Orientation

"You seem to have grown in just a year. I've missed you a lot," Eunuch Wang said.

"I miss you too dad," Bi Yao said.

Just then, Bi Yao held Gui Shan's hand pulling him forward since he was behind her.

"Father, please meet Gui Shan my benefactor," Bi Yao said.

"Benefactor?" Eunuch Wang repeated.

"Yes father, he had saved me several times, and I'm grateful for that," Bi Yao said.

"I see, such a promising young man," Eunuch Wang said.

"Elder I'm flattered, please accept my bow," Gui Shan said about himself.

Just then, Eunuch Wang held him up and shook him with hands.

At that moment, Eunuch Wang feeling the same chill he felt each time he shook hands with Fan Xian, who the former captain of the Wolf troop, Gui Shan's father.

"It can't be...," Eunuch Wang said as he shook the thought off his head.

"Why don't the both of you go out for a walk, I have something to catch up with," Eunuch Wang said already feeling uneasy.

"Besides, Bi Yao you can see me later when you're free, you know as father and daughter we have a lot of catching up to do," he said.

"Not to worry father, I'll be at the manor soon," Bi Yao said as she held Gui Shan and they walked away.

...

After they both walked some distance, Bi Yao turned to Gui Shan with a smile.

"Gui Shan! You see, I told you my father is a nice man," Bi Yao said.

"Yes of a truth he's nice, but I feel so uneasy around him," Gui Shan said.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it soon," Bi Yao said.

"I hope so," Gui Shan said.

The both of them returned and joined the rest of the candidates in the celebration. One by one, members of other team left.

Guiyi academy candidates were still in the arena.

"Elder, I think we shouldn't be too drunk since we're beginning out training tomorrow," Chen Feng said.

"If we drink too much now, it'll affect us in tomorrow's training. Remember we have to be at full capacity," he added.

"Okay, I think we should all return back to the inn," Elder Si Yin said.

Just as they all rose up and were about to move, Bi Yao spoke.

"Elder I hope I'll be excused for today, I'll be visiting my father in the manor, since we have a lot of catching up to do," Bi Yao said.

"Me too, I'll be leaving to see my mother, then move on to see my aunt in the palace," Hu Mei said.

"Whoops...I expected this for long," Tan Ning said without breaking a sweat.

"Okay, I won't hold you back, you can go and have fun," Elder Si Yin said.

"See you all tomorrow then," Bi Yao and Hu Mei responded almost immediately.

"Bye!!!" the rest of the students said as they waved them.

While Elder Si Yin and the other candidates left the royal estate, Bi Yao and Hu Mei remained.

Elder Si Yin and the rest of the students after walking some miles, they returned back to the inn. Meanwhile, Bi Yao was already in their manor.

...

She and her father, Eunuch Wang had already engaged in a heartwarming conversation. They both laughed and smiled in every moment.

"Hmmm... considering that young man Gui Shan, seems you both have taken a liking to each other," Eunuch Wang said.

"You have good eyes just as your mother," he said.

"Father... it's not as serious as you're thinking," Bi Yao said as she shrugged.

"See you are even blushing, it's written all over your face. For that reason, I don't want to stop you from being happy," Eunuch Wang said.

Bi Yao at this moment was surprised that her father is using such nice words. She never imagined that her father would accept Gui Shan that easy.

"Ahem! But what bothers me is that you don't even know his true identity," Eunuch Wang said.

"Ahhh...father! But he introduced himself at the banquet in everyone's presence," Bi Yao said.

"As your father, I feel his background is too hideous. Just ask him to be sincere with you, if he tells you anything, you can let me know," eunuch Wang said.

"Only then can my heart be at ease that my daughter chose wisely," he added.

"Okay father, I'll ask him about it later. Are you satisfied?" Bi Yao asked.

"Yes of course, I just want my daughter to live a life free of regrets," eunuch Wang said.

...

....poison headquarters (previous day)...

That day, Bao Bao returned back to the poison headquarters in a very terrible state.

When he arrived that day, Zi Lan was the only one in poison master's chamber that day.

"Master! Master! Please save me," Bao Bao pleaded.

"Hahaha... seems those students dealt with you," Zi Lan said.

"Your condition looks more pathetic than mine when I came from my assignment... hahaha...," she laughed harder.

"Please... I'm sorry for mocking you back then, never knew that they had such a strong student," Bao Bao said.

"Please, I'm in a very terrible state...I want you to help me with your Qi so that I can recover faster," he said.

"I'll just help you since master is not available at the moment," Zi Lan said as she sat down and infused some of her Qi into Bao Bao.

In that moment, poison master, Yan Mo walked in.

Upon the arrival of poison master, they both bowed as they greeted him.

"Welcome back master," Zi Lan said.

"Bah! I'm so disappointed in you," Yan Mo said referring to Bao Bao.

"Have mercy on me master, I was helpless and powerless before one my opponent," Bao Bao said.

"You are trying to tell me that there is a student who is stronger than all my lieutenants?" he asked.

"I'm ashamed to have wasted all your teachings," Bao Bao said.

"What is the name of the lad," Yan Mo asked.

"His name is Gui Shan," Bao Bao replied.

"You mean Gui Shan?" Zi Lan asked.

"Why the show of surprise? Do you know him?" Yan Mo asked.

"Yes master. He was the same lad who defeated me in Sushi village," Zi Lan replied.

"Ugh...I can't believe my ears. Seems I need not waste anymore time," he said.

"I guess I have to strike before the elite team get stronger and spoil my plans," Yan Mo said.

"Hahaha... hahaha...

***

It was eventually another day. All members of the elite team were to report at the training ground that morning.

With great expectations, all twenty chosen candidates were already present at the training wing of the royal estate that morning.

They all awaited the arrival of the instructor. Meanwhile, they used this opportunity to get acquainted with each other.

Just then Wu Zhu and his other two team mates who made it to the elite team approached the candidates from Guiyi academy.

"What do you want? Seems you want another treatment," Hu Mei fired at Wu Zhu.

"No need for that, we come in peace. I'm sorry for what happened during the first day of our encounter," Wu Zhu said.

"I hope you would forgive us. We've seen how inferior we are to you and learnt our lessons," Wu Zhu said.

"Bah! Those sweet words won't work on me," Hu Mei said adamantly.

"Hu Mei please at least hear him out," Gui Shan said.

...

"Hmmm...I wanted to know if we can be friends. I mean both academies," Wu Zhu said.

"Your friendship would be appreciated. Moreover, we are on the same team now, time for us to put out grudges aside and work with one heart," Gui Shan said.

After some proper consideration, they all agreed and created a bond of friendship. They smiled happily at each other.

Just then, Vice general Qing Wu walked into the training court. They all greeted him just as he entered.

"Some of you may not be surprised to see me as you all should have known a lot about me," Qing Wu said.

"I'm Qing Wu, vice general of the wolf troop," he added.

"The General of the wolf troop is indisposed, so he asked to handle your training. So from this moment onward, I would be the instructor and marshal of the elite team," he added.

"Today we won't be doing any physical form of training. I would giving some orientation of what you should be expecting."

"I'll start from your accommodation. In order for your training to be effective, starting form today, you are all to move into the royal estate. Quarters have already been prepared for all twenty of you," Qing Wu said.

"Most importantly, I want to let you know that you being chosen to join the elite team is very demanding,"

"Considering the current standings, we face the poison tribe very soon, and it's your duty to defeat Yan Mo," Qing Wu said.

"Already some of you are doing well, but it still requires more to defeat the poison master," he said.

...

... continue from next chapter...