A week had gone by since the spar with the Iron Fist.
Gu Xing spent most of his time cultivating, only stopping to open the gym before retreating once more into seclusion.
As for Danny's situation, things were progressing well. There had been some trouble along the way, but with Colleen by his side, they always managed to resolve it.
—
Second floor, Gu Martial Arts Hall.
Gu Xing exhaled a stream of turbid air before slowly opening his eyes. Rising from his lotus position, he stretched his limbs.
"My Chi is sufficient in quantity," he muttered. "Now I just need to refine my control."
His gaze shifted to the wooden sword resting beside him.
Reaching out, he gripped it firmly and closed his eyes.
Darkness.
Endless, quiet darkness.
And within it—
A single light.
It shone like a sun suspended in a void, radiating a steady, boundless energy.
Gu Xing drew a thread of that energy, guiding it carefully through his body—down his arms, into his hands, gathering at his fingertips.
Then—
He tried to extend it further.
Into the sword.
But no matter how he guided it…
There was nothing.
No response. No connection.
The Chi simply refused to leave his body.
"…Another failure."
He opened his eyes, exhaling softly as he lowered the sword.
Shaking his head, he set it aside.
I'll try again later.
—
He made his way downstairs.
Kevin was there, as usual, lifting weights with steady rhythm.
"Coach!" Kevin greeted the moment he saw him.
Gu Xing nodded, his eyes drifting toward the clock near the entrance.
5:00 PM.
Closing time.
Scanning the gym, he realized Kevin was the only one left.
Thud.
Kevin dropped the weights and returned them neatly to their rack.
"Coach, it's rare for you to come down," he said. "I was about to lock up on my way out."
Gu Xing gave a small smile.
"Being cooped up upstairs gets stifling," he said. "You've been consistent. Training every day."
He paused, then asked, "No classes?"
Kevin hesitated.
There was something he wanted to say—but couldn't quite bring himself to.
Gu Xing noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
Kevin scratched the back of his head, looking a little awkward.
"Well… I was hoping you could attend my parents' conference meeting," he said. "Uncle Jim can't make it."
Gu Xing blinked in slight surprise.
Then he smiled.
"No problem, kid," he said. "When is it?"
Kevin's face lit up.
"Tomorrow, Coach. At noon."
Gu Xing nodded.
"Don't worry," he said. "I'll be there."
"Thanks, Coach. I'll see you tomorrow at Midtown School," Kevin said before heading out.
Midtown School… that sounds familiar…
Gu Xing frowned slightly, deep in thought. The name lingered at the edge of his memory, like something just out of reach.
"…Whatever. I'll remember it tomorrow."
He dismissed it and began cleaning the gym, turning off the lights one by one before finally sending Kevin off.
Click.
The door locked shut.
This time, no interruptions.
Leaning against the counter for a moment, Gu Xing let out a breath.
It's been quiet lately…
The Axe Gang hadn't shown up for days.
"Well, they better not come back and wreck my gym," he muttered. "I'm already running out of funds."
Tony Stark was still stuck in Afghanistan.
Danny was busy dealing with his own mess.
"My money banks…" he mumbled, looking like he might actually tear up.
—
The next day.
In front of a large school building, students poured in and out, filling the area with noise and chatter.
The place was lively—almost chaotic.
Gu Xing stood there, looking at the sign.
Then—
A realization hit him.
"I remember now!" he suddenly said. "Peter Parker… isn't this his school?"
It clicked.
Ned. MJ. Peter.
All of them studied here.
"…But it's still too early," he muttered. "They might still be in elementary."
"Yo, Coach, what are you muttering about?"
Kevin appeared beside him, looking confused.
Gu Xing shook his head.
"Nothing," he said calmly. "Just remembered something."
"So where do we go?" Gu Xing asked.
Kevin glanced around before nodding. "Follow me."
They walked through the crowded hallway, weaving past clusters of parents and students. The space felt tight, filled with overlapping conversations and restless movement.
After a while, they stopped in front of a classroom.
"This one?" Gu Xing asked.
Kevin took a deep breath, his shoulders tensing slightly as he steadied himself.
