Chapter 104: Martial Arts Universities Are Not Schools!
The next day was a rest day for the new students.
The entire Magic City Martial Arts University seemed to quiet down.
In the morning, after Fang Ping completed his daily training, he finished his breakfast and prepared to head toward the teachers’ dormitories.
The moment he left the cafeteria, Fang Ping’s eyebrows raised slightly.
…
Qin Fengqing, who was standing outside the cafeteria, had a mischievous expression on his face. He folded his arms and smiled. “Junior, it seems our fates are entangled.”
“Senior Qin.”
“When I saw you then, I only knew that your Vitality wasn’t weak and that you had successfully twice-honed. I didn’t think you were already thrice-honed. I couldn’t tell.”
“You’re teasing me, Senior Qin. I only managed the thrice-honing a few days ago.”
“So that’s how it is. And I thought my vision was really bad.”
It seemed like a weight was lifted from Qin Fengqing’s chest. A deeply satisfied smile appeared on his face. ‘See, I didn’t see it wrongly, it’s just that he just broke through.’
After the pleasantries, Qin Fengqing got to the main point. “Do you know about the Martial Arts Society?”
Fang Ping nodded. “I do, but not in detail.”
“Let’s talk while we walk. I didn’t have a chance to bring you around last time, but I can now.”
Fang Ping did not reject Qin Fengqing’s invitation. He and Qin Fengqing only had one fateful encounter. It was obvious that Qin Fengqing had been waiting for him today.
Since he had mentioned the Martial Arts Society, it was probably related to it.
Fang Ping guessed that the Martial Arts Society was recruiting.
…
Students’ dormitories, the faculty’s dormitories, residential buildings…
These residences were all built around a man-made lake.
Although it was man-made, the lake was not small. It had up to a hundred mu in size. MCMCAU students and teaches liked to call this lake the “Safe Haven”.
This man-made lake actually had a different name, but not many people knew what it was anymore.
Qin Fengqing did not either. He introduced it to Fang Ping and smiled. “Do you know why it’s called Safe Haven?”
Fang Ping shook his head lightly.
“Because, at times, this is the only place where you can have peace.
“When you go out of the residential area to other places in the school, you’ll have to fight, seize and struggle!
“Not just in the school. It’s the same outside.
“The residential area forbids martial attacks and outsiders from entering. Outsiders don’t dare to come in anyway.
“So this is MCMAU’s safe haven…”
Fang Ping directed his gaze at the clear surface of the lake. It was early in the morning. A ray of sunlight was reflected on the surface of the gently rippling lake. Just looking at it lightened his spirits greatly.
Fang Ping did not humor him and went straight to the point. “If you have something to say, Senior Qin, please do. I still have to go over to my instructor’s later.”
“Impatient brat!”
Qin Fengqing laughed and did not drag on. He got down to brass tacks and asked, “Do you know Wang Jinyang?”
“I do.”
Fang Ping’s eyebrows knitted slightly. He thought for a little before adding, “You could say that Bro Wang helped me nail down my martial sciences basics.
“Bro Wang also guided me in martial sciences cultivation when I didn’t know a thing.
“Senior Qin, do you have a grudge against Bro Wang?”
“I wouldn’t call it a grudge.”
Qin Fengqing chuckled and said, “At the start of the year, Wang Jinyang came to Magic City. We were both peak Rank-1 at the time. After we dueled, I did not villainize Wang Jinyang. I only had a few ribs broken.
“Of course, I broke through Rank-2 very quickly after that. My shame gave me bravery, and I entered Rank-3 in less than half a year.
“When put that way, I suppose I should thank him.”
Fang Ping was a little surprised. First, he had not thought Qin Fengqing had been a victim of Old Wang’s beatings. Sure enough, Old Wang’s opponents were all over Magic City.
Second, Qin Fengqing had broken through two ranks in half a year. The speed was incredible.
