Chapter 98: Face the Music!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The Building of Practical Combat Training was located at the northeast corner of the campus.
This was a building nine floors high. Nine was often the maximum number of floors buildings in MCMAU had.
It was not tall, but it took up a lot of s.p.a.ce.
It was not fully open that day. Only four floors were open.
…
On the 9th floor.
The 9th floor was not a floor designed for training. Rather, it was a s.p.a.cious hall.
Screens were installed on the walls all over the hall. The screens would play the videos of the students after they entered the four floors.
There were close to 1600 freshmen, about a hundred instructors taught martial sciences and some few dozen other instructors taught social sciences.
There were more than 6000 students in MCMAU to the 1000 instructors teaching social and martial sciences.
The ratio of students to instructors was almost 5:1. This was another specialty of martial arts universities. Martial arts instructors did not mentor many students at once.
Huang Jing stood out in the crowd as always. The other instructors and governors stood around him.
As they waited for the students to enter, someone in the hall spoke all of a sudden, “The initial motive behind the founding of the Four Schools was to prevent the overconcentration on martial arts, which would make the students brutes who only know how to fight!
“Now, the School of Weaponry gets the most resources and chooses the best students.
“Some students don’t focus on battle. They’re more suited for research work, invention, entrepreneurs.h.i.+p and politics.
“A country prospers when every industry function well. Martial arts should not be the only priority!
“Now martial arts universities all over the country have deviated from that.
“Too many resources are invested in the School of Weaponry, which prompted most of the outstanding students to choose the school.
“Dean Huang, is this an ideal outcome?”
The crowd focused their gaze on the person.
The person who asked the question was none other than the Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Chen Zhenhua.
Chen Zhenhua was not a Grandmaster, but he was still a Peak Rank-6 martial powerhouse. He was also a nationally renowned academic professional and a lecturer on political science.
The School of Social Sciences in MCMAU did not do that bad during the past few years. It was at least the top among the country’s many schools of social sciences.
There were seven or eight province governors that were alumni of the university. Four of them were currently holding the position.
It was true that the school’s resources were unfairly concentrated on the School of Weaponry every year, though. The School of Social Sciences was getting lesser resources, and so the students became more and more underwhelming compared to those in the School of Weaponry.
Some outstanding students used to choose the School of Social Sciences. Now, no one would do so.
As the annual school allocation was slated to begin, Chen Zhenhua was on the edge of his seat. He just had to open his mouth and speak out.
Huang Jing was unfazed. He said expressionlessly, “Are students from the School of Weaponry simple-minded brutes?
“All sorts of students graduated from the School!
“There were politicians capable of governing an entire nation, border generals that ruled a swathe of land, entrepreneurs whose businesses flourished, globally renowned scientists…
“Who dare say that all students from the School are brutes!
“One proficient in the arts can rule a country, but one skilled in martial arts secures its peace and harmony.
“Dean Chen, you cannot speak of this topic without consideration!”
Chen Zhenhua said, displeased, “Dean Huang, do not generalize. Most School of Weaponry graduates from the past few years chose to join the army or the Department of Investigation…”
“It’s because the Catacombs are becoming increasingly dangerous!”
Huang Jing said, face set, “They’re contributing to the nation!
“How many people will know that they died in battle, clad in leather?
“We can only watch on as batches and batches of excellent students embark to battle in the frontlines, watch as young lives reach their end. Can you, people who stay in the rear while enjoying your harmonious lives, understand?
“Why is the School of Weaponry prioritized in the distribution of resources? Why do we only take the cream of the crop?
“The commanding generals in the front lines are dwindling. The number of deaths is increasing! What do you know?
“Although this is not fair to the soldiers and martial artists out there, you have to admit that you can only bask in harmony and peace now all thanks to the genius martial arts university students who lead wars and risk their lives to behead the leader of the opposite faction!”