Gu Xing noticed immediately.
"Why so nervous?" he said with a small laugh. "I'm not going to embarrass you in there."
Kevin let out an awkward chuckle. "Yeah, I know, Coach… it's just…"
He hesitated for a second, then shook his head.
"Let's just go in."
Gu Xing raised an eyebrow.
Is it about a girl?
Kevin pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Gu Xing followed, his gaze sweeping across the room.
Parents and students filled the seats. Some were chatting casually, clearly familiar with each other, while others sat quietly in small groups.
Kevin headed straight to the back and took a seat.
Gu Xing's eyes narrowed slightly.
Straight to the back…
He walked over and sat on the parents' side, also near the rear.
That's when he noticed it.
No one sat near Kevin.
There was space—plenty of it—but people kept their distance, either ignoring him or pretending he wasn't there.
Gu Xing leaned back slightly.
With his enhanced hearing, the scattered whispers around the room became clear.
Most of the parents were engaged in meaningless chatter—
—but the students were a different story.
"Is that Kevin? Damn, I didn't think he'd actually show up after yesterday."
"Yeah, man… poor guy ran into Thompson and got tossed in the trash."
"It's Kevin…"
Gu Xing's gaze shifted slightly toward Kevin.
So that's how it is…
Now he understood.
Kevin wasn't just nervous.
He was being ostracized.
"High school…" Gu Xing muttered, shaking his head as he leaned back in his seat.
He didn't bother dwelling on it and simply waited.
Soon, the teacher arrived and began the meeting.
It was mostly the usual—announcements, praise for top-performing students, and long-winded reminders about academic responsibility.
Boring.
But one thing caught his attention.
Kevin was doing well.
Not bad, Gu Xing thought, glancing at him briefly.
—
After the meeting, the two of them walked around the campus.
Students filled the pathways, some heading home, others lingering in groups.
"So… got thrown in the trash, huh?" Gu Xing said casually, a teasing tone in his voice.
Kevin froze for a second, clearly surprised.
"Y-Yeah…" he admitted, scratching the back of his head. "I wanted to join the varsity team, but… you know. Thompson's the captain. He won't allow it."
Gu Xing gave a small "hmm" as he listened.
Kevin continued, explaining everything—
How he tried out.
How he got rejected.
How the bullying started.
And how it escalated… until yesterday.
"Pretty rough, kid," Gu Xing said, patting his shoulder.
His tone wasn't mocking this time—just calm.
He didn't interfere further.
'I'm not going to step in and beat up a high schooler…'
That would be beneath him.
This was something Kevin had to face himself.
"I believe in you," Gu Xing added. "Next time… don't hesitate to fight back."
They were sitting on a bench overlooking the field behind the school.
"Yeah…" Kevin muttered, shoulders slumping.
Gu Xing shook his head slightly.
Then—
Voices.
Loud. Mocking.
"Hey, isn't that Dump Woo?"
"Yeah bro, he actually showed up."
"Yo, Cap, you wanna throw him in the trash again?"
Laughter followed.
A group of teenagers approached, surrounding a tall guy at the center.
The way they carried themselves—
Confident. Arrogant.
Trouble.
Gu Xing's eyes narrowed slightly.
'Speak of the devil…'
Kevin stiffened, his expression turning nervous before he forced himself to calm down.
"…Flash," he said.
The tall guy looked over, eyes landing on the two of them. A smirk spread across his face.
"Trash," he called out. "You actually brought a bodyguard?" He laughed, throwing a few mock punches in the air. "What, he gonna kung fu us?"
The group burst into laughter.
"Coach… let's just go," Kevin muttered, already standing up, clearly flustered.
Gu Xing glanced at him—then back at the group.
A small smile formed on his lips as he slowly stood.
'…Okay, this dude is taller than me.'
Flash had to be around 6'3. Even the others weren't small—most of them easily over six feet.
'Seriously… what are kids eating these days?'
"You must be Flash Thompson," Gu Xing said calmly.
"Yeah," Flash replied, chin slightly raised. "What's up with it?"
Gu Xing met his gaze.
Then smiled.
"Let's play ball."