HOUZI remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.

“Say something!” someone urged impatiently. “If the Big Cat doesn’t show up, we can’t really say we’ve eliminated the Ninth Prince.”

“That’s right…” the others chimed in.

“Relax. He won’t come tomorrow—because he’s mine to deal with.” HOUZI spoke with an effortless calm, yet his words carried undeniable authority.

The crowd exchanged uncertain glances, but the solemn expression on HOUZI’s face left no room for doubt.

“Alright then, let’s split up and take action,” someone announced, standing up. The others followed suit, preparing to leave.

Just as they were about to step out, someone suddenly asked, “By the way, after this battle, you’re not going to think of yourself as our leader, are you?”

Everyone halted, turning their eyes to HOUZI.

I, too, watched him closely. Of course, we all hoped that after taking down the Ninth Prince, we could form a new force of our own. Otherwise, how else would HOUZI and Huang Jie’s ambitions be realized? But these men were proud and untamed; they wouldn’t submit to anyone so easily.

“Of course not.” HOUZI smiled. “As they say, ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend.’ We’re just temporarily united against a common foe. Once the Ninth Prince falls, we’ll all go our separate ways. That said, if you ever need anything in the future, you can always come to me—I might just be able to help.”

Beautifully said! I was impressed. HOUZI neither claimed leadership nor severed ties completely. By saying, “You can come to me,” he was also implying, “I might come to you.”

“Fair enough.” The others didn’t seem to catch the subtle nuance and finally dispersed.

“Wait a moment.” HOUZI suddenly called out. “We’re friends now, aren’t we?”

“Of course,” the crowd responded, puzzled.

I immediately realized what HOUZI was about to do and rushed toward him.

“Then can you lend me—”

I clamped a hand over HOUZI’s mouth just in time, muffling the last two words: “five bucks.”

“What did you say?” someone asked, confused.

“Mmmph mmmph…” With my hand still over his mouth, HOUZI’s words were unintelligible.

“He’s saying you guys can lend—”

Before Huang Jie could finish, I used my other hand to silence him, pinning them both onto the bed.

“What the hell is going on?” The others grew even more suspicious.

“Nothing, nothing! Just messing around. You guys should go back and discuss tomorrow’s plan.”

“Oh… Alright then.” The group finally left the dorm.

Only then did I let them go, scowling. “What the hell was that? Didn’t we already agree at the internet café?”

“Oh, right! I totally forgot. My bad, it’s a habit.” HOUZI smacked his forehead.

“I had nothing to do with this—it was all HOUZI’s idea,” Huang Jie declared, raising his hands in surrender.

“Are you trying to scare them all away?”

I sighed, then turned around—only to let out a startled curse.

Standing at the door, dressed in leather from head to toe, was Zheng Wu. He remained silent, head slightly lowered, exuding an aura of effortless cool.

“Why are you still here?” I asked, shaken.

“Zheng Wu, do you need something?” HOUZI got up as well.

Zheng Wu removed his sunglasses and said, “Maomao is my brother. And you’re Maomao’s brother. That makes us brothers too.”

“Yes!” HOUZI’s eyes sparkled—I suspected he was about to ask for money again.

“I’m also HOUZI’s brother, which makes us brothers too!” Huang Jie chimed in excitedly, like a wolf eyeing its prey.

The two of them were practically sharpening their blades, ready to take advantage of the naive Zheng Wu.

“Yeah, we’re all brothers.” Zheng Wu nodded. “Can you lend me five bucks? I haven’t eaten dinner yet.”

HOUZI: “…”

Huang Jie: “…”

Me: “Hahahahahaha!”

Zheng Wu, oblivious to their stunned silence, mistook their hesitation for reluctance and quickly explained, “I know it’s not great to ask for money right after meeting, but I had no choice. This afternoon, I saw an old lady fall on the street, so I helped her up… and ended up losing the two hundred bucks I had in my pocket.”

HOUZI: “…”

Huang Jie: “…”

Even I found his story hard to believe. Who would dare help an old lady on the street these days?

“So, HOUZI, can I borrow it? I’ll pay you back once I get some from Maomao tomorrow.”

I watched HOUZI with amusement, eager to see how he’d handle this.

“What are you saying? Brothers don’t keep track of petty debts.” HOUZI turned to me. “Zuo Fei, give him five bucks.”

Me: “…”

Reluctantly, I handed over the money. Zheng Wu took it and sighed in admiration. “Being the boss sure is nice. When you’re out of money, you can just ask your underlings.”

“I’m not his underling!”

But Zheng Wu ignored my protests, tucking the money away and striding out the door.

Now, only the three of us remained in the dorm. Without wasting time, I asked, “HOUZI, how do you plan to deal with the Big Cat?”

