World’s Best Martial Artist

9 April, Wednesday.

When Fang Ping reached the No.1 High School gates, Wu Zhihao and Liu Ruoqi were already there. Now, they were all waiting for Yang Jian.

Standing beside the two of them, was a middle-aged man perched beside a parked seven-seater van.

Once Fang Ping arrived, Wu Zhihao quickly introduced him, “Fang Ping, this is Mister Zhang from our school. Mister Zhang will be driving us today…”

The middle-aged man was the driver allocated by the school. Fang Ping greeted him briefly and was reciprocated with an equally polite nod.

After some light banter, Wu Zhihao gave Fang Ping a quick scan from head to toe before realizing in shock and exclaiming, “Fang Ping, don’t you look energetic today? I thought you’d be like me, losing sleep over the excitement for today.”

The current Fang Ping look recharged indeed. It even felt like his eyes were shining.

Hearing that, Fang Ping could not help smiling and said, “Do I? ‘A joyful heart makes a blooming countenance’, I guess. I woke up late too.”

Wu Zhihao did not pay him any further mind and continued discussing the arrangement for the welcoming event.

After a while, Yang Jian finally arrived. Similar to the rest, the fellow was over-excited to sleep and thus, woke up late the next morning.

The group did not waste any time. Soon, they filled into the car and headed to the train station.

…

Sun City Train Station.

While the driver stayed back outside the train station, Fang Ping and the rest filled into the train station and began waiting for Wang Jinyang.

As there was still some time before the train’s arrival, they stood by and started to chitchat outside.

A while into the conversation, Fang Ping began the topic, saying, “All of us here are fighting to become martial artists.

“Yet, until now, I’ve never seen a real martial artist.

“I’ve been looking up information on martial sciences exam recently too, including those online. And I realize that none of them ever mentioned how to become a real martial artist.

“Wu Zhihao, do you know anything about this?”

Wu Zhihao thought about Fang Ping’s words and replied, “You weren’t concerned about things like this before, so it’s understandable that you don’t know much about this.

“For high schoolers like us, our main objective is to pass the martial sciences exam. As for becoming a martial artist, that will come after university.

“As for the ways to become a real martial artist, we definitely won’t be able to find the answers on the Internet.

“As far as I know, to become a martial artist, you either have other members in your family who are martial artists to teach you.

“Or you attend martial arts training classes.”

As a side note, Wu Zhihao added, “I’m not talking about the kind of martial arts classes we have in Sun City; I’m talking about authentic licensed martial arts classes.

“Sun City doesn’t have any classes like that. According to the rules, you’d need to be at least a middle-ranked martial artist to teach martial arts classes.

“Heck, there aren’t a lot of martial arts classes like that in the whole of Nanjiang province, what more Sun City.”

Wu Zhihao continued, “The third method—also the main path—is to enroll in a martial arts university.

“If there are other methods other than these three, then I’m not aware of them.

“One more thing, all three methods that I’ve mentioned just now are utterly useless to us. At least before we enter a martial arts university, there is no hope for us to become a martial artist before Gaokao.”

Fang Ping nodded lightly and asked, “Then, what do you think about the Gaokao candidates this year? How many martial artists will be turning up?”

Before Wu Zhihao could open his mouth, Yang Jian butted in with a chuckle. “There’s no hope for Sun City. Not just Sun City, I’m afraid it’s completely hopeless for potential candidates to become martial artists in the Auspicious Sun City we belong to.

“In the entire Nanjiang province, there are only three who made it as real martial artists before Gaokao last year. It should be pretty much the same this year.

“Those people are truly blessed by God!”

Yang Jian was a little envious. Becoming a real martial artist before enrolling in a university was something he would not even dare to dream of.

Fang Ping had more questions he intended to ask. Before he could, a voice from beside them interrupted with a laugh. “You don’t have to feel sorry for yourself either. It’s indeed true that high schoolers who become martial artists are geniuses, but everyone starts differently.”

Everyone lifted their heads and glanced at the direction of the voice.

