Martial Dao: Peace by Force

Chapter 44: Chapter 42: Daoist School’s Foundation, Private Dinner Party

「Two days later.」

”...After the Boundary War thirty years ago, a sense of peace was finally restored to the world. It was a hard-won victory... And we, the East Sea Alliance, as one of the undisputed powers among the three great continents, also bear the historical responsibility of maintaining world peace in the face of the current turbulent global situation...”

The history teacher droned on at the lectern. When he spoke of the current situation, he couldn’t help but pause, feeling a bit emotional, and forcefully underlined the four words ”a great power’s responsibility” with his chalk.

In the chilly classroom, Wan Ze sat by the wall. He appeared to be listening to the lecture, but in truth, he was contemplating Stealing Celestial Secret.

Sun Fan had brought him three Daoist School classics on Sunday night. He’d already skimmed through them, finding nothing more than the usual tenets about following the natural way of the Dao. He hadn’t managed to uncover anything about Stealing Celestial Secret, but his study had at least advanced his Daoist School theory to the Basic level.

DING!

The bell signaling the end of class rang. The history teacher clapped his hands. ”That’s all for today’s lesson. The five exercises after page 21 in your textbooks are tonight’s homework. I’ll be checking them tomorrow.”

”Goodbye, teacher!”

The students quickly left their seats, roughhousing and fooling around.

”Ah Ze, are you free tonight?” Zhou Xianchuan leaned in from behind.

”What’s up?” Wan Ze asked, puzzled.

”I put together a dinner for tonight. Liu Yu, Fang Xiaoxi, and Ke Yuan from Class 2 with his older cousin. We’re all the same age, so it’s a good chance for everyone to get to know each other,” Zhou Xianchuan said in a low voice.

”I don’t even know them,” Wan Ze said, uninterested. ”You haven’t been to the martial arts hall these past few days, have you? Are you planning to quit?”

”Don’t even get me started. It’s a tragic tale... I failed to advance to B Class. I’m just taking these few days to clear my head. Can you come with me tonight? I’m begging you,” Zhou Xianchuan pleaded, throwing himself onto Wan Ze.

”Be straight with me. What’s this dinner really about?” Wan Ze asked with a knowing look.

Zhou Xianchuan immediately blushed, looking guilty. ”You could tell?”

”You invited a bunch of people who have absolutely nothing to do with each other all at once. If you don’t tell me what’s going on, there’s no way I’m going,” Wan Ze said deliberately.

Zhou Xianchuan could only raise his hands in surrender. ”Alright, I’ll tell you, but you have to promise not to laugh at me... Swear on it.”

”Okay, okay, I swear...”

”The truth is... I’m going on a blind date with Ke Yuan’s cousin tonight...”

PFFT!

Wan Ze spat out a mouthful of water.

Zhou Xianchuan wiped the water from his face, completely exasperated. ”I’m being serious.”

”Dude, we’re only first-years... You’re going on a blind date?” Wan Ze was a little stunned.

”It’s my family’s idea.” Zhou Xianchuan shrugged, looking helpless.

Wan Ze shook his head and chuckled. ”Then why don’t you just go by yourself? Why make us tag along?”

”I’m afraid it’ll be awkward. Plus, Ke Yuan and his sister don’t know about it. It’s my family elders’ idea—if we seem to have a connection, our families will meet formally,” Zhou Xianchuan said helplessly, looking up. ”Ah Ze, please. I was also worried you’d be awkward, so I invited the class president and Fang Xiaoxi... two great beauties to keep you company. Now tell me, aren’t I good to you!”

Wan Ze deadpanned, ”Gee, thanks a million!”

”You’re welcome, we’re brothers! And let me tell you a secret, Liu Yu and Fang Xiaoxi are totally into you. You have no idea how many times they’ve been secretly checking you out these last two days! Their eyes are practically glued to you!” Zhou Xianchuan said with a mischievous grin.

”What nonsense are you talking about?” Wan Ze said helplessly.

