Gao Wu: Ten years of sparring experience, one move and the world knows him

Chapter 91 Suspecting You're an Accomplice

Showing off might feel good for a moment!

You'll get scolded after you finish installing it.

In the main hall of Mingchan Academy, three coaches, Wang Zhanshan, Zeng Hongyi, and another, were looking solemnly at the two people standing opposite them with their heads bowed.

"You guys are great!"

"Tell me, what exactly happened? Don't try to fob me off with this talk of sparring! Gongye Lingchen, you go first."

Wang Zhanshan said coldly.

"Coach, Zhao Rui called me here. He wants to spar with me."

Gongye Lingchen lowered his head, not daring to look up at Wang Zhanshan's face.

Firstly, he felt guilty and in the wrong, since he had acted ruthlessly right from the start;

Secondly, they lost both times, and to freshmen no less. Even if they were in the right, what difference would it make?

"Zhao Rui!"

Wang Zhanshan turned to look at Zhao Rui.

Zhao Rui lowered his head and said earnestly, "I've been researching how to use the Prajna Palm to counter the mighty palm force, thinking about Senior Brother Gongye's Great Subduing Demon Palm..."

"I just couldn't control myself for a moment and broke through on the spot. Please punish me, coach!"

Hearing his sophistry, Zeng Hongyi couldn't help but suppress a laugh and looked at Wang Zhanshan.

The latter was both amused and exasperated. He couldn't control his nonsense, and even if he upgraded once, he could still say it was a breakthrough in the face of battle.

Upgraded twice?

What? Did the dog eat that part of the cultivation process in the middle?

This was clearly intentional.

It's highly likely some kind of secret technique that allows one to conceal their cultivation level or temporarily break through to a higher level.

But now that the fight was over, he was more concerned about Zhao Rui's situation—whether the secret technique might have any hidden dangers.

As soon as he finished speaking, he stepped forward and reached out to grasp the other person's wrist.

"The pulse is steady, and the internal energy is stable..."

Wang Zhanshan's eyes lit up, then narrowed again. After a moment, he withdrew his hand and coldly looked at the two of them, saying:

"Punishment is definitely necessary, but the cause of the incident also needs to be clarified."

"Gongye Lingchen, how many times have I told you? Being petty, jealous, and bullying your teammates—would you be satisfied if I fired you?"

"Does this have anything to do with Ye Jingqiu?"

Upon hearing Wang Zhanshan's words, Gongye Lingchen was startled and quickly said, "It has nothing to do with Ye Jingqiu! I was just angry that he was showing off like that!"

"Is this how you act as a senior brother? Do you have any tolerance at all? I usually don't care about you, but you've only gotten worse and worse, becoming more and more outrageous."

"And you, Zhao Rui, where have you been thinking? What, are you planning to switch careers and become an art student?"

"If you have this idea, I can help you contact Dean Wang of the Art Academy."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Rui lowered his head even further, not daring to utter another word.

After lecturing them for most of the hour, Wang Zhanshan finally let the two leave.

After the two left the main hall, Zeng Hongyi smiled and said to Wang Zhanshan, "Congratulations, Senior Brother Wang!"

"This kid has too many ideas; he'll need your guidance, junior brother."

"I will keep a close eye on them!"

Zeng Hongyi nodded.

……

On the other side, as soon as he stepped out of the main hall, Gongye Lingchen walked quickly towards the door as if the wind was blowing, and disappeared outside the Mingchan Courtyard in a short while.

It's estimated that he won't be able to come to the team again for a while.

Seeing this, Zhao Rui couldn't help but shake his head. What a blustery guy. If you went out and said a few tough words, I would respect you a bit.

Just as he was about to leave, his ears twitched, and he shouted sharply, "Who's there?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Cai Zhengyang came running over from the corner of the wall with a shameless grin.

"Senior brother, I just arrived and you already heard me. Impressive skill indeed!"

"Oh, it's you. I should thank you for making that call, junior brother."

Zhao Rui said calmly.

"Senior brother, you're too kind. Gongye Lingchen has always been arrogant and disrespectful. Fortunately, we have you, senior brother, who helped us vent our anger."

"You've already told Coach Wang, haven't you?"

Zhao Rui's lips curved into a smile, and he looked at him with a slightly cold gaze.

Cai Zhengyang's cheek muscles twitched slightly, and he forced a stiff smile as he said, "I... I didn't say anything bad about you, Senior Brother."

"Fine, just say it. It'll explain why I'm doing this!"

Zhao Rui suddenly smiled, stretched out his arm, patted him hard on the shoulder, and then strode out.

"How did he know?"

Cai Zhengyang touched his forehead, feeling extremely frustrated.

He snitched, though he only mentioned that Gongye Lingchen had secretly caused trouble for Zhao Rui.

This can be considered an explanation for the dispute between the two.

However, on the other hand, it also means selling out Zhao Rui's lame reason for challenging Gongye Lingchen to a duel in order to improve his martial arts skills.

"Stay as far away from him as possible from now on!"

