Chapter 60: Steel‑Hearted Straight Man

"Shh, keep your voices down; don't let Lu Jing hear us."

"Hmm, anyway, neither of us can afford to provoke them."

After a short while, Ye Shaohua finished his speech on the stage.

The audience erupted instantly with deafening applause and cheers, drowning out all the idle chatter.

When Ye Shaohua stepped down, whether intentionally or not he gave Lu Jing a provocative glance.

His lips twitched as he said to the nearby Li Wu, "Uncle Li, he's here."

Li Wu also glanced toward Lu Jing's spot, furrowing his brows. "With his talent, he shouldn't need to enlist, right? Didn't Gu Yushan promise that kid some perks? As long as he follows him after graduating from Wuda University, he'll rise to fame effortlessly."

"Who knows," Ye Shaohua sneered, "Probably just came to watch the fun; that fits our plan perfectly."

"If he really came for the assessment, that's even better; I'll make sure he passes smoothly, then I'll torture him properly!"

The two returned to their seats, and Li Wu summoned the school teacher in charge of registrations to inquire about the situation.

"Young master, Lu Jing didn't register, but his good brother did," Li Wu's eyes flashed with a cold gleam. "I've thought of a good way to vent our anger; shall we give it a try?"

"Oh? What good method do you have?"

Ye Shaohua's eyes lit up, instantly showing interest.

Li Wu, without a hint of emotion, glanced at Lu Jing, who was sitting with his eyes closed, his expression ice‑cold. "Lu Jing is extremely famous at the Second Middle School, a genius under everyone's gaze; dealing with someone like him is right up my alley."

"If we can brutally trample him in front of the entire faculty and student body, not only will it vent our anger, it will also humiliate him, shatter his Martial Way spirit, and ruin his future!"

Li Wu grew more excited, a malicious glint in his eyes. "Moreover, if you, young master, can defeat him head‑on and prove his strength is weak, we might reclaim the Demon Beast Rebellion mission's completion rights; then the space ring would be ours."

"He's only a Second‑Realm Martial Artist; how could he complete that mission? When you, young master, beat him up later, I'll have someone record it, and once the video airs in Anwu City, Lu Jing's accumulated popularity and prestige will vanish completely!"

"Brilliant!"

Upon hearing that, Ye Shaohua slapped his thigh excitedly; the idea was indeed great!

"But… how can we get him onto the stage openly to fight me? He didn't register for the assessment, and if I take the initiative, it won't make sense; after all, my position here represents the entire military."

Li Wu's eyes darted, and he already had a plan. "Young master, leave it to me; I have my own way!"

After speaking, he pulled his general's hat down further, hiding his whole face in the brim's shadow.

……..

"Lu Jing, classmate!"

Lu Jing, who was closing his eyes to pass the time, suddenly heard someone call his name from behind.

He turned his head and saw that it was Leng Yueyue from Class Three.

"Lu Jing, finally found you!"

Leng Yueyue jogged over to Lu Jing's side; whether from shyness or exertion, her cheeks were slightly flushed, looking quite cute.

Lu Jing asked puzzled, "What's up, classmate?"

"Lu Jing, um… could we take a photo together?"

Lu Jing was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and nodded, "Of course."

"Thank you!"

Leng Yueyue happily leaned in, took out her phone, and snapped a group photo.

"Lu Jing, classmate, when you were being certified as a Martial Artist by the Martial Association, I was also present but didn't recognize you."

Leng Yueyue acted like a little fangirl in front of Lu Jing, completely shedding her previously aloof genius demeanor.

She smoothly took the empty seat on Lu Jing's other side and started a conversation.

"I heard the principal say you're representing the school at the talent training camp; I'm going too—shall we form a team?"

"Well…"

Lu Jing shook his head slightly, "Sorry, I'm used to going solo; I don't really like teaming up with others."

"Alright…"

Leng Yueyue felt a bit disappointed, thinking to herself that he was truly a straight‑male.

Even though she was so proactive, he actually stayed unmoved.

The students nearby saw the campus goddess actively approach Lu Jing, and even get so close.

The audience, which had just quieted, became lively again.

"Wow, isn't that Leng, the campus flower? Didn't they say she's an ice‑queen? Why does she seem different from what I saw?"

"Yeah, that aggrieved little expression is just too cute!"

"Lu Jing actually upset my goddess; I wonder what Leng Yueyue saw in him—just that he's a little more handsome than me?"

"You all, enough. Lu Jing's status makes it normal for girls to admire the strong; if you're strong enough, the campus flower will gladly fall for you too!"

Leng Yueyue also heard the side chatter; the flush on her face deepened, spreading to the base of her ears.

To break the awkwardness, she changed the subject, asking, "Lu Jing, are you here accompanying a friend for the assessment?"

"Yes."

Leng Yueyue looked at Ye Shaohua on stage, furrowing her attractive brows, and said, "I feel that guy keeps looking our way, and he doesn't seem very friendly."

"That can't be," Zhang Hao said while doing warm‑up exercises, smiling, "We have no grudge against him; you must have misread the situation."

"Besides, Lu Jing is that famous; it's normal for people to glance at him."

Zhang Hao brushed it off, but Lu Jing felt a slight stir in his heart.

He extended his spiritual energy forward, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Uncle Li, how's the matter coming along?"

"Don't worry, young master, everything's been arranged; just sit back and watch the show!"

Lu Jing instantly sensed something was off and tried to gather more information, but Ye Shaohua and the other person abruptly left their seats and headed toward the backstage.

It seemed those two harbored no good intentions; they were probably setting a trap for him to walk into.

Lu Jing shrugged his shoulders, "When soldiers come, block them with earth; when water comes, dam it," he actually wanted to see what Ye Shaohua was really up to.

The military department's examination officially began.

Ye Shaohua walked up to the high platform again and began explaining the rules.

"Classmates, our rules are simple: we use a ladder tournament to select those with outstanding combat ability; as long as you can successfully storm the platform and hold it for ten minutes, you pass the examination!"

"This examination has no Blood Qi limits, no fighting style limits—use all your abilities!"

Ye Shaohua finished speaking, waved his hand, signaling the start of the examination.

The audience below instantly burst into thunderous applause; everyone loves watching ladder tournaments.

"How about it, Zhang Hao, do you have confidence?"

Lu Jing looked at Zhang Hao, who was eager to try, and said with some concern.

"Don't worry, brother—I've been making rapid progress lately; my Blood Qi is already 12.8, more than enough to handle these people!"

Zhang Hao was very confident; ever since he made up his mind to work hard, his family has been very supportive, buying him many Dan Medicines.

He also didn't disappoint his parents, training his body day and night, his Blood Qi steadily rising.