According to what Qin Fengqing said, he had only been peak Rank-1 in the first semester of sophomore year, but at the end of the second semester, he was already Rank-3.
He was currently only in junior year.
Qin Fengqing continued speaking. “Although there’s no grudge, that doesn’t mean that the matter’s settled!”
Qin Fengqing raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Fang Ping. He said mischievously, “I had prepared to go to Nanjiang Martial Arts University to challenge him, but I didn’t imagine Wang Jinyang would be preparing to break Rank-4. It really makes me lose hope!
“But never mind that. I’m not the type to take these things personally. Since Wang Jinyang is preparing to break through Rank-4, I’ll bear with it for a while.
“You, on the other hand, are thrice-honed, and you might be able to reach Rank-3 very soon. Junior, what say you, before I challenge Wang Jinyang, should I find a sacrificial lamb first?”
“Sacrificial lamb?”
Fang Ping narrowed his eyes and said, “Senior Qin, could it be that because you’re no match for Bro Wang, you’re prepared to use me for revenge?”
“Think what you will. Of course, I won’t bully those below me.
“Before you reach Rank-3, I won’t bother you.
“When you’re Rank-3, and if I haven’t broken through Rank-4, then you’ll have to meet me for a round on the martial arts stage, Junior Fang Ping!”
Qin Fengqing suddenly broke into a smile. “Frankly, I am quite generous for waiting for you to reach Rank-3.
“Fang Ping, do you know how many people Wang Jinyang offended when he first came to Magic City?
“At least a hundred!”
“What of it?”
“What of it!” Qin Fengqing sneered. “You really don’t know anything!”
“You think it was just a simple comparison of martial arts skills?” Qin Fengqing huffed. “Wang Jinyang was a freshman student from a distant martial arts university who came to Magic City to challenge the students of each school. Do you think everyone was so willing to accept any challenge he threw at them?
“If some random person came up to you now to challenge you, would you agree?
“Wang Jinyang’s first stop when he came to Magic City wasn’t to MCMAU, he went to East Sino Nation Martial Arts University!
“He was an outsider who wanted to make a name for himself by challenging Rank-1 martial artists. Who would give him the opportunity?
“Can you guess how he succeeded in challenging in the end?”
“No idea.”
Fang Ping shook his head. He did not think it through before. When he thought about it now, it was true that, based on MCMAU students’ pridefulness, it would be very difficult for an outsider like Wang Jinyang to get people to accept his challenges.
If so, how did Wang Jinyang make a name for himself in the Rank-1 realm?
“That bastard was ruthless. He wrote a liability waiver and put it on East Sino Nation Martial Arts University’s school gates!
“A really big one that said East Sino Nation Martial Arts University was overrated and that nobody of his same rank would be a challenge!
“He stood at the East Sino Nation Martial Arts University gates for three days. He signed the liability waiver, which stated he would duel all who were the same rank as him with no regard for life or death…
“Finally, someone couldn’t take it anymore. Wang Jinyang attacked mercilessly. He broke all four limbs of the first martial artist to enter the fight. He couldn’t get out of bed for half a year.
“After that, it was like he had stirred up a hornet’s nest…”
Fang Ping understood this move. He attacked ruthlessly so that East Sino Nation Martial Arts University had no choice but to accept the challenge!
Everybody was united against a common enemy!
If someone from another school were to stand ground at MCMAU’s gates and break the limbs of Fang Ping’s classmate, how could Fang Ping sit still when they were all Rank-1?
Even if he could, that does not mean the others could!
Especially since Wang Jinyang had signed a liability waiver. Although this waiver was not legally binding, martial artists had their martial artist circles, so since he had written this waiver, it was effective!
If he had been beaten to death by East Sino Nation Martial Arts University’s students, nobody would dare to hold them responsible. Nanjiang Martial Arts University would not be able to find an excuse either.
“What happened next?”
