Chapter 86: True Friends

The next morning, Gao Wu hailed a taxi and took Shang Qingjun to the station.

The new semester would begin the day after tomorrow, and Shang Qingjun needed to return a day early.

Once she had entered the ticket check, Gao Wu shouted from behind, "Sister Jun, see you at Anjing University!"

Dressed in a plain white down jacket, Shang Qingjun turned and waved gently to him. "I'll be back for the summer vacation..."

"Oh, ah... haha." Gao Wu forced an awkward but polite smile. He had intended for a sentimental farewell but ended up making a muddle of it.

Shang Qingjun smiled faintly and gestured with her phone, indicating they should keep in touch as usual.

Watching her bright and gentle figure, Gao Wu suddenly felt reluctant to part. He waved vigorously, watching her until she disappeared into the passageway, and only then turned to leave.

At home, Gao Wu packed some clothes into a large duffel bag. He found his grandfather and told him he would be living in the school dormitory from now on, returning only on Sundays.

"You're transferring to First High?" His grandfather recalled Gao Wu mentioning it before, but with so much going on lately, he hadn't asked. Now, prompted by the news, he remembered.

"Yes, First High participates in the Qilin Cup. I want to go and broaden my horizons," Gao Wu replied.

His grandfather nodded. The Qilin Cup was a top-tier tournament organized independently by all the states under the Alliance. Held every April, it was the most important competition for youths.

If a high school student performed well in the Qilin Cup, they would receive trial invitations from major universities.

"Train well. Don't worry about me," his grandfather said seriously. "With your talent, you’re bound to achieve something in martial arts. Focus, and don't let your mind wander. And don’t take on hunter missions—they’re dangerous and troublesome..."

"Mm, I understand," Gao Wu nodded firmly. His grandfather’s words distilled a lifetime of experience—simple but invaluable.

Leaving home, Gao Wu rode his bicycle straight to Yunhu Villa.

The security guard at the gate was already familiar with him and opened the barrier as soon as he saw Gao Wu approaching.

"Brother Zhang, on duty?" Gao Wu greeted him, tossing over two packs of cigarettes.

Grinning ear to ear, the guard waved him on. "Yes, on duty. You go on, take care!"

Once Gao Wu was out of earshot, the guard handed one pack to his colleague. "This kid is sharp—bound for great things."

The other guard chuckled, "He's a big internet celebrity, and wealthy too! This is nothing to him."

Zhang gave his colleague a sidelong glance. "He’s a high-level martial artist, a real killer in the finals. Who knows what great figure he’ll become? Don’t run your mouth and get me into trouble!"

Though the event organizers hadn’t released further reports, everyone knew Gao Wu had killed his opponent on the spot.

The other guard stopped laughing. Gao Wu’s ruthlessness was truly frightening!

And he was only eighteen, an age of hot-blooded impulsiveness. If he overheard something unsavory, who could guess the consequences...

Gao Wu didn’t hear their conversation. He handed out cigarettes not for favors, but to keep people from speaking ill of him.

People are less likely to bite the hand that feeds them. Most will appreciate a gesture if they’ve been given something.

Arriving at Villa Nine, he found Song Mingyue waiting in the first-floor hall.

"I’ve come with my bag, ready to freeload," Gao Wu grinned. "From now on, my safety depends on you."

Song Mingyue glanced at him, lowered her eyes, and replied softly, "I’ll do my best."

"Good friend!" Gao Wu was touched. Song Mingyue had always treated him well. Even with opponents like Wan Canglong, a martial master, she was willing to invite him to stay.

If Wan Canglong came looking for trouble, Song Mingyue could easily be implicated. She was risking her life to shelter him!

Even blood siblings might not go so far.

After lunch, Aunt Lan took Gao Wu to First High to handle the transfer paperwork.

Since First High was willing to accept him, the rest was easy, especially given his Dongjiang household registration.

The director in charge of admissions was very polite, even enthusiastic. Gao Wu was now the top martial artist in Dongjiang!

Importantly, this wasn’t limited to just the high schoolers. With such a powerful new member on the martial arts team, they could hope for a good showing at April’s Qilin Cup.

A strong result at the state-level competition was invaluable for First High.

The director promised to waive all tuition and fees, and offered a thirty-thousand yuan scholarship. He would also handle all the administrative matters regarding the transfer.

In just half an hour, Gao Wu’s transfer was settled.

On the way back, Gao Wu said to Aunt Lan, "Since I’ll be staying long-term, I should share the costs. Aunt Lan, let me transfer you two hundred thousand for board and lodging."

He’d freeloaded quite a bit lately. Back when he was broke, he had no choice. But now, with nearly four hundred thousand in hand, he couldn’t keep mooching.

He didn’t want to bring it up with Song Mingyue—she was shy and proud, unwilling and embarrassed to discuss money.

Aunt Lan managed household affairs and understood the costs. It was best to talk to her.

Truthfully, Gao Wu didn’t want to stay at Song Mingyue’s house, but she insisted it was convenient for both their training.

