The Card Apprentice

Benji inspected the corpse on the ground with a grim expression.”It’s him.”Hearing that, everyone’s expressions darkened.”What shall we do?” There was a tremor in the voice of the young man standing in the corner. “Pursue!” Benji didn’t hesitate to reply, “We can’t let him stay alive!”Others nodded their heads in agreement, but the fear in their eyes was evident.

* * *

Chen Mu and his group did not dare to stay a moment longer. They left the Heavenly Drum Village District immediately. The entire Heavenly Drum Village District was a battlefield. Since Moon Frost Island was surrounded by enemy forces, it had a profound impact on the Heavenly Drum Village District. The powers Moon Frost Island deployed in different cities were redirected to reinforce Qianhu City at the fastest speed. And their departure left many zones unguarded. These zones had become dangerous areas where local forces killed their enemies and struggle for power.

But many forces remained hesitant. The result of that battle would determine the ownership of the Heavenly Drum Village District and the Northern Reaches District. The winner would gain the two major districts, and whoever loses would have nothing.

During their escape, no one dared to attack Chen Mu’s team. The team was huge, and the reputation of the Wood Battalion and Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Team were enough to deter potential attackers. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief when they finally left the Heavenly Drum Village District.

The size of the team decreased as they departed. Many card artisans left the team; they were among the 400 card artisans following the team. Their potential and strength were not to be belittled. They were slightly reputable; hence, they were unwilling to work under others. Chen Mu never stopped anyone from leaving.

The continual departure of card artisans brought down the morale of the team. In the base camp, everyone seemed to have lost their interest.

* * *

Qiu Shanyu walked over to Demonic Woman’s tent and went straight in. The disguise on Qiu Shanyu’s face had been washed away, revealing her bare face. The Demonic Woman saw a stranger entered her tent and asked coldly, “Who are you?”

“Zara, do you recognize me?” Qiu Shanyu asked with a tinge of sadness. The demonic woman was aghast and stared at Qiu Shanyu. After a long time of careful inspection, she was shocked and said, “You… Are you Ah Yu?”

“You do remember me!” Qiu Shanyu’s eyes were red with tears.

“Is it really you? Ah Yu?” The demonic woman appeared beside Qiu Shanyu, thrilled.

“Is Gu Te doing well?” Qiu Shanyu asked with some difficulty.

“He’s dead.” The demonic woman didn’t hold back her tears. “Brother and father died! Every one of them! The Dark Tribe! They killed father and brother…” Speaking of this, she was already sobbing.

“Dead…”

Qiu Shanyu looked a little lost. Although she had a bad premonition, she didn’t expect that things would come to this point! “Gu Te is dead! That man she was betrothed to when she was young, was dead!” she thought.

She had a very blurred impression of Gu Te. There wasn’t much grief, but she felt lost. It was like she had placed an item in her heart for many years, and it suddenly disappeared; she felt empty. Qiu Shanyu didn’t know how she left Zara’s tent. She was confused and lost in her thoughts.

* * *

“We’re leaving.” Jiao Si sighed at Chen Mu. Behind him, Ru Qiu leaned onto Sue Lochiro and cried miserably. Sue Lochiro was comforting her but ended up crying with her.

Chen Mu didn’t know how to comfort them. He simply said: “Be careful.”

Jiao Si laughed brightly and said, “We’ll always have a chance to meet in the future. You are Ru Qiu’s teacher and forever a friend of Origins Academy. Have a stay in Origins Academy when you have the time. It’s a good place!”

Chen Mu nodded strongly. “Yes!”

Chen Mu was somewhat sorrowful as he watched the departures, especially that of Ru Qiu, who had followed them for several years. Xi Ping and Bogner were teary too.

“I’m leaving too.” Caesar threw a card to Chen Mu and groaned heavily. “Boy, work harder. Don’t forget what you’ve promised me.” He flew away without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Chen Mu stared blankly at the sky for quite some time. He picked up the card Caesar threw on the ground.

Chen Mu smiled bitterly. Seven-star card, “The Fiend’s Eye”!

Qiu Shanyu and Fang Shi came over to Chen Mu. Seeing Qiu Shanyu, Chen Mu remembered something and took out a one-star Fantasy Card and handed it to her. “This is the tactical regulations that I promised you. I hope we don’t become enemies in the future.”

Qiu Shanyu took the one-star Fantasy Card. “I don’t think we’re going to be enemies,” she replied softly. “Her name is Zara, and we’re somewhat related. I hope you can take good care of her.” She hesitated but continued, “Thank you!” She left with Fang Shi.

As soon as they walked away, Fang Shi suddenly whispered, “Miss, aren’t we avenging Miss Zara?”

Qiu Shanyu said expressionlessly, “Gu Te and I were in a political marriage. Since their family has been destroyed, they are of no value now. They’re not worth the hassle.”

Zara looked at Qiu Shanyu’s back as they left. There was no change on her ugly face, but her eyes sparkled with determination.