“Next? After that, he couldn’t leave a single stone unturned. He ruthlessly attacked every time he reached a school without mercy!
“All the big martial arts universities were angered too in the end. East Sino Nation Normal University even sent out a Rank-2 martial artist… Wang Jinyang had agreed to it himself. Because he had not held back in East Sino Nation Normal University, he cut off a martial artist’s left hand with a single slash. This was a serious sin!
“If he had not accepted when the other party wanted to pit a Rank-2 student against him, the enmity between them would never end. East Sino Nation Normal University would not let it slide.
“Since he accepted it, the school would not have to intervene.
“He had no choice but to accept, but he still won in the end. That was nothing short of amazing!”
Qin Fengqing praised him, then added, “Then it was MCMAU. Here at MCMAU, peak Rank-1 martial artists are very strong. Despite Wang Jinyang’s strength, wanting to hold back was pretty much impossible.
“Furthermore, MCMAU was the last shred of pride left of Magic City’s martial arts universities, but he still finished off all who were Rank-1.
“During his rampage, many people were injured. Not everyone was as strong as I am; there were some who were very severely injured!
“In the end, MCMAU acted the same way East Sino Nation Normal University did and let a Rank-2 martial artist enter the fight… Wang Jinyang agreed as well. That was the condition for him to safely return to Nanjiang!
“Since a Rank-2 from MCMAU was entering the fight, no matter what the results were, they would send him back, dead or alive!
“That time, Wang Jinyang suffered a heavy blow and was nearly run through with a sword. He returned to Nanjiang wounded.”
Only after Qin Fengqing finished painting the picture, he said gently, “Do you know why I’m telling you this?”
Fang Ping thought for a moment. “You’re saying that Bro Wang’s duels with these students weren’t just a simple comparison and caused some people to be seriously injured, which took up precious cultivation time, so their grudges are much bigger than imagined?”
“Not bad. Some people even had to drop out because of their injuries… Do you think their friends and seniors would remain indifferent?”
Fang Ping furrowed his brows. “Were Bro Wang’s attacks too ruthless?”
This was another part he did not understand. Was it just for the resources he needed for Rank-1 to break through Rank-2?
Although resources were hard to come by, if it was just for the resources, Fang Ping felt that attacking so aggressively was going overboard.
Qin Fengqing spoke lightly. “It’s true that his attacks were ruthless, but it wasn’t without reason.
“MCMAU and the martial arts universities claimed too many resources. You yourself saw that it doesn’t take much for us to exchange our credits for medicinal pills and elixirs.
“However, if you thought it was like this for all martial arts universities, you’re wrong!
“Some martial arts universities only provide you a platform. Resources are all on you!
“In the past few years, when the regular martial arts universities have genius students, the first thing they need to do is challenge famous schools like MCMAU and Capital City Martial Arts University.
“In order to preserve their dignity and their elevated status, these famous schools also attack ruthlessly!
“You think it’s just a child paying visits?
“There are too many things involved. Every year, most of the students who come to challenge are Rank-3 geniuses, and a lot of them die at these famous schools. Wang Jinyang being Rank-1 was probably the lowest rank to come seeking a challenge in years.
“Perhaps it wasn’t purely his own will—it was the desire of Nanjiang Martial Arts University and other normal martial arts universities.
“If he had not attacked fiercely, do you think a regular student like him could reach where he is now?
“Martial arts universities aren’t as simple as you imagine. Even if I’m not clear on the full goings-on, Wang Jinyang probably had some sort of meeting with Nanjiang Martial Arts University or other martial arts universities before.
“Anyway, starting this year, although MCMAU and some other famous schools’ resources were not diminished, normal martial arts universities’ resources have increased a little.
“This might be related to the previous issue!
“Maybe Wang Jinyang wasn’t the mastermind, but it’s true that he’s the bane of the famous schools’ existence, so the instructors naturally would not pick a fight with him.