"This guy can't be understood using common sense."

Cai Zhengyang shook his head and turned to walk in another direction.

In the training ground!

Qin Rui and the others gathered around Zhao Rui with concern, asking him about the scolding he had received.

"They didn't mention any punishment, but I guess it won't be light!"

Zhao Rui smiled.

"That's great, the last punishment isn't even over yet!"

Qin Rui sighed.

Just then, the three coaches walked in with serious expressions.

"Team captains, gather your personnel!"

Zeng Hongyi clapped his hands, and soon all the students quickly lined up in three rows in front of the three men.

"Our martial arts team has never prohibited resolving disputes through ring duels."

"However... any acts of malicious provocation or deliberate retaliation that violate the spirit of martial arts will be punished severely!..."

"Given that Gongye Lingchen is jealous of talent and ability, harbors impure intentions, and deliberately makes things difficult for and bullies his teammates, it has been decided to give him a demerit..."

Wang Zhanshan glanced at everyone present and said in a deep voice.

"Given Zhao Rui's neglect of his duties and his arrogance, he is hereby punished with three days of seclusion for reflection, during which time he is not allowed to leave the house."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Zhao Rui, who was sitting in the front row, with surprise.

What kind of punishment is seclusion for reflection?

Most freshmen are completely confused.

"Now that the punishment is over, let's talk about the coaching staff's arrangements. In view of Zhao Rui's promotion to the ninth level of martial arts, his benefits and treatment will be improved to be equivalent to those of a regular team member."

"Equivalent?"

The students looked at the coaches with confusion.

At this moment, Zeng Hongyi spoke up and said, "Our martial arts team has a clear rule that non-martial arts academy students are not allowed to join the martial arts team as official members."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly realized that there was such a rule.

"However, Zhao Rui, don't be discouraged. If you can achieve good results in competitions at all levels in the future, it is not impossible to make an exception and admit you."

Upon hearing Zeng Hongyi's words, Zhao Rui smiled dismissively and said, "This disciple will remember Master's teachings! I will definitely work even harder."

After Wang Zhanshan finished reading the decision, he left the training ground, while Zeng Hongyi called Zhao Rui aside.

I said some words of encouragement to him.

It's simply that the school has regulations that prevent them from becoming full-time coaches for the time being, but the coaching staff will actively communicate with higher authorities.

Zhao Rui didn't seem to have any objections to this.

Accept it calmly, after all, the school had already said so when he came.

After a brief exchange, Zeng Hongyi took Zhao Rui to the secluded cultivation place behind Mingchan Academy Mountain.

There are two small thatched huts built halfway up the mountain.

The entire structure was built using the most primitive methods, a truly authentic thatched hut.

Fortunately, there was plenty of material used around it, so there was no problem with drafts or leaks.

Zeng Hongyi turned on the light inside and said to Zhao Rui with a smile:

"This is an old rule passed down in our martial arts academy, called 'remembering the bitter past to appreciate the sweet present'."

"You've indeed been a bit restless lately. These three days can be a good time to calm your nerves and recharge!"

"You can bring your phone inside, but whether you look at it or not is entirely up to you. I'll arrange for team members to deliver three meals a day to you. The bedding is also vacuum-packed, so you can use it right out of the box..."

Zeng Hongyi gave Zhao Rui some earnest instructions, then patted him on the shoulder and said, "Let's start tonight!"

Zhao Rui nodded and watched Coach Zeng leave.

The mountain is not high, the wind is not strong, and the spring chill is slightly chilly, which adds to the loneliness and tranquility!

Zhao Rui swept the blue bricks off the ground with his hands, then sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, lowered his brows, formed a mudra with his hands, and silently circulated his profound energy.

Sitting on the ground under the open sky, bathed in the setting sun and gentle breeze!

It seems that endless time has turned into flowing light, falling into the mountain stream and disappearing into the long river!

……

The bright moon hangs high in the sky, the mountain is secluded and the wind has ceased!

Suddenly, several figures stopped together and they saw Zhao Rui sitting in meditation with his eyes closed in the distance.

"Let's not go over there. He's practicing his martial arts."

The speaker had a soft, charming voice, yet it carried a hint of aloofness.

It was Miao Miaomiao who received the text message and learned that Zhao Rui had been placed in solitary confinement.

Upon arriving at the Martial Arts Academy, they happened to encounter Qin Rui and the others who were preparing to ascend the mountain, so they all rushed over together.

"Well, okay, I thought solitary confinement meant being locked in a closed room. But it seems like it's no different from being on vacation."

"Withdraw!"

With a whoosh, the group returned to the foot of the mountain.

The voices of the newcomers naturally did not escape Zhao Rui's ears, and seeing that they did not come up, Zhao Rui ignored them.

This breakthrough to level nine was not only to deter troublemakers and avoid unnecessary disturbances, but also to prepare for advancing to the Grandmaster realm as soon as possible.

After a winter break of reflection and accumulating advancement points, his reserves were more than enough to reach level nine.

