Chapter Thirteen: Accepting the Challenge

  In the year 1881, another year has passed. The mountains of Yingchuan are undulating and have turned green. The small grass on the mountain slopes quietly sprouts from the ground. The branches of the willow trees behind the academy hang down like a string of lines on the tree. Those light yellow leaves are like flower petals tied to the line. The lovely little swallows also fly in from the south, joining this spring scene, adding much joy to the spring colors.

  On an early spring morning, the sun shone brightly. In the woods behind the mountain, a young man was practicing his sleeve arrows. With a whoosh, one arrow flew through two trees and stuck firmly into the third tree. The young man wiped away his sweat, put away his things, and headed down to the village school.

  This young man was Zhang Rui, and it had been three months since Mo Yan left. During this period, Zhang Rui practiced his sleeve arrows during the day and studied mechanical skills at night, and his days were quite fulfilling. Except for going home to celebrate the New Year in between, Zhang Rui had almost reached the point of neglecting sleep and forgetting to eat.

  Among so many ninjutsu introductions, Zhang Rui likes the puppet people the most. When watching Huoying before, Zhang Rui liked the Akatsuki in it very much. The big technique of the scorpion's hundred machine manipulation is simply a synonym for ninjutsu. Damn those islanders, always stealing things from our ancestors.

  Unfortunately, Zhang Rui can currently only control one mechanical person. To reach the height of Chi Sha Xie, it will take some time, whether it's spiritual or martial arts, there is no other way, only bitter practice.

  "Zhi Bo, the principal is holding an enrollment meeting today, let's go together." Guo Jia, who was one year older, had grown a bit taller and although he was still slender, looked much plumper than last year. With Zhang Rui's help, Guo Jia and his family moved to Puyang this year, which actually meant just his mother and Xi Zhicai's wife, the two of them. A poor scholar's family, really quite impoverished.

  The family has a new addition, and Old Man Qingquan is delighted. He specially granted them a house, although it's not big, but it's still an independent courtyard. The age difference between the two isn't great (Guo Jia's mother and Xi Zhicai's wife), so they can live together in peace. After all, compared to their previous life, this is a complete turnaround.

  Historically, Zhi Zicai and Guo Jia both died young. It is said that Guo Jia liked to take Wushi powder, but Zhang Rui had specifically looked up the information and found it to be unverifiable. Zhang Rui still thought that due to Guo Jia's difficult life as a child, malnutrition, and lack of money for medical treatment, his health was ruined from an early age. As for Zhi Zicai, he probably wasn't much different.

  Now that the two are Zhang Rui's brothers, Zhang Rui naturally cannot let such a thing happen. Those who can help must help, anyway, this is just a drop in the bucket for the Zhang family.

  When Zhang Rui and his two brothers arrived, there were already twenty or thirty students scattered around the field. The largest group was naturally led by Guo Tu. Since Xun Shi's uncle and nephew left, this Yingchuan College has indeed become Guo Tu's world, with no one to rival him.

  Kuo Chia's play is clever, and he is naturally not one to provoke trouble. Zhang Jui is a sly fellow who runs back and forth between the dormitory and the rear mountain, without even entering the classroom. And yet, Kuo has actually managed to gather a group of followers. This Kuo is no fool, able to rally a force in such a short time. His eloquence must be exceptional as well.

  "Hey, isn't this Zhibo? I heard you've made progress in learning the art of machinery from Mr. Mo Yan, why didn't you return to Momen with him to continue your studies? Could it be that you're not good enough and Mr. Mo Yan looks down on you?" Gu Tu is still holding a grudge against Zhang Rui for what happened last time and won't let go of any opportunity to mock him.

  "Hey, isn't that someone?... Guo something, don't remind me, let me think, Guo... Guo what was it again? Sorry, sir, may I ask your name? It's just that sometimes we're too busy and can't remember these trivial things." "Hahaha" The students around him all burst out laughing.

  People in this era have never seen such a loss, for arrogant people, strike him from his own body, don't you think you're awesome? Others didn't even put you in their eyes.

  Guo Tuqi's face was red and swollen, with bulging veins on his neck. "Zhang Zhibo, I didn't bother you before because you didn't have any special abilities. But now that you've been studying mechanism techniques with Mr. Mo Yan for a while, why don't we try comparing notes?"

  "Guo Gongze, you shameless thing! You clearly know that Zhi Bo can't awaken his divine powers, and yet you've only learned the mechanical arts from Mr. Mo Yan for seven days, and you dare to make such an impudent request? It's a wonder you're still a young master of a noble family, without any of the nobility's grandeur. You want to compete? I'll let Zhi Bo teach you a lesson."

  "Indeed, don't look at me as young Guo Jia, I can also learn from you." Guo Jia replied.

  "How about it? If you don't dare, just say so. I, Guo Tu, am a generous person and might spare your life at any moment. But if you don't dare, then from now on, whenever you see me, Guo Tu, automatically retreat three steps and do not appear in front of me." Guo Tu said loudly and domineeringly.

  Guo Tu had his own arrogant capital, as the young master of the Yingchuan Guo family, he awakened to the divine power of the Zhongheng family at the age of ten. Then he was entrusted with high hopes by the elders of the family and has always been the focus of cultivation for the Guo family. Although Zhang Rui had not seen his strength, it must be strong, at least stronger than Zhang Rui who had no trump card.

  "Zhi Bo brother, don't agree to it. This guy is obviously trying to take advantage of you because he thinks you can't use your divine power." "Yes, Zhi Bo brother, a real man knows when to yield and when to be firm. Besides, you haven't even awakened your divine power yet, so why bother agreeing to this pointless duel?" Xi Zhicai and Guo Jia only knew that Zhang Rui could use a thread of Qi, but didn't know he had already cultivated his divine power, so they worried.

  Zhang Rui didn't mention the matter of practicing Qi to Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai. Firstly, it was a reminder from Shu Ling, and secondly, he had been busy contacting the authorities and hadn't found an opportunity to tell them. Seeing how much they cared about him, even wanting to take his place in the martial arts competition, Zhang Rui felt deeply moved, and they were indeed good brothers.

  But others don't know, how could Zhang Rui not know? With his own henchmen and hidden guards, as well as some of his own small tricks, he might still have a fighting chance. Moreover, the most important point is that a man cannot say he's not capable.

  "Alright, since Brother Gong has such a noble interest, how can I let Brother Gong return in defeat? Tomorrow at noon, behind the academy's mountain, if we don't meet, it will be considered a default. I also invite all fellow brothers to go and bear witness."

  "Well, then I'll await your arrival," Guo Tu replied.

  "Wait a minute!" Guo Tu turned around and looked at Zhang Rui, wondering if this guy wanted to back out. "It's still possible to back out now," Guo Tu said.

  "There's no need for that, Gong Ze. If you lose, then as you said earlier, you'll automatically retreat and not appear in front of us brothers again. Can you do that?"

  "Alright. Haha." Guo Tu was furious but forced a smile, this enrollment meeting had already lost the attention of many people, everyone's heart was on tomorrow's martial arts competition.