Chapter 119: Dragon Spirit and Moon Illusion

"Long Ling, could you keep me company for a walk?" Huan Yue asked me.

I replied, "Certainly. I would like to see this academy."

And so, the two of us began to stroll through the campus. Huan Yue’s real name was Tian Xueyue. Not only was she beautiful, but she also possessed a natural air of talent and grace. Everything she wore and used was a top-tier brand, making my own bargain-bin clothes look quite pathetic in comparison.

I couldn't help but think that having such an outstanding girlfriend meant I must be a favorite of the heavens. Of course, it was just a daydream, but as we walked, it seemed as though people were taking this fantasy seriously. I had heard from Xia Tian that she hadn’t been here long, yet the number of admirers pursuing her was countless, including many young scions from prominent families.

Seeing a girl they hadn't managed to win over now tucked into someone else’s arms, their jealousy and envy were predictable. The way people looked at us throughout our walk was proof enough of that.

We arrived at the campus store—or rather, it was more like a small supermarket. After we finished our shopping and stepped outside, a group of people blocked our path.

The leader was a tall, lean man with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He looked a bit older than me. Although I didn't know who he was, he was clearly one of the many admirers chasing Huan Yue. It didn't matter to me, but the group blocking us looked like local thugs, and the leader, in particular, didn't seem to hold me in any regard.

I ignored him and turned to look at Huan Yue, who appeared very nervous. Suddenly, a spitting sound echoed. I looked back at the man; he had spat out his cigarette and cursed, "You mongrel! You freshman, have you no shame? Is Xueyue someone a piece of trash like you deserves? You mutt, look at what you are! If you want to stay here, you’d better leave her, or you’ll be sorry."

He spewed filth, growing more furious by the second. He lunged over, grabbed my collar, and slapped me across the face.

My head buzzed. I never imagined this guy would actually resort to violence. My instincts warned me that he was in for a rough time, so I immediately kicked him in the stomach, sending him sliding backward.

"You dog! You’ve got a few tricks, haven't you? If you don't leave her, I’ll make you regret it, you bastard!"

I patted my face and said coldly, "You idiot, do you have any idea what you’ve just triggered?"

"What are you babbling about? Get him! Teach this freshman a lesson!" As he spoke, the thugs swarmed us. However, their movements were perfectly clear to me, much like the bullets I had seen that uncle fire earlier. I sidestepped the first thug's punch and delivered a kick to his midsection. Simultaneously, I grabbed the arm of the next one and executed a "grappling technique" I’d learned during high school military training. A crisp sound of bone cracking followed as he collapsed.

But just then, I lost my balance. My foot caught on something, and I fell to the ground. I don't know how many blows I took as they punched and kicked me, cursing all the while.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the leader pick up a large brick and bend down to smash it into me. I lunged upward just as he brought it down; the brick struck my forehead and shattered, though it left a cut.

The man looked at the broken brick in his hand and muttered, "That’s a hard head you’ve got!" Before he could recover from his surprise, I knocked down the rest of his lackeys.

He stared at me, his expression shifting to shock. "You brat... wait, what is that look in your eyes? It’s so... sharp. No, it’s terrifying. It doesn’t look human."

I didn't understand what he was talking about, but he was finished. In the moment of his bewilderment, I punched him squarely in the nose. Blood sprayed everywhere, and his nose was left crooked, as if a spice shop had been overturned—the salt, the sour, and the hot all pouring out at once. He couldn't even stand.

He tried to stand up and grabbed a wooden table to throw at me, but I kicked it, shattering the wood and catching him in the chest, sending him sprawling backward. I stepped forward and cursed, "You pathetic excuse for a human."

Now completely enraged, he scrambled up and grabbed my waist, trying to push me down. I wouldn't allow it. I grabbed his waist, shouted, and threw him over my shoulder. He crashed into a wooden bench, smashing it to pieces.

"You slapped me once, so I owed you a punch. That last one was for being a scoundrel who doesn't study properly." I raised my fist and struck him near his eye, causing it to cave in. It looked like a silk shop had been destroyed—red, black, and purple colors all spilled forth.

I grabbed his collar and growled, "This punch is for all the people you’ve bullied. I don't know who they are, but this blow is to wake you up." I raised my fist again, and each strike against his forehead sounded like a full temple ceremony, with gongs and cymbals ringing out. He collapsed, breathing heavily, his face a mask of blood. The onlookers seemed terrified of me; no one dared to step forward to intervene.

I pointed at his nose and shouted, "Get up and fight me, you bastard!" Seeing he was foaming at the mouth, I scoffed, "Humph! You’re not very durable, are you? I thought I could give you a real beating, but you couldn't even take three punches. Fine, I’ll stop before I kill you. Listen: if you harass Tian Xueyue again, I will beat you every single time I see you. Do you understand?"

"Un... understand... understand... I... I won't dare again... I won't..." he stammered.

"Get lost!" I roared. The thugs hoisted him up and fled the scene. Huan Yue hurried over, pulled out a handkerchief, and pressed it to my head. "Long Ling, are you alright?"

"I... I'm fine," I said.

"Long Ling, your eyes..." Huan Yue pointed.

I rubbed them, thinking there was just some sand in them. "What’s wrong with my eyes?"

Huan Yue shook her head. "Nothing. They just look... very sharp."

I took the handkerchief to wipe my head. "Sorry, I’ve caused you trouble."

Huan Yue smiled. "It's nothing. That guy has been pestering me ever since I arrived. I’m glad you came today, Long Ling. Now I don’t have to be afraid of that annoying person anymore."

People around us were staring, so I pulled Huan Yue away to avoid their gaze. "Long Ling, are you coming to this academy?" she suddenly asked.

"I..." I couldn't answer immediately. If I came, I could be with her, but what about Long Xin and the others? It was a difficult choice.

I asked her in return, "Why did you come to this school? Didn't you consider other places?"

Huan Yue replied, "I did. I even received an admission offer from X University."

"X University? That’s great... why didn't you go?" I asked, confused.

"You don't know? X University has a joint teaching program with a university in the United States. I’d have to study there for six months and then go abroad for graduate school. I don't want that! I don't want to be under that much pressure, so I chose to come here. You’ve asked your question, now back to mine: are you coming or not?"

I was stunned. An guaranteed admission spot was something countless people would break their necks to get. But if she went, she’d head to the United States, and the distance between us would become a Pacific Ocean. Wait, what am I thinking? I shook my head to snap back to reality and ran back to the little supermarket. I bought two milk teas, ran back, and handed her one. "Here, taro, just like last time."

Huan Yue took the tea and smiled. "Thank you."

We walked to the track, circling it again and again. She sipped her tea quietly. No more words were needed. We walked side-by-side along the plastic track, and I imagined that she was truly my girlfriend, walking this path with her for a lifetime.

At seven-thirty in the evening, I realized I had spent the whole afternoon with Huan Yue and had completely lost track of time. The principal’s office was already closed. As Huan Yue walked me to the school gate, I saw Uncle Zhao standing there. He smiled at me and said, "Long Ling, bring your friend along, too!"