Jiang Hai's Money-Making Scheme

Half an hour later, the dorm room had finally been transformed.

Chen Yong spread the bedding he had prepared over his bed and asked, "Jiang Hai, do you have any bedding? I have another set here. It's all new. You can have it!"

Jiang Hai nodded, accepting Chen Yong's kindness without protest.

Jiang Hai walked over to the wall by the door, where several small protrusions stood out.

After making his bed, Chen Yong noticed where Jiang Hai was looking and said, "I heard this thing is called a light. It's a kind of Soul Tool, too. You feed it Soul Power, and it lights up!"

Jiang Hai nodded, placed a fingertip against one of the protrusions, and fed in a thread of Soul Power. Sure enough, the bulb on the ceiling immediately lit up.

Though its light was no match for an incandescent bulb, it still brightened the dim dorm room considerably. It lasted about a minute before gradually fading out.

To Jiang Hai, this sort of Soul Tool looked crude, but only Shrek Academy had the resources to install one in every dorm room. In the three great empires, only wealthy nobles had such things in their homes.

Then again, without Soul Power, the thing would not light up at all!

Jiang Hai shook his head and smiled. "We've been busy all day. How about getting something to eat? My treat!"

"I really am getting hungry," Chen Yong said. "But I should be the one treating you!"

Of course, Chen Yong was not rich. He came from an ordinary family, and the city lord's estate had paid both his Shrek Academy application fee and the cost of his Soul Tool, which held only one cubic meter of storage space.

But he was grateful by nature. In his eyes, Jiang Hai had done him a kindness by holding nothing back while teaching him how to fight opponents faster than himself.

Jiang Hai chuckled. "Come on. I said it was my treat, so I'm paying. You're not going to make me lose face, are you?"

Chen Yong nodded. "All right. Next time, it's definitely my treat!"

The two headed to the dining hall. After their busy day, the sky had already grown dark, and it was just time for dinner.

Food at Shrek Academy's dining hall was not expensive. In fact, it was very cheap. But they were all Soul Masters, and growing youngsters at that. Every one of them had a considerable appetite.

Three dishes, a bowl of soup, and a huge basin of rice each, plus two chicken drumsticks and a large steak-the sight alone was enough to leave anyone speechless.

Both Jiang Hai and Chen Yong ate a great deal, and their meal cost nearly a silver coin.

Ten silver coins made one gold coin.

A little embarrassed, Chen Yong asked, "Am I eating a bit too much?"

Jiang Hai smiled. "We're strong, aren't we? If we didn't eat plenty, where would all that strength come from?"

Chen Yong nodded as well. "My dad says the same thing. But my family was poor when I was little, and there wasn't much to eat, so I often went into the mountains alone to find food. Jiang Hai, you have no idea how delicious the wild game up there is. If we get the chance, I'll definitely treat you to some."

After a while, Chen Yong still asked with some concern, "Jiang Hai, you don't look rich either. Is it really all right for us to eat like this?"

Jiang Hai shook his head. "Money is just an external possession. You don't bring it into this world, and you can't take it with you when you die. Don't worry. I'll take you out to earn some later. You have no idea how easy it is to make money at Shrek Academy."

"You can earn money inside Shrek Academy?" Chen Yong asked curiously.

Jiang Hai nodded. "Of course. There's nowhere better for making money than Shrek Academy!"

"All right!" Chen Yong said, half convinced.

Before long, the two had wolfed down their meal.

"Jiang Hai, when are we going to make money?" Chen Yong was getting excited, too. Being able to earn money at Shrek Academy was wonderful. He could send some home and give his parents a better life.

"No hurry. We'll take a stroll and let our food settle first, or it'll be awkward when we have to fight later!" Jiang Hai said casually.

Chen Yong asked, "Jiang Hai, aren't we going to make money? Why do we have to fight?"

"Of course we have to fight," Jiang Hai said as though it were obvious. "Where would the money come from otherwise? Right, Chen Yong, how good are you in a fight? How many of this year's new students could you take on?"

Chen Yong glanced at Jiang Hai and said in his deep, muffled voice, "If they're like you, not even one!"

Jiang Hai stiffened for a moment. "What if they're ordinary ones, like Le Qianqian?"

"I could take eight!" Chen Yong said.

"Good. Chen Yong, this sign is yours. Go hold it up outside the freshmen's dorm entrance later!" Jiang Hai handed him a large cardboard sign.

Chen Yong read the words on the sign, then stared blankly at Jiang Hai. "Jiang Hai, are you sure we won't get beaten up for this?"

"Would you rather make money or avoid getting beaten up?"

"I'd rather make money, then. Forget it. If I get beaten up, so be it. Anyone who doesn't dare stir up trouble is a mediocrity. That's what Shrek Academy's first dean said!" Chen Yong replied.

A quarter of an hour later, Chen Yong appeared at the freshmen's dorm entrance, holding up a sign.

Mu En was still lying there. When he saw the words on Chen Yong's sign, he could not help smiling. These youngsters really were something!

The sign read, "This year's Shrek Academy freshmen are all trash. You heard me. Trash doesn't deserve to join Shrek Academy!"

Liu Yun was in an excellent mood. He had actually passed Shrek Academy's entrance assessment and become a student. He had always said he was a genius. Now all those people who used to mock him must be regretting it! Sooner or later, he, Liu Yun, would become a Titled Douluo whose name resounded across the Douluo Continent.

Wait. What had he just seen? Someone was calling them all trash?

Liu Yun stormed up to Chen Yong, who was holding the sign, and demanded furiously, "What did you say? Who are you calling trash?"

