Chapter 71: Is Your Pride... a Medal?

"Human heroes are not always glamorous."

"And you could never guess what roles the elders of Mo Pavilion actually play."

"Is this fair to them?"

"Yet this is what they do, day after day."

"Whenever an Elder of Mo Pavilion dies, others step up to continue the silent vigil, waiting for the day they too must lay down their lives."

"This is why the Elders of Mo Pavilion remain the leaders of humanity to this day."

"The Elders of Mo Pavilion never gather together!"

"This saying is not without basis."

"My purpose today in telling you all this is not to ask you to emulate these sages, but to remind you that there are many out there silently guarding you."

"When the day comes that you stand tall with the strength to be like mighty trees, you too must hold up the sky for humanity!"

"At least... on the day of your death, you can proudly say that you have lived a life true to humanity, true to... these fifty-six portraits!"

"This is my first time in over a decade holding such a unique graduation ceremony."

"May each of you..."

"Be as loong, be the backbone of our race."

"Having walked with you for three years, it has been an immense honor."

"I hope one day you all can become the pride of No. 2 High School in Mobei."

The Principal took a deep breath, and with the sparse group of teachers behind him, stepped back in unison: "We cannot follow where you go, but... in your glory, we share."

With one fist, he thumped his chest.

A human race tradition.

The expression on each student's face below was exceedingly solemn and respectful.

They returned the gesture.

"To live a life worthy of the human race, worthy of my mentors, worthy of my youth!"

That day, the voices of students from No. 2 High School could be heard clearly throughout Mobei.

The Principal revealed a relieved smile, turned with the teachers, and walked back to the school, back straight.

For a teacher, perhaps the greatest honor in life... is to see the students they have nurtured shine ever brighter.

The students dispersed and went their separate ways.

Yu Sheng stood in a corner of the playground, staring absentmindedly at Liu Qingfeng's portrait.

Occasionally, some classmates approached with fresh flowers, bowed before the portrait, and then walked away.

Yu Sheng did not move.

Nor did he understand what placing a flower could signify.

It seemed... like a meaningless act.

But they did it anyway, their expressions solemn.

After everyone had left.

Hesitating, Yu Sheng plucked some wildflowers from the roadside and approached Liu Qingfeng’s portrait, mimicking the actions of the other students.

For some reason, at that moment, a surprising calm took over Yu Sheng’s heart.

Even a slight, involuntary smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

It was an emotional fluctuation he had never experienced before.

It was no help in killing, perhaps even harmful, but... enjoyable.

"What exactly is your pride..."

"What should I do to make you feel honored..."

Murmuring, Yu Sheng thought of the Cloud Pattern Medal in his backpack.

He took it out.

The blood on it had long since dried.

The originally sky-blue medal was now tinged with dark red.

"Is it this kind of medal..."

"You said, this medal was the pride of your life."

He clenched it tightly.

He did not wipe the blood off the medal, as if instinctively feeling that this blood, left on the medal, was what Liu Qingfeng would have wanted to see.

"Then I'll collect more of them."

Since leaving Sin City, Yu Sheng had no real goals.

Even in Sin City, his only goal had been to survive.

Then one day, he felt he could try for the only chance to leave the city, so he took it.

And now, at this moment, besides earning money, Yu Sheng had a new goal.

Medals.

With no lingering attachment, his slender figure turned and left the school grounds. Under the sunlight, only Yu Sheng’s own shadow stretched long behind him...

Perhaps Liu Qingfeng’s death had saddened him.

Or perhaps not.

Even Yu Sheng himself could not decipher the emotions within his heart, let alone anyone else.

Like a lone wolf on the prairie.

Gaunt, yet fierce.

Ferocious.

At the ATM, Yu Sheng once again entered the familiar account information and transferred most of his money.

He retrieved his bank card.

Yu Sheng habitually stood in the shadows, pulled out his cellphone, and dialed a number.

"This is Yu Sheng," he said seriously into the phone.

There was a long silence on the other end before a hoarse voice finally spoke, "Alright, speak."

"I want to earn medals."

"But I don't know where the Cult members are."

Yu Sheng was not detailed in his request, simply stating his need.

Silence followed again.

After a while, the voice on the other end asked with some surprise, "You're using the favor you’re owed for this? Isn't that a waste?"

"It’s worth it."

Yu Sheng thought carefully before responding.

"Okay."

"I'll text you before 7 PM tonight."

"I can't find much, but it should be enough for you to earn a Single Stripe medal."

Out of curiosity, the voice asked, "Why aren't you being confrontational today?"

This time, the response came quickly, tinged with curiosity.

Yu Sheng was somewhat bewildered: "Have I ever been confrontational?"

...

Silence fell once more, and soon the call was disconnected, seemingly to avoid further discussion on that topic.

Yu Sheng then looked at the calendar on his phone.

Half a month until school starts.

That should be enough time.

Military schools, Spirit Martial Academy, Spirit Mind Academy, all are in the central region of the human territories.

Only Mo Pavilion Academy...

Located in Border City.

The frontier's Border.

It's only a few hundred kilometers from Demon-Suppressing Pass, meaning that if the Pass were ever breached, Mo Pavilion Academy would be the first to face the onslaught.

Even some of the assessment tasks at Mo Pavilion Academy during the schooling period involve going to Demon-Suppressing Pass.

Including the teachers, who might be called to assist at the Pass when the pressure gets too high.

This is one of the reasons why the graduation rate at Mo Pavilion Academy is so low.

From Mobei to Border City...

The merit should be enough.

After roughly planning his route, Yu Sheng texted the details to the number.

Now, the only thing left to consider was transportation.

According to Mo Pavilion traffic laws, driving without a license carried a fine of 2000...

Just then, Yu Sheng's phone rang.