The Card Apprentice

Xie Yanbai’s departure signified a great reduction in Chen Mu’s force. This increased his vigilance as well. Although Xie Yanbai had not said it outright, Chen Mu was still able to sense his vigilance towards Tan Yumin from his words. Xie Yanbai was an outspoken and straightforward people. However, he was inwardly a thinker and was definitely no simple person.

For him to be so guarded against Tan Yumin signified that the danger of Tan Yumin was not something only Chen Mu alone had felt. When Chen Mu arrived at the Yuzi Military Force’s camp, people were waiting for him outside the camp.

“White Commander, the young lady is waiting for you inside.” A card artisan of about 30 years old was the person welcoming Chen Mu. He had a matured air around him and a sharp gaze. The blue and white combat uniform that was unique to the Yuzi Military Force was worn on his body. He was modest and respectful. Although Chen Mu had not tested the strength of this card artisan, he would never underestimate him. It was obvious his strength was not low.

“Thank you,” Chen Mu thanked politely.

The camp was huge yet it was in perfect order. None of the card artisans he met while on his way were weaklings. The card artisans here were about one or two level higher than the card artisans at Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Team. However, that was understandable. Tan Yumin’s clout was not something they could compare to back then.

The training area was operating in full swing. Not a single idle card artisan could be seen. Chen Mu felt like he had entered his own base instead.

Through the long corridor, Chen Mu saw Tan Yumin. She was in a discussion with a card artisan. That card artisan appeared rather excited and was beating his chest with his face flushed red. As for Tan Yumin, a faint smile always stayed on her face and she would only say a word or two here and there. A tall and slender man would always be standing behind her.

Each time she spoke, the card artisan would grow excited. Out of the corner of her eyes, Tan Yumin noticed Chen Mu’s arrival. She softly said something to that card artisan. Then, the excited card artisan saluted her respectfully before leaving with large strides.

“Brother White, you are finally here. Yumin has been waiting for you,” Tan Yumin greeted with a faint smile. She leisurely walked over, the tall and slender man following behind her.

“I am overwhelmed by this favor shown to me,” Chen Mu saluted her, but his calm voice contained no trace of the overwhelmed feeling he spoke of. When the card artisan leading Chen Mu heard this, a resentful expression appeared on his face. When he looked at Chen Mu again, his gaze was no longer as friendly.

“You may leave,” Tan Yumin said to the card artisan with a nod of her head. The card artisan left after a salute.

A trace of distress could be seen in Tan Yumin’s eyes, “I have never expected that something like this would happen. It is quite regretful that I came so close to meeting Brother Jie without being able to meet him in the end.”

Although Chen Mu did not really like Tan Yumin, he could not bring himself to feel any displeasure when she was carrying herself with such politeness. Therefore, he remained silent. Then, Tan Yumin switched the topic and raised her hand, “This is my personal assistant, Mr. Ji Zhihao. He has long admired Brother White’s reputation.”

Ji Zhihao smiled and saluted, “Yeah, I have long wanted to know White Commander. Finally, my wish is fulfilled today.”

Ji Zhihao looked frail and pale, as if someone who was sick. However, his eyes left a deep impression on Chen Mu. His pupils looked like the darkest of nights, giving off an unfathomable feeling.

“You are too polite,” Chen Mu said courteously.

The three of them sat down. Shortly after, some servants came serving tea. Tan Yumin’s gaze was attracted to the bracelet on Chen Mu’s hand. She stood up and bowed at Chen Mu before she apologetically said, “I am really sorry for revealing Brother White’s identity without your permission back then. That was the source of all the troubles. I have heard that Brother White was ambushed that night as well. Yumin had never expected all that happening. I feel very bad inwardly and have always been wanting to apologize to Brother White. Yumin feel much better that I can personally apologize to Brother White today.”

She looked distressed and regretful. Chen Mu raised the teacup and took a sip off it. Indifferently, he spoke, “Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing.”

If Qiu Shanyu hadn’t told him the origin of Tan Yumin and allowed Chen Mu to know that the Bitter Solitude Temple card artisans that had appeared during his battle with Xiaobo were sent by Tan Yumin, he might have been deceived for her apology earlier. But now, he merely sneered inwardly.

Chen Mu’s indifference came as a surprise to Tan Yumin. Instinctively, she exchanged glances with Ji Zhihao. This small action of the two was noticed by Chen Mu. This allowed him to reach a conclusion on the status of this Ji Zhihao.

Ji Zhihao pretended to be unworried and smiled, “Commander White is indeed a person with a big heart. I truly admire that quality of yours.”

Tan Yumin was also an exceptionally intelligent person. She immediately realized what the problem was.

She regained her calm and said, “Yeah. Commander White is Senior Caesar’s student. You are naturally not a normal person. By the way, Yumin is in a way connected to Commader White.”

“Oh?” Chen Mu calmly answered while sipping on his tea.

“Yeah. My mother, Tan Xiaoyi, is Senior Caesar’s best friend. I wonder if Commander White had heard about this from Senior Caesar?” Tan Yumin asked with a smile.