Martial cultivation was serious business—far more important than pride. If he could advance to warrior level, all current problems would resolve themselves.

Living with the Songs was fine, but now that he had money, he couldn’t continue as before.

The exotic foods he and Song Mingyue ate daily were expensive, not to mention other consumables and labor costs.

Aunt Lan was a bit surprised that Gao Wu was so thoughtful—no wonder, coming from a poor family, he’d learned responsibility early.

Mingyue didn’t understand these things; she bought whatever she wanted, regardless of finances. Their expenses had soared over the past months, forcing the sale of a large apartment just to balance the books.

Aunt Lan smiled, "It’s good you’re thinking this way. You’re Mingyue’s best friend. Training together and encouraging each other is what matters most."

"Aunt Lan, please take the money. I won’t feel at ease staying here otherwise..."

Whether Aunt Lan truly didn’t need it or was just being polite, he was determined to pay.

After all, most of this money originally came from Song Yunhe. When Song Mingyue insisted on giving him half, he had been too strapped to refuse.

Now that he had money, it was only right to repay good friends. This wasn’t about favors, but basic fairness.

Even the best friendship can’t be one-sided. Otherwise, it becomes an arrangement, not a friendship—without equality, there’s no dignity, and without dignity, no real friendship.

If he ever needed money, he could sell the Golden Thunderhawk and Scarlet Eye.

He’d checked their prices—they were high-end luxury items. Ordinary martial artists couldn’t afford them, and those who could didn’t want second-hand goods.

Since they wouldn’t fetch much, he’d hold onto them for now—they were undeniably useful.

If desperate, he could always sell at a steep discount; there would always be buyers, as their functionality was top-notch.

"Alright, I’ll accept it for now," Aunt Lan relented. With four months until the college entrance exams, there would be plenty of expenses—she’d hang onto the money for now.

After the exams, if Mingyue insisted on returning it, it could be given back to Gao Wu.

Another point—Gao Wu was right. Only after paying his way could he feel at ease living with the Songs.

Back at the house, Gao Wu didn’t mention this to Song Mingyue.

She led him to the backyard—a broad hillside with two shooting targets set up a hundred meters ahead.

She said, "No one comes around here. I have this hillside to myself. Sometimes I practice shooting here. There are more guns in the house—feel free to practice."

"It may not come in handy, but you should be proficient. You just got the Golden Thunderhawk—you should get used to its feel."

She opened a bag filled with all sorts of firearms, their surfaces scratched and worn.

Gao Wu didn’t mind. He knew how to use pistols, though he was less familiar with rifles.

Song Mingyue taught him hands-on—how to hold, load, aim, fire...

After two hours, Gao Wu learned a lot and gained a deeper understanding of the Warrior’s Fist.

The boxing technique passed down from Master Song was his now, but to truly make it his own, Gao Wu needed to experience and practice it personally.

The Warrior’s Fist integrated modern firearms techniques—practicing with guns was essential to the process.

After dinner, Gao Wu and Song Mingyue spoke in the training hall. Taking the opportunity, Gao Wu quietly released his Yin Spirit.

"Do you feel anything unusual?" Gao Wu asked, pretending offhandedly.

Song Mingyue glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

The crimson-glowing Yin Spirit stood just a few meters from her, yet with her sensitivity, she didn’t notice it at all?

Gao Wu was surprised. He had no one else to test this with and could only try with Song Mingyue. If she discovered his Yin Spirit, it wouldn’t be a serious problem given their friendship.

He could always explain it as a special gift. Besides, Song Mingyue would never betray his secrets, even at the cost of her life.

Viewing Song Mingyue through the Yin Spirit’s perspective, he saw a pure white radiance, shaped like an eight-pointed star, shining brightly at her brow.

In her lower dantian, there was an energy light, faintly seven-pointed, its deep glow spreading through her limbs and bones... This energy was stable, but far less so than the eight-pointed star at her brow.

Therefore, the eight-point star must be the foundation of her psychic power—exceptionally strong...

The Yin Spirit could pass through physical barriers at will. Yet, since it could observe energy and Song Mingyue, logically, observation should be a two-way interaction. Strangely, Song Mingyue had no awareness of the Yin Spirit at all.

If that was the case, the Yin Spirit could serve as a spy, able to infiltrate enemy strongholds and gather intelligence.

Not without its uses!

"Try releasing your psychic power. See if you sense anything off," Gao Wu suggested.

Song Mingyue scanned the hall with her psychic power, but still sensed nothing. She looked at Gao Wu, puzzled.

"My psychic abilities have improved. I wanted to see if they could interact with yours," Gao Wu said, not mentioning the Yin Spirit. Since she couldn’t detect it, there was no point bringing it up.

The Yin Spirit’s mysteries would be something for him to explore alone.

Song Mingyue didn’t mind. Gao Wu had his secrets, and she had hers. No matter how close their friendship, some privacy was necessary.

She asked, "Do you have any plans for cultivation?"

"I want to buy more elixirs," Gao Wu replied. He still had two hundred thousand and intended to use it to quickly improve his strength.