Chapter 50: The Vanishing of the Shadow's Edge

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Ye Qiu City, Qiuyuan No.1 High School

A weathered old tree cast its shade, shielding from the sun’s fervent rays. Along the roadside, tiny flowers glistened with dewdrops like sparkling diamonds, trembling as if about to fall.

Class 1-A

A few students who were late or distracted during class stood at the back of the classroom.

They had erred and were punished by the teacher to stand for the entire lesson.

Yet their faces bore no shame; instead, they smiled broadly at their companions.

For girls, standing as punishment meant disgrace, flushed cheeks, and lost face.

For boys, standing meant being the center of attention, shining brightly.

One person standing—like a blade of grass.

Two people—brothers-in-arms, bonded in hardship.

Three people—sworn brothers in the Peach Garden, sharing honor and disgrace.

Four people—heroes of the world gathered here.

A group of boys standing—Hall of Fame, NBA All-Star MVP…

The slightly balding math teacher stood at the podium, finger tracing over the blackboard as he explained a lengthy passage of key points.

Leaves rustled sharply in the breeze; the spring wind brushed his face, bringing a slight chill but also dryness to his throat. Habitually, he sought to quiz the students, using it as an excuse to take a sip of water.

"Liu Guangze..."

Upon hearing the name, expressions among the students remained unchanged. Ye Qing, who was taking notes, looked up and smiled faintly at Liu Mengcheng behind him.

The latter’s complexion shifted briefly but quickly returned to calm.

"Liu Guangze? Daydreaming again? How many times have I told you to pay attention during class?"

The math teacher called out while pulling out a thermos. Seeing no one rose, he turned around but failed to spot the chubby boy hidden in the corner.

"Hmm? Where’s Liu Guangze?"

At that moment, Liu Guangze’s deskmate, Liu Mengcheng, raised his hand from the back with an earnest explanation: "Teacher Lin, I heard that after Liu Guangze’s father was in a car accident, his mother moved with him to a new home."

The surrounding students were momentarily stunned.

Without Liu Mengcheng’s words, they hadn’t even noticed.

Had Liu Guangze transferred schools?

Teacher Lin was also taken aback, pondering carefully.

Indeed, he hadn’t seen Liu Guangze all morning, nor had the homeroom teacher informed him.

"Since Liu Guangze has transferred, let Ye Qing answer my previous question."

"Alright, teacher."

Watching Ye Qing solve the problem, Bai Youqing in the front row furrowed her brows, inexplicably recalling Liu Guangze’s words from that night.

She sighed inwardly—perhaps this was for the best!

No longer would she suffer bullying from that bastard Ye Qing.

Truthfully, Liu Guangze’s presence in the class was hardly noticeable.

Apart from the teachers, hardly anyone paid him any real attention.

He was the type of person in class who could be there or not.

Unnoticed by Bai Youqing, Gu Xiaorou sitting beside her glanced back at Ye Qing, who had already taken his seat, her eyes full of shock and fear.

Though she had little interest in managing the family business, she was somewhat familiar with the general flow of their company’s operations.

She hadn’t heard news about Liu Guangze moving; its truthfulness was uncertain.

But she had heard that last night, due to a cash flow collapse, Liu Guangze’s father’s company was merged and acquired by the Ye Biomedical Technology Group.

After all, the company was one of the raw material suppliers for the Gu family group.

Sensing someone spying on him, Ye Qing, who was taking notes, turned his head sharply, locking eyes with Gu Xiaorou.

A sly smile curled his lips, revealing pearly white teeth, his gaze like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey.

The glance startled Gu Xiaorou.

Noticing the oddity, Bai Youqing turned and glared fiercely at Ye Qing.

Instead of quieting down, he smiled even wider.

Throughout the day, apart from the math teacher noticing Liu Guangze’s absence during roll call, no other subject teacher noticed a student missing from their class.

How pitiful...

Ye Qing mused, calling over the black-haired boy who was packing up to leave.

"Van Jie, haven’t you always been curious to see a different world?"

"Uh... okay."

Van Jie hesitated briefly, then nodded.

He had been uneasy all day, unsure if Liu Guangze’s disappearance was related to the leader, Ye Qing.

But that did nothing to quell his nervousness and anxiety.

Previously, he wanted to witness extraordinary powers because he had Gao Wen by his side—at least he wasn’t alone.

Now, it was just him, and his heart was truly unsettled.

Leaving the school gate, the two boarded a car.

Once inside, a faint, refreshing fragrance greeted them.

In front of Van Jie was a table laden with various electronic devices and snacks.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat; it was his first time riding in such a luxurious car.

Though his family was moderately well-off, this kind of business luxury vehicle cost at least a million.

Even if they sold everything, they couldn’t afford it.

"Um... Leader, where are we going later?"

Van Jie looked nervously at the maid driver in front. He felt the leader’s gaze lingering on him, as if sizing him up like prey.

"What are you afraid of?" Ye Qing suddenly asked.

