Seven Steps Away

As the saying went, fists feared the young and sticks feared the old.

Tie Lang felt that although he couldn't beat Chang Ping in unarmed combat, he definitely wouldn't lose in a weapons match.

I'm going to win back all the face I just lost! he swore silently.

What Tie Lang didn't know was that this foolish decision would put his life in danger.

"Since both of you agree, then let's have another match." Ye Sheng also wanted to see what else Chang Ping's weapon could do besides make a loud noise.

If it was nothing more than an ordinary weapon, Ye Sheng would have to hold Chang Ping accountable for asking for an outrageous fifty million Demon Spirit Coins that morning. That had been far too much.

"Please, Iron Sledgehammer Instructor!" Chang Ping gestured toward the steps, indicating that the instructor should go first.

"Chang Ping, show your instructor some respect. Don't go giving him nicknames!" Tie Lang snorted. He turned and went to the weapon rack, pulled out a shoulder-high wooden staff, and climbed onto the arena from the other side.

Pointing his staff at Chang Ping as he came up slowly, he barked, "Kid, I was careless just now. I won't go easy on you this time. Young people shouldn't get too cocky. Today, I'll teach you what it means to respect your elders and teachers!"

The weapon Chang Ping held was only two palms long.

As the saying went, an inch longer meant an inch stronger, while an inch shorter meant an inch more dangerous.

What was more, Tie Lang had studied staff techniques under the great master Hu Yan Yue and had never lost to anyone at the academy. It was precisely his mastery of the staff that had earned him the opportunity to teach at Saint Orchid Academy. By any measure, he was certain to win this round.

"You two, remember to hold back. Don't injure each other, and absolutely do not take each other's lives." Ye Sheng could see that Tie Lang was taking this seriously. If he fought in earnest, Chang Ping might well be in mortal danger.

The previous martial arts instructor for the Beginner Warrior Class had been brutally crippled by Tie Lang, who broke his leg and left him permanently disabled. He could no longer teach at Saint Orchid Academy.

"Don't worry, Uncle Ye. I guarantee I won't kill Instructor Tie Lang. It's not like he and I have a grudge." Chang Ping patted his sturdy chest and promised. Then he glanced at Shen Yue and muttered, "Not like certain scum from the Peak Family."

The Sacred Family had not only withheld his hard-earned pay but also persecuted him on trumped-up charges. If he didn't destroy the Sacred Family, he wouldn't deserve the heart he'd lost.

He had checked countless times. His pulse and heartbeat were both gone. The system was probably keeping him alive now. If he didn't destroy the Sacred Family, he would die with regrets!

Shen Yue happened to hear Chang Ping's words. His face turned deathly pale, and he thought in terror, Th-this guy wants to kill me? Why? I don't remember ever offending him. Could he be an enemy of my big brother or aunt?

Shen Yue gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Since Chang Ping wanted to kill him, he wouldn't hold back either. Tonight, he would have someone poison Chang Ping's food!

"Arrogant!" Chang Ping's words had thoroughly enraged Tie Lang. At first, he'd planned to break just one of Chang Ping's legs. Now he was going to break both arms and both legs.

"Arrogance takes strength, and as it happens, I've got plenty." Chang Ping raised his head proudly and slowly disengaged the safety on the Desert Eagle. "Enough talk, Instructor Tie Lang. Bring it on! Let's see if your staff is faster or my gun!"

At more than seven steps, a gun was faster. Within seven steps, it was both accurate and fast.

"Gun? Hahaha! You call that thing you're holding a gun?" Tie Lang laughed as if he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world. "Whose gun is that short? Are you trying to make me laugh to death?"

Bang!

The deafening gunshot rang out without warning, catching everyone present completely off guard.

The students were so frightened that they fell to the ground. Shen Yue even wet his pants.

The three instructors didn't fall over, but they still jumped in fright. Vice Principal Ye Sheng's beard stood on end.

"What was that? The sky isn't even cloudy. Where did that thunder come from? A bolt from the blue?"

"Look, smoke's coming out of Chang Ping's gun! I saw a dazzling flash of fire from his weapon just now. That sound must have come from it!"

"Look! Instructor Tie Lang's staff is only half left!"

Everyone looked at Tie Lang. Tie Lang looked at his left hand. Sure enough, his shoulder-high staff had become a stub no longer than the distance from his palm to his thumb.

"That shot was just a warning. Next time, I'm going to get serious." Chang Ping pointed the barrel at Tie Lang's dark, bald head.

You dare laugh at your Grandpa Chang? You're asking for a beating!

"Wait! I give up!" Tie Lang hurriedly tossed aside his staff and dropped to his knees, his earlier arrogance gone.

He hadn't even seen Chang Ping's attack before his staff was broken. If Chang Ping had aimed straight at his body, he would have been completely helpless. No matter how strong a warrior's body was, it couldn't withstand a weapon's attack. If they kept going, Tie Lang would end up dead or crippled.

"Don't tell me that! I was looking forward to having you teach me about respecting my elders and teachers." Chang Ping blew the smoke from the barrel and taunted him.

A wise man knew when to yield. Tie Lang was an interesting fellow after all.

Tie Lang knelt with his hands on the ground, his face wreathed in smiles. "Chang Ping, you're a genius, a once-in-a-century prodigy. I'm not worthy of teaching you. I offended you just now, so please be magnanimous. They say a prime minister's heart is broad enough to sail a boat. Please forgive my offense."

"Was my gun faster, or your staff?" Chang Ping wanted to tease Tie Lang a little longer.

"Your gun was faster! Your staff was even faster! I admit defeat. I can't compare to you."

Tie Lang's answer made Chang Ping laugh.

"Fine, I forgive you." Chang Ping waved a hand and let Tie Lang off. He engaged the safety and put the Desert Eagle back in his Space Ring.

Watching Instructor Tie Lang slink off the arena like a beaten dog, the students exchanged wide-eyed looks and began whispering among themselves.

"Does using a long-range weapon count as cheating?"

"Probably not. They only said it was a weapons match. They never specified what kind of weapon."

"Chang Ping's incredible! Two fights, two wins. He beat Tie Lang like a dog. There's nobody this amazing in all of Saint Orchid Academy—not even in the entire Glory City!"

Lu Piao stared without blinking at Chang Ping's Space Ring. He wanted to borrow Chang Ping's weapon to play with, but he was afraid Chang Ping would refuse.

Then he thought it over. He'd treated Chang Ping to a meal worth three thousand Demon Spirit Coins. Surely borrowing the weapon to play with for a bit—not keeping it—would be fine.

"Brother Chang, can I borrow your gun and take a look?" Lu Piao asked, summoning his courage.

"No!" Chang Ping refused without hesitation. "I only let girls see my gun."

Lu Piao froze.

What a cheapskate! And after I treated him to a meal, too!

"Just kidding!" Chang Ping took out the Desert Eagle, removed the magazine, and tossed it to Lu Piao.

"Thanks, Brother Chang!" Lu Piao grinned so widely his mouth almost reached the back of his head.

The students looked enviously at the gun in Lu Piao's hands and crowded around, eager to touch it.

The training ground instantly descended into chaos.

But before Lu Piao had finished playing with it, the gun suddenly flew into the air and landed in Ye Sheng's hand.

"Instructor Tie Lang, continue with your lesson!" Ye Sheng ordered expressionlessly. He turned to Chang Ping, first rolled his eyes at him, then scolded, "Chang Ping, stop showing off and get down here! Come to my office. I need to talk to you!"