Jiangxue said, “But I still have to go to school, and the national college entrance examination is just around the corner.”

Qin Wangchuan said, “The Wasteland Reclaimers have perfect training methods that will not cause any delay in your studies.”

Xia Yan asked, “Eh? Do I have a spot too?”

Qin Wangchuan nodded and said, “I’m not sure.”

Although he said that he wasn’t sure, he actually nodded. Qin Wangchuan was really interesting.

Xia Yan’s father was Xia Shanhai and she could be considered to have inherited all his genes. She was also a prodigy with 28 star slots and should be qualified. As for whether she was invited or not, that was another matter.

Han Jiangxue and Jiang Xiao looked at each other. By right, they should be feeling extremely glorious at this moment.

It was an invitation from China’s top team!

Although they were only asked to be apprentices and it was uncertain if they would eventually become official Wasteland Reclaimers, that glory was enough for them to be proud for a lifetime.

However, the problem appeared.

Jiang Xiao’s mind was filled with thoughts about the letter that Hai Tianqing handed to him.

The content of the letter was extremely simple.

There were only two words written in ink from a fountain pen: “Not bad.”

Shadow of blades could almost be seen in the handwriting and the strokes were extremely sharp.

Jiang Xiao could already see Second Last’s cold face from those two words which seemed to be reminding him of the deal that they had made.

Is she praising me?

Is she trying to tell me that she’s safe?

Is she vaguely trying to express that she has already settled everything?

No, not at all!

This is a damned threat!

Become an apprentice of the Wasteland Reclaimers?