Chapter 51

In the end, Ye Chenliang could only stand there, dazed, and charge at the other person.

Witnessing dozens of energy-infused swords instantly vaporize, Ye Chenliang was terrified. The black flames from the other side could melt iron; wouldn't he be sending himself to his death if he went up against them?

However, he had never expected Yuan Wendong's swords to be so useless. Even a stone thrown into water would make a splash, but so many precious swords just vanished like that?

By the time he realized it, it was too late to stop. He could only watch helplessly as he charged into the black flames.

At that moment, a middle-aged man with a balding head suddenly appeared between the two, pressing his hand on Ye Chenliang's head and instantly stopping him.

"Just a Third Rank and you dare to charge at a Fifth Rank? Have you learned nothing these past years?" The balding middle-aged man scolded, then glared at Pei Mianman, "And you, do you need to be so ruthless with your classmates?"

Pei Mianman retracted the black flames from her body: "I didn't move at all. If he wants to charge over and die, what can I do?" She then ignored the feared head of discipline and walked away.

Those who had just witnessed her power fearfully made way for her.

Zu An secretly sighed, grateful that Pei Mianman hadn't used elemental power last night. Otherwise, wouldn't he have been vaporized like those swords? No matter how powerful "The Happy Ball of the Rich Lady" was, it couldn't possibly save his life if he were burned to ashes, right?

Head of discipline Lu De glanced at Pei Mianman's back but said nothing. Turning to Ye Chenliang, his expression changed: "You were the one causing trouble, right?"

Ye Chenliang, terrified, quickly pointed at Zu An: "Teacher, it wasn't me, it was him!"

Lu De frowned and turned to Zu An: "Was it you?"

Zu An shrugged: "I didn't move from the start. They were the ones who came to pick a fight. You can ask the people around here."

The surrounding people all agreed. Initially, they had disliked this freeloader, but after seeing him manage to win the favor of four of the most beautiful women in the Red Beauty Record, including the top two, Chu Chuyan and Pei Mianman, they now felt deep admiration and respect, hoping he could teach them a thing or two.

Zu An didn't know that decades later, his legend as the "King of Freeloading" would still be talked about in the school, and some people would even refer to him as "that man" out of reverence.

Seeing the students point fingers, Lu De's face turned cold, and he started beating Ye Chenliang with his ruler: "I've heard you've been bullying the weak and forming gangs in school. Today, I'll teach you what it means to win with virtue!"

The ruler in the head of discipline's hand was even more fearsome than Chu Huanzhao's "Whip of Lamentation," causing Ye Chenliang to scream in pain. He felt extremely wronged, as Yuan Wendong was the main instigator, yet he was the only one being beaten.

However, he dared not say this out loud. Yuan Wendong, though seemingly elegant, was extremely ruthless and had just advanced to Fifth Rank, making him someone Ye Chenliang couldn't afford to offend.

Lu De then picked up Hong Xingying, who was lying on the ground: "And you, causing trouble on your first day of school. Don't think I won't dare to beat you just because you're from the Chu family. Today, I'll teach you the school rules."

Hong Xingying was almost in tears. He was the one who had been beaten the most. Not knowing the situation, he instinctively pointed at Yuan Wendong: "Teacher, why aren't you punishing him?"

Yuan Wendong's eyes turned cold, but Lu De snorted: "He's Fifth Rank, what about you? I'll say it here: students who can break through to Fifth Rank are top-notch talents in the world. Such people are treasured wherever they go. If any of you can break through to Fifth Rank, as long as you don't commit major offenses, the school will turn a blind eye."

Zu An was secretly alarmed. It seemed that in any world, strength was the ultimate truth. The surrounding students, who were used to this unwritten rule, showed no surprise.

After saying this, Lu De dragged the two screaming students away, and the surrounding people all drew in a sharp breath.

Wei Suo, who was hugging Zu An's leg, swallowed hard: "Boss, when you stood up to him, I was so worried. You know, anyone who falls into the hands of 'Bright Peak' will either die or be severely injured."

Zu An smiled: "Since Teacher Lu talks about winning with virtue, he must also be reasonable."

"You're the only one who dares to reason with him," Xie Xiu said with a smile as he walked over. "I thought I was already quite experienced, but compared to Brother Zu, I'm just a beginner. To win the favor of four beauties from the Red Beauty Record at the same time, I truly feel inferior. We should get closer and exchange some insights."

