Chapter 138: The Fear of Being Held Back

　　Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

　　That afternoon, when Fang Ping and the gang went to a restaurant, they once again came across the group of martial artists.

　　As Fang Ping observed them, they were also looking at Fang Ping and his group.

　　The two parties stared at each other and Fang Ping extended an invitation to them.

　　“Together?”

　　“Let’s!”

　　The leader was also straightforward. Both sides had probably judged each other’s identity and purpose. It was best to communicate in advance to avoid conflicts later on.

　　…

　　A few minutes later, they were in the private room of the restaurant.

　　As soon as they walked past the door, the other party said, “You guys are from a martial arts university?”

　　“Yeah, we are new students of MCMAU.”

　　“No wonder!”

　　The leading youth smiled and introduced himself, “I am from Dongwu Martial Arts University. Wang Huaijin, I’m also a new student.”

　　Fang Ping was in no hurry to offer his name but his curiosity was aroused. “They’re all from Dongwu Martial Arts University too?”

　　Fang Ping knew of Dongwu Martial Arts University and was aware that they were not considered strong. Of course, they were still slightly stronger than Nanjiang Martial Arts University.

　　If Nanjiang Martial Arts University had not produced Wang Jinyang, they would be unknown amongst the martial arts universities.

　　Even so, Dongwu Martial Arts University managed to produce six martial artists students?

　　Were there more?

　　Wang Huaijin shook his head and said, “No, some of them are from Dongwu University of Technology and some from Dongwu University…”

　　According to Wang Huaijin, the six of them came from the three martial arts universities in Dongwu Province.

　　Wang Huaijin was rather talkative, or perhaps he did not consider the matters he talked about big secrets.

　　At present, many martial arts universities had joined forces.

　　The special training classes of each major martial arts school would often train and carry out missions together.

　　This was the case for the three martial arts universities of Dongwu.

　　Wang Huaijin and his team were one of those who concentrated on their training. Fang Ping’s party responded with equal honesty as three of them also introduced themselves. That was everyone’s first step to understanding each other.

　　Wang Huaijin looked at the three of them for a while and then said ruefully, “Magic City Martial Arts University is in a different league. The three of you are probably stronger than me…”

　　“As if. All of us are Rank-1,” said Fang Ping politely. He then added tentatively, “Are there a lot of martial artists amongst the new students at Dongwu University?”

　　Wang Huai looked at him with a smile and shook his head, amused. “Actually, it’s no secret that there are fewer than 20 new student martial artists at the three Dongwu martial arts universities.”

　　“That many?” Tang Songting could not help but whisper. There were 20 people at the three universities, surely that counted as a lot?

　　That would mean that there were around 5-6 new student martial artists from each school.

　　In the past, it was hard to tell if the normal martial arts universities would even have one martial artist amongst the new students in their first semester.

　　“It can’t be compared to MCMAU and CCMAU. The martial artists have gathered together on your side.”

　　Wang Huaijin laughed and went straight to the main topic. “Are you here for a mission?”

　　“What about you?”

　　“Yeah.”

　　Fang Ping thought for a while and then said, “Everyone has accepted the mission. It would be best to avoid conflicts. Might I ask about your target…”

　　Wang Huaijin hummed for a moment and answered, “We took on a mission from the West River Department of Investigation Services. Our target is a person, surnamed Zhang …”

　　“Is it related to cults?”

　　“Yeah?”

　　Wang Huaijin frowned slightly. “You too?”

　　Fang Ping felt his head hurt and nodded helplessly. “Yes, but our targets are different. It seems that West River City does not have a cult.

　　“What did the West River Department of Investigative Services say?”

　　“They have only recently discovered traces of sectarian activities. There isn’t enough manpower on the West River side. That’s why they posted a mission for martial arts universities…”

　　As Wang Huaijin was talking, Zhao Xuemei’s phone vibrated.

　　Zhao Xuemei took a look at her phone and thought for a bit before saying, “Zhou Yuehong’s group had contacted the West River side to check on some road monitoring. Our target is part of a group, and about four to five of them are martial artists.

　　“They should be lead by someone with the surname Yao. At present, they are gathered near a rundown building in the suburbs. Usually, some ordinary people will also pass by and attend the rally. ”

　　Wang Huaijin looked at Fang Ping and asked, “What do you mean?”

　　“Is your target among them?”

　　“Should be.”

　　“Then, let’s work together. Apart from your mission target, we’ll take care of everyone else.”

　　Wang Huaijin stared at him. There were a total of four to five martial artists aside from their target.

　　Fang Ping and the other two were confident enough to take on all of them. It seemed that they had considerable strength.

　　Wang Huaijin did not say anything and nodded. “Okay, I was going to wait for some of them to be alone before acting. Do you mean to disrupt the headquarters directly?”

　　“Yes, the regular people should all have left by night. We can act together then.”

　　“…”

　　After both parties had set a time, they went their separate ways after finishing their meal.