It's just that I haven't advanced yet.

Therefore, advancing two levels this time can be said to be a natural progression, although it seems somewhat unbelievable to others.

After level nine comes the Grandmaster realm, and breakthroughs at this stage cannot be achieved simply by accumulating internal energy.

Even if he possesses a century's worth of internal energy, it is merely internal force that cannot be transformed into innate true qi.

That won't make you a grandmaster.

This process is very complicated, and Zhao Rui, at least, has not been involved with it yet.

Once things stabilize, he will begin preparing for how to advance to the Grandmaster realm.

After Miao Miaomiao and the others left, some time later, two uninvited guests arrived at the back mountain.

The moon cast dappled shadows as the two stood in a secluded spot atop the mountain, watching Zhao Rui from afar.

"Senior Brother Gu, have we misjudged him?"

"Yes, I was wrong. I thought Wang Dalong would be the first to advance to level nine."

"I reckon it'll be the three of us going to the exchange meeting soon. Your Three Talents Sword Formation..."

"We'll see when the time comes."

The two chatted idly under the moonlight, their conversation carried on a gentle breeze, exuding an air of refined elegance.

Just then, a melodious flute tune suddenly drifted through the mountains and lakes.

"He's quite the romantic! Let's go, Junior Sister Ye!"

Senior Brother Gu smiled, leaped into the air, and drifted far down the mountain.

Junior Sister Ye is naturally Ye Jingqiu.

She gazed at Zhao Rui for a moment, a hint of nostalgia flashing in her eyes, then sighed, lightly touched the ground with her feet, and used the momentum in mid-air to catch up with Senior Brother Gu.

……

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The setting sun melts gold, and cinnabar splashes across the sky!

After three days of quiet meditation, Zhao Rui awkwardly walked out amidst a welcoming ceremony with Qin Rui and others holding confetti cannons.

"Bang, bang!"

Instantly, confetti flew everywhere, like nimble birds in flight, reflecting the brilliant sunset glow.

"Welcome back, Captain Zhao, after serving your sentence!"

"Captain Zhao, come here, step over the fire basin!"

Li Xinran took out a plastic basin, pretended to throw it on the ground, and laughed.

"Miao Miaomiao, you're just going along with their nonsense."

Zhao Rui glanced at Miao Miaomiao, who was laughing so hard she was doubled over, and then glared at Li Xinran. These terrible ideas must have been hers.

"Ugh, the clothes smell bad!"

Li Xinran wasn't afraid of him at all. She moved closer to him, immediately covered her nose, and pretended to speak.

"That's enough! I'm a level nine martial artist, give me some face!"

"We have to give them face; Yuexianglou is already booked."

"Who's treating?"

"Of course it's you!"

"Depend on!"

The group chatted and laughed as they descended the mountain together.

Before they even reached the path outside Mingchan Courtyard, Zhao Rui's phone rang.

When I answered the call, it turned out to be my future cousin-in-law, Zheng Huaifeng, calling.

"Brother, why are you calling me now?"

Zhao Rui asked with a smile.

"Where are you?"

"I'm at school!"

"I'll be at your school gate soon, I think it's the east gate. Come out and wait for me. The imperial supervisory team has arrived and wants to speak with you."

"Uh... okay! I'll go out now."

Zhao Rui hung up the phone and looked at everyone, saying, "Sorry, I have to go out for a bit. You guys go ahead and eat."

"Is it something urgent? Do you need help?"

Miao Miaomiao asked with some concern.

"It's alright, it's nothing. You guys go ahead and eat, don't worry about saving money for me."

Li Xinran smiled.

"Then we won't stand on ceremony. Miao Miaomiao, Qin Rui, Lao Cao, come on, I'll take you to get something delicious to eat."

Li Xinran unceremoniously took on the role of the guest.

Zhao Rui smiled, ignored them, and walked straight towards the school gate on the east side.

When we arrived at the school gate, after only about ten minutes, a police car with its lights flashing sped over.

Upon reaching him, the car braked suddenly, leaving several clear tire marks on the ground.

"Get on the bus!"

The car window opened, revealing Zheng Huaifeng's dark face.

Seeing this, Zhao Rui immediately opened the car door and got in.

"Brother, what does the inspection team want with me?"

"It's still about the train hijacking. They suspect you were involved. Just answer truthfully."

Zheng Huaifeng frowned and said.

"Damn, are you kidding me? This is the level of the inspection team!"

Zhao Rui couldn't help but roll his eyes. If he was an accomplice, then this group had gone to great lengths.

Not only did the plan fail, but so many people were lost. Was it all for the sake of gaining such a worthless achievement?

You must be out of your mind to doubt yourself.

"Don't complain. My colleagues will vouch for you. Just tell the truth."

Zheng Huaifeng shook his head, somewhat helpless.

But he was just a member of the provincial police department, so he really couldn't get a word in edgewise.

The car sped through traffic lights, arriving at the provincial police station compound in just over ten minutes.

(End of this chapter)