บท 48: Chapter 48: Leaving
"Damn you..." Dai Huabin muttered, blood dripping out of his lips. He looked up at the expressionless Huo Yuhao. Zhu Lu laid unconscious by his side. "How...How did you beat me?!"
Huo Yuhao smirked, a hint of cold arrogance flickering in his eyes. "I'm just better than you."
Dai Huabin stared at him.
A vein popped on his forehead, anger bubbling within him. "Don't you joke around with me! You? You're just a Soul Master with a ten year old soul ring who reached this far into the competition by relying on some obsolete items and your better comrades!"
"And yet I still beat you," Huo Yuhao coldly said. "Even at your best, with your little girlfriend by your side," he went to a knee and stared straight at him, his voice filled with disdain as he slowly said. "I. Still. Defeated. You."
Dai Huabin's eyes widened in shock and anger, veins popping up to his neck.
He was angry, no, furious!
How could someone like him, a great prodigy from the Dai Family, a descendant of the great White Tiger Douluo Dai Mubai who had helped liberated the continent from the notorious Spirit Hall, lose to some, some commoner with one Ten Year Old Soul Ring! Someone who is two big cultivation realms below his!
His classmates would no doubt look down on him and start ridiculing him, but he could easily solve that by putting a few of them in their places.
The problem however, is if this matter were to reach his household...
He could handle his father's disappointment, the man is a strict and demanding person, befitting as the general of the empire's army after all, but his mother... His mother loved him dearly and had high expectations for him. But she was no kind soul.
There was a reason why his father never acted against her, despite her clear hostility towards his mistress and most likely culprit to the maid's death.
He admired his father but even he felt slight disgust on much of a pussy he was to his wife. He heard the rumours of how he loved that mistress more than his mother but feared his mother's wrath, or her background to be precise, to do anything about it.
Not wanting that kind of relationship in the future, if he were to marry Zhu Lu in the future and have some...side chicks, he was damn sure to make her understand who wears the pants in the relationship.
'You'll regret this...Huo Yuhao!' Dai Huabin gritted his teeth, before taking a deel breath as he slowly went to pick up Zhu Lu in a bridal carry before walking out of the arena. The obstinance and arrogance that had once filled his face had been swept away, with disbelief and an intense unwillingness taking its place.
As for Cui Yajie... She had already been thrown out of the arena after Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu initiated their martial soul fusion and went on a bit of a rampage. So he didn't bother her.
'Judging by your soul power, you're going to get a second soul ring soon. Just you wait, when you leave school, I'll have my family's subordinates take care of you!'
Malicious intent flickered in his eyes as he went to the medical staff.
Huo Yuhao coldly looked at his half-brother with furrowed brows, an intense dissatisfaction arose in his heart and it took every ounce of his self control to stop himself from putting a knife into Dai Huabin's throat.
'If only there weren't anyone watching...'
He let out a sigh before looking up to the sky, his eyes softening.
"Still, it's enough for now. Right? Mom. I'm doing it. I'm finally getting revenge for you." His eyes hardened, his Sharingan barely flickering into existence before disappearing. He was completely spent on all energies and it was only thanks to his fit body that he managed to stay standing.
"And this is just the beginning."
"We won!"
"We're the champions!"
Huo Yuhao binked as both Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong's exuberant cheers rang out, and the two of them grabbed ahold of Huo Yuhao and flung him into the air.
Three people, one team. They had finally become the champions of the freshmen assessment. But, who was the true mvp of their team? Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong were fully aware of who it was.
"Uh...guys...not so hard...?" Huo Yuhao tried to get their attention but the two were too caught up in their excitement to hear him. They continued cheering and celebrating, their voices filled with joy and pride.
As if that wasn't surprising enough, Zhou Yi left the spectator's stage and was running towards them. The always-strict teacher currently looked as excited as a child as she hugged Huo Yuhao's trio and cheered exuberantly.
News quickly spread throughout the entire school and everyone had varying reactions towards it.
Hours passed by and to celebrate their victory, Huo Yuhao hosted a small party that consisted of his small circle of friends: Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Tang Ya, Bei Bei, and unexpectedly, Ning Tian and Wu Feng.
It was awkward at first, with Ning Tian glaring at Huo Yuhao while Wu Feng remained looking down at the ground, but after he told them that he wanted to talk and explain his actions that day, to which they slowly began to mellow out and the atmosphere in the party became more relaxed.
Finding the right opportunity, Huo Yuhao asked Wu Feng to someplace private and the two began to talk.
"...So, you left that night because some of the words I had said... made you remember something terrible in the past?" Wu Feng softly said, her brows furrowed.
