Chapter Eight: How Could It Ever Be Closed?

At the school gate, the group mounted their bicycles and headed toward the riverside beach on the outskirts of the city.

There was a stretch of soft, clean sand along the riverbank—perfect for running, jumping, and playing around.

“When I have money, I’ll build my own exclusive martial arts school, equipped with the top-notch gear!”

Riding his bike, Jian Cui indulged in dreams of the future.

“Then I’ll hire seven or eight sparring partners to train with me every day and loosen up my muscles!”

Hearing this, Rui Zhao’s heart stirred. Since they planned to be sparring partners, why not charge for it?

Having a suitable private sparring job wouldn’t be bad at all—much like tutoring in a past life.

But it needed to be reliable, as this world was far more chaotic than the last.

Since the three were outdoors, they didn’t bother wearing protective gear. Having all reached the rank of Third-Level Martial Artist, their control was solid.

After a simple warm-up, they began sparring freely. Without the constraints of a teacher’s rules, they engaged in a free-for-all.

Brilliant and unorthodox moves emerged one after another—some techniques they wouldn’t dare show before their instructors were now unleashed.

At times, Rui Zhao and Jian Cui jointly attacked Snow Bai, while at others, Snow Bai and Jian Cui pressed Rui Zhao from both front and back.

Jian Cui’s kung fu was bold and expansive, each move powerful and steady, like giant stones rolling and sweeping through armies.

Rui Zhao’s Qingyun Palm combined external and internal skills, sometimes fierce and resolute, sometimes agile and clever, like a lurking tiger in the grass, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Despite their fierce and dynamic attacks, neither could shake Snow Bai’s grounded strength, as steady as a mountain.

During the fight, Snow Bai’s white arms moved like plowing hands pressing down, her knees bent into a stable stance; in a flash, she shifted into a triangular horse stance, her fists sparkling like silver stars in the sky.

Her left fist launched a “Chain Sun Strike” straight at Rui Zhao’s face, while her right palm executed a “Pillow Hand Ambush” targeting Jian Cui’s vital spot. Simultaneously, a knee strike struck like a venomous dragon emerging from a cave—this was the triple-threat technique “Little Thought · Three Bowing Buddhas.”

This move forced two opponents at once, becoming stronger and smoother with every exchange.

After a while, the two men found themselves united in attacking just Snow Bai.

The young girl appeared effortlessly light and calm, not the least bit flustered, even showing signs of counterattack.

“Stop, stop!”

Snow Bai swept her palms in a lotus-like motion, forcing the two to retreat. She leapt away, a faint sheen of fragrant sweat on her brow, her voice delicate: “You two ganged up on me, I’m about to give out.”

Jian Cui twitched his cheek, half envious, and said, “I feel like it’s us who are about to give out. Your Wing Chun is really something!”

Rui Zhao smiled and said, “Let’s take a break. I’ll go buy some drinks.”

With that, he headed toward the small shop by the beach.

“I’ll come with you!”

Snow Bai’s light footsteps followed eagerly.

Under the starry night, the girl in her white dress danced lightly, like a freshly blossomed plum flower, adding a touch of fragrance to the dark sky.

Rui Zhao glanced at her and, like Jian Cui, felt a twinge of envy.

---

This was the advantage of having a renowned master’s guidance: superb martial arts skills that, once experience increased, immediately translated into combat strength.

Far beyond the reach of mediocre street fighters.

Snow Bai’s Wing Chun Inquiry technique was an inner sect art of the Emei Sect, especially suited for women. Combined with Emei’s internal heart method, it exuded a sharp and graceful aura.

“Taihang Thirteen Palms, progress seventy-three percent,

Wing Chun Inquiry, progress fifteen percent!”

Seeing the numbers on the system panel, Rui Zhao’s envy vanished instantly. Soon, with just twenty-seven percent more, he would complete one technique perfectly.

Then he could discover the system panel’s full capabilities.

“Why are you so quiet?”

Snow Bai looked at the slightly pensive Rui Zhao and asked softly.

The girl’s delicate steps bounced joyfully to stand before him, stepping back and facing him.

“Just thinking about something,” Rui Zhao smiled.

“Don’t tell me it’s Luo Min?”

The dimpled smile on the girl’s face was even more intoxicating than fine wine.

“Why would I think about her? What do you want to drink?”

Rui Zhao smiled, ignoring her question.

“Don’t all you boys like her? Actually, us girls think she’s pretty too. I wonder how she did on the early admission exam?”

“Pretty? I think you’re prettier!”

Half-joking, Rui Zhao complimented her. To men, women who met the standard of beauty each had unique charms.

It was impossible to say who was the most beautiful—everyone had their own tastes.

“You’re just talking nonsense. I’m nowhere near as good as her,” Snow Bai replied shyly, her smile blossoming like peach flowers.

“I’m not close to her, so I can’t really tell. What will you have to drink?”

As they chatted, they arrived at the shop and quickly bought some drinks. As they were about to leave, several tattooed men strode in.

One of them immediately fixed his gaze on the young woman walking out—his look blatantly ill-intentioned.

“Hey, little lady, let me buy you a soda?”

The tattooed man raised an eyebrow and reached out to block Snow Bai’s path.

Snow Bai furrowed her delicate brows, her eyes icy as frost as she stared at the man.

“Hey, I like a little firecracker like you...”

“Hey, take it easy...”

Before the tattooed man could say more, Snow Bai caught his arm with one strong forearm, pressing down sharply on his wrist’s Daling acupuncture point with three fingers.

The man doubled over in pain as she hooked his ankle with her right foot, twisting her waist like a grindstone, then executed a binding lock, slamming him heavily onto the shop’s metal floor.

Her knee pressed against his back at the Lingtai point; the entire sequence flowed gracefully and swiftly like running water.

“Damn... ouch...”

The other tattooed men, seeing this, dared not approach. They shouted, “None of our business! None of our business!”

Then they backed off and left the shop hastily.

“Lady warrior, I was wrong! I didn’t recognize your worth! I deserve this, I deserve to die!”

The hurt tattooed man grimaced in pain, inwardly wanting to cry but unable to. This seemingly delicate girl was actually a trained martial artist.

“My brother is Qian Gaoyuan from Huachen Middle School. This time, it’s my fault...”

The man gritted his teeth, begging for mercy.

“Qian Gaoyuan? From Shengan High? I don’t know him. If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll break your arm!”

Snow Bai said coldly.

“Get lost!”

“Y-yes!”

The tattooed man nodded rapidly, eager to comply, fearing Snow Bai might change her mind.

“Lady warrior, you’re too kind!”

Covering his arm, the man retreated. When he saw his companions standing outside the shop, his anger flared. He charged forward and kicked each one.

“Damn it! Cowards!”

The men scattered in chaos, running off.

“Such a nuisance!”

Snow Bai frowned, watching them leave, clearly displeased.

“Though those punks are annoying, it also proves your attractiveness!”

Rui Zhao smiled, handing her a bottle of drink before stepping out ahead.

“Bah, who cares? The government is just too lenient. If you ask me, they should lock all these punks up.”

“Where would they even put them all?”

“Let’s go.”