Huang Jing’s expression betrayed his deep sadness. He said with an undercurrent of fury underlining his tone, “Even with the extra resources, ma.s.sive groups of elites die in the Catacombs every year!
“Back then, our predecessors decided not to reveal the truth to the public, to not unleash chaos and terror upon the world, so that civilians can live, work, and wed in peace.
“Is this fair, though?
“More and more outstanding young people are dying in the frontlines. They can’t even be named as heroes after they die. We even have to announce publicly that they died in training or while carrying out a mission!
“This isn’t fair!
“The weak are still questioning why martial artists get to enjoy so many privileges!
“Why?
“You tell me, why?
“…”
“Dean Huang, please calm down!”
Chen Zhenhua shouted, “The situation hasn’t escalated to that stage. I do not deny the contributions and hard work of everyone. The students in the School of Social Sciences are giving their best too!
“When the society is harmonious and the economy prospering, the country will then be able to invest more funds and resources into martial arts education.
“The students in the School of Production are inventing new pills, improving cultivation manuals and weapons.
“Those in the School of Tactics and Strategy work as front line commanders too. The position is not the sole privilege of the School of Weaponry.
“The Four Schools were founded to fulfill their responsibilities in tandem.
“But the recent favoritism directed toward the School of Weaponry is unfair to everyone else!”
“Fair?”
Huang Jing said stoically, “In MCMAU, the strongest rule! You can talk fairness with me if you’re a Grandmaster!
“You’re not, so don’t talk fairness with me!”
“You!”
Chen Zhenhua flew up into a rage. When he had attempted to approach the topic rationally, the other was all about the superiority of martial arts. He could not say that the other was a martial arts-obsessed brute, though, as he knew to retort with ordered arguments.
Huang Jing’s Grandmaster status made his school overpower the other three.
Chen Zhenhua was furious. He humphed, “Wait till the Vice-chancellor comes back. I’ll bring this topic to him!”
“Do whatever you want!”
Huang Jing did not bear it in mind. He said flippantly, “The school allocation a.s.sessment is about to begin. All schools will compete fairly. Any occasion of threats and intimidation, when discovered, will be dealt with firmly!
“I’m talking about the instructors. Especially instructors from a specific school. Watch your words!”
The instructors from the School of Social Sciences were embarra.s.sed. This was more like something the School of Weaponry would do. The School of Social Sciences was inferior in skill from the start. Why would they do something like that?
…
In the square in front of the building, Tang Feng shouted, “First floor, the School of Social Services. Second floor, the School of Production. Third, Tactics and Weaponry, and the fourth the School of Weaponry.
“It’s 7:57 am right now. The doors will close at 8, and they will open at 9.
“When the doors open, which floor you’re on will determine the school you belong to.
“There can be only 400 people on one floor at most!
“If the number of students on one floor exceeds the limit, 30 credits will be deducted from all of them!”
The students erupted in an uproar of surprise.
This measure was set to fan their fire of compet.i.tiveness. If they did not, the forceful entry of a person could cause a deduction of credits from hundreds of students.
30 credits. Three Rank-1 Vitality Pills. Even wealthy students like Fu Changding would have to treat this seriously.
Fu Changding decided to make a name for himself with the help of pills. He had prepared three Rank-1 Vitality Pills too.
The students were surprised, but they did not and dared not confront the authority.
Immediately, there was a student who asked, “Teacher, can weapons be brought in?”
Tang Feng’s gaze swept through him and noted that he was gripping a dagger in his hands. He thought for a while before saying, “Metal weapons are forbidden. There are some weapons made of wood on the first floor. You can use them.
“You’re all newbies who don’t know how to regulate your power. This might cause ma.s.s injury and death.
“Wooden weaponry reduces the chance of injury or death…”
Most students understood the meaning behind his use of the verb “reduce” instead of “prevent”. Their faces paled instantly.
It was obvious that injury and death were not rare occurrences.
