Chapter 54: Yuan Shaolin’s Talisman for Survival

When Little Hammer curled into a ball and flew downward through the pitch-black cave, the rushing wind seemed to roar right beside his ears. His heart pounded furiously, feeling as if he was about to reach the ground. At that moment, Little Hammer abruptly stretched out his body, clinging to the smooth, damp stone walls with all four limbs, his sharp claws deeply embedded. Yet even so, he could not halt his rapid descent; years without sunlight had left the cave walls thick with moss, and Little Hammer's weight made it impossible for his claws to stop the slide.

He had thought the ground was near, but as he gritted his teeth and held on, it remained out of reach. Forced to endure, even as the pain in his claws grew searing, Little Hammer continued, his passage leaving behind streaks of blood on the lush moss. He threw his head back and let out a low growl—ten claws, all burning with pain.

His strength was fading; desperate, Little Hammer released his hold, retracting his claws. Instantly, the terrifying speed of his fall returned. There was no choice: if he did nothing, he’d become pulp upon hitting the ground. He could only hurl himself against the stone walls. Fortunately, the body of a Hammer Bear could withstand such blows. So, battered and bruised, he bounced like a ball, ricocheting downwards toward the cave’s bottom.

The moment he touched the ground, Little Hammer was drenched in blood, his consciousness hazy. In his confusion, he seemed to see several humans approaching. Staggering upright, he let out a warning roar, but as he raised his paw, his consciousness faded completely.

As he lost consciousness, it dawned on him: the inhabitants of the underground were not marmots, but humans.

...

"Chief Ke, that bear is stubborn—it's already injured several of our men!" A grimy subordinate rushed into Ke Yifei's office, breathless and frustrated. The bear showed them no mercy, but they could not harm it in return.

Ke Yifei, the foremost aide to the legendary Ji Shaoqing, always strove to emulate his master: calm, self-possessed, unflappable. He frowned at the panicked demeanor of his subordinate.

"Fools!" Ke Yifei straightened his back, his gaze stern and his voice more severe than ever. "I ordered you to train that bear. It's merely an adolescent eighth-rank Hammer Bear—yet you come to me with this report?"

His subordinate looked aggrieved. The bear attacked them fiercely, while they were forced to hold back. It was inevitable they’d be at a disadvantage.

"Well?" Ke Yifei’s brows arched, his tone even sharper. "Dissatisfied? You have excuses? After all the gold the master has bestowed upon you, is this the answer you give? Do you deserve the master's trust? This is your opportunity to approach the young master. I don’t care how you do it—train that bear and deliver a flawless report! Now go!"

He watched as his subordinate grew ashamed at the mention of the master. Inwardly, Ke Yifei sighed deeply. Though the master had been gone for years, he lingered in their hearts. These were the people left for the young master, and though the young master had always refused to accept them, they simply kept quietly to the sidelines, guarding his growth and waiting for the right moment. Now, Ke Yifei had finally found the perfect opportunity and could not let it slip away. His heart had been unsettled these days, wondering what to do if the young master sought him out—or if he didn't.

All these considerations came to a head when he received a secret signal. For the first time, Ke Yifei let his emotions show so clearly: he was deeply moved. The young master wished to see him.

Upon entering the old residence again, Ke Yifei was overwhelmed by sorrow. Master Shaoqing was gone, and it was the first time in years he’d stepped inside this house. He could not forget: how could someone so extraordinary die at the hands of that person, without ever understanding why? He sighed, and as he looked up, he was stunned by the scene before him—a solitary figure beneath the cherry blossom tree, silver hair flowing in the rain of petals. Tears welled in Ke Yifei’s eyes; it was as if he were seeing the master standing there once more.

When Yuan Shaolin turned around, Ke Yifei’s lips curled into a bitter smile. The young master was ultimately unlike his father. His features bore traces of that man—especially those thin lips, which could never smile with the master's tenderness.

"Young Master!" Ke Yifei bowed from afar.

Yuan Shaolin examined Ke Yifei carefully—the first of his father’s men, who had once carried him as a child. His temples were now streaked with gray, no longer the handsome youth of old, but seasoned and steady, bearing the weight of a lifetime’s hardship. His life’s fire had quieted; there was no passion or warmth left.

Yuan Shaolin’s expression was faint and cold, showing no excitement, seemingly blind to the nostalgia and emotion in the other’s eyes. Yet, having once cared for him, Yuan Shaolin called out, "Uncle Ke!"

Ke Yifei smiled. "Young Master, you’ve finally chosen to accept us!"

Yuan Shaolin looked up at the old tree before him, reaching out to catch a falling cherry blossom. His silver hair was lifted by the breeze, creating a subtle, enchanting beauty that held Ke Yifei’s gaze. He handed the petal to Ke Yifei, who took it in a daze. Then Yuan Shaolin spoke: "I never want to see this tree again."

