This Villain Ch.203

Chapter 203: His Towering Silhouette

On the appointed day, it was Yang Can who came up the mountain to pick them up; Liu Fanglin and Liu Yue didn’t come.

Smiling cheerfully, Yang Can wasn’t as calm and considerate as Liu Fanglin, nor as lively and curious as Liu Yue.

He glanced at the cat perched on Yu Guang’s shoulder and didn’t ask anything.

When he saw Yu Yin, whom Yu Guang was leading by the arm, he cast a glance at the cloth covering his face, but again, he didn’t ask anything.

Liu Fanglin had already reminded him that Yu Guang’s younger brother was shy and timid, so it was best not to stare at him.

Liu Yue, having been scolded for his impoliteness, had been rather downcast for two days.

On the way, Yang Can brought up the topic of the Divine Academy, full of a playful, expectant energy.

“You haven’t even entered the Divine Academy of Zhuzhou yet, but you’re already a celebrity there. Everyone’s looking forward to your arrival and can’t wait to meet you.”

They were eager to see his strength.

It was rare for a student like Yu Guang to be admitted under special circumstances—one like him only appeared once in several decades. Back in Yangjia Village, the enormous divine manifestation hadn’t escaped the notice of their teacher, Wang Rongqing.

Most of the Divine Academy teachers had no objections to Yu Guang’s special admission, but the students weren’t so agreeable.

They had all been recruited into the academy for training and cultivation after their spiritual talents were identified at the age of twelve.

After being praised for so long, it was hard for them to accept someone new, and the Divine Academy was always bustling with endless conflicts.

Yang Can and the others had witnessed Yu Guang’s bravery when he single-handedly defeated a fierce evil spirit, and they were truly convinced by his abilities. However, those students who had only heard bits of the rumor felt the claims were exaggerated and were even more reluctant to accept him.

After all, this transfer student, Yu Guang, had also earned the admiration of the famously strict teacher Wang Rongqing, who praised him endlessly whenever he was mentioned.

In just a few days, everyone in the Divine Academy knew about this rare genius, a “hidden gem” of exceptional talent.

“Teacher said, Yu Guang, that you’ll go straight into the Tianchong class. This class has a total of thirty students, ages seventeen to nineteen, who are the most gifted and skilled.”

As the saying goes, even prodigies have their quirks, and each of these elite students had a strong sense of pride and self-regard.

As a soon-to-graduate senior with only average talent, Yang Can had once been looked down on by these geniuses.

Thinking about how these proud students would soon be humbled by Yu Guang lifted his spirits.

Zhuzhou covered a vast area, with the Divine Academy located outside the western suburbs, occupying a mountainside.

Although Yu Guang had lived temporarily on a small mountain before, this was entirely different.

The mountain was majestic and tall, with stunning scenery and white waterfalls cascading down like silk. Buildings were scattered artistically among the slopes, creating a picturesque beauty.

The campus was fully equipped: a spacious martial arts training ground, an armory, a library, a lecture hall…

“The students who haven’t graduated yet all live in this area. Typically, four students share a small courtyard. This particular courtyard is a bit remote and smaller than others, so it’s been empty. It’s assigned to you, and no one else will be arranged to live with you.”

Yang Can led Yu Guang into the small courtyard.

The ground was paved with green bricks, and since no one had lived there for a while, some weeds had sprouted between the bricks. A large tree in the corner of the yard, with a thick, cloud-like canopy, shaded the entire courtyard.

The rooms themselves were in good condition—clean, and apparently already tidied up.

“Take some time to settle in, and when you’re ready, come find me. I still need to take you to the Shuoxue Building to meet the teacher. I’m staying in the courtyard just ahead.”

With that, Yang Can left without disturbing them any more.

Yu Guang set down his luggage, rolled up his sleeves, and the first thing he did was climb the large tree in the courtyard. He trimmed back the overly dense branches so that sunlight could filter into the courtyard.

Yu Yin, standing below, looked up. Beside him, the cat crouched in the same posture. Both watched as the courtyard became bright with sunlight, and branches piled up around their feet.

Yu Guang quickly set up a perfect spot in the sun for his younger brother.

After finishing with the tree, Yu Guang went inside to organize his belongings. He soon came back out and said to Yu Yin, “Youngest, I have a task for you.”

“Before I come back, I want you to gather all these branches and pile them up in the corner of the yard. Can you do that? If so, give me a ‘mm-hmm.’”

