Chapter 22: Just to Stay Alive

It was past eight o'clock, nearly nine, before Wang Teng finally emerged from the police station.

Before this, he had called home to tell his parents that he had made plans to go out for dinner with his classmates.

In reality, he had been taken to the station to give a formal statement.

Fortunately, Wang Teng was the victim. Once the police understood the circumstances, they released him.

Captain Yang Zhenchao of the criminal investigation department personally escorted Wang Teng to the entrance and handed him a cigarette.

"Want one?"

Wang Teng didn't stand on ceremony; he took it and put it in his mouth.

The two lit up and began exhaling clouds of smoke at the station entrance.

"Learning to smoke at such a young age," Yang Zhenchao teased with a smile.

"Let's not talk about it!"

Wang Teng sighed and shook his head.

Yang Zhenchao didn't press the issue, instead turning serious. "Those robbers drifted into Donghai City from other cities. They've committed many major crimes in the past and are all wanted fugitives."

"You probably noticed it yourself—they are all extremely vicious criminals. Each one of them has several lives on their hands."

"By taking them out, you were simply eliminating evil for the sake of the people, so don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Wang Teng felt a sense of relief wash over him.

"They really were bad people. If I hadn't been forced into a corner, how could a well-rounded, good student like me have acted so ruthlessly against them?"

"..." Yang Zhenchao.

*This kid is a bit shameless, isn't he?*

Feeling that his concern had been entirely wasted, Yang Zhenchao said irritably, "Once our procedures are complete, we'll issue you a bounty and a commendation banner!"

"Huh? A bounty and a banner?" Wang Teng was startled and waved his hands dismissively. "That won't be necessary. I can't possibly accept such a reward."

"Are you sure? This group of robbers has been wanted for a long time and has never been caught, so the bounty is quite high—it's a full hundred thousand!" Yang Zhenchao explained, assuming Wang Teng didn't know the amount.

"Really, it's fine. I'm not short on that kind of money," Wang Teng said calmly.

"Not short on that kind of money?" Yang Zhenchao was speechless. This kid had quite the attitude.

"How about I just donate the money to your police station? As public servants, you work so hard; let this money be my small contribution," Wang Teng suggested.

"Then I shall thank you on behalf of the entire station," Yang Zhenchao said, suddenly filled with respect.

"By the way, Captain Yang, before I was taken by those robbers, my car was parked halfway down the road. Could you help me check if it was impounded by the traffic police?"

Wang Teng suddenly remembered his supercar parked by the roadside.

"Alright, I'll make a call and ask."

Yang Zhenchao made a quick call, spoke a few words, and asked Wang Teng for the license plate number. The result came back quickly.

"It really was brought back. Come on, I'll take you to pick it up," Yang Zhenchao said after hanging up.

"Okay." Wang Teng nodded and followed his pace.

"Come to think of it, you were quite ruthless with your strikes."

As they walked, Yang Zhenchao suddenly turned to look at him.

"It was my first time encountering something like this. I suppose my strikes were a bit uncontrolled," Wang Teng said helplessly.

"Compared to you, my first time killing someone was far from that. I almost met my end in a gutter back then; luckily, a senior stepped in to save me." Yang Zhenchao fell into his memories.

He then added with some emotion, "You're so young, yet you're already an Advanced Martial Apprentice. Your strength is even greater than mine. It looks like in less than two years, you'll have a chance to become a Martial Artist!"

"Captain Yang, you flatter me. I was just lucky," Wang Teng replied modestly.

Before long, they arrived at the location. After signing the paperwork and collecting the car, Yang Zhenchao looked at the supercar before him and said speechlessly, "No wonder you didn't care about that hundred thousand. You really aren't short on money."

Wang Teng got into the car and waved to Yang Zhenchao.

"Captain Yang, thanks for today. I have to head home now, otherwise my parents will worry."

"Don't mention it. I almost forgot, you're still a high school student. Get going," Yang Zhenchao nodded.

...

Watching the supercar drive away, a man in his thirties walked up to Yang Zhenchao and asked, "What's the deal with that kid? He even required you to make a personal trip."

"Nothing special, but he is an Advanced Martial Apprentice. Today, he killed five desperate criminals armed with rune firearms with his bare hands," Yang Zhenchao said.

"An Advanced Martial Apprentice!"

