Commendation Begins

Zhao Le remained silent for a long while before sighing. "All right. I only hope you understand the price of refusing this time."

Zhang Xinglie wore a faint smile and said nothing.

Zhao Le left, while Zhang Xinglie cultivated at night as usual.

After finishing his cultivation, he returned to his single dormitory, picked up the second handwritten copy of Zhao Dongjun's Collected Essays, Volume Two, and began reading slowly.

His first handwritten copy of Zhao Dongjun's Collected Essays had already been read to pieces.

Night had fallen over Ru City.

Principal Lu answered a call from an old friend.

"Old Lu, what you said at the school affairs meeting today—is it true?"

"What difference does it make whether it's true or false?"

"If you say it publicly at the Commendation Conference, you'll put West Sea Martial University in a very difficult position."

"They can do it, but I can't talk about it?"

"That's always how it has been."

"Yu, thank you for speaking up for Zhou Leng at West Sea Martial University. But some words are like a fishbone stuck in my throat. I won't feel comfortable until I spit them out."

"But if you really say them, West Sea Martial University and the Education Bureau won't pretend they don't know."

"Whatever. If I can't protect my student once, and still can't protect him a second time, then I might as well stop being principal."

"You're still upset about Ma... that matter?"

"You get on with your work. I still have to prepare for tomorrow's Commendation Conference."

"What you're doing is too immature."

"In the past, I was too mature."

"You..."

That night, more than a dozen calls came in.

Principal Lu dealt with them all calmly.

Saturday morning arrived.

Zhou Leng stood at the intersection, gazing toward the distant Rugao Mountain.

Zhou Leng gently rolled his neck. After a full week of military training, his body was practically falling apart.

The instructors became more beastly by the day.

Fortunately, he often managed to come in first or second, allowing him to consume large quantities of Great Replenishing Pills and Meat Medicinal Cuisine. Combined with sleeping beneath the Frost Giant Tree, not only had his body avoided depletion, it had grown stronger by the day.

His true qi had finally advanced to the Greater Mastery Tenth Stage, just one step away from perfection.

Today was Saturday, the day of Eighth Middle School's Commendation Conference. Zhou Leng had arranged to go with Xu Qingjin that morning.

Seeing that Xu Qingjin had not arrived yet, Zhou Leng glanced around, entered the nearest residential complex, and walked beneath a horizontal bar.

Zhou Leng gripped the bar with his right hand and began doing one-arm pull-ups.

"One, two, three, four..."

"...sixty-two!"

Zhou Leng landed and exhaled a long breath before walking out of the complex.

Last time, he had done fifty-one.

Half a year ago, Zhang Xinglie had done fifty-four.

Zhou Leng lowered his head and glanced at his arm. His muscles bulged, and his skin gleamed faintly.

When Zhou Leng walked out of the intersection, he saw Xu Qingjin in a white dress, looking around.

Their eyes met. Xu Qingjin smiled faintly and gave a gentle nod.

"Why were you in this residential complex?"

"Testing my one-arm pull-ups," Zhou Leng replied.

"How many?"

"Sixty-one."

"Wow, that's incredible! If you took the Opening Term Test now, you might score over ninety-eight in weightlifting, or even get a perfect score of one hundred."

"I feel like I Had the Opportunity. Let's go."

The young boy and girl walked shoulder to shoulder toward Eighth Middle School.

At Rugao District People's Hospital, five people accompanied a wheelchair out through the main entrance and headed toward Eighth Middle School.

Tao Bing, whose hair was blue, sat in the wheelchair with a gloomy expression.

Tu Rong, dressed in leather, pushed the wheelchair and said, "That Zhou Leng sure knows how to cause trouble. Not only did he injure you in the collision, he also gave Jiang Yan a hell of a time. I told Jiang Yan about what happened to you yesterday. Jiang Yan said that if he weren't working overtime today, he would've been willing to come help us too."

Tao Bing said, "His head is full of getting ahead now. Why would he care whether I live or die?"

"Hey, you've been friends for years. It isn't that bad. He's had it pretty rough lately. He originally wanted to teach that guy who was always refusing to follow orders a lesson on the factory floor—uh, Hu Yi, I think his name was. But that Hu Yi suddenly went crazy, cursed Jiang Yan out in front of everyone, and quit on the spot." Tu Rong shook his head.

"That bad?"

