Chapter 79
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Chapter 79: Song Hailong Wants Me as His Coach
Lei Jun’s heart swelled with emotion. He felt both satisfaction at the bonuses, raises, and teaching achievements he was about to receive. But even more so, a profound sense of nostalgia for his own past.
Once, Lei Jun had been a spirited high school student, dreaming of crushing all opponents with his iron fists, trampling over top students and the wealthy to stand at the peak of all the high schools in Songyang.
“A single punch is to shatter a mountain of wealth! This is the supreme realm that generations of martial practitioners have pursued!”
But reality soon slapped him hard in the face.
His scores on the monthly exams made him feel powerless to catch up.
The fierce competition, where students relied on advanced knowledge beyond the curriculum, made him feel like he existed on a completely different plane from those wealthy top students. It was like a mayfly trying to comprehend the azure sky, a despair – a gap so immense it was despairing.
It was then that he understood that the Fist Sect, Sword Sect, and Qi Sect were all no match for the Money Sect. The principle that “Money Conquers the Myriad Laws” was the simple reality.
He also came to understand another fundamental truth. Money gave power to one’s fists, and the greater the balance in one’s bank account, the greater the destructive force of one’s blows.
Yet today, his student had triumphed over numerous stronger opponents with a frail body, compensating for his physical weakness, lack of medical insurance, and financial disadvantages through unparalleled talent and skill. He had dominated these top students from prestigious schools.
He had achieved what Lei Jun had once dreamed of but later dared not even imagine.
He thought to himself, Ah, to defeat money with one’s own fists… This is the true realm we martial practitioners pursue. Even though it was just a first-year arena match, it’s still a memory that will last a lifetime.
Meanwhile, the emergency doctor before him said calmly, “Ah, it’s nothing serious. He just lost too much blood and is suffering from Qi deficiency. A little blood replenishment will fix him right up.”
“I’ll also prescribe some medicine to supplement his physical strength, magic power, and mental energy…”
Lei Jun pulled several boxes of medicine from his pocket. “No need for a prescription. He can take mine. These should work, right?” He thought this might keep his insurance premiums from rising too much next time.
The emergency doctor pursed his lips, thinking to himself that squeezing any extra money out of these three poor souls was a real struggle.
Shortly after, the referee approached. After checking on Zhang Yu’s condition, he asked Bai Zhenzhen if she would fight Song Hailong for third place.
Bai Zhenzhen naturally declined. Song Hailong’s style as a muscle-bound tank was simply too effective against her.
Thus, a short while later, the top four in the Martial Arts Competition were finalized. The ranking from first to fourth was Zhang Yu, Le Mulan, Song Hailong, and Bai Zhenzhen.
On the other side, Le Mulan had also recovered her mobility after receiving treatment.
So after a brief rest, Zhang Yu joined Le Mulan and Song Hailong on the podium to receive their respective champion, runner-up, and third-place medals.
However, while Zhang Yu beamed with joy, Le Mulan and Song Hailong wore glum expressions, as if they were constipated.
Shouts… and curses… continuously rose from the spectator stands.
A Red Pagoda High School student, seething with jealousy, shouted, “This Zhang Yu’s talent is absurd! He can learn martial arts just by watching others practice! He should have to pay for watching, otherwise he’s just a Martial Arts thief!”
A Purple Cloud student wept bitterly and wailed, “That Zhang Yu actually dared to ride on our sacred one! I wouldn’t even dare to dream of such a thing! Damn it, this hurts worse than death!”
A Bailong student sighed, “The winner stands and the loser kneels. Who would have thought Songyang High School had a top student worthy of being knelt to?”
Being “worthy of being knelt to” was the highest praise a high-scoring top student could receive at Bailong High School.
Before the podium, a beaming Lei Jun pulled out his phone to start filming.
Beside him, Bai Zhenzhen snapped a few photos before switching to video, her mind already strategizing how to leverage the Martial Arts Competition to secure ad sponsorships.
As she took pictures, she called out to the three on the podium, “Smile a little! Those miserable looks are ugly. Not you, Zhang Yu. Rein it in a bit. Don’t grin so smugly.”
Lei Jun said from the side, “After the competition is over, I’ll treat you all to a meal. Go ask Qian Shen and the others if they want to come, and you all can decide what you want to eat.”
