269: Chapter 268: I Can’t Afford to Lose That Person 269: Chapter 268: I Can’t Afford to Lose That Person “So, He Ye, you have the guts to throw down the gauntlet, huh?” Fang Yishui clenched her fist and sneered with gritted teeth.
“See if I don’t beat you to a pulp tomorrow, till you’re all dusty and scrambling for your teeth.
I’ll show you who’s arrogant when I hack you to pieces.”
Fang Yishui passed the challenge letter to Tangyu and said, “Master, your tactics will ensure that tomorrow’s fight is not only a battle for our honor, but also one where we get to hold our heads high for National Arts.
Master, I believe you can easily trample over that arrogant He Ye and show him the might of our National Arts.
This is the first step in promoting our martial culture, so we have to make a splash tomorrow.
Ha, I’m already looking forward to it.
He Ye is one of the Four Young Masters of Donglin University, and he’s got a reputation as the university’s top fighter.
I can imagine that after tomorrow’s fight, we will become famous across the campus.
Just thinking about it is thrilling.”
These Four Young Masters of Donglin University, Tangyu first heard about them from Guo Momo last night and had even met Xiao Yu, the leader of the quartet.
As for Xiao Yu, Tangyu held him in high esteem; indeed, he was no ordinary person.
But this He Ye—Tangyu was rather skeptical of him.
Donglin University’s top fighter, really?
Could he actually be better than Xiao Yu?
If that were the case, Tangyu had to reassess his views.
Tangyu didn’t take the challenge letter, instead, he curled his lip and asked, “The top fighter of Donglin University, is he really all that formidable?”
After some thought, Fang Yishui pursed her lips and replied, “I’m not quite sure about that; it’s just what everyone says.
I’ve seen his performances a few times, and he does seem quite formidable.
However, I’ve never seen him in a real fight with someone.
As to how formidable he really is, well, I don’t know.
But since He Ye is the president of the Sanda Club, his skills shouldn’t be weak.
Moreover, Ye Dayong is quite strong, and He Ye is definitely more so than Ye Dayong.
I think he must be a tough opponent.”
Is he that strong?
Tangyu felt a twinge of anticipation.
If he really is more formidable than Xiao Yu, then he’s worth taking seriously.
“Come on, Master, take your challenge letter,” Fang Yishui urged him again.
Tangyu smirked and replied, “Did I ever say I would accept this challenge?”
“Eh—,” Fang Yishui was startled and looked at Tangyu.
“Don’t tell me you’re saying you won’t show up for the fight tomorrow?”
“Did I say I would?” Tangyu said with an indifferent smile to Fang Yishui.
“…”
“But if you don’t, wouldn’t that be a total loss of face for us?
How could I hold my head high again?
We’ve already accepted the challenge; there’s no reason not to go.
Master, aren’t you putting me in a tough spot?” Fang Yishui complained.
“I’m not putting you through anything.
I never said I would accept the challenge from the beginning; you accepted the challenge, which has nothing to do with me.
No one knows me, so I don’t feel I’m losing face.
Besides, I never agreed to accept the challenge in the first place, so how could it reflect badly on me?” said Tangyu.
“Eh— I’m your disciple, though.
If I lose face, isn’t it the same as you losing face?” Fang Yishui said, trying to twist the logic.
Tangyu shook his head, “Not at all.
You accepted the challenge, so you go and fight.
I think you have a lot of courage; you’re a promising talent, and your skills have improved rapidly.
As your master, I support you.
Indeed, a true heroine does not admit defeat to men.”
“…”
Fang Yishui was at a loss for words, and she couldn’t help but feel utterly exasperated.
“Master, you can’t do this to me.
I know my own abilities.
If you weren’t on hand to guide me, I might not even win against Ye Dayong, let alone He Ye.
Plus, they’ve probably figured out my moves by now; I’m surely no match for He Ye.
If you send me out there, it’s like sending me to my defeat.
If I lose, wouldn’t that mean throwing away all my face?
How could I ever stay at Donglin University with dignity?
Therefore, Master, you must take up this fight.
Even if not for me, you should do it for the sake of our National Arts.
It’s not me nor you they’re challenging; it’s the National Arts of Hua Country.”
Fang Yishui was indeed eloquent, managing to frame the issue as a challenge to National Arts.
Those who love National Arts have a profound commitment to the craft, and cannot stand any insult or provocation.
Such clever manipulation of sentiments was indeed astute.
However, Tangyu was not one to be swayed by such tactics, “Every generation produces new heroes who take over from the old.
Since I have become a master, that makes me one of the old generation.
The world belongs to you young people.
So, this fight, you need to bravely step up.
Show the courage you just boasted of, unleash the little wild beast in your heart, and fiercely tell those people what National Arts really are.
With such love for National Arts and a heart set on elevating it, I believe you can commit fully and win this battle.
This is also a small test for you in life.
If you have such aspirations, you must take real action, and this first step is necessary.
Go for it, your master supports you.”
“Eh—,” Fang Yishui was momentarily left speechless, unable to find any good arguments to counter it.
Although Fang Yishui wanted to fight herself, she was more afraid of losing; she couldn’t afford to lose.
If she lost, not only would she lose face, but National Arts would also seem inferior to Sanda, which would only embolden people like Ye Dayong even more.
Considering these consequences sent a chill down her spine.
“Don’t, Master, you really must take this on yourself; I haven’t even completed my training yet,” Fang Yishui pleaded, attempting to wheedle her way out of it, though it came off rather forced.
The result was a rather awkward impression.
