The Card Apprentice

Chapter 89: Rays of Light and a Warning

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

When Hong Tao and Man Siying arrived at Chen Mu’s class section, the whole section exploded. Even Feng Zi-ang was astonished.

One of them was Eastern Wei Academy’s most famous genius card artisan, and the other was the pretty card master who was so popular. It was hard not to cause a sensation when the two of them together came to the so-called “garbage admissions” sponsorship section.

But the most dazzling star that day wasn’t the two of them but was that taciturn Yao Ke. The funny picture of him wearing that gem-studded woman’s style apparatus had become increasingly mysterious and exotic to everyone that day.

After Feng Zi-ang dismissed the class, he didn’t leave the classroom right away, being also curious what Hong Tao and Man Siying were doing by coming there.

“May I ask if you are my classmate Yao Ke?” Man Siying’s voice was as gentle as a breeze.

The classmates behind Chen Mu all looked like they were having a good time, and in that instant almost all the pervs in the class had resolved to become hardcore fans of Miss Siying.

Even Phoenix and Ya Ya were amazed at Man Siying’s appearance and manners.

“I am.” Chen Mu calmly nodded.

No one could imagine how cool he remained in front of such a gorgeous woman! He recognized Hong Tao, since the battle between him and ‘Allah’ Gong’s bodyguard had left a deep impression in his mind. It was the first card artisan battle he had seen.

He also remembered the relationship between Hong Tao and Zuo Tingyi very clearly. He was on guard and in a state of high anxiety, since if he was the least bit careless the situation could turn very ugly for him. The relationship that Hong Tao had with Zuo Tingyi left Chen Mu without any good feelings toward him.

On the other hand, he didn’t have much of an impression of Man Siying. When he had stepped forward last time, he thought he had repayed her favor, and her place in his heart quickly dropped to that of any stranger on the street. And he hadn’t been paying any attention to Man Siying’s appearance with what happened that day, and so with the passage of time he didn’t recognize her.

As soon as Chen Mu had identified himself as Yao Ke, Hong Tao was thrilled, “I hear you can make the ‘mud fish’ card!”

“Mud fish” . . . “Mud fish” . . . It’s always “Mud fish”

None of the classmates had realized that Hong Tao was also coming for the “mud fish” jet stream card, although they had already gotten used to so many people seeking out Yao Ke to buy the “mud fish” those last few days.

But . . .

Their gazes were all on Man Siying, wasn’t that Miss Man Siying? Man Siying was known throughout the school as among the strong group of card masters, and it wasn’t just because of her looks that she was popular among so many of the male students.

Unless, unless . . . Man Siying couldn’t make the card either!

The students who had changed their minds so quickly were scared by their guess.

How could that be? Man Siying was at the forefront of the school’s mid-grade card masters. A card that she couldn’t make would have to be really tough! If that was the case, then wouldn’t Yao Ke’s ability surpass hers?

As more and more of them reacted, they looked at Chen Mu in disbelief. In that instant, Chen Mu became the focal point of everyone’s gaze, as he had then become the most dazzling person in the room!

Feng Zi-ang looked at Chen Mu with astonishment. As all the teachers recognized, Yao Ke was the most diligent and the strongest student in the class section. At the same time, Feng Zi-ang also knew that every card master specialized in some category of cards, and it was completely normal for even a truly outstanding card master not to be able even to make certain kinds of low-grade cards.

But that wasn’t enough to calm him down! He had heard all about Man Siying’s strength. For a card master with that kind of solid foundation, making an ordinary low-grade card should be a cinch. Unless . . . unless this wasn’t an ordinary low-grade card!

But if that were the case, then how could Yao Ke succeed in making it? With the very basic knowledge that he had and the subjects he had been studying, he could never have gotten to that point. And there wasn’t anything exceptional about his homework. Still, he was seen by many of the teachers as naturally gifted, while still having a serious attitude toward study.

What was the “mud fish” card after all?

Feng Zi-ang had doubts in his guts, but that clearly wasn’t a good time to ask about it.

Hong Tao’s perception was extremely sensitive, and he detected a very tightly repressed vibe of animosity in his adversary. Still, he wasn’t too concerned about it, since it wasn’t the first time he’d run into that kind of situation. As he was pretty well known in the school, ordinary card artisans would often have a little animosity toward him, tinged with jealousy.

