Vol 2 Chapter 8.3 (1/2)
Chapter 8 – Registration Crisis (III)
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Black hair still concealed the left side of her face as she slowly walked up to Yin Zhu’s side. She threw a ruby coin onto the table and faced the teacher in charge of registration. “This is his tuition fee.” There were very few ruby coins that circulated the market. Only high-ranked n.o.bles used them. One ruby coin was equivalent to a hundred gold coins.
“Hai Yang, it’s you. You are going against me again,” the female mage angrily said.
“Luo Lan, I am not going against you. I merely cannot watch you bully our Divine Music division’s new student.” Hai Yang’s voice sounded as glacial as before. Yin Zhu’s heart, however, warmed. Her pale face appeared to be even more n.o.ble.
Luo Lan pointed a finger at Yin Zhu and said, “Well, this means you’re accepted. If you’re a man, however, in three days we’ll compete at the Freshman Compet.i.tion and see who’s better. Otherwise, whenever you see me, make a detour and f.u.c.k off.” After she said this, she paused, her eyes s.h.i.+ning with a mocking light. She pretended to receive a flash of realization. “Oh, I forgot. You’re part of the Divine Music division. The Divine Music division never partic.i.p.ates in the Freshman Compet.i.tion. Do you even have any offensive power?”
“I’ll partic.i.p.ate,” Yin Zhu accepted Luo Lan’s challenge. He blurted out his agreement without thinking.
Hai Yang wrinkled her brow and whispered, “Don’t be so impulsive…”
“I’m partic.i.p.ating,” Yin Zhu repeated once more. With a resolute and dedicated gaze, he continued, “Although I don’t know what the Freshman Compet.i.tion is, I accept your challenge.” At this very moment, he recalled his childhood. His grandfather said during his first Bamboo Dou Qi lesson, ‘A man cannot be arrogant, but he can be unyielding. As the successor to the Bamboo Sect, you need to possess a backbone as tall and straight as a bamboo.’
Luo Lan hummed, “Good! I’ll see you in the compet.i.tion then – if you can meet me. I reckon you’ll be unable to pa.s.s the first round or will just want to lie down on your bed. Perhaps you won’t even qualify for the compet.i.tion.” Finished speaking, she shot a glance at Hai Yang who was standing by Ye Yin Zhu, turned around, and left. She apparently didn’t want to confront Hai Yang face to face.
Looking at Luo Lan’s back, Yin Zhu’s eyes displayed a thoughtful light. At this moment, he seemed to have slightly grown up.
“You really want to partic.i.p.ate in the Freshman Compet.i.tion? Our Divine Music division never joins!” Xue Ling uneasily said.
Ye Yin Zhu nodded towards Xue Ling, “Yes. I want to partic.i.p.ate. My grandfather told me, ‘A man cannot shrink from any challenge.’”
Xue Ling stared at Yin Zhu with amazement. Her beautiful pupils dilated as she smiled and said, “Good! I’m partic.i.p.ating too.”
“Me too. I’ll also support you,” a shy voice resounded. Lan Xi, who Yin Zhu had just met not long ago, spoke up.
Hai Yang’s voice was still calm and flat. “The Freshman Compet.i.tion is led by a senior of the division.”
Ye Yin Zhu suddenly recalled something and hastily said, “Thank you, but I cannot accept your money.” He turned his body towards the table and tried to find the ruby coin, but the teacher collected it already.
Hai Yang slowly walked away and said, “You’re just borrowing, that’s all. You can pay me back later.” She left, but regardless if it was her or her guzheng, she left a deep impression in Yin Zhu’s mind.