Chapter 83: The Reckoning
Six Rivers Academy.
The martial training ground was shrouded in a deathly silence.
Hundreds of people stood there, not a whisper among them. Each pair of eyes was wide open, every face marked by disbelief.
The duel between Gao Hong and Fang Xiao had caused a stir in the academy days ago, the rumors spreading to the county town as well.
So today, more than usual had come, eager for spectacle.
But regardless of what anyone had imagined, not one could have predicted such an outcome.
How could this be?
It was utterly impossible!
Gao Hong, direct scion of the Gao family of Six Rivers, had shown exceptional promise from the moment he entered the academy two years ago. His talent and insight in martial arts had won him praise from many instructors, some even believing his innate potential was extraordinary.
Amongst the academy’s many gifted students, this young man from the Gao family had never disappointed, a shining representative among martial artists.
Recently, Gao Hong had passed the initial martial arts examination at Jingyuan Academy, earning him even greater renown.
What incited the most envy, jealousy, and resentment was this: he had caught the eye of a true master.
With guidance from a grandmaster, Gao Hong’s chances at the next round of exams at Jingyuan Academy were virtually assured.
His future seemed limitless.
And what was Fang Xiao, by comparison?
Though many had heard of him, his rumored talent was considered nothing remarkable—after all, the academy was never short of gifted students.
No one believed, or rather refused to believe, that Fang Xiao, always an outsider among his peers, could be a true martial prodigy.
At best, he’d had a stroke of luck, gaining Instructor Lin Chong’s favor. Nothing more.
Yet now, Fang Xiao—whom none expected to prevail, whom many secretly despised and mocked—had knocked the invincible Gao Hong off the stage with a single punch, leaving him in a state between life and death.
It was as if the world had turned upside down.
Those who had wagered heavily on Gao Hong were instantly shattered in spirit.
Were it not for Gao Hong’s special status, they might have suspected the bookmakers of setting them up.
“Fang…” Han Da Hu, hidden among the crowd, muttered in a daze, “That’s incredible!”
He swallowed back his instinctive cry of “Brother Fang, well done!” and did not shout it aloud.
Han Da Hu was simple, not foolish. With the atmosphere so tense, to cheer for Fang Xiao would be to doom himself to ostracism.
On the stage, Fang Xiao withdrew his gaze from the unconscious Gao Hong and looked to the instructor responsible for arbitration.
The middle-aged instructor’s expression was already slipping out of control.
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His eyes were blank.
Who am I? What am I doing here? How did I end up at this place?!
In truth, this martial arts instructor’s most important task for the duel was to ensure Fang Xiao would not be killed by Gao Hong.
After all, for a freshman to be beaten to death on the stage by a senior in front of everyone—even if accidents happen in sparring—it would damage the reputation of Six Rivers Academy.
Besides, Fang Xiao had some background.
But should Fang Xiao be injured, crippled, or ruined, the instructor would not interfere. Fang Xiao had accepted the challenge of his own accord, after all.
But the instructor never imagined that the one now beaten to the brink of death would be Gao Hong.
Gao Hong, scion of the Gao family!
How was he to resolve this?
Should he declare Fang Xiao the victor?
Sweat beaded on the instructor’s forehead, countless droplets forming.
He felt the large silver notes hidden in his breast pocket burning, about to catch fire!
“Gao Hong!”
A stern shout jolted everyone back to their senses.
A gray shadow flew onto the stage, landing beside Gao Hong.
It was a dignified old man in a grey robe, his gaze grave as he quickly pulled open Gao Hong’s shattered outer garment.
In the next moment, a glint of dark gold flashed.
“Black Gold Armor!”
A martial student nearby cried out before he could stop himself.
Under Gao Hong’s outer garment was a suit of inner armor, woven from black gold threads!
This was blatant cheating!
The academy had rules: those settling disputes in the ring must not use weapons, hidden tools, or equipment such as armor, to ensure basic fairness.
With an arbitration instructor present, mortal outcomes could be minimized.
Everyone knew this rule.
Who could have imagined that a noble scion of the Gao family would secretly wear armor on stage?
Such a piece of black gold armor, with superb defensive power, was worth at least ten thousand silver taels—affordable only by great clans.
The martial student who had exposed Gao Hong’s armor realized his mistake the moment he spoke, hastily shutting his mouth and trying to retreat into the crowd, face pale.
But it was too late.
Everyone’s gaze snapped back to Gao Hong.
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Many saw it now: Gao Hong, clad in black gold armor, had a chest sunken in, with unknown numbers of broken ribs.
If not for the armor, he might have died already!
How strong was Fang Xiao, then?
This question dawned on everyone; they exchanged bewildered glances.
Some began to feel a surge of contempt for the badly injured Gao Hong.
How shameless!
“What are you all standing around for?” the grey-robed elder roared. “Hurry up and send Gao Hong to the Dao Hall for treatment!”
His eyes gleamed with wrath—he was furious.
Several martial students quickly rushed forward to lift Senior Gao from the ground.
For this grey-robed elder was none other than Xue Zhenhai, Martial Hall’s Chief Instructor!
Six Rivers Academy had a Chief Instructor, three Deputy Instructors, and dozens of teachers.
The Chief rarely managed daily affairs; the three Deputies handled most duties.
When Xue Zhenhai was angry, everyone panicked.
Fortunately, Dao Hall had resident medical cultivators—one Spring Revival spell could save Gao Hong’s life.
No matter how severe the injuries, as long as there was one breath left, they could pull someone back from the brink.
But saving his life was one thing; restoring him fully without lasting harm was another.
Xue Zhenhai quickly assessed Gao Hong’s condition.
The Gao family youth was gravely wounded—broken ribs and damaged organs were minor matters. The critical issue was a wounded heart meridian.
Without superior elixirs, a complete recovery was impossible.
Such medicines might not even be in stock at Qingfeng Temple.
To save their family’s prodigy, the Gao family would pay a steep price.
In truth, Gao Hong was now a ruined man.
Thinking of the Gao family's inevitable inquiry, Xue Zhenhai’s anger rose.
“Fang Xiao!” he pointed at Fang Xiao atop the stage, his eyes furious. “Do you realize your crime?!”
His powerful voice thundered, making everyone’s ears ring and faces pale with fright.
Except Fang Xiao, the target of his accusation.
Not only was he unafraid, he replied with unyielding strength, “What crime? Don’t spout nonsense!”
His words rang out with conviction, unwavering and bold.