Chapter 20 : Chapter 20
Chapter 20
After finishing Feng Youyou’s interview, Xie Chang’an asked who had initiated it. No matter who started it or what their purpose was, it had genuinely helped him understand the full picture of the conflict.
He should go thank them, Xie Chang’an thought.
“Actually, I had guessed his intention earlier,” Feng Youyou said, pushing up her glasses. She looked at Xie Chang’an with a complicated expression. “But after talking with you, I think I understand now.”
“Hm?” Xie Chang’an blinked in confusion.
“Our path will always be harder than some people’s,” Feng Youyou murmured with a hint of melancholy. “Those born into noble families get a second chance. We do not.”
“Let’s consider it mutual assistance.”
Feng Youyou patted Xie Chang’an on the shoulder and said lightly, “Ji Qing asked the News Club to get involved. But you should avoid bothering him too much. And also—”
“Work hard. Next time, do not act so recklessly.”
Xie Chang’an stood there in a daze.
He could sense the goodwill Feng Youyou had shown him, even though he did not know what had happened in the middle of it all. After all, he had simply spoken to her in his usual tone.
Was it because his own reputation was bad as well?
Xie Chang’an hesitated.
It seemed that in the future he would have to pay attention to public opinion. He could not allow people to smear him for no reason.
【He has finally returned to the original Xie Chang’an (sigh)】
【Honestly, you cannot really blame the protagonist】
【But Feng Youyou changed her mind pretty quickly】
【The protagonist has natural charisma】
【Forget Feng Youyou. Anyone would change their impression after talking to him. Chang’an is truly a good kid. He just loses his reason when it comes to friends】
【Both parents died, all family gone, and all childhood friends lost contact. The protagonist’s first half of life is pure tragedy. If he could remain rational, that would actually be strange】
【Chang’an is really a good person. It is all the author’s frustrating plot】
【Sigh】
【Poor Chang’an growing up so lonely (pity)】
【I suspected something was wrong with the orphanage back in Volume One, and I still suspect it now. From Chang’an’s memories, the number of children there seemed to decrease too quickly…】
“The orphanage…”
Lin Yan frowned and muttered to herself.
When she had first started reading Ability Hunter, she had also suspected the orphanage.
At one point, Lin Yan had even believed that the elderly director of the orphanage was the mastermind behind the kidnapping case.
But it turned out she was not.
Before Xie Chang’an left for Yancheng, the director had even secretly given him some extra money.
Lin Yan hesitated.
So could there still be something wrong…
In the manga, Xie Chang’an suddenly froze.
Was it Ji Qing who helped him?
He had already received Ji Qing’s help before, yet now he had helped him again.
This time he absolutely had to visit him personally and express his gratitude.
But simple verbal thanks felt too insincere. What could he offer as a return gift?
Xie Chang’an lowered his head in frustration.
Meanwhile, Feng Youyou stood at the entrance of the News Club building, looking down at the camera in her hands.
She then looked up at the senior student standing before her and spoke seriously.
“Senior, I will enter Class S.”
This was not only for her own future, but also for the people she would meet in the future.
Feng Youyou wanted to become someone others could ask for help—and someone capable of helping them.
Being a reporter was her dream.
But beyond being a reporter, there were other dreams as well.
【Wow wow wow】
【Looks like we will see Youyou again in the future】
【She seems very confident that she will enter Class S. She just stated it directly】
【Liu Mu said he wanted to transfer to Class B, but Feng Youyou directly said she would enter Class S… The difference in their strength is already obvious】
【By the way, are there any girls in Class S right now?】
【Not sure】
Members of Class S…
Lin Yan fell into thought.
Based on Zhou Que and Ji Qing’s earlier conversation, the sixth member’s name sounded somewhat feminine, but it was not certain yet.
The author had previously used male names for female characters and female names for male characters.
So far, the five members of Class S who had appeared were all male.
Everything depended on whether the sixth one was female.
But according to Lin Yan’s many years of reading mangas, the sixth member would definitely be a girl.
Otherwise the gender ratio would become unbalanced.
In the manga, Xie Chang’an encountered Zhou Que again on campus.
This time Zhou Que was accompanied by two classmates from Class S. The three of them seemed to be chatting happily.
Compared with himself, Zhou Que’s situation seemed much better…
Xie Chang’an thought silently.
While they were talking, Zhou Que suddenly seemed to remember something and hurriedly grabbed his textbook before rushing away.
The remaining two continued their conversation.
Xie Chang’an suddenly gathered his courage and stepped forward to ask them something.
He wanted to thank Ji Qing but did not know how.
Perhaps asking Ji Qing’s classmates would give him an idea.
Instead, he received awkward expressions from the two of them.