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"Nothing, it’s just... I haven’t seen much of the world. I’m afraid I’ll embarrass myself at the leader’s place."

"Hmm, I smell fear on you."

Ye Qing twitched his nose, a slight smile on his lips.

Sweat dripped down Van Jie’s forehead. He wanted to deny it, but Ye Qing’s dark, deep eyes penetrated his soul, stopping him instinctively.

"Alright, though you’re inexperienced, you’re a good little brother. I won’t let anything happen to you."

Ye Qing smiled, instantly lifting the previously heavy atmosphere inside the car.

Yet Van Jie’s fear did not diminish much.

The words clearly implied that Ye Qing truly had the power to erase him from this world.

Seeing the fear flicker in Van Jie’s eyes, Ye Qing’s smile grew more satisfied.

If he was going to bring him into the core team, he had to establish the leader’s authority.

Through the car window, Ye Qing spotted a familiar building complex and waved his hand.

"Stop here."

The maid driver gently pressed the brake, parking by the villa entrance.

In the next moment, two maids with curvaceous figures slowly stepped out, opened the car doors, their lace-gloved hands cupping the frame to avoid hitting their heads.

Ye Qing stepped out casually.

Van Jie was clearly awkward—it was his first time so close to girls, close enough to smell the faint mint scent on the maids.

As he exited, his legs stumbled, nearly bumping into the maid, leaving his face flushed.

Ye Qing chuckled, "Hey, you’re just starting out, and you’re already blushing like a monkey’s backside. If you like this maid, I’ll give her to you. You don’t have to pay her salary, just take care of her food and lodging."

"Cough, cough, sorry, leader... I haven’t seen much of the world."

Van Jie quickly composed himself, straightened his clothes, eyes forward, and followed Ye Qing.

No matter how pretty the maid next to him was, he wasn’t distracted.

The maid driver behind Ye Qing was somewhat surprised by Van Jie’s behavior.

In the past, many young masters would openly ask for maids or sneak glances, but as they grew older, such requests became rarer.

Though the exterior of the villa was impressive, once inside, Van Jie was still stunned by the grandeur.

Soaring ceilings, gem-like chandeliers, a massive TV wall covering nearly an entire side...

He had chosen the right leader.

When Ye Qing first arrived at Qiuyuan No.1 High School, his disdainful gaze left a deep impression.

Van Jie wholeheartedly marveled, "Leader, your home is huge."

Ye Qing shrugged, "It’s alright. The villa back in Haihua City was bigger and grander, but the disaster beasts invaded and destroyed everything. Someday, I’ll drive those ruthless, bloodthirsty monsters off Earth."

"Leader is mighty."

Ye Qing smiled softly—not joking.

He was already working toward that goal, though others found his methods unrealistic and absurd.

He disliked arguing; he preferred to speak with his fists.

At the back of the first-floor hall was the kitchen.

Though it looked like a kitchen, it was mainly for making desserts.

In one corner remained traces of cocoa butter and milk powder residue.

Ye Qing opened the fridge and tossed two foil-wrapped white chocolate bars to Van Jie.

"Try these. Made by Misaki."

"Delicious."

Van Jie picked one up and bit into it, his face twitching as he forced a smile despite the bitterness.

"Just admit if it’s bitter."

Ye Qing glared at the maid beside him.

Van Jie swallowed the entire piece, and when he looked at the maid again, her gaze was much softer.

That wasn’t a bad outcome.

"Misaki, go cook. I’m taking Van Jie to the basement."

"Yes, young master."

The maid lifted her skirts, bowed, and entered the kitchen.

"Don’t judge her desserts; though awful, her culinary skills are quite good."

Ye Qing placed his palm on the stair railing.

"Rumble!"

A loud roar echoed through the hall.

The smooth floor slid open, revealing a bottomless, pitch-black basement.

As Ye Qing descended, white lights quickly illuminated the space.

Van Jie’s anticipation faded into disappointment.

Inside was a vast library, with countless bookshelves.

Each shelf had a sofa nearby, adorned with a potted plant.

At first glance, nothing seemed unusual.

Until Ye Qing led him into a women’s restroom, pressed the flush button thrice.

A wall opened, revealing a silver elevator.

Ye Qing stepped in cheerfully.

"Got inspired by watching ‘Men in Black’ a few years ago. What do you think?"

"Very cool. Nobody would expect this."

The basement was deep; the buttons showed up to the twentieth underground level.

"Ding~"

The elevator doors opened to reveal gleaming white floors and sapphire-blue glass partitions separating rooms.

Inside, various electronic scientific instruments were set up.

Scientists in white lab coats busily moved about.

They focused intently on their experiments, ignoring the elevator visitors.

The scene resembled a sci-fi movie, dazzling Van Jie.

If the wall they entered through had a ‘Hive’ logo, he might have thought he’d arrived at the hive itself.

Ye Qing was the mastermind behind the Hive—H.C.F.

