Chapter 76: Tossed About

"Why?" Principal Sun frowned, staring at him. "You aren't planning to do something reckless, are you?"

"Is that not allowed?" Fang Qingyun countered. "I think even if I pointed a gun at the heads of those senior members of the Research Institute, they wouldn't dare kill me."

"Cornered dogs leap over walls? But a dog only jumps the wall when it knows it's doomed. If it doesn't sense imminent death, why would it act so desperately?" Principal Sun retorted.

Fang Qingyun replied calmly, "I suddenly thought of the Secret Realm. When we entered, Old Li warned us repeatedly that the pressure inside could be lethal, and it was always the geniuses who died. Why?"

"Because they believed they wouldn't die, that their talents would save them!"

"It's the same with the people from the Research Institute. Even if you point a gun at their head, they'll think, 'This guy doesn't have the guts to pull the trigger.' Or, 'Even if he fires, I can dodge.'"

Principal Sun's expression grew grave. "You're walking a tightrope here. Those people at the Research Institute have countless ways to make you die without even realizing it. The Snake King may not intervene on your behalf; even if he does, he might not find the culprit. Besides, there are others with grudges against the Institute—one of them might take the opportunity to strike at you."

Fang Qingyun froze for a moment.

He hadn't considered that. He wasn't the only one with a vendetta against the Research Institute. The enemy of your enemy may be your friend—or just as easily, your foe. If someone killed him and pinned the blame on the Institute, it would be a clever move. In truth, he might have done the same in their position.

Still, he shook his head firmly. "No. There's still three months before the Northwest Military Academy opens. During these three months, I don't plan on leaving here."

"Why?" Principal Sun didn't push further, but simply pressed for a reason.

Fang Qingyun replied calmly, "I've looked into the Northwest Military Academy. It's the university with the highest mortality rate, thanks to the Snake King's iron-blooded approach to combat. Once enrolled, students are sent to the battlefield nearly every month to kill a set number of monsters."

Principal Sun nodded slightly. That was indeed the Academy's hallmark. Because of it, the school had produced many powerful figures and plenty of generals—but even more had died.

"So..."

"So, I must grow as strong as possible in these three months."

Fang Qingyun explained, "I already possess the strength to rival high-level martial artists. I'm confident that, within three months, my overall abilities will equal those of a ninth-rank martial artist."

Principal Sun nearly jumped out of his seat. "You already have the strength to rival a high-level martial artist?"

His expression was one of utter disbelief.

Zhao Junhong, nearby, looked as if his jaw might hit the floor.

Though Fang Qingyun had killed a high-level martial artist, that was by ambush, using spirit bullets and a spirit-powered firearm. In Principal Sun's eyes, if it came to a head-on fight, a high-level martial artist could easily dispatch ten Fang Qingyuns.

Now Fang Qingyun was telling them that in a direct confrontation, he would surely prevail against a high-level martial artist.

"Are you sure? You only just became a martial artist!"

"I'm sure," Fang Qingyun answered affirmatively, nodding.

There was no way to hide this. The clues he'd left behind, and the crushing weight he'd endured, were more than enough for any attentive observer to deduce his true strength.

"My goodness," Principal Sun muttered, bewildered.

Zhao Junhong mumbled from the side, "What have you been eating—feed for growth, or chemical fertilizer?"

"Shut it!" Fang Qingyun shot him a glare. This brat, always relying on his role as the protagonist, seemed eager to rebel.

"That's why, Principal Sun, I need to train here."

Fang Qingyun spoke seriously. "I believe that if I can survive here, I can survive at the Northwest Military Academy."

"I understand." Principal Sun smiled wryly, defeated. "I'll have Old Li keep a closer eye on you."

"That's unnecessary," Fang Qingyun replied with a slight smile. "I might go train inside the Poisonous Miasma Swamp. I've discovered a little secret there. I'm curious to see if anyone dares follow me into such a place."

Principal Sun's brow twitched.

A little secret? If the word 'secret' was involved, he knew better than to ask further.

So this was Fang Qingyun's plan? Never mind, then.

Principal Sun shook his head. "No, even if you train in the Poisonous Miasma Swamp, Old Li must accompany you. Now, let's continue discussing the precautions for martial artists."

After thoroughly explaining everything they needed to know, Principal Sun finally left.

Fang Qingyun, not sparing Zhao Junhong another glance, flopped onto his bed and fell asleep.

For the past two days, his mind had been highly strained. Now that he could finally relax, he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him.

Zhao Junhong looked at him helplessly.

He seemed even more tired than when they used to chase after girls, back when Fang Qingyun could handle three at once.

"The Research Institute..." Zhao Junhong murmured, then began to train quietly.

The gap between him and Fang Qingyun was growing wider; if he didn't work hard, soon he wouldn't even be able to catch a glimpse of Fang Qingyun's back.

Something unexpected happened: after returning to the City Lord's Mansion, the Grand Secretary made another visit, bringing several secret treasures for Fang Qingyun—a clear gesture of goodwill.

Yet, ironically, none of these treasures were for battle or defense; they were all auxiliary tools for training.

But what Fang Qingyun needed most now were combat or defensive treasures, and the City Lord's Mansion knew this perfectly well.

"They really think I'm a child, that a few gifts can win me over?"

Fang Qingyun, whose mental attributes were high, woke after only three hours of sleep.

He glanced at the gifts from the City Lord's Mansion, chuckled, and tossed them aside.

"When the time is right, I'll send them back. Their choices are their own, and we have ours."

Compared to the stir at the City Lord's Mansion, the Research Institute was eerily quiet.

After the white-haired elder's return, the entire institute fell into a tense silence, like the calm before a storm.

Even Hua City was growing restless.

"We're still too weak," Fang Qingyun sighed. If he had the strength of a general—or better—he wouldn't have to worry about any of this. He'd storm the Research Institute, crack open their skulls, and see what schemes they were plotting.

No, in truth, if he'd had that power from the start, the Research Institute wouldn't have dared set their sights on him in the first place.

"I need to train. I must grow stronger!"

Fang Qingyun quickly packed his things and prepared to leave.

He missed the poison mists of the swamp.

"I'm coming too!" Zhao Junhong was stunned and clung to Fang Qingyun's leg. "Bro, where are you going? It's only been three hours since things calmed down!"

"To the Poisonous Miasma Swamp. To train," Fang Qingyun replied gravely. "Don't worry, the Research Institute is probably still deliberating on how to deal with me. They won't act so soon. Besides, if I'm in the swamp, they may not be able to do anything to me."

Zhao Junhong's tone was serious. "Qingyun, don't be reckless. Wait until Old Li returns. If you leave now, you'll attract attention. What if the Research Institute sends a general-level martial artist? In a place like the swamp, they'd kill you and destroy the body."

"I don't do things I'm not confident about," Fang Qingyun replied with a slight smile. "You should also get to training. Your family has secret techniques that can speed up cultivation right after becoming a martial artist. Don't waste time."

With that, Fang Qingyun slung his pack over his back and walked out the door.

Immediately, a commotion broke out.

Principal Sun, who had just returned to school, hadn't even had a sip of his tea when he heard the news and smashed his cup on the spot.

Couldn't they have a moment's peace? Couldn't they let him rest?

He hadn't even warmed his seat!