With that, he entered the inner house, leaving Ke Yifei thunderstruck. The young master still resented his father, refusing even to look at the tree his father loved most. Ke Yifei followed, shaken, and each familiar object he saw brought a sense of estrangement.

Yuan Shaolin stood by the table, his gaze distant. When Ke Yifei entered, Yuan Shaolin returned to himself and asked, "Where are your men?"

Ke Yifei paused, then replied, "The Devil’s Ground." Yuan Shaolin understood instantly. He smiled coldly: "I didn’t seek you out today, but soon you’ll come looking for me, won’t you?"

Ke Yifei’s face remained calm and steady. "If the young master wishes to train someone, I believe training them under my care is far more effective than letting them learn by trial and error."

Yuan Shaolin was furious, yet a little relieved—Little Hammer was safe.

"Why?" Yuan Shaolin did not believe the other’s approach was mere whimsy. All these years, they had never reached out; now they did, there must be a reason.

Ke Yifei’s expression grew solemn. "Young master, I hope you’ll abandon your plan. I can tell you plainly—the Crown Prince intends to bring a group of unknown forces into Green Mountain Ridge. Even if the Card Masters Guild knows, they’ll be forced to swallow their losses. This power has connected with the Ji family; no one dares provoke them. Years ago, Dezhou paid a steep price to keep them out, but no one knows their true strength. All that’s known is that anyone who opposes them disappears. Dezhou has spent years and countless resources fighting them, far beyond what you can imagine. Now they’ve joined with the Ji family—no one can stop them."

That the other was aware of his actions did not surprise Yuan Shaolin, but their knowledge of so many details shocked him. He had uncovered nothing like this, even with his uncle’s influence. "What kind of power is this?" Yuan Shaolin asked.

Ke Yifei shook his head with a bitter smile. "We have Dezhou’s finest intelligence network, but every encounter with them ends in disaster. Our best agents have died mysteriously. I don’t know who they are. All I can tell you is that the force you’re investigating—the one behind the attack—is them. They must not be confronted!"

Yuan Shaolin narrowed his eyes. Not to be confronted? The people his father left him for protection said they must not be confronted? But if they threatened his child, how could he not confront them? He would challenge them, even if they were a hedgehog; he would pluck their spines!

He raised an assertive brow. "And if I must act?"

Ke Yifei gazed quietly at this stubborn young master, recalling his master’s charge. Suddenly, he stood at attention, feet together, back straight. "Standing by for orders. The Spirit Fox Squad is ready for deployment!"

Yuan Shaolin’s slender phoenix eyes narrowed again, emotions surging within. Spirit Fox Squad? His father Ji Shaoqing’s elite force? In their era, Spirit Fox Squad amazed countless powers but withdrew just as quickly. So his father had reserved them for him, thinking of his protection even then?

Yuan Shaolin took a deep breath and nodded. "Understood. Stand by."

Yuan Shaolin departed, pausing beneath the cherry blossom tree. His gaze held both longing and sorrow, finally settling into a look of deep affection. At the door, he left a final word: "Keep the tree."

Ke Yifei smiled with moist eyes. Master, do you see? The young master has begun to forgive you.

When Yuan Shaolin returned to his dormitory, he found Long Yin’s room empty. His expression grew stern, but as he turned, he saw his uncle Duolin enter with Long Yin. Seeing Long Yin, the heavy weight in Yuan Shaolin’s heart eased, though his face remained impassive.

"Shaolin, where were you just now?" Duolin asked, meaningfully. Yuan Shaolin stayed silent, and Duolin pursed his lips. "You won’t say, but I already know!"

Long Yin stood quietly, lost in thought.

Yuan Shaolin couldn’t help but say, "Little Hammer is fine; he’s training elsewhere."

Long Yin’s eyes lit up with joy. "Little Hammer is really alright?"

"Yes, he’s fine." Yuan Shaolin nodded, and under his uncle’s curious gaze, added, "He’s somewhere very safe."

With Little Hammer safe, half of Long Yin’s worries were eased. Now he could only hope that Grandpa would be safe as well.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Long Yin, closest to the door, opened it to find no one outside. He paused, looking at Yuan Shaolin, who came over, checked the doorway, and shook his head. Long Yin closed the door, but soon the bell rang again. Long Yin opened it once more—still no one. He frowned. Was it a prank?

Of course, it was not. When Yuan Shaolin, sharp-eyed, spotted Gongliang Yi hiding in the opposite building and brought him over, Long Yin could only shake his head and smile. Watching Gongliang Yi crouching behind the sofa, Long Yin asked, "Gongliang Yi, are you here about card making?"

Gongliang Yi shook his head, stammering, "I—I… I came… I came…" Suddenly, he stood up straight. "I’ve come to beg you to save someone!"

"Save someone?" Long Yin was surprised. "You want me to help save someone?"

"Yes." Gongliang Yi nodded fervently.