SS-Class Guide - Chapter 16

At five in the morning, the Sentinels still requiring recuperation remained at the Fifth District sub-temple. Jing Lan, Wen Xiuyan, and the other Sentinels in relatively stable condition boarded the high-speed rail back to the main Temple along with all the Guides belonging to the main Hall.

Inside the train, everyone gathered together to discuss the events that had occurred during this period. Their gazes frequently shifted toward An Yuan.

An Yuan sat with Guide Bai Jinghui. Bai Jinghui glanced around the carriage before turning his attention back to An Yuan. “You were always with Lord Wen Xiuyan before; why have you suddenly separated?”

An Yuan replied, “It is nothing.”

The low whispers of other Guides reached An Yuan’s ears.

“I believe Lord An Yuan must be a double-S-rank Guide.”

“Yes, I think so too. He is the first double-S-rank Guide since the founding of the Five Districts!”

“He is the miracle of our Thean Temple!”

“After the first double-S-rank Sentinel appeared, two more followed. After Lord An Yuan, is it possible more double-S-rank Guides will emerge?”

Their voices were filled with excitement.

Bai Jinghui looked at An Yuan and asked, “Is this because of what happened at the night market?”

An Yuan’s eyelid flickered.

Bai Jinghui sighed. “Lord An Yuan, you must understand that life is full of helplessness. You may think you are strong, but first, you must put yourself in Sentinel Wen Xiuyan’s position. Suppose your roles were reversed?”

An Yuan thought for a moment and replied seriously, “If our roles were reversed, then I would trust him completely and let him guide the Sentinel who had entered a berserk state.”

“Lord An Yuan, while Sentinel Wen Xiuyan is your colleague, he is also your childhood friend. You grew up together and entered the Thean Temple at almost the same time; he cherishes you more than anyone,” Bai Jinghui paused before continuing. “To him, you are merely a fragile Guide. If he did not execute that Sentinel immediately, you would have been in greater danger.” He added, “I have been on missions with Sentinel Wen Xiuyan before and encountered berserk Sentinels. Before this instance, his handling was always very gentle.”

An Yuan remained silent.

Bai Jinghui continued, “He cherishes you. And honestly, even if it were me instead of Wen Xiuyan, I probably would have done the same.”

An Yuan was stunned and looked at Bai Jinghui in confusion.

Bai Jinghui smiled and said, “Look at your report and see what you wrote.”

After a moment of daze, An Yuan seemed to remember something, and his cheeks turned slightly red. Eighteen hundred words of that report were a standard prostration apology. He asked in a trembling voice, “You saw it?”

“Sentinel reports are encrypted, but ours as Guides are not,” Bai Jinghui explained. “Anyone can check another’s report by entering their employee ID.” He did not mention that many Guides, struggling with their own reports after a mission, often look at others’ for inspiration.

They copy a bit here and there, add some of their own fluff, and once it hits three thousand words, they submit it.

The moment An Yuan submitted his report, a group of Sentinels and Guides had checked it simultaneously to see what they could borrow. The first twelve hundred words were serious, but the following eighteen hundred words of apologizing were so textbook-perfect that everyone was shocked. They realized for the first time that the Lord An Yuan they held in their hearts as pure as moonlight was actually like this.

An Yuan swallowed hard, feeling unwell. “Then, not just you, but everyone else saw it too?”

Bai Jinghui nodded with a curve of his lips.

An Yuan felt a bit of a breakdown. If shame could kill, his current levels were a lethal dose.

Bai Jinghui continued, “Look at your apology at the end; you know yourself how much the Thean Temple cherishes you. In that situation, if I were a Sentinel, to ensure zero accidents, I would decisively choose the safest method.”

An Yuan paused and said, “Lord Jinghui, I understand what you mean. I am sorry for making you worry.”

“As long as you understand,” Bai Jinghui replied.

An Yuan sat with Bai Jinghui for a while longer. After a moment’s hesitation, he stood up and went to the next carriage to find Wen Xiuyan. As soon as he entered, he heard people gossiping. In that instant, he picked up a lot of information. Like the Guides in his carriage, many Sentinels were speculating that he was a double-S-rank Guide. Rumor had it that the Thean Temple was already prepared to conduct a new rank test for him upon his return.

