The Principal's Plea

The Principal's Plea

Back at the martial arts hall, the six people once again sparred with the two Blood Circulation Stage martial artists—or rather, suffered a one-sided thrashing.

Just like yesterday, Zhou Leng kept fighting despite repeated defeats, falling last of all before going to the hospital once again.

On the third day, after walking out of the hospital for the third time, the five team members stared at Zhou Leng speechlessly.

Feng Wenhao pretended to speak cautiously. "Zhou Leng, speaking from the heart, there's really no need to turn yourself into this just to earn Young Master Xue's medical expenses."

Everyone froze for a moment, then burst out laughing together.

Cui Mingcong laughed uproariously. "That's right, that's right! I was wondering what was wrong with Zhou Leng. Turns out he was here to earn medical expenses."

Zhou Leng let out a soft snort, not even daring to move his mouth lest he tug at his wounds.

After laughing, Cui Mingcong clutched the wound on his stomach and cried out in pain. The others followed suit, laughing as they covered their wounds one by one. Every face looked worse than if they had been crying.

The two Blood Circulation Stage martial artists shook their heads with a laugh.

"Go back and sleep. Tomorrow, we'll decide who stays and who leaves."

When Zhou Leng woke up, he stood before the mirror and looked at the wounds on his face.

He was still mottled with bruises, but he had recovered astonishingly well.

This recovery speed is several times faster than before. Essence Replenishing Pills can't explain it...

Zhou Leng turned to look out the window, missing Big Yellow a little.

When he reached the martial arts hall, Xue Chengsong still had not arrived, and the others chatted idly.

"Good news!" Xue Chengsong's voice rang out with the opening of the door.

Xue Chengsong said joyfully, "Last night's latest battle report is out. Martial Arts Brigade Commander Chen Shouhu charged alone into the Demon Army and slew three Peak Innate Demon Generals in succession, including a Blasphemous Codex and a Ring Snake Bishop. Then, the other members of the Martial Arts Brigade charged through the Demon Army and slaughtered them until not a single one was left standing."

"Huh? Chen Shouhu is that fierce?"

"He's one of the top ten Innate Realm experts on Blue Star. Did you think that was a joke? Beginning at dawn, the Seventh Division's army mobilized and worked with Spirit Masters to detect and sweep up the remaining demons. The Wolf Valley region was cleared early, so we can continue hunting Demon Wolves today."

Feng Wenhao hesitated. "Really? Won't it be too dangerous now?"

"Now there are soldiers everywhere, so it's actually the safest. I bought a signal gun on the way. This time, if we encounter a Demonic Beast, we just fire the signal gun and stall for time. I guarantee there won't be a problem."

"That's true."

"Let's go!"

The Martial Arts Research team set out once again.

One day, two days, three days...

The six people and their two bodyguards were practically living in Wolf Valley.

The team went from struggling at the beginning to moving with ease later on.

Until one day, with the others holding the line for him, Zhou Leng challenged a Demon Wolf alone.

Unfortunately, the Demon Wolf was far too agile and far too strong. Even after Zhou Leng's true qi was exhausted, he still failed to defeat it.

July passed, and August arrived.

The six of them walked along the roads of the Pioneer Base.

All six were covered in scars, but their gazes were sharp, as if their eyes concealed claws.

Behind those sharp gazes was also a trace of reluctance.

After a while, Xue Chengsong said, "When I came back this time, I originally only planned to restock and hunt for a few more days. Unfortunately, I received a supplementary admission notice from West Sea Martial University, so I have to prepare for the supplementary admission examination."

"It's fine. We've just gradually grown used to hunting wolves in the wilderness. Coming home all of a sudden feels a little strange," Feng Wenhao said.

Xue Chengsong said, "There's no feast under heaven that never ends."

Everyone fell silent again.

"You still haven't received a notice? Check again," Feng Wenhao said, looking at Zhou Leng.

"There's no point checking," Zhou Leng said.

A trace of hesitation flashed through Xue Chengsong's eyes. He opened his mouth, then silently closed it again.

Cui Mingcong extended his large hand and patted Zhou Leng on the shoulder with a smile. "Your Martial Arts Examination score was so high, and you even have the battle record of hunting an Ice Crystal Demonic Lion. West Sea Martial University will definitely allow you to enter through supplementary admission. Even Xue Chengsong made it in. Why wouldn't you?"

