Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
A dreamless night.
That night, Fang Ping slept contentedly. He thought he would have nightmares, but it turned out that he did not have any.
The next day, after Fang Ping woke up, he became certain about one thing.
Humans were selfish!
After killing Zhang Guowei and the others, he thought about how sad their families would be.
However, once he thought about how sad his own family would be if he were dead, Fang Ping felt no more remorse.
His own parents and sister were living good lives due to his influence.
If he were to die?
His father would have to go back to doing jobs that required him to sacrifice his health in exchange for money, and his mother would have to deal with other people’s tempers just to earn 800 bucks a month as a temporary worker.
As for his sister, would she still be able to laugh with such abandon?
...
Lu Fengrou let him go home to adjust his feelings and relax.
At this point, Fang Ping was truly relaxed.
When Fang Ping woke up, he made a round of the building and bought some breakfast. When he came home, his parents had just woken up, and Fang Yuan was still asleep.
Seeing that Fang Ping had gone out so early in the morning, Li Yuying had a conflicted look on her face; she did not know if she felt distressed or relieved.
Fang Mingrong had just finished washing up. His work yesterday was considered overtime, and today the Department of Education was on holiday.
After preparing himself a cup of strong tea, Fang Mingrong thought for a moment before opening his mouth. “Pingping, why don’t you see if you could buy a gift and visit Director Tan today?”
Tan Zhenping granted Fang Ping a favor by letting his father enter the Department of Education as an official employee.
Favors should be granted in exchange, so since Fang Ping was back, paying him a visit seemed only natural.
Fang Ping smiled and nodded as he said, “Alright, I should thank him anyway. Our family lives in Sun City, and as Director Tan is the person in charge, we’re all under his care.”
When Fang Mingrong heard these words, a pleased look appeared on his face. His son did not just have strength, he also knew the ways of the world, making him more powerful than if he had only strength alone.
The father and son discussed for a moment. It was not good to go too early, but if they went too late, they would be asked to stay for a meal, so they agreed that going a little after 9 o’clock would be fine.
After they finished breakfast, Fang Yuan had gotten up as well.
After finding out that her father and older brother were going to visit the deputy director of the Department of Education, the girl did not even suggest tagging along with them.
Fang Yuan liked to join in on the fun, but that also depended on the people involved.
The leader of the Department of Education!
That meant that he was the leader of the teachers. Currently, Fang Yuan was even scared to go to the teachers’ office, let alone the house of the leader of the Department of Education.
...
At the Department of Education’s Family Compound.
Tan Zhenping’s residence was so luxurious!
The civil servants of this generation all had decent lives and ate decent food.
Some things were advantageous to be put out in the open. They were unlike those of the previous generation, where even the civil servants who had some money had to bury it in the ground.
The Fang family’s father and son had called earlier before coming to visit.
The main door of the Tan family’s small villa opened. Tan Hao and his brother were standing at the door. The moment he saw Fang Ping, he called out frantically, “Dad, Fang Ping and Uncle Fang are here!”
Tan Zhenping showed little reservation as he walked over to them, grinning widely. “Old Fang, there’s no need to be so courteous with me. I thought I said you didn’t have to bring anything?”
After greeting Fang Mingrong, Tan Zhenping turned to look at Fang Ping, smiling as he said, “Indeed, the young is better than the old!”
Despite these words, Fang Ping did not have a Vitality Outburst.
However, Tan Zhenping felt the slightest sensation of being oppressed.
In fact, he was a Peak Rank-1 martial artist. Even a Vitality martial artist was a martial artist!
His Vitality was as high as 250cal, yet when facing Fang Ping, he actually felt as if his Vitality was inferior. This was too unexpected!
Even if Fang Ping had become a martial artist, he still just broke through not long ago. Could it be that Fang Ping’s Vitality was higher than his own?
“Uncle Tan.”
Fang Ping smiled and bowed. “Sorry to bother you with my father’s matters.”
“It was just a small matter.”
