Chapter 42
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 42: How to Properly Handle a Bad Call (Physics Edition)
Those "amateur military enthusiasts" did not have Mugang Xian’s loud voice and fierce presence. They suddenly got close and delivered a discreet elbow strike aimed at Gorilla’s liver. Seeing this, Long Aotian’s eyes narrowed. This group of "amateur military enthusiasts" clearly did not plan to play basketball fairly. Long Aotian quickly turned to look at the referee, only to find the referee calmly turning away. Suddenly, Long Aotian realized that the stadium was booked by Li Huaian, and the referee was also someone she had brought in, not from the school. It was clear that Li Huaian had prepared to collude with the referee to make bad calls.
Long Aotian was blaming himself, but Mugang Xian was completely unbothered. He held the basketball with a smile that was increasingly fierce and wild. It wouldn’t be wrong to call it "overly passionate." He roared, "Feel my first basketball technique, Steel War Chariot Charge!"
He turned and collided hard. The "amateur military enthusiast," caught off guard and too close, was knocked three meters away. The referee witnessed this scene and quickly picked up the whistle, ready to make a bad call. Long Aotian was about to step forward to argue, but Mugong Yan stopped him. This man, known for his gentle nature, spoke in a chilling tone, "Don’t worry, proprietor. We have returned from countless battles and will not be stopped by such a small issue! Dwarf Monkey can handle the trouble!"
Before Long Aotian had a chance to respond, he saw Gongcheng Liang quietly appearing behind the referee. He swung a folding chair, which he must have gotten from somewhere, and knocked the referee to the ground. After a few strong hits, the referee did not get up again.
"The time for battle has come! On the fierce battlefield known as the basketball court, let us welcome the chaotic fighting!"
Just as Mugang Xian, transformed into a bloodthirsty Gorilla, finished speaking, he was struck in the throat by the amateur military enthusiast he had just knocked over. This move captured the true essence of military combat skills. Mugang Xian staggered back a step, his neck muscles bulging, veins standing out, yet he managed to endure it and swung the basketball back down.
"Is this… still a basketball game?" Long Aotian felt a bit confused. He saw the Gorilla swinging the basketball as a weapon, with strict form and sharp moves. The basketball in his hand was like a great general wielding a mighty hammer in battle, targeting the weaknesses of the amateur military enthusiast with deadly precision. Turning again, Long Aotian noticed that the referee Gongcheng Liang, Mugong Yan, and Shan Jingshou were all tangled up in fierce fights with others, exchanging punches and kicks in a very intense manner.
"Are they really members of the basketball club? And not from the free fighting club? And are they students from our school?" The old principal, sitting in the audience, looked a bit bewildered. Clearly, this unique and fierce basketball game surprised him as well.
"A good basketball player only needs a little training to become a good fighter; after all, both are physical contests, and there isn’t really much difference!"
Bai Qige appeared next to the old principal, his smile perfectly embodying all the qualities of a wise master, sweet like sugar, a stark contrast to his "friendly" expression toward Mugang Xian and the others. When the principal saw Bai Qige, he stood up and nodded slightly. Bai Qige joined his hands in a gesture of respect, saying, "My Buddhist name is Wet Dream. It is an honor to meet Principal Li. I took Long Aotian as my student without permission and became an advisor to the Xiangbei Basketball Club, taking the members for off-campus training. If this breaches school rules, I hope Principal Li will forgive me!"
The principal replied politely, "Master, you jest! It is quite fortunate for this child, Aotian, to be chosen by someone as remarkable as you. As for the other members of the basketball club, if these children are willing, act within the law, and are safe, then it isn’t a big issue."
Gentle and polite, warm, and kind, the old principal had truly deep qualities in treating others. In just a few sentences, one could feel his refinement. Bai Qige’s eyes slightly shifted, sensing a hint of caution and doubt in the principal’s words.
This was to be expected; an elder who had seen much of the world, with a wealth of experience and holding a high position, was not so easily fooled like the naive Long Aotian. Although Bai Qige’s looks, demeanor, and revealed skills perfectly matched the standard template of a "wise master," the more perfect he seemed, the more he stirred suspicion and caution in people like the principal. Such individuals deeply understood that things that appear too good and virtuous in this world often turn out to be very false.
However, Bai Qige did not care about the old principal’s scrutinizing gaze or the doubts hidden in his words. He smiled brightly. The old principal’s background and abilities were not a secret. Sometimes he would even appear on television, such as when important officials from the capital came to Deep City for inspections, or when royal family members or foreign officials visited. He would occasionally host them. At least in Deep City, the old principal had considerable influence and genuine power.
Such people are significant figures in the worldly sense, but Bai Qige was not afraid of them at all. He even found them quite charming for one reason: when facing such people, as long as he used a little cleverness, he could win them over and use them for his own purposes!
"Principal Li, please forgive my bluntness. Although you appear fine, you seem weakened, with a grayish complexion, your energy blocked, and you clearly show signs of illness!"
When Bai Qige spoke, it was a classic charlatan display. Although he was speaking nonsense, he was mostly correct. Principal Li, being in his seventies, still stood tall and elegant, with a good complexion. However, to say his body was as strong as in his youth would be nonsense. Time does not spare anyone; it is unavoidable for all.
"It is common for the elderly to have trouble with their legs. I had a checkup at the Royal Hospital just last month, and the imperial doctors said I don’t have any problems!"
Principal Li smiled slightly, not taking Bai Qige’s words seriously. An elderly man of his age and status certainly had encountered charlatans before. Clearly, he did not believe this, and his words carried a warning. The Royal Hospital is a famous institution in the Yanhuang Empire, filled with imperial doctors. Those who can receive treatment there are definitely either rich or noble, a place known for the highest achievements in Yanhuang medicine. The implication was clear: don’t expect to fool me.
However, Bai Qige was not an ordinary charlatan; he was a charlatan with real abilities. So he remained unfazed by Principal Li’s implied warning and replied with a slight smile, "The concept of illness is not a matter of medicine, but of metaphysics. A person’s lifespan may be three hundred years, but throughout history, even those who hold royal power, how many have lived to see half of that? Life is full of trials and hardships, bringing various forms of suffering; illness, bad energy, and death are all just consequences. Not to mention, how many doctors can truly foresee everything before the signs of illness appear?"
The first rule of being a charlatan is to be able to boast. You say you have been checked by imperial doctors and have no issues? I must make up another concept to belittle those doctors, making myself seem capable.
"Oh, is that how it is?" The old man’s tone was certain, but his expression clearly showed disbelief. Not just him; the twin granddaughters beside him also displayed looks that suggested he was lying.
"Hehe, if Principal Li doesn’t believe me, why not stretch out your hand? I will use my power, and you will see!"
"Okay!" Principal Li nodded, stretched out his hand, curious to see what trick Bai Qige would play. Bai Qige chuckled, took his hand, and then used the True Qi Healing skill. True Qi flowed into him, and in an instant, Principal Li felt a warm current move from his palm throughout his body. Soon, he couldn’t help but tremble, feeling so good that he could hardly breathe.
