Chapter 23: The Futures of the Academy

The second level of the bunker.

The functional level is relatively spacious because no residential structures can be built here. However, for the commoners from the lower levels, they are not fastidious; finding a spot to lie down is enough to call it a place to sleep. Humans are social animals. Even with the abundance of open space on the functional level, people spontaneously gather together.

Outside the Level 6 hospital, a long queue has formed. It has been four hours since the arrival of the Level 6 hospital, and the story of Wen Xishu continues to be spread and celebrated. Some people have already begun to recover after taking the Level 6 medicine. Even if the medicine were insufficient, the high-level medical experts of the bunker would master the use of the equipment within the hospital in the shortest possible time. Solving this current epidemic crisis, and indeed all future ones, is merely a matter of time.

In an open space outside the hospital, a young man who looks about the same age as Wen Xishu is supporting a middle-aged woman. It is his mother; her face is haggard, and her voice is faint. But after taking the medicine, her complexion has begun to improve. The miraculous efficacy of the drug leaves the young man in awe.

He lowers his head: "I thought my aptitude was excellent. In the entrance test for the Tower-Slaying Academy, I scored full marks in both the academic and physical exams... Even the teachers at the Three Towers Academy said my talent was rare..."

The young man’s mother lifts her hand with effort, stroking his chin: "Child... you are of course excellent. To me, you are the best in the world."

The young man shakes his head: "No, Mother, that is not it. I realize now that talent is merely a stepping stone. Mr. Wen Xishu has shown me that there is always someone better out there. I must work harder; I cannot slack off because of my talent. I cannot allow my finish line to be someone else’s starting point!"

The youth is named Yue Yun, soon to be a freshman at the Three Towers Academy. He is a promising talent highly regarded by the institution. In the simulation phase, Yue Yun’s courage, nerve, tactics, and physical fitness were all perfect, and he even aced his academic subjects. In terms of grades alone, he is the top prospective student. If cultivated properly, his future achievements could be significant. Perhaps upon graduation, he will be recruited by the Bunker Security Bureau and entrusted with important responsibilities.

Although Yue Yun comes from the lowest levels, he has effectively changed his fate through his own talent. At such a young age, being scouted by the Tower-Slaying Academy of the Three Towers Academy, he naturally harbors a sense of pride. He had not failed to imagine, at times, that he might one day compete with the likes of Xun Hui or Wenren Jing, becoming a leading figure of the younger generation in the bunker.

But life does not always go smoothly. Not long ago, Yue Yun’s mother contracted the plague, and Yue Yun knew exactly what caring for her meant. It meant he was at risk of infection, that his physical health might be compromised, and that his potential might never be realized. It is like football; talent is essential, but only by avoiding injury over a dozen long seasons can one become a true legend. And that is rarer than talent itself.

Yue Yun was caught in a dilemma, but the young man ultimately did not choose to abandon his mother. He kept caring for her, even as he himself began to cough. Yue Yun had thought that he would truly miss his chance at the Tower-Slaying Academy this time... He had not expected that the medicine provided by Wen Xishu would be a Level 6 cure capable of treating any viral disease.

The deeds of Wen Xishu are being spread continuously among the lower levels of the bunker, becoming increasingly exaggerated. Eighteen years old. From the lower levels. Never attended an academy. First time climbing the tower. The Cursed Tower. Level 6 completion rate. Combined, these words strike a deep chord in Yue Yun’s heart.

He is deeply grateful for Wen Xishu’s medicine and for the opportunity it has given him to return to the academy. Yet, his inner pride has also been severely shaken. So, there are geniuses like that. You think you are a genius because you took first place in an academy simulation, yet you fail to realize that someone else has saved most people, including yourself, in a real-world combat scenario that is infinitely more difficult.

"I will strive to follow in his footsteps. I don’t know if the academy will find him, but if they do, I will certainly find a way to repay him during my time there."

Yue Yun’s mother is comforted; she knows her son is upright, righteous, and knows how to show gratitude. "Good boy, Mother is happy for you."

Mother and son embrace, rejoicing in their survival of the epidemic.

...

There are many such stories. Not far away, a younger sister takes the medicine brought by her brother, and her color begins to improve. Unlike Yue Yun, Jiang He and his sister Jiang Xue have attracted considerable attention. People constantly approach to ask if they need help. The reason is simple: Jiang Xue’s features are overly beautiful. If not for the fact that Jiang He is big and tall and has plenty of experience in protecting his sister, Jiang Xue might have been harassed many times over.