Tan Zhenping smiled. “Moreover, your dad is an honest person who’s willing to do some hard work. His colleagues in the department all think that your dad’s doing a pretty good job...”
“Director...”
Fang Mingrong looked a little uncomfortable. Tan Zhenping laughed and said, “When we’re not in the office, there’s no need to call me Director. I’m only older than you by a few years. When we’re in private, just call me Old Tan.”
After a customary polite exchange, Tan Zhenping led the father and son into his house.
Upon entering the house and seeing the Tan brothers still standing around, Tan Zhenping scolded, “What are you doing just standing there? Can’t you read the situation? Go get Uncle Fang some tea!”
Tan Hao gave a foolish chuckle before hurrying off to get the tea.
Fang Ping stood up after seeing the situation. “Uncle Tan, you go ahead and have a chat with my dad. I’ll go talk with Tan Hao and his brother for a while. We can catch up a little later.”
“Sure. You youngsters go ahead and talk then.”
Although Tan Zhenping had some things he wanted to discuss with Fang Ping, with Fang Mingrong here, he could not ignore him.
A man became wiser as he matured. To flatter Fang Ping at his age would be too shameless. On the contrary, becoming acquainted with Fang Ping’s father was more suitable than Fang Ping himself.
...
In Tan Hao’s room.
Tan Hao released a long breath as he spoke sulkily. “Fang Ping, you’re a hotshot now!
“My dad looks so casual now, but the moment he received your call, he immediately called for others to clean up, and got Tao and I out of bed just to prepare to welcome the two of you.
“Before you arrived, my dad had taken several turns around the living room...”
“Ahem ahem!”
Tan Tao interrupted his brother, sparing the Old Man some dignity.
After interrupting his brother, Tan Tao asked curiously, “Fang Ping, did you really break through and become a martial artist?”
“Uh-huh.”
Fang Ping did not hide it. After all, Tan Zhenping’s attitude already showed a lot of things, and he was their old man.
“Really?”
The Tan brothers were stunned!
Just like that, he was a martial artist?
After a moment of thought, Tan Tao asked suddenly, “A twice-honed martial artist?”
After entering a martial arts university, they, too, knew about twice-honing.
In May, Fang Ping’s Vitality was at 149cal. Based on their estimations, it was highly likely that he was twice-honed.
“No.”
“No?”
Tan Tao was surprised. Fang Ping’s Vitality increased very quickly. There were four months in between the time when he was at 149cal and the time when he became a martial artist. Was he really not twice-honed?
Tan Hao was much more straightforward, muttering, “That’s a surprise. What a pity. While none of the new students at Nanjiang Martial Arts University are martial artists, there is one new student whose Vitality is already over 150cal. He’s preparing for twice-honing now.
“Just don’t rush to break through. I’ve heard that after being twice-honed, you’ll improve very quickly.
“Senior Wang is also twice-honed, which is how he became Rank-3 so quickly...”
Fang Ping’s face remained impassive as he said, “I’m not twice-honed. I’m just thrice-honed.”
“Huh?”
“Ahem ahem ahem, am I hearing things?”
“Fang Ping, what did you say about thrice?”
“...”
The two brothers looked like they had not heard clearly. Fang Ping was amused. “Above being twice-honed, there’s still thrice-honed. I’m a martial artist with a thrice-honed breakthrough.”
These things were not considered secrets, as at least those in MCMAU knew about it.
Tan Zhenping was a government official, so there was a chance that they would come into contact with each other in the future.
In regards to that, it did not matter whether he hid it or not. If the Tan brothers knew about it, then Tan Zhenping would know about it.
The more outstanding Fang Ping became, the more likely that Tan Zhenping and the other local government officials would take care of the Fang family members.
At this point, Fang Ping did not have to be humble. At Rank-1, he was not considered very powerful, so he might not inspire fear in others.
However, a thrice-honed martial artist was different.
Even if Tan Zhenping did not know the meaning of being thrice-honed, there had to be at least one insider in Sun City who understood. At the very least, the talented ones of Sun City would know.
