Zhao Rui's previously calm expression, from his spot below the stage, instantly grew solemn.
'This guy is no weaker than Hong Fei. They're evenly matched.'
'There are too many variables that could decide the victor.'
Just then, the situation on stage changed in a flash. Hong Fei, who had been trading blows head-on, suddenly executed an agile flip. He pulled and then pushed his opponent's wrist before ducking low, stepping forward, and ramming him with an elbow strike.
The blow sent his opponent flying backward in an instant.
Before the man could even hit the ground, Hong Fei was already on him, delivering a heavy blow to his temple!
Struck again while still airborne, the man was on the verge of death by the time he landed, with no strength left to resist.
"Hongtai Sheng!"
After counting out the seconds, the referee raised Hong Fei's hand and declared his victory.
The entire venue immediately erupted into a cacophony of cheers and curses.
Not far from Zhao Rui, a voice he recognized spoke with a hint of amusement. "That kid, Hong Fei, has both ruthlessness and intuition. I like him. Go and tell him his appearance fee is going up by twenty thousand."
"It's his good fortune to be appreciated by you, Lord Kui. The kid's a real scrapper, dares to fight and risk it all. He's really not bad."
As their voices faded, Zhao Rui couldn't help but look up at the lean man on the stage. His face was beaten beyond recognition, and his breathing was shallow—he was on the verge of death. A wave of empathy washed over Zhao Rui.
"Congratulations, Brother Hong!"
When he saw Hong Fei approaching, surrounded by a crowd of people, Zhao Rui stood up to congratulate him.
"Yeah."
A faint, nonchalant smile appeared on Hong Fei's swollen face. Wiping away the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, he said, "Let me rest for a bit. We'll talk later."
With that, he staggered toward the backstage dressing room.
Zhao Rui watched him go. 'Even though he won the fight, he's not in much better shape than the loser.'
Seeing Hong Fei leave, Zhao Rui didn't dare move, simply remaining in his seat and waiting quietly.
Nearly an hour passed before Hong Fei, having had his wounds treated, walked over with a frown.
"Are you all right?"
Zhao Rui stood to greet him and asked the question.
"I'm fine. Just two broken ribs and some internal injuries. Nothing that won't heal with a little time."
Hong Fei said it with an air of nonchalance.
"Let's go. I'll get you out of here."
With that, Hong Fei took the lead, guiding Zhao Rui out of the building.
As he stepped out the main gate, the world seemed to open up before Zhao Rui. Even the pitch-black night now seemed radiant.
The two walked in silence until they had passed through the market filled with street vendors. Only then did Hong Fei speak. "Go home. And don't come back. This place isn't for you."
Zhao Rui smiled faintly. "I understand. Thanks for bringing me here today."
"Don't mention it. If one day... never mind. Summer vacation will be over soon, and you'll be off to school. Keep at it, student."
With that, Hong Fei turned, gave a dismissive wave, and headed toward a different fork in the road without a backward glance.
Zhao Rui watched his slightly staggering figure retreat. Though his back was straight, there was an air of desolation about him.
After watching him leave, Zhao Rui turned into an alley himself. He navigated the winding, maze-like passages out of the dark district and emerged into the brightly lit, bustling city center.
'You'll never learn if you don't experience things for yourself.'
'In the dark corners of the world, human life is treated as worthless as dirt. Before money and power, ordinary people are nothing but ants.'
'This is already a second chance at life, and I even have a heaven-defying cheat. Why shouldn't I live freely and enjoy this wonderful Martial Arts Realm to the fullest?'
'Darkness or light, it doesn't matter. Wherever I am, I will enjoy all the world has to offer!'
With a decisive step, Zhao Rui quickly left the area.
...
Time flows like a river, waiting for no one.
In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed. Zhao Rui was still working part-time as a sparring partner at the Martial Arts Hall.
However, with the school holidays starting, a lot more students had signed up, which meant business was booming for Zhao Rui.
Naturally, he started earning more money.
In just over a month, he had earned more than five thousand yuan.
That was almost as much as his father made in a month.
This was his personal stash, pure and simple!
Ever since his college entrance exams ended, Zhao Rui had been working at the Wende Martial Arts Hall. He spent most of his free time honing his Inner Qi and Techniques, so he rarely stopped by the Jimin Medicine Hall.
As time went on, Li Da Nao grew irritated and didn't hesitate to complain about it to Zhao Rui's senior brothers and sisters.
