Chapter 224: Hard To Collect Old Debts
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
It was officially June.
On the 1st of June Fang Ping marched into the Energy Room at MCMAU.
He had also made quite a splash in the outside world.
On the 1st of June, the Martial Arts University Combat Strength ranking list was updated.
On the Rank-3 ranking list, MCMAU’s Fang Ping entered the running for the first time, his ability as a Middle-stage Rank 3 positioning him in 96th place.
There were a total of one hundred people on the Rank-3 ranking list.
There were 99 martial arts universities throughout the nation but not very many Rank-3 martial arts students. Altogether, there were only just over a thousand or so of them, give or take.
Given the total number of Rank-3 martial arts students was less than two thousand, it did not seem too much of a big deal that Fang Ping was on the list for the top one hundred martial arts students.
The truth of the matter was that Rank-3 students who had not graduated could all be called elites!
Among ordinary people, they were one in a million; among the elites, they were one in ten. These were two very different concepts.
How many university students were there in Sino Nation?
There were more than 30 million university students who were still in university.
In reality, if one factored in some of the other less organized, random universities, the total number of students was much higher.
The students in high schools and elementary schools were not involved in martial arts yet, so they were not taken into account.
Rank-3 students were the outstanding ones among these 30 million over students. As of now, Fang Ping was starting to be noticed among these elites too. One might even say he was gradually rising to the peak among all the other students who were still in the university.
Come July this year, a large batch of senior year students would graduate.
When that happened, the students on the Rank-3 ranking list might be reduced by more than half. This included Rank-4 to 5 graduating students in universities like MCMAU and CCMAU.
Among all the students who would still be in university then, Fang Ping would definitely be worthy of being named as one of the martial arts heavyweights.
…
Sun City.
Ever since Fang Ping’s enrollment in MCMAU, the members of the Fang family had started paying close attention to any martial arts-related news.
The Martial Arts University Combat Strength ranking list had only just been released. Yet, this ranking list was the one that was currently attracting the most attention from the public.
When Fang Yuan spotted Fang Ping’s name on the Rank-3 ranking list, her astonishment knew no bounds.
“My brother is on the ranking list!”
“Sister Yuan Yuan, where is it? Where is it? Let me see!”
“Let me take a look too, Sister Yuan. What ranking list is this…”
“The martial arts university Rank-3 ranking list!”
Fang Yuan’s expression was one of absolute shock. “My brother’s only in his freshman year, but he’s already managed to get on the Rank-3 martial arts ranking list?”
As she was speaking, one of the several girls who had crowded around suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Look! There’s an explanation after that…Sister Yuan Yuan, your brother killed someone!”
Fang Yuan’s expression changed slightly. She immediately took a look at what was written after Fang Ping’s name.
“Fang Ping. MCMAU freshman student. 19 years old. Middle-stage Rank-3 martial artist.
“Ranking—96th place.
Peak combat result—Early May. Killed a Peak Rank-3 martial artist with a saber!”
Fang Yuan was stunned for a moment. She then said abruptly, “This section was not here earlier. Why is there suddenly an explanation?”
Fang Yuan scrolled down the ranking list hastily after she finished her sentence. Sure enough, everything had changed.
“Zheng Longjiang. CCMAU junior student. 22 years old. Peak Rank-3 martial artist.
“Ranking: 1st place.
“Peak combat result—Mid-April. While besieged, demonstrated outstanding ability with the staff and killed a Middle-stage Rank-4 martial artist as well as four Peak Rank-3 martial artists.”
“Qin Fengqing. MCMAU junior student. 21 years old. Peak Rank-3 martial artist.
“Ranking—6th place.
“Peak combat result—Escaped from a Rank-5 powerhouse and killed an Early-stage Rank-4 martial artist.”
“…”
“Xie Lei. MCMAU soph.o.m.ore student. 21 years old. Peak Rank-3 martial artist.
“Ranking—32nd place.
“Peak combat result—Unrivalled in Iron Fist, killed two Peak Rank-3 martial artists when he was at Upper-stage Rank-3.”
“…”
Previously the list had been merely rankings. Now, however, combat situations and the results had suddenly started appearing.
The small group of girls with Fang Yuan looked dazed.
“All of them killed people!”
For many people, the term ‘martial artist’ was merely a high-cla.s.s designation.
It had never occurred to anyone that all these student martial artists might have blood on their hands.
From first place to the hundredth place, there were no exceptions. All these students had kills recorded.
