SS-Class Guide - Chapter 9

An Yuan and Gu Hanqing had broken up.

News of their split had swept through the Sean Temple like a tidal wave. When curious onlookers approached An Yuan for confirmation, he gave them a definitive answer. In the future, there was no longer any possibility between him and Gu Hanqing.

When they asked Gu Hanqing, he remained as he always was, stating clearly that he loved An Yuan deeply and would never break up with him regardless of the circumstances.

However, to many in the Sean Temple, Gu Hanqing’s feelings were irrelevant. What mattered was An Yuan’s stance. After all, plenty of people had been waiting for years for a chance to pursue An Yuan themselves.

Consequently, An Yuan found himself the target of excessive enthusiasm from many within the Temple. This development caused him significant distress.

It was during this time that a mission arose within the Sean Temple.

A Zerg legion had appeared in the Nameless Zone. Two teams from the Divine Martial Hall had been dispatched previously, but they were currently out of contact and presumed dead. To be safe, the Temple intended to send a double S-level Sentinel this time, accompanied by an S-level Guide to prevent any unforeseen mental instability.

The commander in chief for this mission was the double S-level Sentinel, Jing Lan.

An Yuan immediately sought out the two Hall Masters of the Divine Healing Hall, declaring his intent to take on the mission. As expected, they rejected him instantly.

An Yuan’s talent was simply too exceptional. To the Sean Temple, he was a supreme treasure. They could afford to lose any S-level Guide, including the Hall Masters themselves, but they could not afford to lose An Yuan.

To ensure An Yuan understood his own importance, the Hall Masters would always ask him the same ritualistic question: “What should an S-level Guide do when they encounter a Sentinel in a state of berserk mania on the street?”

The more a person is cherished, the more influence they wield within the Temple. Unlike in the past, An Yuan remained steadfast this time and insisted on participating in the mission.

In response, the two Hall Masters of the Divine Healing Hall convened a meeting. The participants included eight S-level Guides, including An Yuan, and twenty eight A+ level Guides.

An Yuan stood at the front of the conference room on the 49th floor. Over thirty Guides sat before him with grave expressions, attempting to dissuade him.

An Yuan remained serious, countering every argument. “I entered the Sean Temple at thirteen. Every Guide who enters the Temple has executed missions alongside Sentinels. In over ten years, I am the only one who has never been out on a single mission.”

Bai Jinghui, an S-level Guide, argued, “You do not need to go on missions, Lord An Yuan. You possess a talent greater than anyone else. One day, you may become the only double S-level Guide in the Temple. We will not risk your life, no matter how low the danger.”

“No,” An Yuan countered. “Compared to all of you, I feel like a plant in a greenhouse. If this continues, I will lack the courage and execution capability to grow. How can I improve like this?”

The others thought to themselves that his current stubbornness already showed plenty of courage.

An Yuan continued, “Of the five major districts, I was born in the Third District, Shuhuan. Now I work here in the First District, the Central District. I have never even visited the other three. What I have heard, seen, and experienced is far less than any of you. I want to see the world outside.”

The Guides protested again. An Yuan interrupted them. “Please rest assured. I believe that Lord Jing Lan, as one of our three double S Sentinels, will protect me.”

Even so, they remained opposed to the risk. An Yuan frowned. If it were anyone else, they might have threatened to stop providing mental services if their demands were not met. But An Yuan was not that kind of person.

He had a deep sense of responsibility. He received benefits from the Temple and felt their love and expectations. His instinct was to give back. People often whispered that An Yuan was incredibly gentle, and it was true; gentleness was etched into his very blood and bone.

When he first accepted Gu Hanqing’s confession, he might have instinctively believed their relationship would eventually end, yet it had not. It had endured. His innate gentleness acted like a silken net, locking him in. Even if he did not love someone, if he felt their love, he would bind himself to them, staying loyal and maintaining boundaries with others. He reserved his truest self only for the person who loved him.

But once he felt the other person no longer loved him, that net would unravel, leaving behind a vast, empty space.

Between him and Gu Hanqing, he could no longer feel that love. The shackles were gone. He had broken free from the emotional net. However, the net of responsibility remained; he was never a reckless man.

His gaze swept across the room before landing on the Hall Master of the Divine Healing Hall. Looking into the elder’s eyes, he said, “Hall Master Lin.”

Hall Master Lin nodded, his voice heavy. “An Yuan, I do not agree to you executing any mission.”

An Yuan frowned. “Hall Master Lin, I have watched many documentaries. As the Hall Master, you understand better than anyone how vital a Guide’s role is in medium to large scale warfare.”

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.

“In high intensity combat,” An Yuan continued, “Sentinels often lose control. They cross safety boundaries, their mental barriers weaken, and their mental landscapes collapse. We, the Guides, are the final lifelines that can extend their lives.”

He looked at his peers. “Except for me, everyone here has partnered with Sentinels. You are their strongest rear tower, the people they trust most in the world.”

He paused, his voice trembling slightly. “But what about me? They trust me and they believe in me, yet I never stand beside them on the battlefield. Theoretically, if my spiritual power were released, I could provide a sense of security to far more Sentinels. Why won’t you let me go?”

“You keep me back because you cherish me. But what if one day there is a war where I must fight?”

The room fell into a profound silence.

“I entered the Temple at thirteen. It has been eleven years. I am twenty four now. I am not a child. The youngest Guides join teams before they are even ten years old. Why can’t I?”

