Chapter 57: Pills from Heaven

　　Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

　　Tan Zhenping waved at Fang Ping as soon as he saw him.

　　…

　　After a while, the two of them stopped by a relatively deserted spot.

　　Tan Zhenping asked, slightly agitated, “Fang Ping, can you tell me how much your Vitality is?”

　　Fang Ping eyed him from the corner of his eye. Seeing his desperation, he said after a moment’s thought, “Uncle Tan… I haven’t checked mine before…”

　　Although he did know how much his Vitality was, Fang Ping chose to hide his advantage. He did not know if Tan Zhenping was hiding some sort of nefarious plot under his desperation.

　　“You should have practiced the Methods of Honing before, shouldn’t you?”

　　“Yes, I did.”

　　“Have you felt the inability to increase your Vitality any further despite it stirring fervently in your veins…”

　　Fang Ping understood what he was asking about immediately. He was talking about the bottleneck period one reached when his Vitality was at 149cal.

　　Fang Ping did not offer him a direct answer after some consideration. He asked questioningly, instead, “Uncle Tan, what are you asking about this for?

　　“The Vitality assessment is commencing soon. I’ll know my Vitality level after undergoing the test.”

　　Tan Zhenping knew that this kid was not gullible and had a clever mind.

　　After some thought, Tan Zhenping said softly, “I’ll say it like this. If your Vitality has really reached the level where an increase is impossible, you should be almost at the limit judging by your Vitality level after an outburst. Or maybe you’re already at the limit!

　　“The limit I’m talking about is one of aspiring martial artists. You should know what I mean.”

　　“Are you talking about the barrier between 149cal and 150cal?”

　　“Precisely.”

　　Tan Zhenping continued, “I speculated earlier, but I dared not confirm them.

　　“An aspiring martial artist with a Vitality of 149cal is also called a peak aspiring martial artist…”

　　Fang Ping was not eager to hear the rest. After Tan Zhenping had finished speaking, he did not reply, opting to keep looking at him instead.

　　Tan Zhenping had come in search of him with burning desperation, and was now asking him if he had reached the limit of an aspiring martial artist… He definitely had his motives.

　　“Whew!”

　　Tan Zhenping was a little helpless. This lad was not like a high-school student at all.

　　He considered for a moment, factoring in the fact that this kid had Wang Jinyang as backup – he, too, was not that gullible.

　　At the thought, Tan Zhenping revealed honestly, “Auspicious Sun City has not done well in the martial sciences exams for the past few years. If the city takes the last place just as before, the higher-ups will reprimand those responsible.

　　“Previously, Director Jin, the director of the Department of Education in Auspicious Sun City, has sought us out and asked us to provide him with the information of students with Vitality over 115cal.

　　“He hopes to assist them via the provision of pills so that they can break through the 120cal barrier during the assessments.

　　“The risk is too high, and we dare not act rashly…

　　“Director Jin has mentioned the issue of peak aspiring martial artists, and I thought of you…”

　　Tan Zhenping did not divulge the details to him, but Fang Ping had gotten the gist of it.

　　If Auspicious Sun City continued to perform badly in the martial sciences exams, the Department of Education would be on fire. As for whether expulsion or demotion would be the Director’s fate, Fang Ping did not know.

　　It would not be something good. That he knew.

　　Director Jin was looking for a group of students whose Vitality was close to 120cal. He would provide pills paid from his own pocket, assisting them in the process of breaking through the barrier and reach 120cal.

　　How many students would fulfill that criteria, though?

　　Plus, a normal Vitality Pill just would not cut it in the case of an increase of several cals. He might have to give out Rank-1 Vitality Pills.

　　The extremely potent pills were mostly used by Rank-2 martial artists, though.

　　There was a high possibility that it would induce undesirable effects when students with lower Vitality took them. Death was not out of the realm of possibility.

　　Tan Zhenping and the others were somewhat shocked by his proposal and did not wholeheartedly support his idea, fearing unwanted involvement in the backlash.

　　At last, the topic of the conversation turned to Fang Ping.

