Chapter Forty: Divine Justice

Ninth High School, Martial Arts Hall.

Today is match day: Ninth High School hosts First High School, the top team in the Dongjiang High School Martial Arts League. Among their ranks, Han Yang is hailed as the number one student in Dongjiang, renowned for his extraordinary prowess.

Recently, Gao Wu has defeated two advanced martial artists in succession, and his reputation is soaring. Many claim he surpasses Han Yang in skill. Both sides' fans are currently clashing online.

Today, the two martial arts teams face off, a perfect opportunity to settle the debate. This match has become the focal point of the high school league. Even the Dongjiang League Committee's official website is broadcasting this event live.

Yet, Gao Wu is nowhere to be seen. Coach Huang Hai simply says Gao Wu has matters to attend to, but cannot clarify further, leaving students and teachers of Ninth High deeply disappointed.

The visiting team is equally let down, especially Yang Ru, who was eager to defeat Gao Wu in the ring and prove her strength to Han Yang.

At two thirty in the afternoon, Gao Wu still hasn’t arrived. The first to step onto the ring for Ninth High is Zhou Yi, an intermediate martial artist. Usually silent and stubborn, his martial arts foundation is solid, but his temperament makes him unpopular. If the team weren't short-handed, Zhou Yi would never have been chosen as the vanguard.

First High sends Yu Rulong. He stands at the center of the ring, tall with ape-like arms, a wasp waist, and striking white hair. Dressed in black martial arts attire, he radiates youthful vigor.

In terms of appearance and presence, Yu Rulong utterly eclipses Zhou Yi. Within three moves, Zhou Yi is struck on the jaw by Yu Rulong's signature "White Ape Offering Fruit" and loses consciousness instantly.

The students and teachers of Ninth High, who had been cheering Zhou Yi on, fall silent.

Yu Rulong proceeds to defeat three more opponents in succession, until Huang Long steps up as the fifth and final competitor.

Seeing Huang Long as the lead, Yang Ru scoffs, "Seriously? Gao Wu doesn't even dare show up. How cowardly!"

Song Minglin, beside her, adds, "He doesn’t even bother to turn up, let alone get on stage. What a character!"

Han Yang shakes his head slightly. "His fighting style is fierce and bold. He’s not the type to shy away."

Though Han Yang is confident he could beat Gao Wu, he recognizes Gao Wu’s skill. Yang Ru, Song Minglin, and Yu Rulong are all advanced martial artists with refined lineages, yet even they would struggle against Gao Wu.

Based on his past performances, Gao Wu would never evade a fight. This is just a high school league match; a loss means little. Not daring to step up would be the true disgrace.

"You don't understand, brother," Yang Ru says. "People from the lower rungs are always this cunning and despicable..."

Han Yang prefers not to comment, changing the subject. "Don’t worry about such trivial matters. Our goal is next April’s Qilin Cup. Our real rivals are the elite talents from cities across Northern Province..."

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"Brother Yang, Gao Wu can only excuse himself if he doesn’t show up. If he comes but doesn’t compete, it confirms his cowardice..."

Song Minglin holds little regard for the suddenly rising Gao Wu. He was itching to take him down, but Gao Wu’s absence leaves him angry and disdainful, convinced he sees through Gao Wu's true colors.

Han Yang merely smiles. He disagrees, but chooses not to refute Song Minglin, mindful of preserving his teammate's dignity.

Ultimately, what happened to Gao Wu is irrelevant.

Many others share Song Minglin's view; most Ninth High students at the scene think the same. As Huang Long, the last competitor, steps onto the ring, students whistle and boo, shouting, "Gao Wu, Gao Wu..."

Some curse loudly, "Gao Wu, coward! Gao Wu, coward!" These voices grow in unison, louder and more intense...

The school leaders' faces darken. The outcome of the match is unimportant, but this event has drawn immense attention in Dongjiang. The students' unruly behavior brings embarrassment to the administration.

Vice Principal Jiang Tao approaches Coach Huang Hai, inquiring about Gao Wu. Huang Hai shakes his head. "I can't reach Gao Wu—I have no idea what happened."

Viewers watching the live broadcast are also displeased with Gao Wu’s absence, voicing their frustration online, and ratings begin to plummet.