"A freshman?" Chen Yong looked Liu Yun over. Business had arrived so quickly! Following the lines Jiang Hai had taught him, he said in his deep, muffled voice, "I'm calling you trash. So what if I call you trash? I'm a Shrek Academy freshman, too, but I'm ashamed to have someone like you as a classmate!"

"What gives you the right to say that?" Liu Yun was beside himself with anger.

Chen Yong was secretly enjoying himself, too. Looking down on everyone with such overbearing arrogance felt incredibly satisfying. Still, he remembered Jiang Hai's instructions. "Not convinced? Fine. I'll accept your challenge and show you the gap between us. But as a fee for my guidance, you have to pay me one gold coin before I'll teach you!"

As he said this, Chen Yong felt a little uneasy. Was he asking for too much? But Jiang Hai had insisted on that amount.

"Why should I give you money?" It was a whole gold coin, after all. Furious though Liu Yun was, he still hesitated.

"Coward. You really are trash. Being in the same school as someone like you is humiliating." Chen Yong continued goading Liu Yun. Those words were especially infuriating coming from such an honest-looking face.

"What did you say? Fine, I'll fight you! But if you lose, you have to admit you're the trash!" Liu Yun could no longer stand it. His lungs were about to burst with rage, but he did not dare strike first. What if Shrek Academy found out he had attacked without cause and expelled him?

Liu Yun was no fool. If he attacked, Chen Yong could simply refuse to fight back and even turn it into a claim against him. But paying for a match would make it a different matter.

"Pay up!" Chen Yong said bluntly.

Gritting his teeth, Liu Yun tossed over a gold coin.

Chen Yong caught the coin, delight lighting up his face. Jiang Hai had been right. People really would pay! One gold coin for a fight-this money was far too easy to earn.

After catching the coin, Chen Yong let out a low roar and activated Martial Soul Possession. His body swelled considerably once more, and a yellow Soul Ring flashed, his imposing presence unmatched.

The sight of Chen Yong immediately made Liu Yun's courage falter, but he could not back out now. He could only grit his teeth, summon his Martial Soul, the Cloud Auspicious Staff, and charge.

Facing Liu Yun, Chen Yong instinctively recalled what Jiang Hai had taught him that afternoon. His eyes widened as he calculated the paths of Liu Yun's attacks, defending with great care.

Liu Yun's Soul Power had only just reached rank fifteen, and his Cloud Auspicious Staff lacked offensive power. He fell well short of Chen Yong, who was already rank nineteen, and Chen Yong's defense was so tight that not a drop of water could slip through.

Unable to break through despite repeated attacks, Liu Yun grew increasingly impatient. Suddenly, he launched a fierce strike with his staff, his Soul Ring flashing as well.

An opening!

Chen Yong seemed to enter the state Jiang Hai had described. The trajectory of that staff strike appeared clearly in his mind. With a low roar, he extended the arms guarding his body and seized the Cloud Auspicious Staff. One powerful wrench tore it out of Liu Yun's hands. Chen Yong followed with a punch, stopping his fist right in front of Liu Yun's face.

"Th-this is impossible!" Liu Yun could hardly believe it. His opponent had caught his Martial Soul without even using a Soul Skill?

Was he really that bad?

Liu Yun left, utterly dispirited.

At that moment, Mu En suddenly spoke. "Little fellow, that other youngster came up with this rotten idea for you, didn't he? After you win, you'd best compliment your opponent and leave him some room to save face. Otherwise, you'll easily offend people. Anyone who doesn't dare stir up trouble is a mediocrity, but stirring up trouble should benefit you, too. Understand?"

Chen Yong scratched his head sheepishly. "Senior, I understand. Jiang Hai told me that, too, but I was thinking about something just now and forgot. I won't forget next time. Thank you for your guidance, Senior. Once I've made some money, I'll treat you to a meal!"

Mu En smiled helplessly, closed his eyes, and said nothing.

This year's youngsters really were interesting. And this honest-looking little fellow was not quite as straightforward as he appeared.

Still, Mu En tacitly allowed it.

Shrek Academy did not shy away from challenges between students. Though Chen Yong's methods were a little extreme, Mu En could tell that he was practicing an unusual style of combat, rather than merely trying to make money. In that case, there was no need to stop him.

Besides, hidden dragons and crouching tigers lurked among the freshmen. By doing this, he had also prepared himself to take a beating.

Chuckling, Chen Yong tucked the gold coin away safely. He had earned a gold coin in such a short time. The money really came quickly.

Chen Yong stood right outside the freshmen's dorm building, where everyone entering or leaving could see him. Before long, another challenger arrived.

After Chen Yong taunted and provoked him for a while, another match began.

It had to be said that Chen Yong's strength placed him among the better freshmen. Not many could defeat him.

After testing his fighting method, Chen Yong defeated his opponent again. This time, however, he did not look nearly as effortless as before. Panting heavily, he said, "You really are impressive, classmate. I nearly lost. I admit you're not trash. I was wrong to say that, and I apologize. I should return this gold coin to you, too. How could I charge money for a friendly spar between classmates?"

Perhaps Chen Yong's attitude was simply too sincere, because his opponent was moved. He declared righteously, "You were right, big brother. There must be some trash among us freshmen, muddying the waters to slip through and dragging down our standards. I lost this gold coin because my skills weren't good enough. How could I have the nerve to take it back?"

Chen Yong looked moved as well. "You really are honorable, classmate. All right, I'll keep this gold coin for now. Once you're stronger, come spar with me anytime. When you win, I'll return it to you!"

"Good, it's a promise! I have something to do. Take care, big brother!"

After the other student left, Chen Yong broke into a broad grin and happily put away the gold coin. There was not the slightest trace of breathlessness left in him.

This brat really is no saint either! Mu En grumbled inwardly at the sight.