Chapter 41: Redemption

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Xiang Qichen was left stunned by Qian Wende’s slap. His body swayed, most of his drunkenness evaporating in an instant. When he finally realized what had happened, disbelief came first—then, a sudden surge of burning anger welled up in his chest.

He had actually been struck by Qian Wende?

He, who always acted the big brother, who was constantly flattered and fawned over by Qian Wende, that same Qian Wende had just hit him?

“Damn you!” Xiang Qichen’s eyes reddened with fury. He lashed out with a kick, and the two began to grapple and exchange blows.

This month, Xiang Qichen had been focused on cultivating his abilities. Though both were at the same stage, his internal energy was far more refined. Qian Wende suffered greatly, landing with a bruised face after only a few exchanges.

Jiao Kun, Lin Hong, Wu Hao, and Xiong Lei hurried over to intervene.

Jiao Kun, being nearest and directly involved, naturally could not stand idly by. Wu Hao, remembering the favor Xiang Qichen did for him by covering his expenses last month, was hesitant at first—he believed Xiang Qichen was in the wrong, but things had escalated too quickly for him to remain neutral, so he rushed in to break them apart.

As for Lin Hong, after the tea cup incident, he felt a certain debt of gratitude toward Zhuang Jin and the others, though not enough to take sides directly—he simply intended to do what he could.

Xiong Lei’s nature required no explanation: he was always the peacekeeper.

With the four of them intervening, Xiang Qichen and Qian Wende were quickly separated.

Xiang Qichen was still seething, his eyes smoldering with rage as he glared at Qian Wende. Qian Wende, though battered and bruised, wore a look of satisfaction. He felt he had done well—by taking a beating for Zhuang Jin, he’d made his allegiance clear, and their relationship would surely grow closer. It was worth it!

Zhuang Jin’s expression was cold, betraying no emotion. He stepped forward again, approaching Xiang Qichen.

Bi Kai, too, quietly gathered his energy and followed closely behind.

“Jin, calm down. He didn’t mean it, he was just drunk and talking nonsense… Let’s all cool off. We’re roommates, aren’t there things we can’t talk through?” It was Xiong Lei who spoke, blocking Zhuang Jin’s path.

Bi Kai looked at Xiong Lei in surprise.

Zhuang Jin, too, was taken aback, gazing at Xiong Lei as if to say: Do you know what you’re saying? He just slapped me in the face, and you want me to just let it go? To swallow my anger?

He looked deeply at Xiong Lei, confirming that it was indeed him, not Qian Wende, who had spoken.

In that moment, Zhuang Jin felt a strange sense of irony. The one he’d always looked down on and kept at a distance—Qian Wende—had stood firmly by his side, stepping up to slap Xiang Qichen and taking a beating for it. Meanwhile, Xiong Lei, once his closest friend, was now playing the peacemaker, urging him to bury his anger and let bygones be bygones.

Zhuang Jin stared into Xiong Lei’s eyes, studying his subtle expressions, and suddenly understood: Xiong Lei himself probably didn’t realize what his words and actions signified. He was simply following his natural inclination to smooth things over, but as a result, when the lines were drawn in this conflict, he had taken a seat on Xiang Qichen’s side.

And often, in such moments, choosing a side and clarifying one’s position was more important than virtue or ability.

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Under the gazes of Zhuang Jin and Bi Kai, Xiong Lei felt a pang of guilt—though he couldn’t quite explain why—and struggled to find his words.

Suddenly, Zhuang Jin smiled. “Fine, Xiong Lei. I’ll give you this face today. Let’s leave it at that.”

With that, he turned and left.

Qian Wende, bruised and swollen, didn’t care in the least. He shot Xiong Lei a mocking glance, inwardly laughing at his foolishness.

Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a hint of regret. If only he’d had the same rapport with Zhuang Jin that Xiong Lei once did, none of this would have been necessary. Though he’d seized the opportunity to strike Xiang Qichen and side with Zhuang Jin, there would be consequences—he’d made an enemy of Xiang Qichen.

Still, it was worth it!

Today, Zhuang Jin had broken through to the second stage. Qian Wende finally understood: in their dormitory, it was the inconspicuous Zhuang Jin who held the greatest potential, the one most likely to achieve greatness. Xiang Qichen had only been at the second-stage bottleneck for a few days, and each bottleneck was harder than the last. At this rate, Xiang Qichen might not even break through next month—his aptitude was far inferior. Qian Wende realized he had misjudged him before.

These thoughts swirling in his mind, he called out “Brother Zhuang!” and hurried after him.

Behind them, Bi Kai looked at Xiong Lei, opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing. He simply sighed, patted Xiong Lei on the shoulder, and walked away.

Xiong Lei stood in place, feeling as though he’d made some mistake. He tried to figure it out, but couldn’t make sense of it, so he shook his head and let it go.

