Chapter 306: I Was Just Kidding, But You Took It Seriously!

Chapter 306: I Was Just Kidding, But You Took It Seriously!

The Ming Wu Martial Arts Academy was adorned with lanterns and decorations, as if a joyous celebration was about to take place.

It was indeed a joyous occasion.

Xu Tiewa from the Ming Wu Martial Arts Academy had, for the first time, placed within the top ten in the city-level competition of the Martial Arts Tournament.

At this moment, Xu Tiewa was in high spirits.

Although this top ten ranking might seem insignificant for someone of his noble status, it was still a notable achievement.

It was akin to a mayor placing in the top three of a city-level calligraphy competition, a feat worthy of praise.

The other two contestants stood behind Xu Tiewa, their eyes filled with admiration.

"Senior Xu achieving a top ten rank is truly a cause for celebration," Lin Feng praised.

Yang Jiang smiled and said, "Within ten years, Senior Xu will likely reach the pinnacle of martial artists and win the national Martial Arts Tournament championship!"

Upon hearing this, the students in the room felt a sense of admiration in their hearts.

Winning the national Martial Arts Tournament championship was indeed a significant temptation for them.

Becoming the champion would bring considerable benefits, even... hundreds of millions.

Endorsements, fame, and the opportunity to become a guest of honor for some nobles were all within reach.

For Xu Tiewa, fame was even more crucial, as it would pave the way for his future endeavors.

"Ten years is too long," Xu Tiewa couldn't help but sigh.

The martial arts circle was too small, and the prospects were not grand enough.

He wouldn't stay in the martial arts circle for ten years.

With a year or two, achieving the title of a top 100 national martial artist would be sufficient.

The martial arts circle could only provide limited assistance.

"If I had ten years and won the national Martial Arts Tournament championship, I'd definitely be willing!" Lin Feng laughed.

"Your ten years and Senior Xu's ten years are not the same. Senior Xu will enter politics in the future; why would he waste ten years in the martial arts circle?" Xing Yu couldn't help but speak up.

The others nodded in agreement.

In Qin Yuan Kingdom, promotions for officials were not solely based on seniority.

After being nurtured by the nobility for a while, one could enter the government.

Currently, Xu Tiewa was in the stage of being nurtured.

"Senior Xu, will you enter politics or join the military in the future?" Wang Shiqiao asked curiously.

"The military!" Xu Tiewa replied firmly.

"You're joining the military? That's too dangerous. The world isn't peaceful right now, and the war between Wugu Kingdom and Yue Lang Kingdom might spread to our country at any moment," Lin Feng said with concern in his eyes.

In his opinion, joining the military was far riskier than entering politics.

After all, merciless gunfire could strike at any time.

Yang Jiang had a different perspective: "Seek fortune in danger. With the war about to begin, there will be many opportunities to establish merit and fame.

Who knows, next time we see Senior Xu, we might have to address him as General!"

"Joining the military is indeed full of dangers. I heard some rumors that a few days ago, a military base in Wugu Kingdom, housing an entire regiment, was wiped out," Xing Yu said, her eyes revealing a complex expression.

"Haha, is it that video of a sword destroying a military camp? I've seen it too; it's so exaggerated. The special effects are obviously cheap, and it's not convincing at all!" Wang Shiqiao exclaimed.

Given her opposition to Wugu Kingdom, it was normal for her to come across such videos.

"Your little rumors are too insignificant.

An entire regiment was annihilated, and I haven't heard any official reports about it?" Lin Feng clearly didn't believe it.

After all, Yue Lang Kingdom was a military ally of Qin Yuan Kingdom, and if they had such an impressive feat, Qin Yuan Kingdom's news reports would have made a big deal out of it.

But currently, there were no related news reports.

Everything was just rumors.

"It is exaggerated. I've seen that video too, and I can confirm that our Qin Yuan Kingdom doesn't have weapons with such effects," Xu Tiewa said.

Since he intended to join the military, he was well-acquainted with Qin Yuan Kingdom's advanced weaponry.

No weapon could have caused such an effect.

It transformed into a giant blood-red sword and then smashed down.

Even the Sky Eye's attack effect wasn't like that.

"I saw comments below the video saying that someone is cultivating behind our backs, and they've really achieved immortality!" Wang Shiqiao laughed.

Everyone was cultivating, but someone had actually achieved immortality.

The other students were perplexed, as they hadn't seen that video.

The group of students chatted idly for half a day.

Lin Feng and Yang Jiang didn't mention Qi Yuan's desertion at an inappropriate time.

The atmosphere in the martial arts academy was harmonious and pleasant.

Suddenly, someone called out to Wang Shiqiao.

"Sister Shiqiao, someone is looking for you."

Wang Shiqiao turned around and saw the front desk girl.

Before she could react, Xing Yu teased, "She's bothering you again?"

A helpless expression appeared on Wang Shiqiao's face. "Probably. Alas, what a karmic entanglement!"

Xing Yu couldn't help but burst into laughter. "What karmic entanglement? It might be a good match!"

"Get lost! I only like handsome guys!"

"She's not handsome!"

