Chapter 99: I’ll Feel Guilty If I Don’t Screw Up!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
On the second floor, Fang Ping was walking around leisurely.
He did not do this because he had nothing to do. Rather, he wanted to see the skill of MCMAU’s freshmen for himself.
Fang Ping had no concept of his skill level, especially in the field of practical combat.
He was not that acquainted with martial artists. Among the few he knew, w.a.n.g Jinyang was practically inhuman, Tan Zhenping was a martial artist that had nothing but Vitality, Huang Bin died early, and Zhang Yong punched through someone’s head.
That pagan martial artist, his opponent in his only fight, was exceedingly s.h.i.+t at it. She had served no purpose except to prove how hard Zhang Yong’s fist was.
That was why Fang Ping did not have a clear a.s.sessment of his own mettle until now.
He knew that he would not be that weak, what with him being a thrice-honed martial artist, but this definition of weakness depended on who he was up against.
When he fought with Old w.a.n.g, the other could greatly overpower him with one arm.
The first and second floors were relatively calm.
There were close to no brawls in the first and second floors. If anyone ever fought, it was through their mouths.
“You’re here too?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Why are you here? Can’t you just go to the first floor?”
“If you can, I can too. Why can’t I come?’
“…”
Fang Ping heard this dumb conversation from the start. The two of them showed no acknowledgement when Fang Ping walked past them.
It was only when Fang Ping walked up to the third floor that he saw a battle.
A battle might not be the best word to describe two civilians with higher Vitalities duking it out with a gaggle of gossipy spectators nearby.
A high Vitality came with a few more other advantages. The person would be resilient against a.s.sault and have high stamina!
They traded punches with enthusiasm. The advantages of a high Vitality were made evident. The punches did not hurt and landing a punch did not use up too much of their energy. Judging from the pace at which the fight was going, they could continue until the building was opened.
“I can take ten people like that in one go…”
Fang Ping made his judgment. Their Vitalities should not have reached the limit, which was to say that their Vitalities were lower than 149cal.
Although they had practiced their combat techniques, they were practically useless. They should not be called “combat techniques” in this case.
People with that skill level dared to start up fights relentlessly on the third floor while the others watched gamely. It was obvious that the students on the third floor were only average.
“There were practically no martial artists to be seen and no peak aspiring martial artists, either. They should have all headed to the fourth floor.
“I should go to the fourth floor. With an example, it’ll be clear just how skilled the others are.”
Fang Ping knew that he tended to overthink and lacked the recklessness typically possessed by youth. Due to habit, he tended to think carefully before taking action.
“I should change.”
Fang Ping made his decision. He did not think it a bad quality to have, necessarily, but a tendency to hesitate was not always good for him.
Compared to people like Fu Changding, he always seemed a little stuck-up and standoffish.
He exhaled and headed up to the fourth floor.
…
On the fourth floor.
Ever since the group of under skilled students were kicked out, the students who came in were not weak.
Martial artists and twice-honed students combined added up to a total of almost 70 people. There were about 30 to 40 students whose Vitalities were between 150cal and 180cal.
Aside from the aforementioned 100 people, other students who came upstairs all had Vitalities exceeding 140cal.
There were many peak aspiring martial artists with Vitalities of 149cal.
When the people coming up to the fourth floor was dwindling, someone in the crowd commented, “This is easier than I thought.”
The fourth floor could hold 400 people. Ever since the martial artist establis.h.i.+ng his territory asked that only people with Vitalities above 140cal enter, the people who came up got lesser.
Almost half an hour had pa.s.sed since then. There were only about three hundred people on the fourth floor.
The remaining people who met the requirement were either walking around downstairs or preparing to go upstairs at the latest possible moment.
It would be hard pressed to meet the number of 400 even if they were included in the count.
Everyone relaxed at the revelation.
Those who were of average skills were relaxed. They had gotten a chance to enter the School of Weaponry, after all.
Students who were more skilled were dissatisfied. Without confrontation, how else could they exhibit their extraordinariness?
As many started to hatch their plans, someone walked in from outside the doors. He was Fu Changding,
Holding his long wax staff, he glanced around the hall and bellowed, “Where’s Chow Chow? 1 Be out with you this instant!”
