Daily life of a teacher in the martial arts department

The first person recommended was, of course, Fu Feihan. Everyone in the Imperial Academy knew about his defeat of Ji Fa. The last time a martial arts teacher in the Imperial Academy was defeated by a student with a huge advantage was back in the days of the protagonist of an old novel, the arrogant soldier king Nephalem.

Although it is nominally not recommended for a student to go multiple times, given Fu Feihan's level, it would be unreasonable not to go out and give Dean Huang some face.

The first student was decided just like that. As for the second student, Ying Qin Guan originally planned to recommend Zhong Hongyu. Her level was a bit of a stretch, but she wasn't incapable of fighting. However, Zhong Hongyu left, so he naturally didn't have any candidates. But at the end of the meeting, the third candidate inexplicably fell to Luo Shui. It was probably because she and Fu Fei Han were from the same school, which gave people the impression that she was more formidable. It was really a misunderstanding.

Of Ying Qin Guan's four disciples, Ji Qiuming is a tournament-type player; he performs best in important situations and can always remain calm, making him a ruthless fighting machine. Fu Feihan, on the other hand, is a typical unpredictable fighter. Although he had improved somewhat some time ago, human nature cannot be suppressed, and he has recently shown signs of relapse. While his potential has increased, his skill floor has also decreased. However, because he is currently stronger, even when he reaches his lower limit, he is still unmatched by the other students.

Zhong Hongyu's performance was average. Because she possessed the Lihe Cansi Sword taught by Ying Qin Guan, she might be slightly better in a life-or-death battle, but overall, it was just so-so.

Luo Shui is different. She is... in short, she is all about adaptability and strategy. During battle, she occasionally makes some small moves, which are operations that Fu Feihan can easily execute. They are not bad. If they work, that's fine. But if they don't work, she immediately doesn't want to fight anymore. She doesn't know how to continue. She doesn't think about what will happen next at all. She is completely taking it one step at a time.

I'm afraid I'll suffer quite a few defeats in this exchange match...

Ying Qin Guan did not pay much attention to this matter.

After deciding on the students, the next step was choosing the team leader. This task wasn't particularly good or bad, mainly because there was a risk of being humiliated while fighting. Ying Qin Guan had gone there last time because of Darius, and this time he had lost interest... because of the alchemy students' antics. The entire Imperial Academy was closed for a break, and all teachers and students were given a holiday. Naturally, no one wanted to go on a business trip. A year ago, Ji Fa would definitely have volunteered. However, after staying at the Imperial Academy for more than a year, she had gradually become more laid-back. In the end, Jiu Yi randomly selected an unlucky guy... the gray-haired man Jing Fang, who had created the tradition of the Martial Arts Department, to lead the team.

Meanwhile, the Nineteenth Xiu arrived, taking Yu Xietian and Zhong Hongyu away to a distant place. Mu Nandong began packing his luggage, planning to go to the City of Truth to attend an academic conference.

The surging undercurrents are about to surface.

Chapter Thirteen: Meeting

You look a little nervous.

"Yes...it does feel a bit sudden."

“It’s normal to have such thoughts. You can exchange experiences with Mr. Yu. He seems to be adapting well.”

On the high-speed train, Shijiu Xiu took Yu Xietian and Zhong Hongyu with him, intending to go to their destination.

Zhong Hongyu looked a little nervous, which was understandable. It was impossible for her not to be nervous. Not long ago, she was a well-behaved student practicing swordsmanship, and now she was suddenly going to participate in a passionate gunfight, street battle, and drug bust. The change of identity was too fast. It can only be said that not everyone is a Nephalem.

"It's less about worry and more about being afraid that I'm not doing well enough."

Yu Xietian sat in position A in the ABC group, while Shijiu Xiu sat in position B. He leaned out and looked towards Zhong Hongyu.

"That's what you're nervous about, isn't it?"

Zhong Hongyu wasn't embarrassed and nodded obediently.

She was indeed nervous about this, but not because she was involved, but because she was worried that she hadn't done a good enough job.

"Maintaining a proper level of tension is a good thing, but don't doubt yourself." Because of a group of close friends, Yu Xietian also knows a lot about the Imperial Academy. "I remember that when you entered the Martial Arts Department, you all had a military training... a real, devilish training, unlike ordinary college students who just experience it. It's like having some foundation."

