Chapter 10 – The Hero Hall's July Appointment

Since ancient times, martial arts have been a skill for protecting home and country—strengthening the body while serving as essential self-defense in the conflicts of the martial world.

Ye Kuang had long felt a spontaneous yearning, harboring deep admiration for martial arts.

In antiquity, Lü Bu was hailed as the God of War, rarely meeting his match. As a modern man, why couldn’t Ye Kuang aspire to be such a warrior?

The poet-general Sha Tianxiang once wrote in her “Battle Hymn”: “Frontier men value martial prowess, sword light like lightning, aura like rainbows. Since ancient times, who escapes death? Wrapping corpses in horsehide defines heroes!”

If a woman warrior could achieve this, how could men allow themselves to be outdone?

It could be said this poem indirectly awakened Ye Kuang’s heart toward martial arts.

Though Ye Kuang might seem worthless in many aspects, a man’s ambitions span the four directions—how could he drift aimlessly through this life?

Humans, born between heaven and earth, should stand tall and unyielding.

His pursuit of martial arts wasn’t lofty or grandiose—merely driven by interest: first to strengthen his body, second for self-defense.

In a corner of the sports field…

Lin Qi: “Brother Kuang, shall we go practice after class?”

Ye Kuang: “Sure.”

With those words, they immediately reached an agreement.

Yinghao Martial Hall.

The receptionist was beautiful with a sweet voice. Though only wrapped in a chest cloth and wearing simple flat-bottomed shorts, her fiery figure remained unmistakable.

She stepped forward and greeted: “Little Brother Qi, you’re here again?”

As she spoke, her gaze swept past Lin Qi and settled on Ye Kuang, curiosity inevitably stirring.

Lin Qi: “Sister Jingxiang, this is my brother Kuang, Ye Kuang!”

“Oh…” Wang Jingxiang couldn’t help but study him a few more moments. New faces were inevitable opportunities for recognition in her line of work. She politely said, “Please, come inside!”

Hah!

Hah!

As Ye Kuang entered the main hall, he was immediately struck by the roaring shouts and clashing machinery.

Groups of two or three surrounded them—each with muscles so developed they seemed ready to burst from sight. Even without asking, it was clear they were all seasoned veterans with years of experience.

Lin Qi appeared accustomed to the scene, effortlessly locating Coach Ma.

Unexpectedly, Coach Ma turned out to be a woman—a fact Ye Kuang hadn’t noticed without closer observation.

Her muscular development rivaled any man’s, hinting at astonishing explosive power.

Creak!

Thud!

Her face remained calm, with healthy wheat-colored skin and slightly pursed lips as she pulled the calf raise machine with extraordinary effort.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang suddenly grabbed Lin Qi, who was about to step forward, and shook his head.

Only after Coach Ma finished her warm-up routine—which took a full quarter-hour—did Lin Qi approach to greet her.

Hearing him, Coach Ma seemed indifferent toward Lin Qi but inexplicably glanced at Ye Kuang, saying, “You… are quite remarkable.”

Her words left both men slightly awkward.

Lin Qi had no choice but to feel embarrassed—not only ignored but indirectly dismissed.

As for Ye Kuang, his embarrassment was simpler: he mistakenly thought Coach Ma had been captivated by his handsome face, developing feelings for him, which troubled him greatly.

“Sister Ma, I’m still young—not yet twenty. It’s not the time for romance,” Ye Kuang said.

Upon hearing this, Coach Ma spat out her mouthful of mineral water. How could she miss the implication in his words?She suddenly turned her head, her gaze sharp as she stared intently at Ye Kuang, then couldn’t help but sneer, “You’re even more narcissistic than I imagined. I must say, your skin is thick enough…”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but feel embarrassed again. This time, he had truly lost face in the worst way possible.

The beautiful ideal had completely derailed from the harsh reality, and he secretly wished he could find a hole to crawl into.

Seeing this, Lin Qi seemed utterly unaware of what face meant, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, and laughed mockingly without restraint.

Ye Kuang, seeing this, felt he had no dignity left. Clearly exasperated, he angrily retorted, “What are you laughing at? Be careful or you’ll laugh your teeth out!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he plopped down onto the Calf Raise Machine and began exerting force.

Immediately, the pull bar began to deform.

Whoosh—boom!

This sudden thunderclap echoed through the Martial Arts School, forcing everyone to halt their activities and look over in confusion.

At that moment, Lin Qi’s smile froze abruptly, his face filled with disbelief.

As if still unsatisfied, Ye Kuang repeatedly pulled with his arms, his speed so fast it surpassed ordinary human limits.

It could be called Divine Martial!

Whoosh—boom, boom…

The pull bar continued to deform, as if on the verge of snapping at any moment.

This scene thoroughly shocked everyone present!

Ye Kuang: “Aaaah…”

As he exerted more force, an indescribable sensation made him feel increasingly exhilarated. Every cell in his body seemed revitalized, enabling him to unleash strength beyond ordinary reach.

Even Coach Ma paused at this, turning sharply to witness this visually striking spectacle.

She knew exactly how the Calf Raise Machine had been set: 50 kilograms on each side, totaling 100 kilograms. This was simply not something an ordinary person could achieve.

This young man had clearly caught her attention!

Meanwhile, as Ye Kuang vigorously pulled on the Calf Raise Machine, the pull bar had severely deformed.

He seemed to have found an outlet for his pent-up energy, erupting with all his might.

The extraordinary strength he displayed made even the seasoned veterans secretly ashamed.

Bang!

Clatter, clatter…

In the blink of an eye, the pull bar snapped under Ye Kuang’s force, sending dozens of iron pieces scattering across the floor.