Wu Hao said, “Brother Xiang, you should drink less from now on,” and left as well.

Lin Hong said nothing. He glanced at Xiang Qichen, then at Xiong Lei, then thought of Qian Wende who had just left, and shook his head: “Some people, despite being close, manage to ruin good relationships, unable to clarify their position, using their own goodwill to clean up others’ messes, and even afterward, remain clueless about what they’ve lost. Others, though distant, are able to seize the moment and attach themselves decisively when opportunity arises.”

Such contrasts could not help but evoke a sigh.

But as his relationship with Xiong Lei was only average, he said nothing and left to wash up.

After the commotion, Xiang Qichen was now completely sober, filled variously with anger, frustration, regret, and even fear—if Xiong Lei hadn’t stopped Zhuang Jin just now…

He turned to Xiong Lei, and after a moment’s hesitation, said, “Second Brother, about earlier… thanks.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. You were just drunk, talk it over with Jin later,” Xiong Lei replied, waving it off.

“Kun, thank you too,” Xiang Qichen added.

Jiao Kun said nothing, his face dark. He liked having fun and didn’t take martial training too seriously, but he understood the ways of the world.

Damn it, he thought, I just stayed in the dorm and had a drink with Xiang Qichen—how was I supposed to know he’d lose control and start cursing Zhuang Jin when drunk?

“I wonder if Zhuang Jin will hold it against me too. He’s already reached the second stage—who knows how far he’ll go in the future. Not only did I fail to gain any favor, but I might’ve made an enemy as well.”

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His anger rising, he began to resent Xiang Qichen: Why did you have to drink? Even if you did, couldn’t you know your own limits? And if you must get drunk, why couldn’t you keep your mouth shut? Now I’ve been dragged into this mess too!

It could be said that, after tonight, any goodwill Jiao Kun had for Xiang Qichen—such as lending him money last month or covering the dinner bill—was completely exhausted, replaced by a growing resentment.

…

Outside.

The cold wind sobered Zhuang Jin further. Reflecting on what had just happened, he knew he was right: he had let Xiang Qichen off the hook only out of regard for Xiong Lei. Otherwise, in a one-on-one, a second-stage fighter against a first-stage, it would have been like a father disciplining a son.

As for the consequences of beating Xiang Qichen? Xiang Qichen had instigated things with his foul mouth, was only at the first stage, effectively challenging his superior. Now that Zhuang Jin had broken through to the second stage and proven his vastly superior potential, and with his connections to Chang Hetong, Ping Yongfeng, and Tang Wentao, as long as he didn’t kill Xiang Qichen or cripple him, at worst he’d face a few mild reprimands.

He sighed, but it wasn’t for Xiang Qichen—he’d long known they weren’t destined to walk the same path. It was for what had transpired between himself and Xiong Lei.

He thought back on their history… meeting on registration day, entering the Shen family’s outer institute, their days as martial students. When it came to receiving bedding, Zhuang Jin had decisively offered a favor to avoid potential trouble, and in those days, Xiong Lei deferred to him in all things, even curbing his own personality.

But after Xiong Lei became a formal martial artist first, his mentality shifted—he put himself first again, which was only natural: among martial artists, merit and talent always come first.

From then on, Xiong Lei began to reveal his true nature: he wouldn’t take advice, switched beds with Qian Wende—perhaps thinking he was doing Zhuang Jin a favor? Even after Qian Wende took advantage of him and Zhuang Jin warned him privately, he wouldn’t listen; he kept meddling in others’ affairs, always trying to smooth things over, no longer heeding Zhuang Jin’s words, handling everything his own way.

Zhuang Jin was not the type to blindly follow or to let others lead when he knew it was wrong. When both parties in a relationship insist on their own way, distance inevitably grows.

He murmured, “How fickle the human heart can be.” He let go of his lingering regret. “Well, if we can’t walk together, then we’re simply not meant to be.”

He would not dwell on it or brood—after all, he had never owed Xiong Lei a thing.

Yes, he’d avoided potential trouble at registration thanks to Xiong Lei and his father, but during their days as martial students, he’d helped Xiong Lei in many ways—getting bedding, warning him to hide his progress to avoid jealousy or trouble, admonishing him to focus on training rather than romantic distractions. Even after Xiong Lei became an official martial artist, Zhuang Jin had repeatedly warned him not to take on others’ burdens or get involved in their affairs, but Xiong Lei never listened.

And now, when trouble struck, Xiong Lei once again got involved—whatever his motive, he’d chosen a side. That being the case, Zhuang Jin would give him this final courtesy, and from then on, all ties would be severed, with no further regrets.

“Let it be. Those who leave me belong to the past and should not be kept.” Freeing himself from these thoughts, he nodded to Qian Wende, Bi Kai, and the others who had caught up, and joined them in washing up.

…