　　The three martial artists had witnessed his outburst and speculated that he was close to peak condition.

　　If his Vitality was not at 149cal, his would be at 145cal at least.

　　To Fang Ping, whose Vitality was extremely high, there was almost no risk to taking a Rank-1 Vitality Pill.

　　Even if his Vitality was not at 149cal yet, his Vitality would reach 149cal after an outburst on the spot if he had taken the pill.

　　Taking this course of action was much less risky than looking for those students, and there was a much higher possibility of success.

　　…

　　After figuring out the gist of it, Fang Ping averted his gaze and chuckled wryly. “Uncle Tan, my Vitality probably isn’t at 149cal yet…”

　　“It’s fine. You should’ve reached 145cal at least during your previous outburst.

　　“If you create an outburst on the fly after taking a Rank-1 Vitality Pill…”

　　“The risk is too high!”

　　Fang Ping shook his head hurriedly. “Uncle Tan, don’t assume that I don’t know anything about this.

　　“An aspiring martial artist hasn’t finished the process of bone-honing, so the effect of a Rank-1 Vitality Pill would be too strong.”

　　“This doesn’t apply to you. Also, Director Jin is a Rank-3 martial artist, the director of Auspicious Sun City’s Department of Education…”

　　Fang Ping said emotionlessly, “A Rank-3 martial artist? I don’t know where Senior Wang is ranked on. Should I make a call and ask him…”

　　Tan Zhenping’s previous words were laced with threat.

　　Of course, he did not voice it out, but Fang Ping understood what he had meant – he was not stupid, after all.

　　Tan Zhenping paused. He had almost forgotten about that!

　　Fang Ping was not alone and helpless; he had Wang Jinyang backing him up.

　　Tan Zhenping suddenly understood the situation when he saw Fang Ping’s expression.

　　He had not intended to refuse outright. He was open to negotiations, instead.

　　Tan Zhenping did not know what to feel at the thought. He felt like he was talking to someone older than a highschooler.

　　If he were an average high school student, he would acquiesce immediately, bending down to Tan Zhenping’s identity as a martial artist and the vice director of the Department of Education in Sun City.

　　He would not even need to mention Jin Keming.

　　He was not the one who would pay for this, anyway. Plus, he was startled by Director Jin’s desperation before.

　　He regained his composure and said with a smile, “You lad. I know what you mean.

　　“You’re a friend of Hao and Tao’s. Uncle Tan will undoubtedly support you.

　　“But you shouldn’t go overboard even if you have Wang Jinyang’s support. Director Jin has quite the sway in Auspicious Sun City.

　　“If you help Director Jin out this time, he’ll owe you one.

　　“If your requests are overzealous, you’ll not only lose his favor but also lodge a thorn in his heart. Even if you don’t care about that, all your relatives live within the borders of Auspicious Sun City…”

　　“Uncle Tan, I understand.” Fang Ping interrupted. “I haven’t met Director Jin before and don’t know the magnitude of the situation too.

　　“You’re the father of Tan Hao and Tan Tao. I suppose you won’t push me down the cliff.

　　“The fact remains that this is quite risky, though. If I’m going to take the risk, it must be for something of value to me.

　　“I’m close to becoming a martial artist. It’s not worth it if I take this risk in exchange for a meager profit…”

　　“You’re not wrong…” Tan Zhenping acknowledged the merit in Fang Ping’s statement.

　　Although he felt that the risk was low, there was still a risk. A price should be paid when asking an aspiring martial artist like Fang Ping, whose entrance into a martial arts university and advancement into a martial artist were almost set in stone, to take this risk.

　　After thinking for a while in silence, Tan Zhenping hinted, “Director Jin has asked us to look for thirty students whose Vitality was close to 120cal. It’s a given that all of them will get a normal Vitality Pill. A Rank-1 Vitality Pill is also possible.

　　“A Rank-1 Vitality Pill costs almost 0.3 million in the market. Of course, Director Jin has his supply. He can purchase them at 70 percent of the market price.

