Chapter 82: You’re Nothing But a Coward!

After military training ended, classes officially began.

In the directing program, most of the curriculum centered on film and television studies.

Ling Qiu glanced over the textbooks and had already mastered all the courses for the semester.

The rest of his time was spent quietly in the dormitory, sitting cross-legged, eyes closed as if resting, but in reality, he was silently cultivating.

However…

Ling Qiu's cultivation was a little different from others.

He did it with a cigarette dangling from his lips.

“Damn, bro… The open class is about to start, and you’re still smoking in the dorm? Do you think you’re Peng Yuyan from Changsha or something?”

Zhao Dezhu pushed open the door and found Ling Qiu sitting cross-legged, a cigarette in his mouth, wisps of strange-smelling smoke curling up.

This wasn’t the first time Zhao Dezhu had caught Ling Qiu smoking in the dorm. At first, he thought Ling Qiu just had a particularly strong addiction, but aside from these moments of quiet sitting, Ling Qiu almost never smoked.

Moreover, this cigarette always smelled oddly off. Zhao Dezhu had long wanted to try it, but Ling Qiu never allowed him.

At that moment, Ling Qiu ignored him, eyes closed, the cigarette at his lips emitting an unsettling smoke.

An idea suddenly struck Zhao Dezhu. He tiptoed over, picked up the white cigarette pack, and pulled one out.

He’d wanted to taste it for ages!

Click.

Zhao Dezhu lit the cigarette with anticipation and took a deep drag…

Boom!

The instant he lit it, he felt himself plummeting into a bottomless hell.

All around him burned terrifying ghostly flames.

Countless ghastly faces surrounded him, their shrill wails assaulting his mind.

“Aaahhhh!”

Zhao Dezhu was so terrified he nearly fainted. He threw the cigarette away and huddled in the corner, screaming, “Stay away from me! Stay away! Go away, aaaaah!”

Smack.

Suddenly, a sharp slap landed.

It rang out crisp and clear.

Huh?

Zhao Dezhu came to his senses with a jolt.

He blinked. Everything from before had vanished.

Ling Qiu stood before him, face solemn. “Who told you to smoke my cigarettes?”

Zhao Dezhu was bewildered. “I… I just wanted a taste…”

Ling Qiu couldn’t help but laugh.

This Zhao Dezhu had landed himself in real trouble!

Those cigarettes were crafted from countless souls; Ling Qiu used them to absorb soul energy for cultivation.

If a normal person mistakenly tried them, it wasn’t too serious—they’d just have a streak of bad luck or encounter some weird happenings, but after a while, once their positive energy recovered, they’d be fine.

But…

What kind of constitution did Zhao Dezhu have?

He was a beacon for ghosts!

After smoking that cigarette, he’d instantly attract every malicious spirit within a hundred miles.

Yin energy would flood straight into him.

It was as if, in a pitch-black void, he’d suddenly lit a lamp—naturally, all the moths would swarm in! Even if only for an instant, a glaring beacon had been left behind.

No matter. Since it’s come to this, we’ll just deal with whatever comes.

So much for hoping for a little peace to cultivate!

Ling Qiu slapped Zhao Dezhu’s forehead, sending a surge of energy straight in.

Zhao Dezhu immediately slumped into a deep sleep.

Ling Qiu then inscribed forty-nine talismanic seals upon him, conjuring them from the air.

These seals would protect Zhao Dezhu from approaching spirits, and at the same time, seal his positive energy and dispel the yin. With his constitution, after inhaling so much soul energy and yin, if not handled properly, his lifespan would be cut by at least two-thirds.

The fool had played with fire and gotten burned—without help, he’d have been doomed.

Twenty minutes later.

“Hah!”

Zhao Dezhu suddenly sat up. “Huh? Why did I fall asleep?”

Ling Qiu sat nearby, speaking coolly, “You came in and fell right asleep. Seemed like you had a nightmare, too—you were yelling and screaming.”

Zhao Dezhu scratched his head, trying to remember. “Yeah… I dreamed I was surrounded by a bunch of ghosts… then… you slapped me…”

Ling Qiu said nothing.

This idiot actually thought it was a dream…

“Wait, that’s not right!” Zhao Dezhu checked the time. “Crap! Bro, I came to get you for the open class!—It’s already 4:10! We’re ten minutes late!”

“Open class?” Ling Qiu asked, “What open class?”

“The Taekwondo open class!” Zhao Dezhu jumped down from the bed. “No… Actually, it’s upgraded this year! Our school invited the Sanda champion, Taekwondo champion, Karate champion, and several other tournament winners!”

Ling Qiu yawned. “Not interested.”

“Hey! Don’t say that. There’ll be lots of seniors there!—Do you know Senior Cheng? Cheng Youyou? I heard… she’s going today!”

A lascivious light gleamed in Zhao Dezhu’s eyes.

“So what?” Ling Qiu smiled.

Cheng Youyou?

Wasn’t that the princess syndrome girl who’d blocked the sun for him before?

“So what?” Zhao Dezhu waved his hand in front of Ling Qiu. “Bro… Don’t tell me… you don’t know Cheng Youyou??? She’s our university’s top beauty! Gorgeous, great figure, incredible background, and most importantly… she’s a red belt in Taekwondo!”

Oh?

That, Ling Qiu hadn’t noticed before.

“Damn it, just to drag you along, I’m making myself late. I don’t care, you have to come, or you’re not my bro!”

Without giving him a chance to refuse, Zhao Dezhu grabbed Ling Qiu and rushed out of the dorm.

Ling Qiu could only laugh bitterly.

Fine, he’d go.

Besides…

The ghosts Zhao Dezhu had drawn in—many of them would likely be high-level. They’d wait for nightfall to attack, so…

No reason not to go about his day as usual.

…

In the gymnasium.

Groups of students had already divided into a dozen or so teams, each gathered together.

On the podium, several men in their prime, each dressed differently, nodded and greeted the students.

“Our Jiangnan University has always valued physical education! In previous years, we hosted a Taekwondo open class here, but this year is different. Since we’re focusing on competitive combat sports, we’ve made it as diverse as possible!”

“This is last year’s Sanda champion of Jiangnan Province, Mr. Erlong!”

“This is the head of Yama Butterfly Secret Karate Dojo, Mr. Inoue Two-Five!”

“This is the Taekwondo black belt expert we specially invited from Korea this year, Mr. Park Dosu!”

“And this is…”

After all the introductions—

The crowd erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Among them, Liu Donghai folded his arms and frowned. “So Ling Qiu… did he get wind of something? Not even daring to show up for the open class?”

“Hey! Boss! He’s here!!”

At his lackey’s words, Liu Donghai quickly turned.

Upon seeing Ling Qiu and Zhao Dezhu strolling in from the main doors, a cold smile crept onto his face.

Heh heh…

So, you’ve come, boy…

Just wait to meet your doom!

[Brothers, sorry for the late update today. You all know I’m usually busy during the day, so most updates happen during the night. Yesterday, some friends from out of town visited, and I got home really late—past four in the morning. Drank too much, couldn’t write, just crashed. So… today there will be a burst of eight chapters—this is the first one…]