Troublemaker

"You animal!"

"Who's an animal?"

"You!"

"How am I an animal?"

"You know exactly what you did!"

"Sorry, I've forgotten what just happened. If you really want me to remember, then let's recreate the scene."

"Get away from me, you animal! Don't touch me!"

"You're still insulting me? I'm no delicate little prince—I've got plenty of strength and ways to use it! Cavalry, charge!"

Half an hour later, the clouds parted and the rain stopped.

Shen Xiu lay flat on the creaking bed, devoid of hope, like a soulless corpse.

"Still alive?" Chang Ping held out a finger as thick as a carrot and checked Shen Xiu's breathing.

To his surprise, Shen Xiu suddenly sprang up and bit down on Chang Ping's finger.

"Bo Chi!"

Chang Ping jumped in fright. His iron-hard palm, as broad as a fan, immediately came down with a mighty slap. Shen Xiu let go after one blow—easier to handle than a turtle.

Shen Xiu covered her face, sat up, and leaned into the corner, glaring at Chang Ping with resentment.

"Get dressed and get out of here! I've got a class to teach soon!" Chang Ping bent down, picked up the scattered clothes from the floor, and tossed them all to Shen Xiu.

Shen Xiu's bite had barely hurt. If anything, he had found it a little pleasant.

"A beast like you has no business teaching classes," Shen Xiu sneered as she dressed. "Then again, you could use a lesson in respecting others, especially women! Since your parents never taught you properly, let the academy's instructors do it."

Chang Ping realized Shen Xiu was calling him ill-mannered.

"Hmph!" Chang Ping snatched the underwear Shen Xiu was putting on and flung it hard onto the floor. "A vicious woman who'd eat someone's heart raw deserves no respect! You deserve only dick!"

"No! I was wrong! I'll never do it again! Please let me off this once. I swear on my honor there won't be a next time." Shen Xiu clung to Chang Ping's arm, as thick as a telephone pole, and begged desperately.

"You have honor?" Chang Ping shoved her down and sneered. "All you have is standards!"

Ding, ding, ding!

The melodious chimes rang out, signaling the end of the lunch break.

Chang Ping left the dormitory right on time and strode toward the classroom.

Inside, Shen Xiu lay slumped like a heap of mud, her long, fair legs dangling limply over the edge of the bed. She stared cross-eyed, her face wearing the look of someone thoroughly worn out.

After who knew how long, she gradually came to her senses.

She felt a little surprised.

Ever since the Old Monster had poisoned her with Blackwater Strange Poison, her whole body had been in pain, as if ten thousand ants were gnawing at her.

But now, the feeling had vanished without a trace.

Shen Xiu suddenly remembered what the Old Monster had said before leaving: only an antidote, or joining with a man who truly loved her, could ease the Blackwater Strange Poison.

"Does this animal really like me?" Shen Xiu furrowed her willow brows, a strange feeling rising in her heart.

She quickly shook her head, refusing to think about something more terrifying than being killed.

After putting her dress and shoes back on, Shen Xiu fled in a panic like a startled little fox, escaping the battlefield of relentless artillery fire and rushing out of the instructors' dormitory area.

If she'd known Chang Ping's dorm was here too, she'd have rather rested with her head on her office desk at noon than return to the instructors' dormitory.

Beginner Warrior Class.

The morning was devoted to theory, while the afternoon was for practical training—or, as some called it, P.E.

The students in the Beginner Warrior Class had to learn how to train their bodies properly. Training carelessly did no good; it could even be harmful.

Led by their instructor, they formed two neat columns, one of boys and one of girls, and headed to the Martial Arts Training Ground.

It was an open-air training ground, much like a modern gym. It wasn't very large, but it was big enough for the thirty or so students in the Beginner Warrior Class.

The group climbed onto the large circular platform in the center of the training ground. At the instructor's direction, they spread out in rows of six, leaving a meter between each person.

"Everyone, get down and do fifty push-ups right where you are!" the male instructor boomed. "Remember, use proper form. Don't stick your butt up!"

Perhaps he hadn't rested enough at noon and was too worn out. Chang Ping lost his balance and toppled onto the platform.

Before he could get back up, a pair of large boots suddenly appeared in front of him.

"New here?"

Chang Ping nodded.

"Do fifty more!" The male instructor gave Chang Ping a hard time right off the bat.

Shen Yue watched with glee, thinking, Serves you right! That's what you get for taking my seat!

"Why?" Chang Ping dusted off his hands and stood up. "Why do they only have to do fifty, while I have to do a hundred? You'd better give me a reasonable explanation."

Chang Ping was shorter than the instructor, but he didn't back down.

"I'm the instructor, and you're a student. You do what I say. Why are you asking so many questions?" The instructor was furious that the newcomer dared to talk back.

"I'm not doing it. So what?" Chang Ping glared. "A rotten person who treats students differently doesn't deserve to be my instructor."

"Good! Very good!" The instructor laughed in anger. "It's been years since I've met a troublemaker like you. If you can beat me, you can do whatever you want in practical classes from now on. But if you lose, you'll do exactly as I say. How about it?"

"No problem! I've been wanting to test my true strength anyway." Chang Ping was eager for a fight. "What do you want to compete in? Weapons or bare-handed combat—I'll take you on either way."

"Such a cocky brat! If we fought with weapons, people might say I was picking on you, so let's fight bare-handed." The instructor cracked his neck. "Everyone, get up and go down to watch!"

The students looked at one another, then filed off the platform down the steps.

"What's wrong with this new guy? First he picked a fight with the Sacred Family's two young masters, and now he's taking on our instructor, Tie Lang. I'm seriously starting to wonder if he'll make it to graduation."

"Tie Lang's a two-star Gold-ranked warrior. He's mastered Ming Jin, Dark Energy, and Hua Jin—three combat techniques. Chang Ping challenging him is like an egg hitting a rock. He'll probably be knocked down in one move."

"Good thing they're only fighting bare-handed. If they were using weapons, Instructor Tie Lang could crack his skull with one strike of his staff."

Most people had no faith in Chang Ping.

Shen Yue glanced at the Space Ring on his ring finger. He'd already bought the arsenic; he was just waiting for a chance to mix it into Chang Ping's food.

Still, before poisoning the arrogant fool to death, it'd be nice to watch someone beat him senseless.

"He's really asking for it!" Shen Yue folded his arms across his chest.

Chang Ping suddenly turned around and swept his gaze over the people below with a menacing look.

Shen Yue was so frightened he nearly lost his soul and crouched down.

The more he tried to hide, the more obvious he made himself. Chang Ping spotted the suspicious fellow at a glance.

"Talking shit about me behind my back?" Chang Ping stared scornfully at Shen Yue. "Once I've taken down this old geezer, I'll settle things with you!"

What? Take down Instructor Tie Lang?

Was this guy crazy?

Everyone was speechless.