There was no detailed list of the number of people they had killed, but all of them had peak combat results.
Fang Ping slas.h.i.+ng a Peak Rank-3 martial artist to death was a commendable combat result. Many martial artists who were ranked ahead of him had only killed Upper-stage Rank-3 martial artists.
Outsiders would not understand, but insiders would naturally be aware that the martial artists who had been killed were all of different levels and abilities.
The martial artist Fang Ping had killed was from an evil sect. As for the rest, the martial artists that they had killed were from the Catacombs.
“My brother killed someone…”
Fang Yuan was still in shock. After some time, she pouted and cried, “The person that my brother killed must have been a bad guy! You’ve all seen the list. Each and every one of them has killed someone. My brother is a hero, not a murderer!”
The group of girls with Fang Yuan were still confused, so n.o.body thought to contradict her at this point.
…
Meanwhile, many people were looking at the updated ranking list.
When they saw these Rank-3 students’ combat results, many of them were shocked and perplexed.
All these people had blood on their hands!
Was this what martial arts university students were like?
The Rank-1 and Rank-2 lists did not have combat records like this at the moment.
However, this was the first time the Rank-3 ranking list had included such records.
The Internet was immediately in an uproar.
“What are these martial arts universities doing? Why have each of these students taken lives?”
“Aren’t martial arts universities educational inst.i.tutions? Why do they allow students to kill people?”
“Who are the dead martial artists? Every single one of these one hundred people has killed someone before. We’re only talking about the ones who have made it to the list; what about those who didn’t? How many more will die? What is the government hiding from us?”
“Last time, I already had an inkling that something wasn’t right. In the martial arts university champions.h.i.+p, those students were so ruthless in their fights, like they’d killed before. Could it be…”
“…”
The Internet seethed with opinions!
Officials had maintained their silence on the matter; no one came forward to give any comments.
In the martial arts university circles, however, a senior martial arts university official agreed to a press interview. He answered coldly, “The ones killed were naturally the ones who should be killed. Do you think martial artists only fight in exhibition matches?”
When others posed questions asking why martial arts students did not face legal action after they killed someone, this same senior official replied coldly once more, “You may regard martial arts students as people who enforce the law. Actually, students who are still in martial arts universities all have the authority to enforce the law!”
After his comments, there was another round of uproar.
Martial arts university students actually had the authority to enforce the law! This was the first time the outside world had heard of such a thing.
The incident regarding martial arts university students killing others had raised a storm of criticism for a while.
However, no one else came forward with further responses.
The higher authorities had established policies for the public to gradually accept these realities.
Everything was being introduced in progressive stages; from initially organizing the champions.h.i.+p to forming combat teams locally, then organizing various martial arts compet.i.tions and now, the revealing of individual martial artists’ combat results to the public.
Allowing people to accept and understand all of these things was to ensure that when the time came and the whole truth was finally out in the open, everyone would not feel so terrified and helpless.
When the day came for the truth to be revealed, everyone would know exactly who these martial artists had killed.
…
NMAU.
Wu Zhihao and the rest were already thoroughly speechless.
“Slashed a Peak Rank-3 to death with a saber!”
Exactly how much had the gap between themselves and Fang Ping widened?
As of this moment, none of the martial science students who had previously been in the same grade in Sun City No. 1 High School had achieved martial artist rank, except for Fang Ping.
All of them were nouris.h.i.+ng Vitality. Even if some of them had Vitality that was more than 150cal, they still were not able to achieve breakthrough.
Fang Ping, however, had already achieved Middle-stage Rank-3 and had already killed a Peak Rank-3 martial artist.
Tan Hao laughed bitterly and said, “President w.a.n.g has already taken control of half of NMAU, while Fang Ping is showing his abilities in MCMAU. Compared to them, I feel as if we’re not even from the same era.”
This tiny Sun City No. 1 High School had produced two young powerhouses one after the other. Would even the Sun City Commander be Fang Ping’s match?
…
Right now, Fang Ping was completely oblivious to the uproar in the outside world.
He did not even have the time to look at the updated Rank-3 ranking list.
Energy Room.
Once again, Fang Ping met Song Yingji, the instructor from the last time around.
Upon seeing this instructor, Fang Ping remembered his booklet of debts. This fellow right here owed him a large number of credits.
When Song Yingji saw Fang Ping, he raised his brows slightly and said with a smile, “Already a Middle-stage Rank-3 now?”
“About to become an Upper-stage very soon.”
