"I’m sure! Certain and very sure!"
Even if Zhang Beixing had never practiced Martial Arts or cultivated the Yue Family Continuous Fist, and even if so suggested he beco an athlete, he would definitely refuse.
It wasn’t that winning glory for the country was bad, but being an athlete ant the pressure was simply too great. From the mont he opened his eyes in the morning, his day would be filled with tedious and heavy training. Even if he grew tired of such a lifestyle, he would have to grit his teeth and persevere for his dreams and his livelihood.
If he remained unknown, he’d just live an unremarkable youth and eventually retire in obscurity with nurous injuries. He might then take the compensation given by the country to start a business, or perhaps be assigned to a different post by the governnt.
And if he beca famous? Yes, he would indeed gain people’s attention and praise. But at the sa ti, all sorts of trivial problems and criticisms would inevitably follow. The ’Great Xia Flyer’ was a pri example. During his active years, he won so many championships. But what happened in the end? Just because of one poor performance, he was dragged through the mud and trampled into the filth by the public. All his past glory beca complete bullshit. Not to ntion the rampant, unceasing scandalous rumors that were fabricated out of thin air.
In Zhang Beixing’s view, the profession of an athlete, though honorable, wasn’t suitable for him. He just wanted to train in peace until he achieved transcendence.
Of course, the national football team was an exception. If the national football team were recruiting him right now, Zhang Beixing wouldn’t hesitate. He’d directly proceed to withdraw from school, pack his bags, and leave! From then on, he would live for the national football team and die for the national football team! He would be fully committed to protecting the national football team and would never let any scoundrels disrupt their proper developnt!
Sitting across from Zhang Beixing, Kang Gu’s mouth twitched as he once again received Zhang Beixing’s answer that he didn’t want to be an athlete. If it had been just once, he might have assud Zhang Beixing hadn’t heard clearly. But Zhang Beixing had answered so decisively, without a mont’s hesitation, twice in a row.
It seems he really doesn’t want to be an athlete.
Sighing quietly, Kang Gu understood Zhang Beixing’s attitude. Although Kang Gu felt a deep sense of regret, believing that missing out on a talent like Zhang Beixing was a loss for the sports world, he didn’t press the issue. After all, this was Zhang Beixing’s choice. As an outsider, he had no right to interfere with another person’s thoughts.
"If you don’t want to be an athlete, then so be it. But with your physical condition... I’m being honest, it’s simply too much of a waste for soone like you to only be a sparring partner."
"Zhang, have you ever considered taking part in so competitions just for fun?" Kang Gu first expressed his feelings, then swiftly changed the topic.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Beixing frowned slightly. "Join a competition? What competition?" he asked, curious.
"You know, those sports competitions between major universities, sports ets, and things like that."
"Oh, you an those. Well... I’ve thought about it. Are there cash prizes? But thinking about it is useless. Our Shi University doesn’t even have a sports departnt and doesn’t organize such events. I’d like to participate, but there’s nowhere for to do so." Zhang Beixing thought for a mont, then shook his head, indicating that while he had the inclination, the conditions weren’t right.
Hearing his words, Kang Gu was slightly taken aback, then an idea seed to strike him. A hint of a mysterious smile appeared on his face. He patted Zhang Beixing’s shoulder and said, "As long as you want to, Beixing, that’s enough. Let’s add each other on VX. I’ll give you a surprise in a while."
?
Kang Gu’s mysterious deanor perplexed Zhang Beixing.
After exchanging their VX details and seeing that class was about to start, Zhang Beixing didn’t dawdle any longer. He and Lin Siqi locked the cart together and pushed it into the sports equipnt warehouse. Then, they quickly jogged towards the academic building.
Finally, just as the bell rang, the two of them barely made it into the classroom, thus avoiding being marked as cutting class.
Zhang Beixing and Lin Siqi found seats. Lin Siqi took out her textbook and listened attentively to the lecture. Zhang Beixing, on the other hand, pulled out his phone and contentedly watched a movie. Neither of them disturbed the other, tacitly maintaining order in the classroom, even though there were barely more than ten students present.
I feel like I forgot sothing... Zhang Beixing thought while watching the movie.
Halfway through, he suddenly rembered. Since he had learned the Northern Sect’s Eight Pieces of Brocade and even taught it to Chen Rourou, how could he have forgotten to call Teacher Liu over and teach him as well? It was Teacher Liu who had initially taken him to the Chen Family, allowing him to encounter the Northern Sect’s Eight Pieces of Brocade, with Teacher Liu intending for him to sneakily learn a few moves. It was clear Teacher Liu was also very eager to learn the Northern Sect’s Eight Pieces of Brocade. He, too, had harbored the idea of secretly learning it back then but had unfortunately failed.