And just this morning, his Eldest Brother passed on a message from their Master: he was to be tested on his progress tonight.
The Master wanted to see if he had been slacking off since graduation.
Zhao Rui sighed in frustration when he heard the news. He had two sparring sessions scheduled for the evening. 'Well, there goes a few hundred yuan.'
But how could he dare disobey his Master's command? He immediately asked the coach at Wende Martial Arts Hall for the night off and hurried over to Jimin Medicine Hall.
Pushing open the familiar wooden gate, he was immediately met by the sound of shouting from inside the courtyard.
In the hazy night, two large floodlights brightly illuminated the courtyard.
A dozen or so teenagers were practicing punches and kicks in unison, their movements creating audible whooshes in the air.
Seeing Zhao Rui approach, his Second Brother, who was supervising the training from the stone steps at the front, said with a smile, "Look who it is, the college boy!"
"Second Brother, you're teasing me again!"
Zhao Rui said as he walked over.
"Senior Brother, you're here! You did so well on your exams! Master has been praising you constantly!"
"Yeah, and now Master is even stricter with us. *Sigh*."
"Senior Brother, when do you leave for college? Is it fun?"
Hearing the conversation, the younger disciples stopped their training and gathered around Zhao Rui, chattering with questions.
"Let me go see Master first, then I'll come talk to you all,"
Zhao Rui said, patting a few of the younger ones on the head. After a quick word with his Second Brother, he headed down the covered walkway into the inner residence.
Pushing open the old, ornate wooden lattice door, Zhao Rui immediately saw his Master, Li Cunxin, languidly fanning himself with a folded fan as he rested on a recliner with his eyes closed.
"Master!"
Zhao Rui called out as he approached.
Li Cunxin's right eye slowly cracked open. He glanced at Zhao Rui, then said in a slow, deliberate drawl, "Whose kid is this? You must be at the wrong house."
Zhao Rui felt his brow darken with exasperation. 'He's an old man, but he acts like a child, always being so stubborn.'
"Master, I haven't been slacking off. I've been training every single day!"
"Oh, really? What's the matter, is our Medicine Hall not good enough for you? Is there no room to train here?"
Li Cunxin dropped the act, his eyes flying open to glare at Zhao Rui.
"Come on, Master. I just got a job, working day and night to earn money! Unless... you want to pay for my college tuition?"
Zhao Rui's sharp eyebrows arched, a smug smile dancing in his eyes.
"Hey, you little brat! Do you think it's easy for me to support this big family? Where would I get the money for you? Go have your parents earn it!"
At the mention of money, Li Cunxin perked right up. He dropped the act, sat bolt upright, and sized up Zhao Rui. He frowned. "I see your spirit is contained and your breathing is deep. Don't tell me your Inner Strength has improved significantly?"
"Master, I told you I've been training diligently!"
"Such a shame!" Li Da Nao scratched his head, looking at Zhao Rui with frustration. "If you had broken through a month earlier, you definitely would have had a shot at the top fifty. Then I wouldn't have had to lose..."
"Lost what?"
Zhao Rui froze, his eyes narrowing to slits.
"Nothing, it's nothing! Go on, do what you need to do. And don't forget to let me know when you're having your celebration banquet."
"I know, Master!"
Zhao Rui chuckled and hurried to the main hall of the rear residence to pay his respects to his master's wife.
Normally, only Li Cunxin and his wife lived in the Medicine Hall. Their disciples kept them company during the day and evening, but at night, the old couple was left alone in the large, empty residence.
Back when Zhao Rui had just started middle school, he would often train late and stay the night at the Medicine Hall.
His master's wife would even prepare medicinal footbaths for him, treating him just like her own grandson.
That's why, for Zhao Rui, entering the inner residence felt just like coming home.
After chatting with his master's wife for a while, Zhao Rui leisurely made his way out of the inner residence.
"When you have a moment, talk to your junior brothers and sisters about how to study. If our Medicine Hall can produce a few more students who get into top-tier universities, it'll make my recruiting efforts easier, won't it!"
Li Cunxin said with "profound" meaning.
"I know, Master. Once I start earning money, I'll make sure you won't have to work so hard!"
"Listen to you? I'd be waiting till Christmas in July! It's enough that you lot don't drive me mad with anger. That's it, tomorrow I'm going to find another apprentice..."
"Go on, then! Best find me a junior sister while you're at it, I still don't have a girlfriend!"
"Get out, get out, get out!"
Zhao Rui chuckled and beat a hasty retreat from the front hall of the rear residence.