“Plenty of students hate him though!
“Rumor has it that it’s very likely that the famous schools will have reduced resources in the future because they wasted too many resources on grooming unsatisfactory students. Me telling you this is actually just informing you that you have a lot of troubles ahead.
“More than you imagine!”
Qin Fengqing smiled. “I heard you were accepted by Instructor Lu. They said it was a coincidence, but it was already inevitable.”
“Huh?”
“Haven’t you noticed that the other instructors aren’t as friendly to you as you might expect?”
Despite Qin Fengqing not being there in person, it was as if he had seen it with his own eyes. He smiled wide. “You are the only thrice-honed potential martial artist in this batch!
“Moreover, your combat skills and pole-standing aren’t weak. Your background is normal too—you don’t have much stake.
“These types of students are actually the instructors’ favorite!
“And there are people like Fu Changding, who has a Rank-6 grandfather. The instructors don’t really like to groom students like that.
“According to these customs, your circumstances make you something the big instructors would fight for, but did that happen yesterday?”
Fang Ping recalled for a moment, then shook his head. Nobody had reacted that way yesterday.
“That’s right!
“Because it’s not worth it!”
Qin Fengqing continued speaking. “Instructor Lu likes to stir things up, but since she’s a peak Rank-6 powerhouse, no matter what she does, she won’t recklessly cause trouble for us students.
“Yesterday, she had intimidated and baited. You think it’s just to accept you?”
Fang Ping’s eyebrows knitted together tightly, and Qin Fengqing sighed. “She was probably signaled by someone who didn’t want you to cause any trouble and asked Instructor Lu to accept you from the go.
“After all, you’re a prodigy. You’re not suited for other instructors, but Instructor Lu doesn’t have this concern.
“Moreover, the death rate for Instructor Lu’s students is indeed higher, so this could also calm some people’s rage.
“This was probably the result of MCMAU’s top-level’s compromise…”
Fang Ping appeared calm, but his heart was anything but.
After a long while, Fang Ping asked, “Why are you telling me this, Senior Qin?”
“I just don’t want you to be as naïve as a quail. I haven’t encountered you often, but I’ve noticed you have a big problem that you’re muddling through!
“You have absolutely no understanding of a martial artist’s cruelty. Your attitude isn’t right either—although your mouth talks about fighting, you actually have a bystander’s attitude.
“Someone like you will probably die very quickly over at Instructor Lu’s.
“You think university is a paradise?
“You think university is the safe zone of mankind?
“Or do you think the instructors are the same as normal university teachers and your seniors are normal school seniors?
“Kid, wake up. Some things are more complicated and dangerous than you imagine!
“Do you know why this lake is called the ‘Safe Haven’?
“This place is considered the only safe zone in the entire university. Other places are definitely not safe!
“If you were average or helpless, then it’s no big deal!
“However, you’re thrice-honed, and you have ties to the students’ enemy Wang Jinyang. Do you really think you can pass these four years smoothly?”
Fang Ping could not help remembering what happened yesterday. Yesterday, it was only after he had chosen Lu Fengrou that Tang Feng commented drily: “The death rate is quite high.”
He had thought the statement was for him to hear, but it seemed now that it was directed at the other students.
Fang Ping picking Lu Fengrou was fine, but the other students had best not.
Otherwise, why would Tang Feng, being in the peak Rank-6 realm, only remember this after Fang Ping made his choice?
Moreover, Lu Fengrou had gone straight for him at the start. Fang Ping had thought she wanted to accept a genius, but later, she had acted no different from other instructors.
She had not given Fang Ping special treatment on account of his thrice-honing. When this was connected to Qin Fengqing’s words, it was more like an attitude of one who had finished a job.
He had thought all of it was coincidental as this was his own choice.
However, now that he thought about it, it seemed this result was decided from the start.
