Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 945: Graduation and the Arrival

Gan Hong lowered her head, gasping for breath, watching beads of sweat drip from her hair. The doctor had advised her to keep the rehabilitation sessions moderate—about two hours daily.

However, Gan Hong felt her body could handle more. Though tired, this was far easier than the rigorous training she endured at the academy. In the elite class there, dropout rates—and even fatalities—were high. By comparison, this rehabilitation training seemed almost trivial.

“It's about time you hydrate.”

A voice interrupted her. Gan Hong looked up to see Luo Qiu approaching with a bottle of water.

“Master Qiu…” she said, surprised.

“Drink some water; you’re sweating too much.” Luo Qiu twisted the bottle cap open and offered it to her.

Gan Hong took it gratefully, saying, “Thank you, Master Qiu.”

Luo Qiu shook his head. “Back at Cold Residence, didn’t you often bring me water? It's no big deal.”

“That’s different,” Gan Hong replied, shaking her head. “I was given to you by my grandfather to assist with little tasks. It’s nothing special.”

Luo Qiu chuckled. “What did the doctor say?”Gan Hong replied, “With more training, I should recover fully. My agility may be slightly impacted, but otherwise, there won’t be major effects on my physical abilities.”

Mentioning agility, Gan Hong’s expression dimmed. Before her injury, her flexibility had been exceptional.

“The injury is here, correct?” Luo Qiu lightly pressed a spot on her back, his touch barely perceptible.

“No, a bit lower,” she replied, directing him towards her lower spine, almost at the tailbone.

Luo Qiu didn’t touch further, just glanced briefly. “That creature really did a number on you.”

Gan Hong shook her head with a wry smile. “Surviving was lucky enough… At least I still have the chance to walk.”

Luo Qiu nodded. “Optimism is good… Whatever happens, I hope you make a full recovery.”

Maybe it was her imagination, but after Luo Qiu released his hand, she felt a slight tingling in her lower back.

“Master Qiu, why did you come to the village?” This question had been on her mind.

“Me? Song Ying insisted I come, mainly to see you.”

“Miss Ying?” Gan Hong blinked.

Luo Qiu gestured with his eyes towards the glass wall of the rehab room. Song Ying was pressing her face and hands against the glass, watching them intently.

“I’ll leave the rest to her,” Luo Qiu said with a smile. “It looks like today will be a great day.”

…

On the bench along the wall of the rehab room, Gan Hong and Song Ying sat in silence. After a while, Song Ying turned to Gan Hong.

“Oh, right!”

“Miss Ying…”

Both women spoke at the same time, then shared a smile. Song Ying softly asked, “How have you been these days?”

Gan Hong replied, “I’m focused on recovering and will return to my position soon.”

“What position? By Luo Qiu’s side?”

Gan Hong said seriously, “My grandfather has assigned me to Master Qiu from now on.”

Song Ying shook her head, cupping Gan Hong’s face and looking intently into her eyes. “Tell me honestly, why didn’t you refuse him? You know that my grandfather wouldn’t force you if you didn’t want this. Why did you accept?”

Gan Hong calmly answered, “Girls like me are trained from a young age in various skills. Most go out on assignments, using whatever means necessary. Our bodies are simply tools for achieving objectives. Don’t you think I’m luckier than most?”

Neither woman blinked. After a while, Song Ying sighed, letting go of her hands. “Fine. If that’s your reason, congratulations; you’ve succeeded.”

“Mm,” Gan Hong nodded softly.

“Give me your hand.”

Gan Hong, puzzled, extended her hand. Song Ying slapped something onto her palm—a small silver bracelet.

“Don’t give this away,” Song Ying said as she stood and walked towards the training poles. “That’s what he told me.”

Gan Hong glanced down at the silver bracelet, smiling faintly.

“What are you waiting for?” Song Ying called, “Didn’t you say you wanted to recover quickly? No slacking. I don’t have much time, so be content with the hour or two I can stay!”

Maybe it was fortune, Gan Hong thought, to meet Miss Ying… and Master Qiu.

Gathering her strength, Gan Hong forced herself to stand, slowly heading towards the equipment. She moved at a snail’s pace, but Song Ying only smiled, watching her progress.

Such gentle people…

…

Later, Gan Hong went to see off Song Ying and Luo Qiu. However, Song Er didn’t accompany them; he still had matters to handle in the village and would return tomorrow.

“Go back and rest,” Song Ying said, waving to Gan Hong before quickly boarding the helicopter.

Luo Qiu followed her but turned when he heard, “Master Qiu…”

“Yes?”

Gan Hong looked at him, feeling that he was the same as when she first saw him on the train. Somehow, his presence had subtly changed the Song family’s dynamics.

“I… I will recover as quickly as possible,” she promised.

Luo Qiu just smiled and said nothing. As he was leaving, he simply said, “Goodbye.”

The helicopter slowly ascended into the air.

At this moment, Song Er patted Gan Hong on the shoulder and gently said, “If you want to catch up to him, then recover quickly. Think you can manage? I’ve trained many students, but few women can endure, and among them, you’re one of the best.”

