Chapter 25: Dongfang Ao Xue

The Culinary Academy stood on the outskirts of Winter Capital, occupying an immense expanse of land not far from St. Sakura Girls’ High School. The management of this district was exceptionally strict; the outermost perimeter was guarded by robots from Thunder Shield, the largest security company in Huaxia, and only those whose identities were verified could enter.

That was merely the first step. The second involved paying a fee and collecting a wristband from one of the robots. The purpose of this band was not surveillance, but rather for making purchases. With it, one could pay to ride a balance vehicle to either the Culinary Academy or St. Sakura Girls’ High School.

Ordinary tourists could wait for the internal shuttle bus, tour some scenic spots, and dine at restaurants set up on the academy’s outskirts. As for St. Sakura Girls’ High School, visits were not permitted unless one had the necessary clearance.

All this was predicated on the assumption that visitors had come for leisure. If someone with ill intentions slipped in, the wristband became akin to an explosive. Linked to Thunder Shield’s internal system, the band would reveal the wearer’s location, and drones could swiftly resolve any trouble from the sky.

…

Yun Xuan and Lin Qingyu arrived at the Sacred Food District by car. Guided by staff, they scanned their identification and received their wristbands. The wristbands were quite advanced, capable of answering questions and providing navigation, though their screens were small.

“Qingyu, let’s take this one,” Yun Xuan suggested, pointing at a nearby balance vehicle.

“No, we shouldn’t waste money. The shuttle will be here in a few minutes,” Lin Qingyu replied, cheeks puffed in protest. She had been given strict instructions by Yun Xun’er before coming.

“Alright,” Yun Xuan agreed, looking around at the impressive scenery. The cherry blossom season had passed, but other trees and flowers were in bloom. The road stretched for ten kilometers; to the left lay the path to St. Sakura Girls’ High School. Truth be told, Yun Xuan was curious about what an all-girls school was like—did lilies bloom there? To the right was the Culinary Academy. Yun Xuan and Lin Qingyu stood waiting for the shuttle, joined by several others.

“Yun Xuan?” called a voice as a car stopped beside him. The window rolled down to reveal Qin Zhihua.

“Senior Zhihua, what a coincidence,” Yun Xuan greeted her, glancing inside and catching a fleeting glimpse of a stunning woman whose features he didn’t quite make out.

“Senior Zhihua,” Lin Qingyu greeted with a polite bow.

“Are you two headed to the Culinary Academy?” Qin Zhihua nodded at them.

“Yes,” Yun Xuan replied honestly.

“Aoxue, these are my juniors. Let’s have them ride in the car behind us,” Qin Zhihua said to the woman beside her.

The woman responded softly.

“You two, get in the car behind us. Yun Xuan, I don’t know what you did, but for my mother to hold you in such high regard, I must say I’m impressed,” Qin Zhihua said, looking at Yun Xuan with an inscrutable expression.

“Really? Maybe Principal Qin Yun just finds me young and handsome,” Yun Xuan replied with a straight-faced smile.

“Hmph, drive,” Qin Zhihua ordered, rolling her eyes at him as the black car pulled away.

“Please, get in,” invited a man dressed in black, sunglasses covering his eyes, his waist bulging with what was unmistakably a weapon.

“Let’s go, Qingyu,” Yun Xuan said calmly, stepping into the car.

The black business vehicle started, its driver and the bodyguard inside dressed identically. Lin Qingyu, though not intimidated by the car’s luxury, was made nervous by the oppressive atmosphere as the journey began.

…

A soft click echoed.

“Xuan, how did you open the wristband?” Lin Qingyu stared in wide-eyed amazement. The bands were supposed to only come off upon leaving the area.

“I have no interest in being monitored; it’s a small matter,” Yun Xuan replied with a smile. For someone like Meow Meow, the cat-eared girl, it truly was a trivial issue.

“You actually unlocked a Thunder Shield wristband? Who exactly are you?” The man in the passenger seat removed his sunglasses, face stern, hand subtly resting on his gun.

“Relax. I’m just a high school student. If I’m wearing the wristband, it means I’m not dangerous. Besides, I’m a junior to Senior Qin Zhihua,” Yun Xuan replied amiably, completely unafraid.

While the bodyguard’s presence unsettled Lin Qingyu, Yun Xuan was unfazed. With his intermediate martial arts and quick hands, even if the man drew his gun, Yun Xuan could disarm him in an instant.

The bodyguard hesitated, then released his grip.

To break free of a Thunder Shield wristband was no small feat. If a group with malicious intent learned this method and infiltrated St. Sakura Girls’ High School or the Culinary Academy, chaos would ensue. St. Sakura Girls’ High School was tied to half the world’s top families—any crisis there could shake the globe.

“Apologies. The lady’s safety is paramount. If you wish to complain about me to her, so be it,” the bodyguard said after a pause.

“No need to be so serious. I have great respect for soldiers,” Yun Xuan replied, glancing at the man’s hand.

“How did you know I’m a soldier, not just a bodyguard?” the man asked, curiosity piqued.

“Though you’re dressed as a bodyguard, you’ve adjusted your clothes at least thirty-five times—clearly uncomfortable in this attire. There are calluses on your hands, the kind only formed from long-term weapon handling, and finally, you’re a man of few words,” Yun Xuan analyzed methodically.

“My name is Jiang Yue,” the man said, extending his hand.

“Yun Xuan,” Yun Xuan replied, shaking it.

…

Ten minutes later, in front of the Culinary Academy.

Yun Xuan and Lin Qingyu stepped out, gazing at the academy before them. Yun Xuan could not help but remark inwardly that this was no ordinary school; it sprawled over several mountains, covering more than fifty square kilometers.

“Welcome, Miss Dongfang Aoxue, Spirit of Cuisine,” greeted Sanjo Satsuki, bowing respectfully to the black-haired girl before her.

The girl responded with a nod. Her hair was raven-black and cascaded over her shoulders; her beauty seemed untainted by the mundane world. She wore a pure white dress, ethereal and holy, her figure surpassing even Qin Zhihua’s high school elegance. Standing side by side, Qin Zhihua was clearly outshone.

“Ding! A beauty with a composite score of nine detected. Successfully pursuing her will reward you with a god-tier skill draw.”

“What… nine points? A god-tier draw?” Yun Xuan stared at Dongfang Aoxue in disbelief.

“Junior Yun Xuan, let me warn you—don’t fall for Aoxue. No man is worthy of her,” Qin Zhihua said, misinterpreting Yun Xuan’s reaction as love at first sight.

“Heh, Senior Qin Zhihua, are you suggesting only women are worthy of her?” Yun Xuan asked, his tone layered with meaning.

“What do you mean?” A flicker of panic crossed Qin Zhihua’s eyes.

“Care to hazard a guess, Senior?” Yun Xuan replied with a smile, brushing past Dongfang Aoxue without so much as a greeting.

PS: Please vote for recommendations… I couldn’t access the backend starting at six… Apologies