Be Gentle, My Master

Listening to Ouyang Peishan’s words, Baili Xia clenched her fists tightly.

She least wanted to see the Mu Family disappointed, especially her grandfather.

The old master had been so kind to her, even allowing her to participate in the competition.

If she underperformed, she would feel that the person she owed the most apology to was her grandfather.

Seeing that Baili Xia gave no response, Ouyang Peishan swung another punch toward her, with the same move and the same speed.

This time, she unleashed all her strength, intending to blast Baili Xia right off the field.

Baili Xia took a deep breath, fixing her gaze on the advancing fist.

In an instant, that punch seemed to slow down considerably.

This time, Baili Xia didn’t attempt to block.

She stepped directly to the left, dodging Ouyang Peishan’s fist by a hair’s breadth.

Her foot hooked around Ouyang Peishan’s extended right foot.

At the same time, her left palm wrapped around to Ouyang Peishan’s back and pushed hard.

As soon as Ouyang Peishan saw Baili Xia dodge, she sensed trouble, but having exerted her full force, she found herself unable to stop her momentum at once.

Feeling something trip her foot, she tried to step forward to stabilize her body, but then felt a strong shove on her back, sending her tumbling forward.

Ouyang Peishan fell out of the arena, defeated.

She sprang up from the ground, ready to settle the score with Baili Xia.

But as she stood up, she saw Baili Xia was already protected by Mu Ziying and Mu Ziqing.

“What’s the matter? Can’t accept defeat?” Mu Ziying said with a smile.

“Ha, that posture looked just like the one from that TV series I acted in, called ‘Falling Goose in Plain Sands Style’. It’s so similar, haha,” Mu Ziqing chimed in, providing support.

Enraged, Ouyang Peishan knew there was nothing she could do.

In this kind of competition, defeat was simply defeat.

Baili Xia had made it into the top eight.

In group seven, Mu Ziqing directly forfeited, having already been eliminated, and with a movie to shoot afterwards, she couldn’t afford to get injured.

Once the final group matches concluded, the results were tallied.

From the Mu Family, Baili Xia and Mu Ziying entered the top eight, along with Sima Liuyue and Sima Liuli from the Sima Family.

The Zhao Family, Shentu Family, Dongfang Family, and Long Family each had one person advance to the top eight.

The men’s group was more straightforward: all three from the Mu Family entered the top eight, along with two from the Dongfang Family, and three from the other families made the cut.

It was now noon, and the competition took a break.

The referee announced that everyone should go to the dining hall for lunch and then rest in their respective family’s lounges within the competition venue before the draw for the afternoon matches commenced.

The group made their way to the dining hall, each finding their own kin and seated themselves at a table.

Baili Xia had just settled into her seat when she saw Dongfang Jin approaching her.

“Jin, I heard you made it into the top eight, congratulations.”

Mu Xiaojiu next to her gave a cold snort, his face an icy mask, and remained silent.

Dongfang Jin paid no attention to the look Mu Xiaojiu gave and spoke to Baili Xia in a gentle voice, “Are you alright?”

Baili Xia glanced at Mu Xiaojiu beside her and, seeing no particular change in his expression, replied, “I’m fine; it’s just an upset stomach.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? If not, you shouldn’t force yourself to compete.”

Seeing Baili Xia change the subject, Dongfang Jin guessed she still didn’t want Mu Xiaojiu and the others to know, so he could only continue along with her lead.

“Really, I’m fine. If it becomes too much to handle, I will withdraw.” Baili Xia gave him a reassuring smile, a facade of tranquility.

“Alright, just be sure to take care of yourself,” Dongfang Jin said, nodding at her.

He gave her a deep look before returning to his own family.