Yu Xietian paused slightly, then said, "Besides, we're going to crack down on drugs. Our opponents are drug dealers, not human traffickers. The situation is completely different. In actual combat, being able to dodge or block oncoming bullets with your inner energy is more important than anything else."

"Yes... I understand." Zhong Hongyu nodded, but a lingering unease still lingered in her heart.

She didn't know where this unease came from, but it had been plaguing her since the start of summer vacation, and recently it had reached a new peak.

"Could it be just my imagination..."

-

Inside the Yorozuya, Yu Xietian went out, leaving Shenxin alone to look after the place. Of course, Yu Xietian's departure didn't mean the Yorozuya had lost its ability to operate; in most cases, Shenxin was the one maintaining it. So now, Shenxin was waiting for a client who was naive, rich, and had little to do to come knocking on their door.

...In the end, someone did come knocking on our door.

A hazy figure walked in. Her mobility was not outstanding among the progenitors, and it took her quite a while to get here.

Shenxin was slightly stunned when he saw the hazy figure.

The hazy figure said, "I have something to tell you."

"Please...please speak."

"You need to stay calm. No matter what, no matter what choice you make, at least let me finish speaking."

"Yes... I understand!"

The hazy figure spoke, recounting the entire negotiation with Ji Chaoge and displaying the contents of the contract. The contract stipulated that only the hazy figure, Ji Chaoge, and Shenxin, who was also involved in the plan, could know about this matter. If the hazy figure or Shenxin informed others about this matter, the contract would naturally break.

According to Ji Chaoge, Cain can directly read minds and memories, and not just one person's; he can scan the memories of everyone in an area, then lock onto keywords and search directly, at a speed comparable to a supercomputer. Modifying Ji Chaoge's own memories is definitely no problem, as is Hongyan, the progenitor. Shenxin, being a human, is naturally unaffected by the special abilities of progenitors and mythical creatures, and is also part of the plan. Therefore, he can also reveal this. However, it's clear that others cannot be manipulated. If Cain discovers this, everything will be over.

Regarding Ji Chaoge, the hazy figure didn't go into too much detail. Because to describe everything about him in detail would inevitably involve many subjective opinions.

The hazy figure focuses on the entire process of assassinating Cain, which is the core of the event and also the area with the most unstable factors. Will Cain be demoted? Can the doors be connected? Who will the hazy figure ultimately belong to? Does its destiny possess a second timeline? Logically, it should, otherwise it could infinitely create progenitors like the hazy figure, splitting and multiplying until everyone becomes a progenitor... So, logically, the progenitor's destiny possesses a second timeline. But what about humanity? Does humanity's destiny possess a second timeline?

If not, then everyone is happy. The hazy figure can continue to be her progenitor, and the fate of the divine heart can be reversed without any problems. But if there are problems, then if they are gone, they are truly gone. Only one of the divine heart and the hazy figure can survive.

This should have been the main point of discussion between the divine heart and the hazy figure. However, they didn't discuss it much, because such matters could not be concluded through discussion alone.

"Perhaps we should go find my sister... but Ji Chaoge stipulated this in the contract. My sister is also a descendant of a human child; he should have thought of this. He could have told her, but he wouldn't let her... However, since it involves the 'gate,' my sister might not be able to see it anyway."

Shenxin has an extremely strong ability to accept things. She is the kind of person who, after a middle-aged man comes home early from get off work and finds his wife cheating on him, can take a picture without changing his expression to increase his chances of winning the divorce case. After learning a series of secrets from the hazy figure, she immediately got into the zone and began to look for a way out. The first person she thought of was her sister, Shen Jiu.

Although Shenzhou-9 did not want to be disturbed, the military still secretly sent a message to let them know that everything was alright. Shenxin also learned about this, but considering the special power of the "gate" and Ji Chaoge's contract, she finally gave up the idea.

There was no other way; alien detection technology was far too important to humanity. No matter the cost, we had to obtain it, and both Shenxin and the hazy figure were well aware of this.

This was actually within Ji Chaoge's expectations. In fact, the hazy figure had negotiated with him for a while, and he was prepared to concede and allow Shen Jiu to know about the matter. Because Shen Jiu was Ji Chaoge's hidden weapon, having taken the problematic Yinhen Sheng, she was now a ticking time bomb. However, Ji Chaoge didn't want to detonate her at this time... But the negotiations didn't go all the way, perhaps because the technology was too important, and the hazy figure didn't insist.

