Chapter Thirty-Four: Lifting the Veil of Mist (Wishing Everyone a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)

Sun Kai recalled how, during morning self-study, Xiao Nan had been poring over a Sword Technique Bloodflow Journal with intense concentration, and suddenly everything became clear to him. So, he had known all along that his own spirit had reached a meditative state and that he would surely pass the assessment, but he simply hadn’t said anything.

Could anyone truly grasp the mysteries within a day or two of contemplation? Sun Kai found that hard to believe.

Still, after paying such a steep price—even mortgaging his house—if he failed the martial assessment and was sent back to square one, things would be even worse than they were now; it would be a catastrophe.

As for his vital energy score, Sun Kai hadn’t bothered to ask—it was something one could see with the naked eye. Besides, they’d tested it before the start of their third year, and Xiao Nan’s score had only been 1.2, lower than his own. In such a short time, even if he’d taken Vitality Pills, the improvement would be negligible—still a far cry from the required 3.0.

Although he knew he should be feeling heartbroken at this moment, for some reason he found himself quietly exhaling, feeling a bit lighter inside.

“I’ll do my best and hope I can pass. At least I won’t have regrets if I try,” Xiao Nan, sensitive to the turmoil in Sun Kai’s mind, refrained from saying anything overly confident. It might provoke Sun Kai, stir his sense of injustice, and only deepen his sorrow.

Yet such things were inevitable.

The human heart is ever-changing; perhaps when sharing the same circumstances, one could be open and honest. But now, as he embarked on the path of martial cultivation, his future would forever diverge from Sun Kai’s, and harmony between them would be hard to maintain.

It wasn’t a matter of character, but of human nature.

...

Xiong Bing watched Sun Kai leave, thoughtful, then smiled and said, “You really didn’t have to take it so hard. Every year at this time, there are always some classmates who leave in disappointment and tears, while others soar to new heights. Everyone is prepared for it.”

Xiao Nan glanced at the burly fellow. He hadn’t expected someone with such a rough appearance to be so perceptive, immediately noticing the awkward atmosphere.

“I plan to head home to take my medicine and train. Xiong Bing, see you in martial arts class tomorrow.”

“Wait a second, let me give you a ride. Saving time now to study swordplay will give you a better edge tomorrow.”

For some reason, Xiong Bing was surprisingly enthusiastic—something that rarely happened between them.

“Thank you, then,” Xiao Nan accepted, curious about Xiong Bing’s intentions.

After a short wait, Xiong Bing pulled up in a hulking off-road vehicle. Xiao Nan had long known the other’s family was well-off, so he wasn’t surprised.

The ride was smooth. As the iconic school archways faded from view, a wry smile lifted Xiong Bing’s honest face. “I know Lin Hao. I was overshadowed by him for three years in high school. You have to admit, he’s quite talented in martial arts. If he challenged you to a duel earlier, it was definitely with ill intent.”

“I figured as much,” Xiao Nan replied, raising his brows, though he wondered how Xiong Bing knew—was Lin Hao’s motive truly so obvious?

“Oh, maybe I’m meddling. Still, don’t take it lightly. Vice Principal Lin is as cunning as they come—he leaves no trace in his dealings. Lin Hao takes after his father; he never does anything without a reason. There must be a deeper motive behind all this.”

“We’re classmates. Would he really go so far?” Xiao Nan feigned concern, all the while trying to decipher Xiong Bing’s true intent. Strictly speaking, there was a hint of sowing discord in the other’s words—not simply goodwill.

Xiong Bing grinned broadly. “He probably won’t go too far, but in a sparring match? A little ‘accidental’ injury, just enough to affect tomorrow’s martial assessment… The martial exam has three stages; fail the next and you can forget about getting into the martial stream.”

Failing to make the martial stream meant no resources, no guidance, no recommendation for the martial arts entrance exam, and not even a teacher to take you on expeditions; it would be the end of the road for this cohort.

“Why would he do that? I have no feud with him, and targeting me does him no good.”

“Oh, but there is benefit,” Xiong Bing said, a mysterious smile on his lips. “Vice Principal Lin owes his position to the Li family’s support. Lin Hao is close to Li Shaohua—perhaps not utterly subservient, but he wouldn’t hesitate to curry favor with the Lis by handling a little trouble for them.”

The advantages are real, and the risks are low. Why wouldn’t he do it?

How had things become entangled with the Lis again?

The Li family was as prominent as the Qins in Yuanjiang City, wielding significant influence. But when had he ever offended them?

The situation was complicated. His predecessor had always drifted through life, not particularly shrewd, and Xiao Nan naturally had no memory of such details.

He said noncommittally, “True, there’s no easy way out of this. As class monitor, he has a good reputation with the teachers. I might dodge him today, but tomorrow’s martial assessment won’t be so easy. If he challenges me again and I refuse, I’ll be seen as a coward and my score will be zero.”

The teachers didn’t care if the students were evenly matched in terms of blood energy or sword technique. The point was to assess performance, not to stage a life-or-death struggle—who fought whom was irrelevant.

“There’s not much to be done. You’re engaged to Miss Qin—if you’re not disgraced and your future ruined, how could Li Shaohua possibly win the beauty’s hand?”

To secure the marriage, Li Shaohua not only needed the approval of some of the Qin family’s elders but, more importantly, had to demonstrate overwhelming superiority over you to silence any objections.

Especially with Qin Shuang’s mother, Su Yuqing; she surely hoped her daughter would find an outstanding husband.

“So the Lis have already proposed to the Qins? Li Shaohua?” Xiao Nan was startled—he hadn’t known this.

“You didn’t know?” Xiong Bing’s eyes widened. He slapped his head and muttered, “If Miss Qin didn’t tell you, she must be worried you’d be upset. But since she made you a martial journal by hand, she must have high hopes for you. That changes things—you should talk to her and have her speak to the school.”

“Don’t be fooled by her icy demeanor; she’s got a fiery temper… She was suspended last year for hitting a teacher, which is why she’s rarely at school. But if you really need help, she won’t just stand by. The Li family may be close to Vice Principal Lin, but the Qins have connections too—Principal Sun is on her side, and so is Teacher Tang.”

Xiong Bing wore a knowing look, grinning oddly.

Xiao Nan was speechless.

This fellow really ought to change his name to “Gossip Bear.” He seemed to know everything and never stopped talking…

No need to ask—Xiong Bing had surely seen him get out of the car two hundred meters from the school gate this morning, say goodbye to Qin Shuang, and leave with the martial journal in hand.

Who knew where he’d been lurking at the time?

And earlier, in class, when he’d studied the journal—Xiong Bing must have been spying nearby as well.

Noticing Xiao Nan deep in thought, Xiong Bing continued, “Don’t take this lightly or think you can just tough it out alone. I’m certain that during tomorrow’s duel assessment, Lin Hao will challenge you again—and in front of the teachers, he’ll go all out to suppress you, giving you no chance to shine.”

If that happened, Xiao Nan could easily end up with a zero, or even a negative score. If he was beaten to the point of tears, sobbing uncontrollably—the sheer humiliation of it was hard to imagine.

Given Xiao Nan’s current swordsmanship compared to Lin Hao’s, it was a very real possibility.

Xiong Bing cast him a sidelong glance, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.

...

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