The news report about Xue Jing's fight with the cockroach man spread quickly, labeling him as a 17-year-old martial arts genius from Qingda Junior High School. What troubled Xue Jing most was the public revelation of his name and school without any attempt at anonymity.
"I can't believe someone leaked all that info about you," Chen Fuguang remarked, scrolling through his phone. "At least they haven't published your photo yet."
He chuckled. "Looks like you're famous now, junior brother."
Xue Jing sighed. This kind of attention was bound to invite more trouble.
Right on cue, his phone buzzed. The caller ID number was recognized as his sister, Xue Wan.
Noticing the call, Chen excused himself, leaving Xue Jing to answer.
"Hello, hello! Woof woof woof!" Xue Wan barked playfully through the phone, a habit she'd never outgrown since childhood.
Xue Jing smiled. "What's up, sis?"
Xue Wan's tone quickly turned serious. "So, do you want to explain that news report I just saw? You'd better tell the truth."
Xue Jing blinked, deciding to play along. "Oh no, how did you find out I ate all the spicy noodles you hid under your bed?"
There was a stunned silence on the other end before Xue Wan exploded. "You did WHAT? I'm coming home right now to chop off your head!"
"Relax, you're the one acting like a dog," Xue Jing teased.
"Anyway," Xue Wan continued, regaining her composure, "tell me the truth—what's going on with this news?"
"I just happen to share the same name and surname as the guy in the report," Xue Jing deflected, feigning innocence. "You know I can't fight, even if it meant protecting my own life, right?"
Xue Wan wasn't fooled. "Oh really? That's funny. I didn't even mention what news I was talking about, but you're already on the defensive."
Xue Jing chuckled, realizing his slip-up. "Alright, alright, you got me. I'm the martial arts genius they're talking about."
Her voice softened, though concern laced her words. "So, you're really out there fighting monsters? Is it dangerous?"
"Yeah, but I'm fine. Don't worry."
"You'd better be careful," she warned. "And don't let the fame go to your head. No more than five or six girlfriends, okay? Any more than that and you won't be able to handle them."
Xue Jing laughed. "Where do you even come up with this stuff?"
Xue Wan hung up shortly after, leaving Xue Jing shaking his head.
Before he could relax, his phone rang again. This time, the call was from an unknown number. He answered cautiously.
"Xue Jing, it's Teacher Du," said the voice of Du Shiwei, his Chinese teacher and head of the elite class at Qingfu High School.
"Teacher Du? What's up?"
"I saw the news today," Du Shiwei said, his tone filled with curiosity. "That was you, wasn't it?"
Xue Jing sighed. "Yeah, it was me."
Du Shiwei chuckled. "I thought so. Quite the talented student you are. Just make sure you balance your martial arts training with your schoolwork, alright? No slacking off in class."
Xue Jing could hear the beginning of a lecture and quickly reassured his teacher that he wouldn't let his studies fall behind.
Before hanging up, Du Shiwei reminded him of the upcoming school sports meet, which Xue Jing had nearly forgotten. "You promised to participate in the running event, remember?"
"Got it, Teacher Du," Xue Jing replied, forcing a smile.
But the calls didn't stop there. Soon after, his classmate Li Ge's excited voice came through the phone.
"Master Jing! Did you see the news?"
"Yes, Li Ge. I know it's me," Xue Jing answered, tired of the stream of calls.
By the end of the morning, Xue Jing had taken multiple calls, including one from his mother, Nan Jiayu. By the time they stopped, he was left with a mild headache.
Groaning, he muttered, "I swear, if I find out who leaked my name to the press…"
After calming down, Xue Jing decided to open the news app on his phone. The article about his fight had gone viral, and he noticed there was even an interview video attached.
Clicking on it, he watched as a shirtless man—his face blurred—spoke with exaggerated confidence. His voice had been altered, but it was unmistakable.
"That guy's Xue Jing. He's from the Canglong Dojo, but honestly, our Tiger Soul Dojo is just as good," the man bragged. "He and I sparred and it was 50-50. I barely lost. That monster was just a bad matchup for me. What can you do?"
Xue Jing recognized the voice immediately—Li Zhaoquan from Tiger Soul Dojo. Shaking his head, he muttered, "This guy…"
Before he could dwell on it further, the door to the training room swung open, revealing Takeyama Ying with an energetic smile.
"Junior brother, junior brother! You've got a new commission!" she announced cheerfully.
Xue Jing raised an eyebrow. "What kind of commission?"
She giggled. "Being a sparring partner!"
---
Meanwhile, in a hidden basement in the South City area, Jiao Hongyuan stood next to a massive azure insect nest, his face darkening as he read the same news article on his phone.
"How could 'Number One' be beaten by a 17-year-old high school student?" he muttered, perplexed. "Is there really someone in Qingcheng with talent comparable to Chengxuan? Even when Chengxuan was seventeen, he wouldn't have easily defeated Number One."
Duan Kaiping, standing nearby, offered a nervous explanation. "It's different. Junior Brother Chengxuan was only beginning his training at that age. This Xue Jing must have been secretly trained at the Canglong Dojo for years. They're trying to make a big splash."
Jiao Hongyuan nodded, his expression grim. "Regardless, we managed to cause a few deaths. It'll serve as a reminder to the ruling parliament."
He pocketed his phone and turned toward Duan Kaiping. "What about 'Number Nine?'"
Duan Kaiping's face paled, his voice trembling. "It… it ate Number Seven last night. It's growing fast—too fast."
Jiao Hongyuan's lips curled into a smile. "Good. Number Nine may be our most perfect creation yet. We'll use it as the benchmark going forward."
His eyes narrowed, brimming with intent. "Send it out soon... That kid, Xue Jing, goes to Qingda High School, doesn't he?"
Duan Kaiping nodded.
"If something happens there, it'll tip the scales in favor of us getting that bill. Don't you think?"