Volume Two: Shadows of the Past Chapter Eleven: Letting Him Go Is the Best Outcome

“If you lose your abilities, you can’t stay in the Dynasty? What kind of rule is that? Is this how your organization treats its own members?” Zhang Jingzhi was unable to comprehend it. She felt indignant on Chen Jing’s behalf, thinking these organizations were anything but humane.

“What do you know?” Xie Yuanshan couldn’t help but interject, “If you don’t understand, don’t speak nonsense here.”

“Isn’t it true?” For once, with Chen Jing involved, Zhang Jingzhi found her resolve.

Sun Ruoqing spoke calmly, “No one wants Ah Jing to leave the Dynasty, but for him, it’s for the best.”

Zhang Jingzhi stubbornly asked, “Why do you say that?”

This time Sun Ruoqing only shook her head, refusing to speak further.

Meanwhile, the others happened to mention Chen Jing’s singing career. Tan Xu couldn’t help but say to him, “Boss, you always said you were an incredible singer. I never believed you—how could a tough guy like you sing well? Who would have thought your songs would become hits across all of China? Honestly, I can’t help but admire you.”

Chen Jing chuckled, “I knew you didn’t believe me back then, but I didn’t say much. I just thought I’d find a chance to prove you wrong. See? It’s happened.”

“Hahaha, Tan Xu, serves you right. Boss really put you in your place, didn’t he?” Old Six, Yang Yi, laughed heartily, showing Tan Xu no mercy.

Tan Xu rolled his eyes and ignored Yang Yi.

Chen Jing laughed and shook his head. Suddenly, sensing something, he turned to look at a certain window in the Dynasty’s headquarters building.

That window was tightly shut, a one-way pane: you could see out from within, but not in from outside.

At that moment, a figure stood before the window, watching Chen Jing and the group below. Though she knew Chen Jing couldn’t actually see her, she sensed he had already felt her presence.

A sigh drifted from her full, rosy lips. This figure was none other than Wang Nianjun, the teacher who had once guided Sun Ruoqing and the others.

As the saying goes: one’s thoughts dwell on the gentleman, gentle as jade—hence her name, Nianjun.

Wang Nianjun’s name was somewhat androgynous, but her looks were breathtaking. Since she was Sun Ruoqing’s teacher, she had naturally also been Chen Jing’s teacher. Yet her relationship with Chen Jing went far beyond that of mentor and student.

“What’s wrong, Boss?” Liu Zexuan, seeing Chen Jing lost in thought, asked aloud.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Chen Jing shook his head, then hesitated before asking, “Is Teacher… here?”

The moment he spoke, everyone fell silent.

While all wondered how to respond, Sun Ruoqing stepped forward and replied, “Teacher just returned yesterday. She should be in the headquarters building.”

Hearing this, Chen Jing stared blankly at the building ahead. So he hadn’t sensed wrong; his teacher was truly here. Unfortunately, she still refused to come out and see him.

Chen Jing forced a bitter smile, then said to Sun Ruoqing, “Ruoqing, could you arrange accommodation for Molly and Sister Jingzhi? It’s been a long day, and they must be tired. Leave all the checks and formalities for tomorrow.”

Sun Ruoqing nodded. “Alright.”

She left with Molly and Zhang Jingzhi to see to their lodgings. Chen Jing didn’t go with them; he still had old friends in the Dynasty to visit. Having returned after so long, he couldn’t avoid greeting some familiar faces.

Each acquaintance he met greeted him warmly, with inevitable teasing—after all, the Dynasty had finally produced a superstar singer, a feat worthy of recording in the organization's annals.

At last, Chen Jing had seen everyone he could. Some were away on missions, while others, he would never have the chance to meet again.

He couldn’t afford too much sentimentality; that was simply the way of the Dynasty. Anyone might leave for a mission one day and never return—that was the norm.

After wandering the headquarters, Sun Ruoqing accompanied Chen Jing to a place he knew intimately: his old residence from his days as a member of the Dynasty. To his surprise, it had been kept just as he’d left it.

“Every week, Yuanshan and I come to tidy up,” Sun Ruoqing explained as she opened the door and handed him the key.

“Thank you, Ruoqing.” Chen Jing accepted the key, smiling gently at her.

Sun Ruoqing lowered her gaze, flustered by his gratitude. “There’s no need to thank me.”

