Chapter 392: Terrifying Indeed, Let's Begin

Feng Mu felt deeply wronged.

He lived an upright life and did things cleanly, so why did all his friends bear prejudice against him?

He sighed, the sigh carrying a touch of helplessness, a touch of self-mockery, and a touch of complex emotions hard to put into words.

"Captain Li, you've misunderstood..." Feng Mu spoke unhurriedly,

"I came today representing the Second Ward to invite Secretary Hou to inspect work at the Second Ward tomorrow morning, and by the way to see this joint examination event and cheer for my genius sister. I have no other meaning."

Feng Mu guaranteed that every word he spoke was true, with 100% sincerity.

However, Li Shang's heart sank, and he said coldly, "Really?"

His eyes carried a touch of suspicion and vigilance, but his expression grew even more nervous.

Feng Mu helplessly pointed a finger at the platform above and explained:

"That high ponytail up there is Feng Yuhuai, my sister. I'm not lying to you, well, friends don't lie to friends."

Li Shang's expression eased slightly, he breathed a sigh of relief, grinned at Feng Mu, and said with a smile:

"Your sister looks full of spirit. It seems she'll shine today and surely have a bright future. Congratulations, congratulations."

Feng Mu chuckled "hehe" and said: "Yes, a bright future, thank you for your kind words, Captain Li."

"Alright, I'm going to get busy now. If you have anything, remember to call me. I'll help you..."

Li Shang still felt three parts uneasy in his heart, hesitated and added another reminder, then left looking back at every step, but left Chang Erbing standing where he was.

Feng Mu turned to look at Chang Erbing, who was still standing there, and the latter looked slightly embarrassed.

Feng Mu smiled and did not make things difficult for Chang Erbing, instead speaking gently:

"Captain Li is a friend worth having, truly warm to friends. Today there are many parents and guests on campus. Having you with us can also avoid conflicts with others. It's quite good."

Chang Erbing nodded and muttered in his heart:

"This man speaks so pleasantly. Those who don't know the inside story—who could tell he's a madman? This is truly... too dangerous!"

The school's music melody trembled slightly in the wind, suddenly rippling, as if an invisible force had plucked the strings.

A low, slightly weathered cough came from the amplifier speaker. The voice was like an echo rising from deep within the earth—heavy and powerful—and instantly drew everyone's attention.

On the presidium, Principal Xue Xun Yu stood steadily before the microphone, his back straight as a pine.

He wore a crisp dark blue suit tailored to fit, with a gleaming metal school emblem pinned to his shoulder—the symbol of No. 8 Middle School's century of spirit, and also the glory of his thirty-year career as principal.

Though over sixty, time had not diminished his dignity; instead, it gave him a steady bearing.

Before he even spoke, just one cough, and the students' applause surged like waves, cheers intertwining like thunder.

He lightly pressed down with both hands, and the scene immediately quieted, as if even the wind had been silenced.

One cough, one press—just right, neither deliberate nor showing any excess emotion, yet like an invisible command, instantly controlling the campus's pulse in his palm.

Sixty years of age, thirty years as principal, his skill in educating people was consummate—terrifying indeed.

"Distinguished guests, parents, teachers and students, welcome to No. 8 Middle School. Today is the final finals of the Martial Arts Joint Examination, and also the centenary celebration of the school's founding."

Principal Xue's voice, transmitted through high-precision audio diffusers, rang clearly and loudly throughout the venue.

"A hundred years, a hundred years of accumulation. No. 8 Middle School has always taken inheritance, dedication, and excellence as its mission.

Today, we not only celebrate the school's century of glory, but also cheer for every student standing on the platform—you are the pride of the school, the future of the Nine Districts!"

Accompanied by Xue Xun Yu's voice, the surrounding holographic screens lit up instantly, reflecting the century-long history of No. 8 Middle School.

The first image was striking enough to take one's breath away.

It was a ruin. Amidst the scorched earth remnants of bombing, rusted sewage pipes were exposed, and the air seemed to still carry the smell of lingering gunpowder and decay.

Rainwater had washed the mud into crisscrossing gullies, and a broken flagpole stood alone in a corner, its flag long gone.

The following images gradually brightened.

The ruins were leveled bit by bit, the gullies filled in, and the first brick school building rose from the ground.

After that, the images accelerated. School buildings expanded one by one, the playground was leveled bit by bit, saplings were planted in the corners of the campus, slowly growing into towering trees.

Later still, glass windows reflected the "sunlight" hanging from the Upper City Base. Holographic teaching equipment was introduced into classrooms, and traditional martial arts classrooms were replaced by high-tech equipment.

The lens finally settled on today's No. 8 Middle School—a high-tech institution woven from metal and glass. The outer wall of the main building was as smooth as a mirror, and holographic light beams rose from the top of the teaching building, faintly outlining the school emblem of No. 8 Middle School.

The images kept changing and zooming in, finally settling on floating platforms one after another, with youthful, hot-blooded, "murderous" figures appearing on the platforms, reflected in the images.

It was as if this campus was not only a school, but also a breeding "beast-fighting arena."

The voice from the amplifier speaker was deep and resonant, as if containing some stirring power. The trailing tone rose slightly, carrying a hint of hidden "murderous intent":

"The most blood-boiling moment in No. 8 Middle School's history has finally arrived. I declare—the ultimate horn of the Martial Arts Joint Examination now sounds!

Proud ones on the platform, lay down all your worries, tear apart your bonds, release all your potential! Today, burn! Fight! Achieve your own glory!

The first person to stand at the pinnacle—your name will be closely linked with this session of the Martial Arts Joint Examination, thoroughly echoing throughout the entire Nine Districts.

Your name will also be engraved on the school monument, passed down through generations with your alma mater, shining for ten thousand ages, immortal forever!"

As his voice fell, the whole venue was swept up like a wild wind. Boiling shouts and applause surged like waves, shaking the entire campus.

The holographic light screens lit up, and the heroic figures of the eight "Strongest High School Students" were reflected on the screens one by one. Their postures varied, but every one exuded the "strong aura" belonging to confidence.

Their names and personal details were marked to the side, and the images on the light screens would be broadcast live by the TV stations present.

To some extent, without needing to take first place, the names of these eight had already made a huge name for themselves in the Nine Districts.

However, these eight all understood that the battle had just begun. Only the one who reached the top could write their own legend to the extreme.

The image switched again. A light screen faced a platform, where two people stood opposite each other, poised and ready.

The professional martial arts referee standing between the two stood straight, his gaze stern.

He slowly brought the whistle to his lips, the crisp whistle's trailing tone drawn out:

"This match—no restrictions! The winner stands; the loser lies down!"

The final curtain of the first Martial Arts Joint Examination of the Nine Districts opened, and would soon, as No. 8 Middle School hoped, resound throughout the Nine Districts...

End of Chapter