CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 40 RECOGNITION BEGINS

Zhao Le was silent for a long time and sighed, "Alright, I just hope you understand the cost of this refusal."

Zhang Xinglie smiled silently.

Zhao Le left, and Zhang Xinglie practiced late into the night as usual.

After practicing, he returned to his single dormitory, picked up his hand-copied second copy of "Miscellaneous Collection of Zhao Dongjun, Volume Two," and read slowly.

The first hand-copied "Miscellaneous Collection of Zhao Dongjun" had already been worn out.

Evening in Rucheng.

Principal Lu connected a call from an old friend.

"Old Lu, what you said during the school affairs meeting today, is it true?"

"What if it’s true, what if it’s not?"

"If you announce it publicly at the commendation meeting, Xihai Martial Arts Academy will be in a difficult position."

"They can do it, and I can’t say it?"

"That’s how it’s always been."

"Old Yu, thank you for speaking up for Zhou Leng at Xihai Martial Arts Academy, but some words are like fishbones in my throat; I can’t rest until I say them."

"But if you really say it, Xihai Martial Arts Academy and the education bureau won’t just ignore it."

"I don’t care. If I can’t protect my students once, if I still can’t protect them twice, then I shouldn’t be the principal."

"You’re still upset about Ma...’s matter, huh."

"Keep busy, I still have to prepare for tomorrow’s commendation meeting."

"You’re being way too immature doing this."

"In the past, I was too mature."

"You..."

That night, over a dozen calls came in.

Principal Lu handled them with composure.

Saturday morning.

Zhou Leng stood at the intersection, staring at Ruge Mountain in the distance.

He gently shook his neck; after an entire week of military training, his body was nearly falling apart.

The instructors became more brutal each day.

Thankfully, he often ranked first or second, allowing him to consume large amounts of Great Nourishing Pills and Meat Herbal Cuisine. Sleeping under the Frost Giant Tree, his body not only didn’t deplete but grew stronger.

His True Qi had finally advanced to the Great Success Tenth Layer, just one step away from Perfection.

Today is Saturday, the day of the Eighth Middle School commendation meeting. Zhou Leng had agreed with Xu Qingjin to go together in the morning.

Seeing that Xu Qingjin hadn’t arrived yet, Zhou Leng looked around, walked into the nearest community, and went to the horizontal bar.

Gripping the horizontal bar with his right hand, Zhou Leng began performing one-arm pull-ups.

"1, 2, 3, 4..."

"...62!"

Zhou Leng landed, exhaled a long breath, and walked out of the community.

Last time, he did 51.

Half a year ago, Zhang Xinglie did 54.

Zhou Leng looked down at his arm, the muscles bulging, skin shining with a subtle glow.

Walking out of the intersection, he saw Xu Qingjin in a white dress, looking around.

Their eyes met, Xu Qingjin smiled slightly, nodding gently.

"What are you doing in this community?"

"Testing my one-arm pull-ups," Zhou Leng said.

"How many?"

"61."

"Wow, amazing! If you take the entrance exam now, you’d probably score over 98 in weightlifting, maybe even a perfect 100."

"I feel like there’s a chance. Let’s go."

The boy and girl walked shoulder to shoulder towards Eighth Middle School.

At Ruge District People’s Hospital, five people accompanied a wheelchair out the door, heading to Eighth Middle School.

Tao Bing sat in the wheelchair, his expression gloomy.

Tu Rong, dressed in leather, pushed the wheelchair and said, "That guy Zhou Leng sure knows how to cause trouble. Not only did he injure you, but he also gave Jiang Yan a hard time. I told Jiang Yan about your situation yesterday, and Jiang said he’d come today if it weren’t for overtime."

Tao Bing said, "He’s now too focused on making progress to care whether I live or die."

"Hey, you’ve been friends for years; it’s not like that. He’s been having it rough lately. Originally, he wanted to teach that hard-to-manage... uh, Hu Yi a lesson in the workshop. But for some reason, Hu Yi went off on him in public and then quit on the spot," Tu Rong shook his head.

"That bad?"

"That’s not all. Then their manager seized on the opportunity, not only scolding him again but also docking his pay. He won’t be able to become a team leader for a year. I wanted to talk to the manager, and guess who he turned out to be?"

"How should I know?" Tao Bing said.

