Chapter 67: Persuasion by Force

He had prepared himself to educate his future team members, but the anticipated indignation did not appear, not even from a troublemaker like Ye Tong. What was going on? Had they already been cowed by his own imposing aura?

Zhou Naiyi smiled slightly and shrugged, "Our Team Leader is Li Hao now; he calls the shots."

"What, what the hell? Just him?"

Huo Ying frowned, "I thought you were smart; you can't just pick someone like this to make up the numbers. Forget it, I won't bully you all. I'll be your Team Leader. We'll build the tactics around me, and I guarantee we'll take down Gao Yunfeng."

Everyone remained silent, all looking at Li Hao. Li Hao smiled slightly, "I also think what you said makes a lot of sense. Our team has a rule: whoever is the strongest becomes the Team Leader. Let's have a 1v1; if you win, I'll give the position to you."

"Haha, good, I like straightforward people. Follow me, and I guarantee you'll live the high life. Gao Yunfeng's era is over; Huo Ying is the new era of Tianjing Martial Arts!"

Ye Tong, standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh. Where did this big idiot pop out from?

Huo Ying squinted at Ye Tong, "Ye Tong, I know you're not convinced. Since I'm here today, I'll grant everyone's wish. You, whatever, it doesn't matter, you go first!"

Ye Tong also frowned. Is this guy a fool? No wonder Gao Yunfeng wanted to kick him out; who could stand this brain and this accent?

Li Hao and Huo Ying entered the battle room.

"Why bother talking to him? Why not just drive him away? He's someone even Gao Yunfeng didn't want," Ye Tong said.

Zhou Naiyi smiled slightly, "This person has a bit of a problem with his brain, but he does have strength. He's arguably the most capable Heavy Armor user in our school, it's just that the current mainstream doesn't really use Heavy Armor."

Zhou Naiyi believed Li Hao knew this too. Huo Ying was a junior this year with an EMP score of over 1800; he was still quite fierce. If the team wanted to advance, they definitely needed a Substitute. On the other hand, everyone also wanted to see Li Hao's combat strength in a mecha.

"Hey, you, what kind of Mecha are you using? I won't take advantage of you!" Huo Ying shouted.

"Just the same as yours will do," Li Hao said.

"Yo, kid, you've got spirit, not bad. For that guts alone, you're good enough to watch the water cooler. Come on, Dragon God T. Earthlings should use the signature of an Earthling; real men should use Heavy Armor!"

Huo Ying showed off his solid, bulging muscles. His build was truly massive—over two meters tall and weighing over 280 jin, with not a shred of fat. His body fat percentage was extremely low, and his skin was dark. It was said that back in the preparatory class, he almost joined a gang before being discovered and sent to Tianjing Martial Arts, where he joined the Tianjing Team. He just never had a chance to perform, partly because of the fast combat rhythm brought by the NUP, and partly, perhaps, because of his personality. Gao Yunfeng probably felt that although this guy was a total idiot, he might still be useful, but this year, he was completely useless.

Boom... Boom...

Two Mobile Suits appeared. The 120-ton Dragon God T appeared, truly full of imposing power. Unlike the Armor Tiger, the Dragon God T mainly strengthened its assault capabilities and could be equipped with two Gatling Machine Cannons, a titanium spear, and a Defense Shield.

"Don't say I'm bullying you. Let's just test our skills and let you see the Team Leader's strength!" Huo Ying said, not choosing any weapons.

He was extremely confident in his close-combat ability and had a firm grasp on strength, especially in front of a girl.

Li Hao smiled and didn't choose any weapons.

Clang...

The battle began.

Bang...

Li Hao's Dragon God E ejected like a cannonball, throwing a punch.

Huo Ying was amused on the spot. Was there anyone so ignorant of death as to dare to go head-to-head with him?

They Flash Striked almost simultaneously, but the moment they were about to make contact, Huo Ying felt something was wrong.

Roar~~~~

Boom...

Huo Ying's Dragon God T was knocked flat to the ground.

Ye Tong and the others looked at each other, all seeing the details. They both used Flash Strike and a swing punch, but Li Hao dodged Huo Ying's attack, while Li Hao's attack landed squarely on Huo Ying.

"This Huo Ying has some substance," Wuzang said.

"He's overconfident. He wanted to use Pendulum Sway to bypass Li Hao's attack, but Li Hao used a more comprehensive High Elbow Swing Punch. Even if Huo Ying could perform the Pendulum Sway perfectly, he wouldn't have been able to dodge it. This bit of detail is worth ten years of practice," Ye Tong said calmly.

Huo Ying's brain was buzzing. Damn it, what just happened? With his control, he should have been able to dodge it with a momentary evasion. How did he get knocked over?

He slapped his own head to clear his mind a little.

"That one didn't count, I wasn't ready. Let's go again!" Huo Ying roared.

"Fine, let's go again!"

The two returned to the battlefield, still Dragon God T vs Dragon God T.

This time, Huo Ying's outcome was even more miserable. Li Hao's Dragon God Mecha used a Heavy Armor Body-Check to cut in with brute force. Huo Ying's Dragon God was sent flying, and the powerful internal vibration directly killed the pilot.

Clearly, Li Hao was doing this to establish his authority.

Not for the others, but for this Huo Ying. He felt the same as Zhou Naiyi: the team needed this Huo Ying. Wuzang could double as one, but if they were facing experts, a Substitute was necessary, and they couldn't afford to be without a Heavy Armor.