“Oh, but I must. You’ve done so much for me, Ruoqing. I ought to repay you properly.” Chen Jing’s tone turned mischievous. “How about this—you go and change into that long dress you wore last time, and I’ll give you a nice massage to show my appreciation?”

“You—! No way! You’re up to no good. I’m ignoring you—I’m leaving.” The mention of the last massage made Sun Ruoqing blush scarlet. She spat at Chen Jing and hurried away in embarrassment.

Chen Jing shrugged. Well, so much for the hope of a steamy massage tonight. He stepped inside, shut the door, and sniffed the air. That scent—was it her?

His eyes lit up and he rushed into the room, but found no one.

Defeated, he wandered back out and sank into the sofa, staring absently at the half-open window.

...

In a deserted factory, after a fierce battle, members of the Dynasty were clearing the battlefield.

“Report! There’s a life sign here!” The call caught the attention of Wang Nianjun, the mission leader.

“Let me see.” Wang Nianjun approached, motioned with her hand, and a pile of heavy debris flew aside, revealing a small figure beneath.

“Oh, there’s actually a child alive here. Wow! What a beautiful child.” She scooped up the boy, who couldn’t have been more than four, and said with a smile, “Little one, from now on you’ll live with me. How about that?”

The boy opened his eyes to behold her stunning face, then darkness claimed his vision as he fainted. This was the first scene Chen Jing saw upon awakening in this world, and his first encounter with her.

...

In the Dynasty’s headquarters hospital.

“Little one, do you know your name?” Wang Nianjun asked the boy lying in bed, smiling gently.

Staring at her exquisite features, Chen Jing was still a little dazed. “My name is… my name is Chen Jing,” he stammered.

...

“Come here, Little Mirror. I’m Wang Nianjun, from ‘the gentleman your heart desires.’ From now on, I’ll be your teacher. I’m very strict, you know.” She smiled as she began teaching him about abilities in this world.

That was the first time Chen Jing learned her name—Wang Nianjun.

...

“You’ve grown up, little brat, finally ready to take on missions of your own. For your first task, be careful.” Wang Nianjun smiled as she saw Chen Jing off.

In truth, she was deeply worried about him. But she knew—every fledgling eagle must spread its wings; he couldn’t live forever under her protection.

“Don’t worry, Teacher. I won’t let you down,” Chen Jing replied with confidence.

...

Bang!

The door to the hospital room was blasted open. Hair disheveled, Wang Nianjun burst in, rushing to Chen Jing’s bedside. “Ah Jing, are you alright? How do you feel?”

“I’m fine, nothing’s wrong with me. Not a scratch.” Chen Jing grinned, spreading his hands to reassure her. It was the first time he’d seen his teacher so flustered.

...

Outside the room, Wang Nianjun closed the door and asked the doctor, “Doctor, how is Chen Jing’s condition?”

“Well…” The doctor hesitated. “What we know is he’s overused his ability, causing his seventh cerebral domain to overload. It can no longer withstand the impact of ability use. He must not use any ability again—not even once.”

“So he’s lost his ability…”

The doctor shook his head. “It can’t be helped. Not being able to use his abilities is already the best outcome. If his seventh cerebral domain collapses, at best he’ll end up in a vegetative state. Help him adjust his mindset. It’d be best for him to retire into a clerical role.”

With a sigh, the doctor left.

Wang Nianjun leaned weakly against the wall, standing there alone outside the hospital room.

...

“It’s nothing—so I can’t use abilities, big deal. I still have my physical strength. I’ll focus on training in combat skills; not many people can best me in a fight,” Chen Jing said nonchalantly after hearing his diagnosis.

The others—Sun Ruoqing and the rest—listened in silence. Finally, Wang Nianjun took a deep breath and said, “Ah Jing, I’m going to have you withdraw from the Dragon Unit, and retire from the Dynasty.”

Chen Jing froze. “Why?”

Biting her lip, Wang Nianjun steeled herself. “Because you can’t use your abilities anymore. According to the Dynasty’s regulations, you no longer qualify.”

“But I’m still strong!” Chen Jing retorted, agitated. “With my skills, I can handle most missions.”

Wang Nianjun shook her head. “Without abilities, it’s not enough. We have to follow the rules.”

Chen Jing could only take a deep breath to calm himself. “Fine. Once I recover, give me another assessment. If I pass, let me stay, even if not in the Dragon Unit. If I fail, I’ll retire voluntarily.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Wang Nianjun agreed.

But in the end, the result was already decided—Chen Jing did not remain in the Dynasty.