The voice belonged to a young man around their age. He was in a casual get-up and had both hands stuffed into his pants pockets.

He was not exactly eye-catching. Despite looking ordinary with his skinhead, his eyes were piercingly bright.

Realizing that he had everyone’s attention, the young man who spoke just now smiled and said, “You’re students from the No.1 High School, aren’t you?”

Hearing that, Wu Zhihao hurriedly replied, “You must be Senior Wang?”

Wang Jinyang smiled broadly. He shook his head and said, “Let’s not use honorifics. You can call me by my name or Brother Wang. Everyone’s the same age here. I’m just a step ahead.”

His words confirmed that he was Wang Jinyang, the person they were waiting for.

Wang Jinyang was a batch older than the group. If it was those few students from the elite classes last year, Wu Zhihao would know them.

However, he did not know Wang Jinyang. He came across Wang Jinyang by looking at his photo in the school’s hall of fame.

Hearing Wang Jinyang’s reply, Wu Zhihao breathed a sigh of relief and quickly added, “Hello, Brother Wang. We’re Year 3 Senior students from the No.1 High School…”

Wu Zhihao started introducing everyone. Wang Jinyang listened patiently.

After everyone was introduced to each other, he continued their previous topic. “All of you are aware of what I mean when I said that everyone starts differently, right?

“All the students who become martial artists in their high school years are definitely from well-off families. There’s no doubt about that.

“Otherwise, they have parents who are martial arts powerhouses or support from martial artists behind their backs.

“I’m talking about powerhouses who are at least Rank-4 and above!

“If common folk like us pass our martial sciences exam, we would be the worst in the class.

“We should admit our competitors’ talent and abilities but we shouldn’t use that to belittle ourselves. We shouldn’t think that we’re anything less than others!

“If we can’t even do this, our future will be difficult!”

This could have been considered an early sharing session. Hence, everyone thanked him for that.

Fang Ping observed Wang Jinyang for the entire time. He realized that Wang Jinyang was a rather talkative fellow of amicable character. Fang Ping breathed a sigh of relief.

Their casual conversation continued as they moved toward the exit of the train station.

Wang Jinyang asked some of them a few questions. When he found out that these were all students who possessed more than 110cal of Vitality, he could not help exclaiming, “The standards keep getting higher every year!

“It wasn’t common to see people with Vitality levels reaching 110cal among my batch of candidates last year.”

As he brought up the topic himself, Wu Zhihao went along and asked, “Brother Wang, when Nanjiang Martial Arts University starts enrolling students this year, how many cals do you think they’d set the standard for Vitality at?”

Wang Jinyang flashed them a smile. As expected, this was the question all Year 3 Senior students would be concerned about.

He was not surprised at all; he was like them too last year.

After thinking about it for a while, Wang Jinyang answered tentatively, “Standards like these are different every year.

“Last year, everyone’s Vitality was not as high as this year’s.

“It’s still alright here in Sun City. Over at Provincial City and River City, Nanjiang Martial Arts University organized a checkup there once. I heard that there were plenty of students who had more than 120cal of Vitality.

“If nothing goes out of our expectations this year, I’m afraid the lowest limit will be 110cal.

“For enrolment, it’s safe to be higher than 115cal.”

With that being said, Wu Zhihao’s face beamed with relief while Yang Jian and Liu Ruoqi sulked a little.

Wang Jinyang had no plans to continue disappointing the crowd. He said with a smile, “Of course, nothing is set in stone yet. Since you’re all above 110cal now, you still have the opportunity to increase it before the physical assessment.

“Why do you think the martial sciences exam is always held around the same time as the cultural studies Gaokao?

“That’s because everyone is still busy growing their body. As they’re improving every day, the martial sciences exam is postponed to days before Gaokao to give everyone a fair chance of competition.

“You might be 110cal today. Perhaps, you’ll be 111cal tomorrow. That possibility exists.”

Everyone nodded again, accepting the consolation Wang Jinyang provided.