Not swayed in the slightest, Tangyu responded, “There’s not a soul in this world who can force me to do what I do not wish to do, and once I decide on something, I don’t easily change my mind.
Whether you go or not is up to you; I certainly won’t accept the challenge.”
“…”
Fang Yishui’s forehead suddenly bore several dark lines, and she gnashed her teeth in frustration.
She had not expected Tangyu to decline the challenge, thinking he would share her fervor, that any insult to National Arts demanded a lesson to be taught about how wrong they were.
Now, she realized she had been mistaken.
But with the challenge already accepted, and having talked big, if she didn’t show up tomorrow, she dared not return to school for fear of being laughed to death by Ye Dayong and his crowd.
Moreover, given Ye Dayong’s personality and the choice of location at Donglin University’s Sanda gym, it was clearly intentional.
By then, many people will surely come to watch.
If she, Fang Yishui, didn’t go, she feared the whole school would know about it by tomorrow.
She just couldn’t afford to lose that face, it was too infuriating.
Fang Yishui gritted her teeth, giving Tangyu a look of deep resentment.
Tangyu, on the other hand, simply ignored her, completely oblivious to her gaze.
If he said he wouldn’t go, then he wouldn’t go; Tangyu was a man of principle.
When a man does something, he needs to stick to his principles.
“Fine, if you won’t go, then I’ll go.
Humph, at worst I’ll fight to the death, but I won’t admit defeat.
I refuse to believe that He Ye is so formidable that he can easily beat me.
No, I simply don’t believe it!
Ahhh, I need to numb myself to this belief, I cannot believe it.
I’m strong, I’m very strong, and I definitely will not lose tomorrow,” Fang Yishui declared, seemingly out of spite.
Tangyu, however, couldn’t help but smile secretly.
Girls really could be cute when they wanted to be.
Deep down, Fang Yishui was very strong.
When she did something, she did it with fierce determination.
Only a girl with such a personality, he thought, could be good at Kung Fu.
The saying goes, ‘One who doesn’t fear death dares to pull the Emperor off his horse,’ and Fang Yishui certainly had admirable courage.
“You can afford to lose that face, but I can’t,” Tangyu said with a slight smile.
Fang Yishui was taken aback, looking at Tangyu, her eyes shifting quickly, before she said excitedly, “Does this mean, Master, that you’ve changed your mind and plan to step in yourself?
Haha, I knew Master wouldn’t sit by and watch me get bullied.
Besides, it’s unfair for a weak girl like me to compete with big men, right?
Master, I’m starting to admire you more and more.”
“Stop right there, don’t get too ahead of yourself.
I’ve already said that I won’t accept the challenge.
Don’t worry, you are my disciple, and I naturally won’t let you lose to anyone else.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t just be your face that’s lost, it would be mine.
So, tomorrow you can only win, not lose,” Tangyu said.
“…”
Fang Yishui, once again fuming with anger, looked as if she wanted to go up and bite Tangyu: “I take back what I just said.”
“Losing before the battle starts is not about lacking strength, but lacking morale.
This is a classic case of bolstering others’ resolve while dampening your own spirit.
Do you really have no confidence whatsoever?
Do you honestly think you’re bound to lose tomorrow?
If that’s the case, then never mind, don’t go.
Just stand them up,” Tangyu said.
“Humph, if you don’t go, I will definitely go,” Fang Yishui responded.
“That’s the spirit.
Since you’ve decided to go, you can’t let your own spirit fade.
Morale is most important.
If you don’t believe you can win, how can you win?
Trust me, tomorrow I will make sure you win,” Tangyu assured her, his words brimming with boundless confidence.
Hearing Tangyu’s words, Fang Yishui suddenly felt filled with an inexplicable self-confidence, her body brimming with strength.
“Master, do you have some secret technique to teach me?” asked Fang Yishui, her eyes shining with anticipation.
“Hehe, no,” Tangyu replied.
Fang Yishui almost fainted with disappointment—a false alarm.
“Then you will come with me tomorrow, won’t you?” Fang Yishui asked again.
“Maybe, if I’m free,” Tangyu replied.
“Ugh—just let me die,” Fang Yishui felt desperate once again.
“It depends on your performance.
Perform well, and I’ll join you,” Tangyu said with a smile, teasing her.
In truth, he would be there tomorrow no matter what.
He couldn’t figure out how strong He Ye was.
If he were stronger than Xiao Yu, then Fang Yishui would surely be outmatched, and Tangyu would have no choice but to intervene secretly.
Fang Yishui perked up a little, “Master, just tell me what to do, I’ll make sure you’re satisfied with my performance.”
“Stay calm,” Tangyu instructed.
“Follow my lead, take a deep breath, stop looking at me, and hurry up.
Otherwise, I won’t go tomorrow.”
Fang Yishui immediately followed Tangyu’s exercise, taking deep breaths and then slowly exhaling.
What technique were they practicing?
After ten minutes of non-stop practice, Fang Yishui started to doubt the purpose.
Was this just to calm her down?
“Don’t get distracted.
Calm your mind and continue with me.
Cast aside the distractions in your mind, still your heart,” Tangyu advised.
Fang Yishui pursed her lips and settled down.
She didn’t understand what Tangyu was having her do, but she felt that it wasn’t a simple frivolity.
Since Master had said he wouldn’t let her lose, he should be able to make it happen, right?
This trust was heartfelt and didn’t need any reason.
Gradually, Fang Yishui felt her heart quiet down, completely pacified, without any trace of impatience, and she was somewhat surprised.