　　As soon as they left, Tang Songting frowned. “I wonder if they would be trouble?”

　　Zhao Xuemei was also a little worried and said, “I’m afraid they’ll get in our way…”

　　Fang Ping shook his head and said, “Don’t worry about them. We will do our part and they will do theirs.

　　“If they get killed, that’s their business.

　　“We can help whenever we can. If the situation is dangerous, we can take care of ourselves. ”

　　“Got it.”

　　…

　　On the other side, someone around Wang Huaijin asked aloud.

　　“Brother Wang, are those MCMAU folk really alright?”

　　Wang Huaijin laughed. “Since they are students from famous schools, they shouldn’t be too weak. It’s a good chance to observe their strengths.

　　“The instructors have always talked about how strong the students from the Big Two martial arts universities were, though they did not know exactly how strong that was.

　　“This is an opportunity to gauge their strength.

　　“As for ourselves, I suppose we became martial artists this fast because we were basking in their light this time.

　　“If their strength is just average… help out wherever you can.”

　　“Don’t be so modest, Brother Wang. I don’t think MCMAU students are that extraordinary. You are our top player at Dongwu University…”

　　“Ahem… enough nonsense. I can’t take it.”

　　“Who’s talking nonsense? Ask anyone else and see who doesn’t agree!

　　“The students from these famous schools like MCMAU may not be better than us. Now, Brother Wang is also able to deal with peak Rank-1 martial artists on his own.

　　“Even if we didn’t tag along as backup, I’m sure Brother Wang could have completed the mission.”

　　“That’s right, we need to work hard too…”

　　The others also voiced their opinions. Wang Huaijin said nothing; his thoughts were elsewhere.

　　…

　　10 pm that night, Fang Ping and the others met up with Wang Huaijin’s group.

　　Outside the hotel, the West River Department of Investigation Services had also sent a woman over.

　　Noticing Fang Ping, the woman was slightly surprised and said softly, “You… Which one of you is the team for Dongwu…”

　　“We are Dongwu’s team,” Wang Huaijin answered.

　　“You are…”

　　The woman initially thought that the team with more people was the one who accepted the Rank-2 mission but now she knew she was mistaken.

　　After thinking for a bit, the woman coughed softly. “I apologize. Zhang Zhiqiang’s mission was first released by us at West River but later, the West River Military Department also issued it. We had been negligent and had not noticed it earlier.

　　“When you both took on the mission, we found out that two parties had accepted it.

　　“We originally wanted to revoke Zhang Zhiqiang’s mission but discovered that it had already been accepted.

　　“We called Mr. Wang this afternoon to inform him and were told that both sides have joined forces. That makes things easier.”

　　Saying this, the woman looked at Fang Ping and said, “Your mission target, Yao Jincheng, was not initially active in West River. He only recently fled here.

　　“The opponent is very strong. The director and the bureau have also made arrangements to surround the perimeter.

　　“Mr. Fang… If you feel things aren’t going right, you should evacuate before it’s too late.”

　　Fang Ping nodded. The woman looked at Wang Huaijin again and thought for a while before speaking, “I want to talk to you privately, Mr. Wang.”

　　“Alright,” Wang Huaijin replied and took his team and the woman to the side.

　　Fang Ping and his group did not follow them but got in the car and waited.

　　At the side.

　　The woman hesitated slightly and apologized, “When the mission was released, we actually wanted to cancel it but at that time, we saw that the Yao Jincheng mission had been taken up. We thought it might be completed along the way, so it was not canceled.

　　“Who’d have thought that you guys would also accept it, on the same day at that.

　　“Yao Jincheng is a Rank-2 martial artist. The danger in accepting Zhang Zhiqiang’s mission is very high.

　　“You are the pride of Dongwu. What the bureau is trying to say is that, if possible, we hope that you can give up on the mission…”

　　“Rank-2?”

　　Wang Huaijin’s expression changed slightly and with a low voice said, “They accepted a Rank-2 mission?”

　　“Yes. That’s why we brought up this suggestion when we heard that you all will be working together and that the opposite party has only three people. I am truly sorry…”

　　The woman thought that there would be a few more people on MCMAU’s side or at least they would have strong individuals. In that case, Wang Huaijin and his group could get off easy at the same time.

　　However, when she saw that there were only three people including the leader, Fang Ping, the woman felt that it was not appropriate.

　　West River had obtained Fang Ping’s information when he accepted the mission.

　　He was only a Rank-1 martial artist.

　　If a student of MCMAU had died, to put it bluntly, they would not be bothered.

　　If Dongwu’s students died, however, it would be a huge loss.

　　The local concept of martial artists was still relatively heavy. In fact, with both sides having taken on the mission, even if they died, it technically had nothing to do with the West River Department of Investigative Services.

　　However, the woman was a native of Dongwu. She could not just stand back and watch Wang Huaijin’s group follow Fang Ping and share the risks.