Tang Feng had said he did not look upon him well, and the other Rank-6 instructors had not been very friendly except for Lu Fengrou, who had not been too reliable but was still considerably friendly.
Realizing this, Fang Ping felt a little depressed. Slightly irritated, he said, “I’m not even a martial artist. Bro Wang’s only Rank-3 too. Is it necessary for these Rank-6 or 7 powerhouses to act this way?”
“This isn’t about you. This is a contest between the famous schools and normal martial arts universities, and it’s also the fight for resources.
“The powerhouses don’t necessarily want to involve you two, or you could say that they don’t care about you two.
“However, Wang Jinyang has been linked, and you’re involved with him and coincidentally came to MCMAU. Your performance has also been outstanding…
“Many factors are involved in the making of the current situation.
“It’s not that anybody is purposely holding it against you. In my point of view, the school is, in fact, protecting you. At least, they’re hoping you won’t be further involved. Otherwise, there would’ve been no reason to ask Instructor Lu to accept you.”
“You’re saying that my picking Instructor Lu is actually a sort of protection?”
“That’s right. Because Instructor Lu is strong enough and has an important enough background, normally, nobody would be willing to go against her for small issues.”
“Then what if I hadn’t chosen Instructor Lu?”
“I don’t know. The best-case scenario is that you got injured in an accident and had to drop out. These things happen often. You want to be a ferocious tiger, but you have a quail’s heart. You’re too naïve. You should consider things carefully.
“Me saying so much is also to return a favor to Wang Jinyang…”
Fang Ping was surprised yet again. A favor?
Qin Fengqing said drily, “He only broke a few of my ribs and avoided my vitals. This is a favor.
“Honestly speaking, you lack a lot in comparison to Wang Jinyang.”
Fang Ping was slightly irritated and slightly worried. ‘Am I really that bad?’
Or was it his past life’s influence that gave him more experience in life also had a few negative influences… Such as being accustomed to safety.
When a normal person born in a peaceful world came to a world very similar to the previous one, what they wanted most would still be peace.
Unlike other people who wanted bloody battles!
Qin Fengqing ignored him and sneezed. “I’ve said a lot of bullshit already. Alright, that’s it.
“Also, the Martial Arts Society is looking for new members. What I’m saying is, avoid it if you can. It doesn’t hold much meaning.
“If you’re too weak, you’ll just be helping out on the sidelines in the Martial Arts Society anyway. I’m leaving now.”
When he finished speaking, Qin Fengqing left immediately.
What just happened was different from what Fang Ping expected. He thought Qin Fengqing was coming to get him to join, but Qin Fengqing talked about getting beat up by Wang Jinyang instead.
He thought Qin Fengqing was coming for revenge, yet Qin Fengqing warned him that martial arts universities were not as safe as he imagined.
He even warned him not to go to the Martial Arts Society because he was too weak and going would be useless.
This completely defeated the purpose of what Fang Ping had thought Qin Fengqing had in mind, and it also brought a problem to his attention!
He must not see martial arts university students as regular students—they went through a lot more than he imagined!
He still remembered when he first saw Qin Fengqing. Qin Fengqing had just come back from a mission and was holding a saber that had a faint air of blood…
If you saw someone like this as a normal university junior year student, was it really appropriate?
Martial arts universities were not schools, or it could be said that they were not normal social sciences universities. If he kept the mindset he had before, it was very likely that it would lead to trouble.
Fang Ping finally realized this now!
In MCMAU, powerhouses were as common as clouds. There were plenty who were Rank-6 or 7. They could be governors, and they even controlled medicine and weapon creation as well as multiple big businesses. They received uncountable wealth. Could a conglomerate like this really be treated as a school?
This was not a school—at least, it did not fit the strict definition of one. This was a colossal organization…
When he thought of how Li Chengze, a graduate from a famous normal university who had graduated eight years ago, still treated an MCMAU new student like him with reverence, Fang Ping should have realized this problem ages ago.
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