Volume One: In the Prime of Youth Chapter Eight: Let Me See You Smile

Flame Demon Hall strode up to Huo Ye, who took a small step forward. On the surface, it looked like he was simply greeting someone approaching him, but in reality, he was shielding Alice behind his back.

Shangguan Yudie walked over to Alice's side and, gazing at Huo Ye’s back, whispered, “Xiao Ye-ge… still spoiling you as always.”

Alice replied smugly, “Of course, he’s my real brother!”

Not by blood, but closer than family.

“Hello, you must be Young Master Horace,” Flame Demon Hall said, extending his hand with a polite smile.

Huo Ye let out a long “Oh,” then replied, “No, you’ve got the wrong person.”

Not Horace? Who is he trying to fool? Flame Demon Hall felt at a loss for words—this was outright lying with a straight face!

Ordinarily, Flame Demon Hall should have simply said, “Sorry for the mistake,” and gone to look elsewhere. The problem was, this really was Young Master Horace! Where else could he look?

The onlookers nearby were dumbfounded, too. If he wasn’t the little Reaper, then why did Alice call him “brother”? Cousin? Second cousin? But as far as anyone knew, Commander Horace and Lady Vivian were both only children.

Huo Ye’s single sentence left Flame Demon Hall speechless. Then he added, “My father is Eddie Horace, but my surname is Huo. Please don’t get it wrong.” Huo Ye did intend to stump Flame Demon Hall, but more importantly, he wanted to make something clear. Even though he was part of the Horace family, he bore the surname Huo. Others could call him “Young Master Huo” or “the young master from the Horace family,” but not “Young Master Horace,” because his surname was almost his only remaining bond with his birth parents, and he didn’t want to ignore that.

Of course, Flame Demon Hall had no way of knowing Huo Ye’s private feelings. Unaware, he could only respond awkwardly, “You… really have a sense of humor. Pleased to meet you.” He extended his hand again, still maintaining courtesy.

Huo Ye didn’t take his hand. Instead, he asked directly, “Are you really pleased? I can’t tell. Smile for me if you’re so happy.”

At that moment, there were three kinds of reactions from those present. First, Flame Demon Hall, who was petrified on the spot, suddenly doubting his own social skills. Were all the polite phrases he’d ever learned just a sham?

Next, the onlookers, who marveled at the sheer oddity of Huo Ye’s logic. “Pleased to meet you? I can’t tell. Smile for me if you’re so happy?” If someone said that to them, they’d really want to throw a punch!

Finally, Alice and Shangguan Yudie. “Ah, here it comes, my brother’s classic sharp tongue.” Alice was nearly bursting with joy, though she tried her best to hold back her laughter. Shangguan Yudie didn’t comment, but she thought to herself, after all these years, Xiao Ye-ge’s words were still as incisive as ever.

Flame Demon Hall drew in a sharp breath, weighing how best to smooth things over without resorting to violence. With his temper, if this weren’t Alice’s brother, he wouldn’t even bother trying.

Huo Ye’s razor tongue had been honed during his years attending school in the slums—a place where even ten-year-olds could curse nonstop for hours without repeating themselves. There, Huo Ye learned that a single well-chosen line could leave someone gasping, far more effective than cursing out their ancestors for half the day.

In truth, Huo Ye was still holding back. If he really let loose, a single sentence from him could send someone’s blood pressure through the roof.

In the end, Flame Demon Hall yielded to the goddess’s kin. He forced a wide grin, flashing his big white teeth—a smile uglier than a grimace.

Huo Ye didn’t push his advantage any further. He shook hands with Flame Demon Hall and casually remarked, “Crashing the mountain-burning party without an invitation—please forgive us, President Flame Demon Hall.”

“Not at all, not at all. Brother Huo, you’re sure to become a leading figure at the Academy. Had we known you were coming today, you would definitely have received an invitation,” Flame Demon Hall replied.

Huo Ye chuckled dryly. “You flatter me.”

With the formalities over, Flame Demon Hall turned to Huo Ye and said, “I have important matters to discuss. Brother Huo, would you kindly join me upstairs?”

“Sure,” Huo Ye replied.

Turning to the crowd, Flame Demon Hall announced, “Everyone, in four days, the new term officially begins. We, the major societies, will soon compete anew. Let’s continue to grow and become stronger, that we might serve humanity. Please enjoy this evening.”

Huo Ye mused, “Well, he does know how to say all the right things, befitting a major society’s president.”

Flame Demon Hall gestured courteously. “After you, Brother Huo.”

Huo Ye followed him into the villa. Just before reaching the front door, Flame Demon Hall glanced around the garden—Tan Xiao from the Dark Hall and Huo Xialan from the Radiant Ring were nowhere to be seen.

———

Bancroft had always been a thorn in the side of the Calamities, built in the heart of the Wasteland, constantly under attack. Clearing out these disasters was a regular points-earning task for the academy.

Tan Xiao had never slackened in honing his skills. Even before the semester officially started, he had accepted a mission to clear out a Calamity nest, the leader of which was rumored to be an A-level threat.

Tan Xiao had spent two days alone trekking through the Wasteland, finally arriving at the mouth of a cave. The ground at his feet was littered with shattered bones—human, as only humans would end up at the entrance to a Calamity’s lair.

With a cold snort, Tan Xiao unslung the massive warhammer from his back. The head of the hammer crashed down on the ground, and, in an instant, a shockwave rippled through the cave, echoing with supernatural force. From within came a chorus of bloodcurdling howls.

Muttering to himself, Tan Xiao said, “I actually thought there’d be an A-level Calamity, but it’s just a top-tier B.”

“Human, you’ve got a lot of nerve!” roared a voice from deep in the cave. The fact that it could speak was a sign it was nearing A-level—its disaster rating must be closing in on the threshold of one hundred.

Tan Xiao replied coldly, “I’m just here to teach you a lesson with my hammer…”

“Oh?” came the Calamity leader’s voice. “Then let me hear this lesson.”

Tan Xiao said, “There’s an old human saying: ‘No one should be allowed to snore beside my bed.’ This is Bancroft’s territory. You dare nest here? Die!”

With that, Tan Xiao hefted his warhammer and strode into the darkness of the cave.

Hours later, Tan Xiao lay on the ground, every last Calamity slain. Staring up at the stalactites overhead, he sighed, “Who can be a match for me?”

———

Meanwhile, Huo Xialan was making her way through the heart of the Wasteland, sword in hand.

By the standards of pre-Collapse nations, this society president was unmistakably Chinese—her entire family traced their lineage back through countless generations.

The Huo family, an ancient clan carrying on thousands of years of martial tradition, passed their legacy down through martial arts and virtue, always ready to step forward in times of chaos and join the forces of justice. With unmatched skill, they swept across the battlefield as if no one could stand in their way.

When the Calamities first swept the world, before the emergence of supernatural warriors, the Huo family was the main fighting force for humanity during those five years of helplessness. Now, their reputation was second only to that of Eddie Horace.

As Huo Xialan walked, she suddenly stopped and called out softly, “Come out. No use hiding.”

In an instant, dozens of spider-like Calamities burst from the ground, their eight legs tapping out a chilling rhythm as they eyed her hungrily.

Huo Xialan drew a deep breath, unsheathed her sword, and charged.

When the swirling black smoke had finally dissipated, Huo Xialan surveyed the battlefield she’d just carved out, biting her lip. “Still not enough. For the Radiant Ring to rise, it’s not enough. I must become even stronger! No, perhaps I need a powerful ally.”

The Radiant Ring and the Dark Hall—the two societies at the bottom—seemed to be preparing for something big.