Two Battle Groups Compete for Cheng Han

Qiu Yuan looked at the aggressive Vice Principal, then glanced at Wan Tengjiao behind him, instantly understanding everything.

This is bad! This bastard really intends to swoop in halfway and steal him! Qiu Yuan forced out a smile and nodded in greeting. "Dongting Principal."

Although Qiu Yuan appeared to be smiling, there was a gritted-teeth quality to his tone. He was probably cursing furiously in his heart.

Yan Dongting truly deserved to be called a warrior retired from the Black Armor Army. His manner of speaking was exceedingly straightforward. "I heard that a prodigy appeared in Class Three-Two, so I came over to take a look."

Although Qiu Yuan had expected this, his heart still skipped a beat upon hearing the word "prodigy."

Yan Dongting looked at Cheng Han again, his attitude exceptionally warm. "You must be student Cheng Han. You're quite the fine young man indeed. No wonder you were able to form an imprint so quickly!"

The corner of Cheng Han's mouth twitched. "You flatter me."

This body's features could only barely be called delicate. It was actually far from being described as a fine young man.

Besides, did being handsome have anything to do with forming an imprint?

What a peculiar train of thought! Yan Dongting's next words were exceedingly forceful. "I came here mainly to discuss signing a Preparation Agreement with student Cheng Han."

Qiu Yuan could hardly believe his ears.

He cannot even be bothered to make an excuse? Is he planning to openly steal someone away? Could the dignified Vice Principal be any more shameless?

However.

The facts proved that Yan Dongting could! The Vice Principal looked at Qiu Yuan again and said cheerfully, "Teacher Qiu, please step outside for a moment. I would like to have a private conversation with student Cheng Han."

The anger in Qiu Yuan's heart flared up at once.

Bastard! On my own turf, he actually wants to throw me out? That's going too far, isn't it?!

In his fury, Qiu Yuan no longer cared about the other man's status as Vice Principal and retorted stiffly, "You should know that I am an evaluator for the Fourth Battle Group of the Black Armor Army. According to the rules..."

Yan Dongting's tone became overwhelmingly aggressive. "What rules are there? It is merely an understanding formed by the Five Battle Groups each taking a step back.

"But understandings can be broken! Every battle group wants to sign truly outstanding talents. Whoever has the ability to snatch them gets them.

"I will tell you plainly: no matter what means I must use today, I will sign student Cheng Han on behalf of the Second Battle Group."

The Vice Principal added, seemingly casually, "Any means, including force."

The so-called "force" obviously referred to violence.

To put it even more bluntly—it meant throwing you out of the Meditation Room. So, are you scared or not? Cheng Han felt rather emotional.

Strength truly allowed one to do whatever one wanted.

Faced with such unreasonable behavior, Qiu Yuan could no longer hold out. "Even if you are the Vice Principal, you still need to be reasonable."

Yan Dongting spoke as though reason was worth a few Copper Coins per pound. "If being reasonable were useful, why would I have worked so hard to cultivate and become a warrior?"

Qiu Yuan fell silent.

Cheng Han quietly watched the whole drama unfold without saying a word.

He knew very well that, given today's situation, he had to choose one side, and the consequence would be offending the other.

Play both sides?

Wishful thinking! If the weak tried to play both sides, they would only be crushed by both at once.

To stand steadily atop the wall, one needed strength that forced both sides to take them seriously. At present, he was merely a newbie, nowhere close to that.

But it did not matter. They were both part of the Black Armor Army. Whichever battle group he joined made little difference to him.

Yan Dongting smiled again. "Teacher Qiu, I understand your position very well. If you yield so easily, you will probably have a hard time explaining yourself to your battle group.

"Let me give you an idea. First, go lodge a complaint with Principal Yan Shan, then make a big fuss. As long as you have done your best, you will have an explanation for your battle group."

Cheng Han discreetly glanced at Yan Dongting, and his impression of the man immediately changed.

This man appeared reckless in his actions, but he was actually extremely shrewd at heart. He was highly practiced in the art of giving a sweet date after a slap.

After struggling internally for a while, Qiu Yuan suddenly turned and headed for the door.

Clearly.

He knew he could not contend against the forceful Vice Principal and was forced to yield.

Yan Dongting hurriedly called out, "Teacher Qiu, do not be in such a hurry to leave. I know you prepared a Preparation Agreement document in advance. I came too hastily just now and did not bring one with me. Could I borrow yours?"

Qiu Yuan was so angry that his nose nearly twisted out of shape.

He stole my person, threw me out, and now he even wants to steal my document? This is utterly intolerable!

He snorted heavily and left without looking back.

Yan Dongting shook his head. "It seems the rumors at school were entirely correct. Teacher Qiu truly does have a bad temper."

The corner of Cheng Han's mouth twitched.

Even a clay Buddha would feel some anger after being bullied so badly, would he not?

Wan Tengjiao volunteered, "Uncle Dongting, Teacher Qiu probably did not take the document away. There is a cabinet in the small room. I will go look for it."

Yan Dongting nodded. "Then I will trouble you."

Wan Tengjiao pushed open the door to the adjoining room and strode inside.

Yan Dongting turned to Cheng Han and got straight to the point. "Student Cheng Han, are you willing to become a Reserve Warrior of the Black Armor Army's Second Battle Group?"

Cheng Han asked calmly, "What can I get?"

Since this man clearly favored directness, Cheng Han could not be bothered with empty verbal games and simply asked outright.

Appreciation appeared in Yan Dongting's eyes, and he laughed heartily. "I like forthright young people like you."

He began explaining at length. "After forming an imprint, you will face an even more difficult hurdle: condensing a Body Forging Imprint. Only then can you become a warrior.

"During this process, many secret medicines that assist with body tempering will be required. As long as you sign the Preparation Agreement, the Second Battle Group is willing to provide you with Body Tempering Secret Medicine free of charge for four years.

"Furthermore, during those four years, the battle group will grant you a monthly subsidy of thirty Silver Coins, as well as a signing bonus of sixty Silver Coins."

Ordinary people typically earned around twenty Silver Coins a month. To be fair, a monthly subsidy of thirty Silver Coins could absolutely be called generous.

Yan Dongting continued, "Of course, this is only the initial contract. If your future performance is good enough, the battle group will provide even more generous terms."

In other words, if his performance was poor, this would be a one-time deal, and he would have to fend for himself afterward.

The Vice Principal deliberately made a comparison. "The other students at Fifteen Middle School who have formed imprints receive support for at most two years, only half as long as you.

"Their subsidies are at most fifteen Silver Coins per month, and their signing bonuses are capped at thirty Silver Coins. Both are far less than yours.

"Student Cheng Han, because you are an exceptionally outstanding talent and have a very high chance of becoming a warrior in the future, the battle group is willing to offer you better terms."

Yan Dongting had assumed Cheng Han would surely agree happily.

After all, Wan Tengjiao had mentioned that he was an orphan whose living conditions were ordinarily not very good. How could he possibly resist the temptation of thirty Silver Coins every month?

However.

Reality was very different from what he had expected.

Cheng Han showed no sign of being tempted. "Too little."

Yan Dongting froze for a moment.

Cheng Han said bluntly, "I believe Teacher Qiu can offer the same terms. Then why must I choose the Second Battle Group?"

If only one battle group had come looking for him, he would have had no choice but to obediently agree.

But with two battle groups competing, he naturally had bargaining power. Why not ask for more benefits?

Every man for himself.

Or heaven and earth would destroy him!