One could die from a wooden weapon, as long as the fatal blow was dealt in the right place. They were merely less dangerous than metal weapons.
Tang Feng continued, “Except for metal weapons, everything is fair game.
“You can either work together or mob someone else. Everything depends on your own choices.
“Martial artists must fight, but they must also know their limits. If something cannot be done, your own body is more important than your pride.
“Every school has its strong credits and weaknesses. The School of Weaponry is not guaranteed to be your best choice. Choosing one school that suits you will benefit you most in the long run.”
After Tang Feng finished with his speech, he shouted, “Enter, now!”
The students huddled in after hearing his words.
…
The moment after the students entered the building, the doors were shut tight, leaving the main pa.s.sageway wide open, guarded by several instructors.
This pa.s.sageway was meant to be left open in case of the need for emergency extraction and a.s.sistance.
The newbies did not know how to rein themselves in. if there were signs of injury, both fatal and not, the school would prevent it from happening and a.s.sist as soon as possible.
…
Upon entrance into the building, the first thing they saw was a s.p.a.cious hall.
It was not cramped even with a thousand and more students inside.
A weapon rack was in the middle of the hall. It was laden with wooden weapons of all kinds. Sabers, spears, swords, scimitars… Everything they would ever want was there.
Fu Changding’s wax wood staff was allowed as it was not made of metal.
Upon entrance, Fu Changding scooted beside Fang Ping and asked softly, “Do you want to use weapons?”
Fang Ping nodded. Wooden weapons were better than none. When they were still not powerful enough, having a weapon in their hands rea.s.sured them.
Of course, during the occasion when they encountered opponents of equal strength, weapons they were not familiar with would only hinder them.
Fang Ping moved forward and chose a wooden staff about a meter long.
He had not learned how to use any weapon at this point, so a staff suited him most. He only needed brute strength to use it.
Some of the others took weapons. Some did not.
Some surveyed their surroundings vigilantly. Some walked upstairs, looking resolutely forward.
Fang Ping did not hasten to do both. He hefted the staff in his hand, and turned his head to say to Fu Changding, “Should we start now?”
“Wait for a while longer.”
Fu Changding shook his head. “It’ll be more chaotic at the beginning. The power of numbers is formidable. Some who don’t know their bounds will try to head up to the fourth floor.
“We’ll wait for a while. We’ll head there when the weak understand that they can only stay in the lower three floors.”
“Sure, we’ll part ways first. See you on the fourth floor then.”
Fang Ping had not intended to move with this guy. He went to the second floor, staff in hand.
After Fang Ping had left, Fu Changing cursed internally, ‘This guy better not screw things up.’
If Fang Ping was compromised, he would be screwed.
…
On the fourth floor.
Tang Songting marched in the hall. There were about a dozen people in the hall.
After glancing around cursorily, Tang Songting walked toward this guy with a buzz cut, sat down beside him, and laughed jovially, “Tang Songting!”
“Zhao Lei!”
“Let’s join forces?”
Zhao Lei wrinkled his brow. “There’s no need to.”
“Haha!”
Tang Songting did not bother to say much. He got up and left. Zhao Lei was quite skilled – he lived in Room No.1 and was one of the twice-honed martial artists.
Tang Songting intended to seek him out and join forces with him to f*ck Fu Changding up this once.
The other did not have the intention to do so. Tang Songting did not insist on it – he thought himself not inferior to the other in terms of skill.
…
As Tang Songting continued to look for partners, some girls congregated on the other side of the room.
Yang Xiaoman said energetically, “Us girls are always overlooked. They say that women are inferior to men! But I, Yang Xiaoman, refuse to believe this!”
“This time, the three of us will work together to prove to the boys that we’re not to be trifled with!
“We’ll punch through the faces of whomever who dare to provoke us!”
After that, Yang Xiaoman suddenly said, “Chen Yunxi, can you not always look frail? You make us look like easy targets!
