Chapter 0019: Too Large, Slowing Down the Pace

“A woman like that isn’t worth this.” With a swift kick, Liu Qiang was sent sprawling. He stepped forward and pulled Bai Qi to his feet, speaking earnestly: “How can my brother lose his dignity as a man over such a fickle woman?”

“I understand…” Bai Qi stammered, clearly still unable to let go.

“In the future, I’ll train you myself. Your skills are far too weak. Even a few bodyguards managed to beat you up—my brother can’t be that feeble,” Zhang Xiaofan declared.

Bai Qi nodded, a passionate light flickering in his eyes. He looked forward to becoming stronger. As for what had just happened, after Zhang Xiaofan’s reminder, he now understood that above all, a man must protect his own dignity.

“Damn it! I won’t let you get away with this!” Liu Qiang howled in pain, struggling on the ground, but he took in every detail of Zhang Xiaofan’s face. He wanted revenge—he would kill Zhang Xiaofan.

Soon after, Zhang Xiaofan and Bai Qi parted ways, exchanging phone numbers.

The first period was taught by the beautiful homeroom teacher, Miss Ouyang. To everyone’s surprise, Zhang Xiaofan didn’t sleep through class for once. He seemed like a model student today, but in truth he was simply admiring Ouyang Xue’s beauty, and the memory of the previous night left his mouth dry and his thoughts restless.

“Zhang Xiaofan, come with me for a moment.”

When the bell rang, Ouyang Xue called out to him. He was momentarily surprised, then smiled and followed her to the office.

“Do you realize that fighting on school grounds is grounds for expulsion? And of all people, you had to beat up Liu Qiang—his family is wealthy and influential, and they’ve already filed a complaint with the school,” Ouyang Xue seemed both angry and concerned for him.

Zhang Xiaofan responded with a calm smile. If fighting led to expulsion, then half the school would be long gone. Truthfully, even in school, it was survival of the fittest. If you had no money, no background, no power, being expelled was almost routine. If a poor student were assaulted by a rich kid and complained, at most the school would scold the rich kid—expulsion was out of the question.

“I fought, so if they want to expel me, let them,” Zhang Xiaofan replied indifferently. School meant little to him.

“You—!” Ouyang Xue was so upset her chest heaved, nearly bursting her blouse.

“If you apologize, I can try to make sure you aren’t expelled,” she said, regaining her composure.

“Apologize? Teacher, you must be joking. Me, Zhang Xiaofan, apologize to that idiot rich kid? I’d rather be expelled,” he said in disbelief.

“You! You’re impossible!” Ouyang Xue was furious. “Then I can’t help you. Prepare to be expelled!”

“Let them expel me,” Zhang Xiaofan said carelessly, turning on his heel and striding away.

At that moment, in the principal’s office—

“That Zhang Xiaofan must not be expelled,” an elderly man said, seated on a leather sofa. His tone was calm but brooked no argument.

“But he beat Liu Qiang so badly—if we don’t expel him, how can I answer to the family?” Principal Cao Liang was in a bind; the Liu family had just called to exert pressure.

“This boy, I personally guarantee. How you deal with it is your concern,” the old man said firmly, then left.

The principal shook his head helplessly, picked up the phone, and instructed his staff not to expel Zhang Xiaofan.

“It’s about time I tested you myself, boy. Don’t disappoint me,” the old man murmured as he left the principal’s office, a faint smile of anticipation on his lips.

Zhang Xiaofan had assumed his expulsion was certain; he had even packed his things. But soon, Ouyang Xue came running to tell him he was in the clear. He wasn’t particularly happy, but since he hadn’t been expelled, he decided to stay. Except for Ouyang Xue’s classes, everything else was dull and tedious.

After school, Zhang Xiaofan called Bai Qi. Not long after, Bai Qi arrived in a hurry, and the two made their way to the training center.

“You have brute strength but lack agility and adaptability. Your speed and versatility are both lacking,” Zhang Xiaofan said bluntly in the training room. “If I wanted to defeat you, it would take just a single move.”

Bai Qi nodded; he had sensed this during their previous spar. Against Zhang Xiaofan, he’d had no chance to strike back—and Zhang Xiaofan hadn’t even exploited all his openings, merely demonstrating a set of techniques.

“First, you need to train your body—improve your speed and reflexes.”

“From now on, train with a hundred pounds of weight. Once you’re used to that, increase to two hundred,” Zhang Xiaofan instructed seriously.

Bai Qi nodded. A hundred pounds would be hard, but with perseverance, he could manage. Remembering the power behind Zhang Xiaofan’s punches, Bai Qi felt his own inadequacy even more keenly.

