Chapter Fourteen: Accompanying Master on a Stroll Through the Market

Chapter Fourteen: Accompanying Master on a Shopping Trip

Xia Zheng officially began his training and life with the Tianren Battle Team. He moved into the staff apartments and was assigned a single room; in this regard, Chu Yan did not give him any special treatment. He typically returned home once every weekend. Working locally made his mother relieved and happy, while his father used to encourage him with, "A true man’s ambition knows no bounds."

This Sunday afternoon, when Xia Zheng returned to the company, he sensed something unusual—a somber atmosphere hung in the air.

"Something must have happened," Xia Zheng observed his surroundings without revealing his thoughts, gathering useful information through indirect questioning.

It seemed that a five-member squad affiliated with the Tianren Battle Team had suffered an unknown attack in Dannute City, a neighboring district. Among the five, one was killed and another seriously injured. Both had families, and the ones crying were their relatives. The other three sustained varying degrees of injuries, though not as severe, requiring about a month of rest. Such ambushes were apparently common among teams of ability users, which explained why, during Xia Zheng’s interview, He Guohui mentioned the frequent high risks—and even risk of death—faced by ability user squads.

Although Xia Zheng did not regret choosing this path, witnessing the pain of the bereaved families deeply affected him.

"What's wrong with you today?" Unable to focus during his meditation, Xia Zheng’s progress was poor, and he was finally reprimanded by Shen Hua.

He hurriedly apologized, "Sorry, Master, I'll correct myself." Yet, his mind remained tangled with anxiety, and his performance was still lacking—he could only barely enter a state of emptiness.

"Forget it, no more training today. Come with me," Shen Hua instructed, leading Xia Zheng to the residential area, just as the company management was discussing compensation with the bereaved families. Shen Hua proactively brought Xia Zheng into the situation, allowing him to witness the reality firsthand.

After negotiations, the company agreed to compensate the family of the deceased with a lump sum of one million Bangyuan, along with a monthly subsidy of ten thousand Bangyuan until the child reached the age of twenty and was considered an adult.

For the seriously injured member, all medical expenses would be covered, salary continued, and a nutritional subsidy of five thousand Bangyuan per month given until full recovery.

"Master, is the slaughter among ability users always this brutal? Doesn’t the Federation intervene?" Xia Zheng asked in confusion.

Shen Hua shook her head, explaining, "Federation law protects every lawful citizen, but it turns a blind eye to the fierce conflicts between ability users. The intention is to use this ruthlessness to select the true strong. So, as long as the killings among ability users don’t go too far, it remains a matter for the world of ability users."

"I see," Xia Zheng finally understood why squads of ability users were vulnerable to attacks and suffered high mortality rates.

Shen Hua added, "One more thing you must know—even though this isn’t written in Federation law, it has become an unspoken rule in all trials involving ability users. Except in cases of legitimate self-defense, ability users must never harm ordinary people. Violation results in severe punishment by the Federation. The Ability Users’ Professional League also issues bounty orders to hunt down those who dare slaughter civilians. No matter how powerful you are, unless you can surpass the entire Federation, you’ll have nowhere to run and nowhere to be buried."

Xia Zheng nodded in astonishment, but after thinking it through, he strongly supported this rule. The world of ordinary people should remain untouched by ability users, or else disaster would ensue.

After the families and company representatives departed, Shen Hua said, "If you regret becoming an ability user now, it’s not too late. With your talent, the top companies in the Federation would scramble to hire you—no risk to your life, and with far better benefits."

Xia Zheng glared at Shen Hua in annoyance, "Master, don’t use reverse psychology on me. Since I’ve chosen this path, I won’t regret it. After this incident, I’m satisfied with how the company handled things. Let’s go, Master, let’s continue our training." He stalked off angrily.

Shen Hua, seeing Xia Zheng’s frustration, smiled approvingly. At that moment, her elementary school appearance could not conceal her mature aura.

Inspired by the recent events, Xia Zheng redoubled his efforts, and his spiritual power advanced rapidly. He could now skillfully activate and utilize his abilities, especially his unique manifestation trait, which made his attack methods endlessly varied. In Shen Hua’s words, his style was wild and unimaginable.

What he still lacked was experience—he wasn’t seasoned enough, something only real missions and combat could remedy. Moreover, his limited life experience made him less ruthless and decisive in certain simulated battles; enemies he could have killed were let go or missed altogether, which could be very dangerous in true life-or-death situations.

Three months after graduation, Xia Zheng had largely completed his transition from student to working adult, and from ordinary person to ability user. Compared to many fellow graduates just starting their new lives, Xia Zheng was already ahead.

The sound of slurping noodles...