Learn from Zhao Xuemei! Put on this tough face and scare all the boys off!”
Chen Yunxi, one of the two girls mentioned, smiled innocently. Zhao Xuemei, on the other hand, said exasperatedly, “You can just say that I look hideous! There’s no need to beat around the bush.”
“I didn’t say that! What do martial artists need good looks for? We only need great skill…”
Yang Xiaoman explained helplessly. Zhao Xuemei did not mind. She grimaced, “It’s nothing. I don’t care.
“Xiaoman is right. Martial artists are judged on skill alone.
“Xiaoman is a twice-honed martial artist. Yunxi is too. I heard that there are only four of them. We’re lesser in number, but not in skill!
“Among the men, only that Zhao Lei and Fu Changding are twice-honed. The others… I don’t care!
“No one will dare go against us if the three of us join forces!”
Zhao Xuemei looked confident. Chen Yunxi said softly, “Isn’t that Fang Ping thrice-honed?”
“Tsk, he isn’t even a martial artist. Him having honed his bones thrice will only increase the speed of breakthrough by a little. His combat ability might not be that high.
“Also, if he honed his bones thrice, does he still have time to do combat training?
“What do you think?”
Yang Xiaoman agreed. “That’s right. Everything depends on combat ability this time, not just talk. He and that Fu Changding might be good at talking, but his combat skill is hard to determine.”
While the girls talked, the sounds of people cursing could be heard from next to them.
“F*ck off!”
There were two entrances to the hall on the fourth floor. In front of one of them, a martial artist shouted, “The fourth floor is off-limits to people like you!”
The victim was a boy in a group of four. At the man’s unceremonious berating, someone replied exasperatedly, “There can be 400 people on every floor. How many people are there now? Don’t go overboard!”
“Overboard? Face the music!”
The martial artist student grunted coldly. He did not talk further. With a wooden changdao, he struck toward the other’s shoulder without hesitation!
The one he chose to strike on, consolidating his notoriety, was the student that had retorted previously.
Martial artists were incomparable to students. This group of four students was obviously from the same dorm in Area 4.
Area 4 housed the students who edged in MCMAU and had a Vitality of 130cal. Even a few months had already pa.s.sed since they were tested, it was not guaranteed that they would show huge improvement.
Martial artists had high Vitalities, moved fast, and possessed huge strength. They had entered the stage where they honed their bones in earnest.
The other boy did not even manage to dodge the blow. Everyone could hear a crack.
“Ah…”
A plaintive howl attracted the glances of many.
They saw the person who was. .h.i.t clutching his shoulder with an expression of pure pain, howling constantly.
“Out!”
The perpetrator bellowed at the others without sparing a glance for them. This band of underachieving fellows had come up to fight for their territory. They had thought that the fourth floor was open to everyone!
“You…You’re too much! We’re all cla.s.smates…”
The injured boy’s roommate showed his anger and unhappiness.
As he finished, he saw the martial artist opposite him raise his knife again.
The others dared not speak. The other three helped the injured boy down with expressions of reluctant defeat.
“Look carefully! The fourth floor is off-limits to those with a Vitality below 140cal!”
The notorious martial artist bellowed, striking the hearts of the many watching in the corridor and the stairwell outside with fear.
Many freshmen showed similar expressions of confusion and helplessness. Why did it end up like that?
Those people had used violence!
A flock of students from modern society entered this barbaric world fraught with danger as innocent as sheep.
Quite a few martial artists only glanced absently at the hall before moving elsewhere. While someone rid the floor of pests, they were more than willing to end up with nothing to do.
Without a certain benchmark, they would be in trouble should everyone enter.
The martial artist did not speak. He looked for a s.p.a.ce and sat down. He had not resorted to hitting that guy for fun. He was taking this opportunity to broadcast his skill.
He was not that kind of useless buffoon who only had his Vitality to speak for him!