Now that he had learned it, he naturally ought to reciprocate. Share blessings and endure hardships together, right?
With this thought, Zhang Beixing took out his cellphone, found Teacher Liu in his VX contacts, typed out a ssage, and sent it.
anwhile, at the iron gym Zhang Beixing had visited earlier.
THUD!
With a dull sound, Liu Yi racked the barbell. He rubbed his sore, aching, and numb right shoulder, grimacing in discomfort.
Seeing this, a man in his mid-twenties ca over, placed a hand on Liu Yi’s shoulder, and began to massage it. "Uncle Liu," the man said, "it’s been a few years, and your chronic shoulder problem still seems severe. Have you tried that traditional Chinese doctor I recomnded the other day? How did it go?"
"So-so. It provides temporary relief, but a complete cure is difficult!" Liu Yi replied, lowering his arm and enjoying the massage, without expressing much disappointnt. The chronic ailnt in his shoulder wasn’t a recent developnt; it had been there for years. Years ago, Liu Yi had sought various treatnts, but all to no avail. Either the practitioners’ skills were inadequate to cure it, or if they could, the treatnt would leave Liu Yi’s arm practically useless. Daily life would be fine, but Martial Arts Training would be out of the question.
"By the way, Uncle Liu, I heard you took soone to visit Elder Chen a few days ago. And just two days after the visit, our receptionist told you brought a young man in his early twenties here for Martial Arts Training."
"Is he your Disciple?" the man asked, continuing to knead Liu Yi’s shoulder.
Liu Yi wasn’t surprised he knew. Everyone knew everyone in the Shishi martial arts scene. The martial arts circle in Shishi was small. Any move made by soone of his status would attract attention from others in the circle, especially since he had brought soone to visit Elder Chen. News of his visit probably spread throughout Shishi’s martial arts circle the mont he stepped through Elder Chen’s door.
Liu Yi narrowed his eyes. "You already know about this, so why ask again?"
"Hehe, I just wanted to confirm. I’m also curious: what kind of person could impress you enough, Uncle Liu, for you to personally take him on as a Disciple? His talent must be extraordinary!"
"Talent..." Hearing this word, Liu Yi fell silent for a mont. Zhang Beixing’s smirking face ca to mind. It was hard to believe that such an unconventional person had managed, in just one month, to cultivate the Yue Family Continuous Fist to near Great Accomplishnt. His stance had also beco as solid as a rock.
"His talent is..."
DING-DONG—
Liu Yi’s comntary was cut off by a notification sound from his pocket. He took out his cellphone and found a ssage from Zhang Beixing.
"Teacher Liu, I’ve successfully learned by stealth the true essence of the Northern Sect’s Eight Pieces of Brocade. At 5 PM, in the grove, I’ll demonstrate and teach you. Pay attention and learn well, this skill is really cool!"
?
Seeing this ssage, Liu Yi silently typed a question mark in response. He felt there was sothing seriously off about Zhang Beixing.
What the hell? This little rascal... he watched Elder Chen perform the Northern Sect’s Eight Pieces of Brocade *once*, and now he’s telling he’s learned its *true essence*? Is he even listening to himself? He’s claiming the *true essence*, not just that he picked up a move or two?
This brat isn’t ssing with , is he?
Just like Chen Rourou before him, Liu Yi’s first reaction upon seeing Zhang Beixing’s ssage was disbelief. He thought Zhang Beixing was pulling his leg. Considering Zhang Beixing’s usual conduct and personality, this suspicion beca even stronger! Liu Yi couldn’t even be bothered to wonder why Zhang Beixing would concoct such a clumsy lie to trick him. Because he had always known one thing: Zhang Beixing was definitely not a serious person! Once Zhang Beixing started talking or acting earnestly, you had to be careful! That kid was either brewing up so mischief, waiting to spring sothing big on you, or he’d already sold you out, and you were still completely clueless!
As for why he was so sure, it was because Liu Yi himself had been Zhang Beixing’s first victim! He recalled when he had initially handed over the secret manual of the Yue Family Continuous Fist to Zhang Beixing. He had demonstrated the moves in the grove so Zhang Beixing could learn by stealth. Instead, he ended up getting thoroughly beaten, slandered, and was bedridden for three days.
A faint resentnt emanated from Liu Yi.
The man massaging Liu Yi’s shoulders seed to sense this resentnt. He suddenly shivered, a chill running down his spine. He glanced forward, and due to the angle, he happened to see Liu Yi’s phone screen. After reading the content, the man chuckled. "Uncle Liu, is this your Disciple? Quite a personality, daring to claim he’ll teach you! If word of this gets out, it’ll probably send shockwaves through our circle, wouldn’t it? What are you planning to do?"
"Keep the appointnt!" Liu Yi said, uttering the two words softly.
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