Quota Competition!
Tang Ning's words struck precisely at Lu Jue's weak spot.
He looked into Tang Ning's sincere eyes, then felt the tearing pain all over his body. In the end, he gritted his teeth and nodded.
"Alright. Thank you. But I don't have the money to repay you for now. If you ever need anything in the future—"
"Don't mention it!"
Tang Ning hurriedly cut him off. Her cheeks warmed slightly as she deliberately avoided his probing gaze and found herself a high-sounding excuse. "I-I just couldn't stand Li Zhanting's behavior any longer. What you did today can be considered helping me vent my anger!"
As they spoke, the two stood very close. A scent mixed with sweat and a faint trace of blood rushed toward her.
It was not a pleasant smell, yet Tang Ning's ears inexplicably grew hot. Her heart felt as though it had been lightly tickled by a feather, and she even unconsciously closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as if she wanted to carve that wild scent into her soul.
A guilty little thrill rose in her heart. She instinctively wanted to share her delight with the friend behind her, secretly moving her fingers behind her back as she prepared to make a victory sign—only to remember that the other girl seemed to have already left.
"What's with that girl? Didn't we agree she'd guard this place? If anything happened to Lu Jue, she was supposed to step in immediately. Where did she run off to now?"
She muttered softly. The moment she turned around, she saw Su Li walking in with two martial school security officers.
"After investigation, Li Zhanting, Assistant Instructor of East City Martial School in Tianhai City, has been found to have induced students to offer bribes, accepted bribes from students, and privately used prohibited drugs, among other offenses."
"In accordance with Articles Six and Thirty-Seven of East City Martial School's regulations, Li Zhanting is hereby temporarily removed from his post as Assistant Instructor and transferred to the Disciplinary Committee for further investigation!"
Su Li's clear voice spread through the entire venue, like another massive boulder dropped into a lake whose waters had yet to settle.
The crowd erupted in uproar!
Only then did they understand that Su Li had left midway to retrieve evidence and notify the security officers!
Her actions had been so swift, her timing so precise—just as Lu Jue had won, and Li Zhanting had completely lost both the ability to resist and the support of public opinion!
Quite a few students present turned pale, especially those who had gone to every possible length to help Li Zhanting hoodwink their classmates in order to receive further favor from him.
They had thought they had latched onto a sturdy thigh, never expecting that thigh to collapse at a word—and perhaps even drag them down with it!
For a time, everyone feared for themselves!
Su Li's cool gaze swept across the entire venue, taking in everyone's reactions, yet she said nothing more.
Her objective was clear: she was targeting only the chief culprit, Li Zhanting. As for these students, the school rules would naturally deal with them afterward. There was no need to expose them now; leaving matters unsaid would only cow them more effectively.
The medical staff had already injected that expensive Emergency Healing Potion. A cool, warm current instantly flowed through Lu Jue's limbs and bones. The agonizing pain receded at a visible rate, his wounds began to itch as they healed, and even his utterly depleted strength was rapidly recovering.
Because martial arts existed in this world, its technological tree had developed in a very skewed direction.
Much of the high technology commonplace in his previous life was nowhere to be found here. Yet in medical fields related to martial arts and the human body's potential, its technology had advanced to a level that was practically fantastical.
Not to mention an expensive Emergency Healing Potion like this—even the most ordinary wound medicine sold on the streets had effects in stopping bleeding and regenerating flesh that would leave surgical experts from his previous life staring wide-eyed.
Sure enough, you get what you pay for! At this rate, seventy percent of my injuries will be healed by tomorrow! Lu Jue marveled inwardly.
What happened today had indeed been somewhat reckless of him.
He had thought that with the absurd defensive power of Hundred Tough Fat Armor, he would only need to pay a small price to crush Li Zhanting.
Yet he had never expected the man to be hiding such a vicious trump card.
But he did not regret it in the slightest.
The martial path had never been about living on in shame.
Since he had already offended Li Zhanting beyond reconciliation when he had "extorted money" from him last time, rather than wait around for retaliation—
Once he had sufficient strength, he would naturally choose to crush the man underfoot in one go!
As for the Lineage force behind Li Zhanting?
After this battle, even if Li Zhanting recovered, whether his dantian—having endured several of Lu Jue's heavy blows—could refine inner force again was still an open question.
The Lineage resources a severely weakened Li Zhanting could mobilize would certainly be far inferior to what he could command at his peak.
Besides, if Li Zhanting had truly been a core member of the Lineage, he would not have lowered himself to become a mere Assistant Instructor at a martial school.
At the end of the day, he's just a pitiful worm who was pushed to the margins and had to bleed students dry for resources! Lu Jue sneered inwardly, feeling little fear toward the retaliation that might come.
The martial path was inherently a struggle against others and a contest with heaven. If one became timid and hesitant for fear of retaliation, one might as well enter a factory early and spend their days tightening screws.
By now, several medical staff had expertly bandaged Lu Jue's wounds.
After carefully checking the final bandage, the lead physician turned to Lu Jue, his tone professional and gentle.
"Mr. Lu, your external wounds have been treated. However, your internal organs have suffered shock, and your muscles and bones have also been damaged. We strongly recommend that you transfer to Meinian Second Hospital for a week of systematic inpatient observation and treatment, to ensure nothing goes wrong."
Lu Jue's brows immediately furrowed at that, and he refused without hesitation. "Thank you for your concern, but resting at the martial school will be enough!"
The physician looked troubled. He knew that injuries of this sort could easily leave hidden complications if not properly tended to, so he could only cast a pleading look toward Tang Ning nearby.
Tang Ning sighed softly in her heart.
More than anyone, she hoped Lu Jue could receive the most thorough care. But after secretly observing him over this period, she had long figured out his temperament.
His will was as hard as iron. Once he decided on something, no amount of persuasion could change his mind—especially at such a crucial juncture involving the Quota Competition.
She stepped half a pace forward and waved a hand at the physician, her tone carrying a trace of helplessness. "Since Student Lu insists, then do as he wishes!"
"Since the Emergency Healing Potion has already taken effect, arrange for him to be observed in the Rest Room of the martial school infirmary for now. Immediately bring over all necessary monitoring and physiotherapy equipment, and assign a professional physician to monitor him around the clock—"
"Student Tang Ning, I appreciate your kindness, but there's truly no need for dedicated monitoring!"
Lu Jue raised a hand to interrupt Tang Ning, his tone firm yet still polite.
No one knew the state of his body better than he did.
He looked covered in blood, his injuries terrifying to behold, but the vast majority were merely external wounds.
Furthermore, that expensive Emergency Healing Potion was extraordinarily effective. It was continuously repairing his damaged tissues at this moment. What truly needed time to recover was his nearly exhausted stamina and his unsettled blood and qi after the fierce battle. These were precisely the things that external instruments and personnel could help with least; they required more of his own quiet cultivation and recovery.
"Alright."
At this point, the two security officers had already hoisted the unconscious Li Zhanting up as though dragging a dead dog.
Su Li followed behind them expressionlessly, preparing to head to the Disciplinary Committee as well.
As she passed Lu Jue, her steps paused slightly. "Student Lu Jue, will you be free later? After handing Li Zhanting over to the Disciplinary Committee, I'll come visit you."
"I'm afraid—"
Before Lu Jue could finish, Su Li immediately added, "It's not a meal this time. It's official business!"
Before you continue