Chapter Fifteen: Sweeping Through Thousands of Soldiers

After the match, the referee awarded Gao Wu two medals: Best Player of the Game and Unstoppable Conqueror.

The Best Player medal signified a league bonus of one thousand credits, while Unstoppable Conqueror was given for single-handedly defeating five opponents in a row and finishing all of them, and came with a special prize of ten thousand credits.

These were all standard league bonuses, granted directly to players by the league committee. The procedures were strictly regulated, with referees confirming everything on the spot, electronic receipts, and other formalities.

With such a resounding victory, the school would also bestow material rewards upon the player. The specifics would depend on the individual.

Gao Wu was beaming into the camera, holding his two medals, when the tall, broad-shouldered Bai Xiang strode over.

Gao Wu was in a great mood and greeted him with a friendly smile: “Hey, Bai, are your injuries alright?”

“You didn’t deserve to win.”

Bai Xiang’s eyes were already small, and now swollen eyelids left them little more than a slit. Two white splints were taped to his nose, making him look rather battered.

But the fierce glint in his eyes overpowered any sign of defeat; his ferocity shone through.

“Oh?” Gao Wu was not angry. He asked sincerely, “Why do you say that?”

Bai Xiang jabbed his finger at Gao Wu’s nose and shouted, “The way of the warrior is a struggle between life and death! You have no reverence for martial arts, no true dedication. Losing to you is a disgrace to me.”

He declared with utmost seriousness, “Next time we meet, I will defeat you!”

Before Gao Wu could reply, Bai Xiang turned and strode away.

Gao Wu waved after his retreating figure and called out loudly, “Bai, make sure you grow stronger! I look forward to our next match...”

Bai Xiang’s steps faltered for a split second, but he didn’t stop. Instead, he quickened his pace and left swiftly.

“That guy’s really fierce!” Shen Yue sidled over, mumbling quietly as he watched Bai Xiang depart, afraid the latter might overhear.

“Bai Xiang is ruthless and uses any means to win, but his perseverance and devotion to martial arts are rare. He’s far better than those who just muddle through.”

Gao Wu gave a brief assessment, then shrugged nonchalantly. “His talent is limited. He won’t get far on the path of the warrior. No need to worry about him.”

Shen Yue was a bit surprised. Gao Wu’s victory had been partially due to luck, and yet he seemed to dismiss Bai Xiang entirely.

Having failed to qualify even as a low-level martial artist, Shen Yue didn’t dare discuss martial arts with Gao Wu.

He shifted the topic, “Your comeback today was spectacular. If we turn this into a video, it’ll draw a lot of attention again.”

“I’ve got a new idea about that. Let’s talk in the dorm.”

Seeing Coach Huang Hai approaching, Gao Wu told Shen Yue to wait for him in the dormitory.

Short videos could earn both merit and money—there was great potential there. He needed to treat this matter carefully and clarify a few things with Shen Yue.

—

“You performed so well today, mainly thanks to the Blood Dragon Serum.”

Huang Hai was very direct: “At seventeen or eighteen, you’re in the last stage of physical development. This is the best time to use the Blood Dragon Serum—the effects are strongest and side effects minimal. You have real talent in martial arts, but you lack explosive power and are a bit slow. The serum can help you overcome those weaknesses...”

“Thank you, Coach, but my family’s circumstances aren’t good. I really can’t afford the Blood Dragon Serum,” Gao Wu replied, looking troubled.

Huang Hai frowned slightly. “This concerns your future. If you invest now, you have a real chance to become a true warrior!”

No matter what Huang Hai said, Gao Wu just shook his head.

He had no intention of paying. From his experience, Huang Hai cared about him enough to give it for free if he refused to buy it.

Generic serums were widely used in the high school league. If he couldn’t get it from Huang Hai, he could always find it elsewhere.

“As your coach, I can’t stand by and watch you waste your talent. Take these nine doses of Blood Dragon Serum as a sponsorship from me,” Huang Hai said at last.

