Chapter Forty-Seven: Acting Like a Millionaire

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Xiong Bing stepped forward with a smile and asked, “Xiao Nan, Teacher Tang didn’t give you a hard time, did she?” Tang Zhixuan’s earlier display of domineering confidence had made a deep impression on all the students. While they admired her martial prowess and beauty, there was also a trace of fear mixed in—a most curious feeling. Everyone wondered what she had said to Xiao Nan when she called him aside.

Xiao Nan smiled mysteriously. “How could she? Teacher Tang is very kind. She saw I didn’t have a weapon for self-defense and thoughtfully gave me a sword. But really, what’s the use of a sword? It can neither be eaten nor drunk.” As he spoke, he drew the sword and wiped it gently. The blade caught the sunlight, gleaming like an autumn moon, dazzling to the eyes.

Xiong Bing’s gaze went straight to the sword. “That’s a chrysanthemum-patterned steel sword.”

“What chrysanthemum-patterned steel? Isn’t it just a special alloy?”

“Look closely—there are faint chrysanthemum patterns along the blade. Only upon close inspection can you see them. This isn’t like the ordinary weapons most people use; its forging technique is unique. The instructors mentioned it in our classes.” Xiong Bing swallowed, his tone thick with envy. “Martial artists with fewer means rarely have weapons like this.”

He suddenly felt the world’s malice. What sort of luck did this guy have? Not only was he engaged to a goddess-like fiancée, but now even the beautiful teacher was showing him special favor, giving him a sword for protection and lavishing him with care… Was being handsome really so enviable?

Xiao Nan reflected for a moment but could find no related knowledge in his memory. He realized that the expertise he thought he had might be an illusion, since he hadn’t personally studied it. His written exam results couldn’t afford any mistakes either—he’d have to borrow Sun Kai’s notes for review.

Seeing Xiong Bing’s crestfallen expression, Xiao Nan found it amusing. The big fellow had clearly come to realize that looks really did matter. Remembering how Xiong Bing had gone out of his way recently to offer helpful advice, Xiao Nan said, “Big Xiong, I think the martial arts technique you’re using doesn’t suit your temperament. You’re holding yourself back, maybe because of your mindset, and that’s not good for your progress.”

Some things are best left unsaid between casual acquaintances, so Xiao Nan just mentioned it in passing. Whether he believed it or not was up to him.

Xiong Bing clearly had a lot bottled up inside, which made his training awkward and uncoordinated. With his strength and vitality, he should be charging forward like Zhang Yi—bold and aggressive—to break through faster. In Xiao Nan’s mind, this guy’s talent actually surpassed Lin Hao’s, but unfortunately, he’d gone down the wrong path.

“Really?” Xiong Bing looked dazed for a moment, a strange light flickering in his eyes.

***

“Xiao Nan, while you were called away by Teacher Tang just now, you missed the news about the rescheduled blood vitality test,” Dong Cheng suddenly interjected, his motives unclear.

At these words, Xiong Bing and Wei Yunyun glanced over with looks of sympathy. Xiao Nan sensed something amiss. “Wasn’t it supposed to be in a month?”

He had planned to take a leave of absence, spend a month training hard, and try to raise his vitality. Time was tight, but not hopeless—success depended on his planning.

Dong Cheng grinned. “It was, but Vice Principal Lin changed his mind. The Academic Affairs Office already posted the new notice over there.” He pointed toward the bulletin board, a trace of schadenfreude in his tone. “The test will be in ten days. Those who pass the vitality test will receive focused cultivation and be recommended for the martial arts entrance exam. Those who fail will be transferred to the liberal arts track. Anyone with a particular skill will have to wait for a third-rate martial arts university to come and test them for admission.”

“So this is just a public act of revenge,” Xiao Nan immediately understood why Lin Anguo had made the change. Clearly, it was because he’d injured Lin Hao, and Lin Anguo wanted to block his path. But there was nothing to be done—school affairs fell under Lin Anguo’s jurisdiction. Tweaking the test schedule was a minor matter; no one would object.

He also saw through Dong Cheng’s intentions: “Even if you pass the spirit test and impress with your swordsmanship or attract attention, if your vitality is lacking, it’s a glaring weakness. You won’t even get recommended for the martial arts entrance exam. At best, you’ll get into some third-rate university, and then you’re not in the same league as us. Only the last laugh counts, my friend.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Nan immediately lost interest in idle chatter. “An early test is fine. The sooner I get the reward of a vitality pill and soul-nourishing incense, the sooner I can prepare for the entrance exam.” He smiled and nodded, seemingly unbothered. “Anyway, Teacher Yang told me to get some materials from him later, so I’ll head over now.”

Dong Cheng was momentarily stunned, unable to react. Only when Xiao Nan’s figure disappeared did he frown. “Impossible. He should be feeling terrible right now. I overheard some teachers talking—his vitality is likely below 2.0. He’ll never pass the vitality test.” As he spoke, a smile crept onto his face, and he felt a bit better inside.

Both of them practiced the “Four Seasons Sword,” but compared to Xiao Nan, Dong Cheng felt like nothing more than a pile of dung, while Xiao Nan’s swordsmanship was near miraculous. But why?

Wei Yunyun snorted coldly. “We’re all classmates. Are you really so happy if Xiao Nan fails the vitality test?” With that, she tossed her hair and ignored Dong Cheng, heading back to the classroom.

“Tch, acting so high and mighty. She used to be close to the class monitor, but now that someone else’s swordsmanship is better, she rushes over to them… I just can’t stand people like that. You agree, right, Xiong Bing?” Dong Cheng sneered.

Xiong Bing shook his head, chuckled, and walked off toward the school gate without responding. He had never noticed before, but now he saw that Dong Cheng wasn’t just sharp-tongued—his true nature only showed in a pinch.

Such people are hard to befriend; one careless move, and they’ll stab you in the back. It’s best to keep a distance.

After leaving the school, Xiong Bing bought a cold drink from a nearby shop and downed it in one gulp. Then he took out his phone and noticed several missed calls. He stared blankly for a moment, then called back.

“Hello, Brother Zheng.”

...

“No, there’s been no improvement. Xiao Nan’s vitality is still very low—no sign of a breakthrough. But his spirit has advanced, probably because the eldest Miss Qin gave him some soul-nourishing incense to force his progress. Yes, his family home hasn’t been mortgaged.”

...

“I know about the swordsmanship. For some reason, our martial arts instructor Tang Zhixuan is very concerned about his safety—even gave him a personal sword. She must be teaching him directly. As you know, graduates from Qinging Academy have deep foundations and can accomplish things ordinary people can’t even imagine.” Xiong Bing sounded as if he believed what he was saying, his voice full of envy.

...

“Yes, there’s no change with Zhang Xiaorou either. I’ll keep an eye on things and report if anything unusual happens.”

The caller was silent for a moment before hanging up.

Xiong Bing stood under a tree for a while before putting away his phone, forcing his usual goofy smile, and heading back to school.

He’d seen all of Xiao Nan’s changes with his own eyes—they were remarkable. But why report them? Did they really think he was someone’s puppet?

“Li River University… as long as I get into Li River University, everything will change. The City Lord’s office… what a mighty authority.”

...

Please add this story to your collection and vote for it.