Volume One, Chapter 14: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Three minutes later.
Jiang Buyue saw the chubby boy stealthily pull out his phone from the drawer and open the Summoner’s Rift app.
The chubby boy paused, as if he had discovered something extraordinary. He then exited the app and navigated to the school forum.
His expression shifted repeatedly.
Handing the phone to Jiang Buyue, he said, “Brother Yue, you’ve become famous!”
Jiang Buyue glanced at the screen. A photo and video of him beating up Luo Xiang had become the pinned hot topic on the school forum.
There was a glaring headline:
“Is This a Distortion of Human Nature or a Moral Decline? Delinquent Youth Beat Disabled Pig-Headed Boy at School Gate!!!”
Jiang Buyue gave a quick glance, thinking, what the hell kind of headline is this?!
……
The class bell rang.
The familiar figure still walked into the classroom.
“Students, the English teacher is sick, so this lesson will be practical training!”
The room immediately erupted in groans. Faced with the homeroom teacher’s usual tactics, they had no complaints to voice.
“You all head to the gym to assemble. Jiang Buyue, stay behind!”
When it was just Jiang Buyue and Teacher Jiang in the classroom, Jiang Buyue spoke first: “Teacher Jiang, what’s going on?”
“The school’s notice about Yi Ruiqi has been issued.”
Jiang Buyue nodded without asking further.
Jiang Yiyun was surprised. “You’re not going to ask the outcome?”
“It’s probably one of the usual results. They won’t really expel him! At most, just suspend him for a few days.”
“Teacher Jiang, what if I came from a family like Bai Ruixue’s? Would the handling of this matter be any different?”
“Whether Yi Ruiqi is alive or not is already a question.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yiyun fell silent.
“This Yi Ruiqi matter won’t be so easily forgotten.”
During their sparring, Jiang Buyue clearly sensed a fleeting murderous intent in Yi Ruiqi’s eyes. A person harboring such intent—even if only for a moment, even if just a lowly lackey—would find a way to eliminate the threat. He could not guarantee that someone wouldn’t suddenly stab him in the back.
Practical training.
“Brother Yue, same as always, let’s team up and slack off!”
Before Jiang Buyue could reply, a sweet female voice rang out.
“Jiang Buyue! Can I team up with you for training?” Jiang Buyue looked at the speaker—it was Wang Xianglan.
The chubby boy grinned cheekily at his good friend.
“Brother Yue, I won’t disturb you two then.”
Jiang Buyue felt fondness for Wang Xianglan but not love. He thought he should find a chance to have a proper talk with her; this sparring session was a good start.
“Jiang Buyue, please teach me!” Wang Xianglan stepped forward shyly, clasping her fists.
“Wang Xianglan, likewise!” Jiang Buyue clasped his fists, gripping his wooden battle knife.
The gym was equipped with many wooden weapons made from special materials for students to use. These wooden weapons were highly durable, sufficient for students below the warrior level.
“Jiang Buyue, are you ready?”
“Ready…”
“Go!”
Boom~
A fierce punch wind, accompanied by thunderclaps and eight deafening roars, rushed forward.
A startled exclamation sounded.
Wang Xianglan’s punch wind pierced through a figure.
The pierced figure dissipated on the spot.
That figure was but Jiang Buyue’s afterimage.
Jiang Buyue stepped back at a distance, a cold sweat sliding down his cheek.
Eight thunderclaps—Wang Xianglan’s Thunderbolt Fist had reached proficiency!
Jiang Buyue’s heart pounded fiercely as he watched the seemingly gentle girl. He was shocked beyond measure. If that punch had landed on him, he’d be bedridden in the hospital for at least ten days.
This girl was ruthless!
Looking so delicate, yet so merciless.
The thunderous roars also caught the attention of other students present.
“The class monitor’s Thunderbolt Fist has reached proficiency!”
The boys in the class erupted in excitement again.
……
“Amazing! The little powerhouse from Class 14 is no ordinary talent.”
Jiang Yiyun had already arrived near the two engaged in combat, ready to intervene if anything went wrong.
Jiang Buyue moved swiftly and fluidly, his figure hard to track as he wielded the wooden long knife.
Swish!
The blade flashed like a gale, its pale blue light cutting through the air with a rushing sound, slashing toward Wang Xianglan.
Wang Xianglan remained composed. Her spear felt alive in her hands, every swing charged with the power of thunder. The spear danced like a nimble dragon, striking against the blade, kicking up dust and bursts of energy.
Boys from Class 14 shouted, “Holy crap, awesome!”
Girls from Class 14 exclaimed, “Breathtaking!”
“Absolutely brilliant!”
“Absolutely brilliant!”
Jiang Buyue, failing to land a hit, lightly tapped the ground and instantly executed the Shadow Step. Like lightning, he circled behind Wang Xianglan, swinging his long knife horizontally with a roaring wind.
Wang Xianglan furrowed her brows, sidestepping swiftly. Her spear spun fiercely, whipping like a whip, striking hard at Jiang Buyue.
Jiang Buyue quickly leaned back, tiptoed, and leapt several meters away using the momentum.
At that moment, Wang Xianglan surged forward, channeling the power of Thunderbolt Fist into her spear. With a sharp cry, her spear pierced forward with thunderous momentum, tearing through the air with a hissing sound.
Jiang Buyue’s heart leapt: “You can do that too!”
[Notification! Gale Slash is getting intense! Show that girl the bond between us! Gale Slash proficiency progress +1%.]
Jiang Buyue took a deep breath and unleashed the full power of Gale Slash. The long knife clashed again with the spear. The force of the collision made the nearby students’ clothes flutter in the gust.
The fierce battle escalated, moves growing more powerful, the fight reaching a white-hot stage. Spotting an opening, Jiang Buyue launched a full-force Gale Slash. Deep azure energy glowed along the wooden blade.
Wang Xianglan refused to yield. She swung her spear, thunder transforming into a dragon coiling at the tip, emitting a series of dragon roars!
In an instant, a loud “crack” echoed as spear and knife clashed once more. Brilliant light exploded, dazzling all.
With a sharp “snap!” the long knife and spear, unable to withstand the overwhelming force, both snapped in half.
Both combatants staggered back several steps from the recoil.
For a moment, the entire gym fell silent, save for their heavy breaths.
Jiang Buyue wiped the warm blood trickling from a scratch on his cheek—that wound was caused by the thunder dragon on the spear.
Jiang Yiyun, watching on the sidelines, was repeatedly shocked.
Class 14 was truly a den of hidden talents!
As the homeroom teacher nearing graduation, he had only just discovered these two gems—these little devils were extremely well hidden.
The other classmates were dumbfounded by the stunning display of combat, eyes wide in disbelief.
Their countless thoughts boiled down to two words: “Holy crap!!!”