You said you hated men, why are your eyes now full of love?

The next day.

Morning sunlight spilled warmly through the window. Outside, a gentle breeze rustled the branches, carrying the fresh, slightly damp scent of greenery.

Ji Mu slouched forward and let the breeze brush across his face. Behind his glasses, his eyes were slightly red, with a faint bluish tint under his lower eyelids, making his exhaustion all the more obvious.

Last night, after sending the target back, he didn't get home until almost midnight.

At first, he had planned to go straight to bed, but considering he was only one game away from his promotion match, he couldn't resist the temptation and booted up his game.

The result was predictable.

He lost ten straight games in a row. His stats were so bad that it was downright humiliating.

By the end, his credibility had tanked so low that he couldn't even queue for ranked matches anymore.

Ji Mu was mentally exhausted.

Damn that Situ Yan!

If that bastard hadn't shown up and ruined everything, he would've been promoted by now!

Damn it!

Last night, that idiot ran off quickly, but the next time they met, Ji Mu swore he'd strap him to a kid's show windmill and let him spin around!

Thinking about how he was just one step away from winning this game, Ji Mu felt frustrated and angry.

"Ji Mu? Ji Mu!" The teacher's voice shifted from stern to exasperated right beside his ear. "Did you hear what I just said?"

Ji Mu quickly composed himself and respectfully replied, "I heard, but I didn't quite understand. Could you please repeat it, teacher?"

"...."

Faced with the young man's excuse of having listened but not fully understood, the teacher was speechless.

Even with all her years of teaching experience, the homeroom teacher couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. "Several students have reported to me that you've been clashing with Fu Rongjing from the upperclassmen for the past few days."

After looking into it, she knew the fault didn't lie with Ji Mu.

Having worked at this prestigious academy for years, she was well aware of how deep the waters ran here.

Although Fu Rongjing's family background was average, many girls from powerful backgrounds fawned over him.

She offered her advice sincerely, genuinely hoping the boy would avoid conflict with these people.

"Many students here have powerful backgrounds. Remember to think twice before you act, and try to get along peacefully."

Hearing the teacher's concern, Ji Mu nodded, agreeing, "Yes, I understand."

"You better really understand!" The teacher shot him a sharp glare. "Do you think I can't tell when you're humoring me?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she remembered Ji Mu's tendency to let things go in one ear and out the other. She sighed.

"Forget it. Even if there is trouble, at worst, the principal would back him up."

Better to get to the point.

"In a few days, there'll be the second joint examination of the six schools. Make sure to rest, balance work and relaxation, don't be too nervous, and don't put too much pressure on yourself during the exam."

Ji Mu blinked, looking genuinely confused.

Why should I be nervous?

Seeing Ji Mu's confusion, the teacher elaborated.

"First and Second High have brought in a number of promising students from other cities. The competition this time will definitely be much fiercer than before."

In other words, there was a real chance of losing.

Ji Mu immediately understood.

So, the other schools can't keep up and are bringing in outside help.

But so what?

To put it mildly, studying is his strongest point.

In his previous life, he had rushed through high school in a single year just to start working early, and at sixteen, he had been specially admitted to Yanjing University.

Of course, he never made it to the university. He had dropped dead in front of his computer during a late-night gaming session, only to wake up in this novel world.

Pushing aside those memories, Ji Mu straightened up and said, "Teacher, I have confidence."

As long as he was around, the joint examination of the six schools in Tianhua City wouldn't be a big deal.

"It's good that you do," the teacher replied. Perhaps influenced by the boy's calm tone, her expression softened slightly. "Alright, head back to class. Remember to try to get along with your classmates and don't cause any more trouble."

"Got it."

...

As he exited the office, Ji Mu stretched his arms out in an exaggerated yawn.

He hadn't slept well the night before, and first thing in the morning, the homeroom teacher dragged him off to listen to half a day of nagging, leaving no chance for him to catch up on sleep. It was incredibly frustrating. So he decided, no matter whose class came next, he would lay his head down and take a good nap. With the help of his inconspicuous glasses, he doubted the teacher would notice him as long as he kept quiet.

Having made up his mind, Ji Mu walked toward the classroom in relatively high spirits… until a pair of feet appeared before him, blocking his path.

"Ji Mu."

Looking up, Ji Mu saw a middle-aged man in a butler's uniform with a weathered face. From his appearance, it wasn't hard to guess that this was the person who had called out to him. Beside him was...

Ji Mu raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Situ Yan, that idiot, actually had the nerve to appear in front of him again.

"Now, this is interesting. Why is trash like you wandering around instead of in the dump?" Ji Mu stepped closer, "Mind telling me why you're here, Young Master Situ?"

Situ Yan's face darkened. He opened his mouth to speak, but the butler stepped in front of him before he could.

"Ji Mu, I sincerely apologize for last night's incident." The butler clasped his hands together, his tone polite and sincere. "The young master has always been impulsive and immature, and at his young age, he doesn't understand how high the heavens are. What happened last night was nothing more than a childish lapse in judgment; there was no genuine malice. Please forgive him."

As if that wasn't enough, the butler then lifted the white box he was holding.