He hadn’t really wanted Gao Wu’s money—giving the serum without any pretext would have seemed excessive, and Gao Wu was no fool.

Giving the serum as a “sponsorship” made it all seem more natural.

Gao Wu flashed a brilliant smile, showing off his neat white teeth. “Coach, are you sure? I couldn’t possibly accept...”

Even as he said this, he clutched the package of injections tightly.

Once it was in his hands, there was no way he was giving it back.

He wouldn’t take a gift for nothing, however—he showered Huang Hai with flattery until the coach grew weary of it, then sent him off with a few last instructions.

As soon as Huang Hai left, a group of students crowded around—some asking for autographs, others for photos, including a few lively girls.

Gao Wu showed great patience with his fans, fulfilling each request in turn.

After all, they were all schoolmates. He couldn’t turn a cold shoulder.

By the time Gao Wu returned to his dorm, it was past five o’clock.

Shen Yue greeted him with excitement. “I checked—out of sixteen matches, yours drew the highest viewership. You’re really famous after this one.

“I filmed your fight, as well as some off-stage moments. With some editing, it should do well—especially if we tie it in with your rescue video. The effect should be fantastic...”

“My friend, I have something to discuss with you.”

Gao Wu’s smile faded as he spoke seriously. “I want to start my own short video account—to spread positivity, to fill the world with love and justice.”

Though he and Shen Yue were close, the short video account was vital to earning merit—a matter of great importance.

Even brothers should keep accounts clear.

—

If he used Shen Yue’s account, trouble could easily arise. Even if Shen Yue himself had no issues, who could say what his family might think?

“Oh.” Shen Yue understood Gao Wu’s meaning and felt a little disappointed. Clearly, Gao Wu didn’t quite trust him...

“I need to run my personal account. Using yours isn’t appropriate. I’ve got further plans for this account.”

Gao Wu didn’t comfort him. At eighteen, they were adults—time to face the realities of the world.

He explained, “You help me film, edit, upload, and run the account. We’ll split the earnings seventy-thirty. What do you say?”

Shen Yue’s eyes lit up at the split—not so much for the money, but because Gao Wu’s offer showed real sincerity.

He felt a bit embarrassed. “Are you sure? Isn’t that too generous?”

“Seventy-thirty. I keep the rights to the account and my image, of course...”

Right then, Gao Wu took out two pieces of paper and drafted a simple contract, detailing the division of earnings and responsibilities. Shen Yue didn’t even look before signing and pressed his fingerprint beside his name.

With the contract signed, Gao Wu was pleased. This was mainly a precaution against any unforeseen circumstances.

With memories of a past life, he understood all too well the power of self-interest. Even the strongest friendships or relationships could crumble before profit.

“My initial plan is to use my own image for a series—let’s call it the Hot-Blooded Youth series for now...”

Gao Wu briefly outlined his plan, combining his previous life’s experience with short videos, and spoke with real authority.

“The essence of short videos is brevity: impactful visuals and sound, but low information density. That means it needs excitement, but also simplicity. I suggest switching shots every two seconds and putting the most striking element at the very start.

“Studies show seventy percent of users decide whether to keep watching within the first three seconds.

“Take today’s match, for example: the first two seconds show Bai Xiang’s ferocity; the next two show me locked in struggle with him; then two more seconds for my comeback, all set to a tagline like ‘Hot-Blooded Youth’s Daring Reversal.’

“The opening is like a movie trailer; the whole video should be under twenty seconds. End it with a few lines from the theme song—those lyrics will become the hallmark of the series...”

Shen Yue was dumbfounded by all this talk of user psychology, short video mechanisms, and “traffic distribution secrets.” He’d been dabbling in short videos for two years and had never heard any of this.

He looked at Gao Wu with utter admiration. “A single conversation with you is worth more than a decade of study! Brother, let me bow to you... No, foster father, let me pay my respects!”

Gao Wu reached out to lift Shen Yue up before he could bow and said with a laugh, “Father and son united, we’re invincible.”

“Damn, you really don’t hold back…” Shen Yue laughed and cursed.