Chu Fei took a deep breath, calming his restless heart.
Outside the dormitory, he looked up to the west and couldn't help but let out an exclamation.
Only when his mood relaxed did he notice the magnificent scenery around him.
The towering city walls looked like sharp blades cutting through the sky; above them was a dark red sunset glow, and below was the black city wall.
The streets were lit by dim yellow lights, and the factory district was dazzling.
A mountain breeze blew gently, carrying the distinct smell of heavy industry and a faint rumble — the breath of civilization, which brought a sense of reassurance.
After admiring the scenery for a moment, Chu Fei walked eastward, climbed the steps, and arrived at a brightly lit square.
From afar, he saw several groups of students, some newly arrived, others returning.
Dawnlight Academy admitted a batch of students every month, one batch per class.
On the north side of the square, there was a row of benches where four muscular old men were playing chess.
Seeing those four men gave Chu Fei a chill rising from his heels.
"Line up over by the benches," Cao Liwen's calm voice suddenly came from behind Chu Fei.
"Whoosh!"
Chu Fei jumped in place, his scalp tingling.
"Heh heh…" Cao Liwen walked past Chu Fei and went to watch the game with the four old men.
When everyone gathered, Cao Liwen spoke coldly, "Those I call, come line up. Chu Fei, Zhang Xuan, Li Honggang, Lu Hong, Jiang Shaohu."
Called out!
Chu Fei gritted his teeth and walked over.
Running was definitely not an option.
Cao Liwen looked at the five of them and his cold face barely showed a trace of a smile as he handed each a coin.
"Good performance, five bucks each."
Receiving the coins, Chu Fei breathed a sigh of relief.
The coin's edge was serrated; one side printed with "Flying Tiger," the other "5 Yuan."
Then Cao Liwen turned to the remaining 22 people, his tone suddenly stern:
"In the evening patrol, most were idle, some even slept in.
Tonight is a warning."
With that, Cao Liwen and the four old men went to the second floor of the cafeteria.
The cafeteria master shouted out.
Food was free; if you wanted more, you could take it — but no wasting.
There was also food that wasn't free, like fried chicken, roast meat, and snacks.
Chu Fei glanced at the prices — one jin of fried chicken legs was one yuan; considering the local prices, it was a bit expensive.
The cafeteria master smiled at Chu Fei and the others, "Young men need to eat more while growing. Tonight's chicken legs are especially good."
Chu Fei thought for a moment and shook his head.
Money isn't everything, but not having money is a big problem.
When it was Chu Fei's turn, the cafeteria master quietly said, "If you don't eat now, this money won't stay with you anyway."
Chu Fei's eyes narrowed, then he said, "Five jin of chicken legs!"
"All right. Hang them to dry when you go back; they'll last three or four days."
Chu Fei took the chicken legs, carried his tray, and sat down, spitting towards the chicken legs.
A burly figure stood before Chu Fei, a little confused and a little angry.
Chu Fei looked at him and smiled, "Big brother, what's your name?"
The burly man sat opposite Chu Fei and snorted, "Huang Dapeng. Not bad, kid. Got a reward on your first day."
"So it's Big Brother Huang. Just lucky today."
"Be careful, Old Cao's watching you. You were the first one called."
"Thanks. How long have you been here, Big Brother Huang?"
"Forgot," Huang Dapeng didn't want to talk and walked away.
"Chu Fei," Li Honggang came over and sat opposite Chu Fei. Then Lu Hong, Zhang Xuan, and Jiang Shaohu also came over.
After eating, the five walked out of the cafeteria.
But Huang Dapeng and two other burly men blocked the exit.
The crowd went around them nervously.
Seeing Chu Fei and the others, Huang Dapeng grinned and scolded, "Chu Fei, come here!!!"
Chu Fei narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Big Brother Huang. We're going back to study. Are you here to disturb our studying? Planning to whip us?"
Chu Fei's words made Li Honggang and the others serious, staring fiercely at Huang Dapeng.
Thinking of that two-meter-long whip made their hearts freeze.
Huang Dapeng's face darkened, becoming more sinister. "Kid, you're talking nonsense. I'm tight on money lately, so lend me some.
I answered your questions just now — not for free.
Knowledge is valuable."