The crowd froze. As many questioned, Tang Songting got up, furious. He retorted in annoyance, “Fu Changding, say that one more time if you dare!”
“Chow Chow, come, let Grandfather Fu teach you how to be a man!”
Fu Changding guffawed. His long staff swept toward the other boy without waiting for his reply.
“Hoot…”
It was the sound of the air rippling.
Tang Songting’s expression changed. He moved quickly to dodge the blow. The few people nearby who were affected looked displeased.
Before they could open their mouths, Fu Changding laughed uproariously, “I’m challenging Chow Chow to a solo battle! Those who don’t like me can come, too, Grandfather Fu will take all of it, no problem!”
“Arrogant!”
Someone cursed under his breath. No one stood out, though. The few people beside Tang Songting scooted far away from him.
“Chow Chow, no one’s helping you right now. Don’t even think of running away!”
“Song, your a.s.s!”
Combine his having been called this nickname in front of everyone, and the fact that Fu Changding was the one who provoked him, Tang Songting could not stand it for long and struck, despite his initial apprehension.
“Die!”
Tang Songting stood with his feet apart. He spread his right palm wide open and grabbed toward the staff.
“Bang!”
The two forces collided. A metallic clang could be heard vaguely in the midst of the commotion.
Tang Songting grabbed the white wax staff. The meat of his palm was already bulging crimson, and the veins on the back of his hand protruded.
He did not retreat with the staff in his hands, but instead advanced forward. His left hand formed a fist that slammed hard on the white staff in his hand. It was obvious that he wanted to break Fu Changding’s weapon.
“Idiot!”
A glimmer of derision flickered in Fu Changding’s eyes. ‘No one else knew, but you, Tang Songting, should have known that I’m now honing my lower limbs!’
He had practiced spear combat techniques, yes, but his upper limbs were only moderately strong because he had not honed his upper limbs yet. His strongest part was his right leg!
Tang Songting was holding the staff with one hand while another formed a fist. His front was currently wide open, completely undefended against Fu Changding at all.
Fu Changding did not hesitate. He discarded the wax staff casually with a flick of his hand.
His left leg kicked downward at the ground, and he jumped up, his right leg kicking hard toward the other.
“Bang!”
The sound of bodies colliding could be heard again. Fu Changding had his leg in Tang Songting’s chest, directly kicking Tang Songting out a distance of three to four meters.
Tang Songting stumbled but did not fall. His face paled, and he squatted, clutching his chest.
“Weak. You’re too weak!”
Fu Changding did not expect to see so little improvement in Tang Songting during the few months they had not seen each other.
At this moment, Fang Ping walked in. He said, his brow wrinkled slightly, “This is your archenemy?”
He had arrived when the two of them were in the middle of battle. He had only paused in his tracks for a while to see Tang Songting being kicked a few meters out by Fu Changding. Fang Ping was a little disappointed when he saw Tang Songting defenseless and wide open, and as a result, probably ended up breaking a few ribs.
Martial artists of this caliber were not that different from that pagan martial artist he had fought against.
They were astronomically different from w.a.n.g Jinyang!
When Fang Ping had a rudimentary grasp of leg combat techniques and w.a.n.g Jinyang suggested a warm-up match, Fang Ping was already about as skilled as Tang Songting currently was. He was completely flattened by w.a.n.g Jinyang, the latter using only one arm, as if he found it extremely easy.
And he had worried that he could not hold a candle to those people, too.
Now Fang Ping understood that everyone had different aspirations that they hoped to match up to. He had made w.a.n.g Jinyang his goal. That guy was one of the strongest that had successfully defeated the Rank-1 martial artists in Magic City by a huge margin!
Fang Ping’s self-confidence increased greatly at that moment.
He did not wait for Fu Changding to open his mouth before he said dismissively, eyes scanning the hall, “Before I came to MCMAU, everyone told me that geniuses were commonplace in the Big Two!
“I’ve given up the ten-million reward given to me by NMAU and chose to come to MCMAU, because I wanted to see for myself those geniuses!
“But I didn’t expect the students in MCMAU to be so weak. The rumors make you all sound better than you are!”
