It was 8 PM, and darkness had fallen.
After a long day of work and being beaten, Qin Yu finally returned home, feeling refreshed.
Shaking off the clothes that had been bombarded with eggs, cabbage, catfish, potatoes, and watermelon, Qin Yu smiled and pushed open the door.
However, the expected voice of Yuna didn't come.
Looking at the mother and daughter sitting in the living room, Qin Yu was somewhat bewildered.
Yuna, the usually gentle and beautiful woman, was now smoking a cigarette, her eyes sharper than ever before.
Sit opposite her, Yuri, was silent with her head down, her arm guards still on, but her sword was placed on the table.
Seeing this strange scene, Qin Yu was completely baffled.
"Hi! Yuri!"
Grinning, Qin Yu greeted her as usual.
But today, Yuri didn't respond with a glare or a shout, and didn't even seem to care that he was home so late.
Yuri got up and headed towards her room, but she walked with a limp, which seemed very abnormal.
Qin Yu took a closer look, and his smile instantly froze.
Yuri's left leg was not only bandaged, but she was also using a crutch; clearly, her injury was serious.
The door slammed shut, and Yuna, who was sitting at the table, also stood up and headed towards her room, saying as she did so.
"There's food in the fridge, heat it up yourself."
Just as Yuna turned to leave, a hand suddenly landed on her shoulder from behind.
"Who did this?"
Qin Yu's voice rang out, but his tone was no longer cheerful.
Yuna tensed up at the touch, her fists clenching for a moment before slowly relaxing.
"This child competed against her classmate today."
"I know, she should have won."
"Yes, she should have won, or rather, she already had, but the other person attacked her from behind and broke her leg."
Slapping Qin Yu's hand away, Yuna went to her room.
"The doctor said she needs at least three days of treatment and won't be able to participate in the high school league anymore, so…"
"So that kid participated in her place, right?"
Yuna didn't answer, but hesitated for a moment in front of the door before speaking.
"I made a bet with Yuri. I promised her that if she could represent the class in the competition, I would accept her as a Mustang Knight on behalf of the Mustang Knights… but she lost."
The door slammed shut.
Qin Yu stood silently in front of the door, and after a long while, he looked up at the Mustang Knight sword on the table.
The dream he had pursued for over a decade was finally within reach.
The glory of a knight, the honor of his class, and his mother's trust should have all been bestowed upon her.
But all of this was ruined by a single kick, and most importantly, she hadn't even suffered a fair defeat…
Taking a deep breath, Qin Yu turned and headed towards his room.
As he opened the door, he bumped his head against the doorframe.
The next moment, Qin Yu slammed his fist into the doorframe. The doorframe, constructed entirely of solid wood and topped with a thick layer of concrete, shattered instantly, a large section of wood turning to dust.
With another bang, the third door slammed shut…
The next morning, Hecheng School was in a flurry of activity.
Every class was preparing, everyone ready to go.
Those with money had already bought tickets, while those without were preparing to watch the live stream.
Teachers were also organizing their belongings; they would accompany their class's competitors to the arena.
There, awaiting them were the top students from thirty-three high school martial arts schools across the entire northern region!
Over a thousand of the most outstanding talents, selected through countless trials! They would engage in a pinnacle duel that everyone was watching! Class 3-2 was also busy, but the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.
Yesterday's battle had left all the students sullen.
Martial artists value honor, a consequence of their environment.
They live a precarious life, facing death at any moment on the battlefield.
After death, only the word "honor" remains with them!
All the students were expressionless; some even tore up their tickets on the spot.
Clearly, they didn't want to watch the match.
Bai Xiaoyi completely ignored the crowd's reactions and the disgusted looks directed at him.
He was graduating anyway; who cared what they thought of him?
Once he finished the competition and achieved a good ranking, countless top universities would invite him.
Then he would soar to new heights, like a dragon soaring into the sea, roaming the world freely!
As for his high school classmates? They would be on completely different levels by then! Just as everyone was ready, and Zhao Youran, her face dark with anger, was about to lead Bai Xiaoyi out, a loud bang suddenly echoed from the doorway.
With a loud crash, a muscular fist smashed through the heavy door.
With a forceful twist of the arm, the entire door was forcibly ripped off.
A thunderous sound followed, and Qin Yu, one hand on the doorframe, slowly appeared in the doorway. His already fierce expression was now even more menacing, befitting his demonic nature.
"Who is Bai Xiaoyi?"
Qin Yu strode into the room. Zhao Youran was initially stunned, then her expression changed.
Zhao Youran wasn't stupid; on the contrary, as a top student at the Royal Academy, she was exceptionally intelligent.
Considering Qin Yu's relationship with Youli, and combining it with yesterday's events, Qin Yu's purpose in coming was self-evident.
"Qin Yu, I'm sorry about Yuli, but this isn't something you can interfere with. Listen to me, I will definitely give Yuli a satisfactory answer! Don't be impulsive!"
Zhao Youran hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade him, but Qin Yu pushed her away.
"Compared to your promises, I trust my fists more! Who is Bai Xiaoyi?!"
With a roar, Bai Xiaoyi stepped forward, a bright smile on his face.
"I am."
"You? You hurt Yuli, right?"
"That's right."
"Fine! I remember any student from Class 2, Grade 3! Has the right to challenge the reigning champion, right! Bai Xiaoyi! I challenge you!"
Qin Yu's words made everyone in the class look up at him.
After a moment of stunned silence, Bai Xiaoyi burst out laughing.
"You? Hahahaha! A level 1.1 martial artist? Challenging me, a level 2.7 genius? Hahahaha!"
"No, it's level 1.2."
"Is there a difference?"
"Of course there is. Your strength has increased, so I'll be even more ruthless when I hit you."
Bai Xiaoyi fell silent, looking at Qin Yu expressionlessly.
"I remember you're a demon, right? A demon! Do you think anyone would stand up for you if I killed you?"
Qin Yu's eyes widened upon hearing this, looking down at Bai Xiaoyi.
"I'm different from you. Whether anyone stands up for you or not, I will kill you!"
The two stared at each other for a few seconds, then Bai Xiaoyi clapped his hands.
"Alright! Then please kill me! I accept your challenge!"