But the hired thug didn’t hear the youth’s command and kept beating Evan Yang like a machine, striking to kill. Blood gushed from Evan’s mouth, and only when he was nearly at death’s door did the youth finally say, “That’s enough, Lao Yi, let’s go. Don’t waste our time for the sect’s entrance ceremony.” Without even glancing back, he left excitedly with his men.
Mr. Li and the others hurried to lift Evan up. “Evan, are you alright?” Everyone was deeply worried about him.
Evan struggled to open his eyes and forced a smile. “I’m fine!” Though he said he was fine, in truth it felt like he’d died once—his whole body was racked with pain.
“It’s all my fault!” said Warren Lin, the chubby boy who had muttered at the arrogant youth earlier. He was about the same height as Evan but much fatter. Everyone in the village called him Fatty, and he was always quick to help out whenever something happened among the kids. It was his hot-blooded impulsiveness that led to today’s disaster.
Evan just shook his head to show he didn’t blame Warren. Not wanting to delay everyone’s journey, he struggled to say, “Mr. Li, let’s keep moving. If we miss the deadline, it’ll be bad.” Mr. Li had planned to wait until Evan felt better, but hearing this, he could only sigh and lead a few boys into the woods to cut branches and vines. They lashed together a stretcher, and after two strong youths lifted Evan, Mr. Li finally felt safe enough to lead the group up the mountain.
On the road, everyone kept glancing back at Evan lying on the stretcher, worried about his condition. Evan forced himself to smile and act calm so they wouldn’t panic. This fooled the villagers, but not Mr. Li. As he walked along the winding mountain path, Mr. Li could only sigh helplessly, thinking, "This kid’s life is truly full of hardship. When he and his father first arrived here, five years passed in a flash." Remembering all that had happened, Mr. Li felt even his own perseverance couldn’t compare to Evan’s.
With everyone carrying different feelings, they continued up the mountain. When they finally reached the summit, they found a platform crowded with people—some chatting in groups, some meditating, some gazing at the opposite peak. All of them had come to see if they qualified to enter the Rising Sun Sect.
As Evan and his group stepped onto the platform, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to stare. It was the first time anyone had seen someone so badly injured still come for the selection. The arrogant youth, who had been with his lackeys, turned and smiled mockingly. “Well, well, who do we have here?” His two men stepped forward to harass them, eager to show off in front of their master.
As the thugs approached, Mr. Li and the villagers huddled tightly around Evan, terrified he’d be hurt again. But they were no match for grown men—after a few shoves, only Mr. Li and Warren Lin were left standing stubbornly in front of Evan. Mr. Li shouted furiously, “Do you have no humanity? Even a boy this badly injured isn’t safe from you!”
But instead of stopping, the thugs just laughed. One of them clicked his tongue and said, “Who told him to provoke someone he shouldn’t have? Today, I’ll make sure our young master’s satisfied.” To Mr. Li and the others, his words were like a death sentence. Just as they shoved Mr. Li and Warren aside and moved to attack Evan again, a clear voice suddenly rang out: “Stop!”