The Agreement

"Zhou Wuwei," Jiu Ing spoke the name of the middle-aged man who was brave enough to interrupt him. Of course, those who dared to do this in the Azure Dragon Academy surely must have an extraordinary status because this Zhou Wuwei was the Vice President of the Academy just like Jiu Ing. Moreover, Zhou Wuwei and Jiu Ing didn’t get along. The appearance of Zhou Wuwei lacked the charisma of an outstanding powerful person like Jiu Ing. Yet, with a brazen face, thick eyebrows, and bright eyes like a youth, despite the grey hair on his head, Zhou Wuwei was still full of charm to the opposite sex. And more importantly, he was much more attractive than Jiu Ing. "For what purpose are you interfering with this disciple selection process?"

"Purpose? Of course ... I came because of this kid.” Zhou Wuwei pointed at Xueming. Even though he had never met Xueming before, from the hearsay of his beloved grandchild, Zhou Wuwei could have guessed that the white-faced youth standing face to face with Jiu Ing at this time must be a young boy named Xueming.

"You..." Jiu Ing stared firmly at Xueming before turning back to Zhou Wuwei. "Disciple recruitment this year is not under your authority. So, whether I’ll let this kid pass or fail, it's my right!!!” Of course, when it was Zhou Wuwei's wish, Jiu Ing would not approve.

"Hahaha, I can’t believe that just because I saw the talent of this little boy, you become prejudiced and try to exclude certain people. If anyone knew about this, they would say that you are a shameless and unjust type of person.” Zhou Wuwei had a no-care attitude. Despite being a justice lover who was upright and clever, he was not tricky like Jiu Ing.

"Bullfart. This kid could not even break the talent gauging stone. What made you say that he has talent?"

"Myself." Zhou Wuwei grinned. "I am the Vice President of the Academy, no different from you. Why would my words be weightless? Plus, this kid has already passed two rounds of the test. Even if he hadn’t taken the test in the third round, he should still become a disciple of the Azure Dragon Academy."

"Hahaha." Jiu Ing became even more disgusted with Xueming for being backed by Zhou Wuwei. However, during his brain’s calculation, an evil scheme suddenly came up. Therefore, he tried to make the story more complicated in the hope of getting Zhou Wuwei into trouble and expelling Xueming at the same time. "Well, because you are the Vice President, I agree with your statement. But if this kid weren't gifted as you said, wouldn't it be a waste of the Academy's resources?"

"And what if this boy had talent? It would be because of your ignorance that you discarded this uncut precious gem.

"Do you dare using your position of Vice President to certify this kid?" Jiu Ing's wolf tail finally came out of the sheep’s clothing, as Jiu Ing knew well about Zhou Wuwei’s stubborn character, fond of competing with others childishly. If Zhou Wuwei already set his mind on something, no matter how disadvantageous he might be or how bad the situation was, Zhou Wuwei was ready to risk it all.

"Vice President Zhou..." Xueming tried to interject because he felt that Zhou Wuwei’s overt support for him was more than enough. But putting the position of Vice President of the Academy—one which was as influential as the Governor of the Purple Jade City---on the line was not a good idea. And of course, Xueming could tell that it was definitely Jiu Ing’s pitfall.

Before Xueming finished speaking, one pair of hands yanked Xueming's shirt that he had to look back to see who it was. "Zi Hui..." Xueming did not get to ask, and Zi Hui just grinned and nodded before uttering a message in a light voice, “Don't worry,” as if Zi Hui had already known something beforehand.

Zhou Wuwei furrowed his brows tightly. "Certify? Are you challenging me?"

"Of course, if you are convinced that this child truly has abilities, you must dare to certify him.”

"Hahaha, good, good. Jiu Ing. Oh ... Jiu Ing, do you think I don't know what's in your mind? I, Zhou Wuwei, do anything for my own satisfaction. Although the position is important to me, it's just an outer shell that has a value lower than my satisfaction. Well, if you prefer it that way, now you can propose the conditions."

“Can I take this as your agreement?”

“That’s the deal. Say no more, don’t waste my time.”

"Well, then I'll give this boy a month. If within a month This brat managed to climb above the 200th rank in the Azure Dragon Martial Hall, I’ll take that as your victory. But if he doesn't, you, Zhou Wuwei, must consent to relinquish the position of Vice President."

Zhou Wuwei turned around and gave Xueming a glimpse. "What if I won this bet?"

"I would accept this brat as a disciple of the school as you wish. This would be fair to both sides."

"I do not agree." Although Zi Hui tried to stop him, Xueming couldn't stand it any longer.

How disrespectful!

Jiu Ing shouted and released pressuring energy on Xueming until his legs became weary, barely able to support himself. In the end, he could not resist the formless energy that was compressing him that he had to kneel until his knee almost touched the ground. But Zhou Wuwei was able to release his Qi against it in time. Therefore, Xueming did not yet collapse.

"Who told you to interrupt my conversation?" Jiu Ing still held his grudge.