"Brother Xie, you have one at home too," Zu An replied.

"Really? I didn't know," Xie Xiu was surprised. While he had beautiful women around him, none of them reached the level of the Red Beauty Record.

"Isn't your sister in the Red Beauty Record? When can you introduce her to us?" Zu An asked.

Xie Xiu almost choked: "That... I have some things to do, I'll take my leave." Despite Zu An's attempts to retain him, he hurriedly left without looking back.

Zu An was puzzled: "What's wrong with him?"

Wei Suo, full of admiration, said: "Boss, my admiration for you is like a surging river, endless and unstoppable. Having four of them isn't enough for you; you even want to pursue Xie Gongzi's sister. You truly dare to think and do what others can't."

"Stop spouting nonsense, you're going to take the entrance exam?" Zu An, feeling nauseated by his flattery, pushed him away and said to Ji Xiaoxi: "Miss Ji, thank you for your help just now."

Ji Xiaoxi hadn't had a chance to respond when Chu Huanzhao immediately objected: "What do you mean? I was the first to help you."

Ji Xiaoxi, blushing slightly, said: "It's nothing, just a small favor. I'll be going now." Clearly, she was not used to being the center of attention.

After running a few steps, she stopped and turned back: "By the way, come to my place when you have time. My father has something to say to you."

"Okay~"

The surrounding people looked at the two with a strange, ambiguous expression. Ji Xiaoxi, realizing the ambiguity, blushed and ran away.

"That woman, actually flirting with you in front of me!" Chu Huanzhao said angrily, her chest heaving cutely.

Zu An rolled his eyes: "You're not my wife, why do you care so much?"

He knew what Ji Xiaoxi meant. It was probably about his hidden illness. He would have to buy a belly band to bluff his way through, hoping to fool Ji Dantu.

"I... I can watch over you for my sister," Chu Huanzhao puffed her cheeks, "She just left, and you're already flirting with others."

Zu An said calmly: "Ask your sister if she needs you to watch over me."

His "wife" looked at him like a stranger, even less than a stranger. He didn't need to keep her honor... Ah, what nonsense.

"Hmph, stop flirting," Yuan Wendong said darkly as he walked over, "Zu, I don't believe you can hide behind women forever. The family competition is coming soon. On the arena, you won't be able to have women fight for you."

Zu An was taken aback and turned to Chu Huanzhao: "What family competition?"

Chu Huanzhao pouted but still answered: "The Yuan and Chu families both run weapon shops, and the competition is intense. To avoid conflict, they agreed to a family competition every three years. The results of the competition determine the market share for the next three years."

"Do I have to participate?" Zu An couldn't help but ask.

Chu Huanzhao nodded: "All the children of both families must participate. In the past, my sister, I, and some cousins from the second and third branches participated. Now that you're a son-in-law, you'll probably have to join too."

Zu An felt depressed. As a son-in-law, he couldn't enjoy the rights but had to fulfill the obligations: "Is the Yuan family also a duke?"

Chu Huanzhao shook her head: "No, they have a title but no fief, so they're still below my father."

Zu An couldn't help but say: "Your family, a prestigious duke, has to decide market shares with a small family through a competition. Isn't that embarrassing?"

Before Chu Huanzhao could respond, Yuan Wendong said darkly: "The Duke of Bright Moon may be high in rank, but the Great Zhou Dynasty is a place of reason. Besides, the world doesn't belong to the Chu family alone."

Zu An said: "I understand your point. You have a powerful backer, which is why you're so confident."

Yuan Wendong's anger increased by 321 points!

Seeing the school staff approaching, Yuan Wendong took a deep breath: "You're just good at talking. I won't argue with you today, but on the day of the competition..." He leaned close to Zu An and whispered: "I'll break your hands and feet and cripple you!"

Zu An sighed: "You should worry about how to compensate them for their swords."

Due to Lu De's intervention, most of the onlookers had dispersed, but a dozen or so remained, looking at Yuan Wendong with hesitation. Their swords, controlled by Yuan Wendong to attack Pei Mianman, had been burned to ashes by her black flames. They were heartbroken but dared not ask Yuan Wendong for compensation.

Hearing Zu An's words, they finally couldn't hold back and started shouting:

"Compensate for our swords!"

"My sword cost so much money!"

"My sword is a masterpiece by a famous master, it can cut through iron like butter..."

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