"He’s Tian Wenhua’s cousin, named Tian Wenbao."

"Tian Wenhua is that Brother Tian?"

"Of course it’s him."

"That means he’s your big brother’s brother. I remember Tian Wenhua was the leader of the Five Tigers of Shuizhou back in the day, and your boss, Yan Fenggang, was the fifth of the Five Tigers."

"Yeah. So I didn’t make a peep, and Jiang Yan wasn’t happy about it. It’s somewhat related to why he didn’t come this time."

"Oh, it’s really unlucky for him. This matter is tricky since Manager Tian’s connection with the Five Tigers of Shuizhou is closer than ours."

Tu Rong said, "Tsk, the Five Tigers of Shuizhou... My boss often got drunk and bragged about the feats of the Five Tigers, like joining the army in Shuizhou City and fighting against demons. Later, when the allies couldn’t hold on, they retreated to Rucheng. Then they were falsely accused, but they founded a pioneering branch company and thrived in Ruge District through unity and being ruthlessly cunning."

"The Five Tigers of Shuizhou certainly had a fearful reputation back in the day; we all grew up hearing their names."

"Yeah, folks in other districts might not know, but no one in Ruge District isn’t afraid of the Five Tigers of Shuizhou."

"How many of the five bosses are left now?"

"There are two left, one retired and the other two... well, they live sad lives, let’s not bring it up."

"I wonder if we can ever be as glorious as the Five Tigers of Shuizhou."

Tu Rong said, "You’re dreaming. Let me make it clear, we can’t make a move near Eighth Middle School this time. We follow him, wait until he’s far from Eighth Middle School, then take action."

"Alright, since there are too many people during the Eighth Middle School commendation meeting, it’d be too troublesome," Tao Bing said.

"You’re sure about Zhou Leng’s whereabouts, right? Don’t come up empty."

"No mistake. Young Master Chang and I asked several people from Eighth Middle School. They all said that many seniors are going, Zhou Leng included. Rao Mingxian also said so."

"Rao Mingxian?"

"His grandfather is the principal of Fifty-Ninth Middle School."

"Oh right, I remember now. I vaguely recall my big brother mentioning that his family’s not just about being a principal; they have an uncle with connections in the capital."

"Really has ties in Xiong City?"

"There’s no need for the boss to speak indiscriminately."

"Then I need to build a good relationship with him in the future."

Tu Rong flicked away the cigarette butt in his hand, shook his leather jacket, and said: "Why didn’t your Young Master Chang come?"

Tao Bing snorted lightly, and said: "Zhou Leng Quan Jiu, his father won’t let him act recklessly. These rich people are more afraid of death than anyone else, and when it comes to the skill of changing one’s sails with the wind, we who come from poor places can’t compete with them."

"But he’s been good to you, given you enough money, and even sent you Qi Nourishing Pills and Great Nourishing Pills."

"I got these by trading a broken leg for them. Even with his medicine, I still have to recuperate for a month. In the future, the Martial Arts Hall will find it difficult to compete for ranking resources."

"He’ll always need people, stick close and you’ll never lack pills."

Tao Bing nodded and said: "Last time things weren’t handled properly, I even got hurt, can’t blame anyone. This time if I don’t make that guy Zhou Leng lay in the hospital for three months, I’m not Tao Bing."

"Let’s go!"

The group laughed and slowly walked towards Eighth Middle School.

The morning wind blew across Eighth Middle School’s main field, colorful flags fluttering.

In front of the awarding platform, flowers were blooming beautifully, and seats were densely packed across the main field, stretching as far as the eye could see.

As time slowly passed, many alumni of Eighth Middle School gradually entered.

Students from three grades also entered one after another.

Zhou Leng and Xu Qingjin followed the chat records from Class Three’s group and joined where the old Class Three was gathering.

"Zhou Leng!"

"Xu Qingjin!"

Classmates who had arrived earlier greeted them enthusiastically.

Although they had only been apart for over a month, the classmates chatted excitedly as if they were meeting after a long separation.

Zhou Leng stood quietly.

"Zhou Leng, you’ve gotten impressive! Wow, look at those muscles, good heavens, after a month of not seeing you, you’ve grown bigger than me." Hu Yi walked over, eyeing Zhou Leng from all angles.

The classmates looked at Zhou Leng.

