Who's Your Daddy?

Lin Hao instantly felt a weight pressing down on him, forcing him to bend forward. But he had his pride. How could he bow to some unreasonable old geezer? Black Lightning instantly swirled around him, and he braced himself against the crushing pressure. His eyes stayed fixed on Gu Xuanying.

Gu Xuanying was startled. He hadn't used his full strength, but how could a Bronze-rank Ability User withstand the pressure of someone at Diamond rank? He'd only wanted to use the damaged weapon as an excuse to put Lin Hao in his place. Who knew Lin Hao would be stronger than he'd imagined?

Down below the platform, Jiang Weiwei and the others hurried toward it. Though she was only Gold rank, she couldn't possibly stand by and watch Lin Hao get bullied.

"Hahaha, Old Gu, you're getting more useless with age!" Just then, a middle-aged man stepped onto the platform.

He was tall and broad, with a resolute face. When he reached Lin Hao, he smiled at him. "You're my kind of guy." Then another Diamond-rank aura burst from him, forcing back the pressure Gu Xuanying had unleashed. The newcomer was Han Bantian, the principal of Longcheng Martial University.

"Old Han, are you sticking your nose into this too?" Gu Xuanying's face was as dark as a storm cloud.

"Hey, Old Gu, don't get angry. It's just a weapon. What's the big deal?" Another middle-aged man stepped onto the platform. He gave Lin Hao a gentle look, then released a Diamond-rank aura that pressed toward Gu Xuanying. The newcomer was Xing Tianhe, the principal of Jiangnan Martial University.

By then, Jiang Weiwei had reached the platform. She stood in front of Lin Hao, shielding him like a mother hen guarding her chicks.

"Uh?" Lin Hao was a little lost. Who were these people? Seeing his confusion, Jiang Weiwei explained, "They're the principals of Longcheng Martial University and Jiangnan Martial University. Longcheng's principal is Han Bantian, a Diamond-rank expert known as Po Jun. Jiangnan's principal is Xing Tianhe, a Diamond-rank expert known as Xing He."

Just then, a beautiful, middle-aged woman joined Jiang Weiwei. She looked to be in her thirties, with a full figure and a mature beauty. "Weiwei, your Shancheng Martial University has produced quite the monster this time." She then turned to Lin Hao with a warm smile.

"Aunt Ning, it's been a long time." Jiang Weiwei hurriedly greeted her, then introduced her to Lin Hao. "This is Ning Feixue, the principal of Qingzhou Martial University. She's a Diamond-rank expert known as the Ice Snow Empress."

Lin Hao was stunned. "What's going on? Why are the principals of top martial universities showing up one after another?" Then he hurried to greet her. "Hello, Big Sister Ning!" Only a fool would pass up a chance to cozy up to someone powerful—especially someone with such long, fair legs.

Ning Feixue froze. Jiang Weiwei and the other principals did too. Then Ning Feixue's face bloomed with a spring breeze of a smile. "Oh, little brother Lin Hao, what a sweet talker! Big Sister Ning likes you. I'll accept the title. If you ever run into trouble, just come to me."

The other principals' faces darkened. Damn it, Ning Feixue had beaten them to it. They'd all had their eyes on Lin Hao and wanted to use this chance to make an impression and earn some goodwill. They hadn't expected Ning Feixue to get there first.

Just then, a tall, middle-aged man appeared on the platform. He radiated authority without even trying, an unmistakable air of command surrounding him. "Old Gu, have you had it too easy these past few years? You're getting older and more shameless, picking on someone from the younger generation."

The moment they saw him, everyone hastily withdrew their auras and bowed. "Greetings, God of War."

The middle-aged man nodded. "Old Gu, I don't think you're fit to remain principal of Modu Martial University. You're too hotheaded. Go back and work on your temperament. Once you've figured things out, you can apply to return to the position."

Gu Xuanying broke into a cold sweat. "Yes, Lord God of War."

Seeing that Gu Xuanying had no objections, Fang Wei nodded. "I'll send a new principal to Modu Martial University as soon as possible."

Lin Hao was completely dumbfounded. Another God of War? He turned to Jiang Weiwei. "Is he higher-ranked than Uncle Jiang?"

Jiang Weiwei gave him an exasperated look. "Xia Kingdom is divided into four military regions: east, west, south, and north. Each region's highest-ranking leader is a God of War, so there are four of them in total. My dad is one of them. This man is his equal—the God of War of the Eastern Military Region, Fang Wei. His title is Killing God."

"Oh?" Lin Hao had just heard that the principals all had titles, and even the Gods of War had them. "Do they pick their own titles?" he asked. He wouldn't mind giving himself a title too. It sounded pretty cool.

Jiang Weiwei rolled her eyes at him again. "Only experts at Diamond rank and above have titles. Every title is officially recorded by the Martial Artist Alliance and the military regions."

Uh? Lin Hao was lost again. What was the Martial Artist Alliance? He'd never heard of it. So you only got a title once you reached Diamond rank. He'd have to keep working hard. Before he reached Diamond rank, he'd better come up with a resounding title for himself.

Just then, Fang Wei turned his gaze to Lin Hao. He strode toward him, glaring with tiger-bright eyes. "You're Lin Hao?"

Uh? Lin Hao's mind stalled as he looked at Fang Wei's angry, weathered face. Lord Fang, I've never offended you, have I? Why are you glaring at me like that? Fine, I'll glare back. So many people are watching. What can you do to me?

"Yes, I'm Lin Hao." Lin Hao straightened up and met Fang Wei's gaze without flinching.

Down below, Fang Yao was completely dumbfounded. What was Dad planning? Seeing how anxious Fang Yao looked, Lin Yueyue was puzzled. "Yaoyao, what's wrong? Surely that man can't do anything to Lin Hao?" Fang Yao stopped hiding it. If her father didn't show up soon, he might actually swallow Lin Hao whole.

"Um, Auntie, that man up there is my dad." Fang Yao's voice grew softer and softer until it was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.

"What did you say? Who's your daddy? Who's your dad?" Lin Yueyue was stunned. Holy crap, my nephew's incredible—he's dating a God of War's daughter. I have to tell Mom as soon as we get home. Heh, then she can strut around too.

Fang Yao had no time to explain. She picked up Lin Xiaorou, then hurried with Lin Yueyue toward the platform.

The conversation onstage was quiet, so the audience below had no idea what was happening. They only saw a group of people talking. They assumed it was about the competition and didn't pay it much mind, waiting for the next match to begin.

On the platform, Fang Wei was slightly impressed by how calm Lin Hao remained in front of him. To stay composed in front of someone like a God of War—that boy had a good temperament. Jiang Tianhai couldn't sit still either. Years of battle experience gave him a particularly bad feeling. Was Old Fang trying to steal his girl? No way. Absolutely not. With that, he flashed out of sight.