“What’re you saying!”
“He’s getting ahead of himself!”
“This guy is with cahoots with Fu Changding. Are the two b.a.s.t.a.r.ds doing their two-man act again? Is Tang Songting with them, too?”
Tang Songting got up, clutching his chest and affecting an expression of bitterness akin to Dongs.h.i.+’s 1. “F*ck if I’m with them!”
“…”
Fang Ping’s challenging words angered a lot of people.
He had said that MCMAU’s students were weak in front of everyone’s faces. Everyone had only been in the school for two days, but MCMAU had already been in their hearts since.
This was the school that they themselves had chosen. This was a place where geniuses congregated. The feeling of pride had manifested in their hearts from the moment they applied for the university.
Now, as Fang Ping insulted MCMAU, many people were furious!
They glanced toward Fu Changding first, though, eyes filled with trepidation. Fu Changding had shown his considerable skill then.
“What? Do you only know how to bark?”
“Many people tell me that martial artists must, and will, fight for whatever they want!”
“I always thought this doctrine right and followed it to a T before now. I had thought that martial artists in martial arts universities are different, that they are brave in fighting for themselves and for what they want, and that they are willing to compete and battle.
“But I’m disappointed by MCMAU once again. There are so many martial artists here. After I’ve practically insulted all of you to your faces, what have you done except for barking a few retorts?
“I can say with certainty that all the instructors are watching and listening to our conversation.
“While I look down at all of you, I’m sure that the instructors will be displeased too. They will hope that someone will take the lead in proving the mettle of MCMAU. What did you do, though?
“…”
“Fang Ping!”
It was Fu Changding who said his name. His brow was furrowed slightly as he found Fang Ping’s ma.s.s attack not in taste.
After he said that, students who originally had no plans to work together would do so now.
Fang Ping laughed abruptly. He turned his head toward him, “Did you think that I was taunting them?
“No, I’m not. I’m just speaking the truth.
“Really. I’ve met a student from Nanjiang Martial Arts University before, a student from a martial arts university you deem inferior.
“He’s a hundred times stronger than all of you, and calmer and more composed than all of you!
“He’s not arrogant, self-deprecating, and holds himself with dignity. I always thought that this is how martial arts students are supposed to be like. A student from NMAU is already outstanding, so what about MCMAU’s?
“The students of MCMAU, one of the Big Two, should possess charisma that can bend people under their will without convincing, even if they’re new to the scene, right?
“What a pity that I haven’t seen anything of the sort even now. I’m disappointed. Now I’m doubting if choosing MCMAU is the right thing to do…”
“Fang Ping! Enough!”
“You want to court death! You can challenge us now!”
“…”
Many students were already riled up by his words. Fang Ping’s constant taunts were already challenging their limits.
If it was not for the sheer number of people in the room, that had caused a difficulty to determine the person who should challenge him, someone would have come out and done the deed.
At this moment of unsureness, the speaker in a corner of the room blared, “Defeat him! Make him understand that the students in MCMAU are not all weaklings!
“The fact that a genius has emerged from an average school is not a cause for him to look down on MCMAU!
“Good, let us see if all of you deserve to be fostered. The instructors are all watching your performances!
“The person who defeats this arrogant boy will be awarded 50 credits deducted from Fang Ping!”
“…”
The hall fell silent for a while.
Everyone’s gazes sharpened promptly.
The voice was from Huang Jing, the Dean!
The instructors were watching. The Dean was watching. There would be a reward of 50 credits.
Even Fu Changding’s gaze was inlaid with emotions so complex that it could kill. ‘I told you that he can’t screw this up. Don’t screw up! What are you doing?
‘How am I supposed to deal with this?’
Should he go with the original plan or betray him for the 50 credits?
Fang Ping’s expression s.h.i.+fted slightly before he said jovially, “Dean, my credits will be deducted if I’m defeated. How about the other way round?”
“1 credit for an aspiring martial artist, and 5 credits for a martial artist!”
“You’re quite stingy, but it’s better than nothing…”
Fang Ping burst out into laughter. He raised the staff in his hand and laughed loudly, “You heard him. I’ve gotten you some benefits on your behalf, but all of you benefit me too. Martial artists must fight – it starts now!”