***
In the rest area of Purple Cloud High School, Le Mulan slowly walked back holding her second-place medal. She had already changed out of the school uniform that had been stained with blood during her fight with Zhang Yu. The complex emotions of ferocity, anger, and resentment that had surfaced after the fight had vanished without a trace. Now, she looked perfectly composed, as if nothing had happened.
However, when she returned to the rest area and saw Lian Tianji kneeling on the ground, her brow furrowed slightly. “Get up. I withdraw the stool punishment.”
Lian Tianji lifted his head in surprise with a hint of confusion in his gaze as he looked at Le Mulan. This was the first time he had ever seen her go back on her word.
Le Mulan said calmly, “I’ve already lost. What right do I have to punish you?”
“If you become my stool, then since I also lost, should I become your stool? Or should I become Zhang Yu’s stool?”
As she spoke, she turned slightly to glance in Zhang Yu’s direction, her tone complex. “Your loss this time isn’t entirely your fault. That Zhang Yu is truly formidable.”
“Though I still don’t understand why he’s so reluctant to make more money, he did help me recognize my own weaknesses.”
Le Mulan was already mentally planning future training sessions focused on close-quarters combat.
When she first began reviewing the match, Le Mulan had blamed her loss on overconfidence and underestimating her opponent. A momentary lapse in concentration had led her to believe that a simple dodge would be enough to secure victory, but she never expected her opponent to seize on such a subtle opening.
But looking back on the entire battle, she suddenly realized her opponent had come prepared. Not only had he discovered her subtle openings, but he also had the strategy and skill to exploit them.
Apart from this, she could not help but think about her disgust for Zhang Yu’s blood.
Appropriate contact with the poor…
Le Mulan frowned again at the thought, feeling an involuntary discomfort, a mental unease.
It goes against my Mental Cultivation Technique. Changing one’s mindset is truly not simple.
Suddenly, she remembered she had already added Zhang Yu as a friend. She thought to herself, Perhaps I should start by looking at a poor person’s social media feed…
Lian Tianji smiled as he climbed to his feet. “This defeat will make us stronger. Next time we face Zhang Yu in a competition, we’ll definitely win.”
“The next competition?” Le Mulan said. “That’s the Physical Competition, right? Even if we defeat him there, it won’t feel like much of an achievement.”
Lian Tianji paused briefly before nodding in agreement. “You’re right,” he said helplessly. “His physical strength is already so far behind ours now. By the Physical Competition in two months, he’ll likely be even further behind.”
“Unless he can join Songyang’s competition team and get into their so-called special training program…”
***
In the break area of Bailong High School, Chu Qiuhe, now awake, remarked to his classmates, “It wasn’t until I woke up and carefully reviewed the match that I realized how terrifying Zhang Yu truly is. I doubt there’s a single first-year student in all of Songyang City who could outmatch him in actual combat skills.”
An indignant Bailong student retorted, “That’s an exaggeration! I think Big Brother Hailong just slipped because he was sweating too much. He just needs to use some antiperspirant before stepping into the arena next time.”
Chu Qiuhe pointed at him and said, “What’s your score? What’s your ranking? Kneel before you speak to me.”
Only after the student knelt did Chu Qiuhe continue slowly, “You can’t truly grasp how terrifying Zhang Yu is unless you’ve actually fought him…”
At that moment, Song Hailong returned, and the crowd fell silent.
He casually tossed the third-place medal into his bag, paying it no further mind.
Song Hailong knew that while a third-place finish in the Martial Arts Competition might be an honor for others, for him, it was a disgrace.
Just then, his phone rang. A mature male voice on the other end said, “I’ve watched your match. The two who placed above you aren’t actually stronger than you.”
“You lost to someone weaker than you.”
“Father is very disappointed in you…”
Hearing this, Song Hailong felt a wave of panic. “Brother, I was careless…”
“Don’t make excuses,” the voice replied coldly. “You know father hates it when people make excuses for failure.”
Song Hailong took a deep breath and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
The 2.5 meters tall giant looked as uneasy and flustered as a grade school student while listening to the scolding on the phone.
After hanging up, Song Hailong glared angrily in Zhang Yu’s direction.
Since he had lost this time, he would make up for it through other means, using the methods unique to the wealthy.