But he was a little surprised, since this adversary was a card master. But it was probably pretty normal for such a strong card master to feel a little dislike for a popular person such as himself, especially from the sponsorship section. Hong Tao felt relieved after he thought about it.

A look of almost imperceptible surprise flashed in Man Siying’s eyes, as she felt that she had seen this Yao Ke someplace. But carefully scrutinizing his face, she was certain that she hadn’t ever seen him.

It was also the first time she’d encountered a situation like that, though she didn’t show her surprise. She remained off to the side scrutinizing this classmate called Yao Ke.

Hong Tao laughed, “I want to buy a fiery mayfly for someone, but Hua Hua doesn’t have a ‘mud fish’ jet stream card over there, so I came to find brother Yao. I know that brother Yao isn’t making the ‘mud fish card anymore, but I’m still asking brother Yao to sell a little face, and then wherever I am all you have to do is make a sound. Of course, the materials and the cost are no problem.

As soon as he said that, the classroom filled with the sounds of whispering. Phoenix and Ya Ya were even more surprised, since they understood the gravity of how Hong Tao had expressed himself. If you had that kind of firepower behind you, nobody in the school would dare to offend you.

No matter where you were, there would always be struggles among people, and nowhere more than at Eastern Wei Academy where basically everyone was the offspring of the wealthy.

That was why ‘Allah’ Gong was so ready to harass Man Siying, who was from an ordinary family. After Zuo Tingyi and Hong Tao had dragged ‘Allah’ Gong to the disciplinary office, no-one would dare to flirt with her again.

Man Siying’s eyes lit up, as she said lightly with a smile, “The ‘mud fish’ jet stream card is too difficult for me to make, so I had to come looking for brother Yao.”

All the whispering stopped. What they had guessed was right! The utter shock of it shut their mouths.

Chen Mu’s mind was racing, as he considered his position. He could tell that Hong Tao hadn’t seen through his disguise, which relieved him slightly.

Should he or shouldn’t he? Chen Mu thought hard about it, and then quickly decided that he would do it for Hong Tao.

Although he didn’t like Hong Tao, safety was more important just then, and he didn’t want any unnecessary trouble. If he refused the request, Hong Tao wouldn’t turn hostile on the spot, but he would certainly investigate him. Although the demonic woman had made a series of arrangements, once Hong Tao started looking, quite a few flaws in his story might show up.

It looked as though he would have to leave from there right away, since Chen Mu already sensed some danger.

Hong Tao was a little bit surprised to find his adversary as nervous as though he were faced with a powerful enemy, which raised some suspicion again.

“OK.” Chen Mu answered readily, washing away any of Hong Tao’s suspicion with this pleasant surprise. He had only having come for the agreement. He really hated running into those guys with bad tempers who wouldn’t be convinced by either sweet talk or coercion, and he really didn’t want to use force. The best result was to have it so smoothly decided.

“I am very grateful to brother Yao!” The very happy Hong Tao had erased any suspicion.

“I have a lot of questions about this ‘mud fish’ jet stream card, and I’m wondering if brother Yao might have a little time to give some pointers to his little sister?” Man Siying seemed a little embarrassed to insert this, and she blushed.

Good Lord, what does that mean? Was she hinting for a date? Miss Man Siying with the reputation of a princess? All of the guys in the class who had become hard core fans of Man Siying were dumbstruck, and the temperature in the classroom shot through the roof.

Hong Tao looked at Man Siying in surprise, wondering if he had heard wrong.

Chen Mu shook his head, “I am so sorry, I don’t have the time.” In his vigilance Chen Mu’s mind was only able to think of how to get away from there, since he wouldn’t have to respond to Man Siying’s request if he escaped. Adding to that was how many basic ‘token’ concepts were in the “mud fish.” That made him even more careful, since he wouldn’t dare to share those with anyone else.

Everyone can deceive themselves, and Hong Tao wasn’t any different. That guy really was stubborn! Hong Tao had been congratulating himself on his good luck, with Yao Ke having just agreed to help him by making the “mud fish.” And now Phoenix and Ya Ya were looking at Chen Mu as though he were weird.