Fang Ping gave a crooked grin and said coaxingly, “Instructor, in my opinion, an elderly gentleman like you should give me a discount right now. I’m still a freshman!”
Song Yingji grinned as well. “Student Fang, you’re so confident. I also have good news for you. Two days ago, I, your instructor, achieved breakthrough to Rank-6.
“This year, your instructor is only 42 years old. There is still plenty of time. Remember to catch up with me soon.”
Fang Ping’s cheeks twitched as he let out a hollow laugh. “Congratulations, Instructor Song.”
Song Yingji grinned and said, “No big deal. Only a Rank-6. I will strive to achieve Grandmaster level when student Fang Ping achieves Rank-6. Student Fang Ping must work hard, alright?”
Fang Ping was speechless. Right now, it was extremely difficult to settle accounts with people who owed him money.
Song Yingji and Tang Feng went without saying; even Old w.a.n.g was a Middle-stage Rank-4 martial artist. Fang Wenxiang was in CCMAU, and his grandfather was a Grandmaster.
Other than these few, no matter how Fang Ping looked at it, Qin Fengqing was still the easiest to deal with.
That fellow owed him 300 thousand if he remembered correctly.
Qin Fengqing had not achieved Rank-4 yet, whereas he, Fang Ping, was about to achieve Upper-stage Rank-3 now. By cultivating Combat Techniques for a bit, he might still have a chance to settle accounts after he returned from the Catacombs.
“Forget it. I’ll set a small target and collect Qin Fengqing’s 300 thousand first.”
Fang Ping could not even remember whether he had lent any money to Qin Fengqing or not. However, it had been long enough that he could not recall whether it was true or false. Whichever it was though, Qing Fengqin most probably did owe him.
He did not continue his conversation with Song Yingji; a Rank-6 instructor like that could finish him off with just a slap. He would forget about this debt for now.
“I’ll be using the Energy Room for three days.”
“Three days?”
Song Yingji was slightly surprised, but still happily debited 720 credits from Fang Ping’s account.
This was acutely painful for Fang Ping—it was too abominable for words!
He had just completed the transaction on his end when Lu Fengrou came strolling in.
When he saw Lu Fengrou enter, Fang Ping strongly suspected his instructor had been waiting outside earlier for him to complete his payment before she came in, so he would not complain to her so much.
“Go in.”
Lu Fengrou did not waste any more time and said as they were walking, “If it is impossible to do it, don’t force yourself.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Once the spine-honing is complete, the limbs and the torso will merge to form an extensive circulation system.
“At this time, a mortal body transformation will take place.
“Remember, that moment will also be your opportunity. You can guide the merged Vitality to hone your body. If Vitality is adequate, you can even try to hone your bones at a deeper level. Of course, this is merely an attempt…”
“You’re referring to the bone marrow?”
“Yes.”
Fang Ping said rather uncomfortably, “My bone marrow is already like mercury.”
Lu Fengrou laughed mockingly. Right away she stretched out her hand, pinched the nape of Fang Ping’s neck, and lifted experimentally. She said flatly, “Too light.”
Fang Ping had never been so ashamed!
‘Could you not be so despicable?
Do you think I’m a puppy, grabbing the back of my neck and lifting like that?’
Lu Fengrou did not care about what was going on in his head and continued, “It might not be possible. Of course, you are different because you have stronger Vitality. Perhaps it could still work.
“This is what I was thinking about before. When you have achieved Upper-stage Rank-3, take advantage of your body transformation and try it for a bit.
“If it doesn’t work, then it’ll be your problem, not mine. Can you remember this?”
Right now, Fang Ping did not mention that his bone marrow was like mercury anymore. He replied rather awkwardly, “I understand.”
“Actually, you should have chosen the Vitality Pool. That is perhaps slightly better.”
“I really don’t have any more money.”
“If you don’t have money then go and earn it yourself.”
“In the beginning, you said that that I could eat as many pills as I wanted…”
“Didn’t I clarify later that it was only a joke?”
“Sigh!”
Fang Ping heaved a deep sigh. There were so many Grandmasters in Lu Fengrou’s family, so why was she still so stingy?
Both of them arrived outside the cultivation chamber as they were talking.
Fang Ping did not waste time but marched straight in.
This time, Lu Fengrou did not enter with him. Instead, she stood outside the door and said, “You go in by yourself. I’ll just watch from outside.”
After saying that, she casually operated the control panel at the door. The cultivation chamber walls abruptly turned transparent.
