Return To Guiyi Academy

Unknowingly to me, they were sick of a plague. This morning, opening their rooms, I discovered they all died of a deadly and contagious disease," Elder Si Yin said.

Just as he mentioned disease, the officers shifted back from the wagon.

"So I decided to bury them outside the village since it's contagious and their bodies may affect soil and water channel, so I decided to bury them outside the village," he said.

The man wasn't convinced, so he decided to open and see if the bodies were actually plagued. Just as he opened the wagon, the stench alone mad him nauseate.

In that process, Elder Si Yin skillfully threw a poisonous needle at him which hit one of his acupoint.

He started showing visible symptoms which made his skin show a form of disease. Just then, the other officers drove him out of the village.

"Why didn't you inform us that the disease is so contagious," one of the officers shouted at elder Si Yin.

Elder Si Yin knowing he had succeeded in pulling such a trick, decided to go away before they changed their mind.

Immediately elder Si Yin got out of the gate, hopped the horse and rode away with energy. He rode as though he was pursued.

Meanwhile, the officer who was a victim of Elder Si Yin's scheme was left on the ground as the others feared that they'll contact it if they go too close.

An hour later, Zi Lan and some of her underlings approached the gate clothed with black cloaks.

"Welcome back master," some of the officers greeted.

"Any development with the assignment I gave to you?" Zi Lan asked.

"No master," they all responded.

"Okay," Zi Lan said as she was about to leave.

Just then, she saw on of the officers lying dead on the floor.

"How come Wu Lan is lying down there?" She asked.

"Master, actually a man passed with a wagon which he claimed contained some people who died of a deadly disease,"

"So Wu Lan confronted him and wanted to make a search. In an attempt to conduct a search, he contracted the deadly disease which left him that way," one of the officers replied.

"Have you checked his pulse?" Zi Lan asked.

"No master, we feared that we may end up like him, so we avoided him," the officer said.

"I'm so disappointed in all of you," she said as she walked towards the body of Wu Lan.

As she got there, she checked his pulse and discovered he was poisoned. Just then, she spotted the poison needle and picked it up.

"See you were all fooled," Zi Lan said as she showed it to them.

"I thought you have grown and won't be easily deceived. But I'm disappointed you all fell for this cheap trick," she said.

"How long have they left the village?," She asked.

"Just some hours ago. Should we chase after them?" the officer asked.

"No need for that. We would not be able to meet up, I believe they are out of our reach for now. But next time, don't fall for such tricks," he said.

"First thing tomorrow, check every inn and enquire for this particular innkeeper and where the wagon came from," she said.

"Yes master," they all responded.

Meanwhile, Elder Si Yin had already made countermeasures Incase such ever happened. He had appointed a new innkeeper and put everything in place.

The rooms where the delegates stayed at have already been occupied by people, so nothing to trace to them. It was indeed a smart move by Elder Si Yin.

...

After traveling some miles from the village, Elder Si Yin halted.

"You all can come out, there is no way they can meet up with us now," Elder Si Yin said.

After that the students came out and washed off themselves the dyes and ointment.

"I'm so glad we made it out, all thanks to the wisdom of Elder Si Yin," Gui Shan said.

"Yes, he's so amazing. He was able to fool all the officers, they were all scared to their bones," Qin Feiye said.

"I'm flattered. Let's camp here and rest, we'll depart for Nirong city first thing tomorrow morning," Elder Si Yin said.

After that, they decided to make a tent and relaxed there during the remaining hours of the night.

It was eventually dawn, so they resumed their journey back to the academy. This time around at a much faster pace.

Since they rode on a horse, they were able to arrive in Nirong city at noon. Immediately they got to the entrance of the city, Elder Si Yin got off the horse, while the others jumped off the wagon.

They did this in order not to alarm the few informants of the poison tribe who may still be in Nirong city. So they decided to walk the remaining part of the journey.

As they entered Nirong city, things were not different from usual, so they made way for Guiyi academy which was located at the extreme end of the village.

Meanwhile in the academy, principal Ming and the masters didn't predict their arrival that day, so they were all caught by surprise.

After walking some distance, they got to the entrance of the academy. They were let in by the security officers and made way for the academy's main hall.

Meanwhile a messenger had ran ahead to inform principal Ming and the masters of the their arrival since they were already in a planning meeting.

Soon news spread all over the academy of their return. Upon this development, principal Ming ordered that all the students should report at the academy's main hall to welcome them formally.

Before Elder Si Yin and the delegates could the hall, all the students were already awaiting them. Upon arrival at the academy's main hall, Elder Si Yin and the delegates were shocked to see the whole academy gathered to welcome their return.

Hurray!!!

Welcome back!!!

The students chattered.

They eventually entered into the hall and made may to meet the principal Ming and the masters.

"You are all welcome," principal Ming said.

"I know it wasn't an easy quest, but I'm glad you made it back unharmed," he said.

Just then principal Ming stood up and went to where Elder Si Yin stood and gave him an emotional hug.

"I've missed you brother," principal Ming said.

"Me too. Considering the years we were apart, the only thing I could wish for was a reunion like this," Elder Si Yin said.

They embraced for a while before they eventually let each other off.

"Allow me to introduce my sworn brother, Si Yin," principal Ming said.

"We both grew up together and learnt from the same master, although we've been apart for years, we're glad to unite again," principal Ming said.

After this, the students cheered and celebrated the reunion. After this they were all seated.

"I must confess that since your absence, we as a academy have missed the presence of you all."

"Chen Feng, Hu Mei, Tan Ning, Gui Shan, Qin Feiye and Bi Yao; you are all welcome back," he said.

"It's an honor to serve this great academy," they all replied.

"I know you may have gone through a lot and I strongly believe that you've return useful Intel that would assure our victory in the next battle," he said.

"Elder Si Yin, do you have anything to say before I open door for the students?" principal Ming asked.

"I'm short of words, but I think the students would be in best place to narrate their ordeal," Elder Si Yin said.

So after that, principal Ming gave Chen Feng an opportunity to narrate their ordeal in Sushi village.

"It was indeed a memorable experience...," Chen Feng said.

"When we arrived at Sushi village, Elder Si Yin was were able to locate us and take us in. We eventually git a place to stay,"

"So we began investigation the next day and encountered...so in attempt to know what the poison tribe was up to, we pretended to be bandits and eventually we got to the secret hideout of the poison sect,"

"On getting there we found so many people who had been abducted by them. After doing their dirty jobs, the leader ordered we and the men who did the jobs to be killed and fed to beasts," he said.

"But we were able to find our way out their hideout and we all left the village the next day and here we are. Nevertheless, we didn't leave any ounce of evidence that can be used to trace us to Guiyi academy or Elder Si Yin's inn," he said.

After narrating their ordeal, principal Ming cleared his throat and then spoke.

I believe you just told me the abridged version of what actually happened. But I believe with Elder Si Yin by your side, they wouldn't find any trace to the academy," he said.

"But it's so sad...

... continue reading from next chapter...