Chapter 9 of 100

Chapter 9

9 min read2,330 words

"Nature knows!"

Ma Yuan stood up with a carefree manner: "But just now, a guy was making a fuss over a trivial matter, and made us stand in a horse stance for four hours! I didn’t dare to disobey. This morning drill had to be postponed—"

Lin Han also patted his robe casually and smiled as he resumed his horse stance: "It was Zhuang Tong, who has always hated you to the bone. We two have been implicated by you, and we’ve had a run of bad luck. How could he miss such a chance to strike back?"

The Zhuang Tong he mentioned, though also surnamed Zhuang, had no relation to Zhuang Wudao. One was the son of a wealthy merchant, the other a street thug from a young age.

If there was any connection, it was only the camaraderie of being fellow students at the academy. Zhuang Wudao was the top disciple, while Zhuang Tong was the second. This was also the reason for their enmity.

Zhuang Wudao, hearing this, was at a loss whether to laugh or cry: "So you really agreed?"

"What else could we do? Getting beaten up would be a bad deal. A wise man doesn’t suffer a loss in the present. Neither of us is a match for him, so we had to temporarily submit and wait for you, Senior Brother."

Ma Yuan’s face was as thick as a city wall, with a look of pain: "We were in the wrong, and even if we were beaten up, we wouldn’t have a reason to complain. We can only endure the humiliation for now!"

Zhuang Wudao shook his head, speechless. He roughly understood the situation. These two were at the peak of the Blood Cultivation Realm and indeed weren’t a match for Zhuang Tong.

However, it couldn’t be said that they were too weak. When it came to fighting for territory and risking their lives, Ma Yuan and Lin Han were always at the forefront. They just didn’t care about their image.

As the second disciple, Zhuang Tong had reached the Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm and specialized in leg techniques. His strength wasn’t necessarily outstanding, but due to his father’s influence, he had a large number of lackeys in the academy.

These two were always quick-witted and wouldn’t give Zhuang Tong a chance to act. But this time, it seemed he was in a bit of trouble.

Sure enough, after a moment, a person walked out from the second courtyard. He was sixteen years old, the same age as Zhuang Wudao. He had a handsome face, with rosy lips and white teeth. Though he wore ordinary martial arts clothing, his demeanor was outstanding, and anyone could tell he was a noble young master.

After appearing, Zhuang Tong blocked the gate and sneered at Zhuang Wudao.

"Senior Brother Wudao, this seems a bit inappropriate, doesn’t it? Since we have joined the Lichen Academy, we are registered disciples and must abide by the rules. These two have been absent from the morning drills for four days and didn’t show up even on their duty days. I only punished them by making them stand in a horse stance for four hours. Was I wrong? As the top disciple of the Lichen Academy, you should set an example. How can you show favoritism? If everyone follows their example, how can we discipline the disciples in the future?"

Zhuang Wudao raised his eyebrows. Zhuang Tong’s words were righteous and logical, leaving him no room to argue.

Four days ago, he and the others had ambushed and killed Shi Bao. To avoid retaliation from Shi Hu, they had all scattered and hidden. Ma Yuan and Lin Han had also been absent from the academy for four days.

It wasn’t a big deal originally. The Lichen Academy’s atmosphere was already chaotic, and the disciples were often lax. He and Ma Yuan and Lin Han were among the better ones, genuinely learning skills, so they almost always came every day.

However, today, it was clear that Zhuang Tong was determined to make an issue out of this, pursuing it relentlessly and not wanting to let it go easily.

At the same time, three other academy disciples, dressed in the same uniform, emerged from behind the gate. They had cold expressions and stood behind Zhuang Tong, forming a subtle support.

They were all at the Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm, making up a quarter of the academy’s Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm disciples.

If it had been a few days ago, Zhuang Wudao might have been a bit cautious, but now he wasn’t concerned at all.

"Who said they were absent without reason? They have been sick recently, so they took leave from me four days ago. As the top disciple, don’t I have the authority to grant leave?"

Zhuang Tong seemed to have anticipated this response, sneering. His eyes were slightly red, perhaps from anger. Looking at Ma Yuan and Lin Han, who were rosy-cheeked and full of energy, they didn’t look sick at all.

Zhuang Wudao’s attempt to exonerate Ma Yuan and Lin Han, without even bothering to come up with a plausible reason, was a clear sign of contempt.

"Very well! Even if, as Senior Brother said, these two took leave due to illness, what about you? Why have you been absent for four consecutive days?"

Zhuang Wudao yawned as he walked into the inner courtyard, showing his boredom: "Naturally, I was in seclusion to practice my boxing techniques. The three-year major examination is approaching. Junior Brother Zhuang Tong, aren’t you concerned? I’m extremely nervous and can’t afford to slack off for a single day. I recently felt a breakthrough in my boxing techniques, so I went into seclusion to practice. Do you have any other questions?"

Actually, it was precisely because the three-year major examination was approaching that this situation had arisen.