"That alone wouldn't have been much. Then their manager made a whole issue out of it. He not only cursed Jiang Yan out again, but docked his pay too. He can forget about becoming a team leader within the next year. I was going to talk to their manager, but after looking into it, guess who he turned out to be?"

"How would I know?" Tao Bing said.

"He was Tian Wenhu's cousin, Tian Wenbao."

"Tian Wenhu—the boss Tian?"

"Of course."

"Then he's connected to your big brother. I remember Tian Wenhu was the leader of the Five Tigers of Shuizhou back then, while your boss, Yan Fenggang, was the fifth tiger."

"Exactly. So I didn't even dare fart, and Jiang Yan got pissed off. His not coming this time has more or less something to do with it."

"Oh, then he really is unlucky. This is difficult to handle. After all, Manager Tian is closer to the Five Tigers of Shuizhou than we are."

Tu Rong said, "Tsk, the Five Tigers of Shuizhou... My boss often brags about their exploits when he's drunk—how they served in the military in Shuizhou City and fought demons. Later, when their allied forces couldn't hold out, they retreated to Ru City. Then they were framed and established Pioneer Branch Company. In the end, relying on their unity and their ruthless, underhanded methods, they flourished in Rugao District."

"The Five Tigers of Shuizhou really were infamous back then. Didn't we all grow up listening to their name?"

"Exactly. People from other districts might not know, but no one in Rugao District isn't afraid of the Five Tigers of Shuizhou."

"How many of the five bosses are still around?"

"Two. One washed his hands of the whole business. The other two... tsk, they've both had it pretty rough. Forget it."

"I wonder if we can ever be as glorious as the Five Tigers of Shuizhou."

Tu Rong said, "Dream on. Listen carefully: we can't make our move near Eighth Middle School this time. We'll follow him first, then strike after he gets farther away from the school."

"Fine. After all, Eighth Middle School is holding its Commendation Conference, and a crowd would make things troublesome." Tao Bing agreed.

"You've got Zhou Leng's movements right, haven't you? Don't let us come up empty-handed."

"Absolutely. Chang Shao and I asked several people from Eighth Middle School. They all said many of the senior students from this class were going, and Zhou Leng would be there too. Rao Mingxian said the same."

"Rao Mingxian?"

"His grandfather is the principal of Fifty-ninth Middle School."

"Oh, right, I remember now. My big brother mentioned him once. His family isn't merely connected to a principal. He has an uncle with connections in the Capital City."

"Does he really have connections in Xiong City?"

"The boss wouldn't have said it for no reason."

"Then I'll have to build a good relationship with him from now on."

Tu Rong flicked the cigarette butt from his hand and shook out his leather jacket. "Where's your Chang Shao?"

Tao Bing snorted softly. "Zhou Leng got a Full Nine, so his father won't let him run around. Rich people like them value their lives more than anyone. When it comes to reading the wind and changing direction, people like us from poor places can never compare."

"But he treats you well. He gives you plenty of money and even gave you Qi Nourishing Pills and Great Replenishing Pills."

"I traded a broken leg for them. Even with his medicine, I'll need a month to recover. It'll be difficult for the martial arts hall to compete for ranking resources after this."

"He needs people, after all. Stick close to him, and you'll never lack pills in the future."

Tao Bing nodded. "I botched things last time and got myself injured too, so I can't blame anyone. If I don't leave that brat Zhou Leng lying in the hospital for three months this time, then I don't deserve to be called Tao Bing."

"Let's go!"

The group laughed as they slowly made their way toward Eighth Middle School.

The morning breeze swept across Eighth Middle School's vast athletic field, sending the colorful flags fluttering.

Flowers were piled in profusion before the awards platform, while rows upon rows of seats filled the field, stretching beyond sight.

As time passed, many of Eighth Middle School's alumni entered the venue one after another.

The students from all three grades also filed in.

Following the chat records in Class Three's group, Zhou Leng and Xu Qingjin made their way to where the old Class Three had gathered.

"Zhou Leng!"

"Xu Qingjin!"

The Class Three students who had arrived early greeted them one after another.

It had only been a little over a month since they had last seen one another, yet the students acted as if they had reunited after a long separation, chatting excitedly.

Zhou Leng stood quietly.

"Zhou Leng, you're really something now! Tsk, look at all that muscle. Good grief, you've gotten bigger than me in just one month." Hu Yi came over and looked Zhou Leng up and down.

The students all turned to look at Zhou Leng.