Aside from that, the talk was about Gu Hanqing. They said that normally, Gu Hanqing should have participated in this mission, and had he gone with An Yuan, they might have reconciled. Unfortunately, Gu Hanqing could not come because Ning Yuanqiao was having surgery. Despite his absence, he frequently contacted the Sentinels from the Second District who were on the mission. He would ask them how An Yuan was doing, if he was eating well, and if any other Sentinels were trying to get close to him.

When the people in the carriage saw An Yuan, they immediately fell silent.

An Yuan walked forward to Wen Xiuyan. At that moment, Wen Xiuyan was summarizing the mission with Jing Lan. Seeing An Yuan, his lips curved into a warm, sun-like smile. His smile was always perfect, neither too dazzling nor too distant.

Wen Xiuyan stood up and said, “A-Yuan, let us take a walk.”

An Yuan nodded.

Wen Xiuyan said to Jing Lan, “Sentinel Jing Lan, that is all for my views; I will take my leave now.”

An Yuan gave a polite nod to Jing Lan and walked with Wen Xiuyan to the lounge area of the train. They sat opposite each other at a table. An Yuan looked out the window, wanting to say something but not knowing how to start.

Before An Yuan could speak, Wen Xiuyan said, “When Master Lan asked me before, my answer was serious.”

Master Lan was the Master of the Hall of Divine Martial Arts. An Yuan blinked, understanding what Wen Xiuyan was referring to.

Wen Xiuyan continued, “At that time, I seriously believed I could control him.”

An Yuan looked back at Wen Xiuyan. Their eyes met.

Wen Xiuyan continued, “However, when the problem actually arose and the person standing with me was you, I could not do it.”

An Yuan was silent.

In the silence, Wen Xiuyan went on, “I know you are angry. You wish to save everyone within your power, at least everyone you can see. However, when it actually happened, considering that person might pose a threat to you, my instinct overrode my reason. I chose execution.”

The atmosphere between them turned cold.

“Executing anything that poses a threat to you,” Wen Xiuyan said.

An Yuan’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

“I did it then, and in the future, I will do it again,” Wen Xiuyan added.

Silence fell between them. In the quiet atmosphere, Wen Xiuyan asked, “A-Yuan, will you hate me?”

An Yuan thought for a moment and said, “No. I know you did it for me.” He even thought that when the gentle Wen Xiuyan made such a choice, he must have been under considerable pressure.

Three days later, the train stopped at the Thean Temple. The Masters of both Halls came to greet them. The Master of the Hall of Divine Healing took An Yuan’s hand and patted his shoulder, saying, “An Yuan, we already knew you were disobedient, and look, you were disobedient again!”

An Yuan felt awkward and did not dare to speak. After a thought, he said sincerely, “Master Lin, my report can testify that I have truly and seriously reflected on my actions.”

Deputy Master You looked at An Yuan with distrust. “Lord An Yuan, have you truly reflected seriously?”

An Yuan replied earnestly, “Truly. Please believe me, Masters.”

The group talked as they returned to the office area of the Thean Temple. According to the Temple’s arrangements, they wanted to take An Yuan for a rank test immediately, but considering the fatigue of the journey, they decided to let him rest first. The two Masters of the Hall of Divine Healing now treated An Yuan like a precious treasure. Fearing any accidents, they even had the two double-S-rank Sentinels, Wen Xiuyan and Jing Lan, escort An Yuan back to protect him.

An Yuan found it exaggerated and refused repeatedly, but to no avail.

Once home, An Yuan let Wen Xiuyan and Jing Lan go rest. He entered the white noise room and fell asleep to the sound of waves. When he woke up some time later, he found many missed calls on his phone. Among them was his father, Mr. An. An Yuan’s relationship with his father and stepmother was average at best; having grown up with their cold indifference, he was not close to them and did not consider calling back.

According to the call logs, he contacted Madam Wen. Her voice was as gentle as ever. An Yuan talked about his recent situation and then spoke with her about the two brothers.

Madam Wen sighed softly. “Those two children really make me worry.”

An Yuan asked, “Oh?”

“Xiuyan does not interact with anyone except you,” Madam Wen said. “I do not know when he will marry and have children so I can hold a grandchild.”

An Yuan did not know how to comfort her, but then Madam Wen continued, “And then there is Xiuyu.”

