"History is the memory of human civilization. It is not merely dead text, but a living soul. Through history, our souls can travel across time and space, returning to those tumultuous eras."
"And myths and epics are the crown jewels of history. They are the manifested memories of Human Society in its infancy, filled with the absurd, the exaggerated, the passionate, and the fantastic. They are humanity's greatest hymns, hiding countless unsolved mysteries..."
Dressed in a white shirt and holding a teaching pointer, Zhou Yuanjue stood at the lectern, his calm and steady voice explaining the course material.
The course he taught was an elective called "Mythological History." His own field of research was related to the development and evolution of ancient myths and epics.
Since childhood, the only thing that interested him as much as Martial Arts were the various myths and epic tales born at the dawn of human civilization. The rich imagination, the intense emotions and Spirit of the ancients, and the vast mysteries they contained—these were the only two things, besides Martial Arts, that could truly fascinate him.
While Martial Arts and mythology fascinated Zhou Yuanjue, the same couldn't necessarily be said for the majority of the female students in attendance.
In fact, there was only one reason why an obscure elective like "Mythological History" had every seat filled for every class...
DRINGGG!!
The sharp ring of the bell signaling the end of class sounded.
Yu Yajie watched Zhou Yuanjue's back as he left the classroom, a sense of longing in her eyes, as if she hadn't quite resurfaced from the "ocean of knowledge."
Her gaze was vacant. She smacked her lips, and it took a good while for her to snap out of her daze.
She glanced at her roommate, who was staring in the direction Zhou Yuanjue had left, looking as if her soul had departed her body. A disdainful smile touched the corners of Yu Yajie's lips.
'Hmph. Women. So pathetic.'
SLAP!!
Yu Yajie smacked her roommate on the back of the head. "Snap out of it! Class is over!"
"Huh?! Class is over?"
Chen Anjin, who had an oval face and a slightly chubby figure, shivered and looked around as if waking from a dream.
"The ocean of history is so intoxicating... Hey! Wait for me!!"
Chen Anjin sighed wistfully, only to turn and find that Yu Yajie had already slung on her bag and left. She hurriedly packed her things and chased after her.
"I wish we could have Teacher Zhou's history class every day. If I'd known, I would have majored in history,"
Chen Anjin said to Yu Yajie with a hint of regret.
Hearing this, Yu Yajie couldn't help but roll her eyes.
'Hmph. Women. So pathetic.'
"Where are you off to next? I'm going to grab some bubble tea, go back, and binge 'Dior's Daily Life.' I'm planning to see a new movie tonight. Want to come?"
Chen Anjin asked Yu Yajie.
"No, I'm heading to the library. I have other plans tonight,"
Yu Yajie refused.
"Plans? With a guy or a girl?"
Chen Anjin's eyes instantly lit up, the flames of gossip burning brightly.
"A girl. An older friend who's already graduated. We haven't been in touch for a while. She's here in Wuhai on a business trip, so we're meeting up. What are you thinking?"
Yu Yajie pinched the baby fat on Chen Anjin's cheek and shot her a glare.
"Oh, okay. Well, have fun. I'm off."
Chen Anjin shook her head with a bit of disappointment, escaped Yu Yajie's "demonic claws," and waved goodbye before disappearing into the crowd of students.
Yu Yajie watched Chen Anjin's back disappear, then went to the library herself. She found a seat in the ancient history section and picked up a massive tome titled *Tekliyat Epic Examination*. Not even thirty minutes later, she was drowsy and yawning constantly.
'This is so boring! Why on earth am I trying to read this kind of book? Aren't K-dramas more fun?!'
Frustrated, Yu Yajie ran a hand through her long, dark hair. She took out her laptop, opened her messaging app, and clicked on a certain user's profile picture.
'It's been so long since his last post... And why set it to be visible for only three days?'
Yu Yajie muttered as she closed the social feed and opened the chat window. With a flurry of keystrokes, she typed:
"Teacher Zhou, I've recently been reading *Tekliyat Epic Examination* and I'm completely fascinated by it. There are a few things I don't understand, though. Would you have time to chat about it?"
After sending it, she started browsing the knowledge forum "Zihu" out of boredom. About half an hour later, she finally received a reply.
Yu Yajie jolted and clicked open the chat window as fast as she could.
"Of course. That book might be a bit too specialized for students. If you have questions, you can compile them into a document and email it to me. I'll reply when I have time."
Compile them into a document... email it...
Yu Yajie pouted, closed the chat window, and slumped back into the soft library chair.
'It's always like this. If I have to email you, why would I bother asking you in the first place?'
She grumbled in dissatisfaction, snapping her laptop shut with a CLACK that made the bespectacled guy who had been watching her from the side glance over.
BUZZZ BUZZZ!
Just then, her phone started vibrating. She picked it up and saw the caller ID: "Wen Caiwei."
She jogged over to the library's common area before answering the call in a low voice.
"Hey, where are we meeting tonight?"
Yu Yajie said into the phone.
"Binjiang Celestial Sea. I'm gonna take you out and show you a real good time,"
came Wen Caiwei's cheerful voice from the other end of the line.
...
...
Binjiang Celestial Sea was Wuhai's largest upscale comprehensive leisure city. Besides the glamorous recreational activities it operated on the surface, it also hosted many more "lucrative," "thrilling," and "insane" projects behind the scenes, all backed by its powerful and mysterious owner.
The "dueling matches" were one of its most popular events.
An indelible violent streak is hidden in the bones of humanity. A peaceful life deeply suppresses this desire, but once it finds an outlet, it erupts with even greater madness.
Eight o'clock in the evening, on the dot.
"Red Falcon, why are you so late? The match is about to start."
Somewhere outside the Binjiang Tianhai Duel Arena, He Hong, a slightly chubby man who looked to be around thirty, frowned as he watched Zhou Yuanjue walk toward him, his face concealed by a stiff leather mask.
He was the person in charge of Heiwei Yuan's Wuhai Decision Fist Project. In a way, his role for Zhou Yuanjue was similar to that of an Agent arranged by Heiwei Yuan.
"Find me a quiet room."
Zhou Yuanjue didn't answer the question, walking past He Hong and continuing toward the arena.
"We've been working together for a long time; I know your habits. The room is already prepared. However, the Chairman of the Luo Group wants to see you before the match."
He Hong turned and caught up to Zhou Yuanjue, speaking as he led the way.
Zhou Yuanjue said, "That won't be necessary. You know my rules."
He Hong shrugged helplessly. "Alright. By the way, I heard from the higher-ups that you want to leave the organization. Won't you reconsider? If it's a matter of compensation, we can talk. We've worked together for so long, there's nothing we can't discuss."
"There's no need to bring this up again. It isn't about compensation. There is simply nothing left for me in Heiwei Yuan,"
Zhou Yuanjue said, stopping and turning to look calmly at He Hong.
"In that case, as per our prior agreement, once you finish this one unpaid dueling match arranged by the organization, we'll call it even."
Hearing Zhou Yuanjue's reply, He Hong sighed and said no more.
He led them through the staff passageway and they arrived at the door to the fighter's lounge.
"Well then, good luck. I've already prepared a victory celebration for you,"
He Hong said with a smile as he opened the door for Zhou Yuanjue.
"Thanks."
Zhou Yuanjue nodded to him and entered the lounge alone.
After the door closed, He Hong turned around, the smile on his face slowly fading.
He took out his phone and made a call. "He refused again. His stance is firm. There's no room for negotiation."
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.
After a long moment, a deep and steady male voice finally came through.
"A shame."
The man said only those two words before hanging up.