“I’ll also teach you a breathing technique for cultivating inner energy,” Zhang Xiaofan continued, handing over a small notebook filled with detailed instructions and diagrams.

This was the breathing method Zhang Xiaofan had practiced as a child before reaching the Transcendence Realm. The technique focused on breathing and meditation, expelling impurities from the body, greatly enhancing physical constitution, and, with enough training, cultivating inner strength—what the mundane world called internal energy.

Internal energy was a broad term; for instance, Zhang Xiaofan’s current spiritual power, to some, would be considered an extraordinary form of internal energy.

Bai Qi’s eyes burned with eagerness. He had only heard of such techniques—passed down through ancient martial families or powerful clans. The influential might acquire them to nourish body and mind, but Bai Qi, from a poor background, had never dreamed of such an opportunity.

Now, Zhang Xiaofan had granted him that chance. Bai Qi resolved to follow him loyally, no matter what.

“Keep this safe. Once you’ve memorized it, burn it,” Zhang Xiaofan cautioned. “Now, I’ll teach you a set of combat techniques—so you won’t be knocked down by just anyone and disgrace me.”

“Watch closely.”

With a low shout, Zhang Xiaofan’s body sprang into motion. The training room had wooden dummies designed to mimic human anatomy.

Zhang Xiaofan’s fighting techniques were sharp, ruthless, simple, and effective—far more practical than Bai Qi’s current conventional routines.

“Military combat technique…” an old man muttered nearby, then frowned. “He’s even incorporated the Dragon-Grasping Hand…”

“Who is this boy? Even the Dragon-Grasping Hand—such a rare skill!”

The old man’s eyes grew more and more astonished. Zhang Xiaofan had already surprised him with the Vajra Subduing Tiger Fist at a masterful level, and now this—military combat infused with the legendary Dragon-Grasping Hand.

Such skills were rare in all of Jinghai City.

Bai Qi was no fool; after one demonstration, he’d memorized the moves.

“Practice on your own from now on. If you have questions, call me,” Zhang Xiaofan said. A master could only lead the way; the rest was up to Bai Qi’s own effort and understanding.

After saying his farewells, Zhang Xiaofan left the training center and headed home.

After Zhang Xiaofan left, the old man picked up the phone and dialed a number. “Yuehen, go and test him.”

“All right,” came a cool, clear female voice from the other end.

As he left the martial arts hall, Zhang Xiaofan strolled along, humming a tune contentedly.

Hmm?

He noticed a figure nearby, silently watching him. The tight-fitting outfit accentuated her stunning figure. She had delicate brows, large soulful eyes, and lips so rosy one couldn’t help but want to kiss them. A long sword was slung across her back, giving her the air of a true martial artist.

As his gaze met hers, the beauty walked toward him, hips swaying, every step a picture of grace.

“Fight me,” she said, tossing a long sword to Zhang Xiaofan and drawing her own.

“Look, gorgeous, I don’t even know you. Why should I fight you?” Zhang Xiaofan raised an eyebrow. “Besides, look at yourself—those are so big, it must be hard to move.”

“If you say anything more shameless, I’ll kill you,” Yuehen snapped, instinctively covering her chest, astonished at his brazenness.

“Can’t we just talk? You’re that well-endowed, and I’m not allowed to mention it? I’m just speaking the truth, yet you call me shameless?” Zhang Xiaofan said earnestly, still boldly admiring her beauty.

“Take this!” Yuehen had no patience for his nonsense. This man was an incorrigible rogue.

Her sword flashed like moonlight, a dazzling arc aimed straight at Zhang Xiaofan’s chest. The speed was astonishing—even Zhang Xiaofan narrowed his eyes.

She was clearly a master swordswoman. But to Zhang Xiaofan, this was nothing more than a reason to narrow his eyes, not a reason for true caution.

He raised his foot lightly and retreated, executing a subtle step that left Yuehen’s strike falling short. To follow up, she would need to reposition—giving Zhang Xiaofan ample time to respond.

For example—

“I told you, those are too big. If not for their movement throwing off your balance, your sword would have been even faster,” Zhang Xiaofan said, settling onto a stone bench with a smile.

Even Yuehen, usually cold and proud, blushed at his words. Her chest was indeed her secret burden. Though it was a subtle hindrance, in swordsmanship, even the smallest flaw could have enormous consequences—especially for someone who prized speed above all. Yet only a monster like Zhang Xiaofan could so easily evade her blade; in the entire school, no one else could avoid her swift attacks.

Yuehen, the swordswoman whose blade left no trace—praised in the martial arts club for her unparalleled speed.

She had never thought much of Zhang Xiaofan before, but with a single exchange, she realized his extraordinary skill. What seemed like a retreat was, in fact, a masterful parry—her pride in her speed so effortlessly defused.