"Even if she's handsome, she's still a woman!" Wang Shiqiao protested.

A year ago, she had frequented nightclubs and met a handsome guy. After drinking some alcohol, their emotions ran high.

But when they checked into a hotel, he didn't have his wallet.

Wang Shiqiao was unwilling to proceed.

She was a straight woman.

She refused outright.

She thought the matter was settled, but in recent days, she had encountered that "handsome guy" again.

The handsome guy relentlessly pursued her, but Wang Shiqiao was fed up with his advances. Despite her reluctance, she knew she had to meet him, as she had just learned that his parents were close family friends of hers.

As she reluctantly stepped out of the martial arts hall, Wang Shiqiao cursed under her breath, "These cosmetic companies are so unethical, turning a woman into a man. I fell for such a big scam!"

The sky outside was clear and the sun was particularly dazzling.

Wang Shiqiao spotted the crew-cut man not far away and sighed helplessly, "Zhao Di, what do you want from me?"

Zhao Di, the handsome guy she had met at the nightclub, stood before her in a blue robe, with a flat chest and a rugged look, appearing unmistakably male.

"Xiao Qiao, don't resist me. I just want to be your friend," Zhao Di said in a rather androgynous voice.

Wang Shiqiao rolled her eyes, not believing a word.

Friends, huh? He just wanted to her. She was all too familiar with such lines.

"In a few days, my aunt's art exhibition will be held. Do you want to come with me to show support?" Zhao Di suggested lightly.

Wang Shiqiao's mother was hosting an art exhibition in five days, and Zhao Di was asking her to attend.

As the host, Wang Shiqiao had to be there.

Hearing this, she became even more annoyed, feeling a surge of anger for no apparent reason.

She was used to being free-spirited and uninhibited, and she hated nothing more than these subtle forms of coercion.

Why not just be direct?

"Sorry, I can't be bothered to go to my mom's art exhibition. I wish no one would show up, and she'd give up her artistic dreams and go home to play mahjong!" Wang Shiqiao said with a hint of anger.

Sensing her annoyance, Zhao Di quickly realized her mistake and apologized, "Xiao Qiao, it's my fault. Don't be angry. Look, I brought you a gift."

Zhao Di opened a leather bag, revealing a broken sword inside.

"Last time, I saw how much you liked this sword, so I got it for you," Zhao Di boasted.

Wang Shiqiao had indeed admired a broken sword at an antique shop, but someone else had bought it first. She was willing to pay three times the price, but the owner refused to sell.

Disappointed, Wang Shiqiao had left empty-handed.

Zhao Di had witnessed this and used threats and bribes to obtain the sword from the owner.

Now, she was presenting it as a gift to Wang Shiqiao.

Wang Shiqiao's eyes lit up with surprise, but then she became annoyed, "How did you get this sword?"

To be honest, Wang Shiqiao disliked Zhao Di not only because she dressed as a man but also because she felt they were from different worlds.

Although Wang Shiqiao considered herself a bad person with little moral compass, she would never use her family background to bully others or break the law.

Zhao Di was clearly different. Wang Shiqiao had heard that Zhao Di, in a fit of jealousy, had once dismembered an ordinary man and later used her powerful family connections to evade legal punishment.

Wang Shiqiao strongly disapproved of such behavior and suspected that the broken sword was also obtained through coercion.

Zhao Di's expression turned cold, and she, too, became slightly angry, losing her patience.

She grabbed Wang Shiqiao's hand and said coldly, "This sword..."

But before she could finish, a voice interrupted them.

"Wang Shiqiao, what a coincidence! I came here and saw you right away. It seems I'm in luck today."

Wang Shiqiao turned to see a well-proportioned young man approaching with a gift box in his hand.

Seeing Qi Yuan, Wang Shiqiao's eyes lit up with joy, but then she became conflicted.

If Xu Tiewa had come, Wang Shiqiao could have boldly asked for help to get out of this situation.

But with Qi Yuan, she feared that he might get entangled in unnecessary trouble, as he was from an ordinary background and could become a nuisance if Zhao Di held a grudge against him.

"Qi Yuan, Xu Tiewa, your senior brother, placed in the top ten at the martial arts tournament. They're celebrating inside, you should go and see," Wang Shiqiao said, hoping to keep Qi Yuan out of her mess.

"Oh, in the top ten? It seems there are hidden masters here. But I came here today specifically for you." Qi Yuan waved the well-packaged box in his hand, tied with a pink ribbon and a delicate bow, looking rather pink and girly.

"This... my gift for you is worth one million!" Qi Yuan said, waving the gift box with a smile.

Qi Yuan had two tasks at the martial arts hall: first, to find Wang Shiqiao and give her the gift, and second, to inform the hall master that he would be less involved in the future.

"One million?" Wang Shiqiao was taken aback.

Had Qi Yuan finally come to his senses?

He was giving her a gift?

If this had happened in the martial arts hall, Wang Shiqiao's first reaction would have been suspicion, followed by delight.

Everything was connected.

Hmm... Qi Yuan had brought the head.

Wang Shiqiao was speechless, tears welling up in her eyes, and her heart was filled with unease.