Of course, it makes no difference, because they are destined not to get any answers from Shenzhou-9.

But right now, the hazy figure wasn't thinking about that. She was watching the little girl writing furiously in front of her, and a feeling of pity welled up in her heart.

She spoke softly, saying, "Shenxin... what do you think? If we carry out this plan, we could both die. Everything is unpredictable and uncontrollable. Aren't you afraid?"

Shenxin looked up, glanced at the hazy figure, and then raised the small blackboard.

"Of course I'm scared. Who isn't afraid of death? But..."

Chapter Fourteen: So Close Yet So Far

"Of course I'm scared. Who isn't afraid of death? But..."

Shenxin quickly added the second half of the sentence.

"But in situations like this, is fear truly helpful? Can fear really make one back down? I'm afraid not."

The blurry figure had a complicated expression, but couldn't find the words to say. Yes, at times like this, one could easily say nice things, like "If you don't want to do it, then don't," or "It's okay." Such nice things could be said without any thought... but only those who haven't thought about it would say such things.

Shen Xin remained calm and continued writing.

"The data for that ritual exists in the natural database within my mind. It's true. If completed, it will distort the definitions of mysticism throughout the world. At that point, I could simply kill an ancestor, replace their destiny, and resurrect my ancestors... The price would be the death of all living beings in the world. In that situation, would it be okay for me to say, 'Ah, I'm still a little girl, I don't want to die,' and then run away, refuse to fight?"

"I'm afraid that won't work."

"Besides... Cain was originally released by me."

Thinking of this, Shenxin couldn't help but sigh. In order to deal with Ye Jiaofang, he released a guy who was even more terrifying than Ye Jiaofang. He was the mortal enemy of all living beings and the one who destroyed the world... He was resurrected in such a dramatic way.

Yes, Cain was released by her, that is an indisputable fact, and Godheart should indeed bear a great deal of responsibility for it.

“You don’t have to think like that,” the hazy figure comforted. “Even without you, Cain will return sooner or later.”

"So he's just returned once more... because even if Ji Chaoge's method works perfectly, we still can't truly defeat him. In the distant future, the 'door' will still be opened, and the methods to deal with Cain are becoming increasingly rare. We don't even know who will be able to truly kill him."

Yes, that's the problem. Even with such a huge sacrifice, they still can't truly defeat Cain. Cain doesn't even have to pay a price; he just needs to go back inside the gate for a while. And predictably, once he comes out again, this trick won't work on him anymore. So how will people in the future face this madman who can destroy the world next time?

"Moreover, my sister's near-death experience in July taught me a lesson... The more one tries to escape fate, the more fate will toy with them. If one wants to overcome fate and break this unsolvable deadlock, the only option is to face it head-on and seize fate by the throat... I can't escape it. It was destined the moment I released Cain."

His calm demeanor and immense courage and spirit were truly moving.

That July, Shenzhou-9 almost died in front of her, all because she insisted on escaping her fate... At that moment, Shenxin decided to stop running away and to win everything.

"Cain, we must send him back. However, cooperating with Ji Chaoge is like dealing with a tiger for its skin..."

"Regarding this," the hazy figure spoke, his voice deep, "I also have some countermeasures..."

This gave them plenty to discuss, and the two started talking again, perhaps thinking they still had time. After all, no matter how you looked at it, Ji Chaoge was in a half-dead state, lacking manpower, money, and equipment.

The hazy figure could never have underestimated an enemy like Ji Chaoge. But she also could never have foreseen that Ji Chaoge's actions would be so swift; sixty million demi-humans were already in his hands, and the anti-separation technology, capable of rewinding the world two eras, was eagerly awaiting its own moment to shine.

That would allow martial artists to be completely resurrected on the front lines. Although it was a final burst of energy before death, they were indeed resurrected. However, it was quite ironic that the one who brought glory back to martial artists was not a martial artist like Ying Qin Guan or Ye Jiao Fang, but Ji Chao Ge. He was already poised to strike. The betrayal of Cain was not the beginning, but the end.

-

"The City of Truth...we've arrived!"

