The Commendation Begins

Zhao Le was silent for a long while before sighing. "Fine. I only hope you understand the price of this refusal."

Zhang Xinglie wore a smile and said nothing.

After Zhao Le left, Zhang Xinglie trained at night as usual.

When he finished training and returned to his single dorm room, Zhang Xinglie picked up the second handwritten copy of Zhao Dongjun's Collected Works, Volume Two and read it slowly.

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

Night in Ru City.

Principal Lu answered a call from an old friend.

"Old Lu, was what you said at the school affairs meeting today true?"

"What if it was true? What if it wasn't?"

"If you say it publicly at the commendation ceremony, you'll put West Sea Martial University in a very awkward position."

"They can do it, but I can't say it?"

"It has always been this way."

"Old Yu, thank you for speaking up for Zhou Leng at West Sea Martial University. But some words are like fishbones stuck in my throat. If I don't spit them out, I won't be at peace."

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

"It doesn't matter. I failed to protect my student once. If I still can't protect him a second time, then this principal's position isn't worth keeping."

"You're still bitter about Ma..."

"Go tend to your business. I still need to prepare for tomorrow's commendation ceremony."

"What you're doing is far too immature."

"In the past, I was too mature."

"You..."

That night, more than a dozen calls came in.

Principal Lu handled them all calmly.

Saturday morning.

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

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

The instructors were more beastly with every passing day.

Fortunately, he often placed first or second, letting him consume large amounts of Great Supplement Pills and Meat Medicinal Diet. Coupled with sleeping beneath the Frost Giant Tree, not only had his body not been depleted, it had grown stronger by the day.

His true qi had finally advanced to the tenth level of Great Accomplishment, only one step away from Perfection.

Today was Saturday, the day of No. 8 High School's Commendation Ceremony. Zhou Leng had arranged to go with Xu Qingjin that morning.

Seeing that Xu Qingjin had not yet arrived, Zhou Leng looked around, entered the nearest residential complex, and walked over to the horizontal bar.

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

"1, 2, 3, 4..."

"...62!"

Zhou Leng landed, let out a long breath, and walked out of the complex.

Last time, he had done 51.

Half a year ago, Zhang Xinglie had done 54.

Zhou Leng lowered his head and glanced at his arm. The muscles bulged, while his skin carried a faint sheen.

As Zhou Leng stepped out of the intersection, he found Xu Qingjin in a white dress, looking around.

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

"Why were you in that residential complex?"

"Testing my one-armed pull-ups," Zhou Leng said.

"How many?"

"61."

"Wow, that's amazing! If you took the Opening-Semester Martial Test now, you'd very likely score over 98 points in weightlifting, maybe even a perfect 100."

"I think I have a chance. Let's go."

The young man and young woman walked shoulder to shoulder toward No. 8 High School.

Outside Ruge District People's Hospital, five people accompanied a wheelchair out through the gates and headed toward No. 8 High School.

Blue-haired Tao Bing sat in the wheelchair, his gaze gloomy.

Tu Rong, dressed in leather, pushed the wheelchair and said, "That Zhou Leng really knows how to cause trouble. Not only did he ram into you and injure you, he also put Jiang Yan through the wringer. I told Jiang Yan about your situation yesterday. He said that if he weren't working overtime today, he'd be willing to come lend a hand."

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's not that bad. He's had it pretty miserable lately. He originally wanted to teach that guy in the workshop who never listened to him... what was his name, Hu Yi... a lesson. But Hu Yi went crazy for some reason, 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, but then their manager used it as an excuse. Not only did he chew him out again, he docked his pay. Forget becoming team leader within the next year. I wanted to talk to their manager, but after looking into him, guess who he was?"

"How would I know?" Tao Bing said.

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

"Tian Wenhu, that Boss Tian?"

"Who else would it be?"

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

"Yeah. So I didn't even dare fart, and Jiang Yan got unhappy. Him not coming this time is more or less connected to that."

"Oh, then he really is a little unlucky. This is hard to handle. After all, Manager Tian's relationship with the Shuizhou Five Tigers is closer than ours."

Tu Rong said, "Tsk, the Shuizhou Five Tigers... Whenever my boss drinks too much, he's always bragging about their exploits. How they served as soldiers in Shuizhou City and fought demons and devils. Later, their allied forces couldn't hold on, so they retreated to Ru City. Then they were falsely accused and founded the Frontier Development Branch. Relying on unity and ruthless methods, they flourished in Ruge District."

"The Shuizhou Five Tigers were indeed infamous back then. Didn't we all grow up hearing their names?"

"Yeah. Other districts might not know, but there isn't anyone in Ruge District who isn't afraid of the Shuizhou Five Tigers."

"How many of the five bosses are still left now?"

"Two are left. One washed his hands in a golden basin, and the other two... tsk, both had it pretty rough. Better not bring them up."

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

Tu Rong said, "You're dreaming beautifully. I've made it clear to you: we can't make a move near No. 8 High School this time. We'll follow him first, then act after he's far away from the school."

"Fine. No. 8 High School is holding its commendation ceremony, and too many people would be troublesome," Tao Bing said.

"You're sure about Zhou Leng's whereabouts, right? Don't let us come up empty."

"It can't be wrong. Young Master Chang and I asked several people from No. 8 High School. They all said many seniors from this graduating class were going, and Zhou Leng was going too. Rao Mingxian said the same."

"Rao Mingxian?"

"His grandfather is the principal of No. 59 Middle School."