He strode into Songyang High School’s break area, his imposing figure casting a shadow over Zhang Yu.
Under the wary gazes of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, Song Hailong said coldly, “How much?”
“What’s your rate if I hire you as a combat sparring partner?”
For a man of immense wealth, being defeated by an opponent meant he must of course spend money to hire that person for relentless training, practicing until he could finally crush them completely.
Whoever defeats me, I will hire them to teach me everything they know!
Hearing Song Hailong’s words, Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up, and their admiration for him grew.
Zhang Yu cleared his throat and said, “I’m very expensive and very busy. I will need to check my schedule to see if I have time.”
Beside him, Bai Zhenzhen nodded vigorously. “Come, come! I’m Zhang Yu’s agent. You can discuss the money with me!”
“I am also a semifinalist in the Martial Arts Tournament and Zhang Yu’s combat coach. I was the one who guided him in his final battle against Le Mulan. Would you like to hire me too?”
After adding Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu as friends, Song Hailong looked at them and said, “Work out the details yourselves first, then let me know the final price.”
“But one thing…”
Looking at Zhang Yu’s thin frame, Song Hailong said with dissatisfaction, “You had better find a way to improve your physical strength.”
“Because I will only get stronger and faster. I will not wait for you.”
“If your stats are too low, I could crush you effortlessly with my strength. Then there would be no point in hiring you as a sparring partner.”
Watching the other man’s departing figure, Zhang Yu knew he was right.
Whether it was to earn money as a sparring partner, prepare for the Physical Competition in two months, or even aim for university in the future, he needed to push himself harder and improve his physical strength.
“I need to catch up to Song Hailong, Le Mulan, and the others.”
A moment later, Zhao Tianxing, Qian Shen, and He Dayou also came down from the stands to check on Zhang Yu.
Zhao Tianxing exclaimed excitedly, “That was so cool, Yu Zi! I took a photo of you during the match. Check it out!”
Qian Shen sighed with emotion. “The competition is seriously beyond the curriculum. It’s on a completely different level. A perfect score in Martial Arts Combat cannot even begin to capture your achievements in the Martial Dao.”
Bai Zhenzhen asked, “Old Lei is treating us to dinner later. Are you guys coming? Any preferences?”
Zhao Tianxing replied, “What are we thinking of eating? I’m fine with anything, but healthier options like boiled chicken would be ideal.”
Bai Zhenzhen nodded and typed on her phone, “Okay, Zhao Tianxing is fine with anything.”
He Dayou said flatly, “I do not eat poor people’s food. I will not go if it is not an upscale restaurant.”
Bai Zhenzhen nodded and typed, “He Dayou is out.”
Qian Shen suggested, “I know a decent place. I will cover the drinks.”
Bai Zhenzhen typed, “Qian Shen is treating for drinks.”
***
Inside a restaurant in the city center.
Zhang Yu walked in and immediately asked, “Do you have king crab? I will take ten.”
Following behind, Lei Jun’s expression darkened. Damn Kid, Is he trying to bankrupt me?
Qian Shen, standing nearby, interjected, “This place does not serve seafood. Besides, seafood is not particularly nutritious and is not suitable for high school students.”
“This restaurant specializes in authentic pre-prepared dishes with no added seasoning. You get to eat the pure flavor of the dishes themselves.”
“The dishes are also exceptionally nutritious, with each plate providing over ten thousand calories of clean energy. I often come here after my workouts.”
Lei Jun nodded inwardly. Qian Shen understands. He is considerate of a teacher’s financial struggles.
Qian Shen turned to the server. “Do you have any pre-prepared dishes with monster beast meat? We are all high-achieving students from Songyang High School today. Are there any dishes that emphasize nutritional cultivation?”
Lei Jun sighed. Qian Shen is clueless too. I’m not a Dao Arts teacher. Does he not know that martial arts teachers have limited incomes?
To prevent the students from ordering indiscriminately, Lei Jun declared, “I only brought 6,000 yuan. Any more than that and we will all be washing dishes together.”
A moment later, the group sat down and raised their glasses of Beast Protein Milk. “Cheers!”
After all, they were healthy high school students and a teacher. Naturally, they would drink something as healthy and nutritious as Beast Protein Milk.
Besides, it was almost time for school to start after their meal, so no one would drink anything that might impair their performance in class.
