Chapter 107: Picking a Fight Must Be Reasonable Too
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Fang Yuan...”
Fang Ping had just gotten through to Round Face’s phone, then his face turned stern. “Don’t you have class today? You brought your phone to class?”
He had forgotten this earlier until he heard the noise over on the other end of the line, after which Fang Ping remembered Fang Yuan started classes already.
“Class ended already. I don’t use my phone during class...”
Fang Yuan explained, hurt, then she shooed away a few of her friends who had crowded around her. ‘My brother wants to talk to me. What are you all eavesdropping for?’
“Brother, you haven’t called me in days. Have classes started at Magic City Martial Arts University?”
“Uh-huh, classes have started.”
Fang Ping did not continue to reproach her. After all, the phone’s uses were simple and could be used for calling and texting.
After saying this, Fang Ping smiled. “I’ll tell you some good news. Your brother has just broken through and officially became a martial artist!”
“Really? You’ve broken through?”
Fang Yuan exclaimed excitedly. The girls around began gossiping immediately and asked, “He really broke through?”
“He became a martial artist?”
“How amazing! Classes just started and he’s already a martial artist!”
“What rank is he? Is he close to Grandmaster?”
“...”
These girls did not know much about martial sciences. All they knew was that martial artists were amazing; they still did not understand many details.
Fang Ping heard the noise through his phone and was a little speechless. Grandmaster, his ass—he was still a hundred thousand miles away from that!
Fang Ping hastily exchanged a few sentences with Fang Yuan but did not continue the conversation. The noise on her side was astonishing.
...
After Fang Ping hung up, he gave his parents a call to report the good news.
The results were about the same, noise bubbling from the surroundings.
Especially over on Fang Mingrong’s side. It was probably the end of the morning shift, and someone just happened to pass by. Fang Ping heard a string of congratulatory words.
His father did not manage to hang up in time before his phone somehow made its way to Tan Zhenping’s hands.
Hearing Tan Zhenping’s voice, Fang Ping was a little shocked. Were the people at the Department of Education that free?
“Fang Ping, congratulations!”
Tan Zhenping was extremely courteous, his tone expressing his pleasure. “I knew you’d break through very quickly, but I didn’t think it would be that soon. You just started school, yet you’re already Rank-1. Geniuses really are different from the rest of us!”
His two sons had managed to get into a martial arts university too, but Tan Tao and Tan Hao only had a Vitality of around 130cal at the moment.
They were still far from breaking through.
If they did not twice-hone, they would produce no results in a semester.
Just the nourishing of their Vitalities from 130cal to 150cal would take at least half a year. If they were lucky, they would have results by the next semester.
If they were unlucky, they would have to wait until their sophomore year.
The two brothers were not bad at pole-standing. If they did not know pole-standing, they would be delayed even further.
On the other hand, Fang Ping broke through incredibly fast!
He knew that when Fang Ping had been preparing to twice-hone, he did not rest even when he reached 150cal. Now that he had broken through, it meant Fang Ping had reached that realm.
As for the higher achievements, Tan Zhenping was not clear. Even the twice-honing issue was something he heard from others in the shadows.
The casual martial artist circle was more condensed than he had thought, but these people did not understand much about the martial sciences theory.
“Uncle Tan, this doesn’t mean much. In MCMAU, among the new students, there are close to a hundred martial artists. Me breaking through now is still average. I’m pretty much someone you can laugh at...”
“MCMAU... Close to a hundred martial artist new students...”
Tan Zhenping was speechless!
A famous school was a famous school!
It was completely different!
When his sons went to register, he had gone with them. He did not hear anything about there being martial artists among the new students. At the very least, he did not know about any.
The number one student in Nanjiang Martial Arts University only just reached 149cal. The difference between the schools was too big.
Tan Zhenping congratulated him again before returning the phone to Fang Mingrong.
After Fang Mingrong hung up, Tan Zhenping said, “Brother Fang, Fang Ping is now a martial artist. It doesn’t fit well that you’re our security guard.
“Tomorrow, go report to the personnel department. The office is lacking a person...”
Fang Mingrong was stunned. The office lacked people?
The office was a simplified name. It was actually the office where the leaders’ secretaries and assistants worked. How could they lack someone there!
Moreover, if he, a security guard, went directly to the office, he would be an official employee!
