Rachel Liu saw Evan Lin turn to leave. Suddenly, she stood up, pushed open the private room door, and ran outside.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
Julia Du watched Rachel Liu dash out without warning and was slightly taken aback.
"Let her go," Old Master Liu shook his head slightly, leaning back in his chair with a look of longing. "For some reason, that young man reminds me of someone."
"Who?" Edward Liu asked curiously.
The Liu family members all looked at Old Master Liu, waiting quietly for his answer.
In the Liu family, Old Master Liu was always stern and rarely spoke, unlike other old men who liked to reminisce with the younger generation.
Although everyone knew Old Master Liu had served in the military, few knew what he had actually done.
Over the years, the Liu family’s ability to hold a place in River City was largely thanks to Old Master Liu’s great contributions.
To this day, the only time people have seen Old Master Liu’s emotions stirred was when he met that young man named Damon Wang.
Today was the second time.
"That man, he was a true dragon in the heavens—a real apex of Huaxia," Old Master Liu said quietly, his gaze drifting.
Edward Liu pondered those words for a moment.
Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin. Lin?
Lin!
Thinking of this, Edward Liu’s face changed dramatically.
Clang!
The teacup in his hand slipped and fell to the floor, tea spilling everywhere, steam rising. His face was filled with disbelief, his throat dry, and his eyes wide with shock.
......
"Hey!"
Evan Lin and his group walked out of the auction hall when a voice called out from behind.
Rachel Liu was slightly out of breath as she looked at Evan Lin, her gaze complicated.
Evan Lin turned around, his eyes calm. "What is it?"
In front, Jill Jing was being carried on Gavin Duan’s shoulder. Gavin, with his mountain-like build, radiated an imposing presence.
Nearby, Shawn Shi and Dong Zi turned to see Rachel Liu had chased after them, both stunned, a flicker of amazement in their eyes.
A rare beauty!
Still, neither dared to look twice. From the way things seemed, this girl clearly knew Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin.
The rule of 'see no evil'—in the past, Shawn Shi and Dong Zi probably wouldn't have cared. But now, they instinctively followed it, afraid of angering Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin.
No one wanted to risk his wrath.
Rachel Liu took a deep breath to steady herself, her face returning to calm. "Can we talk alone for a moment?"
"A reason?" Evan Lin looked at Rachel Liu and spoke coolly.
Just those two words left Rachel Liu briefly stunned.
She’d never been spoken to like that before, and she hadn’t expected Evan Lin to refuse her.
Late at night, a cool breeze brushed her face, messing up the hair on Rachel Liu’s forehead.
She reached out and tucked the stray strands behind her ear, cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment.
Jill Jing, sitting on Gavin Duan’s shoulder, blinked at Rachel Liu with curiosity.
Rachel Liu steadied herself and looked at Evan Lin. "I've already been accepted early to Oceanport University."
"Congratulations."
Evan Lin nodded calmly at Rachel Liu. "Anything else?"
"You... good luck on your college entrance exam," Rachel Liu finally managed to say after a long pause.
"Thank you."
With that, Evan Lin turned and left with his group.
His resolute figure made Rachel Liu’s expression turn dazed.
Seeing Evan Lin now, Rachel Liu couldn’t help but recall the nervous boy from Brightsea No. 2 High School—just an ordinary, unremarkable teenager.
Back then, Evan Lin confessed to Rachel Liu and was KO’d by Buck Niu with one punch, becoming the laughingstock of countless classmates.
At that time, Evan Lin was the undisputed toad in everyone’s eyes.
A toad wanting to eat swan meat.
But at some point, that humble toad suddenly soared into the skies, becoming a dragon among men!
No longer Evan Lin, but Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin.
The Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin who slew multiple Vajras and battled Mystic Arts Adepts head-on!
He was the Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin who killed River City’s number one fighter, Drake Huang, and defeated the city’s richest man, Aiden Li, breaking Elder Gordon Jin’s hundreds of blades from Medicine King Valley in public!
"In his eyes, am I just a passerby now?"
Rachel Liu murmured to herself, her expression wavering, a look of loneliness in her eyes.
The boy in her memories had finally picked up his sleeping sword, becoming a hero admired by all. Those youthful memories from back then were destined to remain just memories.
So many turnarounds, and all they led to was a future with no more intersections.
Rachel Liu’s gaze pierced the darkness, watching the boy walk farther and farther away.
The summer night breeze stirred, rippling through the air. Rachel Liu stood frozen in place for a long time, unable to move.
It wasn’t until more and more people began pouring out from the entrance behind her.
They passed by Rachel Liu, faces excited or nervous, some dejected and disappointed.
In this gamble, some lost everything, while others took risks and won big.
But most people were still fascinated by the legendary Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin!
Sawyer Summer’s final words were enough to make countless people revere Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin.
That kid was no longer just a martial artist—he was a true tycoon!
Yet some still worried about Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin’s future.
Medicine King Valley had lost three elders in a row; Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin’s reputation was built step by step atop their defeat.
Medicine King Valley was surely furious by now.
With such deep foundations, Medicine King Valley could appear at any time and erase Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin without a trace.
They were a presence lurking in the darkness, like cold, venomous snakes.
But no matter what, Evan “Nine Mysteries” Lin had become a name countless people looked up to.
Those two fingers snapping blades, that one sword breaking ten thousand knives—scenes that would be etched into memory forever.
"Sir, where are we heading now?" Shawn Shi asked Evan Lin cautiously.
The cold wind blew. Evan Lin glanced at Gavin Duan. "Take her home. Protect her well."
Gavin Duan nodded firmly, then hesitated before speaking: "Jill Jing has been selected by Professor Gordon Gu for Huaqing National University’s math department. She’ll probably be heading to Beijing soon."
"Professor Gu?" Evan Lin mused, recalling the old man Old Liu brought him to meet at Sunwave Bluebay, and nodded. "That’s fine. But if anything happens to her, I'll hold you responsible."
Gavin Duan carried Jill Jing on his shoulder and strode away. In the darkness, Jill Jing looked back at Evan Lin and waved. "Goodbye!"
"Goodbye." Evan Lin managed a rare, slight smile.
Their two figures melted into the darkness—one tall, one small—a rare, silent harmony.