Chapter One: A Word in Private

Dong... dong... dong...

It was as if the deep, haunting tolls of the bell came echoing from some lost divine relic of ancient times, each note resonating with a heavy, somber cadence that seemed to reverberate through the very heart. The entire campus was shrouded in the sound, signaling the end of the school day. For all but the freshmen, this bell was nothing out of the ordinary; most had grown accustomed to its peculiar resonance. No one knew why the school had chosen such an unusual tone for the dismissal bell. Adding to the mystery was an odd “affliction” at the school: no matter who encountered the principal on campus, they were forbidden from addressing him as “Principal” and must instead call him “Master,” just as students once addressed their teachers in ancient times. Should anyone—freshman or otherwise—forget or address him incorrectly, they would be punished by being made to ring the dismissal bell for three days. After enduring the powerful, stirring tolls, thereafter, even before seeing the Master, the mere sound of the bell would compel a respectful greeting: “Good day, Master.”

The bell itself was housed in a pavilion at the four corners of the lotus pond in the rear garden. About three or four hundred meters to the northwest lay the academy’s forbidden zone—a place strictly off-limits according to school rules. Over time, curiosity faded, and no one ventured near.

“Hei-zi, up for another round tonight?” called a boy, a seasoned student from Class A of the third year. His appearance was unremarkable, but his bright almond-shaped eyes and his neatly cropped, jet-black hair, paired with a crisp white T-shirt, gave him a youthful radiance and a dash of charm uncommon for his age.

Ahead of him, a boy with his head down, right hand casually dangling from the strap of his backpack slung over one shoulder, turned at the shout—only to have his head engulfed by a mass of black clothing. With a muffled grunt, he was tackled to the ground by Bai Qi.

Hei-zi rolled deftly, trying to trip Bai Qi in return, but missed. Glaring at Bai Qi, whose clothes remained spotless while his own backside and back were now dusted with dirt, anger bubbled within him. “You old white chicken! Bullying me again? Think I don’t complain to your mom enough, huh? Just wait, tonight I’ll see how your mom deals with you! Hmph!” He dusted himself off and strode off, intent on tattling.

Hearing that his friend, Big Black Ox, was about to report on him, Bai Qi panicked and hurried after him.

“Come on, big bro, it was my fault. Blame my mischief. You’re a magnanimous man—surely you won’t hold it against a petty fellow like me!” Bai Qi pleaded with official-sounding flattery, but Big Black Ox ignored him, marching straight ahead.

Bai Qi’s eyes darted cunningly. He figured his friend must have recently neglected homework and been scolded by the teacher, and now Bai Qi had become the scapegoat for his frustration. Time to switch tactics.

Bai Qi slung his right arm around Hei-zi’s neck in a show of camaraderie, their postures rowdy and carefree as only true friends could be. But as Bai Qi tightened his grip, the mood changed, and Hei-zi uncomfortably tried to shrug him off, only to find Bai Qi’s arm firmly holding him in place.

“Hey, how about this? Tomorrow’s the weekend. Tonight, let’s hit up XX Internet Café for some gaming?” Bai Qi suggested.

“What? Gaming...?”

Bai Qi quickly clarified, “Just a bit of team play, man. Where’s your mind? My treat.”

“That’s all you’re offering?”

“I’ll introduce you to that pretty freshman girl’s contact, how about that?”

“Not enough.”

“I’ll top up your XX League account with 10,000 credits?”

“Sorry, I’m not short on money.”

“Fine, I’ll lend you my limited edition Loli Dimension figurine!”

“Hmm, let me think... That might work.”

“Damn it, I knew it—you’re a bottomless pit.” Bai Qi sighed in defeat; after all, he’d stayed up all night bidding for that figurine. Lending it felt as good as tossing a meat bun to a dog—he’d never get it back.

On their way to the internet café, the two friends bantered and teased each other endlessly.

...

Elsewhere, the surroundings were deathly quiet and desolate. Occasionally, the croak of a frog would echo, making the atmosphere even more chilling. In a room inside an old tiled house, wooden beams arched overhead, and latticed windows were covered in aged paper. The air was scented with faint sandalwood, blue smoke curling lazily. A single candle stood on a huanghuali wood table, its faint glow flickering. More candles were wedged into the walls, their wavering light illuminating the room. An elderly man sat polishing a yellowed ancient book with gentle, steady hands.