A stream of heat warmed up in his chest, but it was not the Qi energy. However, it was the emotions that had been so overwhelming that Xueming could no longer bear them. The longer he lived, the more he understood this world more fully. All human actions—tricks and guile included—were for the benefit of themselves and their kins. In the world of big fish eating small fish, the weak had no place to stand. If anyone wanted a truly independent life, they must become stronger, not only with the increased power but also with a brave and strong heart.

When Xueming saw Zhou Wuwei trying to protect him but getting opportunistically bullied by Jiu Ing, Xueming felt even more that he was worthless. It’s easy to say that one wants to make a difference but difficult to do as if climbing up to the heavens. If it were the time that he had just left the Golden Bird City to drift along the destined path, Xueming would probably bow to accept Jiu Ing's decision and feel sorry for Zhou Wuwei. But after he went through many incidents in the Purple Jade City—that he was almost died, found great martial techniques, and risked his life to defeat the evil beast in the magic sphere—the steadfastness that had shattered in the past was now restored. Only for a short moment of breathing in and out, his thoughts suddenly changed. When looking back at the past, he felt disgusted by his old feeble self. The thought of being relentless to the malevolent people suddenly became magnified. And, of course, this was another attribute of those who would step on the new path of greatness.

... This life is mine; I will write it myself. If there is a high mountain in front of me, I will crush it. If there is an ocean blocking my way, I will fill it up with soil. Today, I, Xueming, will no longer bow to fate or to anyone who gets in my way. If they’re good to me, I will repay them with the same amount. But if they’re evil to me, I will repay them with a hundred times as much evil.

His thought ran quickly for a split second, then the left eye shone brightly at the same time. Yet, in a wink, it returned to its original state, and no one noticed it.

"I, Xueming, agreed to be tested by Vice President Jiu Ing. And since I am involved in this challenge, what if I desired to place a bet as well?” When gambling was part of the battle, even without a hundred percent confidence, Xueming knew that he was stronger than what the outsiders perceived, and that was why Xueming had to find a way to get even with Jiu Ing.

"You lowlife, who do you think you are to challenge me to bet?" Jiu Ing, even more, hated Xueming’s guts.

Zhou Wuwei was also quite surprised by Xueming's action. Just now the boy seemed modest in front of Jiu Ing. What caused him to become angry and dare to argue with Jiu Ing face to face? However, due to Zhou Wuwei's personality of caring about what pleased him only, he was even more entertained by this personality of Xueming. "Good, good, young boy. If you bet anything, consider that I bet with you. ... But if you are not satisfied and want to cancel any bet, I will stand by you.” After this speech, Zhou Wuwei turned his gaze at Jiu Ing. "You heard what I said. If you want me to use my position as a bet, you must accept this little boy's challenge."

Xueming smiled before bowing so low to Zhou Wuwei with the utmost respect.

"Bullshit," Jiu Ing cursed and muttered without stopping. But because the potential benefits were greater. If he could get Zhou Wuwei out of the position, the balance of power in the Purple Jade City would be definitely turned upside down. "Sure, of course." When able to calm himself, Jiu Ing was back to his cold, cunning self again. "Your name is ... Long Xueming, isn’t it?"

Xueming nodded with a detached gesture. Despite bowing as a matter of courtesy, he was not as humble as he had been to Zhou Wuwei. This difference upset Jiu Ing, but for the sake of his big plan, he decided to let go of such a trivial matter.

"Since Zhou Wuwei insisted that you present the conditions of the challenge on his behalf, you shall speak out. Don't waste my time any longer.” All of Jiu Ing's words had a hidden power of mind-pressuring Qi as before. But this time, it was unable to shake Xueming's mind at all, even Jiu Ing himself was quite surprised.

"I do not accept the conditions from Vice President Jiu asking me to climb up to the ranking above the two-hundredth. As for the original proposal of using Vice President Zhou’s position as a bet, since Vice President Zhou Wuwei has accepted that, I stand by his decision, but I would like to propose an additional condition."

"Just say it," Jiu Ing immediately replied, because what he wanted was the Vice President position of Zhou Wuwei.

"If I’d like to change the condition into defeating the inner disciples of the Azure Dragon Academy within a month instead, what would you say?” His words caused everyone in the room to look at Xueming all at once.

"Hahaha," Jiu Ing laughed out loud because the condition that Xueming proposed was so silly. The inner disciples of the Academy meant the disciples who were in the nineteenth to one-hundredth ranks of the Martial Hall and thus incomparable stronger than the outer disciple in the two-hundredth rank. "Well, since you ask for such a good condition, how could I refuse?" Now Jiu Ing felt even more strongly that Xueming was more stupid than his outward appearance.

“I know this condition is more challenging than the original one. But since that’s the case, the original bet would be unfair to Vice President Zhou Wuwei.” Xueming turned to bow his head to Zhou Wuwei. “Therefore, if I won, not only must you allow me to become a disciple of the Azure Dragon Academy but also step down from the Vice President position, the same condition as Vice President Zhou Wuwei’s. Would Vice President Jiu accept this condition?"

Despite being quite dissatisfied, Jiu Ing accepted the challenge with confidence because he was certain that Xueming would definitely not be able to defeat the inner disciples within one month. "Of course, I accept it." A triumphant smile suddenly appeared on Jiu Ing's face conspicuously.