Thousands of miles away at Anjing University, Shang Qingjun furrows her brow. She knows Gao Wu well; for such an important match, even if his leg were broken, he'd crawl to the martial arts hall—he would never give up easily.

Gao Wu's absence can only mean one thing: something has happened to him.

Shang Qingjun sends Gao Wu a message, but receives no reply. Calls go unanswered. Her worry grows, torn between seeking help from her grandfather or respecting Gao Wu’s privacy.

Her beautiful roommate approaches, curious, "Why isn’t your little brother competing? Isn’t this the match against Dongjiang’s top team?"

"I don’t know what’s happened..." Shang Qingjun’s gentle eyes reveal a trace of concern.

Her roommate, sympathetic, wraps an arm around her shoulders and reassures her softly, "It’ll be fine. Don’t scare yourself."

Shang Qingjun forces a smile, anxious for Gao Wu, yet hesitant to involve her grandfather lest it cause trouble for Gao Wu.

Among the spectators, Shen Yue feels the most anxious. His classmates' insults are harsh—many know he is Gao Wu’s friend and bombard him with questions and taunts about Gao Wu’s absence.

Shen Yue, clueless about Gao Wu’s situation, feels trapped under their barrage. He sends countless messages to Gao Wu, but receives no reply.

On the ring, Huang Long is beaten back step by step. Yu Rulong suddenly unleashes "Single Whip," his iron-like arm striking Huang Long behind the ear, leaving him rigid, eyes rolled back, frozen in place.

The referee rushes to intervene—Yu Rulong has won five consecutive matches, ending each decisively and securing a resounding victory.

Yu Rulong raises his arms to acknowledge the crowd, but is met with a wave of boos, followed by curses aimed at Gao Wu.

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These are teenagers, their feelings are simple and intense. Gao Wu’s failure to appear at such a crucial moment brings disgrace to Ninth High and stirs deep resentment among the students.

Shen Yue is distressed when suddenly a message arrives from Gao Wu’s alternate account: "Forward the video."

The cryptic message confuses Shen Yue. He replies with a string of question marks, but receives no response.

The video is titled "Where is Justice?" leaving Shen Yue even more puzzled.

As he opens it, he sees Gao Wu confronting a tall man in black. Both wield long swords.

The aerial shot is slightly distorted, yet its wide angle captures the mountains, swirling snow, the distant city, the two adversaries, and the gleaming swords in their hands.

The vast mountains, chaotic snow, and silent city in the gloom frame the two facing each other like ancient duelists, lending the scene great tension.

As a semi-professional editor, Shen Yue feels the video lacks a soundtrack—preferably traditional instruments like flute or xun, with a deep, lingering melody to enhance the atmosphere.

The video quickly shifts to a first-person view, showing the pockmarked, swollen face of the man in black, enlarged and increasingly unsettling.

The man shouts, "Kid, let me show you death!" Gao Wu’s reply is polite, almost friendly, reminding the man to visit a hospital.

Gao Wu isn’t visible in this shot, but Shen Yue recognizes his deep, raspy voice and familiar speaking style—he is certain it’s Gao Wu.

At this point, Shen Yue feels a sense of foreboding—has something happened to Gao Wu?

Next, the man in black prays to the demon god, his body swelling and growing larger, then raises his sword and slashes at Gao Wu.

"Demon god cultist!" Shen Yue’s alarm rises—such cultists have lost all reason. The situation is dire!

The action camera captures the sword’s high-speed movements, shooting in high frame rate, rendering the falling blade with remarkable clarity.

The sword tears through the cold wind, sending snowflakes swirling and shattering beneath its edge. The microphone picks up the blade’s piercing whistle.

Through the first-person perspective, viewers experience the terrifying, mountain-splitting force of the attack.

Though Shen Yue lacks martial arts prowess, he can sense the sword’s deadly power. His heart tightens—will Gao Wu die?

The swords clash; a broken blade flies off. The video shifts to a bird’s-eye view, showing the two crossing paths and each reversing their swords.

The man in black takes several steps before suddenly freezing. Mosaic blocks obscure him.

Despite the mosaic, Shen Yue can see clearly—the man in black has been sliced diagonally in two...

"Damn!" Shen Yue exclaims.

Text appears over the video: "A young man forced to slay a demon cultist, yet detained for intentional homicide—where is justice?"

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