Chapter 81: Song Hailong Hires Me as His Coach

Chapter 81: Song Hailong Hires Me as His Coach (Thank You, Patron "Yutailang")

Lei Jun's heart swelled with emotion. He felt satisfied thinking about his upcoming bonus, raise, and the teaching achievements he'd earned. But deeper than that was a wave of nostalgia for his younger days.

Once, he too had been a fiery high school student dreaming of defeating every rival with sheer strength, crushing top scholars and wealthy elites alike to stand atop Songyang City's high school martial arts world.

"A fist worth a billion coins! That's the ultimate realm every martial artist chases!"

But reality slapped him hard. Monthly exam scores left him feeling helpless. The fierce, advanced-level competition in martial arts contests made him realize he and those rich, scholarly elites existed in completely different dimensions—like mayflies staring at the open sky. The gap felt utterly hopeless.

That's when he understood: Quan Zong, Jian Zong, Qi Zong—none mattered more than money. Billion-coin punches breaking all laws was the true reality. He learned a crucial lesson—wealth made fists stronger. The more money in your account, the greater your combat power.

Yet today, his student had overcome countless strong opponents with raw talent and skill alone, compensating for weak physicality, inferior healthcare, and financial disadvantages to dominate these prestigious school scholars. Zhang Yu accomplished what Lei Jun once dreamed of, then later dared not even imagine.

Sighing internally, Lei Jun mused, "Beating money with your own fists... This is the realm we martial artists chase. Even if it's just at a freshman arena match, it's a memory to last a lifetime."

Nearby, the paramedic remarked casually, "Nothing serious—just blood loss causing weakness. A transfusion will fix it."

"I'll prescribe some medicine to replenish vitality, Spiritual Power, and energy..."

Lei Jun pulled medicine boxes from his bag, "No need. Use mine. These should work." (Secretly hoping insurance premiums wouldn't spike.)

The paramedic sneered inwardly. Squeezing extra cash from these three broke souls proved harder than expected.

Moments later, the referee approached, checking Zhang Yu's condition before asking Bai Zhenzhen if she'd fight Song Hailong for third place.

Bai Zhenzhen naturally declined. Song Hailong's muscle-bound, tank-like fighting style countered her too effectively.

Thus, the Martial Arts Competition's top four solidified: Zhang Yu (champion), Le Muran (runner-up), Song Hailong (third), and Bai Zhenzhen (fourth).

Meanwhile, Le Muran recovered mobility after treatment.

Zhang Yu rested briefly before joining Le Muran and Song Hailong on the podium to collect gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Except while Zhang Yu beamed, Le Muran and Song Hailong looked constipated—faces darkened with frustration.

The audience roared with cheers... and curses.

A Hongta spectator spat jealously, "This Zhang Yu's talent's too high! Learning martial arts just by watching others train? He should pay tuition then! Otherwise, he's a martial arts thief!"

A Zi Yun student sobbed, "He actually stood atop the Sacred First Place! I'd never dare in my dreams! This hurts worse than murder!"

A White Dragon Clan member sighed, "Victors stand tall, losers kneel. Never thought Songyang High would produce a scholar worth kneeling for."

"Kneel-worthy" was Bailong High's highest praise for top scorers.

At the podium, Lei Jun happily snapped photos with his phone.

Beside him, Bai Zhenzhen took pictures and videos, already planning how to monetize the Martial Arts Competition fame.

Smiling, she called to the trio, "Smile! Looking gloomy's unattractive. Zhang Yu, not saying you specifically, but tone down that grin."

Lei Jun added, "After the match, let's grab dinner. Ask Qian Shen and others if they're coming. Decide what everyone wants."

---

At Ziyun High's rest area, Le Muran returned with her silver medal.

She'd changed from the blood-stained uniform worn during her fight. The fierce emotions—anger, resentment—had vanished, leaving her expression serene, as if nothing happened.

Back at the rest zone, she saw Lian Tianji kneeling on the ground, brow slightly furrowed. "Stand up. I'm revoking the bench punishment."

Lian Tianji lifted his head, surprised. Le Muran never retracted orders before.

"Calmly, she continued, "I've already lost. What right do I have to punish you? If you became my bench, should I then become yours? Or Zhang Yu's?"

She glanced toward Zhang Yu's direction, voice complex. "Your failure wasn't wrong. Zhang Yu truly is formidable."

Le Muran planned future close-combat training. Initially blaming overconfidence, she realized Zhang Yu came prepared—spotting and exploiting her smallest openings.

She also considered her disgust at touching Zhang Yu's blood.

"Need to get comfortable around poverty..." The thought made her cringe again, mental discomfort clashing with her martial arts principles.

"Changing mindset proves harder than expected."

Suddenly recalling she'd added Zhang Yu on social media, she mused, "Maybe start by checking his social feed..."