An Yuan thought he understood why she was worried about Wen Xiuyu; the boy was about to enter his senior year of high school and was already focused on romance instead of studying.

Just as he thought this, Madam Wen sighed over the phone. “Xiuyu, perhaps because children his age are sensitive, is cold-faced every day and does not say a word. I am truly worried he has autism.”

An Yuan was shocked. He thought of the sweet little darling brother who had clung to his arm and acted spoiled just a short while ago. Was this really the Wen Xiuyu Madam Wen was talking about? It felt like two completely different people.

After ending the call that left him feeling disoriented, An Yuan blinked and doubtfully opened his chat history with Wen Xiuyu. Coincidentally, Wen Xiuyu contacted him at that moment.

Xiuyu: “Brother An Yuan, I really like the fountain pen you gave me. I have been practicing my writing every day lately. Take a look at the results.”

One sentence contained three spoiled-sounding “Brothers,” accompanied by an emoji of a soft, chubby ball holding up two fingers in a “Yay” gesture. Next came three comparison photos of his handwriting.

Xiuyu: “The results are great, all thanks to the pen Brother An Yuan gave me.”

An Yuan thought, “Some autism that is.”

After hesitating, An Yuan sent a “So good” emoji to Wen Xiuyu.

Immediately after, he received a message from Wen Xiuyan. Wen Xiuyan said he had personally cooked dinner and asked him to come down and eat. An Yuan paused and went downstairs. To his surprise, Jing Lan was also there, though his expression was very subtle. An Yuan felt that in all the years he had known Jing Lan, this was the first time he had seen such an indescribable look on his face; clearly, Wen Xiuyan had given him quite a shock.

Fortunately, dinner was fine. After eating, An Yuan went upstairs. His phone pinged with a new message from Jing Lan. He opened it curiously; there was only one sentence.

“Sentinel Wen Xiuyan did not cook this himself.”

An Yuan: “I see.”

The next day arrived. He went to the Thean Temple with Wen Xiuyan and Jing Lan, and they happened to run into Gu Hanqing in the underground parking lot. Gu Hanqing had dark circles under his eyes. He strode forward but was intercepted by Jing Lan. An Yuan glanced at Gu Hanqing and boarded the elevator. Everyone in the elevator kept looking at An Yuan, anticipating his rank test.

Normally, a morning meeting was held at 9:30 AM, but today an announcement was made that it was canceled. The two Masters of the Hall of Divine Healing, along with several S-rank Guides, went with An Yuan to the talent testing area. Not just the Hall of Divine Healing, but both Masters of the Hall of Divine Martial Arts, the three double-S-rank Sentinels, and several S-rank Sentinels all arrived.

The testing began with basic items. As each test was completed, An Yuan’s data proved to be astonishingly powerful. The results showed that for area-wide guidance, An Yuan’s effectiveness was ten to a hundred times stronger than an S-rank Guide. He was absolutely a double-S-rank Guide, the first since the founding of the Five Districts.

The Thean Temple immediately announced the results, and a joyful atmosphere permeated the entire Temple. Unquestionably, this was a good thing.

After the testing, the two Masters of the Hall of Divine Healing asked An Yuan to go upstairs with them. An Yuan’s eyes met Gu Hanqing’s. Gu Hanqing looked like he had something to say, but An Yuan did not give him the chance and walked past him.

Behind him, Jing Lan’s voice reached An Yuan’s ears. He asked, “Sentinel Gu Hanqing, your Guide Ning Yuanqiao just finished surgery. I wonder if the results were good?” Even though it was phrased awkwardly, he said it deliberately.

Gu Hanqing paused and replied, “Sentinel Jing Lan, I hope you do not say things that cause misunderstandings. There is no relationship between Guide Ning Yuanqiao and me beyond being friends.”

Jing Lan retorted, “You and your Guide Ning Yuanqiao seem to have a very good relationship. Did I actually misunderstand the nature of your bond?”

Wen Xiuyan’s voice was gentle. “Even if it is a misunderstanding now, I am sure there will be a good result between you and your Guide Ning Yuanqiao soon. Sentinel Jing Lan and I both support you fully.”

Then, a group of Sentinels stepped forward, each mentioning “your Guide Ning Yuanqiao.” After that, An Yuan and the two Masters took the elevator up; what else was said, he did not know.

