Descendants of the False Gods

Chapter 032: Life in the Imperial Capital (10)

Now that they had decided to join the competition, Lan and Luo didn’t hesitate any longer.

After leaving the principal’s office, the two headed straight to the academic affairs office.

They were still dozens of meters away when they saw a huge crowd blocking the office entrance—people inside couldn’t get out, and those outside couldn’t get in.

Lan and Luo exchanged a helpless smile and turned back to their classroom.

Once they got back, they found out that many classmates had gone to the academic office too. With only a few students left, the teacher simply announced a self-study session.

The teacher was happy to have some free time and went off to do her own thing.

Lan and Luo, on the other hand, made their way to the training hall for some solo practice.

Close to noon, Little Bear and Xiao Yi found the brothers.

Before they could even say anything, Lan and Luo noticed the bruise on the corner of Little Bear’s mouth. Luo asked,

“What happened this time? Got into another fight?”

“He’s got thick skin. If he doesn’t get hurt for three days, he gets itchy!” Lan teased from the side.

“It wasn’t me this time, seriously!” Little Bear defended himself innocently. “I went to sign up, hoping to earn a set of magic armor. But there were so many people. I tried squeezing through and, well, it turned into a brawl.”

“Xiao Yi, your turn to explain.” Lan didn’t buy it.

Xiao Yi spilled the truth: “There were a lot of people signing up. Everyone was squeezing forward. Someone ahead saw Little Bear and laughed, saying, ‘Even someone who wins by lying down is here to sign up? No wonder it’s so crowded.’ Little Bear didn’t like that and fired back. He must’ve hit a nerve, ‘cause the guy punched him.”

“Want to get revenge?” Lan asked, clearly up for some drama.

“No need! I gave him a black eye right then and there. We were pulled apart soon after. Then a teacher came out and said that due to the chaos, morning registration was over. Afternoon sign-ups would be first come, first served. Anyone who disrupted order would be disqualified. So we came back.”

Little Bear wasn’t one to take a loss—neither with his fists nor his words.

“If you didn’t lose, why’d you come find us now?” Luo looked suspicious.

“Big bros, wanna sign up with us?” Little Bear gave them a fawning smile.

“We probably will. What’s your pitch?” Lan knew there was more to this.

“I figured you two would join anyway. So I thought—if you guys are in, we might as well ask if you’d form a five-man team with us?”

Little Bear finally revealed his real motive.

“We already discussed it on the way over,” Lan explained. “Luo is better at shield-sword techniques, so he’ll go for the individual weapons match. I’ll enter the solo fistfight category—no overlap. We didn’t consider the five-man team ‘cause we didn’t have the numbers. But if you really want to do it, we’re in—just get the team together. Five plus two subs, total of seven. Once you’ve got them, come find us and we’ll sign up together.”

Little Bear was thrilled. “Alright, boss! Deal! I’ll find the rest and come back to you!”

He dragged Xiao Yi off before Lan could change his mind.

After lunch, Lan and Luo still didn’t go to register. Since it was the first day, they figured it’d be packed. With people signing up, tagging along, and spectating, they decided it wasn’t worth the hassle.

Instead, they went back to the training hall for some mock sparring. When they were tired, they sat and discussed how to refine their techniques.

It wasn’t until after school that they finally made their way to the academic office. Though there were still people in line, most students had gone home, and the crowd had thinned considerably.

Once registered, they slung their schoolbags over their shoulders and strolled home.

At home, Second Dad Tian Bo asked about the sign-up situation out of concern.

“Second Dad! Tons of people are entering! Just today, over three hundred signed up. I joined the solo fistfight group and already got number 187! My brother’s weapons category has 73. And I saw at least ten teams for the five-man event! There are still four days left—maybe we’ll hit 600 or 700!” Lan was excited.

“Your academy has that many students? I thought there were only five grades and about two hundred per grade—barely over a thousand total. How can so many sign up?” Tian Bo was surprised.

Luo jumped in: “I heard a lot of upperclassmen stayed back because they didn’t pass at least three subjects. They’re still around. Plus, many students signed up for multiple events. So the numbers are definitely up.”

“Ah, that makes sense. I was wondering if even the new students joined.” Tian Bo nodded, then added,

“But you two need to be careful. You’re younger and still growing. Even a two- or three-year age gap can mean a huge difference in physical strength. Some older students are basically adult-sized. That’ll be tough for you, especially you, Luo. You’re in the weapons match—even with wooden practice weapons, you could still get seriously hurt or worse.”

“Don’t worry, Second Dad. I’ve got good protection using the sword and shield, and I don’t have many weaknesses against other weapons. Plus, I can already use that ‘angled deflection shield technique’ you taught me. As long as the opponent’s attack speed doesn’t outpace my reflexes, I’ll manage.”

Luo always stayed calm and mature—he didn’t want Tian Bo to worry.

“Still, better safe than sorry. I’ll ask your Big Dad to modify a couple sets of armor for you.” Tian Bo wasn’t reassured yet.

“Don’t forget—it has to be leather armor,” Lan reminded him. Though they were twins, Lan was the more impatient one.

“Oh, and another thing,” Luo added. “Fatty wants us to join his five-man team.”

He still called Liu Xiong “Fatty” as usual.

“Well, that means Xiao Yi will be in too. I’ll ask Yu’er to make two more leather sets.” Tian Bo was as thoughtful as ever. “Also, if it’s a team match, you’ll need to work on coordination. Last time you two beat a whole bunch of guys, but that was pure luck. Against a well-coordinated team, you’ll get your butts handed to you. Do you know why there’s even a five-man match?” Lan and Luo both shook their heads.

