Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Tit for Tat
Although the Martial Venerable’s suggestion was merely that—a suggestion—who would dare not to follow it?
To defy the order of a national pillar, whose words were like sacred decrees, wasn’t that courting death?
Yet a great Martial Venerable, actually targeting a mere youth?
Soon, everyone understood. It turned out that Shi Hao, on his way here, had incidentally beaten up Luo Chen at the academy’s gate, and Luo Chen was Sect Master Duan’s young disciple.
Even more so, Shi Hao had broken Luo Chen’s limbs.
—The fact that the Martial Venerable hadn’t directly ordered Shi Hao’s death was already a great leniency.
Instantly, the area buzzed with discussion, everyone shocked at Shi Hao’s audacity to even cripple the disciple of a Martial Venerable.
“This!” The dean hesitated a bit, considering Shi Hao’s exceptional talents. Moreover, if someone in a small rural city could become stronger than Luo Chen, why not take Shi Hao as a disciple too?
Wouldn’t such a disciple be even more impressive? Perhaps he might even become another Martial Venerable in the future.
Having two Martial Venerables from the same sect, wouldn’t that be striking and awe-inspiring?
“Dean, this is my master’s wish,” Li Lei said with a smile, emphasizing his point.
No matter how strong your talent is, if you don’t show enough respect to the Martial Honor Lineage, how can they possibly take you as a disciple?
There are plenty of talents in the world, but across the ages, how many have achieved the status of Martial Venerable?
The leap to that level is as difficult as ascending to the heavens!
The dean sighed; no matter what potential Shi Hao might have in the future, in the presence of a Martial Venerable, he was nothing but an ant, utterly powerless to resist.
“Wait!” Just as he was about to speak, Shi Hao gestured with his hand, interrupting him.
Was this young man pleading for mercy?
After all, entering the Imperial Capital Academy was an opportunity to rise to great heights in the future.
Li Lei was filled with proud anticipation, convinced Shi Hao would beg for mercy.
Unfortunately, Duan Jinghong held an exceptional fondness for Luo Chen. Upon learning that Luo Chen’s limbs had been crippled, he was already enraged. This was just the beginning.
Therefore, no matter how Shi Hao pleaded, it would only be humiliating himself.
“What do you want to say?” he asked with a laugh, not minding toying with Shi Hao a bit.
“What did you just call me?” Shi Hao asked.
Huh? What did that mean?
Li Lei was stunned, never expecting Shi Hao to utter such a phrase.
“You see, I’m actually quite easygoing. If you don’t bother me, I couldn’t care less about any random dog or cat,” Shi Hao spoke calmly, “But you just had to court death, troubling me.”
Li Lei was taken aback once more and after a moment, burst into laughter: “What, you want to hit me too?”
“Hahahaha!” Many people laughed; it was indeed funny.
A disciple of the Martial Venerable, an advanced martial master, someone who could even be called the foremost person below the Martial Sect in the Imperial Capital.
You are indeed strong, but are you a Martial Sect?
Shi Hao walked toward Li Lei, seemingly ready to prove his determination with action.
Li Lei’s face immediately darkened, revealing a trace of murderous intent.
Too arrogant, daring to be so presumptuous in front of him!
“Courting death!” he shouted softly, initiating an attack.
Transforming Cloud Hand!
He unleashed a high-rank Moon-level Martial Technique, enhancing his strength by eighty percent, aiming to defeat Shi Hao with the force of thunder.
Shi Hao made his move, slapping out with a palm.
Li Lei was on the ground.
For a moment, the entire place went silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Did their eyes deceive them?
That was Li Lei, the disciple of a Venerable, an advanced martial master, how could he be taken down with a single slap?
They stared at Shi Hao, overwhelmed by an indescribable shock.
“Aren’t you quite smug? Continue being smug!” Shi Hao stomped twice, but Li Lei had already been knocked out cold, without any reaction.
This made everyone’s scalp tingle—Li Lei really was no match at all.
However, it wasn’t that Li Lei was weak, but that Shi Hao was too strong!
Even the principal of the Imperial Capital Academy was merely a senior martial master, and if he fought Li Lei, Li Lei was guaranteed to win.
Because Li Lei was instructed by a Martial Venerable, his combat power was certainly stronger than that of an average senior martial master.
Shi Hao was a Martial Sect!
Such a young Martial Sect!
For a moment, everyone’s minds were about to explode.
And this young man’s character was indeed stubborn—he would immediately strike back if hit.
Look, just after Sect Master Duan had sent someone to announce that the Imperial Capital Academy was forbidden to recruit, Shi Hao immediately rebutted and knocked the person down on the spot.
He was unwilling to accept any disadvantage, truly tough!
But, this was like slapping the face of the Martial Honor Lineage—could Duan Jinghong possibly spare you?
The academy contestants previously defeated by Shi Hao were utterly bewildered—what was going on, and why was their opponent a Martial Sect?
Did they participate in a fake Imperial Capital martial contest?
Shi Hao couldn’t care less about Li Lei and turned his gaze toward the principal, causing the principal’s hair to stand on end—he was just about to make the decision to expel Shi Hao from the academy.
He wouldn’t hit me too, would he?
“I declare—” Shi Hao said with a faint smile, “From now on, I am withdrawing from the Imperial Capital Academy.”
After a moment of stunned silence, all the students erupted.
You want to expel me?
Pah, I quit on my own.
The Martial Venerable wants to throw his weight around?
Pah, I won’t give you the chance!
This was truly a tit-for-tat situation, not falling behind or accepting any disadvantage.
Moreover, had Shi Hao said these words a bit earlier, everyone would definitely think Shi Hao was scared of Duan Jinghong, admitting defeat on his own first.
But by laying Li Lei flat first, he made it clear that he had no fear of the Martial Honor Lineage.
Plus, Shi Hao had already proved the strength of being a Martial Sect; him leaving the Imperial Capital Academy meant no loss to himself, while it was actually a loss for the academy.
—Just ask, has the Imperial Capital Academy ever had such an incredible student?
What would happen in the future remained unknown, but today, Shi Hao completely dominated the situation.
Shi Hao paid no attention to the principal’s expression nor glanced at anyone else, and he strode away.
The Imperial Capital Academy? He couldn’t care less!
If it weren’t to fulfill his foster father’s last wish, would he need to come here with his knowledge base?
Now, he had been a student of the Imperial Capital Academy, albeit for a pathetically short time, but he had done it and fulfilled the promise to his foster father.
The only issue left unresolved was the Shi Family.
Shi Hao returned to his dwelling, told the fat man about what had happened, which made the fat man slap his thigh in regret, lamenting that such a fun incident occurred without him being involved.
While the two were casually discussing where to have dinner that night, there was a knock at the door.
The fat man went to open the door and quickly came back holding a letter.
“It says it was sent by someone from Duan Jinghong,” he said, oblivious and without any sense of the significance of Duan Jinghong’s identity.
Shi Hao took the letter, opened it, and couldn’t help but reveal a cold smile.
The fat man leaned in to look and saw that the letter contained only one line.
“Kneel at the door and beg for mercy within three days, and you may keep your corpse intact!”