High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Fairness

The Chu Family estate, in a quiet villa district in the heart of Linjiang City.

Dressed in a simple black Martial Arts Uniform, Chu Shanhe stood before a full-length mirror in the training room, carefully adjusting his wrist guards to the most comfortable position.

Sunlight traced the outline of his tall, well-proportioned frame. Beneath his mountain-steady demeanor, a restrained sharpness now glinted.

Chu Zhengxiong pushed the door open and entered. He looked at his son, his eyes filled with undisguised pride and a hint of concern.

”Shanhe, this is the last match. You’ve reviewed Xu Wuyi’s file and the post-match analysis of yesterday’s fight with Shen Wei, haven’t you?”

Chu Shanhe turned, a relaxed smile on his face. ”Dad, I’ve gone through all of it. Didn’t you guys already finish the analysis? He’s most likely practicing the B-Level Body Refining Technique, the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace. The only question is how far he’s progressed.”

After two matches, especially the one against Shen Wei, a great deal of intelligence on Xu Wuyi had already gotten out.

Based on Shen Wei’s description of his condition during the fight, it wasn’t hard for many High-Tier Martial Artists to guess his foundation.

The only things no one else could know were how far he had progressed in his Martial Arts and how many Secret Techniques he had mastered—details known only to Xu Wuyi himself.

”Are you confident?” Chu Zhengxiong pressed, a hint of barely perceptible tension in his voice.

Chu Shanhe was the heir he had poured countless efforts into cultivating, and more than that, he was the future hope of the Chu Family.

Chu Shanhe rolled his neck, which let out a soft *click*. His smile widened, tinged with a strange excitement.

”Honestly, Dad, I’m not thinking about confidence right now. I’ve been fighting for so many years, and there are too few opponents among my peers who can truly get me excited. Shen Wei is one, but his style is too unorthodox, his limitations too great. Xu Wuyi... he might be different.”

He looked at his father, his gaze frank and fiery. ”I just want to have a good, satisfying fight with him. As for the result... we’ll find out once it’s over, won’t we?”

Chu Zhengxiong saw the battle lust burning in his son’s eyes. It was the pure desire of a strong fighter for a challenge, not the fear of defeat.

He felt both pleased and a little helpless. In the end, he just clapped his son firmly on the shoulder. ”Alright! Then go and fight! Show them the strength of our Chu Family! Remember, safety first. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

”Don’t worry, Dad. I know what I’m doing.” Chu Shanhe nodded, picking up a water bottle and backpack from the side. ”I’m heading out.”

Chu Shanhe’s figure vanished through the doorway. Chu Zhengxiong remained where he was, gazing out the window in silence for a long time.

He knew his son wasn’t naturally an extrovert, nor did he enjoy being a celebrity-like young genius.

His participation in various competitions over the years had been more about winning honor for the family.

And for a family like theirs, those honors represented the potential of the future heir—something that could be converted into tangible returns.

’So even though the family has invested massive resources in Chu Shanhe, the benefits he’s brought them are in no way less than their investment.’

’No matter how precious the resources are at the Martial Disciple level, how expensive can they really be?’

’Unfortunately... once he enters university and faces geniuses from the entire Federation, his son’s brilliance will inevitably be diminished.’

’Ah, well. Shanhe has carried too much on his shoulders these past few years. It’s time to let him pursue his own Martial Arts.’

...

「8:50 AM. The dedicated examination site for the Linjiang City Martial Arts College Entrance Examination.」

The corridor in Zone C was even quieter than on the previous two days, leaving only the occasional whispers and footsteps of the staff.

Following the directions on his terminal, Xu Wuyi headed toward his examination room for the day: Room 1 in Zone C.

It was the largest and most heavily protected combat room in all of Zone C.

As he rounded a corner in the corridor, his gaze fell upon the silver-white alloy door of Room 1, and he paused for a moment.

Someone was already standing there.

The person was tall and straight, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, dressed in the standard Martial Arts Uniform of Linjiang First High School.