They had long known Zhou Leng’s rank on the Freshman Chart, having previously congratulated him in the group.

Among the old classmates of Class Three, Martial Arts Committee Member Mo Hai was still first, ranked 219 on the Rucheng Freshman Chart.

Zhou Leng was ranked 503, only slightly behind Mo Hai.

Mo Hai sighed and said: "We knew you would soar into greatness, but didn’t expect it to be so fierce. Next month, you’ll definitely surpass me."

Zhou Leng said: "Don’t say that, I still have a long way to go in strength."

The class leader interjected: "I chatted with Teacher Mei a few days ago, and she also said life’s fortunes are really unpredictable."

"I increasingly believe what Teacher Sun said, Zhou Leng turned misfortune into a blessing, forging a powerful talent."

"Zhou Leng, keep working hard and see how far you can climb in rank!"

"Didn’t West Sea Martial Arts Academy reject you? Let them see!"

Mo Hai, who was at West Sea Martial Arts Academy, showed a slightly embarrassed face and said: "After today’s awards ceremony, how about we get together for dinner? Just right to chat about university, chat about future life."

"Sounds good," Feng Wenhao said.

The always active Hu Yi, however, remained silent.

"Alright, Martial Arts Committee Member, you handle it."

"Okay, I’ll post a message in the group, whoever wants to join just sign up. I’ll find a restaurant owned by an uncle I know, can get half price."

"We went there for Mo Hai’s birthday before, it’s a nice place."

As the topic changed, everyone started chatting about various places.

Zhou Leng looked at the class chat group, many people signed up, but Hu Yi didn’t.

Zhou Leng looked quizzically at Hu Yi wearing a blue short shirt, noticed he seemed unwell, and quietly asked: "You’re not planning to go?"

Hu Yi hesitated for a moment, whispered: "I don’t want to go."

Feng Wenhao grabbed Hu Yi’s shoulder and said: "You used to often look for me and Zhou Leng, but now that we’re here, why are you chickening out?"

Hu Yi smiled awkwardly and said: "Been a bit busy lately."

"Busy with what?" Feng Wenhao asked.

Zhou Leng saw Hu Yi’s unusual demeanor and said: "Maybe Hu Yi has stuff to do, if he doesn’t want to go then don’t, doesn’t matter."

Feng Wenhao glanced at other classmates and said: "If you don’t go, I won’t go either, pointless."

"No, you guys don’t mind me. How about today you all go, tomorrow we three gather."

Feng Wenhao said: "How about this, we three follow along and join first. When it’s about time, we’ll leave and go have skewers together, how’s that?"

Zhou Leng looked at Hu Yi.

Hu Yi saw both brothers looking at him, nodded gently.

"Alright!"

Zhou Leng prepared to fill out the sign-up, Xu Qingjin sent a message.

"You’re not going?"

"Going, but Hu Yi, Feng Wenhao, and I might leave earlier."

"Then call me when you do, I want to head home early too."

"Alright, remind me then, I might forget," Zhou Leng said.

"No problem."

Soon, everyone gradually took their seats.

Zhou Leng received a message from Teacher Mei, left the classmates, and headed to the left side of the awarding platform.

"Zhou Leng?"

A familiar voice sounded amidst the crowd.

Zhou Leng turned to look, it was Instructor Deng Zhijue.

"Hello Instructor, are you an alumni of Eighth Middle School too?" Zhou Leng asked.

Deng Zhijue nodded with a smile, looking amicable, entirely unlike the strict drill instructor.

He asked: "You’re receiving the progress award today, right?"

"Yes."

"Go ahead, show them the style of our Great Martial Arts Hall," Deng Zhijue smiled and patted Zhou Leng’s shoulder.

"Goodbye, Instructor." Zhou Leng turned and left.

Deng Zhijue looked towards the awarding platform, thinking that when the awards ceremony begins, the reason the Hall Master sent him would become clear. Getting extra guidance from Wang Boxiong, this opportunity shouldn’t be missed.

Outside the iron railings on Eighth Middle School’s field, some passersby were peeking in.

In a wheelchair, Tao Bing looked at the countless people on the field, muttering: "Did they invite half of Ruge District?"

Tu Rong exhaled a smoke ring, gazed at the awarding platform carpeted with flowers and red carpet, eyes deep and thoughtful.

He gently flicked the cigarette between his fingers.