Chapter Twenty-Four: Seeking Refuge

Because he had clashed directly with Yang Jiao upon arriving at Peak Eight, Liu Pan felt no need to keep a low profile. With an air of swagger, he chose a house with a decent appearance and moved in without hesitation. As for Liu Kuang and the other two, they each found lodgings not far from Liu Pan’s residence.

Early the next morning, Liu Pan stepped outside and noticed several furtive figures lingering nearby. He was puzzled—could Yang Jiao have sent people for revenge? That didn’t seem likely.

As soon as Liu Pan opened his door, the group of shadowy figures stirred restlessly. Without a word, they walked straight toward him.

“Senior Brother Liu Pan!”

They quickly arrived before him, clasping their fists in respectful greeting. Liu Pan was surprised, then realized he recognized all of them—they were the ones who had followed Yang Jiao yesterday. Yet there had been seven then, and now only six stood before him.

A brief moment of thought clarified their purpose. After a slight hesitation, Liu Pan asked directly, “Is there something you need?”

At his question, the group visibly relaxed. One young man in gray stepped forward, bowed again, and said respectfully, “It’s like this, Senior Brother Liu Pan. We… we’d like to follow you from now on.”

His words ended in awkwardness, and the others’ expressions were likewise uneasy. After all, they had opposed him yesterday and now came seeking to join him. If they felt comfortable about it, that would be strange indeed.

Liu Pan did not probe their thoughts deeply. He did not immediately reject them; after a moment’s reflection, he replied bluntly, “It’s impossible for you to follow me.”

Impossible? The group was stunned, exchanging bewildered glances. After witnessing Liu Pan’s fight with Yang Jiao, they had decided to follow him.

On the continent of Sky Peak, strength was revered. To follow the strong was no shame. Before, they had followed Yang Jiao mostly for personal gain; now, having discovered a more powerful figure, they naturally sought to align themselves with Liu Pan.

Yet for young men in their teens, pride often prevented them from submitting to peers, even if outwardly compliant. Though they had followed Yang Jiao, they held no great loyalty and had gained little from him; leaving could hardly be called betrayal.

It was always a matter of choice—a pursuit of strength, of advantage. So, abandoning Yang Jiao brought no psychological burden.

They had waited for Liu Pan since last night, believing he would not refuse them. Who doesn’t desire power? Who doesn’t want loyal followers? Their motivations were self-serving, but they asked for nothing in return; even if Liu Pan ignored them in the future, they would not resent him.

Yet, with this offer of free manpower, Liu Pan refused. How could they not be surprised?

“Senior Brother Liu Pan…” The gray-clad youth recovered first, calling out anxiously. The others quickly followed, looking at Liu Pan with urgent expectation.

Liu Pan smiled slightly. “It’s truly impossible for you to follow me. However—”

When he repeated “impossible,” their faces darkened, but at the word “however,” hope sparked in their eyes.

“You can follow Liu Kuang,” Liu Pan said, his gaze flickering as he finally spoke.

“Liu Kuang?” The group was baffled, staring at Liu Pan in confusion. Because Ye Ming had called out yesterday, they assumed Liu Pan and his three companions acted as a unit: Liu Pan the leader, Liu Kuang second, Ye Ming third, and Hu Lang fourth.

Given this, and Liu Pan’s status as their leader, it made sense to approach him. Now, being told they could not follow him but could follow Liu Kuang, they were perplexed. Was there some rift among the four?

Liu Pan understood their doubts without needing to guess. He explained, “I’m not together with Liu Kuang and the others. Among them, Liu Kuang is first, Hu Ye Ming is second, Hu Lang is third. Following them is your best choice.”

“But—”

The gray-clad youth began to protest, but Liu Pan waved him silent.

“No need to say more. It’s impossible for you to follow me. As for Liu Kuang’s strength, you needn’t worry—if he’s uninjured, Yang Jiao is no match for him.” With that, Liu Pan turned and strode down the mountain, not waiting for further questions.