“Go find Zheng Wu and discuss tomorrow’s plan first. Then come back—I’ll tell you then.”

“Alright.”

I stepped out but suddenly realized something was off. Since when did I follow HOUZI’s orders so obediently? Wasn’t I just proving his claim? But since I was already out, I decided to just go with it. I hurried after Zheng Wu, trailing him back to his dorm.

“Damn, it’s so hot.” As soon as he entered, Zheng Wu removed his sunglasses and started taking off his jacket. Then, hearing my footsteps, he quickly put it back on. Seeing that it was me, he coolly asked, “What do you need?”

“If you’re hot, just take it off…”

“No, it’s fine. What do you want?”

Ignoring his stubborn pride, I got straight to the point. “Tomorrow, we’re fighting Yang Cheng, right? He’s got seven or eight guys. HOUZI sent me to discuss our strategy.”

“HOUZI really is a meticulous guy. And you, well, you’re a loyal little underling.”

“I am NOT HOUZI’s underling!” I snapped.

“Haha, you say that, but it sounds almost rebellious. Don’t worry, I won’t tell HOUZI.” Zheng Wu even winked at me.

“…” I was at my breaking point. Dealing with these people was exhausting.

“Tomorrow, just stick close to me and hold onto this.” Zheng Wu handed me a weighted baton.

I took the hefty weapon. One hit from this thing and I’d probably be done for.

“Alright, you can go now. Just remember to meet me tomorrow.”

Taking the baton, I returned to Room 305. As expected, I found HOUZI sprawled on his bed, fast asleep.

Let him sleep. There's no rush to ask about Big Cat; tomorrow will suffice. Though HOUZI often seems unserious, he is undeniably reliable when it comes to handling matters. Returning to my dormitory, I placed the strength rod beside my pillow and drifted into sleep.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

In my dreams, thousands of warriors and gallant steeds charged forth.

The next morning, gripping the strength rod, I made my way to the classroom. The first official day of lessons passed uneventfully. Each class resumed its usual order, and the campus exuded an air of tranquility. Yet, beneath this veneer of peace, a select few were aware of the impending battle.

After the first lesson, I stood in the corridor. Before long, Liu Yina, Lin Ke'er, and the others gathered around me. At this point, I was practically one of their closest companions, almost becoming the fourteenth ‘Rose’ in their circle. No wonder Zhou Kun teased me about being surrounded by women.

Something was amiss today. The usual chatter filled the air, yet one person was missing—Wang Yao.

“Where’s Wang Yao?” I asked, puzzled.

“Oh? The first name off your lips is Wang Yao? Are you planning to juggle two girls at once? That’s rather heartless of you, disregarding our dear Ke’er like that,” Liu Yina teased, her words rapid-fire. I barely uttered a sentence, yet she had already unleashed four or five.

“Zuo Fei!”

HOUZI approached, beaming with delight. “Oh, Liu Yina is here too? What a coincidence! Fate truly brings us together.”

“I see hundreds of classmates every day. Does that mean I’m fated to be with each of them?”

“Well, this is different,” HOUZI scratched his head, his face suddenly flushing red.

I was momentarily stunned—was this the same thick-skinned HOUZI I knew? Then I recalled his feelings for Liu Yina and seized the chance. “Oh? And what makes this different? Could it be that it’s different because Liu Yina is here?”

The girls erupted into laughter; clearly, they were all aware of HOUZI’s affections.

Meanwhile, Lin Ke’er gently tugged at my sleeve and whispered, “Wang Yao said she had something to do today, so she didn’t come.”

“Got it,” I nodded, not giving it much thought.

As class time approached, my nerves began to tighten. Yang Zecheng, Li Baiyu, Zhu Jianlong—each of them had positioned themselves outside their respective targets' classrooms, feigning ignorance of one another. Though I had been in fights before, my palms were now slick with cold sweat, and even conversing with Lin Ke’er felt somewhat distracted.

“Zuo Fei, are you alright?” She sensed something was off.

“I’m fine. You should head back; class is starting soon.”

Perhaps my tone was too serious. Lin Ke’er gave a slight nod before departing with Zhang Xuan and the others.

“What’s going on with you two? So secretive,” Liu Yina glanced between me and HOUZI.

“We’re about to take on a raid boss,” HOUZI whispered. “Today marks the end of the Ninth Prince.”

So, in the presence of the girl he liked, all secrets and strategies ceased to exist.

Liu Yina nearly exclaimed aloud.

“Shhh!”

“Alright, alright, I won’t say anything! When do you make your move?” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

HOUZI checked the time. “As soon as class starts. That gives us… three minutes.”

“Perfect! Best of luck—I hope you achieve swift victory!” She eagerly held out her hand.

“Thanks.” HOUZI, equally thrilled, high-fived her.

