Chapter 403: Initiation Ceremony
The mentor had some standing, so the university covered a portion of his expenses. He was staying in a semi-private room.
It had no kitchen and was only a little over a hundred square feet.
Hank was sitting by the bed, chattering away. "Professor, I'm here to see you again."
The old man lying in bed smiled. "You seem to have matured. That color shirt suits you well. But I heard you're not working at the station anymore."
"Of course not. I changed jobs a while ago. I'm a receptionist at a private clinic now. Don't worry, Professor, I'll take care of myself."
The professor nodded in satisfaction. "Don't keep dwelling on your academic problems. I'd rather you return to your own country."
Hank peeled an apple without a word.
Just then, the old man looked toward the door. "And you are?"
Xiao Ye smiled faintly. "We're Hank's colleagues. We heard he was here, so we thought we'd stop by. Sorry for the intrusion."
"Colleagues, ah. Please, have a seat."
When Hank saw it was the two of them, his expression changed instantly.
Xiao Ye placed a hand gently on his shoulder and said in a low voice, "Your professor is still here."
The unspoken message was clear: if he didn't want to expose that he was homeless, he had better keep his mouth shut.
And indeed, Hank quieted down.
Although the professor could sense that the relationship between them was a bit strange, they didn't seem like enemies, so he wasn't concerned.
"Alright, you've all kept me company for long enough. I'm just an old man; I can't be taking up you young people's time."
"You should all get going. Go do what you need to do. Don't let me make you late for work."
Hank seemed about to say something, but after a glance at Xiao Ye, he stood up to say goodbye.
Once outside the hospital room, he could no longer hold back. "What's the meaning of this? Why are you following me?!"
"If this is about that job offer, I've already refused! Go find someone else!"
"I just know a little more martial arts than most people, that's all! It's nothing special!"
Xiao Ye chuckled softly. "You don't just know a 'little more' martial arts, you know a lot. I'll help you deal with the professor who stole your research and restore your reputation."
"In return, you come work for me. How about it? But since I'll be doing so much for you, you'll naturally have to contribute a lot as well. I have some dangerous missions that I'll need your help with."
The Cyan Dragon Warriors were certainly formidable and very good, but their training was too obvious.
As experts who were systematically cultivated, they were fine as long as they didn't make a move. But the moment they did, they would be identified.
But Hank was different. And as it happened, some of Xiao Ye's business required the help of an expert who didn't have that tell-tale polish.
Hank stared at him in disbelief, but soon lowered his head. "No, that's impossible."
"You have no idea how powerful that professor is. I can tell you without any exaggeration, he's a titan in N City's academic world."
But no matter how much of a titan he was, he was no match for the Angel Association.
Xiao Ye had ways to make the man confess on his own.
"You don't need to worry about that. You just have to tell me if you're willing or not. As for your academic career, as long as you agree to work for me for three years..."
"...after those three years, you can return to your studies. But after you graduate, you'll need to work for me for another five years. Then, you'll be completely free."
"When you finally leave, I'll also give you a sum of money so large you could live off it for the rest of your life!"
An offer that tempting was no different from a pie falling from the sky.
Hank's breathing grew heavy. "How do I know if you're telling the truth?"
"I can help you clear up the academic plagiarism issue first. After that, you can decide whether you want to help me. How does that sound?"
Hank was still skeptical. "Aren't you afraid that after you help me, I'll just back out of the deal?"
"A single professor was able to push you to this point. Do you really think you have the power to defy me? Right now, all you need to do is tell me: will you accept or not!"
"I accept!" Hank agreed after only a moment's thought.
'An opportunity like this might only come once in a lifetime.'
'If Xiao Ye could really pull it off, what was the harm in helping him?'
'Even if he died, he would have cleared his name. It would be a worthy death!'
Before they left, Xiao Ye rented an apartment for Hank and left him some money, telling him to stay there for the time being.
He would come find him once the matter was resolved.
After that, Xiao Ye and Zhu Chen went to the United Group.
It was already nearing the end of the workday, so there weren't many people at the company.
Xiao Ye just went to put in an appearance.
Back at the villa, a maid brought them black tea. "Mr. Xiao, Mr. Zhu Chen, Lord Uriel asked me to inform you both that you are to attend the initiation ceremony tomorrow."
"The general assembly, however, will begin in a week."
With that said, she set down the tea, bowed respectfully, and left.
Xiao Ye and Zhu Chen had a light meal and then returned to their rooms to rest and prepare for the next day.
「Not until the next afternoon did someone finally arrive to pick them up.」
It was a luxury car with a very understated appearance.
The doors opened, and two beautiful women immediately offered them champagne.
Neither Xiao Ye nor Zhu Chen accepted. The moment they arrived at their destination, they got out of the car without lingering.
They had arrived at a large, private manor.
This estate belonged to the Royal Family of Country A. It was now available for rent, but the price for a single booking was extremely high.
Rumor had it that one night cost over a hundred thousand!
As soon as they entered the gate, two servants ushered them inside.
"Gentlemen, today is your initiation ceremony. As per the rules, you are not to conceal your appearance."
"As for the other attendees, they are required to wear masks, so please do not worry."
"Furthermore, we have prepared clothes for you. This way, please."
The two entered a room where, indeed, two suits were laid out. They were of the style favored by Western aristocrats of a bygone era.
Xiao Ye inspected them carefully. After confirming there was nothing hidden inside, he and Zhu Chen changed into them.
「At noon, a servant came again to lead them to the entrance of a basement.」
As this was a former residence of the Royal Family, the basement was enormous and divided into several areas.
With the exception of the wine cellar, the entire space was being used for today's initiation ceremony.
As soon as the two of them entered, they saw flickering candlelight and all sorts of people.
Most of the men wore old-fashioned Western-style suits or tailcoats, while the women wore long gowns of the same period style.
These types of gowns were very troublesome to put on and quite inconvenient to move in.
Upon seeing them, everyone immediately turned to look.
In the dim, yellow candlelight, the wide variety of masks was quite terrifying.
"So these two are the main event today."
"They're even more handsome than we imagined!"
"I hear you're powerful figures from the Dragon Country. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Someone proactively stepped forward to greet them.
It was a woman wearing a goat mask.