Chapter 104: Chapter 104 Being Thrifty is Important

Marquis Xia Wu, a Middle Realm Profound Martial Artist.

Extremely powerful, nicknamed Martial Elder Xia.

This time he came to Fangyi City as a representative of the Central City Martial Mansion to serve as an examiner.

Only he didn’t expect that the person he had once decided to accept as his disciple, but was taken away by the Inspectorate, would appear again.

His parents are dead.

Yet in his hands, he holds records of large bribes his parents accepted in the past and even evidence of their mutual corruption.

Thus, Marquis Xia Wu knew.

Unless this boy dies without anyone knowing, otherwise… he fears he’ll be at his mercy.

“Dawei, your parents are already dead, the situation is settled. I believe that in the spirit world, your parents would wish for you to live well for them and not to sacrifice your life for revenge.”

Marquis Xia Wu said earnestly, “It’s rare for you to still be alive; study well and strive for a good future. As far as I know, someone sharing your crime, named Li Zhonghan, was found involved in a gang rape case and was chemically castrated. Compared to that, at least you can still continue the Zhong family’s bloodline…”

Zhong Dawei coldly said, “In their dying words, my parents instructed me to take revenge at all costs. They died unjust deaths, and the Zhong family bloodline cannot continue with me. Master, you were great friends with my mother, surely you’ll help me?”

Marquis Xia Wu immediately changed his tone and asked, “How can I help you?”

“I just received the latest notice; we can choose our preferences again. Xu Lingjun is definitely going to Bei Xuanwu Martial Mansion. If I also choose it, can’t I confront him?”

“What does that have to do with me? It seems you don’t need my help to do that.”

Zhong Dawei said, “I know my own weight; without my parents’ money, I couldn’t even scrape by in the Middle Way. Even if I attend the Martial Mansion, I’m destined to fail. I’m used to luxury, and can’t stand to live in poverty. If so, I might as well go all out… kill this boy, take revenge, and not waste my parents’ efforts raising me for over a decade.”

He looked at Marquis Xia Wu and said, “I’m not necessarily able to defeat him, and since my release, I’ve been monitoring him. The boy has succeeded, surrounded by several bodyguards secretly protecting him. I can’t find the right opportunity, and his power is growing stronger. Once in the Martial Mansion, I’ll have no chance…”

Zhong Dawei looked at Marquis Xia Wu and proposed, “This is my last chance. You, as the examiner, must know the assessment content, tell me in advance, and help me find an opportunity and power to kill Xu Lingjun. Outwardly, you don’t need to show up, and afterward, I won’t expose you. How about it?”

“This…”

Marquis Xia Wu said troubled, “But there’s only two days until the assessment. In two days, can I equip you, a Body Tempering Stage reserve martial artist, with the strength to eliminate a Qi Gathering Realm martial artist? I’m afraid I don’t have that capability….”

Zhong Dawei sneered, “That’s your problem. My parents were sentenced to death; do you think you’re clean? Why do you think they didn’t expose you too? Do you really not know why?”

Marquis Xia Wu sighed, “Okay, years ago, I accidentally acquired a secret skill called ‘Qiantian Gang Qi,’ which converts all one’s qi blood into True Qi. Especially someone like you, whose Qi Force hasn’t consolidated into True Qi yet, using ‘Qiantian Gang Qi’ early, combines scattered Qi Force and qi blood in you to be stronger. Then, with me forcibly suppressing your qi blood, it can only last a day. Whether you succeed or not, you will likely die. Are you still willing to cultivate it?”

“I am willing.”

Zhong Dawei stared steadfastly at Xu Lingjun in the distant cafe.

He gritted his teeth and said, “As long as I can kill him, I’m not afraid of death… Poverty is worse than death.”

“Alright.”

Marquis Xia Wu gently exhaled, thinking this is for the best.

You die, and it’s all over.

He frowned, “However, I have one last question.”

“What question?”

“As you said, all applicants now have a chance to change their choice, meaning Xu Lingjun also has a chance to change his choice.”

Marquis Xia Wu pointed into the distance and said, “The one chatting with Xu Lingjun seems to be Zhong Yuebai, the director of Zhanzheng Academy. Interacting at such a time, it’s hard to say… that Xu Lingjun isn’t considering changing his mind.”

Zhong Dawei was stunned, frozen in place.

At this moment.

In the cafe.

Zhong Yuebai sighed wearily.

She had offered many benefits, even promising doubled academic credits, free provision of Martial Arts Techniques and classics for cultivation, and hinted that her husband is actually serving at West Origin Martial Mansion, a Middle Realm Peak Profound Martial Artist who could mentor him.

Unfortunately.

Xu Lingjun still resolutely refused.

“What is it, exactly, that makes you so determined with Bei Xuanwu Martial Mansion?”