Zhou Xianchuan immediately grew frantic. ”It’s true! I’m not messing with you this time, bro. Sometimes I’m so jealous of you handsome bastards. Fucking hell, you guys don’t leave any chances for us normal people... Anyway, seize the opportunity!”

Wan Ze: ”...”

Just then, a classmate’s voice came from the doorway. ”Wan Ze, an upperclassman is here to see you.”

”Coming.”

Wan Ze answered.

Zhou Xianchuan looked over as well. When he saw it was Sun Fan, he guiltily ducked his head back and prayed silently.

...

”This is for you.” Sun Fan smiled and handed him a notebook.

Wan Ze was confused.

Then he heard Sun Fan explain, ”That book belongs to my uncle’s private collection, so I couldn’t borrow it for you. But I went through the whole book, and I copied down all the information you were looking for... If it’s not enough, we’ll have to wait until noon this weekend, and I can take you to visit him.”

”Thank you so much.” Wan Ze was touched.

Sun Fan chuckled lightly. ”I’m just glad I could help. Are you going to the martial arts hall tonight?”

”Tonight... I have something on.” Wan Ze glanced back at the sneaky figure inside the classroom, then turned back to Sun Fan apologetically.

”No problem. See ya.” Sun Fan gave a cool wave.

The sunlight in the hallway landed on her shoulders, causing many onlookers to stare, unable to look away.

Zhao Hexiang watched all of this in silence, his heart bleeding.

Wan Ze raised an eyebrow at him before turning and walking back into the classroom.

Zhou Xianchuan hesitated for a moment before leaning in. ”Did your... ahem, did the upperclassman say anything? If she misunderstood, I can explain for you... It’s all my fault.”

”What are you talking about?” Wan Ze gave him a strange look.

Zhou Xianchuan opened his mouth. ’Oh, I misunderstood. Never mind then.’

”So it’s settled for tonight! Anyone who bails is a dog!”

”...Childish.”

”Brooo~!”

”Get lost!”

Hehehe.

...

「Night fell.」

Wan Ze, Liu Yu, and Fang Xiaoxi followed Zhou Xianchuan to the front of a high-end restaurant in the center of Holy City’s commercial district.

”This is the place.”

Zhou Xianchuan gave the place a casual glance and led the way inside. Fang Xiaoxi couldn’t help but tug on Liu Yu’s arm, her eyes filled with amazement...

Similar to Wan Ze’s family situation, Fang Xiaoxi’s family wasn’t particularly wealthy. Her father was a mid-level manager at a company, but due to a recent wave of layoffs, his performance bonuses had been hit hard the last two years. Plus, with two younger brothers, just maintaining their current respectable lifestyle was already a struggle.

”I heard this place is really expensive,” she mouthed, her back to the others.

Liu Yu gently patted the back of her hand, signaling that it was fine.

Fang Xiaoxi couldn’t help but look at Wan Ze. She thought his pride would be hurt, just like hers, but unexpectedly, Wan Ze strode inside as if it were nothing. She was momentarily stunned.

There weren’t many people coming and going in the magnificent restaurant. A courteously-dressed waiter led the way for them.

”Ah Ze, what do I do! I haven’t even met her yet and I’m already starting to feel awkward!” Zhou Xianchuan grimaced, keeping his voice low. Besides Wan Ze, no one knew the true purpose of this dinner.

”What’s there to be awkward about? It’s just a normal dinner...” Wan Ze comforted him.

”True...” Zhou Xianchuan took a deep breath and whispered, ”This Ke Yuan’s family runs a pharmaceutical sales company, so they’re pretty well-off. But I heard his sister is very gentle and elegant.”

In the end, after a twenty-minute wait, Ke Yuan and Ke Qing finally arrived.

”Sorry about that, there was some traffic on the way,” Ke Qing said apologetically.

”No worries, no worries, have a seat anywhere...” Zhou Xianchuan coughed lightly, feigning composure while sneaking several glances at her.

He kicked Wan Ze under the table.

’Ah Ze! I think your bro’s found love!!!!!’

”...”