Chapter 5: Texture

In the end, Fang Qingyun was disappointed.

Mr. Li, usually so gentle, was unexpectedly assertive. He gripped Fang Qingyun’s shoulder and said coldly, “Fang Qingyun’s medical report clearly shows traces of dichlorvos in his blood. I also believe my student does not lie.”

“Proof? Why should we have to prove anything to you? If you have suspicions, then you should bring forth the evidence. If you don’t have any, then keep your mouth shut!”

“Fine, fine! You just wait!” Zhou Yaohuo stormed out, seething with rage.

“Damn it, what an idiot!” Fang Qingyun cursed viciously.

“That’s enough!” Mr. Li sat down with a huff. “You must take the college entrance exam tomorrow. That guy made such a fuss today mostly because you’re sitting for the exam tomorrow. Otherwise, he wouldn’t let this go so easily.”

Seniors always drew attention. The entire human race was watching, eager to see how many martial artists would emerge after the exams. This was tied to the future of their people.

To detain a final-year student on mere suspicion, with no evidence—especially a student who was the child of a hero—Zhou Yaohuo didn’t have the nerve.

Zhao Junhong, puzzled, asked, “Mr. Li, I don’t understand. Zhou Yaohuo seems desperate to pin Qingyun as a traitor?”

Mr. Li replied slowly, “You must know that martial artists are rare, and they’re destined for the battlefield. Martial arts students at university are given mandatory missions every month. This time, the students from Tianyun Martial Arts Academy are assisting the City Guard in rooting out demon spies within the city.”

Fang Qingyun couldn’t help but complain, “They’re doing a great job of cleaning up. For heaven’s sake, demons showed up in Minghua Community—the very heart of the city! So many important people live there!”

“You see?” Mr. Li spread his hands. “If you say that, what do you think others will believe? If Minghua Community isn’t safe, where in Huadu is? And the demon that attacked you probably thought the same, which is why it came to your home.”

Fang Qingyun was speechless.

Zhao Junhong still didn’t get it. “But that’s not a reason to falsely accuse Fang Qingyun, is it?”

Mr. Li sighed helplessly. “Fang Qingyun is probably clean. The City Guard couldn’t even be bothered to question him. But Zhou Yaohuo can’t let it go. Think about it—if he managed to catch a demon spy right now, how would everyone see him?”

“A hero?”

“At the very least, someone exceptionally capable!”

“Damn it, he wants to use me as a stepping stone!” Fang Qingyun cursed furiously.

He wanted to trade Fang Qingyun’s life for a military medal!

Zhou Yaohuo, was it? I’ll remember you!

Zhao Junhong retorted, “You should consider it an honor to be a stepping stone for a martial artist! They’re so noble, so incredible!”

Mr. Li rolled his eyes. “Cut the sarcasm, Zhao Junhong. In a few days, you might be a martial artist yourself. As for Fang Qingyun… there’s a chance.”

“That’s not very reassuring. I think I’ve got real potential.”

“That’s not potential; it’s an illusion!” Mr. Li said with pride. “Do you think becoming a martial artist is easy? Ten percent? That’s what they tell the kids. The real odds aren’t even five percent.”

“That low?” Both Fang Qingyun and Zhao Junhong were genuinely shocked.

“If it really were ten percent, our people wouldn’t be struggling to hold the front lines.”

“The gap between martial artists and ordinary people is truly vast,” Mr. Li sighed, his face clouded with worry.

Ten percent would double the number of martial artists overnight and change the tide of battle in an instant.

“Forget it, just focus on your recovery.” Mr. Li stood up. “Don’t worry about Zhou Yaohuo—he won’t dare act recklessly. He was just trying to scare you, hoping for a slip-up. As for the demons, the fact that they appeared in Minghua Community has driven the City Guard to the brink of madness. Right now, those demons are more likely to be running for their lives.”

Fang Qingyun curled his lip. “We all thought Minghua Community was safe, so the spider demon did the opposite and hid in the most dangerous place. Now that everyone knows the City Guard is furious, what if the spider demon does the opposite again and comes back to my house?”

“Get out!” Mr. Li barked.

Watching Mr. Li’s retreating figure, Fang Qingyun clicked his tongue.

“I never knew Old Li could be so tough.”

Tianyun Martial Arts Academy ranked among the best, and Zhou Yaohuo was undoubtedly a promising martial artist. Yet Old Li had stood up to him and sent him packing. It completely changed their perception of Old Li.

“Stop gazing at Old Li with such longing. I’ve got things to do—I’m off,” Zhao Junhong stretched lazily. “Remember to settle your hospital bill when you’re discharged.”

Fang Qingyun looked at him, puzzled. “So heartless?”

“That’s right—heartless and cruel. Goodbye!”

Watching Zhao Junhong’s back as he left, Fang Qingyun couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. After everything that had happened, not one of his friends came by to offer a word of comfort?

“Forget it, I’ll go home and take my medicine.”

“What should I buy? Dichlorvos? Or maybe try something new?”

Grinning, Fang Qingyun got out of bed and began gathering his things, only to find half a bottle of potion under his pillow.

“Is this… a magic potion?” He picked it up, puzzled. There was a small line of text on the label.

“Increases awakening success rate by thirty percent.”

“This guy…” Fang Qingyun was stunned.

It was Zhao Junhong’s handwriting.

Fang Qingyun frowned deeply. Only after hearing Old Li say the real chance was five percent did he realize how precious this secret medicine was. It raised the chance to thirty percent!

If Zhao Junhong managed to get it, he must have paid a hefty price. He might have even gone without it himself.

“Sigh, no wonder we’ve been partners in crime for so long—he really knows me,” Fang Qingyun sighed.

If Zhao Junhong had handed it to him directly, he would never have accepted it. So Zhao Junhong had simply left it behind and run off. Most likely, he wouldn’t see Zhao Junhong before the exam tomorrow.

“Damn it, what if you don’t become a martial artist?” Fang Qingyun muttered, helpless.

After completing his discharge, he headed straight for the pesticide shop. By now, it was already getting dark.

When Fang Qingyun entered, he startled the shop owner—a portly man in his forties, who approached nervously. “Young man, is there something I can help you with?”

Fang Qingyun ignored him, his eyes shining as he stared at the counter, breathing heavily, as if he’d just seen a naked queen—he looked ready to pounce.

There was his old friend, dichlorvos, and then Metaling.

And Death to Enemies!

Rat King Exterminator!

Cockroach Nemesis!

I’ll Take Your Life Three Thousand Times!

…

He couldn’t help but drool.

These were all source points—vitality, strength, speed! In short, they all meant power.

If he drank a few more bottles, Zhou Yaohuo would be nothing. He’d crush him flat!

The sight terrified the shopkeeper even more. Where had this lunatic come from? What was the number for the asylum? Should he call the City Guard—would they even come?

Drooling over pesticides as if they were beautiful fox-women—how could that be normal?

At last, when the owner couldn’t take it anymore, Fang Qingyun spoke.

“How effective are these potions?”

The tense atmosphere broke instantly.

The shopkeeper wiped his brow—at least the man sounded normal.

“I’m not exaggerating—everything here is from legit suppliers, straight from the factory. The effects are top-notch.” He picked up a bottle of Rat King Exterminator. “See this? It once killed a rat demon. I don’t need to tell you how tough demons are against poison.”

“That effective?” Fang Qingyun was nearly drooling again.

But he held back, took a deep breath, and—remembering the pungent taste of dichlorvos—asked reflexively, “What does it taste like?”

The shopkeeper was speechless.

Taste? Did he really want to try a sip?