Chapter 018: The Challenge from Luoyang Martial Arts Academy (Second Update)

Meng Chuchu, upon seeing Xin Lang, immediately pushed past the five men and ran to his side, clutching his arm with a delicate grasp as she said weakly, “Xin, these five are bullying me!”

Xin Lang sized up the five men and saw that they were all martial apprentices of the fourth or fifth rank.

The five intermediate students exchanged glances, then walked toward Xin Lang. The leader said, “Kid, the brothers are flirting here. Get lost and don’t get in our way!”

Xin Lang glanced at the five intermediate students, then looked over his shoulder at Meng Chuchu. He gently pried her slender hand from his arm, putting a little distance between them, and said, “Don’t be afraid! In broad daylight, with the sun shining, they won’t do anything to you.”

With that, Xin Lang turned and walked away toward his dormitory without looking back.

The five intermediate students were left standing there, stupefied.

Meng Chuchu stomped her foot angrily and shouted, “Xin Lang, are you even a man? Haven’t you ever heard of heroes rescuing damsels in distress?”

Xin Lang paused at the door and called back, “Uncle here is busy and has no time to play games with you kids, and I’m no hero, so I won’t be saving any beauties!”

Xin Lang had already noticed someone watching him. When he saw the five intermediate students bullying Meng Chuchu, he’d guessed what was really going on.

“Xin Lang!” Meng Chuchu shouted in fury, but Xin Lang had already closed his door, ignoring everyone outside.

Chapter Seven: Subduing Dragons and Tigers

Xin Lang’s schedule was especially tight these days. After returning to the academy, he had to complete his daily tasks for the afternoon and hurry to make more “Lotus Whitening Lotion.” He had no time to pay attention to Meng Chuchu.

Before afternoon class, Fatty Gu once again returned to Xuyang Academy, beaming with satisfaction. Although the two hundred bottles of “Lotus Whitening Lotion” hadn’t sold out completely, there were only a few left.

“Boss, now every girl in the Spring Courtyard has a bottle! The effects are so good that the ladies of Blue Osmanthus House on East Street have invited me over tonight!” Fatty Gu leered as he spoke.

Looking at the beaming Fatty Gu, Xin Lang was shocked. “You… you’ve reached fourth rank martial apprentice? How is that possible!”

Xin Lang’s own promotion to fourth rank was thanks to his level-up device, but Fatty Gu had only done a few days of “daily tasks” with him, and he’d been busy selling medicine for Xin Lang, spending all his time at the Spring Courtyard. How had he suddenly advanced?

Fatty Gu scratched his head and giggled, “Well… I’m not sure myself. I just slept with a few more girls lately, and somehow, I broke through!”

“Damn! That’s just unfair!” Xin Lang cursed. Others had to train bitterly day after day to level up, but this lecherous fatso could advance just by doing a few ‘push-ups’ with women? Where was the justice in that!

Xin Lang asked curiously, “How many did you sleep with last night?”

“Not that many last night—I was busy with the four top courtesans at the Spring Courtyard, took up half the night. Maybe twenty or so. But I had more this morning, all third- and fourth-rounders, so all together maybe fifty or so!” Fatty Gu replied smugly.

Hearing this, Xin Lang rolled his eyes, patted Fatty Gu’s shoulder and said, “Fatty, having you sell medicine for me is wasting your talents!”

“Oh? What do you think I should be doing, Boss?” Fatty Gu asked earnestly.

Xin Lang grinned wickedly, “I think you’d be better off as a stud horse for breeding!”

“No! Please, Boss…” Hearing this, Fatty Gu shrieked, burst out the door, and disappeared in a flash.

That afternoon, in a rare occurrence, Xin Lang, who was often absent, appeared in the beginner class’s classroom.

But when he arrived, he was surprised to find it completely empty.

“What’s going on? I could’ve sworn this afternoon was supposed to be martial skills class, not self-study,” Xin Lang muttered.

Since there was no one, he turned and left, planning to return to his dorm to continue making his medicine.

On the way back, Xin Lang noticed small groups of students hurrying toward the academy’s “Martial Arena.” He’d seen some students heading that way earlier, but hadn’t paid attention, thinking they were just going for a martial arts practical.

But now he saw that not only beginner students, but also intermediate and advanced students were making their way there. Xin Lang stopped a beginner student and asked, “Why is no one in class? What’s everyone doing at the Martial Arena?”

“Class? Forget class! ‘Luoyang Academy’ has come to challenge us!” the student replied, then ran off toward the arena.

“Luoyang Academy?”

Xin Lang remembered Luoyang Academy well. When he’d first decided to give up medicine for martial arts, that was the first place he’d tried. Because of his poor physical condition, not only was he rejected, but he’d also been mocked by the examiner, Shi Lang, and the passing headmaster, Luo Yuan.

As Xin Lang debated whether to go watch, Fatty Gu came running from the dormitory, calling, “Boss, there you are! I thought you were still in the dorm, took me forever to find you!”

“What’s the rush?” Xin Lang asked.

Fatty Gu grabbed Xin Lang and pulled him along, saying, “Come on, let’s go to the Martial Arena—I found a super-beauty for you!”

Dragged by Fatty Gu, Xin Lang was taken to Xuyang Academy’s Martial Arena.

The Martial Arena was the most magnificent building at Xuyang Academy, save for the Library Pavilion. Though not as tall as the pavilion, it took up the largest area, surrounded by ten-meter-high walls, the seating arranged in tiers—highest at the edges, lowest in the center—with a circular combat stage of bluestone at its heart.

When Xin Lang arrived, the arena was already packed. Most were from Xuyang Academy, with the rest from Luoyang Academy—students and teachers alike.

Fatty Gu used his “robust” physique to clear a path and squeezed with Xin Lang to the front of the stage.

At that moment, a student from Xuyang Academy was fiercely battling a student from Luoyang Academy on the stage, while on the other side, the leaders of both academies were seated.

Xin Lang recognized Shi Lang, the martial arts examiner, and Headmaster Luo Yuan of Luoyang Academy, both of whom had mocked him before. As for Xuyang Academy’s leaders, he only recognized his own martial arts teacher, Luo Hengxing.

“Boss, look at that female teacher over there—isn’t she a super-beauty?” Fatty Gu pointed.

On Xuyang Academy’s side sat a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Meng Chuchu. Her skin was like flawless jade, her long hair jet-black, brows arched gracefully, eyes shining like stars. Her features were delicate and refined; her demeanor was quiet, elegant, and noble. Compared to Meng Chuchu, she possessed a mature beauty the younger girl lacked.

“She’s alright,” Xin Lang replied simply.

PS: Second chapter delivered! Please vote, recommend, and add to your favorites. Next update, tomorrow at seven in the morning.