CHAPTER 1699: CHAPTER 1718: INTERNAL RECRUITMENT?

Yusuf Zuck knew that now was not the time to show off or reveal himself, otherwise it would surely bring disaster upon him.

With the King absent, he could freely wander the palace and snatch women, but once the King returned, any protection he had would be useless.

So he proceeded southwest, where there was the Yangming Mountain, and on the mountain was the Yin Yang Academy—a prestigious academy independent of Jake King’s rule. Though it was still under the King’s management, it operated as a parallel line to the dynasty. Royal officials, lords, and the like had no sway over the academy, nor could they manage its ordinary students.

Of course, he wouldn’t use his old academy badge anymore. After all, that badge was given to him by Ronin King back in the Immortal Realm. Showing it would immediately reveal his identity.

However, there must be a way when the carriage reaches the mountain. He decided to tour the outer circle of the Yin Yang Academy first.

Meanwhile, he changed his appearance, used bone shrink and disguise techniques to become someone else, even concealing his cultivation level to appear as a Mid-level deity realm.

Now, with his disguise and hidden cultivation, only the King could probably see through him, and he didn’t believe the ordinary teachers in the Yin Yang Academy could find out.

Four months later, he arrived at Yangming City, which was less than thirty miles from Yangming Mountain—a bustling city below the mountain, with traders coming from all directions.

As soon as Yusuf entered the city, he was targeted, but not by spies or thieves, nor by any Imperial Secret Agent—just two local vagabond types.

Yusuf didn’t understand why these two were following him, but he didn’t let his guard down. He continued forward and entered a tavern in the city.

And after he had ordered drinks in the tavern, those two people also entered and sat directly opposite Yusuf!

Yusuf raised an eyebrow in surprise, looking at the two with a questioning gaze.

These two had no cultivation level, just like him, they were at the Mid-level deity realm.

"Young man, where are you from?" one of them asked with a smile.

"Is there something you need?" Yusuf placed the wine cup down and asked.

"Are you here to participate in the academy competition?" the person continued to inquire.

Yusuf was taken aback, thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Then don’t bother participating. Let me tell you, the academy this year is only admitting three hundred people, and those three hundred spots are already predetermined. Even if you have remarkable talents, you won’t be able to get in!"

"Even if I can’t get in, I have to try—entering the Yin Yang Academy is my dream!" Yusuf began lying through his teeth.

"Haha, didn’t you understand what we said? We’ve lived here for so many years, what do we not know? This year they’re only accepting three hundred, and those spots are set in stone. Don’t believe me? Try it yourself!"

At this moment, the other one who hadn’t spoken yet said quietly: "If you trust us brothers and are willing to pay the price, perhaps we could help!"

"Oh? What do you mean?" Yusuf raised his eyebrow again.

"Haha, don’t ask the specifics; we just ask if you want to enter the Yin Yang Academy?"

"Of course I do!"

"Do you dare to pay?"

"How much are we talking about?" Yusuf asked in return.

"Do you have a million Spirit Stones?"

"Why don’t you go rob someone?" Yusuf was shocked—Spirit Stones in the divine realm were extremely rare; a million meant you belonged to a wealthy family.

"How about half a million? With that, we’ll guarantee your entry as an official student. Frankly, we have connections!"

"Thirty thousand, I just have thirty thousand!"

"Thirty thousand is fine, come with us!" The two were straightforward, immediately standing up to leave when Yusuf mentioned he had thirty thousand.

Yusuf thought about it for a moment and followed them, trailing through several streets and alleys before entering a very secluded courtyard.

"Come in."

Yusuf, confident in his skills, followed them inside with a smile.

The courtyard was large, with many rooms that seemed occupied, and there were people of both genders, all quite young—some practicing martial arts, others reading, and some chatting with each other.

These people gathered around the two men upon seeing them: "Brandon, Abel, how are things looking after all these days!"

"Rest assured, our big brother is handling things, you don’t need to think about anything—everything will go smoothly; we’ll guarantee your entry into the academy!"

Standing nearby, Yusuf understood immediately—these two bastards were swindlers, cheat promoters.

"Alright, alright, disperse now. There’s still half a year until the exam; you all need to practice diligently. There will be both martial and written tests, though we’ll assure you pass. You must be competent! Disperse, disperse!" Brandon and Abel dismissed the crowd impatiently, continuing their tour with Yusuf.

A moment later, they took Yusuf to a room with only a bed and a desk. Brandon said: "We’re both Ruiz brothers—I’m the second, he’s the third. You can call us Brandon or Abel. You’ll stay here for the next half year; we’ll cover your meals and lodging, costing one Spirit Stone a day. You’ll pay half upfront—fifteen thousand Spirit Stones!"

"What if you don’t manage to get me in?" Yusuf asked with a smile.

"You can go ask around—in Yangming City, what has our Ruiz Family failed at?"

"If we don’t make it happen, full refund to you!"

"To be honest, kid, one of the academy’s deputy deans is a relative of ours. Do you think we’re relying on nothing at all? Failure would damage our reputation. We survive by this; if we fail, would those outside still believe us? Who isn’t a fool, right? So rest assured."

"Okay, I’ll trust you this once!" Yusuf laughed heartily, being indifferent to the fifteen thousand Spirit Stones—it was but a drop in the ocean for him.

After Yusuf handed over the Spirit Stones, the Ruiz brothers departed happily.

Three days passed quickly, and during this time, Yusuf was well taken care of—the place was almost like a guesthouse, and new entrants kept arriving daily.

On the third day, the sound of gongs echoed in the courtyard with Brandon shouting, summoning everyone to gather.

Not knowing its purpose, everyone congregated in the courtyard—about seventy to eighty people!

"Put on some spirit; go change into good clothes and groom yourselves. An academy teacher will soon come for inspection. We brothers managed to invite them over. They will look at you initially, getting a sense of you all!"

"Thank you, Brandon and Abel!" Young men and women were almost jumping in excitement, rushing off to change their clothes and groom themselves.

About two hours later, Brandon and Abel welcomed a plump middle-aged man, nodding and bending over with two attendants behind him!

The middle-aged man entered the courtyard, inspecting the seventy to eighty people as if reviewing them, particularly lingering on many young girls.

Throughout, he said nothing.

After making one round, he left.

Yusuf felt a bit puzzled, but others were visibly excited, talking amongst themselves.

That night, Brandon and Abel came by again, knocking on several girls’ doors—claiming to take them to meet someone, supposedly from the academy, likely for internal recruitment!

Upon hearing it was recruitment, the six girls were thrilled and followed without hesitating!

The next morning news broke out in the courtyard: the six girls had been recruited internally—they hadn’t returned; they’d gone straight to the academy!

This made everyone trust Brandon and Abel even more!

However, Yusuf sensed something amiss but couldn’t pinpoint it.

On the ninth day, Brandon and Abel brought in a woman carrying a whip, accompanied by two maids; she inspected the group, particularly on many young lads.

That night, Brandon came again, knocking on six doors—including Yusuf’s!

"Come with us to meet someone—there’s a chance for internal recruitment. You’ve got lucky!"