Subsequent Trouble

Rumors about him were now spreading throughout the Base City. Even neighbors and friends who knew him well felt the rumors were probably true, unwilling to believe he possessed such talent.

Yet experts like Fu Yuntai and Zhong Wanshan believed in him without exception, their attitude the exact opposite of the general public's.

"Why don't you suspect me?" Qin Heng asked.

Fu Yuntai smiled. "With geniuses, it's better to believe they exist than believe they don't. Winning you over requires only an attitude and a small amount of resources. If the investment succeeds, the returns you bring us will far exceed what we paid. Even if it fails, it's no great loss to us."

"So that's how it is..."

Qin Heng fell into thought.

It seemed Fu Yuntai and Zhong Wanshan thought alike. There was an element of gambling in both their decisions.

The miracle medicine could not be detected. What Qin Heng's aptitude truly was could only be tested by time.

His First Assessment results and his current strength were not enough to explain everything.

After all, he could have concealed his abilities during the First Assessment, then slowly revealed part of them now to deceive others into trusting him.

But given enough time, the truth would always rise to the surface.

The miracle medicine's effects were limited. It could make him an Elementary Martial Warrior, perhaps even an Intermediate Martial Warrior.

But Advanced Martial Warrior, Martial Master, Great Martial Master... it was impossible to cross those realms in one breath.

If Qin Heng stopped making progress, then the rumors would no longer be rumors, but fact.

Conversely, if he kept growing stronger and breaking through, the voices of doubt would naturally fade away.

"Then how do you intend to win me over?" Qin Heng could not help asking.

Fu Yuntai did not answer immediately. Instead, he said, "I'll need to ask my superiors about that. My position only gives me the right to make recommendations, not the power to decide."

After saying that, he took out his phone, made a call, and went to one side to consult the Martial Warrior Alliance's higher-ups.

Seeing him make the call, Qin Heng asked in surprise, "Sir, isn't there no signal here?"

Fu Yuntai said, "Who told you that? Even in the Wilderness Area, satellite phones can still be used normally. Besides, the Supervisory Examination Vehicle is equipped with a satellite signal transmitter and receiver. Within a thousand meters, ordinary phones work perfectly well too."

"Uh..."

Satellite phones were high-end equipment. Ordinary Martial Warriors could not afford them at all.

But the Supervisory Examination Vehicle actually had a signal station installed. That was an unexpected delight!

"Thank you, sir!"

Qin Heng had been worried that Wang Jianming would target him after he returned. Now things were different. With communications available, he could send word in advance and prepare against danger before it arrived!

Qin Heng's assessment results had already come out. He had passed, and after returning, he would be issued an Elementary Martial Warrior certificate, have his registration changed to a "Martial Warrior Household Registration," and receive Martial Warrior benefits.

The other teammates were still undergoing assessment. Qin Heng did not wait for them and ran straight to the vehicle.

The air conditioning was on inside, and it was pleasantly cool.

Qin Heng took out his phone and dialed Zhong Wanshan's number.

"Hello, Qin Heng. How did it go? Did you register for the Elementary Martial Warrior exam?"

The moment the call connected, Zhong Wanshan asked.

"I did, and I've already passed the assessment. I can go back tomorrow afternoon and change my registration to Martial Warrior status."

Zhong Wanshan said in surprise, "Oh? That fast?"

"Mm, yes. As soon as we entered the wilderness..."

Qin Heng briefly described what had happened over the past two days.

Then his tone changed. "Teacher Zhong, there's something I'd like to ask your help with."

Zhong Wanshan laughed. "What is it? Are you short on money?"

Qin Heng said heavily, "No, money's fine. I have enough for now. It's just that I caused some trouble and indirectly got someone killed."

"Hmm? Who died?"

The moment Zhong Wanshan heard this, his tone turned grave.

Qin Heng began, "His name was Wang Peng. He was..."

Before he could finish, Zhong Wanshan cried out, "Fuck, no way! You actually got him killed? This is serious!"