"Oh, right, I remember now. I think my boss mentioned him before. His family is more than just having a principal in it. He has an uncle with connections in the capital."

"He really has connections in Xiong City?"

"Boss wouldn't open his mouth and talk nonsense for no reason."

"Then I'll have to build a good relationship with him later."

Tu Rong flicked away the cigarette butt in his hand, shook his leather jacket, and said, "Why didn't your Young Master Chang come?"

Tao Bing gave a cold snort. "Zhou Leng got All-Nine Scores, so his father won't let him act recklessly. These rich people treasure their lives more than anyone. When it comes to watching the wind and steering the ship, people like us from poor places can never compare."

"But he's treated you well. He's given you plenty of money and even sent you Qi-Nourishing Pills and Great Supplement Pills."

"I traded a broken leg for them. Even with his medicine, I'll need a month to recover. It'll be hard to fight for ranking resources at the martial academy in the future."

"He needs people in the end. Stick close to him, and you won't lack pills later."

Tao Bing nodded. "I didn't handle the last matter properly and got injured myself, so I can't blame anyone else. If I don't make that brat Zhou Leng lie in the hospital for three months this time, then I'm not Tao Bing."

"Let's go!"

Laughing as they went, the group slowly headed toward No. 8 High School.

The morning wind swept across No. 8 High School's massive sports field, making the colorful flags snap and flutter.

Flowers bloomed in profusion before the awards platform, while rows upon rows of chairs filled the sports field as far as the eye could see.

As time slowly passed, numerous No. 8 High School alumni entered one after another.

Students from all three grades also filed in.

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

"Zhou Leng!"

"Xu Qingjin!"

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

Though they had only been apart for a little over a month, the students chatted excitedly as if they had reunited after a long separation.

Zhou Leng stood quietly.

"Zhou Leng, you're amazing now! Tsk, tsk, look at those muscles. Good lord, we haven't seen each other in a month, and you're bigger than I am." Hu Yi walked over, staring at Zhou Leng and looking him up and down.

The students all turned to look at Zhou Leng.

They had long known Zhou Leng's rank on the Freshman Ranking and had congratulated him in the group chat before.

Among Class Three's old classmates, the Martial Dao representative Mo Hai was still first, ranked 219th on the Ru City Freshman Ranking.

Zhou Leng was ranked 503rd, second only to Mo Hai.

Mo Hai said with feeling, "We all knew you'd soar into the sky one day, but I never expected 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 interjected from the side, "I chatted with Teacher Mei a few days ago. She said the same thing: the twists of fate are truly hard to predict."

"I believe Teacher Sun's words more and more now. Zhou Leng turned misfortune into fortune and tempered an incredible talent."

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

"Didn't West Sea Martial University refuse you? Then make them see!"

Mo Hai, who attended West Sea Martial University, looked awkward. "Once today's commendation ceremony is over, how about we have a meal together? We can talk about university and our futures."

"I think that works," Feng Wenhao said.

But Hu Yi, who was usually lively, did not say a word.

"Sure, Martial Dao rep, you arrange it."

"Okay. I'll start a sign-up chain in the group. Those who are coming can add their names. 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. That place was pretty good."

With the subject changed, everyone went back to chatting about everything under the sun.

Zhou Leng checked the class group. Lots of people were going, but Hu Yi was not.

Zhou Leng looked doubtfully at Hu Yi, who wore a short green shirt, and noticed that his complexion was a little poor. He asked softly, "You're not planning to go?"

Hu Yi hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, "I don't want to go."

Feng Wenhao grabbed Hu Yi by the shoulder. "You kept looking for Zhou Leng and me a while ago, but now that we're here, why are you backing down?"

Hu Yi smiled awkwardly. "I've been a little busy lately."

"Busy with what?" Feng Wenhao asked.

Seeing that Hu Yi's expression was strange, Zhou Leng said, "Maybe Hu Yi has something to do. It's fine if he doesn't go. It doesn't matter."

Feng Wenhao glanced at the other students. "If you don't go, I won't go either. It'll be pointless."

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

Feng Wenhao said, "How about this? The three of us go with everyone first. When it's about time, the three of us leave and go eat skewers together. How does that sound?"

Zhou Leng looked toward Hu Yi.

Seeing both brothers looking at him, Hu Yi nodded lightly.

"Okay!"

As Zhou Leng prepared to add his name to the sign-up chain, 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 go. I want to go home early too."

"Okay. Remind me then. I'm afraid I'll forget," Zhou Leng said.

"No problem."

Before long, everyone took their seats one after another.

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

"Zhou Leng?"

A familiar voice rang out from the crowd.

Zhou Leng turned and saw Instructor Deng Zhijue.

"Hello, Instructor. You're also a No. 8 High School alumnus?" Zhou Leng asked.

Deng Zhijue smiled and nodded, his expression kind. He looked nothing like that devilish instructor.

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

"Yes."

"Go on, let them see the splendor of our Ru City Martial Academy." Deng Zhijue smiled and patted Zhou Leng on the shoulder.

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

Deng Zhijue looked toward the awards platform and thought, Once the commendation ceremony begins, I'll know why the academy master sent me here. I can't miss this chance to receive Wang Boxiong's extra guidance.

Outside the iron fence surrounding No. 8 High School's sports field, some passersby peered inside.

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

Tu Rong blew out a ring of smoke and stared at the awards platform ahead, covered in flowers and red carpet, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

The two fingers holding his cigarette gave a gentle flick.