Soon, what Ye Qing showed Van Jie only reaffirmed his thoughts.

Deeper into the basement, Van Jie immediately spotted a ‘human’ in the center of a lab.

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Though called human, it resembled an aquatic disaster beast.

A man covered in scales, his eyes wide and fierce, nearly bulging out.

His palms were webbed, fingers ending in sharp hooked claws.

Two pairs of fins sprouted from his arms.

His huge body was unlike human shape—broad at the top, narrow below, bent over.

Scientists held surgical scalpels, cutting into the creature and examining samples under instruments.

Seeing the terrifying beast, Van Jie’s face turned pale.

"Don’t worry, that’s not a disaster beast."

Ye Qing patted Van Jie’s trembling body, amused at his youthful fear.

"No problem. There’s plenty of time to train."

Then Ye Qing showed Van Jie more superpowered humans.

What he saw felt like stepping into the Marvel universe, encountering various extraordinary abilities.

A shadow assassin invisible and untouchable.

A Black Widow—gentle when calm but exploding eight sharp black spears when enraged.

A mimic who could transform his body to the material he touched.

All could switch between disaster beast and human forms at will, retaining normal human intelligence.

Upon leaving the basement, Van Jie’s perception of the world was completely transformed.

Half an hour later, with a complex expression, Van Jie stepped down from the luxury car.

Upon entering his home, he ignored his aging parents and slammed his door.

He didn’t know how he’d returned, only recalling a few words from Ye Qing:

"Fortune and misfortune are intertwined; gains come with losses. In a few days, Lord Viper will arrive. I’m giving you time to think it over. When you’re ready, come find me."

"Leader, besides turning into a disaster beast, are there other drawbacks?"

"No. As you saw, we’re developing a drug that grants superpowers without beast transformation.

Once successful, we won’t need magical girls for protection. Humans will protect themselves."

When he left, he never forgot the deep, piercing gaze in Ye Qing’s eyes.

He knew that the moment he chose to follow Ye Qing into the villa, he had no real choice left.

Inside the villa,

Ye Qing lounged lazily on a sofa, comfortably enjoying fruit served by Senyuan Misaki.

"Young master, do you think he’ll refuse?"

Ye Qing smiled faintly, shaking his head.

"Van Jie’s smart; he won’t refuse. Today’s revelations just overwhelmed him."

After a pause, he added,

"Oh, by the way, in a few days, find some idle positions in the company and hire Van Jie’s parents. Set up full benefits. I’ve investigated—this kid may slack off elsewhere, but he’s very filial."

"Understood."

Senyuan Misaki, dressed in a maid’s outfit, sat on Ye Qing’s lap, placing his warm hand on her thigh wrapped in white socks.

Her face bloomed like a peach blossom, eyes full of anticipation.

"Young master, I want a reward."

Ye Qing glanced at her coolly, shaking his head.

"No interest. If you transform into Black Snow Princess—the form you took yesterday when I sent you to meet the chubby boy—I might be interested."

"Young master, your tastes are getting weirder."

With a cold snort, Misaki reluctantly slid off.

Her graceful figure spun lightly on the floor.

The black-and-white maid silhouette shrank, bones audibly shifting and cracking.

In an instant,

A girl appeared before him, with chestnut eyes, waist-length black hair, and a black school uniform.

Two antenna-like tufts of hair resembling butterfly cockroach feelers adorned her head—just like in anime.

She exuded a captivating aloofness.

"Xiao Ze, come in."

Ye Qing nodded approvingly, ignoring the Black Snow Princess’s question, focusing instead on the doorway.

The villa’s main door slowly opened.

From a distance, a bottomless, dark mist swirled.

Sometimes it took human form, sometimes fragmented into countless tentacles.

No one could discern the terrifying creature lurking inside.

But anyone who looked felt the twisted, deformed, deathly aura filled their mind.

"Maybe I just want to experience what it’s like to be a blondie!"

Ye Qing gently pulled the aloof Black Snow Princess into his embrace.

He pinched a button, and with a slight movement, vast swathes of snow-white skin were instantly revealed.

"What if I let that chubby boy inside now, crawling on the ground licking your feet, while I stand behind you showing off my power?"

"Young master, you’re really perverted!"

The Black Snow Princess lay in Ye Qing’s arms, eyes blazing with fanaticism.

"Though I don’t want anyone but you touching me, since it’s your order, I won’t resist."

"Alright, no more jokes. I can’t bear to."

Ye Qing tickled her nose and smiled.

"I’ll arrange an identity for you tomorrow. Come to school to help me. Van Jie and the others are too low-level; they’re good for dirty work but not much else."

"Yes, yes, I’ll obey, young master."

The Black Snow Princess kissed him tenderly.

Amidst the villa’s debauchery,

The dark mist hovered motionless at the door, seemingly devoid of any human thought, emotion, or will.

Perhaps... if not for the fleeting glint of ferocity within that black fog.