Chapter 53: The Hunter's Iron Law

At the military headquarters, Wang Feng seemed to have lost his mind, roaring furiously and smashing the items on his desk with all his might. He was beside himself with rage—monsters had actually appeared in Northern Capital? How could this be? Had these creatures really crept right under their noses?

He didn’t blame Ye Yang; he was well aware of how poor the boy’s perception skills were and knew immediately it had to be an accident when he inquired. Instead, his anger was directed at the others.

In the office, a row of heads hung low before Wang Feng, including Ling Fengyan’s, yet no one dared to raise their eyes.

“Speak! How did they get in? When you were patrolling the city walls, what exactly were you doing? What were you checking? Has your sense been eaten by dogs? Monsters have entered the city, and you lot still call yourselves hunters? Still call yourselves teachers? If that Ouyang kid hadn’t discovered them, we might have remained oblivious to the monsters in the city until death!”

Wang Feng’s scolding was fierce, yet not a single person dared to retort; all bowed their heads in silence.

“Still... searching is urgent. Even under martial law, we must search thoroughly,” Lin Tian said, frowning deeply. The appearance of monsters in the city was utterly inconceivable, and failing to find them would spell endless trouble.

“Then go search! Mobilize all hunters to search! Why are you standing around like fools?” Wang Feng slammed the desk loudly, causing everyone to duck and scatter in panic. If the Great Thunder King really lost control and rampaged, they might all be cut down.

Searching? It sounded simple, but in reality, it was anything but. How large was Northern Capital? Even after being downsized, Yan Capital still covered over six hundred square kilometers! The Hunter Academy had only a few hundred people, including the old gatekeepers, and fewer still were at the LV level. Those capable of sensing monsters were rare indeed. Searching? Sigh...

Ye Yang had barely slept these past two days. He knew he wouldn’t find the monsters but still ran frantically through the city, questioning anyone suspicious. He deeply regretted it and fully understood the huge trouble he had caused.

Qi Fang seemed to sense something was amiss too. The girl had been retreating like a shy turtle lately, not daring to disturb him. Though it wasn’t really her fault, she had been the one to push Ye Yang to play games that day.

Three days had passed—three whole days—and the entire population of Northern Capital, including hunters, seemed to have gone mad with frenzy, yet the monsters had vanished without a trace. Where had they gone?

Outside the city, atop a modest hill, a few figures stood facing Northern Capital. At their forefront was none other than Mo Ku, sneering coldly as a blond young man beside him reported.

“Alright, knowing this much is enough. Notify the master,” Mo Ku sneered. “The Chinese Alliance? It’s long been a hollow shell. This level of opposition is nothing to worry about. It all depends on when the master decides to make a move.”

Back in the office, Wang Feng and Lin Tian sat across from each other, both looking extremely grim. With things having reached this point, everyone sensed what was coming next—they all knew what the monsters were doing here. It was obvious.

“Maybe… we should just cancel this training camp. We hardly have any people to spare here,” Lin Tian said with a bitter smile.

“No!” Wang Feng waved him off immediately, gritting his teeth. “Those kids have to go, and if they don’t achieve something, they aren’t coming back!”

“But…” Lin Tian scratched his head in frustration but was cut off by Wang Feng.

“Even with them, we can’t hold out. If they’re coming, you know what it means—it won’t be just a small group of monsters.”

“These kids can’t help us much. None of them have even reached LV4 yet. At least by this battle, I want them all at LV4! Especially that boy—if his potential is fully unlocked, he’ll be a major asset!”

“Now, among the Five Tigers, only Ling Fengyan and I remain. Can this kind of strength deal with them? That’s the Blood-Eyed Lion King! One of the three LV5 elites! The LV4 monsters he brings could easily number in the hundreds.”

“Besides, there’s an advantage to going this time. If possible, have Ling Fengyan bring back some reinforcements. Let those regional big shots know that even if we're finished, they won’t benefit from it!”

Wang Feng sighed deeply—it was the first time he felt truly weak. The entire Chinese Alliance was weak in the face of the enemy’s imminent assault, utterly vulnerable.

“Should we call Yao Jun...?”

“Tell him. He’ll come back. But even with him, it won’t be enough.”

Lin Tian nodded, then hesitated. “What about Feng Lang and Lian Shangruo Shui...?”

“No! They absolutely won’t do!” Wang Feng bit his lip. “Even if the Chinese Alliance falls, I will never relent on their case. Never!!”

“But... this is an extraordinary time. You know there’s more to the story!” Lin Tian pleaded.

“What’s done is done. That’s the iron rule. No exceptions, no matter what,” Wang Feng’s eyes blazed. “Unlike Yao Jun, from the moment they slaughtered humans, they ceased to be hunters.”

“I know you’re close to Lian Shangruo Shui, but this matter is off-limits,” Wang Feng said, pain flashing across his face as he closed his eyes, refusing to say more.

After Lin Tian left the office, Wang Feng sighed softly, “If the Chinese Alliance truly falls, at least... at least there’s the Yanhuang Capital. If those kids can dodge this disaster, maybe it’s not all bad.”

“Forget about the city’s affairs. Get ready. We depart early tomorrow for the regional domain!” Wang Feng said curtly over the phone, allowing no argument before hanging up.

