Chapter 322 - Surrounded
Han Wu ran to the underground fighting ring after classes for several days. He defeated opponent after opponent, and soon his reputation started to spread. He racked up a thirty-win streak and grew from an Inferior Disciple to a Superior Disciple. He even faced an Inferior Elite once.
The crowd grew increasingly confident in Han Wu, and some fans even formed the Ember fan club to support Han Wu. His Skills advanced rapidly as well, fueled by the Assists the crowd provided.
Despite the progress, Han Wu grew weary within days. Every time his Fireball leveled up, it demanded significantly more Assist Points, and there was no guarantee he could achieve a full upgrade in a single day. Meanwhile, his Life Shield required Assist Points from five different attributes, making it even more challenging to advance. Frustration gnawed at him as he sought ways to accelerate his growth.
Back at the academy, Luo Ke finally returned after the embarrassing rumors about him had faded. He had spent several anxious days waiting for news from the assassin, receiving nothing in return. He assumed the supposed assassin had taken the money and vanished. He could never have imagined that Han Wu had killed the assassin instead. To Luo Ke, Han Wu remained an Inferior Disciple, merely better at fighting for the moment.
The first thing Luo Ke did upon arriving at the academy was seek out Han Wu. He had not idled at home during the past few days; he had requested numerous items to boost his cultivation. With the money he had spent, he had grown noticeably stronger.
His Fireball had reached Level 18, and his second Skill, Flamethrower, was at Level 12. Overall, he had grown roughly 30% stronger, boosting his confidence. Thus, he called for Han Wu. “Han Wu, I lost last time because I wasn’t ready. Care to join me on the rooftop again?”
Han Wu was bored, so he replied, “You didn’t have enough last time?”
Luo Ke nearly faltered. He had never expected Han Wu to remain so bold. Suppressing his anger, he threatened, “Why you... I’ll give you one last chance. Give me your Assists every day, and I’ll let you go. Don’t blame me if I take it too far should you refuse.”
Han Wu ignored him and rose. “Fine. I’ll take that as you still wanting a beating. Come on, let’s go to the rooftop so I can give you a free chiropractor session.”
He left the classroom and headed up to the rooftop alone.
Luo Ke stared at Han Wu’s back, anxiety creeping in. Damn, has he gotten stronger too? What if I get beaten again?
Despite his fear, Luo Ke forced himself to leave the classroom. “Who do you think you are? You really think I’ll go up just because you say so?”
Han Wu heard him clearly and turned to taunt him further. “The one who doesn’t make it to the rooftop is the loser.”
As expected, Luo Ke took the bait and trailed him up. On the rooftop, Han Wu easily overpowered Luo Ke and his underlings. He even threatened and forced them to give him their Assists.
After another defeat, Luo Ke could not endure the humiliation. This time, he acted more cautiously and avoided telling his teacher. Instead, he sought his cousin, a higher-grade student named Luo Jie. Their bond had never been close, but family obligation compelled Luo Jie to help. Luo Jie could not stand idly by while his cousin was bullied twice.
During recess, Luo Jie confronted Han Wu and challenged him to a rooftop fight. As expected, Luo Jie lost. Though older, he was still a student and no match for fighters from the underground ring, especially its champion, Han Wu.
Han Wu forced Luo Jie to Assist him and even replicated his Fire potential. As a result, his own potential grew stronger.
[Potential: Power: 32, Agility: 28, Defense: 24, Water: 29, Fire: 35, Earth: 27, Wind: 31]
Each of his attributes alone placed him among the academy’s elite, and combined, he was undeniably the strongest student there.
Beating the two Luo cousins and the other students had not satisfied Han Wu. Luo Ke had actually hired an assassin to kill him, so Han Wu planned to return the favor—but he had been waiting for the right moment.
Time passed, and the academy day finally ended. Han Wu walked out and headed toward the underground fighting ring when a sleek black car blocked his path.
Luo Ke and Luo Jie rolled down the windows, their eyes fixed on him, while a massive man stepped out of the car. He positioned himself to cut off any escape and asked, “Young Master Jie, Young Master Ke, is he the one who beat you up?”
Luo Ke nodded sharply. “Yes. He’s the one. Mr. Liu, kill him.”
Luo Jie hesitated. “Mr. Liu, will killing him here bring trouble to our family?”
The man chuckled. “Don’t worry, Young Master Jie. I’ve called my brothers to cordon off this street. We also temporarily shut off the cameras. No one will know we did this.”
Luo Ke’s patience snapped. “Then what are we waiting for? Kill him!”
Luo Jie stayed silent, but his hesitation had already faded into tacit consent.
The man nodded as if receiving final orders and rubbed his fists before advancing toward Han Wu. “Young boy, you shouldn’t have offended the Young Masters of the Luo family. I remember a girl once caught my Young Master’s eye. She refused him, so I kidnapped her, tied her up neatly, and tossed her on his bed. Her missing poster still hangs at the police station. Don’t resist, and I’ll make it painless.”
Han Wu snorted at the approaching man. He hadn’t expected Luo Ke to attempt murder in broad daylight after the failed assassination. He was far bolder than Han Wu had imagined.
Luo Ke chuckled and taunted, “What are you laughing at? Han Wu, don’t tell me you are scared shitless.”
“I’m laughing at how stupid you are,” Han Wu replied, lifting his arm to release a Fireball. “Your assassination attempt failed, and you didn’t even stop to figure out why. You came straight to me instead.”
The man braced himself, activating his Level 25 Bronze Skin to withstand the Fireball. He expected his defenses to easily shrug it off, but he could never have anticipated that Han Wu’s Fireball was abnormal—it drew power from the blood and flesh of Han Wu’s enemies.
The Fireball erupted, and its embers scattered across the man’s body, quickly igniting into larger flames. Within seconds, he had become a human torch. He flailed and attempted to extinguish the fire, but it only roared higher.
His Bronze Skin remained active, so it shielded him from immediate immolation but prolonged his agony. Unable to endure the searing pain, he raised a trembling hand, slit his own throat, and ended his suffering in a final, desperate act.
Luo Ke and Luo Jie froze, shivering at the horrific sight. Their Inferior Elite driver-cum-bodyguard had been incinerated by a single Fireball before their eyes.
“N-No! That’s not possible. T-This can’t be true!” Luo Ke stammered wildly in disbelief.
Luo Jie leapt from the car and rushed to explain himself. “I have nothing to do with this! He tricked me, which is why I attacked you. Take your revenge on him, not me!”
Luo Jie bolted, but Han Wu blocked his escape. He launched a Fireball that hit Luo Jie squarely, and the Blood Fuel effect set his body ablaze like a torch. However, his high Fire potential granted him strong resistance, allowing him to endure the flames a little longer.
Han Wu noticed that Luo Jie was hanging on, so he picked up a brick and slammed it onto his head. The skull cracked, and he fell lifeless.
Luo Ke, witnessing his cousin’s death, slammed his car door shut on instinct. He shouted and pleaded with Han Wu to stay back while frantically dialing his family for help.
Han Wu had no intention of letting him live. He launched two Fireballs at the car’s fuel tank. The tank erupted violently and propelled the vehicle into the air before it crashed to the ground.
There was no doubt Luo Ke had perished in the blast.
Han Wu glanced at the blazing wreck and sneered. “Blocking the road and cutting the surveillance only made it easier for me to finish you.”
With that, he vanished from the scene as quickly as possible.