Chapter 081 【Conflict】

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

...

In the training hall of the Taekwondo club at Purple Maple High School, a series of pounding sounds echoed continuously.

Inside the hall, Ling Wei, Xu Qiang, and Zheng Jian, all bare-chested, stood in horse stances before sandbags, relentlessly throwing punches.

Although Xu Qiang had bled quite a bit during his one-on-one with Ling Wei that day, upon learning about the upcoming competition, he showed up at the Taekwondo club's training hall with Ling Wei the very next day.

Gu Feng had wanted Xu Qiang to rest a few more days, but Xu Qiang refused, so Gu Feng had to go along with his wishes.

On the first day Xu Qiang arrived at the training hall with Ling Wei, all the Taekwondo club members, including Zheng Jian, were none too pleased with him.

While they greatly admired Gu Feng's skills, what qualifications did Xu Qiang have to be one of the competition participants?

Sensing their discontent, Xu Qiang didn't take action. Instead, he took off his shirt and started practicing punches alongside Ling Wei.

When the Taekwondo club members saw the crisscrossing knife scars covering Xu Qiang's body, they were all stunned!

Later, witnessing the ferocity with which Xu Qiang trained, they no longer held any dissatisfaction toward him.

Even Zheng Jian harbored no complaints.

He could feel the ruthless determination in Xu Qiang's training, even suspecting that the intimidating aura Ling Wei exuded during their sparring might have originated from Xu Qiang.

...

Gu Feng stood in the hall, watching Xu Qiang clench his fists and pound the sandbag repeatedly, his expression complex.

Originally, Gu Feng considered Ling Wei a martial arts prodigy.

But Xu Qiang's performance made him realize that Xu Qiang possessed even greater martial arts talent than Ling Wei.

After just three days of Gu Feng's guidance, Xu Qiang's combat skills had improved by leaps and bounds. Three days ago, Xu Qiang couldn't last a single exchange against Ling Wei; now, he could hold his own for at least three rounds.

Especially Xu Qiang's all-out, life-risking fighting style from the moment he stepped onto the mat, which instilled fear in both Ling Wei and Zheng Jian.

Because Xu Qiang fought to kill, not to spar.

Gu Feng glanced at his watch and said to the three, "Alright, morning training ends here. Go wash up and head back to class. I won't be coming to guide you this afternoon; practice on your own."

"Teacher Gu, can I train a bit longer?" Xu Qiang asked, looking like he hadn't had enough.

Gu Feng frowned slightly. "No." As he spoke, he felt a twinge of regret for choosing Xu Qiang for the competition.

Xu Qiang was already highly interested in combat and had little interest in studying. Wouldn't this make him even less inclined toward academics?

"Ling Wei, Zheng Jian, you two go wash your faces first." Gu Feng thought for a moment and said, "Xu Qiang, come here."

Xu Qiang seemed to sense Gu Feng's displeasure. He walked over and hung his head, not daring to speak.

"Xu Qiang, you've been at school for four days now. How are you feeling?" Gu Feng asked with a sigh.

"I'm sorry, Teacher Gu. I still can't keep up with the other students in class," Xu Qiang replied softly.

Gu Feng reached out and gently smoothed Xu Qiang's sweat-drenched hair from his forehead. "Xu Qiang, although I agreed to teach you Kung Fu, it's only until the competition. If you want to continue learning after the competition, it will depend on your performance."

Hearing this, Xu Qiang looked up in surprise, seeming to understand. He wore a determined expression. "Teacher Gu, rest assured. I will definitely catch up on the coursework I've missed before the midterm exams."

Seeing Xu Qiang's resolute reply, Gu Feng felt slightly relieved. People with Xu Qiang's temperament either didn't do something or gave it their all.

"Alright, go wash up and then head to class." Gu Feng patted Xu Qiang's shoulder with satisfaction.

...

"What's wrong with Teacher Hu these past two days? He seems completely out of it." In the office, the office gossip Wu Xue's curiosity was piqued again as she spoke, putting down the magazine in her hand.

Qi Hui, unusually not browsing adult websites, was lying on his desk preparing lesson plans. Hearing Wu Xue's words, he didn't even look up. "Probably hormonal imbalance!"

As soon as Qi Hui said this, all the teachers in the office except Gu Feng and Xia Wei couldn't help but laugh. Wu Xue was about to say something when she saw Hu Hua walk in with a dark expression.

Immediately, all the teachers lowered their heads to focus on their own tasks. Even Wu Xue picked up her magazine again.

Clearly, everyone could see Hu Hua was in a very bad mood.

Under everyone's covert gazes, Hu Hua strode over to Qi Hui and slammed a book onto Qi Hui's desk with a heavy *thud*.

The sound shattered the office's quiet. Qi Hui, startled, jumped to his feet, annoyed. "Teacher Hu, what are you doing?"

"Watch your mouth, Qi! Don't spew shit everywhere!" Hu Hua glared coldly at Qi Hui.

Already irritated from the scare, Qi Hui sneered upon hearing Hu Hua's words. "I was just joking around, and you get like this. Fine, I won't talk about you anymore. Talking about you would just dirty my mouth."

"You son of a bitch, say that again!" Hu Hua's face changed dramatically. He grabbed Qi Hui's collar, eyes red, panting heavily as he cursed.

The teachers in the office seemed stunned that things had escalated to this point. Just as they were about to intervene, Qi Hui, looking furious, pushed Hu Hua away.

Hu Hua, who practiced nightly with his "rubber doll," had long since drained his body. Qi Hui, though lustful, limited it to his eyes and rarely engaged in self-gratification. Moreover, he was tall, big, and stout. How could Hu Hua withstand such a push?

The next moment, to everyone's astonishment, Hu Hua was shoved to the ground by Qi Hui.

"Hu Hua, I just said a couple of things. Was there any need to get physical?" Qi Hui was clearly also furious. He was usually a very easygoing person who liked to joke and rarely lost his temper.

Hu Hua had been in a terrible mood for the past two days because of Gu Feng and Xia Wei. Now, being pushed down by Qi Hui, he flew into a rage!

He scrambled up from the floor, intending to charge at Qi Hui and teach him a lesson.

At the same time, several other male teachers, including Gu Feng, rushed over to separate them.

Gu Feng grabbed Hu Hua's shoulder. "Teacher Hu, let it go. It's just a misunderstanding."

"Exactly, Teacher Hu. Is such a small matter worth getting so angry over?" the other teachers chimed in. Clearly, everyone felt Hu Hua was overreacting.

Hu Hua, pinned by Gu Feng, couldn't move. Hearing everyone's words, he suddenly raised his arm and swung a slap at Gu Feng.

Gu Feng's expression darkened. He swiftly caught Hu Hua's wrist and said sternly, "Teacher Hu, what do you think you're doing?"

Hu Hua's hand, caught by Gu Feng, felt as if clamped in a vise, immovable. He was inwardly shocked. But seeing Gu Feng's grim face and then Xia Wei's reproachful gaze from across the room, he was overcome with fury. "Gu, stop pretending to be the good guy. I don't need you meddling in my affairs!"

P: First update delivered.