The feasting hall, the practice grounds, and outside the lecture halls.
He checked everywhere he could, for about an hour or two until his feet gave up on him. Not a single soul was getting bullied or yelled at, which was technically a good thing. Watching kids suffer is not exactly the best sight in the world.
Fuck, now I'm lost.
A new problem arose for Yu-Zhen before he could solve the other. Maybe Shao Xiu has not yet arrived at the Peak, he thought to himself. Just as he thought his efforts went to vain and the all walking he did ended up being for nothing, he heard the faint sound of kids chattering and yelling, coming from inside a room to his right, with its door shut. If he was the original Yu-Zhen of the past, he would've kept walking right past it, letting the sounds fade away from his mind as soon as he walked away. But the new Yu-Zhen had a goal to seek, how could he let the opportunity of becoming a savior of a damsel in distress pass away?
Thus, he barged into the room and loudly shut the door behind him. And then he saw him.
About 5 teens, all dressed in robes the color of the rising sun, ganging up on a badly bruised teen who rolled up as a little ball, clutching his head tightly with his delicate hands. Blood trickled from his hands, his knees, and his forehead. As soon as Yu-Zhen barged in on the scene, the youth moved his head, only revealing his eyes as he squinted them, looking at Yu-Zhen with a faint glimmer. Even by just displaying his eyes, Yu-Zhen felt something in his body move, such was the godly aura of a protagonist.
At first, Yu-Zhen didn't know what to say. Sure, he was originally hoping to come across Shao Xiu getting bullied just for him to carry out his plan, but now watching the abuse happening in person, Yu-Zhen couldn't help pity the small boy. No one deserved to be treated like that, especially not children. He only sighed and glared at the other teens who were beating up Shao Xiu, with a fowl expression.
The teens were used to not facing any consequences for their downright horrible and disgusting actions, but even they were not fools. They realized that the look on Yu-Zhen's face only meant trouble for them. Panic brimmed their eyes, as they bowed and quickly excused themselves, leaving the injured Shao Xiu behind. Yu-Zhen wondered if he should've said something, but he realized he would get enough chances to speak later on anyway. Even his heart raced, as a sheltered and wealthy child, he had never experienced or seen any bullying. His path was always full of roses and praises, so he wasn't aware of the struggles that others went through. His touch with the harsh truth of life had vanished at an early age, such was the result of pampering and treasuring of a child from their birth to their adult life.
Yu-Zhen got awkward, he really didn't know what to do next. Meanwhile, Shao Xiu struggled to get up by himself and eventually ended up tripping. Yu-Zhen immediately extended his hand, allowing Shao Xiu to grab onto him as he supported his back. Shao Xiu said nothing, only expressionlessly looking at Yu-Zhen's face.
Yu-Zhen cleared his throat, and let go of Shao Xiu's back as he retreated a few steps back.
"Are you alright?" Obviously, Shao Xiu wasn't alright, anyone could see that. Yu-Zhen immediately regretted even opening his mouth.
"Yes, Elder Yu, this disciple is extremely grateful." Even with bruises covering his entire body, the boy claimed he was fine.
"You should visit the physician for medicine, if those boys trouble you again, you can report to me." Yu-Zhen gave the sweetest smile he could muster to Shao Xiu, while the boy instantly turned into a literal ice statue and only watched Yu-Zhen with wary. It took him a good while to get some words out of his mouth.
"Y-Yes Elder! Ren Lei will indeed follow Elder's commands."
Pfft, Why did he turn into a little soldier! A-Ren sure is cute.
Wait, A-Ren? REN LEI???
"You're Ren Lei??" Yu-Zhen instantly blurted out.
"Uh, yes elder." Ren Lei grabbed his hair awkwardly.
"Huh? Oh okay, okay."
What about Shao Xiu? Yu-Zhen wanted to ask, but he managed to close his mouth in time. Everything that came out of his mouth definitely sounded questionable nowadays. The wrong damsel in distress got saved this time, he thought to himself as he slowly walked out of the room, leaving behind the confused Ren Lei.
.
Ren Lei watched Yu-Zhen walk out of the room as he stood inside in a state of befuddlement.
Weird. He thought to himself.
He had reported the torture he and Shao Xiu had been suffering since forever to every Elder, even to Elder Yu-Zhen, yet he never received any response from anyone.
But now, not only did he.. kind of save him, he even acted as if he didn't know Ren Lei had reported to him countless times. He didn't know if he should feel delighted or infuriated.
Does he actually care...?
Ren Lei removed that thought from his mind as quickly as it formed. Humans really are stupid, softening up as soon as they get a speck of kindness. He clenched his fists and marched out of the room towards the physician's chamber.
Today was surely peculiar.