Chapter Fifty-Eight: We Must Not Cross Teacher Tang

Biyuan Community, Xuefu Road.

Seeing that Lin Hao could finally sit up straight, his energy and vitality restored, Lin Anguo withdrew his hands, which had been channeling energy through his son's body. He picked up a soft towel to wipe away the balm from his hands, nodding with satisfaction.

“There were some things I didn’t tell you before because I feared your heart was unsettled, that you would lose your martial edge… Now that you’ve endured hardship and seen the way forward, I trust you won’t be so easily shaken.”

Lin Anguo seemed to be speaking both to Lin Hao and to reinforce his own conviction. “Many people call me the Li family’s lackey, say I used connections to climb to the position of vice principal at Yuanjiang First High, and speak ill of me behind my back. But so what?

I was once just an ordinary martial arts teacher in a middle school, stumbling along, only reaching Martial Artist Rank One at thirty-three. But look at me now: I’m the vice principal in charge of administration and personnel at the school, and my cultivation is at the peak of Rank Two…

Look at where we live, what we eat. Think of those low-ranking martial artists fighting for their lives in the wild, risking death for the slightest cultivation resource. Then you’ll understand: this world does not reward obstinacy.”

Lin Hao’s gaze flickered, clearly moved. “Dad, I’ve never looked down on you. This year, I’ll definitely get into a prestigious university. From now on, our Lin family won’t have to live at the mercy of others.”

“That’s the spirit. You have good talent, Hao, and momentary humiliation is nothing to fuss over. Whatever means you use, as long as you can secure resources and make swift progress, that’s enough.

However, we must fulfill our obligations. We took a ‘gift’ from Li Shaohua, so we must handle the matter he doesn’t want to deal with personally. I don’t care what the Li family is plotting; it’s not my concern. As long as he delivers the benefits, anything goes.

As for offending the Qin family—they’re sticklers for rules. I doubt they’ll make a big fuss over a minor matter. Besides, I’ve done plenty for the Li family all these years. If offending the Qins was a problem, I would’ve been in trouble long ago. Last time, when Qin Shuang wanted access to the ‘Void Crystal Chamber’ at school, I stood firm and blocked her entry.”

At this, his brow furrowed slightly. “But that Tang Zhixuan—just what is she playing at? I can’t figure her out.

I’ve looked into her background. She’s a senior at Qingning Academy, preparing for graduation and her final trials. Why would she come to Yuanjiang First High as a substitute teacher? It’s strange.”

“Dad, we can’t afford to provoke Teacher Tang,” Lin Hao said hesitantly.

During the school tournament, even as he lay on the ground writhing in pain, he had witnessed her casually unleash the ‘Crescent Slash.’ The memory still filled him with dread.

“I never intended to provoke her. Once you’re recovered, try to get on her good side. Who knows, you might end up calling her ‘senior’ in the future.”

A faint smile flickered in Lin Anguo’s eyes.

Lin Hao nodded emphatically, though the image of that blood-tinged blade, which had so easily scattered his own energy, flashed through his mind, leaving a lingering shadow.

“Take your time. There’s no rush.”

…

Of the ambitions and resentments brewing between Lin Anguo and his son—and their schemes against a certain high schooler—Xiao Nan was completely unaware. Even if he knew, he would have no regrets about his actions.

In life, no matter where you stand, those who seek to rise will inevitably make enemies. To try to go through life without ever being targeted or plotted against is to resign yourself to mediocrity.

He understood one simple truth:

Resources are limited. The more you claim, the less there is for others.

So why not compete for them?

In this world where martial prowess rules, competition is fierce and perilous; enemies and rivals will spring up without warning. You might be on good terms today, fighting for your life tomorrow.

And if you do make enemies? Rather than hoping for mercy, it’s better to grow stronger as quickly as possible.

Grow strong enough that no one dares to even think of plotting against you—that is the true path forward.

As for Lin Hao, Xiao Nan truly gave him no further thought. No matter what reason someone might have for targeting him, once action is taken, he believes in responding ruthlessly—there’s no need to dwell on the complexities.

…

The news broadcast had ended, and the music program that followed did not interest Xiao Nan. Remembering the anchor’s earlier remarks, he felt a twinge of curiosity.

“Xiaorou, have there been a lot of barbarian incidents in the city lately? Like what happened at the bookstore today?”

As a first-year high school student, these matters were a bit beyond Zhang Xiaorou’s daily life, but with her peculiar father, things were a bit different. That boisterous man could never keep a secret, and as his daughter, Xiaorou was bound to pick up more than most students.

“Yes, the news actually understated things. My dad said he’s personally dealt with at least five barbarian infiltration cases. But incidents as violent as today’s are rare. Most of the time, when a barbarian’s cover is blown, they flee immediately.”

She nodded, indicating she was well-informed. “Everyone knows there are barbarians hiding in Yuanjiang City, but life has to go on. We can’t just stay home because there might be barbarians out there.”

“Isn’t there any way to detect them beforehand?”

“It’s very difficult…” Xiaorou shook her head. “I remember at the bookstore, before the barbarian was exposed, you already sensed something was wrong. How did you notice?”

“You didn’t smell it?” Xiao Nan found it odd, as if he’d overlooked something.

“Smell what?”

“That foul, musky stench—like a pigsty. Oh, you’ve never raised pigs, so you wouldn’t know. It’s just a really nasty, fishy smell.”

“No, I passed by him twice while looking for books and noticed nothing. And it wasn’t just me—the other customers came and went, and no one realized anything. If not for that child…”

At this, Xiaorou sighed. The child’s wild swinging of a stick had resulted in a tragedy—who could have foreseen that?

“I see…” Xiao Nan realized he had underestimated the benefits granted by that golden light pattern; his senses must be far sharper than ordinary people’s. Abilities he took for granted might be impossible for others.

What did he feel at the time? First, he caught the smell, then he noticed the hair on the barbarian’s hands was a different color from everyone else’s, and his build was abnormally broad—enough to raise alarm.

But such details would go unnoticed by most.

In this era, with so many people practicing martial arts, it wasn’t unusual to see all kinds of odd physiques. Though that bear-like barbarian was burly, it wasn’t that strange.

Xiaorou continued, “This time, the barbarian’s appearance was especially unusual. My dad says some barbarians look almost just like us, even speak our language. You could talk to them face-to-face and never know.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, they’re called fox barbarians, tree barbarians, and the like. Fox barbarians have tails, but they can coil them up out of sight. Tree barbarians have very pointed ears, but you’d only notice if you parted their hair.”

Their conversation drifted on, and Xiao Nan picked up some new knowledge. At last, the rabbit meat was brought to the table. He called out eagerly, barely pausing to let it cool before devouring it ravenously.

Once the rabbit was in his stomach, it was as if a black hole had opened inside him—no matter how much he ate, it vanished without a trace.

Stealthily, he touched his forehead. It felt hot, as if he were burning with fever.

After some time had passed,

“Well, five pounds of meat and it’s as if I haven’t eaten at all.” Seeing Xiaorou’s astonished face, Xiao Nan could only sigh in resignation.