Zhong Yuebai couldn’t help but ask, “My offer already grants you greater benefits than Bei Xuanwu Martial Mansion and doesn’t hinder your Martial Tao path. Why are you still so obsessed with Bei Xuanwu? Is there some destiny?”

Is it obsession?

Or a promise?

Or perhaps the love-hate entanglements of the elders.

Xu Lingjun, upon hearing this, fell into thought and said, “Nothing special, if anything, when I was little and learned of Martial Tao’s existence, I asked Sister Yaya how I should become a martial arts master… Sister Yaya pointed to an advertisement on TV and said to practice Martial Tao, find Bei Xuan. So, I set Bei Xuan as my goal. Later, when I grew up, I realized that Bei Xuanwu Martial Mansion is indeed one of the top academies, so there’s no need to change.”

In fact, if any of the other three major martial mansions had come today, Xu Lingjun would likely have obediently complied.

But he knew too well what the Zhanzheng Academy wanted from him… he was just a silver spearhead, and if he really went, it wouldn’t take three days for his true form to be exposed.

Even if you promise me the position of Pavilion Master, I can’t go.

Is it still because of Xiaoya?

Zhong Yuebai sighed tiredly and leaned back in the chair.

She sighed, “Alright, then I will take a step back. If Xu Tongxue fails the Bei Xuanwu Martial Mansion assessment this time, can you consider coming to our Zhanzheng Academy? And as long as you come, our promise will be permanently valid.”

“Of course, if I fail.”

Xu Lingjun thought to himself that he couldn’t imagine the possibility of failure at all.

“That’s good; after all, there is still a slight possibility. I wish you success in your assessment, although those are words against my heart.”

Zhong Yuebai stood up and shook hands with Xu Lingjun.

She said with a smile, “Zhanzheng Academy will always welcome you, Xu Lingjun. You are a great talent and should not be content with mediocrity.”

Xu Lingjun sighed, “You have a very big misunderstanding about me.”

The two exchanged smiles, and Zhong Yuebai settled the bill.

Then they walked out side by side…

“Damn it, chatting so happily, I can’t tell if their talk fell apart or they reached an agreement.”

Zhong Dawei gritted his teeth in anger, “At this rate, if I make the wrong choice…”

Thinking of how he had painstakingly seized a great opportunity, stimulated Qi Force, and burned Qi Blood.

Only to arrive at the exam site, and couldn’t find Xu Lingjun at all.

He was actually at another exam site, while he could only burn out in helpless solitude.

Zhong Dawei felt… this was probably the most miserable way to die in the world.

And as Zhong Yuebai watched Xu Lingjun’s departing figure, she thought to herself that it really might just require the Pavilion Master to come forward and plead, to beg Pavilion Master Liu, to move him with emotion and reason, maybe he would relent?

The three-day decision time passed in a blink of an eye.

Most of the students spent these three days in agonizing indecision.

But for Xu Lingjun, it was merely a time for recuperation.

And in these three days…

There was not a lack of good news.

For example, Guo Zheng was fortunate enough and was also assigned for an assessment at Fangyi City.

The two brothers met, which naturally called for a good drink… Unfortunately, although they were guests at Wang Qingya’s home, Wang Qingya refused to drink no matter what.

Letting the two of them go on with their antics.

During these three days.

Everyone’s attention, everyone’s focus, was concentrated on the Dragon Gate exam.

Nobody knew that during these three days, a certain academy’s Pavilion Master visited a certain martial mansion’s Pavilion Master twenty-seven times. The two had intense disputes and quarreled incessantly, and in the end, it’s unclear what kind of under-the-table deal was reached, but they finally drove that academy’s Pavilion Master away.

Nobody knew that Zhong Dawei had been in a dilemma for three whole days.

Bei Xuanwu Martial Mansion or Zhanzheng College?

Prematurely unleashing “Qiantian Gang Qi,” then suppressing it within to achieve greater lethality… but this way, whether it succeeds or not, it’s a death sentence.

If I choose wrong, it’ll truly be a completely wasted death.

And on the night before the exam.

“Remember to wear it properly, don’t despise it just because I’ve worn it, understand?”

Although Wang Qingya’s expression was serious, there was a slight blush on her face as she handed the soft battle armor back to Xu Lingjun.

Seeing Xu Lingjun seemingly wanting to say something,

She earnestly advised, “I know your body is very strong, but just in case, you must not get injured then. Wearing this will give me some peace of mind, and you can return it to me after the exam if need be.”

“Alright, thank you, Sister Yaya.”

Xu Lingjun thought to himself that he originally intended to create one with his own Talent Source.

But for some reason or perhaps it was an illusion, this battle armor in his hand… seemed to have a slippery and somewhat greasy feeling.

Hmm, it’s important to be frugal as a person.

Safety is important, and thriftiness is also important.