The group walked toward the school gate when Zhao Mu suddenly heard shouts beside his ear.
He turned and saw a Training Ground not far away, ringed by a dense crowd.
Two figures were trading fierce blows; one of them he knew well—pink hair, a bewitching figure, and risqué clothes—Lin Meier.
Her opponent was a Combat Level 4 boy; both fought bare-handed.
Right now Lin Meier showed none of the coy charm Zhao Mu had seen before; every Move was fierce and decisive.
Her techniques were honed to a razor's edge—Zhao Mu could tell she'd poured in bitter effort.
She was no mere ornament; most people simply assumed beauty meant weakness.
"First time I've seen someone use beauty as camouflage."
Meng Qiuqiu muttered at his side.
Before the words faded, Lin Meier lifted a long, fair, powerful leg and slammed a gorgeous side-kick into her opponent's chest.
Yet the surrounding Trial Participants couldn't tear their eyes from her legs.
Even her opponent froze for an instant; that heartbeat of distraction cost him dearly.
The blow sent him reeling; Lin Meier followed with three more kicks, launching the hundred-pound boy through the air.
"Brutal woman! Pretty roses really do have thorns."
Meng Qiuqiu put on a frightened face.
As the boy collapsed, the Instructor overseeing the match thrust a hand toward Lin Meier and shouted, "Winner—Lin Meier!"
Only then did Lin Meier rein in her ferocity, replacing it with a smile that could topple kingdoms.
"Little brother, thanks a ton! Mwah!"
She blew kisses to the fallen participant and the crowd, swaying off the field.
Leaving the Trial Ground, she met Zhao Mu's gaze.
Her lips curved; under everyone's stare she walked straight up to him.
"Handsome, congrats—top scorer of the trial, hehe!"
A hint of grievance flickered across her eyes.
"But last time you were rather rough; it hurt, you know? I begged you to stop and you just kept going."
Black lines slid down Zhao Mu's forehead.
"Hey, don't say stuff that'll get me lynched, okay?"
He could already feel hostile stares from every direction.
Last night he'd eliminated her without hesitation, immune to her charms.
She'd remembered, so now she chose the busiest moment to drop ambiguous lines.
"The trial's over; we competed fair and square. Let's get along in Qingfeng Camp from now on."
Zhao Mu smiled faintly and offered his right hand.
Lin Meier's eyes curved; this man was nothing like those she'd met before.
A truly strong, resolute will wouldn't be swayed by beauty—and that only intrigued her more.
The harder he was to crack, the more she wanted to try.
They shook; her soft palm slid like a snake across his, sending tingles up his arm until he jerked his hand back.
"See you tomorrow."
Zhao Mu waved and hurried off.
If he stayed, he feared he'd lose to a woman who knew men far too well.
"My dear friend, she's got her eye on you."
Meng Qiuqiu nudged him with a wink.
Zhao Mu snorted. "With my looks and prowess, countless girls sigh for me in secret."
Meng Qiuqiu rolled his eyes. "I toss you a compliment and you run with it."
Having aced the trial, Zhao Mu was riding high, every word breezy and bold.
Beside him the chubby little guy was easy company, so Zhao Mu spoke without reserve.
At the gate he spotted Bu Yanhuan waiting.
She sat atop a stone globe by the entrance, a huge bottle in hand, cheeks flushed from drink.
Zhao Mu jogged over. "Aunt Bu, I passed—full marks! Broke Qingfeng Camp's thirty-year record!"
Before her his calm vanished; he was a sunny boy again, waving a perfect report card.
Bu Yanhuan blinked, then slapped her thigh and laughed. "Haha! My disciple, of course you're amazing!"
Her eyes narrowed in delight, voice softening.
"Xiao Mu, you're my pride."
Zhao Mu drew a deep breath. "Aunt Bu, thank you."
He knew that without her decade of tireless guidance his humble origins would never have brought him here.
Gratitude filled every word.
Before he could say more, her drunken eyes flashed sharp.
"Eh? Where'd you get this thing?"
She snatched his right hand and plucked off the Spoils of War—the silver sword.
"A first-grade jinhai? Mediocre material, but you could swap it for thirty million."
"Heh, my disciple! Never misses a chance to loot—even during the Entrance Trial!"
Zhao Mu snatched the ember remains back. "Deal: no selling it for booze money!"
They owned nothing of value; he knew too well her love of coin and drink.
Bu Yanhuan curled her lip. "It's only a first-grade jinhai—pocket change to me."
Zhao Mu eyed her skeptically. "Big words; I don't see you carrying any."
"Hmph! When I mustered out I left everything to the army—can't keep what isn't mine."
She glanced at the chubby boy nearby, draped an arm around Zhao Mu's neck and whispered,
"Brat, I've found you a sweet gig—perfect for you!"
Zhao Mu stared, puzzled.
"A side job? Come on! I report tomorrow; I'll be buried in training—no time for extras."
Bu Yanhuan's eyes turned playful.
"What if I told you I could set you up to study under a Third-Level Jinhai Great Master at Qingfeng Camp?"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)