"The next monthly exam is still more than twenty days away. Distant water can't quench an immediate thirst. Besides, the Hundred Beasts Nutrient Solution will help me grow stronger. I won't sell it for money!"
Ning Chuan mulled it over as he walked down the corridor.
Before, it had been one thing not to know how effective the medicinal bath was. But after experiencing it once, he was completely sold.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to see Su Yun so early in the morning.
I have five martial arts now. That's not a small number among people my age, but hoping to strike it rich through a martial arts epiphany is practically like waiting by a tree stump for a rabbit. It all comes down to luck!
Ning Chuan shook his head inwardly.
It wasn't that such an approach couldn't succeed, but the chances were too slim.
If he wanted to make money, he had to find another way.
When he returned to the classroom, Ning Chuan was a little surprised. The atmosphere was unusually lively that morning, and many students were whispering among themselves.
After listening from his seat for a while, Ning Chuan learned why.
Zhang Wensi had hired a Knight Class Martial Artist as his coach, causing a huge sensation!
After all, the martial path began with Awakening. Only after becoming an Official Martial Artist could one reach Knight Class!
Martial Artists at that level were also called super experts, with battle prowess that could topple the heavens!
Qingshan City had a population of over ten million, yet there were only a handful of them.
"Brother Zhang, if you need anything in the future, just give the word. I'll do whatever you say!"
Ma Hai stood before Zhang Wensi, slightly bent at the waist, an ingratiating look on his face.
"We're all classmates. Just treat me as an equal, and don't be so stiff!" Zhang Wensi flashed a bright smile, looking handsome. "As it happens, I'll be home this weekend. Just come over, and I'll have the coach give you some pointers."
"Thank you, Brother Zhang!"
Ma Hai looked thrilled.
Several students nearby couldn't help letting out cries of astonishment, their faces full of envy.
A Knight Class Martial Artist wasn't someone you could hire with money alone. You needed a deep network of connections.
Guo Renyu curled his lip and whispered, "I was wondering why Ma Hai spent all day sucking up to Zhang Wensi. His family has tens of millions in assets, so he shouldn't be short of money. There's no need for him to act like a grandson in front of Zhang Wensi. So this was why. I bet he heard about it a long time ago."
A thought occurred to Ning Chuan. "Does Ma Hai value a Knight Class Martial Artist's guidance that much?"
"Of course!"
Guo Renyu pondered for a moment and said, "Knight Class Martial Artists have a profound understanding of the martial path. A few casual pointers might give Ma Hai a flash of insight and help him break through to Awakening Stage Seven.
"If that happens, he'll have a chance of getting into a prestigious university. How could he not value it?"
"Good, as long as he values it."
Ning Chuan murmured softly, his gaze flickering as he looked toward Ma Hai.
At noon, the blazing sun hung high overhead.
Ning Chuan had just walked down the steps in front of the cafeteria when a shadow fell over him.
Ma Hai blocked his path.
At the same time, several other students strode up from the side, their expressions defiant, and surrounded Ning Chuan.
"Want to talk in private?"
Ning Chuan raised an eyebrow at Ma Hai, entirely unconcerned.
He had been looking for Ma Hai himself!
"Follow me!"
After a moment's thought, Ma Hai nodded and waved the students surrounding Ning Chuan away.
People were coming and going at the cafeteria entrance, making it an inconvenient place to fight.
If Ning Chuan made too much of a commotion, he might attract the attention of the school authorities.
Ma Hai had brought the other students to surround Ning Chuan mainly to intimidate him.
Before long, the two arrived at a grove behind the training ground.
It was mealtime, and the place was quiet and almost deserted.
"You've got some nerve, going to the martial arts school with President Lu Mengyue!" Ma Hai rolled his neck, producing a crisp crack. "Looks like you won't take my words to heart unless I teach you a lesson!"
With his hands in his pockets, Ning Chuan said calmly, "After school today, I'll tell Lu Mengyue I'm quitting my job as her instructor."
"At least you know what's good for you!"
Ma Hai sneered, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
He could report back to Zhang Wensi now.
If Zhang Wensi was in a good mood, he might even let Ma Hai spend more time with the Knight Class Martial Artist.
But the next moment, Ma Hai's expression froze.
Ning Chuan said coldly, "I'll make it clear to Lu Mengyue that I'm quitting because Zhang Wensi told you, Ma Hai, to keep making trouble for me. I couldn't put up with it anymore, so I had no choice but to quit."