　　Wang Huaijin and his group had only accepted a Rank-1 mission. If worst comes to worst, they could wait for Fang Ping’s group to fail their mission, or wait for Yao Jincheng to escape or be killed before executing theirs.

　　The people around Wang Huaijin were agitated and someone whispered, “The three of them took on a Rank-2 mission? Are they confident or just arrogant?”

　　“Are the MCMAU students that strong? The three of them are Rank-1, right?”

　　“Brother Wang, do you really want to go with them? We might be pulled into something too big…”

　　Several people began a discussion. To them, it felt like they were being dragged down by Fang Ping.

　　If they had known the other party had accepted a Rank-2 mission, they would not have agreed to work together.

　　Taking a deep breath, Wang Huaijin said, “We’ll go. Since they seem to be confident of their strength. Of course, for safety’s sake, if they are defeated, we will retreat!

　　“This time, we can really see the strength of MCMAU’s new students!”

　　Although he still had some concerns, Wang Huaijin’s mind was racing. If Fang Ping and his group were defeated, the six of them were confident they could retreat and escape.

　　The West River Department of Investigation Services set up a perimeter and those people did not dare to pursue it.

　　…

　　After more than half an hour, the cars reached the rundown building in the suburbs.

　　They called it a tall run-down building but in fact, the main building was almost fully intact and was liveable. As for why it became a rundown building, Fang Ping did not bother to think about it.

　　The people from West River Department of Investigation Services did not come forward to negotiate with Fang Ping. Earlier, the woman just gave them the information and left.

　　In the car.

　　Fang Ping said, “These people are currently living on the first floor. There may be more than five martial artists in it.

　　“Yao Jincheng has the strength of a Rank-2 and Zhang Zhiqiang is a Peak Rank-1. For the time being, it is difficult to judge the others so there may be some obstacles.

　　“Currently, there are supposedly five people. After entering, I will take on Yao Jincheng. The two of you should handle the other Rank-1 martial artists first.

　　“For now, don’t think about Wang Huaijin. We should keep our guard up against them too.

　　“If they choose to attack Zhang Zhiqiang, kill the other martial artists if you can. If there is no way, just give up on it. I will try to steer Yao Jincheng away from their group.”

　　“Can you handle Yao Jincheng alone?” Zhao Xuemei asked a little anxiously.

　　“It shouldn’t be a problem. If it’s too much for us then just run! Even if we can’t beat him, running away should be easy.”

　　“If something happens, Zhao Xuemei should not take any action. I’ll attack and let Zhao Xuemei provide support. If Wang Huaijin has some other ideas, then Zhao Xuemei can attack them too. We will think of how to pay them back later!”

　　“Let’s consider the enemy to be more than 10 martial artists and make preparations for that,” Tang Songting said with a smile.

　　Fang Ping nodded, not denying it.

　　They were not familiar with the students of other martial arts universities and therefore must be on guard against them.

　　However, the six people, apart from the strong Wang Huaijin, were average. Fang Ping would not be too worried should they decide to double-cross them.

　　After discussing the plan of action, the three of them got out of the car.

　　At the side, Wang Huaijin and his group also got out of the car but did not go together with Fang Ping.

　　The three people from MCMAU were looking for a Rank-2 martial artist but they were not.

　　It was still possible for them to step in after the people from MCMAU finished their fight.

　　…

　　In the rundown building.

　　More than a dozen people, both military personnel and ordinary people, were currently gathered on the first floor.

　　As Yao Jincheng was commanding the situation, he suddenly frowned slightly and said, “Take a look outside, I think I hear footsteps.”

　　Immediately, some people got up and walked out.

　　The man had just stepped out of the door when he suddenly flew back in, a line of blood spilled across in the air.

　　Yao Jincheng’s expression hardened and he quickly stood up and yelled, “Face the enemy!”

　　Several martial artists around him responded quickly and immediately stood up and drew their own weapons.

　　At this time, Fang Ping and his group stepped in.

　　Fang Ping glanced at Yao Jincheng. “Tang Songting, deal with the others. Zhao Xuemei, keep a lookout at the door. I’ll deal with him!”

　　“Understood!”

　　Zhao Xuemei stepped back and stood at the door, vigilantly keeping an eye on Wang Huaijin not far away.

　　…

　　“Brother Wang, what is the situation with MCMAU? What are they doing out there?”

　　“They’re trying to obstruct us. The students of MCMAU are really confident, going in with just the two people,” Wang Huaijin said lightly.

　　“Obstructing us?”

　　“These people… What should we do now?” said a dissatisfied voice.

　　“First, we wait. If they are not dead within three minutes or if the girl hasn’t entered, that means that they have the strength to fight the Rank-2 martial artist. We’ll go in and see.”

　　“We also want to see how strong the students of MCMAU are. I don’t believe the gap is really that big!”

　　Some people were not convinced and snorted. They were even more unhappy that Zhao Xuemei was intentionally obstructing them.