Forgotten

Chapter 30: Forgotten

Ru Da Affiliated Martial Arts Hall.

Hall Master's Office.

A clear large-screen projection formed in front of the desk.

Wang Boxiong lightly moved his fingers, and the projected screen changed accordingly, displaying the files of all the instructors and important personnel in the martial arts hall.

After reading through them, Wang Boxiong selected the new student files and quickly flipped through them.

Only when he encountered students with outstanding Martial Path results did he pause and read carefully.

Suddenly, Wang Boxiong stopped and stared at the screen before him.

Zhou Leng.

Wang Boxiong pondered for a moment. A light screen extended from his temples, hovering before his eyes as two lenses.

Information regarding Zhou Leng and Eighth Middle School appeared on the floating lenses.

According to Martial Guard Department intelligence, Principal Lu of Eighth Middle School was making grand preparations for a Commendation Conference, inviting all Eighth Middle School alumni.

The relevant information showed that Principal Lu seemed to value Zhou Leng greatly. Because Zhou Leng had not been admitted to West Sea Martial University, Principal Lu had been taking veiled shots at West Sea Martial University on every possible occasion these past few days.

"This Principal Lu should have been Ma Xingkong's teacher back then."

The image of an old classmate with a clean, bright smile appeared in Wang Boxiong's mind.

After thinking for a while, Wang Boxiong carefully examined Zhou Leng's file and finally looked at his battle merit.

Before enrollment, the average battle merit Martial University students obtained through Martial Arts Research did not exceed 10.

Zhou Leng, however, had 5 battle merit. Not only did that far exceed the Martial University average, it also surpassed his teammates.

Across all of Ru City, fewer than two hundred new students had more battle merit than Zhou Leng.

Wang Boxiong continued searching for information related to Demon City, and confusion quickly appeared on his face.

It had actually been sealed away by the Demon City Army.

Wang Boxiong investigated further, then made a call.

"Uncle Chen, it's me."

"Bo Xiong, how have things at the martial arts hall been lately? Keeping you busy?"

"It's all sorts of trivial matters. I can still handle them."

"Don't let it delay your training. The Martial Path is your foundation."

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"Chen Fenghu inexplicably sealed the Demon City files of one of our martial arts hall students, saying it was connected to the Demon Worshipping Cult. The student's name is Zhou Leng, and he's one of the hall's key cultivation targets. I want to retrieve his files for a look. Could you help send them over?"

"Alright. I'll have someone photograph them now and send them to you afterward."

"Thank you, Uncle Chen."

Wang Boxiong ended the call.

Grandmaster Realm Chen Changyi was the major general and division commander of the Seventh Division, as well as Chen Shouhu's direct superior.

Before long, Wang Boxiong received photographs of the documents and carefully read all the relevant contents.

"Suspected unique physique or treasure resistant to cold... bravely rescued companions... saved by Tong Tianxia... his entire body glowing with bronze light..."

Wang Boxiong let out a long sigh. The scar running across his forehead twitched slightly.

"Body like diamond, heart like glass..."

"Tong Tianxia, Blue Star's number one back then, had ultimately pulled ahead of all of us and promoted to the Grandmaster Realm."

"Could he be the one who was right...?"

After flipping through all the new student files, Wang Boxiong printed a list and called in an instructor.

"Greetings, Hall Master!" Instructor Deng Zhijue, dressed in a dark green Martial Guard uniform, stood tall. Holding his cap in his left hand, he approached and saluted.

"Make preparations to teach this year's Class 01. This is the Class 01 student list."

"Yes."

"These are all good seedlings. Make sure you fulfill your duties wholeheartedly."

"Yes."

"You may go."

"Goodbye, Hall Master!" Deng Zhijue saluted and turned around.

"Wait." Wang Boxiong suddenly said.

Deng Zhijue turned back toward Wang Boxiong, his body straight as if he were still in the Martial Guard Bureau.

"Did you receive the invitation to Eighth Middle School's Commendation Conference?"

"I did."

"Go have a look. I met Principal Lu not long ago. He's a very good person."

"Yes."

Deng Zhijue left the Hall Master's Office, bewildered.

What did this new Hall Master mean?

