61: Look at you, you're so poor and miserable

At this very moment.

Shen Bei, who had originally intended to choose Professor Gu Xinrou as his teacher, was swayed by Teacher Yin Hong's persuasive words, attempting to poach him midway.

Seeing this, Professor Gu Xinrou's eyes nearly popped out.

Good heavens!

Yin Hong was a Third-Rank Martial Artist, and he had over ten years of teaching experience.

He was the most popular teacher among the new students.

Moreover, he had already taken in quite a few new students this year.

How could he be so shameless?

Professor Gu Xinrou's cheeks puffed out with anger, and she stared fixedly at Shen Bei, signaling with her eyes, 'Don't even think about betraying me.'

To be honest, Professor Gu Xinrou felt uncertain about Shen Bei.

After all, Shen Bei's personality was too unpredictable; it wasn't impossible for him to change his mind at the last minute.

At this moment, Shen Bei was indeed tempted by Teacher Yin Hong's offer.

A Martial Path tailored specifically for him?

This was top-tier treatment.

But...

Yin Hong's flaws were too obvious.

Shen Bei coughed, "I'm sorry, Teacher Yin Hong, but I already have someone in mind."

Beside him, Professor Gu Xinrou's expression instantly changed from cloudy and uncertain to a radiant smile, like a blooming flower.

"Wait—"

Professor Gu Xinrou muttered to herself, "What 'someone in mind'? Can he even talk? That's too explicit!"

Yin Hong looked at Shen Bei and asked tentatively, "You mean a teacher you have in mind, right? Alright, I won't force you, but can you tell me why you're not choosing me?"

Shen Bei was direct and wasted no time, "Because... you're not a woman."

Yin Hong: ...

Damn it! This is gender discrimination, you're just an old pervert! Yin Hong cursed inwardly, fuming.

In all his years of teaching, it was the first time he had heard such an absurd excuse.

A cold glint flashed in Yin Hong's eyes, then he smiled, "Alright, alright, I wish you a prosperous Martial Path."

At this time, everyone else couldn't understand Shen Bei's choice.

They whispered amongst themselves:

"This Shen Bei is really joking with his Martial Path, not choosing Yin Hong, but choosing the new Professor Gu Xinrou."

"Their teaching experiences are incomparable."

"This is the Champion's choice? Playing house as a joke, is that it?"

"His weakness is exposed, he's attracted to beauty!"

"A fatal flaw."

"He won't achieve greatness."

...

The unexpected little interlude ended.

Shen Bei, as agreed, chose Professor Gu Xinrou.

His word was his bond.

No other reason; the two of them were simply too familiar with each other.

Even if he skipped class, Professor Gu Xinrou wouldn't make a fuss.

And she certainly wouldn't deduct his academic credits.

After the opening ceremony.

The teachers took their students and left; most walked out of the school gate to a restaurant or hotel outside for a welcoming meal, to get to know each other.

Generally speaking, these banquets were usually paid for by the students, splitting the bill for the teacher.

Shen Bei and Professor Gu Xinrou were no exception.

Today, Professor Gu Xinrou was simply wearing a plain dress.

But the dress, which accentuated her graceful curves, swayed in the night breeze, and as her elegant figure turned, the emerald skirt danced around her, blooming like a lotus, a stunning and delightful sight.

The two arrived at a street-side spicy hot pot stall.

"Two portions of eight-yuan spicy hot pot." Shen Bei waved his hand grandly, "My treat!"

Professor Gu Xinrou: ...

"Make it nine yuan, please." Professor Gu Xinrou didn't mind what they ate, but she insisted on adding one yuan.

Eating an eight-yuan spicy hot pot was too risky.

Shen Bei clicked his tongue, "Because of that one yuan you added, I'm bankrupt."

"Stop being a smart aleck."

Professor Gu Xinrou rolled her eyes.

Professor Gu Xinrou took out a small notebook, ran her finger across it, and said, "There are some things I need to tell you in advance. After school starts, there won't be classes immediately; instead, there will be military training."

