Volume One: In the Prime of Youth Chapter Thirteen: Ke Zhen

In the afternoon, Huo Ye received a quick message from his father, Eddie: "27 East River Road, North City. Ke Zhen. As soon as possible."

Huo Ye stared at his father’s terse words, his scalp tingling. Nineteen years as father and son had taught him all there was to know about Eddie’s character; whenever his father was this succinct, it meant business. And business from his father rarely ever ended well. That was a hard truth Huo Ye had distilled from years of experience.

“Well, if it’s fate, it’s unavoidable; if it’s trouble, there’s no dodging it. Might as well take a look,” he thought, pulling on his jacket and heading straight for North City’s East River Road.

Upon reaching number 27, Huo Ye looked up and studied the broad, towering building. A chill flowed from within, refreshing the senses, and the road stretched straight into the heart of the structure, its end nowhere in sight.

He cursed inwardly. What was this nonsense? He’d imagined his father was sending him to meet some distinguished teacher, perhaps the academy’s top professor. After all, he couldn’t possibly attend the academy without a teacher. But here? Would a high-level instructor be found in such a place? This was nothing but an indoor parking garage!

Huo Ye took a deep breath. If he didn’t go in and find whoever he was supposed to, his father would kill him later anyway. He might as well step inside.

Inside the parking garage, with not a soul in sight, Huo Ye called out loudly, “Anyone here? I’m looking for Ke Zhen! Is anyone here?”

“Who the hell is making all that racket? Disturbing my dream—damn you!” No sooner had Huo Ye shouted twice, a booming voice thundered through the empty garage, echoing endlessly.

At least, Huo Ye comforted himself, there was a living soul here. Though the man’s words were truly grating.

Following the direction of the voice, Huo Ye discovered a sort of lounge within the garage. A burly, bearded man was sprawled out on a hard cot, snoring thunderously, muttering, “Wine… Someone bring me wine…”

Huo Ye glanced down; the floor was strewn with empty beer bottles, scattered every which way. The entire lounge seemed to lack a single place to step.

Standing at the open doorway, Huo Ye knocked and asked, “Hello, I’m looking for Ke Zhen.”

“Heard you. Didn’t you hear me say? Don’t disturb my sleep. Looking for Ke Zhen? Wait until I wake up,” the man replied, eyes still closed, words slurred.

Huo Ye thought, “You’re speaking clearly enough; aren’t you awake already? Talking nonsense with your eyes closed—maybe I’m just being disgusted by someone else. How irritating!”

He stroked his chin, a plan forming. From his spatial storage box, he took out a bottle of white liquor. Huo Ye wasn’t fond of drinking, but sometimes he liked to sip alone at night, and always kept a five-year-aged bottle on hand.

He opened the cap, and the rich fragrance filled the air. The bearded man sniffed, instantly revived, and sat up. “Ah, wine. What a fragrant wine! Where is it?”

Huo Ye’s instincts were spot on—this was a drunkard. He shook the bottle, releasing the aroma again, and said, “Seven-year aged from Wugu Distillery. Answer my question and it’s yours.”

“Wugu Distillery? The king of white liquor? That’s a top brand! Kid, ask away. Or give me the wine first and I’ll answer as I drink. I’ll tell you everything, nothing withheld,” the man said eagerly, as if he might leap up and snatch the bottle at any moment.

Holding the bottle aloft, Huo Ye said loftily, “My question is simple. Where is Ke Zhen?”

At those words, the man suddenly grew calm for some reason. “So you’re the one who kept shouting for Ke Zhen while I was dozing. Why are you looking for him?”

“My father sent me.”

“Your father? Who’s your father anyway?” Ke Zhen asked, picking his ear with his pinky.

“Eddie Halls!”

“What? What did you say?” Ke Zhen yanked his finger out with a pop. “So you’re his son. Then I know why you’re here.”

Huo Ye looked at the burly man before him, recalling his earlier words, and it all began to make sense. “You’re Ke Zhen?”

“That’s me!”