Had it been the previous Hall Master, Deng Zhijue couldn't have been bothered to think much about it. But Wang Boxiong's status was simply too illustrious.

A graduate of Yunhua Martial University, second on Ru City's Innate Ranking, top ten on the national Innate Ranking, a disciple of the Martial Saint Sect, and even a popular candidate for the future director of Ru City's Martial Guard Bureau.

Knowing he was not skilled in such roundabout dealings, Deng Zhijue thought it over, contacted the Eighth Middle School homeroom teacher who had sent him the invitation, and asked about the relationship between Principal Lu and Wang Boxiong.

That homeroom teacher replied that Principal Lu and Wang Boxiong had met at the Martial Arts Examination venue for the College Entrance Examination, but they were not close.

Deng Zhijue was even more confused. After some thought, he carefully examined the Class 01 student list, but could not make head or tail of it.

"Forget it. Once I attend the Commendation Conference on the 8th, I'll probably understand."

Using the school affairs system, Deng Zhijue sent messages to every Class 01 student, had them add him on Martial Faith, and created a group to release announcements.

The next day, Deng Zhijue received a call from a friend in the Martial Guard Bureau. The friend said his child had happened to get into Rucheng Martial Arts Hall and was in Class 01, and wanted to have a meal together.

Deng Zhijue declined again and again, but could not refuse any further and could only agree.

That evening, Deng Zhijue arrived at Old Rong Ji Hotel and met his old friend, along with Chang Luan and his father.

Chang Luan and his father knew their bounds. They first sounded him out, saying that Chang Luan dearly hoped to become this year's Senior Disciple at the martial arts hall.

Deng Zhijue remained polite from beginning to end, maintaining an appropriate distance from Chang Luan and his father.

Chang Luan and his father did not press the matter. They merely chatted and ate, keeping everything harmonious.

After Deng Zhijue left, Chang Yuanzhong lowered his eyes in thought.

Chang Luan sat beside him without a word, occasionally picking up some food and chewing silently.

"What do you think?" Chang Yuanzhong looked at his son.

"This instructor probably understands our intentions, but he kept refusing. Either someone has already beaten us to the punch, or he doesn't want to wade into this muddy water."

"You still can't hear the music beyond the strings. Instructor Deng mentioned Hall Master Wang Boxiong three times in total, and each time the content differed. The first time, he said the man was new and wanted to make something of himself. The second time, he said the man was steady, restrained, and worldly-wise. The third time, he said the man was a Martial Saint Sect disciple and second on Ru City's Innate Ranking. His intention couldn't have been more obvious."

"Now that you've pointed it out, I understand. He meant that unless we settle things with Wang Boxiong, it would be difficult for him to take care of us at a time like this?"

"That's exactly what he meant. If I could settle things with Wang Boxiong, why would I seek out a minor instructor like him? I can't even invite that chief instructor at the early Innate Realm."

Chang Luan's brows immediately knotted. "Then what do we do?"

Chang Yuanzhong sighed. "You little brat. If he truly had no intention of budging, he never would have mentioned Wang Boxiong. Since he brought him up, it means there is still an opportunity. It is merely a matter of the chips on the table."

"Got it, got it. He's actually hesitating too. Besides, with four classes this year, he can't make the decision entirely on his own."

"I reckon he wants to wait and see. After all, military training has not even begun, yet we came knocking directly. There is no way he could give us a full-throated promise."

Chang Luan said, "This Opening Term Test is divided into two parts. The first is the Basic Test. Each class chooses its top four, and the top four from all four classes form the final sixteen. The second part will be held in the second week after school begins, when the final sixteen battle it out to determine the final rankings."

"If I want to become Senior Disciple, taking first place would be best, but it will be difficult. I took a Perfection Pill, and my true qi is at Perfection. Tomorrow, I can enter the Blood Circulation Stage. Making the top four will not be difficult. Once I make the top four, with a little maneuvering, I'll have a very good chance of getting the Senior Disciple title."

Chang Yuanzhong said, "First, make contact with the few people with the strongest Martial Path strength. Then tailor your approach to their preferences according to what they need. This time, it doesn't matter if we spend a large sum of money."

"Dad, there's actually no need to spend too much money." Chang Luan spoke cautiously.