In the elevator, the two Masters stared directly at An Yuan, making him feel very nervous. Soon, the elevator stopped. Entering the office of the Master of the Hall of Divine Healing, Assistant Lin poured tea for them. As expected, what was coming could not be avoided.

The two Masters first congratulated An Yuan on being a double-S-rank Guide and then asked him what he should do if he encountered a Sentinel in a berserk state. An Yuan’s mouth twitched; like a wilted quail, he answered listlessly. The two Masters worked together to give him a brainwashing style of education.

Then, Master Lin said, “An Yuan, perhaps you do not know, but in the reports for this mission, both Sentinels and Guides have expressed your heroic deeds quite extensively.”

An Yuan, having had a premonition, thought, “I really thank my teammates for their praise.”

Master Lin sighed softly, then suddenly reached out and hugged An Yuan, his voice choked with emotion. “Regardless, An Yuan, thank you for saving those Sentinels and Guides.”

An Yuan’s lips curved; he was also glad. Not glad for his near-foolish behavior, but glad that more people had survived.

Just then, Deputy Master You received a phone call. Without hiding anything from Master Lin or An Yuan, he answered it, his expression becoming increasingly serious. An Yuan roughly understood the situation.

The Hall of Divine Martial Arts had detected the current location of the Zerg Queen. As long as the Queen existed, she could continuously use mental energy to breed batches of Zerg warriors of various types. As seen in the recent mission, there were massive Zerg that looked like octopuses but with tentacles and antennae, capable of invisibility and devouring humans. They were powerful, unafraid of death, and followed the Queen’s every command. They brought absolute terror to the Five Districts. If this continued, the Districts would be completely overrun.

Years of investigation showed that the Zerg Queen had powerful mental energy. However, she had no physical strength; if her location was known, the possibility of breaking through defenses to kill her was there, but it would be very difficult. This was bound to be a massive battle, and countless lives would likely be lost. But for the future of the Five Districts, it had to be done. Everything was a personal choice.

After some conversation, Deputy Master You frowned, a look of worry clouding his aging face, and he hung up the phone.

An Yuan looked at the two Masters and said seriously, “I want to participate.”

Almost simultaneously, both Masters looked at An Yuan with disapproval.

An Yuan said, “I must participate.”

Master Lin replied, “You cannot.”

An Yuan shook his head and looked at Master Lin earnestly. “As far as I know, I am the only double-S-rank Guide of this era.”

The two Masters looked solemn.

An Yuan continued, “What a coincidence, right? On the same day I am tested as a double-S-rank Guide, we find the Zerg Queen’s hiding place. It feels like destiny.”

Without giving them a chance to speak, he went on, “In the entire Thean Temple, my area-wide guidance ability is the best. Compared to everyone else, my presence would be the strongest safeguard for the Sentinels. This is a battle involving all Five Districts. It is incredibly important, and we must prepare with our best state.”

Master Lin replied, “Lord An Yuan, you may not realize how important you are to us.”

An Yuan’s lips curved into a smile. “I am very grateful for how much the two Masters cherish me and for the care everyone in the Temple shows me.” He looked very sincere. “That is exactly why I need to participate. I feel as though I was born for this.”

The two Masters looked at each other. Master Lin sighed softly and said, “Lord An Yuan, go back for now. We will talk about this next time.”

An Yuan respectfully bid them farewell and left the 99th floor. He went downstairs and continued his work. He did not change his work attitude just because he was a double-S-rank Guide; as before, he talked with Sentinels first and then provided guidance.

However, something had changed slightly. The gazes of everyone in the Thean Temple became more fervent, and providing guidance for the Sentinels seemed to have become even easier.

The little assistant, Xing Lulu, excitedly told An Yuan that he was the first and currently only double-S-rank Guide in the Temple. To mark this, the Temple had hired a fashion designer to create a new work uniform specifically for him. It would be a uniform and badge unique to a double-S-rank Guide.

She looked at An Yuan with bright eyes and said, “The new uniform will represent supreme glory!”

An Yuan smiled and replied, “I possess no glory myself; how can a new uniform hold glory?”

Xing Lulu tilted her chin up proudly. “Our Lord An Yuan is a supreme glory in himself!”

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