At that moment, for some inexplicable reason, Wang Yao’s face surfaced in my mind. It was truly a pity that she wasn’t here today.

“HOUZI.”

A voice suddenly called out.

We turned to see Zheng Wu standing before us, clad in the same outfit from last night—black leather jacket, black leather pants, and black sunglasses.

“You’re still wearing that?” Even HOUZI couldn’t hold back. Wearing such attire in the sweltering heat was borderline absurd.

“Hm?” Zheng Wu adjusted his jacket. “Does it not look good?”

“…It looks fine, but don’t you feel hot?”

“Not really. This is my battle attire. Whenever I fight at Seventh High with Maomao, I wear this—it makes me feel secure.”

“…Fair enough.” HOUZI was left speechless.

“Zuo Fei.” Zheng Wu lowered his sunglasses slightly, casting his gaze upward. “Where’s my weapon?”

“Right here.” I patted the inside of my coat.

“Good.” He pushed his sunglasses back into place. “Stick close to me later.”

“Got it.”

One minute remained. Most students had already entered their classrooms, leaving the hallway nearly deserted except for us. Still, we maintained an air of casual conversation, acting as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

“HOUZI!”

Huang Jie approached, grinning.

“Are we ready?”

“All set. Here’s yours, and here’s mine.” He pulled out two pick handles, handing one to HOUZI.

“Nice.” HOUZI gripped the handle, his lips curling into a knowing smile.

“It is, isn’t it? I took a quick walk past Class Five—Big Cat really isn’t here today. HOUZI, how did you pull that off?”

“Haha, that’s a secret.” HOUZI smirked mysteriously.

“Wait, Big Cat’s not here? And Wang Yao’s absent too?” Liu Yina remarked.

My mind buzzed. Two seemingly unrelated statements suddenly aligned.

I thought back to that day at the internet café—when I told HOUZI we were going after the Ninth Prince, Wang Yao had offered her help. At the time, HOUZI had fallen silent for a long moment before claiming he had an idea. When I asked what it was, he refused to say.

Grabbing HOUZI by the arm, I pulled him aside and asked urgently, “Did you have Wang Yao lure Big Cat away?”

“Oh? You figured it out?” He chuckled. “That’s right. If we’re taking down the Ninth Prince, there’s no way Big Cat can be around. Without him, the Ninth Prince is a headless snake—taking him out will be effortless. We wipe out his lackeys first, and then dealing with Big Cat later will be easy. Only Wang Yao could make this happen. If she asked Big Cat to meet her, there’s no way he’d refuse.”

“But… won’t Wang Yao be in danger?” My hands trembled slightly.

“Come on, what danger? Even if you gave Big Cat a hundred times the courage, he wouldn’t dare lay a finger on Wang Yao.” HOUZI dismissed the concern with ease.

“But…”

Just then, the shrill chime of the class bell rang out. As if it were a battle horn signaling the charge, Yang Zecheng, Li Baiyu, and the others simultaneously brandished their weapons and surged into their target classrooms like a tidal wave.

“HOUZI, move!” Huang Jie roared as he dashed toward a classroom.

“Got it!” HOUZI followed closely, heading straight for another formidable adversary within Jiu Taizi’s ranks—one said to be no less difficult to deal with than Yang Cheng, the very one Zheng Wu and I had set our sights on.

“Zuo Fei, let’s go!” Zheng Wu strode toward Yang Cheng’s classroom, his black leather jacket and pants lending him an almost cinematic flair.

Yet, I remained rooted in place. My mind was consumed with thoughts of Wang Yao. Would Da Mao truly dare not touch her? Though Wang Yao was fierce in her own right, and though her brother had a notorious reputation, what if Da Mao’s depraved courage overcame his restraint—just as Xing Qiu had drugged Lin Ke’er?

I dared not entertain the thought any further. Perhaps I didn’t understand Da Mao and Wang Yao as well as HOUZI did; perhaps that was why he was so assured, so nonchalant. But all I knew was that I could not—absolutely could not—allow Wang Yao to be alone with Da Mao.

By now, agonized cries and the chaotic clatter of combat filled the school. Screams echoed down the corridors as panicked students fled from their classrooms.

“Zuo Fei, what the hell are you doing?! Give me the power rod—now!” Zheng Wu shouted from the doorway of Yang Cheng’s classroom.

“Oh!” Jolted from my trance, I hurried over, my mind still in turmoil—so much so that I had forgotten to retrieve the power rod.

“Damn it!” Zheng Wu cursed.

I barely had time to look up before Yang Cheng, alerted by the commotion from other classrooms, burst out the door, swinging a chair straight at Zheng Wu’s head.

But Zheng Wu was Zheng Wu. He merely staggered for a second before retaliating with a brutal kick to Yang Cheng’s stomach, sending him sprawling back into the classroom, limbs flailing.