Huo Yuhao silently nodded. Staring at her with complete sincerity and vulnerability, he said, "I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean to hurt you like that."
After thinking for hours, Huo Yuhao decided on just saying the truth. Wu Feng deserved it after all.
"...." Wu Feng shut her eyes and took a deep breath, processing his words. When she opened her eyes again, they were filled with a mixture of sadness and understanding.
"It's okay, Yuhao. I believe you didn't mean to hurt me intentionally," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "But I can't deny that, what you did, it broke my heart a bit. Do you know? My whole life, I've been constantly disappointed on all the men I knew. My father, brothers... and even a childhood crush that became the breaking point to make me hate and distrust all men. Especially the good looking ones."
Huo Yuhao looked away, not knowing what to reply.
"But, unlike them, you apologize and acknowledge your mistake." Wu Feng continued, a small smile on her face. "To me, that means a lot. You're more like a man than those bastards."
'...I'm going to disappoint you soon.'
Huo Yuhao let out a sigh as Wu Feng returned to the party after giving him a brief hug.
He watched as Ning Tian looked at him, the coldness on her face gone, and a smile greeted him.
"Teacher Zhou should be in her office by now..." Huo Yuhao looked up at the starry night sky, a deep frown on his face.
Competition's over, won as the Champions, he has the attention of the school and he apologized to Wu Feng.
There's nothing to hold him back now.
"It's time to leave."
.....
*Knock* *Knock*
"Come in." Zhou Yi indifferently said as she checked on a piece of paper in her desk that details her promotion for senior teacher. She looked up, to her pleasent surprise, it was Huo Yuhao.
Because it was late and that she was in her office, Zhou Yi had taken off her grandma face disguise and showed off her youthful beautiful face.
Normally she wouldn't show her true appearance to anyone, especially her students, but as Huo Yuhao is her husband's disciple, she didn't mind, and she had already revealed her true appearance to him long ago. Though it surprised her to find out that he had known about it before that.
"Huo Yuhao? Awfully late for you to come here, aren't you supposed to be having a congratulatory party? Well, whatever. What can I do for you?" she asked, her tone softer than usual.
After all, Huo Yuhao and his team had just won the championship, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for her students.
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath before speaking, his voice determined. "Teacher Zhou, I wanted to talk to you about something important."
Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his serious tone. "Alright, go ahead."
Huo Yuhao hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I want to take a leave of absence."
Zhou Yi's eyes widened in surprise. "Why would you...ah, you're going to get your second soul ring right? About damn time. Don't worry, as your class teacher and with you being the freshmen champion, I can easily arrange for you to skip classes. But why would you need a leave of absence?"
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination. "It's not just for the soul ring. I need to leave the academy to pursue something else. Something bigger."
Zhou Yi frowned, her expression serious. "Huo Yuhao, you're a talented student and you have a bright future ahead of you. Leaving the academy now might not be the best decision. Is this really something you want to do? Also, who's coming along with you?"
Huo Yuhao shook his head. "Teacher Zhou, you might already realized it but I'm a talented genius."
Zhou Yi snorted, "I won't deny that but don't be so presumptuous. Thinking like that would get you killed, also,
"Yes, but you've already seen what I can do. My combat abilities is astounding enough that I can succesfully flee from at least a Soul King, my learning and comprehensive capabilities are superb as well; as I have already memorized most of the outer courtyard's studies, and my Soul Engineering skills are advancing at an incredible rate."
"Truth be told teacher Zhou, what I need right now is to expand my horizons and challenge myself further."
Zhou Yi leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowed. "So you want to experience the outside world... is what you're saying?"
"Yes."
"Denied."
Huo Yuhao closed his eyes, having expected the answer, and asked. "And why, teacher Zhou? Isn't it the teacher's job to help students grow and pursue their own paths?"
"It is also the teacher's job to make sure their students stay safe!" Zhou Yi snapped, her voice filled with concern. "Huo Yuhao, the outside world is dangerous. You may be talented, but you're still young and inexperienced. I can't just let you go out there on your own."
Huo Yuhao opened his eyes, his gaze steady. "I understand your concern, teacher Zhou. But I promise you, I will be careful. I won't put myself in unnecessary danger. I have the skills and knowledge to protect myself."
Zhou Yi sighed, her expression softening. "Huo Yuhao, I believe in your abilities. But as your teacher, it's my responsibility to prioritize your safety. I can't allow you to leave the academy just yet. Give it some time, let me think about it."