A thrice-honed martial artist studying at MCMAU. When he graduated, what rank would he be?
Rank-3 or Rank-4 or maybe even higher?
Even if he never went further, this type of person was enough for Sun City to value. Even Auspicious Sun City would value him.
The Tan brothers stared blankly for a moment. Tan Tao regained his senses first and responded hurriedly, “Above twice-honed, there’s thrice-honed? Fang Ping, could you tell us about it?”
“Those whose Vitality reach 180cal would generally undergo twice-honing. Then, those whose Vitality are at 200cal would undergo thrice-honing.
“When your Vitalities reach 150cal and you undergo your first honing, then you’ll understand the feeling of it.
“Of course, a third time is very difficult. I’m not trying to praise myself, but it’s true that very few people could make it this far.
“If your conditions allowed it, you could try for a second honing, but try your best to avoid a third honing...”
Fang Ping gave a simple explanation before asking about the Tan brothers’ situations.
Tan Hao’s Vitality had reached 135cal, while Tan Tao’s was at 134cal.
The two brothers’ progress was not slow. In fact, it was considered very fast, considering that classes had just started a month ago.
At this rate, by the end of the semester, it was probable that they could reach 150cal and cross the line separating martial artists and normal people.
Then, in the next semester of freshman year, there was hope that they could break through and become martial artists.
In a normal martial arts university, to become a martial artist as a freshman was already considered not easy.
Tan Hao even laughed as he said, “Our progress is considered fast. Zhou Bin and the others who used to have higher Vitalities than us are now at about the same pace as us because they didn’t train their pole-standing.
“Of course, we can’t compare to you guys.
“This year’s batch of new students at Nanjiang Martial Arts University is actually pretty strong. Classes just started, yet there’s already someone whose Vitality is over 150cal.
“Quite a few from last year’s batch haven’t even become martial artists. There’s at least a small portion of them left.
“Remember last year’s batch of seniors from Sun City No.1 High School?
“Other than Senior Wang at Rank-3 and becoming the president of the Martial Arts Society, among the rest, some of them have just become Rank-1, and some of the others have not become martial artists. They’re still aspiring martial artists, like us.”
That was the reality of a normal martial arts university. From the start, the students they recruited were not very powerful and did not have high Vitalities.
There were also not enough resources. Even in sophomore year, there were still a large number of students that had yet to become martial artists.
They could only wait til junior year, and if they were lucky, they could enter Rank-1.
By senior year, a few of the top students would graduate at Rank-2, while the other students mostly graduated at Rank-1. Only a very small number of students could graduate at Rank-3.
Of course, there were still those who were unlucky. It was not too rare for someone to graduate without becoming a martial artist.
On the other hand, among MCMAU’s fewer than 1600 new students, over 100 of them had already become official martial artists. By the end of the semester, perhaps about a small half of them would have become martial artists.
Upon entering sophomore year, almost all of them would be martial artists.
Then, after two years in junior and senior year, quite a number would graduate at Rank-2, though it was also not uncommon for some to graduate at Rank-3. There were also the rare species who would graduate at Rank-4.
The few of them chatted for a while before Tan Tao asked for their opinion. “Want to ask Wu Zhihao and the others to come out for a meal?
“We seldom get a holiday, and everyone’s back in town. Since you became a martial artist, we can consider it a congratulatory meal for you.”
“Don’t say it like that. A gathering’s just a gathering, there’s no need to mention any sort of congratulations.”
Fang Ping smiled and did not reject the idea. On the spot, he called Wu Zhihao and the others, agreeing to meet in the afternoon for a small gathering.
...
After talking with the Tan brothers for a while, Fang Ping went downstairs.
Fang Mingrong was just a normal person after all. Previously, he was at the bottom of the hierarchy, so just talking to Tan Zhenping for a while made him feel uncomfortable.
Seeing his son descending the stairs, Fang Mingrong said frantically, “Director, my smoking habit is acting up again, so I’ll go outside for a smoke. Fang Ping can stay and talk with you for a while. Pingping, come over here and chat with Director Tan...”