After a couple of steps, he paused. “Oh, if Liu Kuang refuses you, tell him I sent you. Whether he keeps you and how he arranges things is up to him.”

“What’s your name? Did Liu Pan really send you?” Liu Kuang frowned at the group before him. Truthfully, he didn’t want them as followers, but since Liu Pan had spoken, he felt compelled to consider it seriously.

“My name is Lin Dong. It’s true that Senior Brother Liu Pan sent us. If you don’t believe—” Lin Dong answered respectfully, but before he could finish, a figure burst through the door.

“Hey, Second Brother, have you seen where Big Brother went? I got up early to find him, but—” Ye Ming barged in, then froze. Clearly, he hadn’t expected to see six or seven strangers besides Liu Kuang.

Liu Kuang frowned at Ye Ming’s casual intrusion, but before he could speak, Ye Ming recovered, jumping up and shouting, “What the hell? What’s going on? Why are they here?”

His gaze fell on Liu Kuang, full of questions, confusion, and a hint of wariness.

Before Liu Kuang could reply, Lin Dong and his companions bowed to Ye Ming. “Lin Dong greets Senior Brother Ye Ming. Senior Brother Liu Pan sent us to find you.”

“My big brother sent you to find us?” Ye Ming was stunned, glancing at Liu Kuang for answers.

Liu Kuang frowned. He’d thought Lin Dong’s group was here only for him, but hearing “you,” he realized things were not as simple as he’d assumed.

“Tell me exactly what happened when you went to see Liu Pan,” Liu Kuang instructed after a moment’s thought.

“Yes, just half an hour ago, we—”

Though confused, Lin Dong recounted the entire morning’s conversation with Liu Pan in detail.

After listening, Liu Kuang and Ye Ming exchanged glances, a strange light flickering in their eyes.

“What’s going on? Me, you, Hu Lang?” Ye Ming muttered, puzzled. Then, as if struck by a thought, he sprang up, “What the hell! I’m second? Why am I second? No way, I have to talk to Hu Lang—let him be second, I’ll be third.”

Without another word, Ye Ming dashed out, presumably to find Hu Lang.

Liu Kuang was speechless at Ye Ming’s antics. Was seniority really the key issue here?

Lin Dong and his group were equally bewildered by Ye Ming’s reaction. Why was he suddenly obsessed with being second or third? Had the three of them never settled on a hierarchy? But that couldn’t be—Liu Pan had already explained who was first, second, and third. Yet now, it seemed unsettled.

After a long silence, events unfolded as Liu Kuang expected. Soon, loud voices sounded outside.

Moments later, two figures entered: one with knitted brows, the other chattering incessantly—Hu Lang and Ye Ming.

“Brother Wolf, my good Brother Wolf, let’s swap places. You be second, I’ll be third—what do you say?” Ye Ming tugged at Hu Lang’s sleeve, almost pleading, to the astonishment of the men in the room. Yet no one commented.

Hu Lang ignored Ye Ming’s request, glancing at Liu Kuang and then at Lin Dong’s group. His frown deepened, but he remained silent, lost in thought.

“I need to discuss something. You all go outside,” Liu Kuang said, waving Lin Dong’s group out before closing the door.

Ye Ming continued negotiating with Hu Lang, much to Liu Kuang’s frustration.

“Enough with this nonsense!” Liu Kuang snapped, then asked, “What do you two make of all this?”

“What’s there to make? I have no opinion! The only thing I care about is being second or third. Brother Wolf, just agree to switch—” Ye Ming ducked Liu Kuang’s slap, still pestering Hu Lang.

“What do you think of Liu Pan?” Hu Lang finally spoke, his gaze fixed on Liu Kuang.

Liu Kuang paused, eyes flickering. “He’s mysterious, and seems to know everything.”

Hu Lang fell silent again, then, as if making a decision, said, “I have no objection.”