Chapter Seventy-Five: Reminiscence

That year, Ye Zuo was fifteen, and it was his first mission.

Though his body was covered in wounds, he was determined to see the task through to the end. All he wanted was to repay the place that had once saved him, by becoming the very best he could be. He didn’t know what the meaning of his life was—a question most people only truly understand when they are grown—but that year, he understood.

His mission forbade him from killing, fighting, or stealing; he was to obtain a diamond, ensuring his own safety in the process.

His first thought was—should he simply ask for one?

In truth, his training officer had assigned him this first mission so that he might earn a diamond with his own hands.

He made his way to the home of a wealthy family and saw a group of young boys, around eight years old, playing ball together. He climbed a tree and, with a cold tone, called down to them, “If I beat you all, will you give me a diamond?”

“Who are you? What’s a diamond?”

“Why are you in the tree?”

“I want to climb up too.”

“Let’s just play ball, don’t mind him.”

“No, I want to climb up.”

“Me too!”

A few of the smaller boys started to climb the tree, while two older boys, holding the ball, stepped forward to stop them.

“No climbing trees—that’s for little kids.”

“We’re too old for that now, we only play ball,” the older ones reasoned.

But the younger boys, undeterred, started climbing anyway, already making their way up. The older children, helpless, could only call for the adults.

One of the little boys had already climbed quite high, swaying dangerously as he tried to reach the spot beside Ye Zuo, wanting to be as high as the older boy.

Ye Zuo watched the six-year-old approach, a flicker of emotion crossing his face. “Don’t come any closer, you’ll fall,” he warned.

Suddenly, disaster struck. The branch the little boy clung to couldn’t bear his weight and began to splinter.

Ye Zuo scrambled down to catch him, but they both fell to the ground together. Ye Zuo took the brunt of the fall, his already battered body crying out in pain.

By then, the older children had fetched the adults.

A grown man rushed over, his voice harsh and accusatory. “Was this your fault? Is that why my son fell? Why are you here? Planning to steal something? Up to no good at your age!”

He ordered his men to beat Ye Zuo before driving him away.

Ye Zuo lay on the ground, his body bruised and bleeding, even his lips split and oozing blood. The adults, strong and merciless, had left their marks on him. Worst of all, he was forbidden from fighting back; he could only endure the blows.

He rested on the ground for a while, then pressed a hand to his wounded abdomen and forced himself to rise. He still hadn’t completed his mission.

So he pressed on.

He walked and walked, until night fell and the skin on his feet wore through. Still, he kept going. At last, exhausted beyond measure, he stopped at the wall of an estate.

He doubted he could complete the mission. Perhaps he would never become outstanding, after all. The deadline was fast approaching, and he was still empty-handed.

Despair washed over him. His feet bled, his body was covered in wounds, all of it concealed by the darkness. He leaned against the wall, the blue-gray bricks still glimmering faintly in the last rays of light.

The world was utterly silent; even the wind passed by unnoticed.

In the stillness, Ye Zuo could hear the pounding of his own heart.

Suddenly, a rustling sounded atop the wall—a soft scrape, as something brushed against the tiles.

A small head finally poked above the wall.

It was Shangguan Renran, just ten years old, who had at last managed to climb up. She often snuck out this way, for it was the quietest spot.

She didn’t notice Ye Zuo below as she strained to pull herself up, then stood and leapt down lightly. She had done this many times before—it was nothing to her.

She suddenly sensed someone watching. Turning, she saw a boy and scrambled back up onto the wall.

“Who are you? Why are you here?” Her tone was cool, tinged with suspicion.

Ye Zuo’s voice was low. He didn’t know what to say; the ordeal had nearly shattered him, and his words came out rough. “I’m with the Nightshade. I appear where I wish. Who are you?”

She dropped her aloofness and spoke naturally. “I’m Shangguan Renran. If you’re with Nightshade, then we’re family.”

Ye Zuo’s reply was curt. “Who’s your family?”

Shangguan Renran sat beside him and explained patiently, “If you’re with Nightshade, then we’re family. Grandpa said so—the brothers and sisters of Nightshade are to protect me, and I, in turn, will guard them one day. I know all about it, okay?”

“What? Your grandfather?”

“Yes, my grandpa is the master of Nightshade—his name is Ye Hai, you know?”

Ye Zuo was shocked, his voice trembling with excitement. “Your grandfather is the master?”

“That’s right. What happened to your mouth? And your foot—it’s bleeding.”

“It’s nothing. I’m just on a mission.”

“What mission could leave you hurt like this? I’ll get some medicine. Wait here for me, okay?”

Little Shangguan Renran started looking for the nearest tree and climbed up carefully.

Ye Zuo couldn’t help but worry. “Be careful.”

Standing atop the wall, she called down, “Don’t worry, big brother. Wait here for me!”

She deftly avoided everyone, her small figure darting through the night until she slipped back into her own room. She gathered the medicine kit and snuck out just as quietly.

She tossed the kit down, then reappeared as before, jumping nimbly. She quickly dug out ointment and cotton balls, tending to his wounds with gentle hands, checking the rest of his injuries and caring for them all.

“Big brother, you still haven’t told me—what mission are you on, to end up hurt like this?”