"Oh." Chu Fei nodded, looking apologetic, "I still have almost five jin of chicken legs here, if you don't mind…"
"Fuck you!" Huang Dapeng raised his hand and slapped.
Chu Fei raised his hand to block.
"Crash!"
Five jin of small chicken legs flew everywhere.
Chu Fei shouted, "Teacher! Huang Dapeng threw five jin of chicken legs on the ground!"
He calmly watched Huang Dapeng all along, not panicking — panicking wouldn't help.
He didn't know if this move would work, but he had to try.
Huang Dapeng's face turned dark.
Cao Liwen jumped down from the second floor, stepping on the scattered chicken legs.
"What's going on?" Cao Liwen looked around, finally fixing his gaze on Chu Fei.
Chu Fei spoke, "Teacher, I just bought 5 jin of fried chicken legs. Huang Dapeng threw them on the ground and won't let me eat."
Cao Liwen's lips twitched, then looked coldly at Huang Dapeng, who looked pale, "Huang Dapeng, you know what to do, right?"
Huang Dapeng turned pale but pointed at Chu Fei, growling, "It's him! He did it on purpose!"
Cao Liwen ignored Huang Dapeng, then looked at the two men beside him, "What are you two doing here?"
"Just passing by," they muttered and backed off.
The old men came, grabbed Huang Dapeng, and tied his hands to a wooden frame, hanging him up.
One old man swung a whip in a circle.
"Whoosh…"
The whip screamed terrifyingly.
With a slash, Huang Dapeng's back was torn, leaving a bloody scar.
Huang Dapeng hung midair, his body curled like a shrimp.
After five hard lashes, the old man untied him and threw him on the ground.
Huang Dapeng's whole body was stiff and trembling violently.
An old man scooped some water and poured it over him.
"Ah…"
A sharp scream erupted; Huang Dapeng rolled on the ground in agony.
After a few minutes, he finally caught his breath, lying on the ground panting wildly but glaring fiercely at Chu Fei with bloodshot eyes.
Cao Liwen kicked the chicken legs together, stomped on them, then grabbed Huang Dapeng's neck, dragged him over, and pressed it onto the chicken leg "sauce," saying coldly:
"Five jin of chicken legs, bones crushed for you. Eat sparingly, should last three days.
No wasting. Waste one liang and it's 10 lashes.
Go to the small dark room to reflect. After 72 hours, only then can you go to the medical room.
Remember, I'm not punishing you because you bullied people — it's because you didn't keep yourself clean!"
After speaking, Cao Liwen glanced at Chu Fei and left.
That look made Chu Fei's heart race; he wanted to ask for compensation but didn't dare.
Cao Liwen's last words also taught Chu Fei a truth: Weakness is the original sin.
Back in the dorm, Chu Fei took several deep breaths to calm his restless heart, then opened his book and started studying.
Today, he had definitely offended Huang Dapeng.
But no matter how many times it happened, Chu Fei would choose the same.
With enemies, there is no such thing as "one step back is a wide sky." Tolerance only invites more trouble.
But not killing the snake is also a problem.
Thinking of Huang Dapeng's burly body, Chu Fei felt an overwhelming sense of danger.
The only thing he could do now was:
Study!
Learn!
Only knowledge can change fate!
Under the bright lights, Chu Fei entered a state of intense study.
Cao Liwen passed by twice outside, finally knocked on the door gently and said, "Ten minutes until lights out. Time to wash up. Physical exam tomorrow — don't stay up late."
Chu Fei looked up, leaving his reading state.
Concentrating, he "saw" the crystal-clear seed of wisdom again.
But now it had changed.
On the surface of the seed was a dew drop, the size of a sesame seed, crystal clear.
Focusing on it, he felt faint information:
Wisdom Dew (36%), containing a bit of "Wisdom Order."
"Wisdom Dew? What's Wisdom Order?"
After washing up, lights out came quickly.
Chu Fei lay in bed pondering:
The seed appears because of learning; the dew appears because he gained more knowledge;
But knowledge doesn't come only from learning, but also from thinking: review to learn anew.
"Try it!"
Chu Fei recalled what he had learned today, combat skills, past lives, and after more than ten minutes, the Wisdom Dew rose to 37%.
In the dark night, Chu Fei smiled brightly.
It seemed he had found the right way to unlock it.