Just by standing there silently, he naturally exuded an aura as vast as the ocean, seeming to merge with his surroundings.

It was none other than Chu Shanhe.

He seemed to have arrived much earlier. He was looking up at a spot on the corridor ceiling, but upon hearing footsteps, he turned his head, his gaze landing precisely on Xu Wuyi.

There was none of the piercing intensity or condescending scrutiny he had expected.

A calm smile appeared on Chu Shanhe’s face. He spoke first, his voice gentle. ”Xu Wuyi?”

Xu Wuyi walked up and stopped in front of him. ”Chu Shanhe.”

”I knew it was you.” Chu Shanhe’s smile grew more pronounced, carrying a hint of knowing affirmation. ”I had a feeling I’d run into you today.”

His demeanor was completely natural, as if he were chatting with a friend, showing no trace of the tension or hostility one would expect before a final showdown.

”I figured as much,” Xu Wuyi replied. His opponent’s attitude was a little surprising, but it also allowed the tension coiling inside him to ease slightly.

”After Shen Wei got back yesterday, he cornered me and talked my ear off,” Chu Shanhe said in an easygoing, almost teasing tone. ”He said you’re a monster, that your Qi and Blood is ridiculously strong, and that your fists are hard enough to punch through a steel plate. He also said that his prized Seven Kills True Intention was like paper in front of you.”

Xu Wuyi hadn’t expected Shen Wei to say such a thing and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Chu Shanhe looked at him, his expression sincere. ”I waited for you here because I wanted to tell you in person that Shen Wei has already shared all the intel from his fight with you.”

”That includes your special Scorching Qi Force, your powerful Burst Step Technique, and the depth of your Qi and Blood reserves.”

”Based on all that intelligence, some people have already guessed that you’re practicing the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace. I read up on the strengths and weaknesses of that Body Refining Technique last night.”

He paused for a moment before continuing, ”So, I’m not going in blind. I’ve already thought about how to counter you. And I’m sure you’ve done your research on me, too.”

”At least when it comes to information, we’re on a level playing field.”

Xu Wuyi was slightly taken aback. Looking into Chu Shanhe’s clear eyes, he understood his intent.

This wasn’t a show of force, but an expression of respect—an insistence on a fair fight.

”Thank you,” Xu Wuyi said. This display of character raised his opinion of Chu Shanhe even higher.

”Don’t thank me.” Chu Shanhe waved his hand, a bright smile on his face. ”I just don’t want an unsatisfying victory or a bitter defeat. I hope we can both hold nothing back, give it our all, and have a real fight.”

His gaze sharpened, and his fighting spirit began to surge. ”Xu Wuyi, don’t let your guard down just because I’m being amicable now. On the platform, I will give it my all. I absolutely will not hold back. I expect the same from you.”

Xu Wuyi met his gaze. The Qi and Blood within his body seemed to sense this pure battle lust and began to circulate faster.

He gave a firm nod. In that instant, all distracting thoughts were cast aside, leaving only an intense focus on the battle to come.

”Alright.” Xu Wuyi’s voice was steady and powerful.

The smile on Chu Shanhe’s face grew even brighter. He held out a fist. ”Then let’s settle it in the arena.”

Xu Wuyi raised his own fist and gently bumped it against Chu Shanhe’s.

”See you in the arena.”

The heavy alloy door slid open before them, revealing a wide and solemn combat area.

At the proctors’ table, the three teachers—Chen Mingyuan, Liu Hui, and Li Liangcai—were already seated. Their gazes fell in unison on the two young geniuses standing at the entrance.

On another side, three more teachers were also in position; they were the proctoring team that had been overseeing Chu Shanhe’s matches.

Since neither team wanted to give up the final match, they simply decided to proctor it together. After all, by the third day, there were plenty of staff to go around.

But Xu Wuyi and Chu Shanhe, now in the center of the arena, paid them no mind. Their eyes were locked on each other.

The final battle was about to begin.