Fang Ping made a noise of agreement as Tan Zhenping smiled and nodded.
When Fang Mingrong left, Fang Ping sat on the opposite side of Tan Zhenping. He smiled and said, “Uncle Tan, this time I really have to thank you for your care.”
“It’s what I was supposed to do.
“How are you doing in Magic City Martial Arts University?”
“Pretty good. My instructor is Peak Rank-6, and she doesn’t have many students, so tends to me pretty well...”
“Peak Rank-6!”
Tan Zhenping sucked in a breath of cold air. In his entire lifetime, he had yet to see a Rank-6 martial artist!
Nanjiang’s Governor-General Zhang was at Peak Rank-6, but such an important person was not someone he could meet.
Now that he knew Fang Ping’s instructor was at Peak Rank-6, he could not help feeling astonished.
Was this what it was like to be an MCMAU student?
Actually, in these past few years, it was not like no one from Sun City had entered the Big Two, but those who went in were still pretty low in the ranks.
When these people were allocated instructors, almost all of the instructors were Rank-4.
When they graduated, most of them were at Rank-2, though there were even some Rank-1 martial artists among them. Most of them stayed in the metropolitan areas.
Now, Fang Ping’s instructor was at Rank-6—implying that even at MCMAU, Fang Ping was considered one of the most excellent people there.
First, they had Wang Jinyang, and then, they had Fang Ping. The students of Sun City these past two years were shockingly remarkable.
After chatting for a moment, Tan Zhenping got down to business. “Fang Ping, it’s like this. This year, the city is preparing to have an educational reformation. You know what happened previously—it was criticized over at Auspicious Sun City.
“In the Provincial City, they majorly increased the requirements for each county this year, so the Department of Education has recently introduced a reformation plan.
“You were the most outstanding student from the previous batch of Martial Science Exam candidates, so we were hoping to use you as a figurehead to promote within the city, in order to let more families register for martial sciences.
“You know that for some families, it isn’t that they don’t have the 10000 bucks, it’s just that they don’t think it’s worth it. That’s why the amount of students registering for martial sciences every year isn’t great.
“You also came from a normal family background, so we were hoping to use you as an example...”
This matter was not a big one, yet Fang Ping waved his hand and said, “Uncle Tan, don’t use my case as an example to promote. It’s not good.
“I’m not a regular phenomenon. I had my opportunities.
“Forcing others to have high hopes and having their hopes being shattered in the end would be a bigger blow to them.
“Also, regarding my business, it’s better to keep things low-key, including the things over at Senior Wang’s side.”
Tan Zhenping furrowed his brows slightly. Fang Ping paused to think for a moment before continuing, “Senior Wang has acquired more enemies in the outside world. Some of them may not follow the rules, so it’s best to keep things low-profile.
“I’m about the same. Yesterday, I just killed two Peak Rank-1 martial artists, so it’s best if things are kept off the radar...”
“Ahem ahem ahem...”
Tan Zhenping started to cough harshly. ‘I must have heard wrongly, right?’
Fang Ping did not say too much either. ‘I’m not faking my strength. I’m just giving a serious reminder.’
Although the news about them students were technically not a secret, the less trouble the better. If the news were to spread like wildfire, it might not bring them any advantage.
Old Wang was so famous in the outside world, yet in most people’s eyes, he was incredibly humble.
Only once you achieved the level of a Grandmaster, where you had no one to fear and others would not even dare to think of taking revenge, could you afford to be more high profile.
Tan Zhenping looked at Fang Ping for a while before letting out a long sigh, not bringing it up anymore.
He did not suspect Fang Ping of lying. It was just that in that moment, it really was hard to accept what he said.
Killed two Peak Rank-1 martial artists?
He was also at Peak Rank-1... In that case, if he were to face Fang Ping now, then he would also be goods to be snuffed?
In reality, Tan Zhenping had overestimated himself. Fang Ping could take on ten Vitality Martial Artists like him, but of course, Fang Ping would not say it. It was too hurtful.