Chapter 57: Persuasion
Chapter 57: Persuasion
After Chen Chuan left, Cheng Zitong waited for a while before someone came to greet him and led him inside the building.
Upon entering the hall, he saw an elderly lady with silver hair, wearing a bun, seated on a rosewood chair across from him. Behind her stood a female attendant.
The old lady wore a pair of reading glasses, and her face exuded kindness. She was dressed in a reddish-brown, right-sided ancient garment, and next to her was a dark, ironwood cane with a pomegranate-shaped handle.
She looked very healthy and robust, sitting upright with a straight back and a sharp mind. Her youthful beauty could still be discerned from her facial features.
As Cheng Zitong walked in, she spoke slowly, "Little Cheng, it's been a while since you last visited me."
Cheng Zitong replied, "Grandma, am I not busy?"
"Yes, we're all busy," Teacher Ni said. "It's not easy to worry about students, is it?"
Cheng Zitong answered, "It's not easy, but if the students are good, it's less stressful. So, I don't feel it's too difficult."
Teacher Ni said, "It seems this student has impressed you. I'd like to meet him later."
Cheng Zitong said, "That's easy. After the exam, I'll bring him to see you, Grandma."
Teacher Ni slowly said, "That might take some time."
Cheng Zitong seemed to catch on to something and glanced outside with a helpless expression. "Grandma, what are you up to?"
Teacher Ni patted the table and said, "Come, sit here and have a cup of tea to calm your mind."
Cheng Zitong let out a sigh and sat down not far from her. Teacher Ni smiled and said, "Let the young ones have their fun. If they don't, they're not truly young. Besides, with Xiao Qiu here, what could you possibly worry about?"
Cheng Zitong picked up the tea from the table and took a sip. The tea was refreshing and fragrant, and he nodded, "Good tea." Then he looked up and said, "Actually, I'm not too worried."
Teacher Ni said, "It seems you have great confidence in your student."
Cheng Zitong smiled and said, "Right, I don't know where your student is. Can I examine him?"
Teacher Ni turned her head slightly, and the female attendant behind her stepped out. After a while, she returned with a short male trainee. The trainee was a bit nervous and bowed to Cheng Zitong, saying, "I'm Feng Xiaoqi. Nice to meet you, Teacher Cheng."
Cheng Zitong recognized him as the trainee from Chen Chuan's neighboring dorm. He couldn't help but show a helpless expression. "Grandma, you're really not willing to give an inch, are you?"
This trainee was Chen Chuan's neighbor, and even if they weren't close friends, they had been neighbors for three years. If he wanted to get back at him a little, it would be awkward, and his own student would suffer. This old lady was truly cunning, leaving him no outlet for his frustration.
Teacher Ni spoke slowly, "In my old age, I've not had enough to eat, have I? What do you think, Little Cheng?"
Cheng Zitong didn't dare continue this conversation, fearing it would lead to his own grandfather. He quickly turned to Feng Xiaoqi and said, "Are you ready? If you are, then..." He looked at the old lady and said, "Shall we begin now?"
Teacher Ni laughed and said, "Then let's begin."
In the arena, Chen Chuan looked ahead and saw a tall, handsome senior student approaching him. The student extended his hand in a friendly manner and introduced himself, "Hello, I'm Lu Fang, one of the vice-presidents of the Zealous Heart Society. Oh, and I forgot to mention, Shu Han is also a member of our society."
Chen Chuan glanced at him and understood something. He shook hands with Lu Fang, who smiled warmly. Lu Fang turned and said, "Let me introduce you to this person. He's a second-year Class A student in the Grappling Department, Di Zhongren."
A student with a crew cut, wearing a student uniform, stood up. He had a fit physique and a bronze complexion. He nodded at Chen Chuan.
Lu Fang pointed to a short and sturdy boy and said, "This is Bi Yang, a second-year Class A student in the Wrestling Department." The short boy smiled shyly at Chen Chuan.