Clenching his teeth, Ye Yang didn’t understand why they had to go for training now, but he knew Wang Feng’s decisions were final and not to be opposed.

Still, he sought out Lin Tian to ask some questions. Like Lin Tian, he had also thought of the Five Tigers.

“I know the Chinese Alliance is in grave danger. I’ve spoken with Yao Jun, so don’t hide anything from me!” Ye Yang said through gritted teeth. “I don’t know what’s really going on with the Five Tigers, but if possible, bring them all back—by any means necessary. This isn’t a joke! There are over ten million lives in the city at stake!”

Lin Tian nodded numbly, forcing a bitter smile. He had thought about these things too, but he truly couldn’t explain everything to Ye Yang.

“Xiao Yang, you don’t need to worry about this. Wang Feng and I will handle it. Yao Jun will return soon, but... well... focus on your training. I know you haven’t been a hunter for long, and Uncle Lin just brought you back when all this happened. The timing’s too rushed, even I think you might not be able to take it. But...”

“I’ll work hard on the training. I know you’re betting on me! Fine! I’ll play along! But even if I win, one person’s strength won’t be enough, right?”

Ye Yang’s words stunned Lin Tian, who asked in surprise, “You know?”

“Yes! Yao Jun told me. We’ve already figured it out,” Ye Yang nodded.

After a moment’s silence, Lin Tian nodded. “Then let’s gamble together—with our lives! But you still don’t need to handle the Five Tigers. Uncle Lin is here; trust me, I’ll manage it well.”

“But...” Ye Yang wanted to argue further, but Lin Tian shook his head and left, sighing deeply one last time.

“Xiao Yang, remember one thing: no matter what level you reach or how strong you become, you will always be human! That is an unchangeable fact!”

“Remember, never slaughter humans. That is the hunters’ absolute iron rule—and the only iron rule!”

Lin Tian finished and turned to leave, leaving Ye Yang stunned and lost in thought. Not slaughter humans? What did that mean? Could it be that they feared he would fail his evolution and become a monster who kills humans?

On the way back, Ye Yang pondered the meaning of Lin Tian’s last words. Surely they weren’t worried he’d become a monster and kill people—if that were true, Ye Yang would be the first to kill himself, never giving himself that chance.

So what was it really? He racked his brains but couldn’t figure it out. What he didn’t know was that Lin Tian’s words weren’t meant for him at all.

“Ye Zi...” Outside the academy, a clear voice called out to Ye Yang. It was Chen Yun.

The girl waved cheerfully at Ye Yang, accompanied by a few others who looked like her parents and family.

“Come, let me introduce them. This is my father and mother, and this is my little brother,” Chen Yun said with a smile. She had already explained the special treatment she received was because of Ye Yang and hoped her family could express their gratitude.

“Uh... hello, uncle and aunt, grandpa and grandma,” Ye Yang said politely with a smile, but noticed something strange. The family’s expressions toward him were peculiar, especially Chen Yun’s grandparents. The elderly couple looked at him with ambiguous smiles.

“So this is the Ye Yang Yun Yun talks about? Hmm... not bad at all—handsome and refined,” the old man said approvingly.

“Yeah, Yun Yun has good taste! Wow, he’s so handsome, it’s almost ridiculous,” the old lady joked, causing everyone to laugh.

Ye Yang was dumbfounded. What was going on? Their gazes felt like those of prospective in-laws. Looking at Chen Yun, the girl was already blushing, wishing she could disappear.

“Sorry... that’s just how they are. Last time they met our teacher, they thought he was my boyfriend,” Chen Yun hurriedly apologized as she hurried her family away.

Ye Yang wiped his brow. Sure enough, they’d taken him for a son-in-law. No wonder their looks were so flirtatious, practically throwing him seductive glances. He nearly thought the old lady herself had fallen for him.

They exchanged awkward smiles, and Ye Yang rubbed his nose, “Well, that’s not bad. Actually, I don’t mind.”

“Pfft, with a fiancée already, this young lady doesn’t want you,” Chen Yun playfully made a face, and Ye Yang chuckled dryly again.

“By the way, are you going to the regional domain?” Chen Yun asked.

“Yeah, for training,” Ye Yang replied, pursing his lips. “By the way, something might happen soon. Be careful and try not to leave the academy.”

“What’s happening?”

“Uh... can’t say, just be careful.”

“You... care about me?” Chen Yun suddenly asked, then blushed.

Ye Yang bit his lip, hesitated a long time, and finally nodded. He didn’t want to lie—he really did care.

“Thanks,” Chen Yun smiled shyly, then made a playful face. “Will you walk me home?”

“Huh? Oh... sure,” Ye Yang nodded repeatedly, breaking into a sweat. In front of Chen Yun, he acted like a novice, completely unworthy of his former school heartthrob status. Had twenty years of isolation ruined his charm?

Just as he thought this, the girl suddenly extended her hand and placed it in his, smiling warmly at him.

After hesitating briefly, Ye Yang finally grasped it. He had taken the step, even though the timing wasn’t right and he wasn’t sure when their relationship had begun to change. Perhaps it was all unspoken.

Holding the girl’s small hand, feeling its warmth and smelling her gentle fragrance, Ye Yang felt his heart stir. Maybe it was for the best—at least in this crisis, he still had someone to hold onto.

Though even now, his heart could not let go of another figure—the one who haunted his thoughts day and night.