Fang Mingrong was rooted to the spot. Tan Zhenping paid it no mind. He said it and congratulated him again before leaving.
Fang Ping had become a martial artist when he just entered university. This was a very different notion from aspiring martial artists.
It would be shameful if his father was left as a mere security guard, even if Fang Ping did not necessarily think that way.
Even if he did not mention this, the director would.
As for opening a new job vacancy... What did that matter!
He did not have any authority. He would just be given higher wages and bonuses. Who cared?
After Fang Ping succeeded in the future, he would remember this favor. This investment that had only pros and no cons was an obvious no-brainer.
...
Naturally, Fang Ping did not know what was happening over at his father’s side.
When he did find out, Fang Ping would not say anything either.
When he was done contacting his family, Fang Ping thought for a while before giving a call to Old Wang, but his phone was off and nobody answered.
Fang Ping did not know Wang Jinyang’s current situation either, so he just left a message and did not call again.
Fang Ping did not let Wu Zhihao and the others know.
They were still far from being martial artists. If he called them and bragged about his success, it would be a blow to their confidence. It was better that they did not know.
...
After he finished making his calls, Fang Ping went to the bathroom to wash up.
Just as he finished his shower, there was a knock on his door
Fu Changding opened his mouth the moment he stepped through the door. “Fang Ping, you were right to not go this morning. If I had known, I would’ve taken the day off too...”
Fu Changding suddenly stopped in place and took a look around. He smiled widely. “Not bad. You’re brave enough to bring a girl over in broad daylight!”
“Huh?”
Fang Ping was confused. “What girl?”
“Don’t try to lie to me. If there was no girl, what are you showering for...”
“I just finished cultivating, so I was a little dirty. Get your mind out of the gutter.”
Fang Ping was at a loss for words. Fu Changding chuckled, then narrowed his eyes. “You broke through?”
He had not felt much earlier, but now he felt something was not right!
“Uh-huh.”
“That was fast!”
Fu Changding was not too surprised. Fang Ping was thrice-honed, so it would be easy for him to break through.
He just did not think Fang Ping would choose to break through at the start of school. He had assumed Fang Ping would wait until some time had passed.
“I just finished honing the 30 bones in my right lower limb; I haven’t honed my right hip bone yet. You’ve broken through now. Looking at you, it seems it won’t be long before you catch up to me.”
Fu Changding bemoaned and carelessly tossed a martial arts license at Fang Ping. “They issued the martial arts licenses this morning. You were a pseudo-Rank-1 before this, but now you’re a real Rank-1.”
Fang Ping grabbed his martial arts license and looked at it. It was not very different from the temporary martial arts license.
Only the words “School of Weaponry” were added.
“How much is your Vitality now?”
“Around 230cal.”
“You animal!”
Fu Changding swore unreservedly.
When he broke through, he had little more than 200cal. Even now, when his right lower limb had all but one of its bones honed, his Vitality was about the same as Fang Ping’s.
When he finished honing his lower limbs, he could probably reach around 280cal.
As for Fang Ping, according to his calculations, he would have at least 300cal!
They were the same rank, yet their Vitalities and other things differed so much.
Fang Ping’s outburst strength, lethality and stamina would be much stronger than theirs. His honing rate would be much faster too.
“I wanted to thrice-hone too at the time, but when my Vitality hit 189cal, it wouldn’t increase no matter what.
“I had no choice but to choose to break through.
“Had I known earlier, I would have given it a shot. What a pity...”
Fu Changding was not too upset and switched to a smile very quickly. “Let’s go. You’re treating. I’ll have a feast!”
Fang Ping burst out laughing and did not reject it. He changed his clothes and went out.
...
The second cafeteria.
Fang Ping and Fu Changding went straight to the second floor. When they arrived, Fang Ping noticed that it was far from empty!
Fang Ping walked in a circle until he found a seat in a corner.
When they were ordering, Fang Ping felt a blow to his gut.
“Fresh Ganoderma Mushroom with Abalone Sauce: 1888 yuan
“Stewed Sea Cucumber: 2888 yuan
“Ginseng Stewed Black Chicken: 3999 yuan
“Grilled Steak: 1999 yuan
“...”
“Are they trying to rob people?”
Fang Ping could not stop himself from cursing. ‘Why is it so expensive? Have your chickens, ducks, cows, and goats practiced martial arts?’
