Chapter 13

**Chapter 13: Resolving the Situation**

"76, 77, 78..."

Wang Sheng continued to carry out Qi Ling's instructions, his hand landing heavily on Xiao Da's face with each count.

Even though Wang Sheng had activated his martial spirit and was using his spirit power to protect his hand, the repeated force of his slaps was starting to make his palm tingle with numbness.

If Wang Sheng's hand was feeling the strain, Xiao Da's face was faring much worse.

Both sides of his face were now swollen, with his head looking like two oversized melons.

As Xiao Da endured the slaps, regret filled his heart.

He frantically tried to recall what had led him to provoke Qi Ling in the first place.

Why had Qi Ling let the others go, but not him?

Finally, it dawned on Xiao Da,it must have been when he said he wanted to make Xiao Wu his pet.

That must have been what angered Qi Ling.

He remembered clearly the cold, murderous intent that had flashed in Qi Ling's eyes at that moment a kind of rage that came from a strong person being challenged by someone far beneath them.

That killing intent had completely shattered Xiao Da's will to resist.

Even as Wang Sheng, who was weaker than him, continued to slap him, Xiao Da didn't dare fight back.

Watching Xiao Da being humiliated so thoroughly, Xiao Wu began to feel a little sorry for him.

She said, "Hey, Qi Ling, let's call it a day, If you break him, how can he be my little brother?"

"Alright, it's your call.

As long as you're satisfied," Qi Ling said with a smile.

He then turned to Wang Sheng and ordered, "Wang Sheng, stop."

"Okay!" Wang Sheng immediately halted, shook out his hand, and stepped back.

"Well, Xiao Da," Qi Ling said as he walked up to him, his tone dripping with malice, "Do you still want Xiao Wu as your pet? Or do you need some water to wash down your words? Maybe Xiaosan could give you a slap on the back to help?"

"No... no need..." Xiao Da stammered, his swollen face making it difficult for him to speak.

"Qi... Qi Ling, you're the boss now no, you're the boss of all of us..."

"Wrong, I'm not your boss," Qi Ling corrected, his smile returning.

"I'm just a subordinate of the mighty and domineering Sister Wu."

"From now on, Xiao Wu will be everyone's boss, do you understand?"

(Tl\n:this is bullshit)

"I understand! I understand!" Xiao Da quickly responded, turning to Xiao Wu.

"Sister Xiao Wu! You're the boss from now on!"

"Sister Wu, if you tell me to go east, I won't go west.

If you tell me to go north, I won't go south! Whatever you say will be the law for all of us from now on!"

Although Xiao Wu was pleased, she restrained herself for the sake of maintaining her image as the big sister.

She said coolly, "Alright, I understand.

You can go now. I'll call you when I need you."

Hearing this, Xiao Da fled as if he'd been granted a pardon.

As soon as Xiao Da was out of sight, Xiao Wu gleefully wrapped her arms around Qi Ling's neck, jumping up and down in excitement.

"Yes! Qi Ling, you're amazing! You handled them so easily! You're my idol!"

At this, everyone else gathered around Qi Ling, their spirits high.

They had been bullied by Xiao Da so many times before, and today they finally had their revenge!

"Qi Ling! You're incredible! Thank you for standing up for us!"

"Your martial spirit is so cool! Is that a dragon? I've never seen anything like it before!"

"I'm going to follow you from now on.

I want to become as strong as you as soon as possible!"

Wang Sheng stepped in, puffing out his chest.

"Hey, hey, calm down, everyone! I was the first to recognize Qi Ling's strength, so you're all my juniors, got it?"

"Have you all forgotten what I just said?" Qi Ling said, a bit exasperated.

"Xiao Wu is your big sister now, and you have to listen to her! Understand?"

"And Wang Sheng," Qi Ling added, turning to him, "Since you're their senior, shouldn't you show them some hospitality?"

"Today, everyone's going to the restaurant on the second floor! Wang Sheng's treating!"

"Yeah! Awesome!" Xiao Wu cheered first, and then all the students, dragging a pale-faced Wang Sheng with them, rushed to the restaurant.

"Xiaosan, what do you think?" Qi Ling asked Tang San, who had stayed behind. "Did I go too far?"

"No, you balanced power with grace.

Your decisive action shows you're a natural leader, Brother Qi.

In this regard, I have to admit you're better than me," Tang San replied.

"Haha, I'm glad to hear that,I was worried you might think I was stealing your thunder," Qi Ling said with a laugh, putting his arm around Tang San's shoulders as they walked towards the restaurant.

"Come on, let's go.

We've got to make Wang Sheng bleed a little today!"

In the end, it wasn't Wang Sheng who had to pay.

After a quick word with Xiao Da, Qi Ling and the others had their meal fully covered by their former adversary.

As someone who had been taught the ways of noble competition from a young age, Xiao Da knew all too well that his survival now depended on improving his relationship with Qi Ling.

So, Xiao Da quickly buried any lingering resentment and came to curry favour with Qi Ling.

He even made a generous offer, promising that from now on, he would take care of all the odd jobs the students had been forced to do, allowing them to simply collect the money.

Life in Qishe soon became much more comfortable, and the students were genuinely grateful to their young but formidable new boss.

However, they quickly noticed that their boss didn't seem to like attending class very much.

On most days, Qi Ling could hardly be found in the classroom.

It seemed that he preferred to sleep in the dormitory rather than sit through lectures.

"Brother Qi, you really shouldn't skip class like this," Tang San advised him kindly.

"If you don't keep up with your studies, you'll fall behind. Even with your talent, Brother Qi, you still need to study."

"Hmph, Xiaosan, studying is important, sure, but why should I waste my time listening to those stuffy old teachers spouting nonsense?" Qi Ling retorted disdainfully.

"You're the master's disciple you must feel it too, right? Compared to what the master teaches, the things those teachers say are full of flaws!"

Tang San nodded in agreement.

Although the master's theories were unconventional, they had proven to be almost entirely correct just a bit too advanced for most people.

"Even so, Brother Qi, you should still attend class," Tang San persisted.

"Huh? Xiaosan, don't tell me you've become such a stickler for the rules," Qi Ling said, raising an eyebrow.

Was this the same Tang San who dared to steal the top secrets of the Tang Sect, now trying to follow the rules?

"Or do you have a reason that might convince me to sit through those useless, even harmful lectures?"

"I do have a reason," Tang San replied with a smile.

"Oh? What is it?" Qi Ling asked, curious.

"If you don't attend enough classes, you won't graduate."

"..."

"Alright, Xiaosan, let's go to class!" Qi Ling said, suddenly jumping up from his bed and heading to class with Tang San.