Chapter 81: The Open Lecture!

Lu Zhengkun jolted awake, finally coming to his senses, and hurried downstairs to follow Ling Qiu.

...

On the bustling street.

Ling Qiu walked ahead with his hands in his pockets, while Lu Zhengkun hesitated behind him, unable to calm his racing heart. The fierce battle Ling Qiu had just displayed left him utterly mesmerized, unable to shake it from his mind.

At last...

He summoned his courage, stepped forward, and said to Ling Qiu, "Brother... how are you so good at fighting?"

Ling Qiu stopped, turned his head, and silently regarded Lu Zhengkun for a moment.

Lu Zhengkun scratched his head, realizing he couldn't bring himself to meet Ling Qiu's eyes. Though Ling Qiu hadn't spoken, his gaze possessed a strange authority, as profound as a black hole—impossible to fathom, yet faintly oppressive.

"Do you think being good at fighting is something to be proud of?" Ling Qiu finally spoke.

Lu Zhengkun's attitude toward Ling Qiu had completely reversed. He was someone who loved fighting, dreaming of becoming a boxer, believing that only the clash of fists embodied a true man's destiny.

Therefore...

He deeply admired Ling Qiu—perhaps even worshipped him.

"Yeah! I know you might want to remind me... fighting isn't good... but honestly, I really think men fighting is just cool!"

Ling Qiu smiled faintly.

He knew Lu Zhengkun's character well. In the Netherworld, Lu Zhengkun had always been a battle enthusiast, charging into every fight like a maddened bull, a true god of slaughter.

But back then, under Ling Qiu's guidance, Lu Zhengkun had already possessed real strength.

Now, however, Lu Zhengkun was just a young man from the mundane world, which gave rise to an amusing sense of contrast.

"You want to learn? I'll teach you," Ling Qiu suddenly said.

Lu Zhengkun's face lit up with joy. "Yes! Yes! Brother, I'll become your apprentice! From now on—"

But before he could finish, Ling Qiu waved his hand and interrupted.

"You want me to teach you? Possible. But right now, you're not qualified."

"What?" Lu Zhengkun's face fell. "Then... what does it take to be qualified?"

"First, be a proper son."

"...Alright!"

"Second, stop wasting your life in society's chaos."

"...Okay!"

"Finally... you're still young. Go back to high school, study properly, and get into a good university."

"What???" Lu Zhengkun was taken aback, then smiled wryly. "Ling Qiu, you're not messing with me, are you? I've been out of school for over a year..."

"Well, then don't expect me to teach you," Ling Qiu said, turning to leave.

"Wait! Hold on!" Lu Zhengkun darted forward, blocking Ling Qiu's path. "Brother... I promise you! So if I go back to school, you'll teach me?"

"Not just go back—you must get into university."

Lu Zhengkun looked constipated, honestly torn. He truly wanted to learn from Ling Qiu, but studying seemed so hard...

After an intense internal struggle, Lu Zhengkun finally nodded fiercely. "Okay! I promise! I'll study, get into university! Then you'll take me as your disciple, right?"

"Yes," Ling Qiu nodded.

"Great! It's a deal!" Lu Zhengkun extended his hand.

Ling Qiu simply walked around him, leaving without a word. "Come find me after you make it."

Lu Zhengkun didn't follow. Instead, he took a deep breath, gazing at Ling Qiu's slender yet captivating figure... Suddenly, he felt his previously dull life had found a direction, a purpose worth striving for.

...

Ling Qiu walked back to school.

All the way, he savored the conversation he'd just had with Lu Zhengkun. He pretended to be indifferent, but in truth, his heart was filled with sorrow and indescribable joy.

He could never forget...

The last silly grin Lu Zhengkun gave him as his soul faded in Ling Qiu's arms.

Now...

Fate had brought them together again.

Ling Qiu didn't want Lu Zhengkun to waste this life.

And, admittedly, he had some selfish motives. Back in the Netherworld, Lu Zhengkun was not only his brother but his most capable ally!

In this life, Ling Qiu also needed him.

So, Ling Qiu wanted to cultivate him. In the world of mortals, mere brawn wasn't enough—a fierce heart was needed too!

A street thug might fight well, but he would never become a general who leads heroes.

Even in battle, one must have culture!

What makes a general? Both strategic wisdom and martial prowess—neither can be lacking!

A general should charge into enemy ranks, sword raised, and shout, "You vermin, selling your heads for a price—dismount and meet your doom!"

Not wield a watermelon knife and yell, "Damn it, I'll kill you!"

...

No need for military training.

Life was pleasant enough.

For the next half month, Ling Qiu's greatest pleasure was waking naturally, strolling to the sports field, and sitting in the shade, watching Zhao Dezhu and the other students stand at attention under the blazing sun.

He ate ice cream, drank chilled soda, and called out to Zhao Dezhu from afar, "Hang in there!"

Honestly...

In that half month, Ling Qiu managed to incur the fierce hatred of nearly all the freshmen with this trick!

And so...

Half a month passed.

Military training finally ended.

All the students rejoiced.

Except one—

Liu Donghai was suffering.

At the school gate.

A tea restaurant.

Liu Donghai sat with several followers, sipping tea.

Halfway through, he slammed the table. "Damn it, I didn't expect Ling Qiu to only do one day of military training! Who knows how he got a leave from the teacher—my arrangements were all for nothing!"

"Brother Hai, calm down... with the situation now, why not just find a way to get him expelled?"

Liu Donghai scowled. "Expulsion is a must! Professor Fu and my father are close; I've already given notice. When Ling Qiu attends Professor Fu's public class, he'll be taken care of—no doubt! But before that, I have to make sure Ling Qiu suffers a real hardship!"

He fell into deep thought. After a while, his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Got it!"

"Brother Hai, what's your good idea?"

Liu Donghai's smile was sinister. "Have you forgotten... our school offers a Taekwondo public course!"

"Oh???" The group brightened—of course!

"Brother Hai, you mean..."

Liu Donghai grinned, eyes glinting with malice. "It's Taekwondo, after all. Even if it's just friendly sparring, accidents happen—breaking an arm or a leg can't be helped, can it?"

[Sixth update! Stayed up all night—brothers, enjoy... Let me get some sleep and I'll continue with four more updates. A humble request for recommendations, favorites, donations, support—asking for everything~~]