　　“If he provides all of them with a Rank-1 Vitality Pill, it’ll cost him almost six million!

　　“But it’s not necessarily a good thing if you’re too greedy. You’ll lose his favor.

　　“He’ll probably not refuse if you ask for pills or cash at half the amount. I think Director Jin won’t refuse!”

　　Tan Zhenping divulged everything to Fang Ping, completely forthcoming as it was not his own money that he was spending.

　　He did not hope for Fang Ping’s help in the future, but befriending him did more benefit than harm.

　　He had spoken out of line when he was desperate. This young man could bear quite a grudge. He could also get a favor out of being honest and all.

　　Fang Ping’s eyes lit up!

　　There was something as good as this?

　　This was really profit that came to him for free!

　　The Vitality assessments were mandatory later. If he could earn a sum out of it, who was he to refuse?

　　After Tan Zhenping had finished his words, Fang Ping said immediately, “Uncle Tan, I’m very close to reaching the limit.

　　“There’s a high possibility that I can do so after taking a Rank-1 Vitality Pill!

　　“Of course, one won’t be enough. If I take the risk and take two at once, it’ll most definitely happen.

　　“If two Rank-1 Vitality Pills, plus two million in cash, are provided for me, I’ll be willing to risk my life for once!

　　“If something happens to me, my family will lose its breadwinner, and my parents aren’t in good shape…”

　　The corner of Tan Zhenping’s lips twitched as he listened to Fang Ping’s dramatic bid for sympathy.

　　He, risk his life for once?

　　Why did he get the feeling that Fang Ping was already at his limit?

　　Fang Ping did not ask for much, though. Two Rank-1 Vitality Pills and two million in cash amounted to way less than the sum needed to fund Jin Keming’s previous idea.

　　Jin Keming was so desperate that he was on the brink of jumping off the building. He probably would not refuse even if Fang Ping had raised the price higher.

　　Tan Zhenping nodded after a thought. “I’ll agree to all that on behalf of Director Jin as long as you make sure that your Vitality reaches 149cal during the assessments!”

　　“I’ll trouble you then, Uncle Tan…” Fang Ping smiled. “Uncle Tan, you can also tell him that I’ve asked for three Rank-1 Vitality Pills, but you’ll just have to give me two.”

　　Tan Zhenping was rendered speechless again. Was he really a f*cking senior three student, when he still thought of giving him some benefit as well at this point? Could this be considered as a delivery fee?

　　Fang Ping was still all smiles. He continued, “Uncle Tan, please elaborate more on the risk I’m going to take. Also, please tell them that millions will be nothing to me as soon as I’m admitted to a martial arts university.

　　“I think that the director will understand my plight and thank me graciously for my willingness to risk this…

　　“I’m not going to tell Brother Wang about this, in case he worries and something goes wrong in the process.”

　　Tan Zhenping stiffened. The boy had considered it thoroughly.

　　Not only did he wax poetic on his plight, but he also mentioned Wang Jinyang in a veiled threat. He had employed both the carrot and the stick.

　　Jin Keming would probably not hold a grudge towards him, not when he was desperate to seek for his savior to help deal with this mess. If he really had the thought, he would dismiss it as soon as these words reached his ears. Tan Zhenping felt turbulent. This kid, as he had thought, was not an honest man.

　　There was also the fact that Fang Ping had prepared to pay him a Rank-1 Vitality Pill in exchange for his silence. Even if he did not, Tan Zhenping knew what to do now.

　　“Okay. The Vitality assessments will commence soon. I’ll discuss this with Director Jin immediately.

　　“Go to the entrance of the assessment center. I’ll give you the pills on the spot. As for the money, I’ll transfer the sum to you after you’ve finished with your assessment.

　　“Also…”

　　Tan Zhenping sounded stern. “Also, you must ensure that your Vitality reaches the precise level. Otherwise, you’ll be in serious trouble even if you have Wang Jinyang behind you!”

　　“I know. Rest assured I will.”

　　“…”

　　…

　　Outside the assessment center.