【Ahhh Chang’an do not ask Shao Huayu】
【You Xingluo looks helpless】
【Damn who could have expected this situation】
【Chang’an does not know any of them. But Chang’an, this is not the time to stand out in front of Class S】
【This is ridiculous】
【Someone save Chang’an please】
“Ugh…”
Lin Yan cringed so hard her eyebrows twisted together.
She quickly flipped to the next page.
In the manga, You Xingluo said helplessly,
“He does not want to see you. Or rather, none of us want to see you. Class S will begin off-campus training next semester. We really do not want to deal with irrelevant matters.”
“You will have very few chances to meet him again,” Shao Huayu added coldly, glancing at You Xingluo beside him.
【I am dying of laughter】
【Before answering, Shao Huayu even glanced at You Xingluo. What kind of awkward dynamic do these three have】
【I need to see the relationship network of Class S right now (shouting)】
【Is You Xingluo also from a noble family?】
【Things are becoming interesting… You Xingluo is actively approaching Ji Qing, while Shao Huayu seems concerned about You Xingluo’s feelings…】
【Only Zhou Que is the clueless one】
【Zhou Que and the protagonist might actually have a lot to talk about (strange tone)】
【Yes, the protagonist is also clueless…】
The protagonist really was clueless, but Lin Yan could not bring herself to criticize him too much.
Thinking about his bizarre past, she suddenly felt deflated.
She even posted a comment expressing the same thought.
In the manga, Xie Chang’an froze at first, then politely thanked them.
He suddenly understood something.
If he wanted to stand on equal footing with them, his only opportunity was to enter Class S.
In this academy of abilities, only the strong had the right to be selective.
【Not easy. He finally realized】
【It took more than twenty chapters for him to understand something everyone else already knew… The protagonist still has a long road ahead (solemn tone)】
【Indeed, a long road】
【Looking at the total chapter count… that is definitely true】
“Please do not go down such a cliché path…” Lin Yan said miserably.
In the next chapter, two weeks had already passed.
Xie Chang’an sat at his desk writing notes.
Through narration, the manga described the changes during those two weeks and showed his academy life from his perspective.
Laughter from his roommates came from the doorway.
Several of them entered the dormitory but did not greet him.
One of the roommates mysteriously revealed a rumor he had heard from outside the academy.
After hearing it, Xie Chang’an froze.
The words brought his thoughts back to the moment in Spring City when he had confronted Aberrant.
【The classic time skip】
【Strange… I thought the previous chapter would end the volume…】
【I thought so too】
【Looking at the chapter count, it really should be close. So something important must happen next?】
【The Infected?】
Lin Yan was stunned.
That was right.
She had also thought the previous chapter would have been the perfect ending.
After all, the kinds of things that happened at school were usually predictable, and the author would not move the school tournament into this volume.
Was something important about to happen?
Infected…
The word lingered in Lin Yan’s mind.
Suddenly she realized something.
Was the author finally going to advance the Infected storyline?
Excited, Lin Yan quickly scrolled down.
In the manga, the roommates shared their opinions.
When the informant tried to reassure everyone, Xie Chang’an suddenly asked,
“Do you know where it appears?”
The others froze.
Considering Xie Chang’an’s bad reputation, the informant hesitantly told him.
【Damn, are we finally entering the Infected storyline?】
【I thought we would have to wait an entire semester. I did not expect the storylines to merge so quickly】
【Author, you never said things would get this exciting】
【Finally something interesting happens in this boring academy life】
“Damn…”
Lin Yan suddenly sat upright in excitement.
By now the dormitory lights had already been turned off.
Without realizing it, Lin Yan had read until the time when her roommates finished washing up and went to bed.
But she had no intention of sleeping.
This was the most exciting part.
In the next panel, Xie Chang’an appeared in the outskirts of Yancheng at night, wearing casual clothes.
While walking toward the dance hall his roommate mentioned, he wondered why the Infected would appear there.
A bumpkin from the countryside could not understand the luxuries of city life.
【I am dying hahaha】
【Mainly because he has always lived with very little material comfort. He never had room to consider spiritual enjoyment】
【Poor Chang’an】
【By the way, I feel like we have not seen Lingxue for a while】
【That is true】
【Knowing that Xuexue is in Class A makes me a little worried】
In the manga, Xie Chang’an entered the dance hall and ordered a glass of fruit juice.
The bartender gave him a cold look, but Xie Chang’an did not notice.
Just as he lowered his head to check the drink menu, a shadow slowly covered the light above him.
A stranger leaned forward to look at the menu and laughed softly.
“If you are a child, you should not drink alcohol.”
Xie Chang’an’s body stiffened instantly.