Shen Bei frowned, taking a sip of his soda, "Can you handle military training?"

"No, and the duration of this military training isn't fixed. It could be during the day, or it could be... at night."

"That's so perverse?"

"It's quite normal," Professor Gu Xinrou said earnestly, "When the underground caverns appear is not something that will wait for you at a precise time. As a Martial Artist, you must always be ready to be called upon at any moment."

Shen Bei said, "Oh."

He found that the teaching philosophy of the Martial Arts University was completely different from high school.

High school used various incentives to urge capable students to become Martial Artists.

This process naturally emphasized that Martial Artists were superior, that Martial Artists were the most promising profession, and that Martial Artists were symbols of honor and prestige.

But after arriving at the Martial Arts University.

The style abruptly changed; the mission of a Martial Artist was singular: to secure the nation and eliminate the underground caverns.

As for wealth, status, or fame.

Don't even mention them.

Anyone who did would face their wrath.

But Shen Bei was unwilling to undergo military training.

It severely cut into his working hours.

Shen Bei knew clearly that his growth was entirely due to the daily settlement panel.

Military training seemed like a test of will for other students.

But for Shen Bei, it was completely useless.

At this moment, Professor Gu Xinrou also noticed Shen Bei's eyes darting around, seemingly concocting some mischievous plan to avoid military training.

Professor Gu Xinrou slammed her hand on the table and said with a serious expression, "What are you thinking? I'm warning you, if you don't complete military training, discipline points will be deducted, and this is a performance indicator for me as a teacher!"

"If you pull any stunts, just wait and see how I deal with you!"

Shen Bei spread his hands and said innocently, "Teacher, you know I'm short on money; I have to work to earn it."

"Being a Martial Artist is a very promising profession, isn't it much better than doing odd jobs?" Professor Gu Xinrou retorted.

But Shen Bei shook his head, "Teacher, you still don't understand society. In this day and age, if you ask which profession has a low barrier to entry and still makes money, it's naturally those who eat sea cucumbers."

"Really, if Martial Artists weren't forbidden from playing football, I could kick the ball into the opposing goal with my eyes closed."

Professor Gu Xinrou: ...

Professor Gu Xinrou rubbed her forehead and said helplessly, "In short, I don't care what excuse you come up with, this military training is mandatory!"

Shen Bei rolled his eyes.

After a short while, the two finished eating and went their separate ways.

Professor Gu Xinrou returned to school to prepare lessons.

Shen Bei went to a pick-up point near the school to retrieve his scooter that had been shipped over, and began taking delivery orders.

"Diligence is indeed a fine tradition."

Taking orders, working!

It must be said, Lingnan City was indeed more prosperous than Changtu County.

The delivery orders came one after another.

There was no need to scramble for them; he could even pick and choose which ones to deliver.

After three deliveries.

Shen Bei arrived at a high-end hotel to pick up a dish.

He had just come out.

What a coincidence.

He happened to see Jian Tong appearing at the entrance.

At the same time, a boy stood beside her, incessantly chattering about something.

Jian Tong, meanwhile, looked impatient.

"Shen Bei!"

Jian Tong, seeing Shen Bei by chance, quickly waved to greet him.

Shen Bei walked over with a smile, "Why are you here?"

Jian Tong's eyebrows curved into crescent moons as she hugged Shen Bei's arm, "I'm just attending the welcoming banquet for teachers and classmates. What about you...?"

Jian Tong looked Shen Bei up and down, then exclaimed, "Delivering food?"

"Yes." Shen Bei said openly, "I have to earn money."

"Heh heh."

At this moment, the boy beside them sneered disdainfully and said sarcastically,

"If I'm not mistaken, you're this year's Champion, right? Have you become so impoverished and down-and-out? Delivering food on the first day of school? Don't you care about the dignity of a Martial Artist? Do you want me to give you some pocket money?"

Saying this, he pulled out several wads of cash from his bag and waved them in front of Shen Bei.