"Brother, this medicine really works... I’m getting better, it’s incredible!" Jiang Xue’s complexion has become more rosy, her eyes filled with vitality, and the smile on her lips is becoming more pronounced.

Jiang He only smiles, saying nothing.

Jiang Xue notices his expression and sighs softly: "Brother... I’m better, you should be happy for me. Today is a day worth celebrating for the entire first and second levels."

Jiang He shakes his head slightly: "Sister, once you are well, you will head to the Desire Tower Academy, won't you?"

Jiang Xue hesitates for a second, then nods. The recent plague had made her fear she would lose the chance to become a freshman at the Desire Tower Academy, part of the Three Towers Academy. Unlike the Tower-Slaying Academy, the Desire Tower is a place everyone wants to attend, and thus, it is filled with people using connections.

Jiang Xue is beautiful, possessing a beauty that could topple cities. But the plague would have quickly made her haggard. To compete with those who have connections, Jiang Xue needs to be in her best state. Appearance is a form of wealth, and this is especially prominent in the Desire Tower Academy. For commoners wanting to enter, their outward configuration is a hard requirement. Jiang Xue knew well that if she caught the plague, let alone whether she could recover, her sickly appearance would have made it impossible for her to stand out. She had thought Heaven had closed that path for her.

Jiang He says: "Little sister, I can go to the Tower-Slaying Academy and risk my life; I can support you for the rest of your life! My failure to be selected this time doesn't mean I will fail next time! I will keep training my body; I believe I will get into the Tower-Slaying Academy next time. Promise me, brother, don't go to the Desire Tower Academy, okay? That place... it’s truly not good."

Jiang He is truly anxious, tears in his eyes. Jiang Xue lowers her head, her voice soft but firm: "Yes, I know you would risk your life for me, and I know that place is not good."

"What can a girl learn in the Desire Tower Academy? How to charm people? How to please them? How to seduce them?"

"The Desire Tower Academy is full of nobles. A girl with nothing but her looks and no family background who goes there... who knows what might happen to her?"

"Perhaps it is even more dangerous than the Tower of Desire itself?"

"And even if one graduates, hah, one might just be assigned to some... special institutions in the upper levels."

"Brother, I know all of this. I know everything."

"But our family... we are poor!"

Jiang Xue slowly lifts her head. The usually gentle girl’s eyes are filled with a fierce intensity. Jiang He feels his sister’s hand gripping him tightly: "We are people from the lower levels. Our lives are humble. We are the existence those above try every way to stay away from. If it weren't for Wen Xishu, we might have been lying on the ground somewhere by now, dying silently in pain."

"We wander, we gather, we cry out in protest, wanting the people in the upper levels to save us... but they closed the channels."

"We are people who can be discarded at any moment! In their eyes, we are nothing!"

"Brother, I don't want to be like this! I can endure all humiliation, but I don't want to end up with nothing after being humiliated."

"Whether it is being insulted, bullied, accepting their mockery, or even... sacrificing more, it doesn't matter. I will climb up!"

Tears shimmer in Jiang Xue’s eyes. She thinks of the beatings and humiliation her brother has endured over the years to protect her. The oppression he faced just to survive, the exhaustion he suffered to pay for her education. Poor children grow up fast, and Jiang Xue realized long ago that beauty alone is a burden.

"I will climb to the top of the bunker! I will trample those who have bullied me under my feet! I will do everything in my power to become someone who can stand on her own. One day, no one will dare to speak of the humiliation I have endured."

"Brother, I want to protect you too. I won't let any of those who harmed you get away. I will possess power and authority, even if I have to engage in the vilest of dealings to get it!"

Jiang Xue speaks every word softly, yet each is filled with boundless hatred, gritted through teeth. Jiang He’s tears fall. He knows he cannot dissuade his sister and can only pull her into his arms. He can only pray that her journey to power will be smooth.

...

Countless people are embracing, countless are weeping.

Wen Xishu does not know how many lives he has changed. He only knows... if no one comes to save him soon, his own fate will likely end today.

On the fourth level of the bunker, the interrogation of Wen Xishu continues. Xie Changfeng has been brutally beating Wen Xishu for a long time. Wen Xishu’s consciousness is beginning to fade. The drugs have not yet been used on him, but he figures... if he passes out without talking, Xie Changfeng will resort to them. The effect of provoking Xie Changfeng is already weakening. Especially since... he is truly too weak, so weak that he cannot come up with any sharp, scathing insults in his mind.