Man Siying hadn’t been either embarrassed or irritated by the refusal, but followed it with, “Please don’t worry brother Yao. I am very quiet and won’t hold up your work.”

Just about everyone in the room froze in that instant.

Chen Mu was a little curious about why he was getting tangled up with that woman. Then just as he was opening his mouth to decline again, some coughing broke the silence of the classroom.

The one coughing was Feng Zi-ang, who drew everyone’s gaze by sticking out like that.

“Now, Yao Ke.” Feng Zi-ang spoke in slow careful tones, with a composed expression.

“Teacher.” Chen Mu gave a slight bow.

“Helping one’s classmates is a character trait that all students should cultivate. Your classmate Man Siying has some questions about the ‘mud fish’ jet stream card, and she is asking for your advice. So, the two of you should do some good communicating. Classmate Man has very solid accomplishment with card making which could benefit you greatly. If you mutually communicate, you can mutually progress.”

Feng Zi-ang was a little pleased with himself, having been able to say something today that meant something, which was an accomplishment. He didn’t mind the venom in the other student’s eyes, since in his mind, Yao Ke was the pride of all the teachers, and fundamentally different from all the rest of the fancy pants garbage.

Since Feng Zi-ang had spoken in front of so many people, Chen Mu had no way to refuse.

He reluctantly agreed, “Yes, sir.”

“Thank you, teacher.” The bashfulness was still not gone from Man Siying’s face, which caused an upwelling of feelings in those watching from all around.

Chen Mu gathered his things, said goodbye to the teacher, and after nodding to Hong Tao, walked out the door with Man Siying close behind him.

As soon as they went through the door, the classroom exploded again. All of them were hotly and excitedly talking about that incredible scene that had just happened in front of their eyes.

They all knew that the affair would have spread through the entire school before tomorrow.

Chen Mu and Man Siying were walking side by side. He noticed people gazing at them along the way from time to time. That made him frown unconsciously, since the thing he least wanted just then was to draw anyone’s attention.

He smirked to himself never having thought that everything would go the other way, making him the center of attention. This also hardened his determination to leave. What had happened that day had pushed him into the brightest spotlight, so that even his disguise wasn’t any cover.

He didn’t belong on stage, being more suited to living out his life in some dark corner, just as the demonic woman had said he must.

His situation had become precarious enough that he was determined to leave. It didn’t make any difference whether or not the demonic woman had returned, since by remaining there he could be grabbed by the Zuo family at any moment.

Chen Mu was deep in thought and wasn’t saying anything as the two of them walked along side by side. He hadn’t noticed that Man Siying has deliberately slowed her steps and had fallen behind.

That was the back! Man Siying kept staring at that back which was always floating up in her mind with such mixed feelings. She had certainly been protected that day behind that back, and she was also looking at it that way.

“Chen Mu.” She very lightly spat out the two words.

Yao Ke went numb in front of her.

Chen Mu’s heart immediately jumped into his throat as though he had encountered some deadly beast, and all his hair stood on end. But with so many people walking about, he forcefully repressed the impulses of his hands.

“Don’t worry, I won’t harm you.” Man Siying’s soft voice came from behind him, “You probably don’t remember me. You protected me last time. I don’t know how you became an enemy of the Zuo family, but . . . are you still determined to leave?”

“Protected you?” Chen Mu’s voice was a little hoarse. To have been so suddenly found out like that, he felt as though he’d been hit over the head. He had no way to remain calm.

“Ha ha, maybe you forgot. It was a long time ago in the school, when we were watching a card play, don’t you remember? You were brandishing a chair and had a friend with you.” Man Siying’s voice was as misty as the clouds as it awakened Chen Mu’s memories.

“Oh, that was you.” Chen Mu hadn’t let down his guard, asking “How did you know who I am?”

“I thought I had seen you somewhere when I first saw you, but I couldn’t be certain. Just now I became certain when I saw your back.” Man Siying’s eyes grew gradually brighter.

That response was beyond anything Chen Mu could have expected, as he marveled to himself, while still becoming a lot more worried wondering whether Hong Tao had recognized him.

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