I was just joking, but you took it seriously? She was relieved that her joke had been conservative.

What if I had made a bigger joke? How would Qi Yuan react?

At the same time, she was filled with doubts. How did Qi Yuan do it?

After all, he was a high-ranking officer in the military.

Moreover, his video revealed that he wasn't just an ordinary officer; he also had a noble background.

How could someone like him, who had merely been gilded in the military, be killed by Qi Yuan?

Seeing that Wang Shiqiao wasn't speaking, Qi Yuan quickly continued, "Although I may have exaggerated a bit, it's mostly true. One million is the minimum."

This was the Qi Yuan equation.

Wang Shiqiao looked at Qi Yuan and swallowed, "I'll transfer one million to you right away."

One million wasn't much for Wang Shiqiao; she could afford it.

After all, Qi Yuan had brought the head, and she didn't dare not pay.

What if Qi Yuan cut off her head and put it in the gift box? She would be so wronged.

She decided that from now on... when talking to Qi Yuan, she needed to be more careful and not make any more reckless jokes.

No, it's better to stay away from Qi Yuan.

"You better take good care of the head. No seven-day no-questions-asked return policy, and no refunds without the item!" Qi Yuan repeated seriously.

Seeing this, Wang Shiqiao could only nervously close the gift box, hugging it with a lifeless expression, "Okay."

"Hey, there's a broken sword here. Whose is it? Who dropped it? Is it ownerless?" Qi Yuan's gaze fell on the broken sword on the ground, and he bent down to pick it up, "Since it's ownerless, it's mine now."

Qi Yuan was in a good mood, feeling that his fortune was flourishing.

Not only had he earned one million, but he also gained a broken sword.

This broken sword wasn't worth mentioning to a cultivator like him.

But for Qi Yuan, a warrior, it was somewhat important.

Wang Shiqiao listened to Qi Yuan's words and watched his performance, not daring to refute, "Yes, ownerless things now belong to you."

Qi Yuan calmly put away the broken sword and said, "Let's go back to the martial arts academy together."

Wang Shiqiao numbly nodded, hugging the gift box.

She didn't dare refuse Qi Yuan's request.

Even if Qi Yuan asked her to strip and run naked, she could only grit her teeth and agree.

Wang Shiqiao followed Qi Yuan, tightly hugging the head in the gift box, her heart in turmoil.

Soon, the two of them entered the martial arts academy.

Xing Yu glanced over, surprised. She ignored Qi Yuan and looked at Wang Shiqiao, smiling, "Hey, is this the gift he sent?

Looking at your expression, you don't like the gift?

If you don't like it, just throw it away!"

Hearing her friend's words, Wang Shiqiao panicked, "I like it, I really like it!"

"I sent it," Qi Yuan said indifferently from the side.

Surprise flashed in Xing Yu's eyes, "You blockhead... you've finally opened your eyes and sent a gift to Xiao Qiao?

Xiao Qiao, let me see, what is this gift!"

As Xing Yu spoke, she reached out to grab the gift.

Wang Shiqiao hurriedly stopped her, "No!"

Seeing this, Xing Yu also showed restraint and didn't grab it. Instead, she smiled, "It's not that kind of gift that can make a girlfriend cry, right?"

Wang Shiqiao didn't respond, but she agreed in her heart. She really wanted to cry, and she didn't dare to move.

After bidding farewell to Wang Shiqiao and the others, Qi Yuan went to see the second senior apprentice at the martial arts academy.

His intention was simple.

Now, he had reached the martial arts limit, and there was nothing more to learn at the academy.

So, he was here to inform the second senior apprentice that he would be coming less often in the future.

"Oh, that's fine. You're a student, you paid the money, and you say it's whatever you say," the second senior apprentice smiled, not refusing Qi Yuan's request, "By the way, it's a shame you missed the martial arts tournament. Xu Tiehua performed well and placed ninth!"

In the martial arts academy, the others flattered Xu Tiehua, saying she was in the top ten, but no one mentioned her specific rank because Xu Tiehua had placed ninth.

"Not bad, a talented person," Qi Yuan casually praised.

The second senior apprentice expressed some regret, "It's a shame you didn't come. If you had participated, our academy could have formed a team for the group competition and possibly secured a spot."

Regarding this, Qi Yuan had a reason, "My friend had an accident, and I had to make a trip abroad.

When you see Xu Tiehua later, please tell her."

Qi Yuan still had emotional intelligence.

Although he had a mental illness, he still needed to act like a mentally ill person with emotional intelligence.

He stood up Xu Tiehua, so he asked the second senior apprentice to help convey the message.

"Yeah, it's all small matters.

It seems you'll have to wait until next year to participate in the martial arts tournament and see the world," the second senior apprentice continued.

Qi Yuan boasted, "Why wait until next year? I'll still participate in this year's martial arts tournament..."

"Haha... you're aiming for the championship, right!" the second senior apprentice laughed.

Qi Yuan's declaration of winning the national martial arts tournament had already spread throughout the academy, and no one doubted it.

Seeing the smile in the second senior apprentice's eyes, Qi Yuan didn't bother to explain, nor would he.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end