Because he smelled the strong scent of blood from the man—like someone who had just left the scene of a murder.
Slowly raising his head, Xie Chang’an saw the man staring at him like a predator who had spotted prey.
The mysterious man with black hair and red eyes sighed theatrically and smiled with interest.
“You are an Infected too. Be careful not to get discovered.”
The manga depicted the scene with remarkable detail.
The caution and unease in Xie Chang’an’s eyes, the careless elegance of the mysterious man’s fingers, the complicated interior of the dance hall, and the dazzling lights and shadows—
Everything was illustrated vividly.
It was the kind of page that showcased the artist’s true skill.
【So beautiful…】
【The last time the author drew with this level of care was when Xie Chang’an killed the mutated spider…】
【Another turning point?】
【New character! Black hair and red eyes! That is the author’s favorite type!】
【Damn, so this is where he appears?】
【No explanation needed—he is definitely important】
“What a handsome guy…” Lin Yan’s eyes sparkled.
Reluctantly, she stared at the panel a few more times before forcing herself to scroll down.
She thought softly: Later… later she would go to the forum and admire him together with the other fans.
The forum for Ability Hunter had a very friendly atmosphere.
Since the manga was still in its early stages, fans who cared about the plot and fans who cared about character pairings mostly stayed in their own spaces.
Lin Yan had already made many friends there.
In the manga, Xie Chang’an cautiously gripped the dagger hidden inside his jacket.
The mysterious man merely laughed lightly, as if teasing a stray kitten wandering outside.
There was not a trace of hostility in his attitude.
Xie Chang’an gradually relaxed.
Recalling the man’s words, he realized that the mysterious man himself was an Infected.
Perhaps he could obtain useful clues from him.
Xie Chang’an silently sat back down and stiffly placed his hands on the table.
The mysterious man immediately teased him with a smile.
【Facepalm. Sorry, but that is really obvious】
【Chang’an you…】
【The protagonist’s intention is correct, but he simply has no experience】
【The other guy even kindly warned him】
【He is so handsome and elegant. If it were me, I would immediately cling to him】
【An inexperienced high school boy VS a mature adult】
【…Damn】
【That is actually true】
“Hehehe…” Lin Yan grinned foolishly.
There were so many handsome characters appearing in Volume Two of Ability Hunter, each with their own unique charm.
As a reader, she was enjoying it immensely.
If the story also improved, it would be even better.
In the manga, Xie Chang’an continued probing him.
He tried to learn how the mysterious man knew he was an Infected.
But due to his lack of experience, he ended up revealing much of his own information instead.
Eventually he was mocked as “a bumpkin who had never entered the city.”
Just as Xie Chang’an felt ashamed, the mysterious man murmured softly,
“You should be glad you met me. I happen to need a spy.”
【A spy? A spy inside the Third Ability Academy?】
【Hmm?】
【The value of the plot just skyrocketed】
【Damn, is Chang’an about to get involved in conflicts among the Infected?】
【He is already an Infected, so it is not really ‘getting involved’】
“Hmm…”
Lin Yan watched with confusion.
In the manga, the mysterious man kindly explained the reason.
Smiling confidently, he said, “Congratulations on escaping the fate of becoming an Infected.”
“But you have not completely escaped.”
Before Xie Chang’an could react, the man suddenly leaned closer.
Pressing a slender finger against the corner of Xie Chang’an’s lips, he whispered threateningly,
“I assume you will agree. If your identity as an Infected is exposed, you will not be able to survive anywhere.”
The mysterious man calmly stated his conditions.
Finally, he stepped back with a teasing smile.
“Li Yuan. Codename: Raven.”
“You can simply call me Li Yuan.”
“After all, this codename… is far more famous than my name.”
【Ahhh he is so handsome】
【Li Yuan! My favorite character is Li Yuan!】
【He really looks like an elegant black cat. Sorry… let me imagine him as a cat…】
【Damn, he just became the protagonist’s superior】
【After so many chapters, the protagonist finally has a reasonable CP partner. We no longer have to force pairings】
【Does Ji Qing not count? He helped twice】
“You do not understand…”
Lin Yan bit the corner of her pillow excitedly.
This pairing clearly had the dynamic of love and rivalry. It was completely different from Ji Qing’s storyline.
At last, the author had returned to the type of story he excelled at.
Lin Yan twisted excitedly in her bed.
Her favorite stories from this author had always been tales of love and hatred intertwined.
The reason she had followed Yuexia Cao so obsessively in the past was because of a short martial arts manga he had drawn.
The intense emotional conflict between a demonic sect’s young master and a righteous hero had been absolutely thrilling.
And now— The author has returned to his strongest style.
It felt like the return of a king.