Shen Hua and Xia Zheng visited a popular internet-famous noodle shop in Bolante City. The master and apprentice had developed a habit—without a daily bowl of noodles, they felt uncomfortable.

"This oil-splashed noodles are mediocre..." Shen Hua muttered discontentedly.

Xia Zheng took another bite, set down his chopsticks, and agreed, "Indeed, it’s famous, but not tasty. Next time, let’s try those street food stalls."

"Good idea! That’s the real deal," Shen Hua nodded happily and asked Xia Zheng to pay. Fortunately, Xia Zheng had received half his first year’s salary—two hundred fifty thousand Bangyuan—kept fifty thousand for himself, and the rest was deposited for his parents, supposedly for his future marriage, which made Xia Zheng speechless.

After paying, Shen Hua popped a lollipop in her mouth. Xia Zheng had no idea where she kept so many lollipops—it was as if her body was a pocket dimension, always able to hide more.

"Master, when did you become so dependent on lollipops?" Xia Zheng accepted the one she handed him, curious.

Shen Hua thought for a moment, "Probably when I became an ability user. Something happened, and I picked up the habit. I won’t ever drop it."

"Eating sweets often can cause cavities and high blood sugar, Master, you should be careful," Xia Zheng advised kindly, only to be impatiently kicked by Shen Hua, who thought he was meddling.

To outsiders, the two looked like siblings—who would guess they were actually master and apprentice?

"By the way, Ah Zheng, you can go for the Professional League assessment now." Shen Hua handed him a card. Xia Zheng looked and saw it was an admission ticket, already registered, with the institution clearly marked as "Ability Users' Professional League Committee."

Xia Zheng flipped it over in delight and asked, "Master, what level will I be if I pass?"

"E-level," Shen Hua replied.

"What? So low? But my strength is way above E-level," Xia Zheng retorted.

Shen Hua nodded, "True, your strength is at C-level, but the Professional League mainly considers an ability user’s resume and achievement records for league tasks. Combat ability lags behind. You’re new—after passing, you’ll be an E-level ability user."

"Alright," Xia Zheng put away the admission ticket, planning to check the assessment details later.

The two happened to walk along a pedestrian street lined with clothing shops. Shen Hua walked and "tried on clothes"—whenever she saw a style she liked, she’d pause at the window and stand before the garment, imagining herself in it.

"Master, these aren’t right for you. Let me take you to the children’s clothing store," Xia Zheng suggested sympathetically.

Thud!

A sharp elbow to the stomach—Xia Zheng clutched his belly and squatted down as Shen Hua grabbed his ear, yelling, "I want to wear these clothes!"

She strode right in. The female shop assistants, seeing her pretty face, flocked around her with questions.

Xia Zheng, massaging his sore stomach, sat on a leather chair to wait for Shen Hua to finish her antics.

"This one... this one... and this one..." Shen Hua picked out clothing like a big spender among the newly launched styles. The shop assistants glanced at Xia Zheng as if to ask, "Aren’t you going to manage your little sister?"

"Put it on my card!" Seeing no reaction, Shen Hua whipped out her credit card—a rare white one.

The two shop assistants exchanged glances, instantly becoming attentive, and took Shen Hua’s white card, carrying the armful of outfits she selected into the fitting room.

After a while, Shen Hua called out, "Ah Zheng, come here."

"Alright..." Xia Zheng was browsing a novel called “King of the Eternal Night” online. Hearing his master’s call, he reluctantly tucked his phone behind him and headed to the fitting room, not noticing the change in Shen Hua’s voice—no longer as childlike.

The fitting room was spacious and well-equipped, like a small private suite, with good security measures. Combined with an ability user’s perception, no hidden cameras could escape detection.

The shop assistants were busy discussing Shen Hua’s white credit card. Xia Zheng didn’t see the fuss—after all, it was just a card.

He knocked on the door; it opened with a soft sound. Xia Zheng hesitated, "Master, we should go. It’s the weekend—don’t be naughty. I’ll take you to the amusement park later."

"Amusement park, my foot. Get in here," came the reply. The door opened a bit, and a slender, snow-white arm grabbed him and pulled him inside.

The door closed automatically with a soft click—locked from the inside, no outsiders could enter.

"What’s with all the secrecy? It’s not like we’re having an affair... Wait—what’s going on..." Xia Zheng was dumbfounded. Before him stood a seductive, mature woman, clad in purple lingerie, bent over, her curves surging, one hand lifting her hair, winking and blowing him a kiss.

"Do you like it?" Shen Hua asked in a sultry tone.

Xia Zheng was utterly stunned. What was happening? Why had his master, just moments ago, suddenly grown up and become so mature?

Who could explain... Had he crossed into another world...? Xia Zheng was so frightened that his back pressed against the fitting room wall, unable to move.

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