My Cover Was Almost Blown

Flender cleared his throat and turned a stern gaze on Ning Rongrong and the other three newcomers. "I assume you four saw Dai Mubai and the others running this morning?"

Ning Rongrong, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

"Good. Starting tomorrow, you'll join them. And in a moment, you four will make up today's fifty laps."

"Fifty laps?!" Ning Rongrong's eyes widened.

"Is there a problem?" Flender's eyes narrowed behind his glasses.

"Fine... No." Ning Rongrong pursed her lips.

Flender turned. "Mubai, stay here and supervise them."

"Yes, Dean!" Dai Mubai replied.

Flender nodded in satisfaction, then gave his final instructions. "Once you're done running, go back and rest. Get yourselves into the best shape you can. Your first class begins tonight."

With that, Flender turned and left.

Once he was out of earshot, Dai Mubai faced the four newcomers. "All right, you four. Get started."

Zhu Zhuqing took off first without a word.

Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance and set off after her.

Ning Rongrong pouted, reluctance written all over her face. But she couldn't bear to lose face, so she forced herself to start running.

Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar settled beneath an old tree at the edge of the field and watched the four runners, bored stiff.

"Boss Dai," Oscar said, sidling closer and lowering his voice. "What do you think... Do I have a chance with Ning Rongrong?"

Dai Mubai's heart skipped a beat, though he kept his expression neutral. He had to put an end to that idea fast.

He patted Oscar's shoulder and said earnestly, "Forget it, Little Ao. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has a very important rule: Soul Masters with the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda must marry combat Soul Masters."

"What? Th-they have a rule like that?" Oscar looked thunderstruck.

Dai Mubai nodded, wearing an expression of concern. "It's true. The rule protects the sect's direct descendants and strengthens its fighting power. You're talented, but you aren't a combat Soul Master."

Oscar deflated like a punctured balloon. "Then... I guess I'll forget about it."

Dai Mubai smiled. "Little Ao, with your talent, do you really think you'll have trouble finding a girlfriend if you keep training? Ning Rongrong is more than you can handle."

So I'll handle her instead, Dai Mubai added silently.

"I get it, Boss Dai." Oscar found his reasoning sound and nodded.

Beside them, Ma Hongjun chuckled. "Boss Dai, what about me? Do I have a chance?"

Dai Mubai's heart sank.

Ma Hongjun came from a commoner family and had exceptional talent and the rare Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul. His Martial Soul had a flaw, but if that flaw could be fixed...

Come to think of it, Ma Hongjun was an excellent match: the perfect live-in son-in-law and a "phoenix man" to boot.

Dai Mubai couldn't think of a good argument against him. He fell silent, growing anxious.

After a moment, under Ma Hongjun's hopeful gaze, Dai Mubai shook his head. "It'd be hard. A noble girl like her would care a lot about a suitor's past. You're talented, but your Evil Fire still forces you to let off steam now and then. I doubt she'd take you seriously unless she wanted you as a stud!"

Ma Hongjun chuckled. "I was just asking! If she doesn't want me, I don't want her either. I'd rather be free to do as I please."

Then his little eyes darted toward Dai Mubai. "Speaking of which, Boss Dai, wouldn't you be the perfect match?"

Dai Mubai was momentarily lost for words. His cover had almost been blown. He waved them off. "All right, enough. Go back to the dorm and train. Stop screwing around here."

"Sure thing!" Ma Hongjun replied, tugging Oscar toward the dorm.

Dai Mubai sat cross-legged beneath the tree, calmed his racing thoughts, and entered a meditative state.

On the field, four figures ran through the morning light.

Zhu Zhuqing led the way, while Tang San and Xiao Wu kept an even pace.

Ning Rongrong ran slower and slower until she had fallen more than half a lap behind.

Before long, Ning Rongrong lost her rhythm completely.

She braced her hands on her knees and gulped for air, her chest heaving. Even her carefully applied makeup had become disheveled.

She stamped her foot. "I'm exhausted! I'm not running anymore! Anyone who wants to can run!"

With that, she turned toward the dorm.

Dai Mubai sensed every move she made. There's her true nature at last.

"Stop. Where are you going?"

Dai Mubai called out to Ning Rongrong.

She turned back and said defiantly, "I'm too tired. I can't keep going!"

"Everyone else is pushing through. Why can't you?"

Dai Mubai rose and walked toward her.

Ning Rongrong lifted her chin with the haughty air of a pampered young lady. "You're all combat Soul Masters. I'm only a support Soul Master! Why should a support Soul Master have to suffer like this?"

Dai Mubai stopped in front of her and met her eyes. "Support Soul Masters need training even more. On a battlefield, you're the most vulnerable and the enemy's first target. Do you think hiding behind your team will keep you safe?"

"But this isn't a battlefield! It's just an academy!"

Ning Rongrong's voice took on a petulant edge as she argued.

Dai Mubai nodded. "That's right. It's just an academy. But why did you come here? Was it only to escape your sect's rules so you could play the pampered young lady somewhere else?"

Ning Rongrong's expression changed.

Dai Mubai pointed toward the figures on the field. "Look at them. Every student here is stronger than you. Are you going to bring shame on your Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Martial Soul?"

"That's not true!" Ning Rongrong's eyes reddened at once. "My father said I'm the best support Soul Master! A genius the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect hasn't seen in a hundred years!"

"A genius?" Dai Mubai scoffed. "Then tell me who you're stronger than here. Don't use being a support Soul Master as an excuse. Oscar is a food-type Soul Master, and he was born with Innate Full Soul Power. He's more talented than you and has already reached level thirty-three. He can run fifty laps carrying ten kilograms. Can you?"

"I! I..."

Ning Rongrong opened her mouth, but no words came.

Tears welled in her eyes. At last, she couldn't hold them back. "Waaah... You're picking on me!"

Ning Rongrong broke down. She crouched on the ground, covered her face with both hands, and sobbed.

Dai Mubai knew she had been spoiled and was used to praise. Without a little pressure, she would never see the gap between herself and a true genius.

Once Ning Rongrong had cried most of it out, Dai Mubai crouched beside her and continued working on her.

He rested a hand on her trembling shoulder and softened his voice. "You wouldn't want your parents to be disappointed in you when you go home, would you?"

Ning Rongrong's sobs faltered.

Dai Mubai went on. "If you can't endure even this much, how will you inherit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? How will you shoulder your responsibilities to the sect?"

Ning Rongrong slowly lifted her head and looked at him through her tears. Tear tracks streaked her delicate face, and her nose was red. At that moment, she was simply a vulnerable little girl.