Chapter Thirty-Six: The Promise of Four

After learning the truth, Han Tianyue felt a deep calm settle over him. He entered the quiet rest chamber where Mao Xuanzi, Fang Zhe, and Feng Shang were already waiting. When they saw Han Tianyue arrive, albeit a bit late, they greeted him with particular warmth.

“There’s no need to keep anything from me. I already know everything,” Han Tianyue said evenly.

“Keep anything from you? We haven’t been hiding anything,” someone replied.

“It’s about the Crown Prince—I know it all now.” Han Tianyue had no desire to blame anyone; at this moment, his only thought was to go and find the Crown Prince.

“If you know, then what do you plan to do?” Mao Xuanzi asked, making no attempt to conceal anything. What mattered most was that he didn’t know what Han Tianyue intended.

“I’m going to find the Crown Prince,” Han Tianyue replied, his voice calm and steady.

“We don’t have any news about her,” Mao Xuanzi said realistically.

“But I know where she’s gone.” They had once shared a dream: no matter who was left behind, they would help each other fulfill it. Han Tianyue knew that the Crown Prince was somewhere along that path.

“As I’ve said before, I’ll help you,” Mao Xuanzi pledged, as loyal as ever.

Fang Zhe stood up and said, “I’ll go too.”

Feng Shang, who had been sitting quietly to the side, braced himself and stepped forward. “Alright, I’ll go with you as well.”

“Good. From this moment, we’re a team. For the Crown Prince, for our dream, we’ll walk the path toward the Emperor of Men together.” Han Tianyue looked up through the window. “Crown Prince, wait for us. We’re setting out soon. Twenty is too late—seventeen is enough.”

“What about the tournament?” Feng Shang asked.

Han Tianyue looked at him and smiled. “We’ll compete. Once the competition is over, we’ll leave.”

“Alright.”

Han Tianyue, Mao Xuanzi, Feng Shang, and Fang Zhe made another pact: after the tournament, they would set out together. “Just make sure Mr. Song doesn’t find out about any of this!” Han Tianyue reminded them.

“Don’t worry. As long as Feng Shang keeps his mouth shut, no one will know,” Fang Zhe said, glancing at Feng Shang.

Feng Shang raised his hand and swore earnestly, “Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a word of it!”

The corners of Mao Xuanzi’s mouth lifted slightly. It was the first time they’d seen him smile, and it was both dashing and cool.

Fang Zhe pressed his five fingers together, a hint of seriousness beneath his composure.

Feng Shang scratched his head, his careless, honest manner unable to hide his burning heart.

Han Tianyue clenched his fist. To follow in the Crown Prince’s footsteps was his only hope. “Crown Prince, I’m coming; Emperor of Men, I’m coming!”

“Everyone’s here, I see!” Counselor Song entered the rest chamber. Seeing the group so harmonious, he was truly pleased. He approached and said, “I’ve already found out the details for the next round. The semifinals are one-on-one matches. As long as three of the four of you stand victorious in the ring, you’ll advance. There are five teams that will move on. The finals will be a round-robin, one-on-one as well, but only if all team members advance can you make it to the ultimate stage. The round-robin doesn’t have a fixed number of spots.”

It had taken Counselor Song a great deal of effort to gather this information. With it, Han Tianyue and his companions could finally devise their strategy.

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