"You're asking for death!"
Ma Hai grabbed Ning Chuan by the collar and glared fiercely at him. "If you do that, Zhang Wensi won't let you off!"
"Why aren't you calling him Brother Zhang anymore?"
Ning Chuan snorted and looked at Ma Hai mockingly. "Zhang Wensi will hold a grudge against me, but what about you?
"You're the one who told me the truth about who's behind this. Won't he take his anger out on you?
"Will you still get the guidance from that Knight Class Martial Artist you've been dreaming about?"
Ma Hai's expression changed rapidly, and he unconsciously released Ning Chuan's collar.
He had become Zhang Wensi's lackey for the sake of that Knight Class Martial Artist.
Otherwise, with his wealthy family, why would he shamelessly act like a bootlicker?
"Ning Chuan, you..."
Ma Hai's guts turned green with regret.
He wanted nothing more than to slap his past self from yesterday.
He had tried to look cool and recreate a movie scene, only to let the secret slip and give Ning Chuan leverage over him.
"What do you want?"
After a long while, Ma Hai spoke through gritted teeth.
Ning Chuan smoothed the wrinkles from his collar and smiled. "I want money!"
Ma Hai thought for a moment, then said coldly, "I'll give you ten thousand yuan. Forget what I told you!"
Ning Chuan shook his head gently and held up two fingers.
Ma Hai looked displeased. "You want twenty thousand? Don't push your luck!"
"No, I mean two hundred thousand!"
Ning Chuan said with a smile.
"Aren't you afraid a strong wind will twist your tongue? Do you know how much money that is?"
Ma Hai's eyes spewed fire.
Ning Chuan spread his hands, sounding puzzled. "I make three thousand an hour. I coach Lu Mengyue for two hours a day and earn six thousand yuan, and it's a little more on weekends. That works out to about a month's wages. What's the problem?"
Ma Hai: "..."
He had forgotten about that!
"That two hundred thousand will be money very well spent!"
Looking confident, Ning Chuan explained unhurriedly, "As Zhang Wensi's lackey, if you want to earn credit, you have to help him deal with his problems.
"But other than me, hardly anyone in the class dares to provoke Zhang Wensi.
"Once I've taken the money, I'll keep coaching Lu Mengyue. Whenever Zhang Wensi sees it, he'll be upset.
"To keep up his good-student image, he'll have no choice but to have you come after me.
"You'll become more and more important to him, and you'll get guidance from his coach."
When Ning Chuan finished speaking, Ma Hai's gaze flickered.
Seeing this, Ning Chuan curved his lips into a smile. He knew Ma Hai was tempted, though still somewhat hesitant.
"If you don't agree, forget it. I'll go tell Lu Mengyue about this!"
Ning Chuan turned to leave.
He had only taken a few steps when he heard the shout he had expected.
"I... agree!"
Ma Hai said through clenched teeth.
He simply couldn't bear to give up the Knight Class Martial Artist's guidance!
"Transfer the money, then."
Ning Chuan gave him his bank account number.
Ma Hai dawdled as he took out his phone and fiddled with it for a while. Then he lowered it and said, "Two hundred thousand is too much. How about twenty thousand?"
Ning Chuan said nothing. He raised a leg as if to leave.
"Two hundred thousand it is!"
Ma Hai hurriedly stopped Ning Chuan and took a deep breath. "But I want to pay in installments!
"It's not like we can sign a contract for this. What if you take the money and go back on your word?"
"Pay a hundred thousand upfront, and the rest in installments."
Ning Chuan thought for a moment before speaking.
He didn't want to push Ma Hai too hard.
If the deal fell apart, he couldn't actually quit his job.
Beep, beep, beep!
Ning Chuan's phone rang. He opened it and saw a notification from the bank.
The hundred thousand yuan had arrived.
Delight appeared in Ning Chuan's eyes. It was enough to buy two medicinal packs.
"Don't leave yet."
Ning Chuan put away his phone and called out to Ma Hai, who was walking out of the grove.
"What else do you want?"
Ma Hai turned around, his face full of irritation.
Somehow, just like that, two hundred thousand yuan was gone.
Nobody would be in a good mood after that.
"Bang!"
The answer to Ma Hai was a fist flying toward him, which gave him a black eye.
"I've taken your money, so of course I have to do my part. I've always been a man of my word. I won't threaten you into holding back!"
Ning Chuan grinned brightly, his teeth gleaming white.
"Come at me!"