After a long silence, a voice, weathered and deep, murmured—perhaps to himself, perhaps to someone else, “It seems the Heavenly Realm is beginning to stir. The timing is always just a sliver off from our plans. Perhaps that gap could be called fate, wouldn’t you say?”

After a few breaths, a figure gradually materialized before the table. The upper body resembled a seahorse’s head, with a curving, twisted form, while the lower body was unmistakably human, clad in ornate finery. The eyes were small, set on either side; the mouth, like a mouse’s; and most striking, two prominent mustaches. With dainty, jade-like hands, the figure stroked its whiskers and gave a sage, knowing nod.

“My eyelids have been twitching nonstop lately—must be related to what you just mentioned. And that child too...” The figure hesitated, pausing as a covered finger twitched under the sleeve.

Beneath the flickering candlelight, the old man in the grand chair was none other than the principal, known to all as “Master,” dressed in gray linen, but with cuffs, collar, and hems embroidered in dark gold silk. His snow-white beard and silver hair swept back gave him an aura of immortal grace and ease.

In the principal’s seemingly clouded eyes gleamed a sudden sharpness—a kind of hope, a strategist’s cunning as if preparing to make a decisive move, and a shrewdness like a net cast to ensnare.

After a long pause, the principal sighed and spoke in a deep voice, “Seahorse, let’s make our move first. Let’s risk everything for the Heavenly Realm—let’s see if these two old relics can’t seize one last breath of life.”

“Agreed!”

“No time to lose. Let’s go.”

And with that, the two figures vanished like phantoms, leaving the room empty and silent, save for the flickering candlelight disturbed by their sudden departure. Outside, the frogs resumed their chorus, breaking the stillness.

Whoosh, whoosh...

On the busy street, cars rushed past. Seizing the brief pause of a red light at the intersection, two figures darted among the stopped vehicles and slipped into a familiar alley, one they could navigate blindfolded.

Their spirits were high as they exchanged playful insults, each trying to one-up the other.

“You’re hopeless! If it wasn’t for my smooth moves, you’d have died ten times over. Who are you fooling?” Hei-zi shouted, eager for everyone to know he was the best. If Bai Qi weren’t a head taller, he’d have been nose to nose with him.

Bai Qi just chuckled, waving dismissively, “Can’t you be a bit self-aware? You never shut up—talk a big game but in ranked matches you go 0-5, and the enemy healer outdamages you. Still have the nerve to call yourself smooth?”

Stung by the taunt, Hei-zi shot back, “Back at the café, you were practically drooling over that pretty girl on the other team. Your stare was more intense than when you were bidding for that figurine! Ha!”

“Come on, you were no better, slobbering all over yourself. I was just appreciating beauty—‘the fair maiden, a gentleman’s pursuit’—so what if I was a bit smitten?”

“Ha, that even rhymes! You—”

“Shh...” Bai Qi silenced him with a finger to his lips.

Following Bai Qi’s gaze, they saw a strange light flickering at the corner of the alley. Though it was only early spring and dusk fell early, the eerie glow unsettled them both. Normally, the alley would still be bustling, but tonight it was strangely deserted. If not for their familiarity with the place, the sight would have made their legs turn to jelly.

Bai Qi edged forward along the wall, but Hei-zi grabbed his collar, eyes pleading not to go further. No matter how brave, Hei-zi had no desire to risk his life out of curiosity.

But the pull of the mysterious light drew Bai Qi on, straightening his back as he approached.

Peeking around the corner, the two boys caught sight of the source. Hei-zi’s knees buckled, and he collapsed in terror; Bai Qi’s teeth chattered and his feet felt like lead, rooted to the spot as they stared at the scene.

The glow faded, revealing the seahorse-headed monster who had been with the old man earlier.

The creature turned leisurely and greeted them. “Heh heh, my young friends, I am called Seahorse. You may address me as Lord Seahorse.”

Faced with such a bizarre sight, the boys didn’t hesitate; as if spurred by adrenaline, they spun around and tried to flee. But no matter how far they ran, the scenery looped endlessly, always bringing them back to the same spot. Looking behind, the creature remained only a few steps away, their panic mounting.

“Heh heh, young sirs, may I have a word?” As the creature spoke, darkness overcame them and they slipped into unconsciousness.

(I have a dream of writing a novel—a world of martial arts, immortals, and fantasy. Perhaps one day that dream will come true.)

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