Huo Ye cursed inwardly and almost turned to leave. Why would his father send him to find a drunkard? To drink together, compete in drinking games, discuss wine culture?

“So, who are you, really?” Huo Ye asked. He only knew the man’s name, not even why he was supposed to find him.

Ke Zhen hesitated. “What, your father didn’t tell you why you were coming to see me?”

“No. He only said the address, Ke Zhen, as soon as possible. Not a word more,” Huo Ye replied helplessly.

Ke Zhen clucked his tongue. “That’s just like that bastard. All right, since you don’t know, I’ll explain. I’m a mentor at Bancroft, though I haven’t taken students for years. I’m just killing time here, watching over the parking garage; not many cars ever come to this godforsaken place—peace and quiet’s all I want. My best student back in the day was your father. A month ago, he asked me to come out of retirement and be your teacher.”

Huo Ye was stunned. He interrupted, “Wait, wait. You said you were my father’s teacher—how old are you?”

“Forty-nine, in my prime,” Ke Zhen said proudly.

“Forty-nine? You’re only four years older than my father!” Huo Ye drew a sharp breath.

“Yep. I stayed on as faculty right after graduation. Your father was my first student. Any problem?”

“N-no,” Huo Ye replied, speechless.

“All right, explanations over,” Ke Zhen said, standing and holding out his hand as if expecting something. “Hand it over.”

Huo Ye blinked. “What?”

“A gift for your mentor at our first meeting. I want nothing else—just that bottle of Wugu Distillery in your hand,” Ke Zhen said naturally, having coveted it for some time.

Seeing the shameless look on his face, Huo Ye reluctantly handed over the bottle. Though he looked like an unreliable drunkard, he had taught Eddie Halls, and was chosen by his father; he’d just have to learn from him.

Ke Zhen opened the bottle, held it to his nose, and praised, “Excellent wine. Exceptional. No, I can’t drink it all at once—better savor it slowly.” With that, he kicked aside the empty bottles and hid the Wugu Distillery under the bed.

Huo Ye considered, then asked, “Teacher Ke…”

“What Teacher Ke? You’re nothing like Eddie’s son. Just call me Old Ke, like your father,” Ke Zhen interrupted.

“All right, Old Ke. Since you say you’ll be my teacher, how do we start classes after school begins?” Huo Ye asked. Studying at Bancroft had always weighed on his mind; with a teacher now, he naturally wanted to know about the lessons.

Ke Zhen stroked his stubbly chin and sighed, “Ah, that’s really an issue. Here’s what we’ll do: let’s fight first. I’ll gauge your level, then decide the curriculum. Don’t hold back—use your full strength; otherwise, the training might not yield results.”

“Huh?” Huo Ye glanced around. “Here?”

“Where else?”

“We’re both ability users. Won’t we wreck the place?” Huo Ye said.

“Relax. The structure here’s reinforced. Go all out—just don’t trash my lounge,” Ke Zhen waved dismissively.

Huo Ye nodded, then said, “Just one last question.”

“What is it?”

“My old weapons broke during a mission. I’m empty-handed now.”

“What were your weapons?”

“Twin blades.”

As soon as Huo Ye said “twin blades,” Ke Zhen’s face darkened. After pondering for two seconds, he cursed, “I knew that bastard wouldn’t let me have anything nice.” He then crawled under the bed, pulled out a pair of long blades, and tossed them to Huo Ye. “Your father gave these to me—damn it, they were meant for you. He must have calculated your power would outgrow your old weapons right about now.”

Huo Ye caught the blades—his preferred twin blades, a type of Tang sword called the cross-blade, slender and straight, with not a hint of curve, formidable in power.

Their scabbards were pitch black, and even with the blades locked inside, Huo Ye could sense the murderous energy ready to burst forth.

“These blades have a name—‘Ghost-Slayer.’ They were crafted by the renowned master Qi Shenqiao. If auctioned, they’d fetch at least twenty million. Now you have your weapons—let’s head to an open space and start the fight!” Ke Zhen urged.

Huo Ye strapped the twin blades to his waist and nodded, “All right, let’s go.”