Chang Yuanzhong sighed and said, "Isn't everything I'm doing so that you can have an easier life later, instead of suffering bitterly like I do now? I don't have the ability to send you into the Martial Guard Department in Xiong City, but sending you into Ru City's Martial Guard Bureau is not difficult. The hard part is how you'll climb higher afterward. If you don't prepare step by step now, do you think you can beat others with just your brains and strength?"

Chang Luan chuckled. "Of course I can't compare to you."

"Tomorrow, I'll find an Innate Realm senior to protect you while you enter the Blood Circulation Stage, then train you personally. When the time comes, if you fail to become Senior Disciple, I'll take back your bank card, cut your allowance in half, double your training time, and forbid you from leaving at night! If those good-for-nothing friends dare come looking for you again, I'll crush their legs one by one."

"Dad..." Chang Luan was dumbfounded.

Chang Yuanzhong got up and left.

Watching his father's retreating back, Chang Luan felt a chill run down his spine, because his father always did what he said.

Imagining the miserable state he would be in after failing, Chang Luan took a deep breath.

"Then I'll go all out!"

Chang Luan used his Demonic Watch and began adding the students in the class group.

Early morning.

Dressed in camouflage trousers and a camouflage short-sleeved shirt, Zhou Leng carried an old backpack and ran along the blue jogging track toward Rucheng Martial University.

He had completed enrollment registration yesterday. Today was the School Opening Ceremony.

As Zhou Leng ran, he thought about the future.

Zhou Leng looked at Rugao Mountain ahead. He had looked at it for more than ten years, yet today, it seemed a little different.

His future life at the martial arts hall made his heart race, but it also carried a faint thread of confusion.

The unknown always left people conflicted.

Sensing the rise and fall of his emotions, Zhou Leng took a deep breath.

"Today, I'll climb onto a new step. From here on, I'll train hard and strive to promote to the Innate Realm!"

Ahead, a familiar white figure emerged from the street corner.

The girl wore a white dress and carried a pale white backpack. She turned to look over, her eyes curving like crescents and her smile brimming over.

Xu Qingjin extended her fair right arm and gently waved.

"Zhou Leng!"

Her sweet, crisp voice was like a song of youth.

The corner of Zhou Leng's mouth lifted slightly. He nodded. "Xu Qingjin."

"What a coincidence," Xu Qingjin said. "Running to school?"

"Yes."

Xu Qingjin lifted her little white shoes onto the jogging track and began jogging beside him.

Zhou Leng slowed down.

"We really did reunite at Ru University." Xu Qingjin glanced at Zhou Leng's profile, then turned her gaze forward again.

"Yeah. I remember when we were in elementary school, we pointed at Ru University and said we would both test our way in here."

"You still remember?" Xu Qingjin's smile blossomed.

Zhou Leng answered, "I've always remembered."

Xu Qingjin's steps became even lighter.

Zhou Leng asked, "What about those top students?"

"They all got into other Martial Universities."

Zhou Leng glanced at Xu Qingjin's backpack. "You didn't bring any luggage. Don't tell me you're commuting too?"

"I went to the dorm yesterday and joined a group with my roommates. They're all especially nice. Are you planning to commute?" Xu Qingjin asked.

"The martial arts hall normally only has half a day of class anyway, and home is close. Besides, I like training at Xiaoru Village, so commuting is better."

After speaking, Zhou Leng looked at Xu Qingjin's white dress and asked in confusion, "Isn't today the School Opening Ceremony? Didn't they require us to wear the camouflage uniforms we received yesterday?"

Xu Qingjin's eyes flickered, a faint flush flashing across her face. She patted her shoulder and said, "It's in my backpack. I'll change when we get back to school."

"Mm." Zhou Leng nodded.

"Didn't you notice that you forgot something?"

"What?"

Xu Qingjin let out a helpless little sigh. "You promised to come eat at my house, but I couldn't get in touch with you for the past few days. Then today, you only replied with one message saying you were training."

"I forgot." Zhou Leng looked embarrassed. He had genuinely forgotten.

Xu Qingjin said, "Anyway, next time I invite you, you're not allowed to refuse."

"Alright. As long as I'm not busy, I'll definitely go."