Chapter 51: Kun, We're Counting on You!

“This curse soon manifested its power. Those who had died all came back to life, but they no longer possessed souls. Their strength in battle, however, was terrifying. The news spread quickly, and such inhumane acts could only be met with death!”

Ye Kun asked in confusion, “Is this the legendary human-corpse war from ten thousand years ago?”

Old Wei had spoken of this in class, but the events of ten millennia past were shrouded in ambiguity; the reason such a catastrophe occurred was unknown. Yet hearing Yuan Zhen recount it today, Ye Kun felt there might indeed be some truth to the tale.

“That’s just what my father told me,” Yuan Zhen replied.

“What happened afterwards?” Feng Dian asked, curiosity overcoming fear.

“In the end, humanity triumphed, though not without paying a price. Since then, this place has been shrouded in perpetual mist. My father said the haze is the incarnation of those lost souls. Anyone who dies in this Misty Forest will be resurrected. As for the teacher… I’m afraid the same fate awaits him!”

Though it all sounded far-fetched, for ten-year-old children it was enough to send chills down their spines. The white fog swirling around them seemed to twist into countless grinning, vengeful spirits—terror beyond words.

Unable to restrain himself, Feng Dian punched Yuan Zhen. “So you’ve been going on and on just to say the teacher came back from the dead, is that it?”

“Enough, let’s first find shelter from the rain and figure out how to get out of here. That’s what matters,” Ye Kun said. He never used to believe in stories of the dead rising, but now, whatever you told him, he’d believe it.

The rain fell harder, visibility dropped even further, and the dry wood in their hands was soon soaked. The mud underfoot grew heavier with every step, and hunger gnawed at their bellies. The five children had never suffered such hardships before.

Even Ye Kun wanted to say, “Ten years now, and I’m finally tasting true hardship here. All thanks to the teacher…” but that came off as too disrespectful.

Darkness descended, so thick you could not see your hand before your face. Fear and oppression hung in the air—more than any ten-year-old could bear, no matter how strong-willed.

Feng Dian and Yuan Zhen’s faces were bloodless; if not for the desperate urge to survive, they would have collapsed long ago.

Ye Qin and Ba Wanqing clung to each other from the start. Ye Qin followed right behind Ye Kun, trusting only his brother’s shadow for safety.

Ye Kun led the way, but the burden of carrying four lives on his shoulders pressed down on him. He dared not relax for a moment.

This was the struggle he craved: to fight for life itself, not to win honors by lying around. Such hollow honors were worth nothing.

Suddenly, Ye Kun stopped. The others, caught off guard, bumped into one another.

“Brother, what’s wrong?” Ye Qin asked anxiously.

Ye Kun stared upward, though nothing could be seen. Yet instinct screamed at him—something was moving among the treetops above.

“Are there wild beasts in the Misty Forest?” Ye Kun asked in a low voice.

Most knew little of the Misty Forest, for those who entered rarely returned. It was called the Forbidden Land of Taijing, and even Wu Chi couldn’t guarantee an exit. This training expedition was, by all accounts, a brush with death.

The other four said nothing, but their unease was palpable.

“Brother, what is it?” Ba Wanqing asked, trembling.

“Kun, don’t scare us. We’re not brave!” Feng Dian and Yuan Zhen clung together, cursing their fathers for sending them here.

Ye Kun’s breathing grew heavier. With their meager fighting skills, if a wild beast appeared, they’d be finished.

“Be careful. There’s something overhead,” Ye Kun warned softly. He refused to believe there were no wild animals in a place like the Misty Forest.

Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian’s legs shook uncontrollably, so weak they could scarcely walk.

Ba Wanqing gripped the bow she’d brought, arrow notched, but her hands trembled so badly she would surely miss even an easy target.

Ye Kun and Ye Qin had long since abandoned their burdens—hard to carry when dragging the teacher earlier.

Rustling noises echoed from the branches above, unnaturally loud. Everyone heard it. They huddled together at once.

“I’m doomed, I’m doomed… I haven’t even married yet…” Yuan Zhen babbled incoherently, realizing how small and helpless he was in the face of real danger.

“Kun, save me!” Feng Dian’s plea was blunt and desperate.

Ye Qin’s faith in his brother was unshaken—if anyone could get them through, it was him.

“Brother, stop hiding your strength. Show them what you’re made of!” Ye Qin shouted, trying to steel his own nerves.

Ba Wanqing chimed in, “Brother, it’s time to let your talents shine. If you keep holding back, we’re all finished!”

“Kun, please! I know you like to keep a low profile, but enough already, I’m begging you!” Yuan Zhen was in tears—and had wet himself in fright.

Ye Kun felt utterly wretched. When had he ever pretended? When had he ever claimed to be exceptional? It was always their words, not his. He’d said it was all luck, but they refused to believe it.

Now what was he supposed to do—transform into a sword emperor on the spot?

Sorry, that was beyond him.

But he could only think these things; to say them aloud would shatter his companions’ confidence.

So he had no choice but to bluff, giving them hope for survival.

“Fine! Since it’s come to this, I’ll stop hiding!” Ye Kun shouted, startling even whatever beast lurked above. This bald-headed kid had some presence.

As expected, his words filled the four with confidence. If Kun took action, no enemy could stand in their way.

“Kun, you’re amazing!” Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian almost wanted to pick him up and spin him around, showering his bald head with kisses in thanks.

But Ye Qin said plaintively, “Brother, I knew you were keeping secrets from me…”

Ye Kun: “…”

No matter what he said, it was wrong! How was he supposed to survive like this? He might as well hand them a knife and have them finish him off!

Look at these four, all expecting him to face danger alone—he was only ten!

No, this was the moment for a twist—just like in the stories…

Meow~

Suddenly, a cat’s cry echoed above them.

Ye Kun’s lips twitched. Damn! After all that, they’d been frightened by a cat!

A black cat dropped from the darkness, landing in their midst.

Yet in that instant, Ye Kun felt a surge of danger—the cat was not what it seemed.