In three months, it would be the Lichen Sect’s major examination for the 800 academies in the south, selecting disciples from the academies in various cities. If selected, they could directly enter the inner sect and become true Lichen disciples, known as ‘entering the immortal gate.’

Don’t be fooled by the Lichen Academy’s poor ranking among the 130 academies in Yuecheng, which is dilapidated. The Lichen Sect is not just any sect; it is a 13,000-year-old major sect that dominates the southeast of the Tianyi region, with a formidable reputation.

It is said that the sect has seven Golden Core cultivators, and the southeastern countries must submit to it.

If one could join this sect, it would be like wearing a tiger’s skin, ensuring a bright future and the ability to walk with confidence anywhere. Zhuang Wudao wanted to become a person of high status, and this was the best path.

This was also the greatest opportunity he cared about. Yesterday, he didn’t want to waste time on the Great Stone Hand and the Xingyi Six Harmonies external techniques for this reason. Being at the peak of the Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm was still a bit insufficient; at least he needed to reach the Qi Cultivation Realm to become a true cultivator, which would give him a chance.

After the major examination, besides the academy’s principal, each academy has one to three recommendation slots based on its ranking. The top one to seven disciples under 20 years old in the academy, as long as their ranking in the major examination is decent, can directly enter the inner sect.

As the top disciple of the academy, it is said that there is a bonus. Even ten years after entering the inner sect, there is a chance to become a true disciple.

Zhuang Tong had originally been determined to secure the position of top disciple. However, over the past two years, he had been suppressed by Zhuang Wudao and could only remain as the second disciple.

Thus, over the years, they had become mortal enemies.

Zhuang Tong’s family was wealthy, with enough resources to support his cultivation. However, he couldn’t do anything to Zhuang Wudao. He had also tried to bribe the instructors, but except for the principal, who was at the second level of Qi Cultivation, the other instructors were only at the Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm. Though they coveted Zhuang Tong’s wealth, they feared retaliation from Zhuang Wudao, a reckless fighter, and didn’t dare to go too far.

As for the principal, Li Xiangnan, he was also powerless. At least the surface rules had to be followed.

Zhuang Wudao had genuinely defeated Zhuang Tong in the arena, under the supervision of the Lichen Sect’s envoy. No matter what tricks the instructors tried, they couldn’t change the outcome.

Moreover, the Lichen Academy needed Zhuang Wudao to maintain its reputation. If the academy’s performance was too poor and no outstanding disciples were cultivated, Li Xiangnan’s position as principal would have been taken long ago.

Thus, Zhuang Wudao’s position as top disciple was firmly secured.

Zhuang Tong’s face turned even colder as Zhuang Wudao, Ma Yuan, and Lin Han walked past him. He suddenly narrowed his eyes and gripped his sword.

Zhuang Wudao, who had experienced many battles since childhood, was extremely sensitive to the aura of killing and combat. He immediately stopped and glanced at the people beside him.

"What? Do you, Junior Brother Zhuang, want to challenge me in martial arts?"

His gaze, cold as a blade, swept over the Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm disciples, making them instinctively shrink and fall silent.

These people were not like Shi Hu and Liu He. Though they were at the Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm, they had been immersed in martial arts for decades, with rich combat experience and strength that could rival cultivators at the first level of Qi Cultivation. These few, though also at the Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm, were only at the initial stage, and their strength was far from comparable. Shi Hu alone could fight ten of them.

If they dared to act today, Zhuang Wudao could call his friends tonight and destroy their homes!

After all, they were only bought by money and not willing to risk their lives for Zhuang Tong. They knew Zhuang Wudao’s strength. His glare immediately made them back down, and their previous momentum vanished.

In the end, Zhuang Tong’s family was wealthy but not noble, still living in the north of the city rather than the east. He had not managed to gather any strong supporters and was instead coveted by many powerful figures.

The reason Zhuang Tong valued the position of top disciple was to find a support for his family.

Zhuang Tong’s face turned slightly green, his eyes showing hesitation. His hand, gripping the sword, veins bulging, seemed ready to draw the sword but was also hesitant. Finally, he calmed down: "How dare I? But I heard that the Blue Robe Hall has been looking for you everywhere. Your appearance today was unexpected. I’m really worried that you might be beheaded by someone in the next few days, bringing shame to the Lichen Sect—"

Zhuang Wudao was speechless. Seeing that Zhuang Tong had no intention of attacking, he continued into the inner courtyard.

"Don’t worry, Junior Brother. You’re managing things a bit too broadly."

Lin Han and Ma Yuan, following behind, exchanged smiles. If Zhuang Tong knew that the Blue Robe Hall had almost been destroyed by Zhuang Wudao alone, what would his expression be?

Zhuang Tong, however, was not willing to let it go and turned around, gripping his sword: "Before the major examination, there will be a small competition. In four days, it will be the end of the month. I wonder if you, Zhuang Wudao, can maintain your position as top disciple! At that time, I, Zhuang Tong, will definitely challenge you to see how much progress you’ve made in the Dragon Subduing Tiger Boxing!"

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