Gan Hong nodded in response.

Song Er then added, “Honestly, when the Old Master suggested sending you to serve the new Young Master, I was against it. I even had some concerns... but now, it’s a good opportunity to distance yourself from Young Master Qiu while you recuperate.”

“I don’t understand, Instructor,” Gan Hong said, frowning.

Song Er suddenly remarked, “This was probably the First Young Master's idea, right? He loves doing things like this... Did he tell you that if you could win over this new Young Master, the revenge you’ve been holding onto for over a decade might finally come to fruition?”

Gan Hong’s expression stiffened slightly.

Song Er shook his head. “But now, it seems that the path you’ve chosen won’t work. Though I’m no fortune teller, I can get a sense of a person... Forget about trying to get close to Young Master Qiu romantically; even getting near his heart would be challenging. This Young Master Qiu... he may seem modest, but he’s more ruthless than anyone.”

“Instructor, I... I don’t see it that way,” Gan Hong shook her head.

“I’m not saying he’s heartless in a cruel sense; it’s more like...” Song Er frowned. “If I had to describe it, perhaps ‘transcendent detachment’ is fitting. But how can anyone truly abandon their emotions and desires? That would be the realm of a true sage... I feel that his form of detachment is even stronger than Mr. Blind's so-called ‘Dao heart’.”

Gan Hong looked puzzled.

Song Er continued, “You may not understand now, but think of it as a warrior’s intuition... You should know that our senses are very sharp, and Young Master Qiu is no ordinary person.”

“I’ll be mindful, Instructor,” Gan Hong nodded.

Song Er sighed, “I see you’re not taking my words to heart... Never mind, I’m just saying what I think. Ultimately, it’s up to you. Anyway, I have some good news for you.”

Gan Hong looked curious.

Just then, a row of off-road vehicles appeared from afar. Young men and women in tactical gear disembarked and quickly lined up in formation, standing tall and exuding a powerful presence.

“Instructor, these people are…”

“They’re reserve members,” Song Er said calmly. “From now on, they’ll be under your command. The Old Master wants you to train them in your homeland, honing them into a powerful force as quickly as possible.”

Gan Hong’s lips parted slightly in surprise.

Song Er smiled, “In other words, they’re now part of your strength for revenge.”

Gan Hong was silent for a moment, “Why?”

Song Er sighed, “Because the Old Master and First Young Master agreed. Gan Hong, the Old Master and First Young Master understand you better than anyone. They know you truly see Miss Sakura as a friend, not a tool for revenge.”

Gan Hong lowered her head in silence.

Song Er added, “We all know if you had asked Miss Sakura, she would’ve helped you in any way she could. But you didn’t, even when the Old Master sent you to Young Master Qiu with this suggestion. You preferred to become Young Master Qiu’s woman rather than ask Miss Sakura for help, right? People have feelings, and when you risked your life to save her, it touched the Old Master. So, he entrusted you with these reserves. I’ll join you as a strategist... once you’ve recovered.”

“Instructor…”

Song Er rested a hand on Gan Hong’s head, “From now on, consider yourself graduated.”

…

Only the fiery sunset remained.

Gan Hong gazed at the clouds, her hand now wearing the silver bracelet she had once removed. The evening breeze was cool, and she tucked her hair behind her ear, recalling the day when the Old Master had given her to Young Master Qiu in front of everyone.

Back then, Young Master Qiu had promised to find a way to free her someday.

Today, it felt like that promise had come true.

It was as if he knew everything, as if nothing weighed on his heart... but somehow, things always seemed to turn out for the best.

“What a strange man…”

…

…

All negative emotions can become a source of power.

Hatred, jealousy, anger—they can cause an ordinary person to unleash extraordinary strength, let alone a demon who feeds on such emotions, or even the Queen of Hell.

The ICU was thick with despair, and the morgue was heavy with the aura of death.

For Lucifer, this was prime material—of course, had she not been in her current form, it wouldn’t have even caught her attention.

Still, with the power of Words, she could sense these energies, even though Hell’s might was weak in the Main World. As one of Hell’s rulers, she was still attuned to them.

Lucifer was ready to draw in the despair from the ICU.

She moved to the morgue, reciting ancient words as she raised her hands.

In the dim, icy room, a green light flickered. Lucifer bit her finger, kneeling to sketch a complex diagram on the floor with her blood.

These auras of death and despair were merely mediums; the real catalyst was Lucifer’s blood.

“It’s done,” Lucifer said, rising. “Now, let’s see if luck is on my side. Be summoned, servant of the void.”

The blood-drawn circle glowed brightly, releasing a purple smoke.

It swirled, faster and faster—suddenly, a flash of red cut through the smoke.

A woman in black armor, with a dark veil and mask, holding a crimson spear, slowly opened her eyes.

Lucifer narrowed her gaze, “So, it’s the Queen of the Shadow Realm. Looks like my luck is good today.”

The figure looked at Lucifer, calmly saying, “Did you summon my projection? Should I address you as Queen of Hell, or Morning Star?”

“Just call me Lucifer,” she shrugged. “Now, I’ll be counting on you, my servant.”