“You two aren’t leaving?” Jiang Liang asked Yangshan Fei and Sue. He was suspicious of them.

Yangshan Fei said indifferently, “We’ve nothing to take care of. We can go anywhere we want. You guys are good. We’ll go with the group for the time being.”

Jiang Liang was appalled.

Sue continued, and under the dark golden mask, spoke a clear voice, “If I’m not mistaken, your team is going to the House of a Hundred Depths. We’re interested in visiting the House of a Hundred Depths to increase our knowledge. It would be fortunate if we could travel together.”

Jiang Liang didn’t believe their excuses. Their excuses were implausible. But he knew that he couldn’t make them talk. Although Yangshan Fei seemed like a musclehead, he was cunning on the inside. As for Sue, he couldn’t fathom.

* * *

Chen Mu found Qing Qing.

“Miss Qing Qing, I think this is the right time for you to return to Star Academy,” Chen Mu was blatantly asking her to leave.

Chen Mu wasn’t Qing Qing’s match now, but it would be hard for her to kill or catch Chen Mu if they were fighting one-on-one. And if she made any moves, Chen Mu wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. He had no pity for Qing Qing.

Qing Qing kept coming after him, and he was wary of her.

Qing Qing gazed at Chen Mu for a long time before she began to speak leisurely. “The fate of human beings is so strange. When I met you, you were just an ordinary student at Eastern Wei Academy. But now, you’re a hero above many.”

Chen Mu shook his head disapprovingly. “I don’t understand you.”

“I know you have a Rosenberg card, it recorded Rosenberg’s lifelong efforts. From an obscure little man to a hero today; this card has the greatest role.” Qing Qing suddenly changed her tone, “But what if everyone knows that you have this card, what would happen?”

“Miss Qing Qing, are you telling me to kill you on the spot, to prevent you from spilling the beans?” Chen Mu’s eyes turned cold.

“I’m only a weak woman. I dared not opposed the White Commander. It’s just that the world is unpredictable. What do you think?” Glancing at the increasingly cold eyes of Chen Mu, Qing Qing’s nerves were masked with a facade of indifference. “In search of this card, Lord Heine Van Sant killed almost all of Rosenberg’s descendants. But he didn’t find it. You’re a really lucky man. You may think that I can be killed on the spot. But if I struggled hard, even if Wei-ah joined forces with you, I’m sure I can inform the others I die. How could you guarantee that no one would be attracted to the card? Will Yangshan Fei want the card? What about Sue?”

“I have no excessive requirements, but I hope that you can allow me to follow the team.” She said lightly, “If my guess is right, there’s a transit window near Eastern Shang-Wei City. It is recorded in the ancient books from Star Academy that one of Rosenberg’s students built the laboratory not far from the transit window. The four notebooks handed to you by Caesar came from that lab. If you could allow me to accompany you, I might be able to help you find the lab.”

Chen Mu cursed at her sharpness; he dared not kill her now. He had reservations about letting her follow him: she was unpredictable and a ticking time bomb. “The lab she’s talking about, isn’t it in Lower City? All the more I shouldn’t bring her along. Otherwise, the Moqi Clan would be in danger.” he thought.

He had to think of a way to kill her to prevent further complications. Chen Mu was determined to get rid of her. However, it was not the right time.

Chen Mu took a good look at Qing Qing and made a decision. “I hope Miss Qing Qing will cooperate with us all the way and don’t do anything unpleasant.”

Qing Qing smiled, looking a little sad, “I’ll not be a hindrance. What’s more, since Star Academy was unable to fend for itself, now, there are no plans I could scheme for.”

Initially, the team had more than 400 card artisans, but there were only 30 people left. These people were aware of the strength of Wood Battalion, the Snow Silkworms Card Artisan Team, and Chen Mu’s ability. They had no plans in life, so they simply stayed behind.

But even so, Chen Mu’s team strength had increased dramatically. These 30 people were not only all Grade Seven or above card artisans but possessed extraordinary fighting capacity and some fame. Compared to the card artisans who were recently promoted to Grade Seven in Wood Battalion, they were more experienced and much stronger.

That made up for the weakness of his team; the lack of aces. The two teams under Chen Mu, especially the Silkworms Card Artisan Team, had no ace at all.

Chen Mu didn’t intend to break up Wood Battalion and Silkworms Card Artisan Team. He wanted to maintain the two teams. Silkworms Card Artisan Team was under the command of Bogner. Wood Battalion was under the supervision of Chen Mu, with Jiang Liang as the deputy. Twenty of the remaining 30 aces were assigned to the Silkworms Card Artisan Team, while ten were assigned to the Wood Battalion. For both Silkworms Card Artisan Team and Wood Battalion, the logistical responsibility was Xi Ping, and the medical service was Sue Lochiro’s responsibility.

Bogner’s status and prestige were enough to allow him to command the Silkworms Card Artisan Team, and no one would object.

Even Chen Mu had to study with Jiang Liang from Bogner every day.