Everyone already knew Zhou Leng's place on the Freshman Ranking. They had even congratulated him in the group chat.

Among the old Class Three students, Mo Hai, the martial arts representative, was still in first place, ranked 219th on the Rucheng Freshman Ranking.

Zhou Leng was ranked 503rd, just below Mo Hai.

Mo Hai sighed. "We all knew you'd soar into the heavens someday, but we didn't expect you to be this fierce. Next month, you'll definitely surpass me."

Zhou Leng said, "Don't say that. My strength is still far behind."

The class monitor cut in from the side. "I spoke with Teacher Mei a few days ago. She also said that the twists and turns of life are truly hard to predict."

"I believe Teacher Sun more and more. Zhou Leng turned misfortune into a blessing and tempered a powerful talent."

"Zhou Leng, keep working hard. Let's see how high you can climb in the end!"

"Didn't West Sea Martial University reject you? Then show them what you're capable of!"

Mo Hai was a student at West Sea Martial University, and an awkward expression appeared on his face. "How about we have a meal together after today's Commendation Conference? We can talk about university and about our lives in the future."

"Sounds good to me," Feng Wenhao said.

The usually lively Hu Yi, however, remained silent.

"All right, martial arts representative, you arrange it."

"Okay. I'll post a sign-up chain in the group. Anyone who's going can add their name. I'll find a restaurant owned by an uncle I know. He can give us half off."

"We went there for Mo Hai's birthday before. It's pretty good."

After changing the subject, everyone resumed chatting about all sorts of things.

Zhou Leng checked the class group. Many people had signed up, but Hu Yi had not.

Zhou Leng looked at Hu Yi, who wore a green short shirt, and noticed that he looked somewhat pale. He asked in a low voice, "You're not planning to go?"

Hu Yi hesitated for a moment before saying quietly, "I don't want to."

Feng Wenhao grabbed Hu Yi by the shoulder. "Not long ago, you kept looking for Zhou Leng and me. Now that we're both here, why are you backing out?"

Hu Yi gave an awkward smile. "I've been a little busy lately."

"Busy with what?" Feng Wenhao asked.

Seeing something strange in Hu Yi's expression, Zhou Leng said, "Hu Yi might have something to deal with. If he doesn't want to go, then let him be. It's no big deal."

Feng Wenhao glanced at the other students. "If you're not going, then I'm not going either. What's the point?"

"Don't. Don't worry about me. How about you all get together today, and the three of us get together tomorrow?"

Feng Wenhao said, "How about this? The three of us join the group for now. When things are about done, we'll leave and go get skewers together. How does that sound?"

Zhou Leng looked toward Hu Yi.

Hu Yi saw both his brothers looking at him and gently nodded.

"All right!"

Zhou Leng was about to add his name to the sign-up chain when Xu Qingjin sent him a message.

"You're not going?"

"I am. But Hu Yi, Feng Wenhao, and I might leave early."

"Then call me when you do. I want to go home early too."

"All right. Remind me when the time comes. I'm afraid I'll forget," Zhou Leng replied.

"No problem."

Before long, everyone gradually took their seats.

Zhou Leng received a message from Teacher Mei, left his classmates, and walked toward the left side of the awards platform.

"Zhou Leng?"

A familiar voice rang out from within the packed crowd.

Zhou Leng turned his head and saw that it was instructor Deng Zhijue.

"Hello, instructor. You're an alumnus of Eighth Middle School too?" Zhou Leng asked.

Deng Zhijue smiled and nodded. His expression was kind, utterly unlike that of the devilish instructor.

He asked, "You're receiving the Improvement Award today, right?"

"Yes."

"Go on. Let them see the style of our Rucheng Martial Arts Hall." Deng Zhijue smiled and patted Zhou Leng on the shoulder.

"Goodbye, instructor." Zhou Leng turned and left.

Deng Zhijue gazed at the awards platform. Once the Commendation Conference begins, I'll know why the hall master sent me here. I can't afford to miss this chance to receive extra guidance from Wang Boxiong.

Outside the iron railings around Eighth Middle School's athletic field, several passersby peered inside.

Tao Bing, sitting in his wheelchair, looked at the sea of people on the field and muttered, "Did they invite half of Rugao District?"

Tu Rong blew out a ring of smoke and gazed at the awards platform spread with flowers and red carpets, his eyes deep and unreadable.

The two fingers holding his cigarette trembled slightly.