Xue Chengsong shot Cui Mingcong an exasperated look.

Feng Wenhao said, "These spots are allocated in batches. You'll probably get a notice in another couple of days. Look at me. My score should be enough for Rucheng Martial Arts Hall, but I still haven't received a notice."

The three top students glanced at one another without speaking.

All three had been admitted to martial arts universities and had received their notices. They only needed to go home and wait for their admission letters.

The martial arts university batch, the supplementary martial arts university batch, the affiliated martial arts hall batch, the supplementary affiliated martial arts hall batch, the non-martial-arts-university early admission batch... The batches were announced one after another, each later than the last.

Zhou Leng said, "Let's go. We'll submit the Battle Merit Tokens, then head home."

Xue Chengsong glanced at Zhou Leng. "Want to have a meal together?"

"After we enroll," Zhou Leng said.

"Fine! When the time comes, whoever doesn't show up had better not blame us for coming to their door and taking them by force," Xue Chengsong said.

"Good," everyone answered together.

After submitting their Battle Merit Tokens, the team boarded a bus bound for Ru City.

The six sat on the bus, gazing out the windows with dazed expressions.

The continuous fighting over so many days, along with their constant vigilance day and night, had already become a habit.

Returning to a safe place and suddenly relaxing made them feel somewhat uncomfortable instead.

It was just like sailing on a boat for half a month and suddenly reaching shore—the entire earth seemed to sway.

Before long, a chorus of disordered snores rang out.

The other passengers on the bus looked at the six travel-worn youths and revealed kind smiles.

By the time they returned to Ru City, it was already dark. Zhou Leng chatted with Li Linhan until late into the night, recounting everything that had happened over the past few days. Then he went home, soaked some mixed-grain rice, and went to sleep.

Shuizhou Pioneer Base, Martial Arts Brigade.

"Commander, how should we handle this report?"

As he spoke, an officer handed the Demonic tablet computer to Chen Shouhu.

Chen Shouhu took it and read slowly.

It contained the details of Tong Tianxia's conversation with Zhou Leng's team, as well as the battle in which they hunted the Ice Crystal Demonic Lion. It included videos of the Ice Crystal Demonic Lion's corpse and the base's autopsy, along with the report from the lieutenant who had dispelled the cold.

All six members of the team had been questioned about the Account of Events.

Chen Shouhu read it three times in succession before casually handing the tablet computer back.

"This small-scale demonic disaster may have been connected to Tong Tianxia, one of the five leaders of the Demon Worshipping Cult. The Seventh Division Martial Arts Brigade will take over the investigation. To prevent the news from leaking, delete some of the online archives and retain only the physical documents, which are to be sealed temporarily. Without my authorization or higher military authority, no one may access them."

"Yes, Madam!"

"What do you think? How did a child at the Qi Nourishing Stage avoid the Ice Crystal Demonic Lion's cold?" Chen Shouhu asked.

"The investigation team suspects that the child possesses a special physique or a treasure."

"Hmm... Has he been admitted to West Sea Martial University through supplementary admission?"

"I checked just now. Not yet. I suspect..."

"Mark him. If he isn't accepted by a martial arts university or martial arts hall, contact him and have him join the Martial Arts Brigade."

"Huh? What about his uncle's matter..."

"What does that idiot Ma Xingkong have to do with this? He's dead already. He harmed a whole bunch of people. Do you think I want him to continue harming the future talent of our Martial Arts Brigade?"

"What if he's accepted?"

"Then observe him for a while longer. If he's ordinary, forget it. If he stands out, bring him into the Martial Arts Brigade."

"The affiliated martial arts hall he applied to through supplementary admission happens to be Ru Da Affiliated Martial Arts Hall," the subordinate said, stealing a glance at the commander.

"Hmph," Chen Shouhu snorted softly.

The officers in the room fell into deep thought. This Mad Tiger commander was cursing Ma Xingkong while simultaneously trying to recruit Ma Xingkong's nephew.

The Martial Arts Brigade's status was far higher than anyone could imagine.

Countless graduates of the Top Ten Martial Arts Universities racked their brains trying to get in, yet failed.

If the Martial Arts Brigade's status were compared to that of martial arts universities, it would stand slightly behind Yunhua Martial University and Golden Capital, yet far ahead of all the other martial arts universities by an overwhelming margin.