Once they exited the train station, Wang Jinyang did not hasten to get into the car. He scanned the exterior of the train station and sighed. “During Gaokao, all I ever wanted was to pass my martial sciences exam. I told myself I had to pass my martial sciences exam!

“I gave up on too many things for that martial sciences exam.

“But once I passed the exam, I learned many things I wasn’t aware of before. Now, I’ve realized how precious it is to live a simple life like this!”

Wang Jinyang was only a freshman. He was only older than the rest of them by a year.

If he was a university student in his previous life, he probably would not feel as deeply.

However, the martial sciences students in this life were rather emotional.

In high school, they had to strive hard for their martial sciences exam.

After passing their martial sciences exam, they had to strive hard to become a martial artist.

After becoming a martial artist, they had to continue the fight to become stronger.

Those who came from a well-off family background had it easier. For people with poor family backgrounds like Wang Jinyang, the pain they had to go through was unimaginable.

After heaving a sigh, Wang Jinyang turned to them with a smile and announced, “We’re not taking the car! My whole body is aching from sitting too long. If you’re free, come along and accompany me on my stroll.”

Everyone beamed at his statement. After all, the reason why everyone fought for the chance to greet Wang Jinyang at the station was to get more exposure and understanding.

Wang Jinyang was also a high-schooler last year. He could empathize with these people and thus, he thought he might give everyone an extra boost.

Wu Zhihao jogged over to the van and informed Mister Zhang the driver. Then, he rushed back to the group.

…

Walking along the streets outside the train station, Wang Jinyang smiled and said suddenly, “Let’s find a place to sit down. We only need to be at No.1 High School in the afternoon, so we needn’t rush.”

No one would turn down this request. Wu Zhihao took charge and led the way to a cafe in front of them.

Noticing how easily Wang Jinyang was in making conversation, Fang Ping took the chance and asked, “Brother Wang, if you don’t mind, could I know what your rank in martial arts is right now?”

There was not a single martial sciences student who would be disinterested in this question!

Hearing that, even Wu Zhihao could not help turning around to look at Wang Jinyang. They were all too interested in their prodigy of a senior!

Wang Jinyang was slightly taken aback, but he quickly recomposed himself and smiled. “Some things are better left unknown. Curiosity kills the cat.

“I won’t talk about it. Once you’ve entered Nanjiang Martial Arts University, you’d know.

“What I can do, however, is give you some juicy gossip…”

A cheeky smile flashed across Wang Jinyang’s face. “You’ve heard of Li Yuanjiang, right?”

Wu Zhihao answered immediately, “I know! He’s a senior from the elite classes who also made it into Nanjiang Martial Arts University.”

Wang Jinyang replied with a grin. “Very well. I feel no qualms gossiping about that brat.

“The reason I can embarrass him in front of his juniors is justified. He was the snobbiest among those candidates from the elite classes back then.

“We’re all students. Yet, he’d always throw in a tease or insult at me whenever he felt like it. Think about it, guys, did he have nothing better to do?

“Both of us enrolled in Nanjiang Martial Arts University. And he told me how embarrassing it was for him to go to the same university as me. Motherf*cker, people like that need to get beaten up!”

Wang Jinyang’s words shocked everyone into silence.

Senior Wang, who seemed to be an all-round nice guy, was not as gentle as they thought he was after all.

Wang Jinyang did not mind what they thought about him either. The mischievous look reappeared on his face as he continued, “Li Yuanjiang and I started university at the same time, but now that our freshman year’s ending, that fellow has yet to become a martial artist.

“It seems like he might not make it in his sophomore year too. The probability is higher in his junior years maybe.”

Fang Ping understood the implicit meaning behind his words—Wang Jinyang was undoubtedly a real martial artist.

As for his rank, Fang Ping suspected that there was something more complicated about achieving Rank-1. Otherwise, there would not be a need to conceal it from them.

At the same time, when compared to Li Yuanjiang who entered Nanjiang Martial Arts University simultaneously, it was obvious that Wang Jinyang was not the worst in their university.

All of a sudden, even Fang Ping was immensely interested in this legendary senior… Of course, not that kind of interest.