On the other hand, Fu Changding took this in his stride and smiled. “It’s alright, it’s not unreasonably expensive. The exclusive cafeterias in martial arts universities add some special seasoning into their dishes.
“They add the ingredients for Vitality Pills into the gravy. You know how expensive Vitality Pills are.
“Although one meal is not as effective as a Vitality Pill, it’s tastier than Pills and easier to digest. The price is quite a bit cheaper too...”
“Martial artists spend money like water. When you guys count your living expenses, is it in millions?”
Fang Ping asked this curiously. Fu Changding smiled bitterly and said, “How can that be? Do you really think money has no value anymore?
“We don’t eat these types of dishes regularly.
“Normally, when there’s no big occasion, we’ll eat a Blood-nourishing Pill or a Blood and Qi-replenishing Pill and then eat a normal meal. Moreover, the Vitality depleted is too small to be recovered, we won’t spend money carelessly either.
“Can we really freely eat this?”
Even if it was Fu Changding, he would not maintain peak Vitality at all times. It was fine as long as not too much was depleted.
Regular cultivation was pretty much it, and then he stopped.
They were still considered good. Some casual martial artists only cultivated when it reached a point where cultivating was necessary to prevent their Vitalities slipping.
That was why many casual martial artists maintained themselves at Rank-1. They could not afford to use that much.
As the two of them talked, someone walked up to their side and looked at Fang Ping. He smiled lightly. “Fang Ping?”
Fang Ping raised his head and looked at him. He did not recognize him, but he still nodded his head.
“You know Wang Jinyang?”
Fang Ping sighed and got straight to the point. “First, I know Wang Jinyang, but if you’re seeking revenge, you can look for him yourself. He has too many enemies—I can’t take them all.
“Second, my instructor is the ‘Unconquerable Wu’, who’s backed by a Grandmaster. Think twice if you want to pick a fight.
“Third, you’re Rank-2, I’m Rank-1. If you want to bother me while you’re at an advantage, the school wouldn’t allow that!
“Fourth, I just broke through Rank-1 and am still a new student. I don’t know much about the school’s rules.
“If you really want to, find a Rank-1 martial artist to bother me and I’ll accept it, but you’ll have to wait a while. I assume you guys aren’t that anxious, right?
“Fifth, I’m eating right now. Also, this is the dorm area, where martial arts attacks are strictly forbidden, but a battle of words is useless. We’re all martial artists, so there’s no need to do something beneath us.”
The person standing at the side was stunned for a moment before smiling and nodding. “Not bad. That’s reasonable.
“You’re quite bright. No wonder you’re the new king of this batch of new students!
“So, you’re saying you’d be willing to take on a portion of Wang Jinyang’s debt?”
Fang Ping smiled wryly. “Whatever you say. If I don’t accept it, won’t you people find some other reason to pick a fight with me?”
The youngster smiled too. “It doesn’t count as picking a fight. It’s actually a school tradition for old students to teach the new students their place.
“In this batch, you, Fang Ping, are the most well-known. Even if the Wang Jinyang stuff didn’t exist, we would still seek you out.
“After all, when a new student is too outstanding, it makes us old students look useless.
“Let’s do it this way, then. Since you’ve just broken through, we won’t take advantage of you. We’ll give you a month. After a month, a Rank-1 martial artist will come to challenge you. That should be no problem, right?”
Fang Ping replied calmly, “The type where life or death doesn’t matter?”
“Not to that point.”
The youngster smiled yet again and said, “We’re all MCMAU students. We won’t attack that ruthlessly. Moreover, we don’t want to displease Instructor Lu.
“It’ll be a normal confrontation. Of course, fists and legs don’t have eyes, so injuries are hard to avoid.”
Fu Changding furrowed his brows slightly. “Fang Ping has just broken through. The old students you’ve mentioned are probably all peak Rank-1, aren’t they?”
“A thrice-honed, Rank-1 breakthrough wouldn’t be too far from a normal peak Rank-1, right? The new students’ king should have the reputation of one. Fang Ping, what do you think?”
Fang Ping scoffed. “I think it’s no big deal! Sure, it doesn’t matter, so it’s up to you guys.
“You don’t have the guts to find Wang Jinyang for revenge, so you come to pester me. Isn’t this because you think I’m easier to bully?