Fang Ping was stunned.
If a lady were cultivating inside, Fang Ping was sure that there was a very high possibility that she would be cultivating in the nude. Would that not mean…
Fang Ping lowered his head to sneak a quick look, hoping to remember how Lu Fengrou operated the control panel.
Lu Fengrou said lazily, “What are you looking at? Only instructors have the authorization.”
“Then… then will Instructor Song at the reception desk take a peep?”
Fang Ping lowered his voice, then continued, “A macho guy like me is fine, but for ladies…Instructor, I think that Instructor Song needs a supervisor…”
“Alright. I’ll arrange to have you a.s.signed here as an a.s.sistant next time. How’s that?”
Fang Ping laughed dryly, “Forget it then.”
What a joke. He would be tortured to death if he were to be around Song Yingji daily.
“No more nonsense then. Go in!”
Lu Fengrou rolled her eyes at him. This brat’s abilities were all right as they went, but he was a first-cla.s.s troublemaker. Was he trying to offend all the Rank-6 instructors in the university in one shot?
Fang Ping saw that Lu Fengrou was not in a mood for messing about and quickly walked into the cultivation chamber. When he tried to look out, he could not see anything all.
“The university must have bad intentions, making cultivation chambers like this!” Fang Ping lamented. Just as he did so, a few more people appeared outside the cultivation chamber.
Huang Jing, Wu Kuishan, Old Man Li, and Song Yingji were all standing on the other side of the door.
It was as if Wu Kuishan had heard Fang Ping’s lament. He raised his brows slightly and said, “This boy needs to be taught a lesson!”
Song Yingji grinned approvingly, “Vice-chancellor Wu, I agree. Perhaps I can get Xie Lei and Qin Fengqing to talk to him?”
Lu Fengrou said in irritation, “Shut up and observe carefully. Also, if his Vitality drops activate the cultivation-aiding energy mode.”
Song Yingji frowned slightly. Huang Jing said rather helplessly, “We don’t have very many cultivation-aiding energy stones. He’s only a Rank-3. Better not waste them.”
Lu Fengrou replied flatly, “If all of you use them sparingly, there’ll be enough for him.”
“He’s your student after all, Lu Fengrou. Why don’t you…”
Lu Fengrou interrupted Huang Jing immediately and said, “I don’t have money. I’m preparing to sell the university my share dividends from the pill company. Dean, let me have a few Rank-7 Catacombs martial artists’ hearts.”
Huang Jing furrowed his brows slightly. Wu Kuishan fixed his gaze intently on Lu Fengrou and said, “Fengrou, this is not how Grandmasters breakthrough…”
“Why do you care how I breakthrough?”
“You’re talking nonsense. Rank-7 martial artists’ hearts are only more effective in terms of energy conversion. They’re not that much different from energy stones. There are no benefits for breakthrough. If you absorb such energy in large amounts, your DNA will transition into that of the Catacombs life force once your Mentality has been h.o.m.ogenized…”
Lu Fengrou replied calmly, “So what?”
“You!”
Wu Kuishan could not stop frowning. He said solemnly, “The university doesn’t have such things!”
“The Military Department does.”
“Go get them at the Military Department then!”
“The Military Department refuses to give them to me.”
“Think of something on your own then.” Wu Kuishan was not surprised; of course the Military Department would not give Lu Fengrou something like that.
It was extremely difficult to kill the Catacombs’ high-ranked powerhouses. The Military Department did not have many reserves themselves. Lu Fengrou hoping to use precious resources like Catacombs martial artists’ hearts to achieve Rank-7 was something the Military Department would never countenance.
Lu Fengrou looked at Wu Kuishan intently and let out a snort after a while. “Don’t think that any of you can delay me from my breakthrough. Without these things, I will still achieve Rank-7 within five years!”
Wu Kuishan ignored her. There was no point bringing this up further until five years later.
By then he might have hopes of achieving Rank-9.
If that really happened, then whether Lu Fengrou achieved her breakthrough or not would have little effect.
When Huang Jing saw the couple bickering again, he let out a dry cough and said, “Let’s not talk about these things first. The boy has started honing his bones. Do you think it’s possible for him to hone 26 bones in one session? Even if his Vitality is unlimited, he will still feel exhausted halfway through…”
“We’ll know after we watch him. He must have a certain level of confidence to attempt this.” Lu Fengrou ignored Wu Kuishan as well and explained for Huang Jing’s benefit. She turned her full attention to Fang Ping and began to observe.