Immediately after, Fang Ping dashed forward speedily and leapt right into a group of aspiring martial artists.
Before they could react, Fang Ping’s wooden staff slammed downward.
“Ah!”
“F*ck!”
“I haven’t approved of it yet!”
“…”
The group erupted into a cacophony of yells and loud cries. Many were p.i.s.sed and annoyed. Fang Ping had the nerve to strike before they could!
“b.a.s.t.a.r.d! It’s now 1 vs 300. F*ck him right up!”
Some martial artists came to their senses. They roared, outraged, and sped toward Fang Ping.
“Bang!”
Fang Ping’s staff slammed on a martial artist’s head. He did not pay attention to his pained howls, his right leg forming a whip that whirled toward the martial artist attempting to sneak up on him from his left rear.
“My Vitality’s running out fast. It’s nothing. I have my Wealth to spend, and my credits can probably be spent in the same manner as cash. All in all, I don’t lose anything.”
Fang Ping steeled in preparation. He had taunted the crowd partially out of his disappointment. MCMAU’s students had felt inferior to w.a.n.g Jinyang in his opinion, making him regret his decision to come to MCMAU.
The other reason was his desire to show what he was capable of to the instructors.
After kicking the sneakily attacking martial artist out of the crowd, Fang Ping bellowed, “Have all of you not eaten? I haven’t warmed up yet!”
“What arrogance! Fu Changding, whose side are you on?”
Zhao Lei snapped coldly from inside the crowd, raising his head to look at Fu Changding.
Fu Changding gritted his teeth. He blurted out all of a sudden, “You’re all useless! Lay it on me! The two of us will go against everyone else!”
He had thought everything through. How could he possibly show his skill when he was but one of the people in the mob?
Even if he had lost in this 2 vs 300 battle, he would emerge as the winner in the war.
Fu Changding hefted the wax staff that he had just picked up, and whacked it on one of the martial artists mobbing Fang Ping, yelling, “Dean, I’m Fu Changding. I want to be included too!”
“Approved!”
The monotonous voice of Huang Jing sounded from the loudspeaker.
“On it!”
Fu Changding was elated. One was better than none!
After getting an affirmative, he gave up on aiding the mobbed Fang Ping instantly and started weaving in and out the periphery, focusing his attacks on the aspiring martial artists!
“Bang!”
As his pole whacked on someone, Fu Changding muttered, “3 credits!”
“Thunk!”
“4 credits!”
“Crack…”
“This is a martial artist, I think? 9 credits! No, he hasn’t collapsed yet, f*ck, so I still only have 4 credits…”
“Come on, what are you all doing there, squirreling like cowards? Do you really want us to be flattened by the two of them?”
The martial artist snuck up by Fu Changding erupted. As he saw the martial artists remaining inactive outside the commotion, he was so furious that he was close to coughing up blood.
They were still acting like they were the wolves in sheep’s skin!
F*ck, were they stupid or what?
These two guys were strong, and aspiring martial artists were practically useless. Only martial artists could pose real danger to them, but the thirty to forty martial artists remaining were still hanging outside watching the show! Were they idiots?
Zhao Lei’s expression darkened. Yang Xiaoman gritted her teeth and shouted, “Go! Aspiring martial artists, out of the way! Do you want to give him free credits? Idiots!”
These aspiring martial artists were not only useless but had also used up the s.p.a.ce around the two targets. They could not fly; what were they supposed to do when there were so many people crowding around the two of them, fly over the crowd to join in the battle?
Many aspiring martial artists retreated hastily. They had intended to score. Some of them were also pulled in against their will. At this moment, many of them had swollen b.u.mps on their heads. Someone had even collapsed on the floor and ended up almost being trampled to death.
Hearing the martial artists’ arrival, why would they stay? They retreated backward one after another.
Fang Ping in the middle of everyone punched an aspiring martial artist away. He guffawed, “Why are you retreating? Dozens upon dozens of credits… All of you are money to me! Don’t even think of running away!”
“F*ck!”
Someone cursed out loud. This was the first time they were treated as if they were some sort of currency!