"And this is Jing He, a second-year Class A student in the Free Fighting Department."
Chen Chuan looked over and saw a thin, tall student with a serious expression. The student raised his hand and gave Chen Chuan a fist salute.
Lu Fang introduced each of them, and they were all from different departments. Besides the first few he introduced, the rest were all Class B students, some in their second year and some in their third.
After Lu Fang finished the introductions, Chen Chuan asked, "I've met all the senior students. May I ask when my monthly exam will be?"
(End of Chapter 57)
"Monthly exams are not urgent. Before that..." Lu Fang said earnestly, "Student Chen, could you spare some time to listen to what we have to say?"
Chen Chuan glanced around and nodded, "Senior Lu, please go ahead."
Lu Fang said, "Student Chen, you've been at the academy for over a month now. You learned the breathing method early on, and with your talent, you might have even mastered higher-level breathing methods. So, may I ask, which technique have you chosen to practice?"
Chen Chuan did not hide anything and said frankly, "Zhouyuan Combat Technique."
There was nothing to be secretive about; a technique was just a practice method, a tool. How it was used depended on the person. Besides, all these were registered with the school, and there were always ways to find out if someone wanted to.
"Zhouyuan Combat Technique, what is that?" Many people had never heard of this technique and began asking each other.
Qiu Zhi Li, upon hearing this, gave Chen Chuan a few surprised looks.
Since the majority of the group were senior students, some who had heard of it explained to the others.
After listening, the crowd began to doubt, but after repeated confirmation, their gazes turned to Chen Chuan with disbelief. Many felt sorry for him.
One student stood up, indignant and said, "Junior Chen, why did you choose that? Was it your mentor who suggested it? Don't worry about that; you can change mentors after a month. If you can't find a suitable one, we can introduce you to our mentors. We believe you will definitely learn real skills!"
Another said with pain, "Yes, Junior Chen, how can you choose such a nearly useless technique? You're giving up on yourself!"
Chen Chuan looked at them and said, "How I choose is my own business. I don't need others to teach me how to do it. I hope that all seniors can respect my choice. Also, Teacher Cheng is my mentor, and I don't want to hear baseless accusations about him from any of you. Otherwise, this conversation is unnecessary."
Lu Fang waved his hand, signaling everyone to calm down and let him speak. He looked at Chen Chuan and said, "Student Chen, I actually understand your thinking. You might be very confident, believing that even with the worst technique, you can still become powerful.
Indeed, before you joined Wu Yi, you defeated Zhongwu on your own, which must have boosted your confidence. If I were in your shoes, I would think the same way. However, the opponents you face in exams are different from those in real life. You should understand this. If you don't understand..."
He sighed and said, "Although we don't want to do this, we will try to help you understand today. We are not targeting you, but we want you to know that at Wu Yi, relying on one person or a single technique is not enough. You need a technique, but you also need more support. This is a lesson we learned from the past.
Don't think we are exaggerating or causing trouble for no reason. A student like you, with such talents, will attract enemies even if you don't choose a good technique. With your talent alone, you will still draw attention, and you won't be able to handle the things that will come at you, both openly and secretly."
He spoke with utmost seriousness, "You want to train steadily and safely. I tell you, that's impossible. The moment you stepped into Wu Yi, many eyes were on you. Even if you don't make a choice, others will force you to. If you don't make any choices, you won't accomplish anything. Everyone here has gone through this, and no one is an exception."
At this point, Chen Chuan said, "Senior Lu, are you done speaking?"
Lu Fang was slightly taken aback, looked at the others behind him, and then nodded, "I'm done."
Chen Chuan looked at him and said slowly, "Senior Lu, I would like to see the logic you mentioned." As he spoke, he began unbuttoning his shirt, continuing, "But I feel that you might not be able to convince me."
After finishing, he threw the shirt far away and looked at everyone in front of him, "Then, let's follow the rules of this exam. I will convince you."
...
...
Chapter end
Report