From afar, Ji Qiuming could already see the outline of the City of Truth. A year ago, in September, he had come here as a representative of the Seven Luminaries Imperial Academy. At that time, no one could have imagined that he would come here again in such a capacity and in such a manner.

Ji Qiuming came here illegally...as a member of a different race.

Although the elusive figure had prepared a false identity for him, Ji Qiuming did not use it. Firstly, he could not trust the elusive figure, and secondly, he was now a genuine peerless master. Let alone infiltrating a city, infiltrating the Seven Luminaries Imperial Palace would be as easy as playing a game for him.

Ji Qiuming gazed at the distant City of Truth, sensing his days were numbered. The Red Emperor's will was already stirring within his mind. However, Ji Qiuming felt this might be a good thing; he had no reason to live, no obligation to do anything. But Ji Fenming did have a reason. If the Red Emperor were to possess Ji Fenming's body, that would be a real loss...

Ji Qiuming despises life, especially his own, in this respect he shares the same view as his elder brother Ji Chaoge... yet they are also opposite. Ji Chaoge also despises life, but he despises everything except himself.

"The problem is, how do we find Ji Fenming's location? Ji Chaoge mentioned it to me briefly before, but he only knew a general area... I don't know if these last few days will be enough for me to accomplish all of this."

—As an aside, the figure in the shadows knew the exact location where Ji Fenming was being held. But naturally, she wouldn't tell Ji Qiuming. Unlike Ji Qiuming, Ji Fenming was a true member of the alien faction. If he knew about Ji Chaoge's plan, he would definitely be the first to rush in and offer his heart.

Ji Qiuming's mind was in turmoil, but he finally took a step and resolutely walked towards the City of Truth to begin the final act of his life.

Meanwhile, twelve kilometers away in the stratosphere, Fu Feihan was wiping the weapon in the box when a sudden, inexplicable tremor ran through both of them. The one on the ground looked up at the sky, while the one above the clouds looked down at the ground.

Their gazes pierced through twelve thousand meters, collided, and sparked intense flames... Of course, such a thing would not happen.

Those in the sky had their view blocked by a thick layer of metal, while those on the ground could only see endless layers of clouds.

Twelve thousand meters, yet worlds apart.

Chapter Fifteen: The Surge

In the spacious and bright office, a middle-aged man with glasses sat inside. Although it was only early autumn, he was already wearing a wool shirt. There were goji berries soaking in his water glass. He held a piece of paper in his hand with some tables and data charts on it. Opposite him sat a young man with curly hair in his mid-twenties, who was obviously at the age where he valued style over warmth. But since it was only early autumn, it didn't really matter what he wore.

The bespectacled man hesitated for a moment before asking, "What is this table for...?"

The curly-haired youth replied, "The number of martial artists and mages who have recently entered and exited the City of Truth."

The bespectacled man turned his gaze back. Both martial artists and mages need to register. However, the required registration number is usually inflated. Take the Seven Luminaries Distance as an example: someone wants to learn the cultivation method to become a martial artist, spends a lot of money and effort to register, but then tries to practice—it's incredibly difficult!—so they give up, and remain an ordinary person. But according to the official registration data, they are already a martial artist, and once registered, this cannot be removed. You can't say, "I'll go prove I haven't cultivated internal energy, I'm not a martial artist, and have this removed," because that won't work. They still remember the cultivation method; what if they go back and practice it themselves?

—So what's the difference between having this identity and not having it?

From a purely legal perspective, some crimes are aggravated by martial artists and magicians. Take the Nineteen Cultivators as an example. If they were just ordinary people, it would be easy to deal with them. But if they had practiced cultivation techniques and could run 15 meters per second and lift 300 pounds with one arm, then being shot in a non-lethal area by a pistol would be like a tickle to them. That would be very difficult to handle.

In addition, the identities of martial artists and mages will be marked on citizens' ID cards to facilitate the collection of data. Currently, only the four top-tier developed cities—Seven Luminaries Capital, City of Truth, Morgan, and Ice Lemon Capital—have done this.

The bespectacled man glanced at the chart; it had initially been a relatively flat, fluctuating line. But starting in late August, it suddenly saw a certain increase... not particularly large. The problem was, once this increase occurred, it never came down, much like some things that increased in price during a special period, and even after the special period ended, the price didn't fall back down.