'I have to let Fan Yu know, knowing him, he wouldn't have let this brat out of the institute if he had went to him and asked this of him.' She kneaded her forehead. 'Tsk. Does this brat think I'm that soft? I am worried about his safety but Huo Yuhao is extremely important to the Soul Engineering Institute. If something were to happen to him...'
"I'm sorry teacher Zhou, but I didn't go here to ask your permission." Huo Yuhao's voice was firm and resolute, surprising Zhou Yi.
"What do you mean, you didn't come to ask for my permission?" she asked, slightly taken aback.
Huo Yuhao took a step forward and met Zhou Yi's gaze with a slight mischievous smile. "Teacher Zhou, do you see anything...different about me?"
Zhou Yi furrowed her brows at hearing his words and she began to closely observed his appearance.
She doubted Huo Yuhao's words, he didn't look anything different.
"Huo Yuhao, this is a serious conversation, I will not–"
"Come in." Huo Yuhao cut her off.
Zhou Yi turned her head towards the door, her eyes widening in shock as she saw a figure standing there.
"You–!" She was so shocked that she stood up from her chair and slammed her desk with her palms, causing it to crack.
Standing behind Huo Yuhao was...another Huo Yuhao.
"What is this? What's going on here, Huo Yuhao?" Zhou Yi turned towards the Huo Yuhao standing close to her to ask.
The Huo Yuhao at the door let out a sigh and replied. "As I had said, teacher Zhou. I didn't come here asking for permission."
"I came here to inform you that I'll be leaving for nine months to train outdoors and explore the world. And us," The one standing next to Zhou Yi then explained, "are temporary clones that I created to take my place in the academy during my absence."
Zhou Yi stared at the two Huo Yuhao's in disbelief, her mind struggling to comprehend what she was seeing. "A clone? How is that possible?"
Huo Yuhao smiled. "It's just as how I manage to spew fire from my mouth, change appearances and turn into a log when getting hit. It's a technique I created called Shadow Clone Technique, it allows me to create clones of myself that possess the original's soul power reserves, a fraction of his to be exact, we have his knowledge, skills, and abilities."
"Though, don't go having us fight others. We may be able to endure a punch or two but if too much force hit us, we will dissipate back to the original."
Zhou Yi sat back down in her chair, her eyes fixed on the two Huo Yuhao's in front of her. The shock slowly turned into amazement as she realized the extent of his abilities.
"You...you're really something, Huo Yuhao," she murmured, a mix of astonishment and pride in her voice. "To think that you... wait, you said you created this? H-How is that possible?"
Huo Yuhao shrugged, "The Sea God Tang San did, why can't I?"
"Hahaha. To compare yourself to the known strongest Spirit Master in history..." Zhou Yi couldn't help but chuckle. "You certainly have confidence, Huo Yuhao. But, if you can do this, why didn't you show this on the competition?"
"I just completed the technique a couple hours ago." One of the clones lightly shrugged.
He had learned about the Shadow Clone Technique from the Ancestor a month ago and he couldn't make a clone until two weeks ago. With his soul power, he could only manage to creat two clones. He wanted to keep the technique a secret for this moment because he knew Zhou Yi and any other teachers wouldn't let him go.
He could try leaving without notifying anyone but it would take a day for them to find out and probably try to hunt him down.
Zhou Yi then asked, "And where's your...original?"
"Hundreds of miles away from here by now."
"Chi. Sneaky brat. So, why are there two of you in the first place?"
"To make you believe me that I'm a clone."
"And on that note, I believe my job here is done." The one near the door let out a sigh.
"Goodbye me." Huo Yuhao clone 1 waved him.
"Goodbye to me as well." Huo Yuhao clone 2 sniffed before turning into a puff of white smoke.
Zhou Yi looked at the scene and scratched the back of her head.
'Now, how to explain this to Fan Yu and vice dean Qian Duoduo?'
Hundreds of miles away from the academy, a dark shadow flashed by numerous trees with lightning speed before stopping atop one.
The figure was completely dressed in black; wearing a dark mask covering his lower face, a dark hoodie, and black pants, with a backpack on his back filled with certain essentials for his trip.
The cloudy sky began to depart, revealing the beautiful full moon brightly behind the figure, its luminescent moonlight casting a soft glow on his face.
Especially his red and gold eyes, shining with determination and excitement. This figure was none other than Huo Yuhao.
He sat there for a moment, taking in the peacefulness of the night.
"Extreme North, here I come."
....
AN: As you may have noticed, I was short of one chapter last week and that was because I got sick; feverish, weak bones and an upset stomach which made me spent hours in the toilet. So to make it up, I'm posting five chapters this week.
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•Orion Chung
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