Chapter 321

Xiyuanji Qilai also curiously leaned over, looking at Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui, then at Natsume Chikage, slightly puffing out her cheeks, and whispered:

"Aoi-chan, Natsume-kun... what exactly were you two whispering about just now?"

Natsume Chikage steadied his mind and shook his head with a normal expression.

"Nothing, we were just discussing the schedule for our part-time job later."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui quickly followed his lead, glanced at the clock on the wall, and smiled with feigned ease:

"Ahaha! Y-yeah! It's getting late, we really should head out for work!"

"Natsume-kun, let's go!"

However, just as Natsume Chikage and Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui were about to leave, Jinwei Tong, who had been sitting quietly to the side as if none of this concerned her, suddenly spoke up.

"Natsume-kun."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it made everyone in the club room stop what they were doing.

"Regarding the 'price' mentioned this morning, I've already decided."

Natsume Chikage's turning motion paused slightly, his expression becoming serious.

"Please, go ahead."

Jinwei Tong raised her eyes and looked straight at him.

"The condition is—if you can beat Zhongdao Wushi in the baseball event, I will give you that 'National Language Strategy Book'."

"What?"

Natsume Chikage was stunned.

"Beat him at baseball?"

Jinwei Tong nodded, confirming:

"Yes."

"Why this condition of all things?" Natsume Chikage was puzzled.

Jinwei Tong's answer was so simple it was almost capricious:

"No special reason, I just think it would be interesting."

Natsume Chikage was silent for a moment.

"What counts as 'winning'? What are the rules?"

"Zhongdao Wushi is the pitcher, I need you to act as the batter," Jinwei Tong explained clearly. "The method is simple. He pitches, you hit."

"Ten pitches in total. As long as you use the bat to solidly hit three of them, you win."

As soon as she finished speaking.

"No way!"

Xuecun Lingyin immediately voiced her opposition, her tone firm and decisive.

She stood up, her face full of disapproval.

"Natsume-kun, don't agree to such an obviously unfair contest!"

She analyzed it rationally, her gaze sharp as she looked at Jinwei Tong.

"This isn't a contest at all, it's a one-sided crushing!"

"Challenging an opponent with almost zero foundation in their strongest field, using the rules they are most familiar with—how is this any different from just handing the item over to them?"

Xiyuanji Qilai also nodded eagerly in agreement; she had clearly done her homework:

"I checked Senior Zhongdao's information this morning!"

"He has been training in baseball since he was a child and is now the number two pitcher for the baseball team. His average pitch speed reaches 135 km/h, and when he's in good form, it can even exceed 140 km/h!"

"In the high school baseball world, that's already quite a strong statistic!"

She looked at Natsume Chikage with concern.

"Baseball batting requires a lot of specialized training to develop feel, rhythm, and muscle memory."

"Natsume-kun, you... haven't even touched it before, right?"

"This is almost a doomed contest, and I also don't think there's any need to participate!"

As a member of the track and field team, Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui understood the huge gap between daily systematic training and occasional exercise better than anyone.

It wasn't just a difference in technique, but an all-encompassing crushing in muscle memory, stamina distribution, and on-the-spot reaction.

"Natsume-kun, this contest is completely meaningless!"

She made a big 'X' with her hands in front of her chest, her expression resolute.

"Don't you dare pay any attention to it—agreeing to this is just a total loss!"

Natsume Chikage fell into silence.

He really... had almost never touched a baseball.

However, for him to beat Zhongdao Wushi at baseball... did it seem completely impossible?

His gaze fell quietly on the 'decayed wooden sword' he had just obtained.

【Decayed Wooden Sword】

【Quality: Green】

【Effect: After equipping, your comprehension in kendo increases by 1000%!】

【Introduction: The invincible me is back!】

Although the description says it increases comprehension in "kendo"...

But what if he viewed swinging a bat as a special kind of "sword swing"?

Could this also be included in the scope of that "comprehension increase"?

Moreover, Natsume Chikage could clearly feel that his internal strength and agility attributes had reached a certain critical point after this period of exercise and accumulation, as if they could break through at any moment.

Once broken through, his physical fitness would definitely improve again.

At that time, it would inevitably be of direct help to his swing speed, strength, and control.

And, the trouble that is Zhongdao Wushi really is at the point where it needs to be resolved.

If he continues to be entangled, it will only affect the "stable" high school life he has in mind.

If... he could defeat him head-on in the field where the other party is most conceited and skilled, in front of everyone...

Then this person would surely have no face to come looking for trouble again.

As his thoughts raced, Natsume Chikage had already made his decision.

"This condition," he raised his head and looked at Jinwei Tong, "I can agree to it, but I need training time."

"Wha—?!"

"Natsume-kun?!"

"Why?!"

The three girls present showed expressions of disbelief at the same time.

Xuecun Lingyin simply doubted her own ears; she furrowed her brows, her tone carrying a rare urgency and reproach:

"Are you some kind of idiot?! Why agree to a contest where you can see the outcome at a glance?!"

Xiyuanji Qilai was also anxious; she gently tugged at Natsume Chikage's sleeve, tilted her delicate face up, her eyes full of worry and earnestness:

"Natsume-kun, this isn't a joke."

"Senior Zhongdao's strength is really, really strong!"

"Please, you must reconsider!"

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui was so anxious she stomped her feet:

"Natsume-kun!"

"If you agree, and you lose, that guy will definitely be even more arrogant and cause you even more trouble!"

"This is absolutely the worst strategy!"

However, Jinwei Tong seemed to have a hint of surprise at Natsume Chikage's acceptance.

She nodded slightly.

"Fine."

Unexpectedly, she added:

"Even if you didn't ask, I would have arranged special training for you."

Natsume Chikage was a bit surprised:

"You'll help me arrange special training?"

"Naturally."