Chapter 114: I Challenge You!

It took Lin Xiao nearly several hours to settle everything. Now, all he had to do was wait for tomorrow and head straight to the Mercenary Guild in the capital. Sensing the commotion downstairs in the dormitory, Lin Xiao knew that today’s military training had ended, and Hu Yu and the others would be back soon.

Just as he expected, the three returned not long after, bringing Lin Xiao’s dinner with them. Seeing Lin Xiao’s leisurely demeanor, all three couldn’t help but feel a surge of envy.

“Master Xiao, from now on, you’re my idol. You got exempted from training on the very first day, incredible!”

“I’m dying of jealousy. How about you teach me, Brother Xiao, so I can be exempted too?”

“Even if he wanted to teach you, you’d have to be able to learn. And even if you could, the training would be over by then. Better not get your hopes up.”

“Damn it, Lao Sun, are you looking down on me?”

“Sorry, I’ve never looked up to you.”

Lin Xiao was speechless. Whenever these three got together, it seemed abnormal if they didn’t bicker a little. He didn’t respond, instead picking up a pen and scribbling swiftly on a blank sheet of paper.

This immediately drew their attention. Once he’d filled the paper, Lin Xiao handed it over to them.

“Enough complaining. You three really ought to work on your physical fitness. The military training is tough, but I still think it’s a bit lacking. Here’s a training plan I made for you. Forget today, let it be your last rest. Starting tomorrow, follow what I’ve written. Don’t even think about slacking off, or I won’t mind ramping up the intensity.”

Hu Yu and the others looked as if their world had ended. Today’s training had already left them half dead, and now Lin Xiao thought the intensity wasn’t enough?

Was this even something a person could say?

The three immediately looked at the training plan Lin Xiao had written.

“Wake up at four in the morning?”

“Extra training after military drills at night?”

“Master Xiao, please have mercy!”

“No room for negotiation. This is the optimal plan based on your physical condition. If you don’t agree, I won’t mind having my elder brothers and sisters talk to you.”

Hearing this, the three fell silent. If Lin Xiao spoke up, it wouldn’t even require those elders; just one phone call, and their fathers would skin them alive.

“All right. Just stick with it, and you’ll see how much you’ll improve. If I’m at school, I’ll train alongside you.”

Hearing that Lin Xiao would train with them, what else could they say? Hu Yu, always quick-witted, soon caught the implication behind Lin Xiao’s words.

“Master Xiao, do you mean you’ll be leaving the school for a while?”

“Yes. There are some matters I need to take care of outside. Since I don’t need to join the training, staying at school is just boring.”

---

The three didn’t ask what Lin Xiao was going to do. They felt there were simply too many secrets about him.

“Master Xiao, you can use my car. I won’t need it for a while anyway.”

Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up. This kid was thoughtful. Having a car would certainly make things more convenient, and he had no reason to refuse.

“All right, get on with your own business. Cherish this last night of rest!”

The three immediately realized what he meant and hurried off to wash up—the sweat from the day needed a thorough cleaning.

After their showers, the trio jumped into a gaming session together. With Lin Xiao’s training plan starting tomorrow, gaming time would be scarce; tonight, they had to go all out.

Lin Xiao shook his head, paid them no mind, ate the dinner they brought, and lay back on his bed to continue researching matters he needed to be aware of for tomorrow.

---

Capital City, Lingwu Teaching Building.

Murong Jing arrived at the principal’s office and knocked on the door.

“Come in!”

Murong Jing promptly opened the door and entered. Inside were two figures: Chu Wentian and Murong Bo.

Seeing them, Murong Jing immediately saluted.

Murong Bo looked at Murong Jing with satisfaction.

“You rascal, we’re all family here. Enough with the formalities.”

“Hello, Grandpa, hello, Grandpa Chu!”

Murong Jing was Murong Bo’s grandson. Originally, he didn’t need to come for this round of military training, but Murong Bo insisted he come to Lingwu in the capital to serve as an instructor.

“Jing, do you know why I asked you to come this time?”

Murong Jing shook his head. He’d come to see what tricks his grandfather had up his sleeve.

“Please enlighten me, Grandpa.”

“It’s a good thing. This time, I brought you here to find you a teacher. Starting tomorrow, you’ll do your regular training by day, and in the evenings, you’ll study with Old Chu.”

Murong Jing was overjoyed. He specialized in metal, able to forge all kinds of weapons, and swords were his favorite. If he could become Chu Wentian’s pupil, it would be a tremendous boost to his combat prowess.

“Really? Grandpa Chu, are you willing to take me as your disciple?”

Chu Wentian looked at Murong Jing with great satisfaction.

“Are you still calling me Grandpa now?”

“Master, I offer my respects!”

---

Chu Wentian didn't help Murong Jing up but sat, accepting Murong Jing's kneeling salute. From this moment on, Murong Jing was his apprentice.

Yet, even with Murong Jing now his disciple, Chu Wentian wouldn’t start instructing him right away; there was no need to rush.

“Good! You’ll be leading the elite class this time—how do you feel about it?”

“Master, there are some promising students. Though many are lacking in fundamentals, I’m confident that with a month, I can train them to standard. I won’t promise more, but by the end of training, I’ll at least double their combat capabilities!”

“Excellent! Very good! I’ve also noticed a few promising ones in your class, especially Lin Xiao and Luo Yao. Give them a proper training!”

Hearing Lin Xiao’s name, Murong Jing’s expression immediately became strange.

“Well… Luo Yao is fine, but Lin Xiao won’t do. I’ve already exempted him from training.”

Chu Wentian: What? Exempted on the first day?

Though Murong Jing felt a bit embarrassed, he explained what had happened during the day.

“Master, honestly, I think it’s for the best. Given Lin Xiao’s abilities, my training plan wouldn’t really benefit him.”

“So be it, then.”

The three chatted a while longer, finally deciding to head to the school’s martial arena. Chu Wentian wanted to gauge Murong Jing’s abilities on the first day, so he could better plan his instruction.

As they stepped out, they found someone waiting for them.

Who else but Luo Yao?

Murong Jing was somewhat surprised to see her.

“Luo Yao, do you have business with the principal?”

“No, I’m here for you.”

Luo Yao’s voice was cold, which caught Murong Jing off guard. She’d seemed shy during the day—why had she changed so much now?

Coming to find him after training? Could it be she was interested in him?

“What can I do for you, Luo Yao?”

“Do your words still hold? You said if someone surpasses you in a certain area, they can be exempted from training?”

Murong Jing’s face flushed. Clearly, he’d been overthinking.

“Of course! Do you want to challenge me?”

“Yes, I want to challenge you. With the two principals here, let them be judges.”