Zhong Wanshan had long known Wang Peng's identity. They had met on the day of the Quasi-Martial Warrior assessment, and he knew very well how much Grandmaster Wang Jianming cared about this grandnephew.

"This is bad, this is bad. You've really caused a huge disaster! A disaster that reaches the heavens!"

Zhong Wanshan muttered to himself. His headache was obvious from his tone alone.

"Teacher Zhong, can you... handle this?" Qin Heng asked, feeling uneasy.

Judging from Zhong Wanshan's tone, the consequences of this matter seemed even more severe than he had imagined.

Zhong Wanshan said helplessly, "Handle it? Handle it with what? I'm only a Great Martial Master. In front of Old Wang, I don't even have the right to speak loudly. What am I supposed to use to solve this?"

Qin Heng's heart sank.

Zhong Wanshan said, "Tell me carefully. What exactly happened?"

"This... it went like this."

Qin Heng recounted what had happened that day.

Naturally, he did not mention that Wang Peng had called for his help. He only said that he had immediately fled after discovering the Blood-Sucking Vine, and when he went back later, Wang Peng and Qian Feilong were already dead.

After hearing him out, Zhong Wanshan spoke in a low voice. "Though you did not kill him with your own hands, you were too deeply connected to it. Wang Jianming will never let this go. This matter... I'm afraid it truly won't be easy to handle."

Hearing that, Qin Heng could only say, "Teacher Zhong, my punch strength is no less than 1,400 kilograms now. As long as the Heavenly Dao Martial Hall can help me resolve this crisis, I will repay the Martial Hall in the future."

A Grandmaster was not someone he could deal with. Only if the Heavenly Dao Martial Hall sent out one of its powerful experts could this be settled.

And the only reason he could give for making a top expert step forward was his talent!

Zhong Wanshan said, "I understand what you mean, and your talent is indeed astonishing. But I truly can't make the decision on this matter. Only the vice dean or the dean can decide."

Normally, Zhong Wanshan should have been shocked upon hearing the words "1,400 kilograms of force."

But a Grandmaster's status was too terrifying, especially an old-established Grandmaster like Wang Jianming. Not only was he powerful, but he also possessed immense status and honor, beloved by the hundreds of millions of residents across the entire Base City.

Such enormous trouble crushed every trace of joy. There was simply no way to feel happy.

"Wait for my news." Zhong Wanshan hung up.

Qin Heng sat alone in the empty vehicle, his feelings tangled.

I hope it works.

Without the protection of a powerful expert, this calamity would likely be difficult to overcome.

On one side was a Grandmaster-level powerhouse; on the other, a genius who had yet to rise. He did not know what choice the Heavenly Dao Martial Hall's powerful figures would make.

There were countless geniuses in the world, but only a tiny fraction ultimately became strong.

Presumably... those powerful figures would also weigh the odds and avoid Wang Jianming's edge.

Qin Heng felt stifled inside.

"Ah, acting on impulse feels great for a moment, but the trouble afterward is truly a headache."

"If I get killed, what will happen to Dad and Mom? What will happen to Ling Xue..."

He picked up his phone, wanting to talk to his family.

But on second thought, he was afraid they would worry and feel sad.

After thinking it over and over, he ultimately did not make the call. He only drafted a message telling them to take good care of themselves and set it to send the morning after tomorrow.

If he did not die, he would cancel it before it was sent.

If he really died... then everything would become empty, and there would be no point worrying about so much.

After a while, Zhao Dongxing and the others also finished their assessments. Everyone had passed and returned to the vehicle.

"Brother Huang, there's something I'd like to ask of you."

Qin Heng walked over to Huang Jiancheng.

Huang Jiancheng looked delighted. "What is it? We received no small amount of help from you this time. As long as you say the word, we'll definitely help!"

Qin Heng opened his backpack and took out the Blood Claw Demon Wolf claws and other materials he had obtained on this trip.

Then he said, "When I return this time, Grandmaster Wang Jianming may come looking for trouble with me. If I unfortunately die, please help me sell these things, along with my phone, and give the cash to my family."