TRWSB – Chapter 55 A Pre-Tournament Encounter

Zhuang Ling and Qi Shaorong strolled along the bustling street.

“Have you really decided to participate in the Hundred Academies Battle?” Zhuang Ling asked, her hands clasped behind her back as she looked at Qi Shaorong.

“It seems like an interesting competition, doesn’t it?” Qi Shaorong replied with a grin.

Zhuang Ling nodded. “Indeed.”

“Zhuang Ling, are you out shopping as well?” Zhuang Qian enthusiastically approached them as soon as he spotted Zhuang Ling.

“I’m accompanying Qi,” Zhuang Ling responded.

Zhuang Qian gave her a peculiar look. “Sister, your relationship with Qi seems pretty good.”

“Zhuang Ling sees my outstanding looks and diligent nature and recognizes my potential,” Qi Shaorong said smugly.

Zhuang Ling: “…”

Zhuang Qian: “…”

Zhuang Qian forced a laugh. “Oh, I see.”

Qi Shaorong turned to Zhuang Qian. “Little fatty, you’re getting even plumper! Have you been overeating again? Eating too much isn’t good for you.”

Zhuang Qian rubbed his face awkwardly. “Not really. I haven’t been eating much lately.”

Zhuang Ling glanced at Zhuang Qian. “Ah Qian, don’t listen to Qi. You’re fine just as you are.”

At that moment, Zhuang Hao approached them. “Sister, Qi, you’re here too?”

Zhuang Qian visibly relaxed, as though relieved to see Zhuang Hao.

“Young Master Zhuang Hao, are you here to select equipment for the competition?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Zhuang Hao nodded. “Yes.”

“What a coincidence, so am I,” Qi Shaorong replied.

Zhuang Hao frowned as he looked at Qi Shaorong. “You’re going to represent Tianlan Academy?”

Qi Shaorong nodded. “Of course! I’m a genius, you know. My spot was practically guaranteed.”

Zhuang Qian’s jaw dropped. “Qi, you… you must be joking.”

He thought to himself: Even if the overall standard at Tianlan Academy has declined in recent years, it can’t have sunk so low as to let a so-called magical and martial arts “waste” like Qi Shaorong represent their academy’s talent.

Qi Shaorong merely gave Zhuang Qian a mysterious smile, causing Zhuang Qian to shiver uneasily.

“Qi, your courage is commendable,” Zhuang Hao said, staring at him.

Qi Shaorong flipped his hair nonchalantly. “Of course.”

Zhuang Ling glanced between the two of them. “Ah Hao, given your history with Qi, if you encounter him in the secret realm, you should look out for him.”

Zhuang Hao stared at Qi Shaorong for a moment before nodding. “Alright. If I do see him in the secret realm, I’ll help him.” Deep down, however, Zhuang Hao doubted he’d run into Qi there; the principal of Tianlan Academy, while greedy, surely wasn’t careless enough to send Qi into the competition.

“Many thanks, Young Master Zhuang,” Qi Shaorong said.

“So, Qi, what are you here to buy?” Zhuang Ling asked.

“Magic scrolls,” Qi Shaorong replied without hesitation.

“But magic scrolls require magic power to activate,” Zhuang Qian blurted out.

“I can’t use them myself, but I can have others use them for me,” Qi Shaorong replied indifferently.

Zhuang Qian: “…”

Qi Shaorong entered the largest trading house in the capital and presented a money card. Zhuang Hao’s expression twitched slightly; the card in Qi Shaorong’s hand was the one he’d exchanged with Qi not long ago.

Zhuang Qian noticed the card and gawked. “Big Brother, isn’t that your card?”

Qi Shaorong turned and smirked at Zhuang Qian. “Indeed it is. Your brother gave me his card and all the money in it. He’s been secretly in love with me for ages.”

Zhuang Qian stared at Qi Shaorong in disbelief, but Qi quickly pinched his face with a laugh. “Just kidding.”

Zhuang Hao glared at Qi Shaorong. “Qi, I’d appreciate it if you refrained from making jokes like that in the future.”

Qi Shaorong cast him a sidelong glance and nodded. “Alright, Young Master Zhuang. You really lack a sense of humor, though.”

Zhuang Hao replied coldly, “I don’t need one.”

Qi Shaorong shook his head and turned to Zhuang Qian. “Don’t learn from your brother, kid. You’ll never find a wife like that.”

Zhuang Qian: “…”

Qi Shaorong exchanged most of the money in the card for an array of magic scrolls. Zhuang Qian watched, his eyes sparkling with amazement.

“Qi, that’s quite a big purchase!”

Qi Shaorong waved a hand dismissively. “It’s nothing special.”

“Where did you get all that money?” Zhuang Qian asked, puzzled.

“Just find a rich, generous patron to rely on,” Qi Shaorong said casually.

Zhuang Hao’s face darkened as he stared at Qi. “Is that how you see the Evil Doctor?”

Qi Shaorong tilted his head and said, “Ah Xie is a good person—the best in the world.”

“So you just take advantage of his kindness?” Zhuang Hao grabbed Qi’s wrist, his face filled with anger.

Qi Shaorong frowned slightly. “Young Master Zhuang, it’s inappropriate to pull and tug at someone like this.”

Zhuang Hao threw his hand aside. “Qi, you should know your limits. The A Pre-Tournament Encounter Evil Doctor treats you well, but you can’t keep exploiting him like this.”

Qi Shaorong blinked, then grinned slyly. “Are you jealous, Zhuang Hao? Jealousy is a sin—it’ll make you ugly.”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

Zhuang Qian: “…”