Yu Yin didn’t respond.

Yu Guang lifted the cat, looking seriously into its gray eyes. “Can you do it? If so, give me a ‘meow.’”

Yu Yin and the cat both stayed silent, so Yu Guang continued to stare at them intently.

“…Meow.” The cat opened its mouth, almost like it was yawning.

“Good, next time answer louder,” Yu Guang said, giving the cat’s head a rub.

After Yu Guang closed the courtyard gate, Yu Yin sat down in the remaining patch of shade, ignoring the branches and leaves scattered around.

Suddenly, a head popped up over the courtyard wall—Yu Guang was peering in, holding himself up against the wall. “Caught you slacking, Youngest! Come on, get moving!”

“Exercise more, get some sun, don’t just hide in the shade!”

With his brother’s constant urging, Yu Yin finally stood up with a reluctant expression.

Satisfied that he had managed to get his reluctant younger brother moving, Yu Guang headed off to meet Yang Can to go to the Shuoxue Building.

The Shuoxue Building was essentially the teachers’ office building, with more than a dozen teachers stationed there.

The five-story wooden building featured a central courtyard with statues of the Four Divine Beasts enshrined within.

Once again, Yang Can took on the role of guide. “These are the Four Ancestral Deities. Every practitioner who joins the path worships a different ancestral deity. For example, Liu Fanglin, Liu Yue, and I all worship the Northern Lingyong Celestial Lord as our deity.”

He pointed around the room, “Over here is the Eastern Chihuo Celestial Lord, the Southern Guiying Celestial Lord, and the Western Fude Celestial Lord.”

The four statues faced each direction: Chihuo Celestial Lord and Lingyong Celestial Lord were female deities, while Crimson Fire and Fude Celestial Lord were male deities.

It’s said that each of them was a practitioner who accumulated great merit a thousand years ago, ascending to deity status after death to continue protecting this land.

…

In a tidy room filled with scrolls, Yu Guang had a private conversation with Wang Rongqing.

The conversation lasted longer than expected. Waiting outside the door, Yang Can grew curious about what could take so long. Usually, it was just a few words of advice.

Finally, the teacher called Yang Can into the room.

As Yang Can entered, he heard Wang Rongqing telling Yu Guang, “The Tianchong class has talented students, but they’re arrogant because of their gifts. Put them in their place.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it!” Yu Guang agreed.

Wang Rongqing then handed Yang Can a token, saying, “Yang Can, take Yu Guang to enroll his younger brother, Yu Yin.”

Yang Can was surprised. “Does Yu Guang’s brother also have talent? Will he be accepted into the academy as well?”

Wang Rongqing, as serious as always, showed no hint of emotion. “Yu Yin’s situation is unique. He’ll study with Yu Guang but as an unofficial student, merely auditing. Go on.”

Unlike the ever-curious Liu Yue, Yang Can didn’t press for more details and simply took Yu Guang to handle the enrollment paperwork.

Wherever they went, curious glances followed them, and hushed whispers centered around Yu Guang.

“So, that’s the sixteen-year-old genius admitted under special circumstances?”

“Is that all? Doesn’t seem anything special to me, yet he’s got several teachers vying for him. Hmph.”

“I think he looks like quite a heroic young man.”

Most of the dismissive and hostile remarks came from the boys, while the few girls present were a bit more receptive.

Walking along this way, Yang Can began to feel the pressure of this unprecedented attention. But Yu Guang seemed entirely unaffected by the stares. Whenever someone watched him too long, he’d look back and return a smile, leaving them feeling embarrassed.

After handling some minor matters, Yang Can said, “Today, you should get some good rest and gather your energy for tomorrow’s Tianchong class.”

Those challenging Tianchong students were surely eager to give their new junior a tough welcome.

Yang Can patted Yu Guang’s shoulder, cautioning, “Be sure to rest well and mentally prepare yourself.”

Yu Guang chuckled, “Why not go meet my classmates now?”

Yang Can blinked. “Now? Haven’t you been running around all day? Don’t you need to rest?”

Yu Guang, puzzled, replied, “I didn’t do much today; how could I be tired? Besides, I haven’t exercised yet, so I might as well get in some movement.”

Yang Can thought, “…Well then…”

He couldn’t help but feel a bit worried for the Tianchong class juniors and seniors, who were no doubt in for a surprise.