The man was shocked. "He's only seventeen or eighteen, right? To already be an Advanced Martial Apprentice and be able to kill five armed criminals with his bare hands... with such strength, where did this genius come from?"

"Who knows? But... he's truly something else! I'm afraid if we see him again in the future, we'll have to look up to him," Yang Zhenchao lamented.

The man nodded in agreement.

...

Unaware of the discussion behind him, Wang Teng drove straight to the Polestar Martial Arts Hall.

Upon arriving, he went to the second floor.

Watching the students training intensely in the hall, his restless mind gradually settled.

He collected a wave of attributes, then walked over to a heavy bag and began practicing his punches.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Wang Teng needed an outlet to release the accumulated pressure in his heart. He threw rapid punches, his arms forming afterimages as they slammed into the sandbag.

The sandbag swung violently, as if caught in a torrential storm, under the force of his strikes.

The students nearby, seeing his ferocity, couldn't help but back away a few steps... *How terrifying, is this guy crazy? Get away from him, quick!*

As Wang Teng practiced, the scenes of killing the five robbers today kept flashing through his mind.

If he were given the choice again, would he still strike so ruthlessly?

The answer was... yes!

Though he felt uneasy, he did not believe he was wrong.

He who kills shall be killed!

Furthermore, in that situation, if he hadn't delivered a killing blow immediately, he likely would have faced even more violent resistance.

The opponents had rune firearms; one wrong move and he would be the one dying. Therefore, misplaced mercy was not an option. Everything... was simply for the sake of survival.

After practicing his punches, he began practicing his sword and saber!

Wang Teng didn't want to stop for even a moment. He wanted to push himself into a state of extreme exhaustion; only then could he completely release the pressure.

He practiced until eleven at night.

Only after all the students had left did he drag his exhausted body home and drive.

Once he arrived home, his heart finally found peace.

"Son, didn't you go out to eat with your classmates? Why did you go to the martial arts hall to train again?"

Seeing Wang Teng covered in sweat and looking exhausted, Li Xiumei couldn't help but ask.

"I went after eating. Martial arts is all about perseverance," Wang Teng said with a smile.

"You've certainly become very serious this time," Li Xiumei said, feeling gratified.

"Go wash up quickly. I'll make you some late-night snacks. Come down to eat in a bit."

Li Xiumei's care brought warmth to Wang Teng's somewhat chilled heart. He smiled and headed upstairs.

He grabbed a change of clothes, entered the bathroom, and turned on the faucet.

The cold water washed over his weary body, as if trying to rinse everything away.

After his shower, Wang Teng felt an unprecedented sense of lightness, as if his entire being had been purified. He dried his hair and walked downstairs.

"Wow, smells so good! Mom, what delicious thing did you cook?"

"Your favorite egg noodles, made with a broth simmered from Star Beast meat, and I added some Star Beast meat too. Come and eat," Li Xiumei said, walking out of the kitchen with a bowl.

"No wonder the smell was a bit different, but it's even more fragrant." Wang Teng couldn't wait; he picked up his chopsticks and took a large, slurping mouthful.

"So delicious!"

As he swallowed the food, steam rising from his mouth, Wang Teng couldn't help but praise it.

"If it's good, eat more. Martial arts training consumes so much physical strength; you need to replenish yourself," Li Xiumei said.

"Mhm, mhm."

In a few bites, Wang Teng had swallowed more than half the bowl. He looked up and asked, "Mom, where's Dad? I haven't seen him come home."

"Him? He's away on a business trip. He won't be back for a couple of days," Li Xiumei replied.

"Oh!"

A moment later, Wang Teng finished the noodles, patted his stomach in satisfaction, stood up, and stretched.

"I'm full. Mom, I'm going upstairs. You should get some rest early too."

"I know. I'll wash the dishes and then go to sleep," Li Xiumei responded.

Wang Teng returned to his room and checked his phone.

There were several unread messages on WeChat.

Two were from Bai Wei, asking what he was doing; one was from Yu Hao, who wanted to practice martial arts with him.

These had been sent while he was being held hostage, so naturally, he couldn't reply.

Since it was so late, he didn't reply then either; he would deal with it tomorrow.

He opened his computer to browse the internet for a while, reading the bickering and complaints of netizens. When sleepiness finally hit, he climbed into bed in a good mood, whispered a goodnight to himself, and fell into a deep sleep.