“Nice people are taken advantage of—this is a principle I’ve understood ever since I was little. When you guys are beaten to the point of fear and submission, then there should be no issue, right?
“I’m not Wang Jinyang. I’m also an MCMAU student. If a Rank-2 were to bully a Rank-1 like me, take responsibility for the consequences yourself. If you’re fine with that, you can bring on a Rank-2 too!”
The youngster dissolved into laughter. “No need to be so extreme. No Rank-2 martial artist will enter the fight. We all can’t handle this responsibility. Unless you challenge one of your own accord.”
When he finished speaking, the youngster said, “One more thing. As an MCMAU student, there’s no need to get too close to Wang Jinyang.
“You should know what I mean. I don’t think a moron could become MCMAU’s new students’ king!”
Fang Ping smiled sardonically. “I wouldn’t want you to be concerned about this, Senior. I want to eat now, do you...”
“Alright. You two continue. I won’t disturb you any longer.”
The youngster had his dignity. He smiled, turned and walked away.
After he left, Fu Changding furrowed his brows and said, “Why did you respond? If you just ignored them, they won’t dare to do anything to you!”
Fang Ping was a new student at MCMAU, and he had a very strong mentor.
Even if he did not deal with these people, they would dare to bother Fang Ping without any reason.
However, now that Fang Ping himself had accepted it, even Lu Fengrou could not intervene. Furthermore, they would all be Rank-1, which complied with the school rules.
Fang Ping shook his head. He thought for a bit before saying, “I want to experience it a little.”
“Huh?” Fu Changding’s face was full of bewilderment.
“I want to experience what a true martial artist is and what a blood battle is. I want to know if MCMAU’s students really are different...”
Fu Changding said impatiently, “You still don’t have to do it this way! A peak Rank-1 MCMAU student is much stronger than you think!”
“Tell me, what do you think will happen if I can’t beat them and have to admit defeat?”
Fu Changding was slightly stunned. This bastard had not even started yet, but he was already thinking about admitting defeat?
Fang Ping smiled. “I was kidding. This is good, actually. We’re all reasonable. If I manage to establish myself this time and defeat these Rank-1 people, I should have no more troubles after that.
“To be honest, if they didn’t look for me, I would try to do something to establish myself.
“Otherwise, people would keep finding reasons to pick a fight with me later on. It would be too bothersome.”
“I’m just afraid you won’t be able to establish yourself and become the one whom others establish themselves from...” Fu Changding muttered.
No matter how good Fang Ping’s performance was, he had just entered Rank-1. When he met a peak Rank-1, he would not have any advantage.
After some thought, Fu Changding suddenly said in a low voice, “In a confrontation between the new students and old students, new students can have requests as long as they’re not overboard. You can ask for the old students to not be allowed to use weapons and use only fist and leg techniques. Even if you get injured, it won’t be too serious.”
Fang Ping was silent for a moment before saying, “That makes sense. When the time comes, I’ll bring an alloy saber that kills with the slightest brush. They can’t blame me for being ruthless when they were the ones who picked a fight!”
Fu Changding laughed drily. This bastard had actually agreed to it. He had thought Fang Ping would reject it.
Fang Ping had already set his heart on it. He was a Rank-1 martial artist. Although he had honed his bones, his Vitality was not high and his outburst strength was limited.
With Fang Ping’s thrice-honed foundation, even if he was hit by a fist or leg, unless it injured his brain, it was not so easy for him to suffer any serious damage.
However, an alloy weapon was different. Swords were merciless. If he was really struck by one, it was normal for an arm or leg to break.
If he was struck anywhere other than a honed bone, he might bleed to death!
Fang Ping had long expected today’s turn of events.
Ever since Lu Fengrou had exposed his relationship to Old Wang and Qin Fengqing had given that warning, he knew, a day like this would come sooner or later.
“Maybe Old Wang can repay me with some medicinal pills since these are his enemies.”
Fang Ping mumbled to himself before he resumed eating. The meal cost almost ten thousand. If he did not polish off every last scrap, he would die of heartache.
...
Seeing Fang Ping enjoying his food, Fu Changding decided to let the matter rest.
It was going to be Rank-1 against Rank-1. The thrice-honed Fang Ping would not necessarily lose to anyone. Since he had become a martial artist, encountering these issues was also very common. There was no need to dissuade too much.