Chapter 69: There’s More Than Meets the Eye Here ~

It is worth mentioning that although Zhang Ze led his group with great momentum to confront the Duan brothers, in the end, neither side actually made a move. Thanks to Qianqian’s earlier antics, which thoroughly disgusted their opponents, Zhang Ze’s goal had already been achieved. When Duan Hong finally realized that Qianqian had somehow slipped away unnoticed, he was so furious his whole body trembled.

"Take care, little brother Duan Hong~"

Seeing the three depart, Zhang Ze politely bid them farewell.

...

Back at the barbecue stall, the group did not linger any longer. After escorting the two cold-faced girls back to their dormitory, Zhang Ze and Qianqian, along with the others, made their way toward their own dorms. Only then did everyone notice that Qi Lijun was still following them.

"Hey—"

"It’s barely two hundred meters to your dorm, do you really need us big guys to walk you back?" Zhang Ze said helplessly.

Yet Qi Lijun stood still, making it clear: he still didn’t know the way. Despite a thousand mythical beasts rampaging in their hearts, Zhang Ze and his companions could only dutifully escort Qi Lijun safely to his room.

...

On the way.

"You’ve made me see you in a new light," Qi Lijun said softly to Zhang Ze as they reached the building entrance.

Zhang Ze snorted, "What, did you always think I was the kind of brute who’d start a fight at the slightest disagreement?"

"Isn’t that so?"

He shrugged and spread his hands, looking quite convincing. Zhang Ze actually felt a flicker of self-doubt for a brief moment.

"Get lost~"

...

Back in the dorm.

The two rascals had once again made their way into Zhang Ze’s room.

"What are you two here for again?"

"Look at the way you’re grinning—got a loose screw in the back?"

Qianqian didn’t bother to respond this time; it was Peng Fei who asked, "Ze, why didn’t we just take down those three idiots earlier?"

"Smack!"

Grabbing a bath towel, Zhang Ze swatted Peng Fei’s rear and scolded, "Is your brain only capable of thinking about fighting—who to fight and whether to fight?"

"No—"

Qianqian feigned seriousness, speaking softly, "Before you start something, you should at least figure out whether the opponent is a man or a woman. There’s a difference, after all; the method varies~"

"Smack!"

Without favoritism, Zhang Ze swung the towel at Qianqian’s thigh, laughing and scolding, "You even knocked over the soap—pick it up for me, and be quick about it."

"Should I stick my butt out?"

...

With the nonsense over, Zhang Ze finally started explaining to Qianqian and Peng Fei.

"The opponents are from Jiuhua Sect. This time, stirring up trouble at the martial arts exchange is definitely a result of dealings between their higher-ups and the weapon manufacturers."

"We have no power to interfere with those decisions from above."

"So tell me, if we just beat up those three idiots in the street, what would we gain besides making them our enemies?"

At this, Peng Fei chimed in, "I think Qi Lijun and Zhang Qingping probably want us to clash with those guys."

"Ah—"

"You’re right about that!"

Zhang Ze, who was showering, poked his head out and murmured.

"Ze, want me to scrub your back?"

Qianqian, unwilling to use his brain, asked from the bed.

"Get lost~"

Ignoring him, Zhang Ze continued, "I bet everyone from the martial arts halls wants us to butt heads with Jiuhua Sect."

"I don’t mind messing with those idiots, but at least let’s do something worthwhile. No need to make enemies for nothing, right?"

Qianqian pouted and muttered, "But what you made me do was no different from beating them up."

"Of course it’s different!"

Zhang Ze declared confidently, "By making you disgust those three, you’ll see why I did it once we get to the ring."

He asked Qianqian, "Did you make the calls I told you to?"

"Of course!"

"Then just wait and see."

...

Elsewhere.

Unlike Zhang Ze, who was so full of confidence, the Duan brothers had returned to their lodgings with gloomy faces. Duan Qingkuang noticed their mood and felt puzzled.

"What’s wrong? You went out to have fun, but you seem even more upset now."

"It’s nothing, Second Uncle," Duan Hong replied, and the three brothers retreated to their rooms.

"Those idiots from the martial arts halls are too arrogant!"

"Big brother, in the match the day after tomorrow, you must teach them a lesson!"

As Duan Wu Ren closed the door, the second brother Duan Peng vented angrily.

"Don’t worry, second brother—"

"Those guys won’t be cocky for long. All three of us have nearly five hundred units of physical strength. On the ring, how could they possibly be our match?"

Duan Hong spoke with absolute confidence.

Yet Duan Wu Ren, sitting quietly since entering the room, said nothing.

Noticing his odd behavior, Duan Hong asked, "What do you think, third brother?"

Duan Wu Ren did not answer immediately. After a moment’s hesitation, he tentatively suggested, "Big brother, maybe we shouldn’t wear these things for the upcoming matches."

As he spoke, Duan Wu Ren pulled aside his training robe, revealing a pale red lightweight armor beneath.

"No!"

As Duan Wu Ren expected, Duan Hong immediately denied him the chance to speak.

"This armor was obtained for us by Father. It’s a symbol of our strength. Not only does no one know we have it—"

"And even if someone does, so what?"

"Did we stop them from buying their own fitted armor?"

Perhaps Duan Hong’s tone was too harsh, because the usually gentle Duan Wu Ren suddenly snapped.

He turned to his brothers and coldly questioned, "With our peak second-tier cultivation, are we not a match for the martial arts hall fighters without armor?"

Realizing he’d overstepped, Duan Wu Ren softened his tone, speaking quietly, "Even without the armor, it would be easy enough to teach them a lesson, wouldn’t it?"

...

But Duan Hong remained silent.

...

Nanye City.

That night, Cai Hu rushed to the city’s First Hospital, anxious and in a panic. Just as he reached the entrance, he was stopped by the Investigation Bureau.

"You’re Cai Hu?"

"The son of Cai Baiwan and Wang Wenting?"

"Yes—"

"I am!"

"How are my parents?"

Having spent hours in the car, Cai Hu still couldn’t calm himself. He could not understand how a simple trip for his parents’ twenty-fifth wedding anniversary had turned into such a disaster.

"I’m Zhuang Ning, captain of Team One from Qinghua District’s Investigation Bureau, responsible for your parents’ case."

"I’m asking you!"

"What’s happened to my parents?"

Cai Hu’s nerves were frayed. He had no patience for introductions, almost shouting at the officer.

"You must remain calm, or I won’t take you to see your parents—"

Zhuang Ning was stubborn and, as a third-tier martial artist, unafraid of Cai Hu losing control.

"Hu—"

"I’m calm—"

"Please—"

His voice softened...