Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 198: Chapter 198. Coming Conflicts

”He didn’t even fight for more than five minutes!” Another said.

”Yeah, he certainly hasn’t shown all his moves. How can one judge simply by such a short fight?”

”This is unfair!”

”All he did was cause a little tear to the teacher’s clothes. What’s so great about that? It’s not like he caused a wound.”

”The teachers must have been bribed.”

”You!” Yong Baili pointed. ”What did you say just now?”

”I... I...,” It was the student who said the teachers were bribed. He had spoken it softly. He didn’t expect Yong Baili to still hear him.

”Come here. I want to hear it again,” Yong Baili commanded.

”Teacher, I...”

”Come here!!” Yong Baili yelled.

The student had no choice but to come forward.

”Imbecile,” Yang Li, who was watching from the corner, scoffed. These other students were so clueless. Unable to understand the basis of which the teacher awarded Amon with a full mark. If it was them, they wouldn’t even be able to come near Yong Baili, much less cause a tear to his clothes.

”Tell me again what you said just now,” Yong Baili demanded after the student was before him.

”Teacher, I’m not... It’s... It’s just a joke. That’s right...! It’s just a joke. Please, don’t be offended,” The student stammered.

”A joke?”

”Yes, yes. It’s a joke. I’m sorry, please don’t be off–”

The student didn’t finish his words as Yong Baili’s palm went at high speed and slammed into his cheek. The slap sent the student flying to the wall. He bounced after hitting the wall and almost fell to the floor. He had an empty gaze as he tried to get his bearing. Considering how hard he was slapped, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he received a concussion.

”Baili, why so pissed?” An Guan reproached.

”Sorry,” Baili said.

An Guan gestured to the students near the one who was slapped. ”Check him. If needed, take him to the infirmary.”

An Guan turned to Amon and said, ”I will register your academic points to the record department. It will be deducted by the 5% penalty, of course.”

”Very well. Are we done here?” Amon asked.

”May I have a closer look at that yellow cloth on your arm?” Baili asked.

”You may not,” Amon replied.

An Guan chuckled. ”Okay. You may go. Come again next month for your next sparring session. Or, if you wish to join the practice here and ask for pointers, you are welcome to stay.”

Amon replied with a nod but didn’t stay. He turned and walked toward the exit.

”Stay out of trouble, okay. I would hate to have to deduct your points again,” An Guan called. Amon didn’t respond. He continued walking.

”What do you think?” An Guan asked Yong Baili after Amon was out of the room.

”He is very talented, but I don’t like his personality,” Yong Baili said. ”He might become trouble.”

”If we can mold him to give trouble to our kingdom’s enemies, then I say he is worth grooming,” An Guan said.

”Enemies? I thought our kingdom was at peace, or do you mean the rebels?”

”The rebels are just small fries. They are like rats who only dare to come out where we are undefended. No, I’m talking about other countries. I know some officials in the capital. They told me our relations with other countries might look peaceful now, but that is just the surface. There is a buildup of political friction. The peace we enjoy might not last for long.”

”That is disconcerting to know,” Yong Baili said.

”Yeah. The kingdom has sent this academy additional resources to refine the current generation of students. We will need a lot of competent cultivators if we are to face the coming conflicts.”

”I see...”

”Hence, even if it is a student with a bad attitude, as long as he can be useful, we will polish him.”

Yong Baili nodded his understanding.

*

Amon exited the practice building. His only business here was the mandatory sparring session. He did not need any pointers from the tutors. His battle experience probably outclassed most tutors here. He also did not need the free arts available in this place. He had better arts available from the pyramid legacy. As for the higher-tiered arts, they required exorbitant academic points.

He performed daily routines for the remainder of the week. Cultivating, practicing, and attending theory classes.

He noticed during the history class that the tutor was not Li Shi. When he asked about it, he learned she was on another mission. He didn’t ask what the mission was, but he could hazard a guess. Li Shi must have rushed back to the ruins again. She most likely wanted to personally oversee the removal of the historical murals from the ruins. During the rebels’ assault, the battle happened above ground, so the inside of the ruins was unharmed.

Amon didn’t concern himself with the matter. If it was left to him, he would have ordered the destruction of the murals to prevent future problems.

During the week, he also prepared Xin Wuming for his duel. He let Wuming practice in his basement and gave him pointers. He also sparred with him daily to hone his battle instinct. Aside from that, he gave Wuming another art.

Considering the enemy had a weapon that nullified Xin Wuming’s excellent defense, Wuming needed not to be hit. Hence, Amon gave him a movement art book. The movement art was called Hundred Misleading Steps. Its grade was Mid-tier Practitioner.

This art didn’t improve its user’s speed, but it was excellent for dodging attacks. It used complex footwork to create illusions that confused the opponents, making it harder for the opponent to land an attack.

With only one week to train, Xin Wuming couldn’t make much progress. He was still at the beginner mastery on the day of the duel. However, this movement art was useful even at the Beginner mastery. This was also the other reason Amon chose this skill for him.

Armed with this new skill, Xin Wuming walked beside Amon to the arena.