　　Jin Keming was already sweating in desperation. If it was not for the last vestiges of dignity he needed to uphold before other people, he would have barged in immediately!

　　As the Director of the Department of Education, anywhere aside from the Vitality assessments zone was within his jurisdiction.

　　Tan Zhenping still had not come out, and the assessments were already starting, Jin Keming cursed inwardly. He should have rounded up a group of students to help.

　　As long as he had given them enough benefits and threats, those students would probably agree to it even if there was a risk.

　　As for that Fang Ping… Even though his subordinates from Serenity and Rising Stream had claimed that he was close to advancing to Rank-1, who would know if he was close to reaching the limit?

　　Tan Zhenping had already exited the room hurriedly as he was considering entering the room.

　　Jin Keming asked quickly, “How did it go?”

　　“Director…”

　　Tan Zhenping relayed the previous happenings to him in whispers. Although he did not follow Fang Ping’s script exactly, he reminded the director that there was a bright future in front of the boy and that he had Wang Jinyang’s support.

　　Two million in cash and three Rank-1 Vitality Pills. This was the price that Fang Ping had demanded.

　　How could Jin Keming possibly care about this meager bribe? As someone who ranked among the top 5 in Auspicious Sun City, his wealth was far more than that even if he did not engage in corruption.

　　He had even prepared to shell thirty Rank-1 Vitality Pills out from his own pocket. Fang Ping had also asked for less than he had expected.

　　As soon as Tan Zhenping finished his message, Jin Keming said immediately, “As long as he can reach the limit, I assure you that I won’t pay him less than he demanded!”

　　As for the case where he could not… He thought of that person currently standing in the control room upstairs. He would no longer have any future to speak of after that.

　　“Someone that Wang Jinyang supports will probably not disappoint me…”

　　Jin Keming reassured himself. Wang Jinyang was ranked alongside him despite his young age.

　　Someone who was approved by a person like him would probably not fall far behind. If the other had been willing and had set a price, that meant that he had considerable confidence.

　　Jin Keming no longer hesitated. He took a bottle of pills from his secretary and handed it to Tan Zhenping. “Give it to him immediately. I won’t show myself.”

　　“Yes!”

　　Tan Zhenping eyed Fang Ping, who was waiting somewhere nearby, made a gesture showing the bottle in his hands, and walked toward him.

　　…

　　Soon, Fang Ping received three Rank-1 Vitality Pills.

　　He did not give Tan Zhenping his share on the spot, because Jin Keming was outside. It would have to wait until everything was set and done.

　　Fang Ping shone with glee as soon as the pills were in his hands.

　　Pills from heaven, indeed!

　　…

　　The Vitality assessments started not long after Fang Ping had acquired the pills.

　　Those who had passed all tests previously huddled toward the Vitality assessments zone.

　　Jin Keming had entered the zone too alongside men from the Department of Investigation Services and the supervising and patrol groups and a few of his subordinates including Tan Zhenping, claiming that he was patrolling the assessment zone.

　　Deputy Luo upstairs had known of his motives.

　　According to the rules, local ministers were forbidden from entering the Vitality assessments zone to prevent cheating.

　　No one thought he had the ability to, though, what with the men from the Department of Investigation Services and the supervising and patrol groups accompanying him.

　　A desperate-to-save-himself Jin Keming had wanted to know the results immediately, and Deputy Luo was willing to oblige him.

　　…

　　In the Vitality assessment zone.

　　Quite a lot of people were agitated and restless. Fang Ping was relaxed and self-assured as he waited for his turn.

　　Wealth: 2896000

　　Vitality: 149cal

　　Mentality: 172Hz

　　Three Rank-1 Vitality Pills had increased his Wealth by 0.63 million!

　　The increase in his Wealth might mean a more thorough exploration of the system in the future.

　　For example, would his Wealth be deducted if he gave one Rank-1 Vitality Pill to Tan Zhenping?

　　This had not happened when he had given Fang Yuan some pocket money, but the same could not be said for sure when it came to objects.

　　He did not pay the Vitality assessment much attention as his mind was occupied with similar thoughts.