“If that day comes when I must face a battle, I will be panicked. I will be afraid. Because I have no experience, I won’t be able to perform well. Many Sentinels might die because of my mistakes. Is that what you want to see?”

An Yuan pleaded, “Please, give me a chance. I promise I will cherish my life. And please, trust Lord Jing Lan. He will protect me.”

The room remained quiet. An Yuan’s delicate, beautiful face was clouded with worry.

Suddenly, an S-level Guide named Tang Huai looked at him. “Lord An Yuan, I heard that your relationship with Sentinel Gu Hanqing has encountered issues.”

After a brief silence, An Yuan replied, “Lord Tang Huai, I understand what you are implying. Are you suggesting that I am seeking death because of my emotional troubles?”

The others looked at him, waiting for an answer.

An Yuan shook his head. His lips curved into a gentle smile, one like pouring moonlight, not blinding, but brilliantly clear. “I can tell you all with total responsibility: I am not. That is impossible.”

In that moment, the others were reminded of the atmosphere of the Sean Temple over a decade ago. Back then, factions were at each other’s throats, fighting for power and sabotaging one another.

Then, An Yuan arrived. He was very young, judged S-level at twelve and working part-time at thirteen. He was kind and gentle, treating all Sentinels and Guides equally regardless of rank. He took on the Sentinels other Guides rejected. No matter how tired he was, he never complained. He only said, “It would be nice if everyone could be more harmonious. We are a family. Please do not fight.”

He was the person who had warmed the Sean Temple. The Temple could not function without him. Whether it was the Divine Martial Hall or the Divine Healing Hall, they knew they needed him.

An Yuan smiled. “Many people I know are here. I consider you my family: Hall Master Lin, Hall Master You, Lord Bai Jinghui, Lord Tang Huai.” He recited their names, his smile deepening. “I have you, and I cherish you. I also have Aunt Wen, Sentinel Xiuyan’s mother, who is like a mother to me. I have Wen Xiuyan, Wen Xiuyu.” He named several more people. “I cherish you all. I love you all. I like this world, and I like the five major districts. It is precisely because I like them that I want them to be better. So, please, give me this chance.”

An Yuan felt a wave of nervousness. Silence reclaimed the room.

Finally, the Hall Master of the Divine Healing Hall spoke. “An Yuan, as an S-level Guide, what should you do when you encounter a Sentinel in a state of berserk mania?”

An Yuan thought that question again. Even so, he answered obediently.

“An Yuan, go back for now,” Hall Master Lin said. “We will discuss your request for the mission again. We will give you an answer within two days.”

An Yuan nodded, turned, and walked out.

Back in his office, he resumed his daily routine. During his work, his assistant, Xing Lulu, mentioned that Gu Hanqing had come looking for him, but she and the other assistant, Ludo, had driven him away. Although An Yuan was Gu Hanqing’s exclusive Guide, even an exclusive Sentinel had to make an appointment. They simply had priority over non-exclusive Sentinels. As long as the compatibility was high enough, a Guide could have numerous exclusive Sentinels.

At 4:00 PM, Xing Lulu knocked and entered the office. She whispered conspiratorially to An Yuan, “Lord An Yuan, even though I do not want you to go on a mission, since you want to go, I can only support you!”

An Yuan smiled.

Lulu continued, “Lord Jing Lan heard you wanted to execute the mission with him. He went specifically to our Hall Masters and guaranteed that he would protect you.” She leaned over the desk, lowering her voice. “Lord An Yuan, tell me the truth. Was one of the bouquets you received on the Qixi Festival from Lord Jing Lan?”

An Yuan’s eyelid twitched. He forced himself to stay calm. “Lulu, you should get back to work.”

Lulu pouted slightly. “You always change the subject!” She huffed and left.

At 5:00 PM, which was the Temple’s official closing time, the Hall Master of the Divine Healing Hall sent for him.

He arrived on the 99th floor. Inside were the two Hall Masters of the Divine Healing Hall, the two Hall Masters of the Divine Martial Hall, and Jing Lan. There were five people in total.

Seeing this lineup, An Yuan maintained his composure, but his heart soared. He knew they were going to allow him to join. This would be his first field mission, and it was to the most chaotic and impoverished area of the five districts: The Nameless Zone.

An Yuan greeted everyone respectfully. Hall Master Lin gestured for him to come closer.

The elder took An Yuan’s hand and looked at Jing Lan. “Lord Jing Lan, I think you understand that An Yuan is the most important person in our Divine Healing Hall. I beg of you to protect him.”

Normally, Jing Lan disdained verbal promises. However, this time, Jing Lan reached out his hand toward Hall Master Lin.

The Hall Master blinked, looked at Jing Lan, then at An Yuan, and slowly placed An Yuan’s hand into Jing Lan’s.

An Yuan remained silent.

Jing Lan gripped An Yuan’s hand firmly. Locking eyes with Hall Master Lin, he said, “Please rest assured. I will protect Lord An Yuan.”

The two Hall Masters of the Divine Martial Hall then explained the adjusted arrangements. Originally, they planned to send one double S Sentinel, three S-level Sentinels, and several A-levels. However, because An Yuan was joining, they decided to add a second double S Sentinel and double the number of S and A-level Sentinels for maximum security.

But, regarding that second double S Sentinel, should they choose Gu Hanqing or Wen Xiuyan?

That was a serious question.

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