Our protagonist only then snapped back to reality, stumbling forward.

If Lin Qi hadn’t caught him, the hospital would likely have become Ye Kuang’s next destination!

Iron plates skidded everywhere, and one happened to roll to a stop near Coach Ma’s feet, causing the veterans to murmur in astonishment.

Witnessing this, Lin Qi couldn’t help but awkwardly say, “Sister Ma, I swear this was an accident. Do you believe me?”

Coach Ma, named Ma Xiu.

At this moment, she wore a stern expression as she looked at Ye Kuang and the others, speaking bluntly, “This Calf Raise Machine is part of a newly imported batch. I treasure them like my own children, and now it’s destroyed like this. How do you plan to make up for it?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang casually replied, “How much does it cost? I’ll pay for it!”

Ma Xiu burst into three loud laughs, casting a pitiful glance his way before coldly stating, “This is a newly imported batch, practically priceless. Thirty thousand!!!”

Lin Qi: “What? Thirty thousand? That expensive?”

Ye Kuang was dumbfounded upon hearing this.

Thirty thousand was no small sum. As a student, it was an astronomical figure to him!

How could he possibly repay it?

Would he have to beg from every relative he knew?Is he even human anymore?

Ye Kuang instantly deflated like a punctured ball, his heart filled with bitterness. “I can’t repay it.”

“Hahaha… Can’t repay it?” Ma Xiu’s laughter abruptly ceased, her tone turning icy. “Do you think saying ‘can’t repay it’ will make this go away?”

Lin Qi: “Sister Ma, let’s talk this through properly. We’re not saying we won’t repay it. This matter is just too sudden… How about this – let us both go back and gather the funds first…”

Before Lin Qi could finish, Ma Xiu interrupted with a series of cold sneers. “What? Planning to leave first? Do you take me for a three-year-old child?”

Ye Kuang: “Then what do you want? Three hundred thousand – we genuinely can’t produce that amount right now.”

He paused mid-sentence, then added with a miserable expression: “But I’ll do my utmost to gather the owed sum…”

Lin Qi: “Brother Kuang…”

Ye Kuang: “What’s done is done. More words won’t help. But this matter has nothing to do with Lin Qi…”

Lin Qi: “Brother Kuang…”

Ye Kuang suddenly pulled Lin Qi aside and laughed: “Do you think a mere three hundred thousand could possibly trouble me, Ye Kuang?”

Upon hearing this, Lin Qi suddenly fell silent.

Though Lin Qi very much wanted to say yes, the words stuck in his throat no matter how hard he tried to speak them.

Ye Kuang: “Let Lin Qi leave first. Whatever happens, I’ll bear full responsibility.”

As he spoke these words, he suddenly seemed to have matured considerably, yet the mountain of three hundred thousand debt pressed down on him until he could barely breathe.

“Brother Kuang!”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang interrupted Lin Qi again, smiling at Ma Xiu: “I was indeed at fault here. How about this – I can write an IOU first. Even if this goes to court, you’d win regardless. What do you say?”

Hearing this, Ma Xiu directly raised her hand to stop Lin Qi from speaking further.

She then stepped aside to clear a path, saying: “Only one of you may leave for now. We’ll discuss other matters after the IOU is written.”

Seeing this, Ye Kuang turned to Lin Qi: “If you still consider me your Brother Kuang, then leave first.”

Lin Qi could only sigh in sorrow upon hearing this. Seeing that Ye Kuang had already spoken to this extent, if he persisted further, they might not even remain friends after this matter was settled.

Lin Qi also knew Ye Kuang’s character well – he always meant what he said, and provoking Ye Kuang’s anger would have serious consequences.

Moments later.

Ye Kuang watched Lin Qi’s retreating figure and suddenly fell silent.

Ma Xiu: “What happened to your courage from earlier? This dejected appearance is completely different from before.”

Ye Kuang: “Bring paper and pen.”

Ma Xiu: “No hurry…”

Ye Kuang: “……”

Ma Xiu remained silent for a moment, then suddenly asked: “Would you be surprised if I said I’m interested in your Divine Martial abilities?”

Ye Kuang: “……”

Ma Xiu studied Ye Kuang for a moment before joking: “Alright, I’m not actually forcing you to repay the money. These are just material possessions – they mean little to me.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang suddenly asked: “What are you trying to say?”

Ma Xiu then stated a fact: “Perhaps you’ve never understood the importance of reputation. Our Yinghao Martial Hall is essentially a nationwide chain with members everywhere. A mere three hundred thousand means nothing to us, but reputation is another matter entirely!”

As her words faded, she suddenly threw a swift punch forward.

So quick it defied description!

Ma Xiu’s wheat-colored fist looked like a hammer, brimming with explosive power.Seeing this situation, Ye Kuang could clearly see the punch coming, yet his body simply couldn’t keep up with his brain’s reaction speed.

Bang!

Watching Ye Kuang fall to the ground, Ma Xiu couldn’t help but laugh. “Do you feel weak now?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang’s expression shifted repeatedly.

Ma Xiu acted as if she hadn’t noticed and continued with a smile, “Seven months! I only need you to serve Yinghao for seven months! And during the final period, you must represent Yinghao Martial Hall in a competition!”

Ye Kuang: “What do you mean?”

Ma Xiu: “Exactly what it sounds like. During this time, our professional instructors will give you special training to fully draw out the Divine Martial within you. But as a condition, as mentioned earlier, if you can win the championship, the three hundred thousand will be waived. How about it?!”

“Deal!”