Chapter 83: Will This Ever End?!

“What’s the next step, Brother Hai?” the lackey asked.

Liu Donghai’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Let’s wait and see which group Ling Qiu decides to join. After that, I’ll make arrangements! Whether it’s taekwondo, karate, or sanda… I can get him placed wherever I want!”

After the speech on the podium concluded, everyone quickly broke into groups to begin learning and exchanging skills. Some, drawn to taekwondo, donned the crisp white uniforms; others, favoring karate, changed into their own distinctive attire; still others flocked to sanda. This open class was, in essence, a prelude to forming school clubs—an opportunity to discover interests ahead of time.

Taekwondo, karate, sanda, boxing, kendo, fencing—and, of course, Chinese kung fu.

“So, which one are you going to join?” Zhao Dezhu asked, standing with Ling Qiu in a corner.

Ling Qiu replied lazily, “None of them. I’m just here to watch the spectacle. What about you? You could use the exercise—have you made up your mind?”

Zhao Dezhu grinned. “Of course! Taekwondo—it’s where the campus belle Cheng is! Say no more, I’m off!” With that, he dashed toward the largest group, where taekwondo enthusiasts gathered.

Ling Qiu found a spot to sit, glanced around. The most popular by far was taekwondo, followed by sanda, and then karate. Chinese kung fu was dead last, with barely a handful of people.

A faint smile touched Ling Qiu’s lips. In the underworld, he’d met countless martial masters from China’s long history—masters of legendary lightness skills, practitioners whose iron bodies rivaled bulls. Such feats were not mere myth, but had truly existed. Some of those larger-than-life martial heroes were even more formidable than legend claimed.

Yet now, in this age, few understood the true power of Chinese martial arts, least of all the youth. Most of the ancient traditions had been lost.

“Brother Hai, looks like Ling Qiu isn’t planning to join any group,” one of Liu Donghai’s cronies muttered restlessly. They watched as Ling Qiu, looking utterly unconcerned, pulled up a chair in the corner and played with his phone, brows furrowing in irritation.

Liu Donghai’s expression darkened. “Has Ling Qiu sensed something? This won’t do. If he doesn’t join a group, our plan can’t go forward!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Liu Donghai gave his orders. “Dong Lei, Zhang Qiang—go provoke him. After that, I’ll have Wu Feng step in and execute Plan B!”

The two lackeys nodded in understanding, striding over to confront Ling Qiu.

—

“Hey there, what are you doing? Attending an open class just to sightsee?” the pair jeered, faces full of mockery.

Ling Qiu didn’t even bother to look up at such buffoons.

“Hey, buddy, we’re talking to you. Playing deaf? That’s just plain rude,” one taunted.

Ling Qiu coolly spat out a single word, “Scram.”

“What did you say?!” Both glared, anger rising. “Say that again if you dare!”

Rolling up their sleeves, they looked ready to start a fight.

“What’s going on over there?!” A young man in a taekwondo uniform, red-and-black belt at his waist, strode over.

Wait—that was Senior Wu Feng! Respected for both his intellect and skill, he was a celebrated taekwondo red-black belt and the student council vice president. As he approached, a crowd of starry-eyed girls watched his every move.

“This is an open class. Are you here to cause trouble?” Wu Feng demanded.

The two looked at each other, then said to Wu Feng, “Senior, this guy came but refuses to join any group. Out of concern for unity, we came to ask why, but he just cursed at us! Such bad manners!”

Wu Feng, already briefed by Liu Donghai, turned to Ling Qiu with a frosty glare. “I don’t care what kind of person you are outside, but here, at today’s open class, you should handle disputes like a man. If you want to fight, do it by the rules—in the ring!”

“Well said, Senior Wu Feng!” Zhang Qiang sneered, pointing at Ling Qiu and raising his voice. “Ling Qiu! If you’re a man, don’t hide away. Get in the ring, put on a uniform—let’s settle this like men!”

All eyes turned their way, faces flushed with anticipation. Finally, something exciting to watch!

Yet Ling Qiu saw through the whole charade. To him, these people were nothing but clowns.

“While I’m still in a good mood—leave,” he said coldly.

—

Still playing with his phone, Ling Qiu didn’t look up.

Wu Feng’s eyes flashed with anger. “You’re pretty arrogant, little freshman! But talk is cheap. I’ll ask you once—do you dare step into the ring? Two choices: be a man and accept the challenge, or be a coward and leave. Cowards aren’t welcome at this open class—not even as spectators!”

“Well said!”

“Right on, Senior Wu Feng!”

“What’s the use of bravado? If you’re here, put your phone away! Is this a shelter for losers?”

The crowd burst into a raucous clamor. Some were Liu Donghai’s followers, others Wu Feng’s admirers.

At that, Ling Qiu finally turned his head, his gaze lazy as he swept over them. “The taekwondo uniform is ugly; I don’t want to wear it. If you want to fight, do it now—I have no patience for your nonsense. Come at me, all of you if you like.”

The crowd gaped in shock, especially the taekwondo group.

Truthfully, Ling Qiu had nothing against any martial art. Taekwondo, after all, had its merits and was good for health—he encouraged people to practice. But this was another matter entirely. These people were clearly following Liu Donghai’s orders, looking for trouble. So he said what he did on purpose. He wanted to see how long they would keep yammering.

Wu Feng let out a loud laugh. “So clever, aren’t you? You know that in the ring, it’s a sparring match—the school won’t get involved. Outside the ring, it’s just a brawl, and the school will step in. You’re just trying to dodge the challenge because you know you’d lose! All talk, but you’re nothing but a clown! Cowards like you don’t deserve to wear the uniform that represents the essence of Korean martial arts! And you’re not worthy to stand on the taekwondo ring! Let’s go! Even speaking to someone like you is a waste of our dignity!”

With a sweeping gesture, Wu Feng led Dong Lei and Zhang Qiang back to their group.

—

To all the brothers asking about the fan group: here’s the number, 938543571. It was just created today—everyone is welcome to join!