Who says I can't become a Grand Master?

Chapter 90 [Spiritual School] [Soul-Searching Card]

"Yes, it's me," Zhang Qingzhe replied calmly.

How did you discover they were suspicious?

"He doesn't look like a good person," Zhang Qingzhe casually offered an excuse.

A hint of suspicion flashed in the young SWAT officer's eyes as he pressed further:

"So how did you find out about the 'Deadpool Organization'? Ordinary people wouldn't immediately make that connection."

"Didn't it get reported on the news?"

"But many people feel that the news is too far removed from their lives. Your reaction seems a bit too sensitive."

Zhang Qingzhe shrugged. "The professors at the school also mentioned it, telling us to be vigilant."

"I still think we need to ask you to come back to the station and cooperate with us to take a more detailed statement."

The young SWAT officer straightened his expression, trying to appear more professional. "But please rest assured, as long as you are innocent, we will absolutely not restrict your freedom."

Zhang Qingzhe frowned.

The streetlight shone down on him from above and to the side, casting a small, hazy shadow on his lowered eyelashes and making his gaze seem somewhat unfathomable in the darkness.

"I'm sorry!" Zhang Qingzhe's tone remained calm. "My family is waiting for me to go back, so I'm afraid I can't cooperate."

The young SWAT officer's back straightened slightly, and his alertness noticeably increased.

"I'm sorry, but given the special circumstances on site, we may need to take necessary..."

He had only spoken half a sentence when a large, well-defined hand gently pressed down on his shoulder.

A middle-aged special police officer had appeared behind him at some point, tilting his strong-featured chin to the side, indicating that he could go and help.

He had a dark stubble on his chin, and his eyes showed a composure that young people lack.

The young SWAT officer immediately fell silent, nodded emphatically, and turned to run towards the nearby rescue point.

The middle-aged SWAT officer straightened his dusty uniform coat and subconsciously reached for the cigarette pack in his pocket.

He glanced at Zhang Qingzhe, paused for a moment, and then spoke somewhat awkwardly:

"Would you mind if I had a cigarette? To perk myself up."

"Oh, please go ahead."

Zhang Qingzhe recognized the person who came.

It was the same old SWAT officer who had just driven the vehicle forward and instantly killed a Deadpool member.

"Would you like one?" the middle-aged SWAT officer asked.

"I don't smoke," Zhang Qingzhe replied.

The middle-aged SWAT officer nodded and skillfully lit a cigarette.

In the dim light, the red sparks flickered.

He took two deep breaths and slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.

It was as if this also released the heaviness in my chest, making me feel more relaxed.

"What's your name?" His gaze fell on Zhang Qingzhe, scrutinizing him without any emotion.

"Zhang Qingzhe".

"Green Island University." He glanced at Zhang Qingzhe's school badge.

"right."

What year are you in?

"Freshman, [Energistic Theory]".

"How is Dean Lü from your school of thought doing lately?"

Zhang Qingzhe paused slightly, looked up at him, and said, "Our dean's surname is Zhou."

"Oh, it seems I misremembered." The middle-aged SWAT officer nodded, the scrutinizing look in his eyes fading slightly.

He flicked his cigarette ash and changed the subject, "Someone saw you activate your [Shield Card] when the explosion happened."

"Yes."

"A freshman already has a [Shield Card]? That's quite rare."

"I'm lucky. I just learned it from my master this afternoon, and it came in handy."

"Hmm...you've become a [Magic Apprentice]?"

"right."

"Incredible, selected as an 'apprentice' in your freshman year." The middle-aged SWAT officer's tone held a hint of感慨 (gan3kai3, a complex emotion encompassing admiration, reflection, and a sense of accomplishment). "Who's your mentor?"

"Professor Xia Qiwei."

"Cough cough—"

The middle-aged SWAT officer was clearly choked by the smoke, coughing several times before recovering. A look of surprise and understanding crossed his face.

"You...you actually found a 'Great Witch' as ​​your master? Young man, you have commendable courage."

Zhang Qingzhe gave a helpless twitch of his lips. "There's nothing I can do. I guess I've been dragged onto this pirate ship."

"Hehe." The middle-aged SWAT officer chuckled, the suspicion in his eyes disappearing. "Not bad! My name is Feng Xiuyuan, from the [Structural School], so I'm your senior."

"Hello, senior." Zhang Qingzhe extended his hand.

Feng Xiuyuan also stretched out his rough, large hand and consciously squeezed it tightly.

Zhang Qingzhe sensed that the other party was testing him, so he steadily increased his strength without showing the slightest wavering.

A hint of approval flashed in Feng Xiuyuan's eyes as he slowly released his strong hand. "Not bad, solid foundation. No wonder you were chosen by the Great Witch."

"Does the senior know my master?"

"I was in the student council back then, and Xia Qiwei only enrolled when I was about to graduate."

Feng Xiuyuan looked on with a reminiscing expression, then chuckled and shook his head. "Back then... she was incredibly good at causing trouble; her reputation spread throughout the entire school."

"She's quite the troublemaker now," Zhang Qingzhe chimed in.

The two exchanged a glance and both revealed a knowing smile.

"Let's not talk about this," Feng Xiuyuan said, taking the last drag of his cigarette and carefully stubbing out the butt. "What are you doing at the hospital so late at night?"

"Wasn't Professor Kangping hospitalized? My master was supposed to visit him, but he ended up shifting the blame to me..." Zhang Qingzhe shrugged. "You know the Great Witch's temper."

"Oh, I understand, I totally understand."

Feng Xiuyuan showed a look of deep sympathy, "However, Kang Ping is currently in the intensive care unit, and ordinary visitors cannot enter. But since you've run into me, I can take you to see him through the window. This way, you can also give the [Great Witch] an explanation."

"Thank you, senior."

"You're welcome, please go."

-----------------

The two walked through the busy emergency room lobby and took a private elevator to the higher-level intensive care unit.

The corridor was filled with the distinctive, crisp smell of disinfectant.

The lighting was soft and the environment was quiet, as if it were a completely different world from the hustle and bustle downstairs.

Through a circular observation window, Zhang Qingzhe saw Kang Ping lying on the hospital bed.

His external wounds had healed, but he stared blankly at the ceiling.

It is connected to many precision instruments with sensor patches, and the waveforms and numbers on the screen next to it jump regularly.

Zhang Qingzhe asked with some doubt, "It seems... he didn't suffer any serious injuries?"

"Oh! According to our investigation," Feng Xiuyuan lowered his voice, his tone becoming serious, "he was probably subjected to a 'soul search' by the [Spiritual School]'s card."

"A school of spiritualism? Soul searching?"

"Oh, you freshmen probably haven't encountered this yet."

Feng Xiuyuan explained, "In order to forcibly extract information from his brain, the practitioner used 'soul-searching' cards, like a filter, to roughly 'filter' his soul. He is now in a typical state of soul damage, which is difficult to recover from in the short term."