Lian Tianji stood, "This loss makes us stronger. Next time we meet Zhang Yu, we'll win."

"Next time?" Le Muran replied. "You mean the Physical Competition? Even winning that feels meaningless against him."

Lian Tianji blinked. "True. His current Physical Strength Level lags so far behind ours. By the two-month Physical Competition, the gap might widen."

"Unless he joins Songyang City's competition team for their Special Training Program..."

---

At Bailong High's rest area, Chu Qiuhai, now recovered, remarked to classmates, "After careful review, Zhang Yu's terrifying skill likely surpasses all Songyang City freshmen in practical technique."

A White Dragon Clan member scoffed, "Exaggerating! Sea Dragon Brother just sweated too much and slipped off the ring. Anti-perspirant would've fixed it."

Chu Qiuhai pointed, "What's your score? Ranking? Kneel first before speaking."

After the student knelt, Chu Qiuhai continued, "Zhang Yu's terror you can't grasp without fighting him..."

Suddenly, Song Hailong returned. Everyone fell silent.

He carelessly tossed his bronze medal into his bag—third place meant shame, not honor.

His phone rang. A mature male voice: "I watched your match. Those above you aren't stronger. You lost to someone weaker. Father's disappointed."

Song Hailong trembled, "Brother, I was careless..."

"Don't make excuses." The voice cold. "Father hates failure excuses."

Song Hailong inhaled, "Understood. Sorry."

The 2.5-meter "little giant" stood, phone call ending, face flushed with anger toward Zhang Yu.

Since he lost, he'd reclaim victory through wealth—his family's traditional way.

Striding to Songyang High's rest area, his towering shadow loomed over Zhang Yu.

As Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen tensed, Song Hailong demanded, "How much? What's your rate for sparring training?"

As an elite heir, defeated? Naturally, he'd pay opponents to train him until he crushed them completely!

Lose to someone? Buy their skills!

Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu's eyes lit up. Song Hailong seemed more magnificent suddenly.

Zhang Yu coughed, "I'm expensive and busy. Need to check my schedule."

Bai Zhenzhen nodded eagerly, "I'm his agent! Discuss money with me!"

"Also, I'm a Martial Arts semifinalist and Zhang Yu's sparring coach. I guided his final match against Le Muran. Want to hire me too?"

After adding their contacts, Song Hailong said, "Decide pricing together."

"But one thing..." He eyed Zhang Yu's thin frame, dissatisfied. "Improve your Physical Strength Level."

"I'll keep growing stronger and faster. I won't wait."

"If your stats stay low, I'll crush you effortlessly. No need for training."

Watching him leave, Zhang Yu knew truth in those words. Whether for training fees, the two-month Physical Competition, or future college entrance exams—he needed to boost his Physical Strength Level.

"To catch up with Song Hailong and Le Muran..."

Soon, Zhao Tianxing, Qian Shen, and He Dayou descended from the audience seats.

Zhao Tianxing excitedly showed photos, "So cool, Yuzi! Look at your ring photos..."

Qian Shen mused, "The contest exceeded standards—another dimension of exams. 100 points in martial arts can't fully measure your achievements."

Bai Zhenzhen asked, "Lei Jun's treating us later. Coming? Any preferences?"

Zhao Tianxing: "What's for eat? Anything works—maybe boiled chicken for health."

Bai Zhenzhen nodded, noting, "Zhao Tianxing flexible."

He Dayou: "I don't eat poor meals. If the restaurant's not expensive, I'm out."

Bai Zhenzhen noted, "He Dayou declines."

Qian Shen: "I know a good place. Drinks on me."

Bai Zhenzhen: "Qian Shen covers drinks."

---

At a downtown restaurant, Zhang Yu entered, "Got king crab? Bring ten."

Behind him, Lei Jun's face darkened. Trying to bankrupt me?

Qian Shen interjected, "This place lacks Spirit Seafood. Plus, it's unhealthy for high schoolers."

"Their specialty? Authentic pre-prepared meals. No extra seasoning—pure taste."

"Nutrition's rich too. Each dish exceeds 10,000 clean calories. I often come here post-training."

Lei Jun nodded appreciatively. Qian Shen understood teachers' budgets.

Qian Shen asked staff, "Got monster meat pre-prepared meals? These are Songyang High's top students. Any Adepts' Nourishment dishes?"

Lei Jun sighed. Qian Shen didn't realize martial arts teachers' limited incomes.

Stopping reckless ordering, Lei Jun declared, "I've got 6,000 credits. Beyond that, we'll wash dishes together."

Moments later, they raised Beast Protein Milk glasses: "Cheers!"

Healthy students and teachers drank nutritious Beast Protein Milk, of course. With school resuming soon, no one dared consume anything impairing class performance.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end