…

The thirty or so Tianchong students had already scoped out the “incoming threat,” receiving word the moment Yu Guang set foot in the academy.

Gathered at the rear mountain training ground, they were in heated discussion about the new junior brother who would soon arrive.

“So, did you see him? What’s he like?”

“Nothing impressive, just a poor, country bumpkin. His clothes are old, and his shoes have patches. He’s carrying this big bundle—can you believe it?”

“And he even brought along a blind younger brother! Never heard of someone bringing family to the Divine Academy.”

“Well, Teacher Wang has a soft spot for him, so of course he gets special treatment!”

“Wu Shan, aren’t you usually the one with all the insider info? Did you find out anything about his background?” asked a boy who seemed to be the leader.

“Of course I did,” Wu Shan replied. “This Yu Guang used to be a fool working at the docks. Then somehow, he suddenly ‘woke up’ and picked up a younger brother from who-knows-where…”

“I meant, how did he trick those senior brothers, and what made Teacher Wang take a liking to him?”

“What else? He played the hero—killed a malicious spirit over in North Mountain, then went to Yangjia Village and took down a bigger one…”

The group listened to the story of Yu Guang slaying the evil spirit to protect the villagers, who later begged him to eliminate another malevolent spirit.

Someone scoffed, “So, our new junior brother is a big hero and a righteous guy, huh?”

The sarcastic tone and exaggerated expression made everyone burst into laughter.

“Seen plenty like that before. Won’t even fight back if you mess with them—boring as anything.”

“So, should we teach him a lesson or not?”

“Of course we should! Bet he won’t show today. Tomorrow, we’ll give him a proper welcome and show him how things work around here!”

As they chatted, they suddenly noticed an extra person standing at the edge of the training ground.

No one saw him arrive, but the two who had gone to the gate earlier looked like they’d seen a ghost. “It’s him—Yu Guang!”

He’d appeared so suddenly that no one knew how to react.

Yu Guang looked over the group, clenched his fist lightly, and with a bright smile, announced, “Hello, everyone! My name’s Yu Guang. From now on, I’ll be your big brother.”

With those words, he instantly infuriated everyone.

Yu Guang was only sixteen, the youngest person present. This newcomer, who was not only the youngest but completely new, had the audacity to declare himself everyone’s “big brother”?!

“What did you just say? Are you crazy?” one of them asked, both angry and embarrassed.

Yu Guang laughed heartily. “If no one’s willing, I know a bit of martial arts myself.”

Everyone was speechless.

…

Nearby, Yang Can crouched on the steps with great interest, completely unprepared for things to escalate so quickly.

Yu Guang had barely greeted everyone before a full-on brawl broke out.

He kicked the young master, who was always obsessing over his appearance, sending him flying into a tree, his hair disheveled and tangled in the branches.

Then, he punched a towering giant of a boy, even bigger than him, so hard that the boy collapsed to the side, vomiting.

Even the school’s famously beautiful junior sister ended up getting tossed, landing headfirst in a distant pool.

Yang Can had never imagined that Yu Guang would treat everyone equally, sparing no one, regardless of gender, and take on all his classmates in one round.

The most outrageous part was that all thirty students together couldn’t beat him alone!

The senior brothers and sisters, who had gathered in high spirits to mock the new student, were now lying scattered across the ground.

Meanwhile, the only one left standing, Yu Guang, dusted off the footprints and dirt on his clothes and said, “Aren’t you supposed to be the top students of the Tianchong class? Is that all? Don’t tell me I got the wrong place?”

His expression was genuinely puzzled, as if he truly wondered if he’d come to the wrong group, making his words seem even more cutting.

Enraged, everyone sprang to their feet, baring their teeth and preparing to attack again.

This time, they used talismans, weapons, and whatever else they could grab.

Yang Can watched, stunned, as swords, knives, and people flew wildly in all directions. He realized he had seriously underestimated Yu Guang.

After giving everyone a thorough beating a few more times, Yu Guang glanced at the sky and said, “It’s getting late. I need to go back and have dinner with my brother, so let’s call it a day.”

“Rest well, everyone. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

The bruised and battered young men and women lying on the ground watched the not particularly tall or muscular Yu Guang stride away, inexplicably feeling that his silhouette was towering.

After a long silence, someone took a sharp breath and said, “Who was it that just called him a good-hearted person? He’s not even human!”

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