At Principal Lu's home.

"Old Yu, what's the matter?" Principal Lu answered the phone with a smile.

"That meal won't be happening."

"Hmm? What happened? Zhou Leng didn't get in through supplementary admission?"

"His Physical Exam score was too low, so he was rejected."

"Nonsense! He was injured at the time, so of course his physical fitness was poor. But he recovered long ago!"

"Old Lu, there's no use getting worked up. I went to Vice Principal Jiang today and argued my case. I pushed him so hard that he showed me the call records from the past few days. Those notes beside the numbers... sigh, they were all people who had appeared in the news. There really was nothing he could do."

"I understand. I've also received a lot of calls this year. Sigh... I thought these old faces of ours could still carry some weight. Who would have thought..."

"He should be able to get into Rucheng Martial University Affiliated Martial Arts Hall. That's not bad, actually."

"Yes, he can get into an affiliated martial arts hall, but he was originally supposed to enter Rucheng Martial University through supplementary admission. I forcefully persuaded him to choose West Sea Martial University instead. Now he can't get into West Sea Martial University, and Rucheng Martial University is out of the question too. He can only go to an affiliated martial arts hall."

"This..." Director Yu did not know what to say.

"Your West Sea Martial University is really something. In any case, I'll be stepping down in another couple of years. Since you've gone this far in making things difficult for our Eighth Middle School, I'll only say what needs to be said at the Commendation Conference."

Director Yu took a deep breath. "Old Lu, you can't make a mistake here! Some things can be cursed in private however you like, but you can't say a single word of them in public! Especially when it concerns West Sea Martial University's reputation. If something happens, the Education Bureau won't stand by and do nothing. You've always had a fiery temper, and so many people are watching you!"

"Such a fine martial arts prodigy—his father sacrificed himself in West Sea Demon City, and his uncle merely refused to go along with the corruption. Why shouldn't he be allowed into the Top Ten Martial Arts Universities? Do you think I'm blind?"

"Stop, stop, stop! Don't say anything more, or I'm hanging up." Director Yu finally panicked.

"This matter isn't over!"

Principal Lu hung up the phone and closed his eyes. Before him appeared the child named Ma Xingkong, sitting at the desk.

Ma Xingkong back then had practically been a copy of Zhang Xinglie, and had likewise been admitted to Yunhua Martial University.

He had been cheerful, passionate, upright, resolute, and always wore a clear smile on his face.

Ma Xingkong had been even more stubborn than Zhang Xinglie.

More stubborn than anyone.

After sitting for a long while, Principal Lu rubbed his eyes and called Zhang Xinglie's homeroom teacher.

"Contact Zhang Xinglie and tell him that this year's school Commendation Conference will be different from previous years. This year, we'll be inviting many alumni. I hope he can return to his alma mater from Xiong City, Yunhua, and give a speech to inspire the younger students."

"Okay."

After a while, Zhang Xinglie's homeroom teacher called back.

"Principal Lu, Zhang Xinglie said he truly doesn't have the time. He's currently training at Yunhua Martial University's Genius Training Camp. The Commendation Conference happens to fall at the start of the school term, and he has to prepare for the Opening Term Test and Monthly Exam. Besides, you know that the major factions will concentrate on winning over Yunhua and Golden Capital's students during the school term. The people hosting those banquets are all immensely influential figures. There's no way he'll give up contact with those important people for our Eighth Middle School."

"I'll call him myself."

After saying that, Principal Lu dialed Zhang Xinglie's number.

"Xinglie, this is Principal Lu. I'm asking you to help me with something, and also to help Zhou Leng..."

At dawn, Zhou Leng slowly opened his eyes.

He checked the time on the Demonic Watch. Four o'clock.

Zhou Leng sat up and looked out at the gray, hazy world beyond the window.

His spirits were high, his body felt slightly swollen, and his energy and physical strength had completely recovered.

Zhou Leng felt utterly weak.

He projected his phone's light screen with the watch and silently scrolled through his phone.

He tried once again, but just as before, he could not post replies in most places. It was the same in games. He could only communicate on a few apps, such as Martial Faith.

Zhou Leng took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

He continued taking deep breaths and scrolling through his phone.

Until the five o'clock alarm rang.