Looking at the enchanting smile on Tan Yumin’s face, for some reason, Chen Mu felt a deep sense of loathing in his heart.

“No,” he gave a cold reply.

“Oh. Had Senior Caesar never mentioned that to you, Brother White?” Tan Yumin asked in astonishment. However, a relieved expression soon covered her face as she continued, “True. With Senior Caesar’s temper, I doubt he will be bothered with these trifling matters.”

Chen Mu’s cold and indifference was causing the two to feel that something wasn’t right. Ji Zhihao spoke, “It will be the examination soon. If they know Brother White is here, they will definitely be very excited. I hope Brother Bai will give them some guidance when the time comes. This will teach them how an expert carries himself. Haha, Brother White, please come!”

Chen Mu stood up without saying a word. Tan Yumin followed behind him, her face unsightly. She could not understand why would Commander White be so cold today. In the past, Commander White was also an unapproachable person. However, his cold indifference now was entirely different than that. Had he found out about something? When Tan Yumin thought of this possibility, her heart throbbed.

The three reached a training room. About 150 card artisans were waiting here. All of them stood silently in a neat formation. None of them made any sound, and all of them were motionless like they were statues. An austere mood lingered the air.

Chen Mu’s pupils shrunk when he saw that the energy undulation each of these card artisans was emanating was no weaker than the sixth level. Level six Perception was not rare in the five flourishing districts. But when it was a card artisan with level six Perception, that card artisan could definitely be considered a powerhouse.

These card artisans stared straight ahead, their expressions calm and indifferent. Chen Mu’s senses were very sharp and were especially responsive towards killing intent. Each of the card artisans here was emanating a clear killing intent. Simply put, these were card artisans that had been put through the test of battle.

All 150 card artisans that were powerhouses in their own right were standing here emanating killing intent. This was quite an astonishing sight. Surprisingly, Yuzi Military Force actually had so many combat card artisans.

The overall strength of a team relied greatly on the quantity and the average quality of their combat card artisans. The strength of this Tan Yumin was indeed not something to be underestimated. Apart from these card artisans, there were five more card artisans that were waiting in the hall. The combat uniforms they wore were obviously different than the 150 card artisans.

When their gazes landed on Chen Mu, their eyes lit up. Each of them started emanating an intense desire to battle. They all had sharp eyes, and the pressure they brought Chen Mu was no weaker than the combined pressure of the 150 card artisans.

These were level seven card artisans! All five of them were level seven card artisans! Even if Chen Mu was a calm person, his expression still shifted. Tan Yumin actually had so many level seven card artisans under his control! The 150 card artisans did not shock Chen Mu that much. Although card artisans with level six Perception were quite rare in the Heavenly Drum Village District, there were still quite a number of them around. With Tan Yumin’s clout, it was not surprising that she could recruit 150 of them.

However, card artisans with level seven Perception were completely different than level six card artisans. Card artisans at level seven were already true powerhouses. They could even enter the top 100 of Black Line Star Listing if they wanted to. Ordinary offers of recruitment would have no way of attracting them. Any card artisan that could reach this level would be a person with a firm will and rich experience in battles. It would not be that easy to shake the will of the likes of them.

Chen Mu calculated and found that he did not have a single level seven card artisan. Of his man, Sang Hanshui was the nearest to level seven as he was only a tiny bit away from a breakthrough. At this realization, Chen Mu’s shock at Tan Yumin’s strength grew deeper.

“Hello, White Commander. I am You Yin, captain of Team One in the Yuzi Military Force. It is my honor to meet you,” the leading card artisan greeted Chen Mu and said in a neither servile nor overbearing manner. This card artisan had a tanned skin, looking like a normal manual laborer. He definitely did not look like a powerhouse.

Chen Mu recognized this name. You Yin, number 70 on the Black Line Star Listing. Chen Mu had already memorized most of the names on the Black Line Star Listing. This particular name was one he had a rather deep impression of. Dang Han was the person who was originally number 70 on the listing. After he was killed by Chen Mu, You Yin took over his place. A trace of pride flashed on Ji Zhihao’s eyes when he noticed Chen Mu’s shock.

“Hello, White Commander. I am Cao Anli, captain of Team Two.”

“Hello, White Commander, I am Qi Feng, captain of Team Three.”

“Hello, White Commander. I am Pan Yue, captain of Team Four.”

“Hello, White Commander. I am Zhu Yunming, captain of Team Five.”

At this point Chen Mu was already so shocked he was at a loss of words. These names were all names listed in the top 100 of the Black Line Star Listing. Five card artisans from the top 100 as her captains. This lineup was too luxurious. Not even the Snowflake Card Artisan Team could gather a lineup like this.

Had the clout of Tan Yumin reached this level? Chen Mu still remembered the card artisan from the Bitter Solitude Temple that wielded the Sakya-Maudgalyayana Serpent-headed Spear and the top card artisan of the Federation, Meiji. This Yuzi Military Force was surprisingly powerful!