“The rod!” Zheng Wu snapped, glancing back at me. I hastily handed it over.

With a roar, he charged inside. I followed closely. The classroom was already in chaos—seven or eight boys had surrounded Zheng Wu, brandishing whatever makeshift weapons they could find. Yet, wielding his power rod like a tempest, Zheng Wu forced them all back with sheer, unrelenting ferocity.

I, however, had only one thought in mind—Wang Yao. I couldn’t waste time here. Just as I was about to turn and leave, I caught a glimpse of Yang Cheng struggling to his feet, gripping a chair, and preparing to strike Zheng Wu from behind.

I couldn’t stand idly by. Grabbing a chair of my own, I swung it down hard on his back. He collapsed with a resounding thud.

Zheng Wu turned, momentarily startled, before smirking. “I saw him coming. I was just about to deal with him myself. Don’t go thinking you saved me.”

“Watch out—front!” I shouted, hurling my chair at another attacker, who was poised to bring a club down on Zheng Wu’s head. The man crumpled instantly.

Zheng Wu had no words this time. He simply gripped his power rod tighter and charged forward again. In his black leather ensemble, he looked even more imposing—his aura sharp, his movements decisive. The sight alone sent Yang Cheng’s lackeys stumbling backward in fear. He cut through them effortlessly, felling one after another like a blade through bamboo.

The girls in the classroom screamed, either cowering in corners or fleeing into the corridor. Desks and chairs lay toppled in every direction. But with Yang Cheng incapacitated and Zheng Wu clearly holding his own, I turned and bolted from the classroom.

The corridor was a warzone—some fights had already spilled out into the open, furious shouts ringing from all directions. Those who had bottled up their rage since last night were finally unleashing it in full force.

Not even the school’s security guards would be able to contain this madness.

I sprinted to another classroom, where I found HOUZI and Huang Jie locked in combat, striking with precision and overwhelming their opponents with ease. Navigating through the overturned desks, I made my way to HOUZI’s side.

“HOUZI!”

“Zuo Fei? What are you doing here? How’s Zheng Wu?” He spoke while still exchanging blows, barely breaking stride.

“He’s fine—he can handle it alone. Where did Wang Yao take Da Mao?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t ask. I told you—there’s nothing to worry about.”

“No! I have to check. Where might they be?”

“There’s a milk tea shop near the school entrance—maybe there? I can’t be sure.”

“Got it!”

I didn’t waste another second. I turned and ran, dodging the chaos in the hallways and dashing down the stairs. Just as I reached the lower floor, I saw the security team storming in, fully armed.

Bursting out of the school gates, I immediately dialed Wang Yao’s number. The prolonged ringing on the other end made my anxiety skyrocket. Then, at last, she answered.

“Wang Yao! Where are you?”

“Hmm? I’m at the milk tea shop near the school. You guys finished already?”

“It’s over. Are you okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she chuckled. “Are you coming over? Da Mao’s here too.”

Relief washed over me. “Alright, wait there.”

Just as I was about to hang up, a sudden yell erupted from the background.

“Da Mao, what the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

My stomach dropped. I pressed the phone closer. “Wang Yao? What’s happening? Talk to me!”

A loud crash sounded—her phone had hit the floor, but the call was still connected.

“Heh… I was planning to wait a little longer, but since you went and invited someone else…”

“Da Mao! Don’t you dare! My brother will kill you!”

“Heh… If I can have you for one night, it’d be worth dying for… I’ve waited too long for this. Can you believe it? This is the very drug Xing Qiu used—it’s supposed to be incredibly potent…”

The line went dead.

My ears buzzed.

It had happened. It had really happened.

I took off without hesitation, sprinting at full speed. The wind roared past my ears as I tore through the streets.

At last, the milk tea shop came into view. I kicked open the door and stormed inside. The startled employees looked up, wide-eyed. But the shop was empty—there wasn’t a single customer in sight.

Had they already left?

My hands trembled. One of the staff members cautiously stepped forward. “C-Can I help you?”

“Just now—was there a chubby guy and a beautiful girl here?”

“Yes.”

“Where did they go?!”

“They didn’t leave. They’re still here.” The employee pointed toward the shop’s private booths.

A booth?

They were still here!

Without a second thought, I charged forward and kicked the door open, bellowing, “Da Mao, you son of a—”

My voice cut off.

The booth was empty.

Only two steaming cups of milk tea remained on the table.

But the window was open.

I didn’t stop to think—I leaped onto the windowsill and jumped out. The alley beyond was narrow and dimly lit. Not far ahead, a plump figure was fleeing, a girl cradled in his arms.

“Da Mao! Stop right there!” I roared, launching myself forward in pursuit.