"This box contains 200,000 yuan. It may not be much, but it's a token of our sincerity from the Axe Gang," he explained. "Our master has already disciplined the young master harshly, so please, we hope you'll be magnanimous enough to forgive him this time."

Ji Mu glanced at the white box in the butler's hands, then wordlessly reached out and took it.

Seeing Ji Mu accept the box, the butler's expression brightened, believing the issue had been settled amicably—until Ji Mu's next words dashed his hopes.

"What if I say no?"

The butler stiffened. "Ji Mu, what do you mean by that? Didn't you just…"

"I don't recall agreeing to anything," Ji Mu interrupted calmly, slipping one hand casually into his pocket. "At most, consider this money compensation for my mental distress."

Taking ≠ Forgiving

"I'll take the money, but I still want to settle the score!"

Understanding Ji Mu's implication, the butler's face darkened, irritation creeping into his voice. "Young Ji, isn't that a little too shameless? I admit that reaching this level of strength at the age of sixteen proves you have exceptional talent, but that doesn't mean you can trample all over the Axe Gang!"

Ji Mu yawned. "And? What's your point exactly?"

Ji Mu's lazy, nonchalant attitude only further soured the butler's mood. "Ji Mu, whether you come from an ancient martial arts family or not, since you're in Tianhua City, you have to follow the local rules."

By decree of the Yanhuang Kingdom, ancient martial arts families were strictly forbidden from interfering in secular affairs. Even if a disciple from such a family were to suffer a mishap, they could not leave their designated territory to seek revenge without permission.

The butler knew this well, which was precisely why he dared to openly confront Ji Mu with Situ Yan at his side.

"Young Ji, at the end of the day, you are only one person. You can't always be there to protect the people around you," the butler said, voice calm yet laced with warning. "Rather than letting things turn ugly, why not resolve this peacefully? It would be better for everyone." As he spoke, he slowly straightened his back, no longer concealing the aura of his hidden strength. "I imagine… you wouldn't want those close to you to suffer an unfortunate accident and live the rest of your life drowning in guilt."

"..."

Ji Mu fell silent. Not because he was intimidated by the thread, but because he couldn't believe he was actually witnessing such a classic, clichéd Japanese villain speech in real life.

Seriously?

Do they really think I stepped out of some melodramatic romance novel?

Meanwhile, in the shadows, Situ Yan had been watching closely. When he caught the shift in Ji Mu's expression, a gleam entered his eyes.

So that's it, that's it! Ji Mu, it seems like you really care about that little fairy, huh? Believing he had finally grasped Ji Mu's weakness, a sinister expression crept onto Situ Yan's face.

If I find the opportunity to take her body and record the whole thing… will you beg me not to spread the video? Will you kneel at my feet like a dog?

A dignified, ancient martial artist with hidden strength held back over a woman– how amusing, truly amusing! Soon, those days will be over...

Just as the fantasy began in his mind, Ji Mu moved.

Swoosh! 

A sharp sound cut through the air, a fist shot forward like a shadow, aiming straight for his face.

Not good!

In an instant, the butler's expression twisted. His instincts screamed at him, but he had no time to react. His body moved on reflex, arms snapping up in a desperate attempt to block.

Bang!

The impact hit him like a collapsing mountain, sending him staggering backwards several steps. His fingers curled and uncurled, trying to ease the pain that felt like his bones had been shattered.

Staring at Ji Mu's youthful face, the butler's mind reeled, half in shock at the sheer force behind that punch, half in disbelief that the boy had actually dared to strike him directly.

"Ji Mu, you—!" he tried to say, but Ji Mu didn't stop, another straight punch forcing his remaining words back into his throat. Burning pain spread from the bridge of his nose as warm liquid dripped down. His vision blurred with dizziness..

Damn, why does it hurt so much?!

Ji Mu's speed was simply unbelievable, so fast that his eyes couldn't even track his movements. The butler began to doubt whether he even deserved to be called a hidden power expert.

But Ji mu's relentless strikes gave him no time to think.

In less than five seconds, his years of hardened defenses were almost completely dismantled. Excruciating pain radiated from his fists and palms.

The butler's face twisted in pain. His pupils shrank as a hand filled his vision, closing around his head. Before he could react, Ji Mu slammed him violently into the nearby tempered glass window.

Crack—

The entire pane shattered instantly, a thunderous crash echoing through the otherwise quiet corridor. Glass shards rained down everywhere, and the butler's face was reduced to a bloody mess.

His body swayed.

Thud!

His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the cold, tiled floor, completely unconscious. Whatever dignity he had as a so-called hidden power expert was gone.

Witnessing this scene, Situ Yan began trembling uncontrollably, his facial muscles twitching so violently he could barely control his expression.

No, this can't be happening!

Uncle Fang had been their family's strongest protector for over a decade. As an ancient martial artist and a hidden power expert, he was a rarity even in the provincial capital—an elite among elites.

So how…?

How could he be completely crushed and incapacitated in just one exchange?

An illusion, it must be an illusion, right?

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Footsteps echoed in the corridor. Not too loud, yet carrying an oppressive weight that chilled him to the bone.

Looking at the indifferent boy in front of him, the last of his delusions shattered completely.

"I understand all the reasoning, but..."

The belated answer reached his ears.

"I don't really care."

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