It was just that if such a troublemaker wasn't beaten into submission, he would become a problem.

"Again, I'm not convinced!" Huo Ying, having recovered slightly, roared frantically again. What the hell was this? He was stronger than him? What kind of control was this?

In the third battle, Huo Ying gathered all his focus and took the initiative to attack, but Li Hao's Dragon God used an Arc Thrust Kick to sweep his opponent down, landing a punch directly on the Cockpit.

In an instant, Huo Ying's heart went cold, and he broke out in a cold sweat, but the iron fist of the Dragon God stopped.

"Convinced?"

Li Hao actually quite liked this type; if they weren't convinced, he would just beat them until they were.

The hair-raising sensation finally cleared Huo Ying's head. It wasn't carelessness; this person called Li Hao was truly fierce, a hidden boss. No wonder Zhou Naiyi was willing to give up the Team Leader position, and no wonder people like Wuzang and Ye Tong had no objections.

"Convinced, of course I'm convinced. How could I not be? Team Leader, take me in! I'll do anything, even watch the water cooler!" Huo Ying had already taken off his sensor and rushed out to say loudly.

Everyone looked at each other. Ye Tong looked at Zhou Naiyi, as if asking if this idiot was always like this and if they really had to keep him.

Li Hao also walked out, "We don't have a water cooler to watch. Everyone who joins is a comrade-in-arms; just follow the team's rules."

Huo Ying nodded vigorously, "Done, anything is fine. As long as you let me stay, I'll do whatever you tell me to do!"

Li Hao glanced at Zhou Naiyi and smiled slightly, "Our team doesn't really have any rules, we're just a team from now on."

Huo Ying was stunned. He thought the other side would make things difficult for him, but it turned out like this. He scratched his head, "How much money do I need to pay?"

"What money?" Li Hao was stunned.

"Don't we pay team dues?"

Zhou Naiyi smiled, "This isn't the First Team; we don't have the concept of team dues here."

Li Hao awkwardly closed his mouth. This...

"Done, there are rules, and the Team Leader is so powerful, I'm convinced. Even being a Substitute is fine." Huo Ying patted his chest with a loud thud.

"In our team, everyone is a core member and everyone is a substitute; we adjust based on the opponent's lineup. Come on, take a rest, you'll be going on stage in a moment," Li Hao said.

Upon hearing this, Huo Ying instantly became as enthusiastic as fire, patting his chest with a thudding sound, "Team Leader, I don't need to rest. It's nothing, I'm just physically strong. It's a small matter. Who is the opponent? I like fighting the fierce ones; as for the weak ones, I can take on two at once."

Li Hao... he had just hit quite hard; this dark guy's physical recovery ability was also a bit fierce.

"Cougar First Team, I'll be watching your performance in a moment; it would be best if you could take on five," Ye Tong said with a smile.

Huo Ying still had a carefree air, "Whether it's a Cougar or an African cat, leave it to... wait, Cougar? The Puma A-Class Military Academy from the S Tournament?"

"What else could it be?" Ye Tong said.

"Haha, that's even better! The stronger the opponent, the more exciting it is. WHO's afraid!" Huo Ying said, still patting his chest.

Li Hao clapped his hands, "Alright, we've scheduled three matches with them. For the first match, we'll play 12355; Zuo Xiaotang and I will be the dual-sniper combo, and the Class Monitor will remain in the number 3 position..."

Ye Tong and Wuzang were both eager to try. Li Hao glanced at the two of them, "Wuzang, you're in the number 2 position, Huo Ying in the number 1 position."

"I object!" Ye Tong widened her large eyes, "Li Hao, you're letting him go on? Aside from looking scary, what use is this big black egg!"

Huo Ying was naturally a bit unconvinced, but Ye Tong was... a Supernova of the USE.

Everyone looked at Li Hao; in fact, Huo Ying hadn't expected he would be able to play either, "Everyone will have a chance to appear; we're just practicing lineups. Or would you like to take my place?"

Ye Tong glared fiercely at Li Hao like a little tiger and sat to the side, pouting.

"Alright, let me explain briefly. For the dual-sniper tactic, Huo Ying, you need to draw fire. You don't need to kill the enemy, just defend and distract them. Wuzang, your task is to cover Huo Ying; don't let him get focused down. Naiyi, you handle the midfield coordination; protect the front or back row based on the opponent's tactics. Overall, we are a defensive-counterattack lineup," Li Hao smiled.

"Coward!" Ye Tong, sitting to the side, spat out a word through her little white teeth. Li Hao was definitely targeting her; without her, how could they possibly win against Cougar? This wasn't some trash like the Marco Polo Second Team.

The Cougar Team was also already prepared.

"Brothers, perk up for the match in a moment. Don't lose face for Cougar; use all your strength!" Luo Bi said, waving his hand.

"Boss, what is this thing? The second team of Tianjing Martial Arts; we could wipe them out with our eyes closed," Mier Sannan curled his lips.

"I hope so too, let's fight first and see."

"Boss, something doesn't taste right. Is there some kind of ambush?"

"I'll keep you in suspense for now; I can't be sure either. Let's just fight first. This second team has two Supernovas, Wuzang and Ye Tong. Although their team battle experience is a bit lacking, their individual strength is not a problem."

"Hehe, I love teaching Supernovas a lesson!"