“Team combat in the arena comes from military units. You’ve got solo fistfights and solo weapon battles—those are obvious. But in the army, the most basic unit is the ‘Wu’—five people, working as one. Skilled teams become deadly on offense and impenetrable on defense. They’re closer than brothers in a fight. One man attacking opens up weaknesses—the others have to cover them. All five need to kill and defend at the same time. A single martial arts master could take out ten or twenty opponents, but still lose to one well-coordinated team. So don’t underestimate team battles. You’ll be dealing with attacks from all directions and opponents ready to strike the moment you slip up. Anyway, go rest. I’ll make dinner and wait for Big Dad to come home.”

The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning, on the way to the academy, Little Bear and Xiao Yi came panting and sprinting after the brothers. The chubby one finally managed a breathless sentence:

“Boss… you two run too fast… I even left early… and still barely caught up…”

“What’s the rush? You could’ve found us at school.” Lan was unfazed.

“We’ve got six now… just need one more to sign up! I was afraid we’d run out of time!” Little Bear could hardly get his words out.

“There’s still a few days left. What’s the rush?” Luo raised an eyebrow.

“I overheard a teacher say if too many sign up, they might start early and close registration,” Xiao Yi said, now breathing normally.

“Oh. Then we better find someone today. Let’s make it a goal to finalize our team by the end of the day. For now, let’s get to the academy. During periods three and four, we’ll be in the training hall from yesterday. Bring the others over so we can meet.” Lan made the call.

They had magic classes during the first two periods—so Lan and Luo definitely wouldn’t skip those.

With the academy competition approaching, most classes had turned into self-study. Elective subjects had few students to begin with, so it didn’t really matter if even fewer showed up.

Other subjects that used to be well-attended suddenly saw most students off training or registering, leaving the teachers with no one to lecture.

After magic class, Lan and Luo went to the training hall as planned. Tagging along was their little sidekick Li Xin, claiming he was there to “help the bosses train.”

Before long, Little Bear and Xiao Yi arrived with two other students at the intermediate class’s training hall.

Lan and Luo stopped to greet them—and were surprised to see that one of the new arrivals was a girl.

There weren’t few girls at the academy, but not many pursued martial arts.

This was a quasi-aristocratic school—most students were nobles or wealthy kids. Girls usually studied languages, mastering several for future social events and classy conversation.

But today, Lan and Luo met a girl who trained in martial arts.

Introduced by Little Bear, the two new recruits were seniors from the advanced class.

The boy’s name was Hou Ting. His father was a deputy general in the frontier army. His whole family were military folks, but strict discipline had made him shy. He lacked the confidence for solo events, so Fatty talked him into joining.

The girl was Lu Bing. Her father was also a frontier general from a warrior clan. Since her father was stationed long-term, she lived in the Imperial Capital with her mom and sister.

Dad always wanted a son to inherit his legacy but never got one.

With only female company and a bunch of guards at home, the sisters often joined the guards in martial training out of boredom.

Though girls lacked strength, the sisters developed excellent leg techniques.

Lu Bing had considered entering solo, but her family advised against it. Kicks had strong offense but poor defense. One well-timed counter could take her down. So she gave up on the solo match.

In the end, Fatty still managed to rope her in.

His sales pitch? Their team had the two legendary bosses who had fought dozens of people from Southwest Academy and won.

Whether as fighters or backups, joining meant guaranteed victory. Standing on the podium would bring honor to their families.

Now with the team mostly assembled, they just needed one more sub to complete the roster.

At this point, everyone turned their gaze behind Lan and Luo.

Not even two meters behind stood a tiny figure—the shortest one in the group. Normally, he’d go completely unnoticed.

But when you’re short one person, suddenly everyone sees you.

“Li Xin, what martial arts have you studied?” Lan asked seriously, for once not talking about magic.

“I took archery. During enrollment, I learned some basic punching and kicking…” Li Xin replied meekly.

“Eh, whatever. You’re just a backup—no need to get on the field. It’s not like all of us will get wiped out in the solo matches.” Lan chuckled, half self-mocking.

“That’s it then. We’ve got our seven. After school, let’s meet at the academic office to register. Fewer people then, so we won’t waste time,” Luo suggested. “Oh, and everyone, go get a set of leather armor ready. If you can’t, speak up early—we’ll figure something out.”

While waiting at the sign-up point after school, everyone got to know each other better.

They had good chemistry, and the atmosphere felt warm and friendly.

Li Xin mentioned he might not be able to get armor. Lu Bing enthusiastically offered, saying her house had plenty—though they might not fit.

Luo reassured him. If it didn’t fit, Big Dad Tian Tie would alter it.

Footnotes:

1. 1. 1. 1. 伍(Wǔ): In a military context, a “伍” is the smallest tactical unit in ancient Chinese armies, typically consisting of five soldiers who operate as a close-knit group in both offense and defense. This system emphasized coordination and mutual support.

1. 1. 1. 1. 皮甲(píjiǎ): Leather armor, often used in training or light combat. Offers decent mobility and some protection, though far less than metal armor.

1. 1. 1. 1. 御盾技(yù dùn jì): Refers to a technique involving defensive shield manipulation, especially angled deflections to minimize impact force—a concept akin to redirecting an attack’s momentum rather than absorbing it