Zuo Xiaoduo chuckled and said, "Classmate, the things you don't know... there are more of them in this world than you could count. The world is harsh, life's road is full of forks, and suffering is inevitable. In this age of great contention, no one can foresee what fortune or disaster might strike overnight. We of the Way of Heaven's Secrets observe the mysteries of heaven and earth and remedy the dangers and afflictions along life's branching paths. We cannot bear to see the common people suffer unforeseen calamity and sudden death because they do not know the forks in their fate, so we dedicate ourselves to guiding the masses out of confusion. Since you are my classmates, you could say that the pavilion nearest the water gets the moon first, and the flowers facing the sun meet spring early..."
"Ahem, ahem, ahem..."
Qin Fangyang could not help coughing several times. "Student Zuo Xiaoduo, do you have anything else to say?"
What he meant was: if you don't, hurry up and get off the stage!
Zuo Xiaoduo clearly still had more to say. He continued with easy assurance, "Everything I said is true, classmates. Now that we share the bond of studying together, I'm willing to reveal a little of heaven's secrets to make things easier for others and give you all a helping hand. If you ever feel lost on life's road, if you feel uncertain about your future, about the future of your career, your love life..."
Zuo Xiaoduo went on without pause. "Do you want to know who your destined other half is? Do you want to know the taste of love, the bonds of fate, the marriage ties of your past life, the one you'll grow old with..."
Zuo Xiaoduo declared with absolute conviction, "I can guide you through all of it!"
The veins on Qin Fangyang's forehead throbbed.
Was this a transfer student? Just what had transferred into his class?
Wasn't this a charlatan?
All thirty-five classmates were likewise speechless.
They heard Zuo Xiaoduo continue his endless speech on the platform. "Speaking of which, we martial artists will have far, far too many opportunities to encounter crises in the future, danger upon danger... If someone calculated them in advance and told you, naturally you could seek good fortune and avoid disaster, turn adversity into blessings, and profit from misfortune..."
Qin Fangyang drew a long breath. "Zuo Xiaoduo!"
Zuo Xiaoduo turned around, respectful and perfectly well-behaved. "Hello, sir."
Qin Fangyang snorted. "You can divine fortunes, and your Physiognomy is miraculous, correct?"
Zuo Xiaoduo looked proud. "You flatter me, sir. They're really just insignificant little tricks. I'm merely a little more diligent than others, and I enjoy researching ancient legacies buried in the long river of history..."
The corner of Qin Fangyang's mouth twitched into an unfathomable smile. "Then go look in a mirror."
"Look in a mirror?" Zuo Xiaoduo was bewildered.
Qin Fangyang smiled darkly. "Look in a mirror and tell your own fortune. Are you going to get beaten up today?"
Chapter 14: Nobody's a Fool. How Awkward.
Zuo Xiaoduo: "..."
He froze, then forced a smile. "I resolutely support Teacher Qin's teaching and will unswervingly implement Teacher Qin's line, principles, and policies... I..."
With an air of solemn propriety, Qin Fangyang said, "Oh, this has nothing to do with that. Whenever a new student arrives, the instructor assesses their Martial Dao cultivation so they can teach according to the student's abilities. Come, come, let me evaluate your current combat strength."
A little while later, his face bruised and swollen, Zuo Xiaoduo limped over and sat on the last meditation cushion in Class Nine. He felt as though every bone in his body had been taken apart and put back together.
Qin Fangyang's fists had been heavy and merciless. Zuo Xiaoduo felt as though a rhinoceros had trampled him.
The other thirty-five students in the class were no longer speechless. Instead, they ducked their heads and snickered, their shoulders shaking without end.
Standing on the teaching platform, Qin Fangyang looked across at Zuo Xiaoduo. "Zuo Xiaoduo, how do you feel now? Can you calculate what I'm thinking right now? Speak freely. Tell us exactly what's on your mind!"
The whole class struggled even harder to suppress their laughter.
Zuo Xiaoduo stood up and said respectfully, "My admiration for Teacher Qin's cultivation now has me prostrate on the ground. Your control over the force of your blows is perfect. You left me aching and swollen all over without affecting my movement. Even though my eyes are swollen, you actually left a slit for me to see through. Your student is utterly impressed."
Qin Fangyang smiled faintly. "I think you'll have more and more opportunities to be impressed like this. It's simply what a teacher ought to do."
Zuo Xiaoduo's face fell.
The room erupted in laughter.
Qin Fangyang said mildly, "And not just your teacher. They count too. You'll certainly have many, many opportunities to be impressed."
Zuo Xiaoduo looked at the students who had turned toward him. Every pair of eyes brimmed with fighting spirit.
"In a Martial Warrior class, or any class above it, as long as you're a martial artist, what you face every day isn't just cultivation. It's combat too."
"Zuo Xiaoduo, you're currently in the last, and worst, cultivation spot in Class Nine. These cultivation spots are determined by cultivation."
Qin Fangyang said, "There are sparring matches every day and rankings every week. Whatever rank you achieve, that's where you sit."
"Zuo Xiaoduo, can you fight your way up?"
Qin Fangyang smiled as he looked at Zuo Xiaoduo, his gaze exerting boundless pressure.
The thirty-five young students turned their heads together and looked at Zuo Xiaoduo with chuckles. Their eyes held nothing but determination, with no malice, much less hostility.
Zuo Xiaoduo paused, then smiled. "If any of you need it, I can read your faces and guide you out of confusion. We can discuss life, ideals, and your hopes for the future and for love... Fighting really does spoil the scenery."
Beside him, the little fatty who had spoken earlier tilted his head toward him, his eyes full of sympathy for a fellow sufferer. "Hello, Brother Zuo. Welcome to taking my place as the class punching bag."
Only then did Zuo Xiaoduo notice.
This little fatty was not fat at all.
He only looked fat because his whole body had been beaten swollen!
"So brutal!"
Zuo Xiaoduo was shocked.
Up front, the lean youth in the first seat of the first row-the top-ranked student in the class-turned around, looked at Zuo Xiaoduo, and said mildly, "Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"