93: The only thing that can wake Shen Bei up every day is the settlement panel

As the last mining cart rose from the bottom of the mine.

Liao Jianguo, Director and the others finally saw clearly the abnormal situation reported by the control room: the deceased was Yu Hao, the Champion of the previous class at the Martial Arts University and a Second-Rank Martial Artist!

The surrounding students immediately gathered around, looking at the blood bubbles still gushing from Yu Hao's neck in the mining cart, and only then did they realize that his neck had been broken!

The students couldn't help but exclaim in horror:

"This… how did Yu Hao die in such a short time?"

"Ugh~~~ I can't take it, I'm dizzy from blood!"

"Why are my legs turning soft? I didn't feel this way when I was cleaning up the mess in the tunnel earlier."

"Nonsense, you couldn't see anything down in the coal mine. Now it's a bright, clear day with full visibility, how could it be the same?"

"I've realized I'm not suited to be a combat-type Martial Artist, it's too terrifying!"

"Just say you want to live a life of wealth and luxury."

"What's the point of you guys talking about those useless things? How exactly did Yu Hao die?"

...

At this moment, Principal Zhang was leaning on the edge of the mining cart. After seeing Yu Hao's death, his hair stood on end. He looked extremely enraged and said hoarsely, "What happened! What happened here!"

Xiao Ying and Wang Ye remained silent.

Liao Jianguo, Director's Face showed shock, fright, and distortion as he stared intently at Xiao Ying and Wang Ye.

They were the ones who reported this incident, so they must know the inside story!

"Speak! How did Yu Hao die? Was he killed by the Vicious Beasts and strange people from below?"

At this moment, Liao Jianguo, Director was still suspecting it was due to the underground cavern.

Xiao Ying nudged Wang Ye, signaling him to speak.

Wang Ye shoved his hands into his sleeves, simply squatted on the ground, and hung his head, completely ignoring Xiao Ying.

Xiao Ying cursed inwardly, *Useless fellow!*

Xiao Ying took a deep breath and said, "You all were prioritizing going up, right? I, Wang Ye, Yu Hao, and… Shen Bei, were left behind, and then they…"

The narration was neither too long nor too short.

Xiao Ying recounted the entire sequence of events that happened below.

The scene fell silent.

Utterly quiet.

Everyone was trying to discern the truthfulness of Xiao Ying's words.

Liao Jianguo, Director was not someone easily fooled.

Shen Bei and Yu Hao suddenly drawing their blades against each other, becoming mortal enemies, and starting a massacre without a word.

It was truly a bit fantastical.

Liao Jianguo, Director asked Xiao Ying to repeat his account.

If Xiao Ying had fabricated it under Shen Bei's threat,

Then the second narration would inevitably differ from the first.

However, Xiao Ying was telling the truth. No matter how he was asked, he always told the honest truth.

He neither pitied Yu Hao nor favored Shen Bei.

He recounted the entire process without a single mistake.

At this moment, the other students could not remain calm and burst into heated discussions:

"What! Yu Hao died at Shen Bei's hands? Am I dreaming?"

"Really or fake?"

"How is that possible? Yu Hao is a Second-Rank Martial Artist! Shen Bei is only First-Rank, did he really kill across Ranks?"

"It's unbelievable. Shen Bei suppressed the underground cavern all by himself, his stamina must have been completely depleted, yet he fought Yu Hao, who was full of energy, to the death? Is he even human?"

"Prodigy! Too much of a Prodigy!"

"I just want to know… how will the school handle this? This was a private duel, not a death in the underground cavern, so the country won't provide compensation."

...

The students chattered on and on, talking to themselves for a long time.

The last sentence was the key point.

At this moment, Liao Jianguo, Director looked up at Principal Zhang and said, "If Yu Hao initiated the trouble and got himself killed, then that's an internal matter for your school. You handle it."

Such an incident certainly could not be counted as a sacrifice in resisting the underground cavern.

National compensation was also out of the question.

Principal Zhang closed his eyes. After a long while, he asked the surrounding students if anyone knew about the conflict between Shen Bei and Yu Hao.

The reason wasn't found, but a detail was uncovered.

That was, Yu Hao had previously intended to issue a death challenge to Shen Bei.

Principal Zhang was stunned for a long time.

For Martial Artists, conflicts often arise due to issues of interest.

Leading to an unending situation of advancement.

However, due to every Martial Artist having their own network of connections, or national intervention,

Randomly killing Martial Artists with merits and contributions would lead to being wanted by the country.

But hatred does not disappear with time; it only deepens.

Therefore, death challenges came into being.

Both parties wager their lives, with life and death determined by fate.

Of course, death challenges only applied to Martial Artists; they held no legal force for ordinary citizens.

Principal Zhang gritted his back teeth. It seemed that Yu Hao and Shen Bei's mutual animosity was not a recent development.

It was just that the time of their decisive battle had been brought forward.

Principal Zhang's mindset, however, relaxed a little.

He no longer bothered to investigate what kind of grudge the two had; none of that was important.

With a death challenge, the school bore no responsibility.

Thinking of this, Principal Zhang looked around, somewhat bewildered, and asked, "Where's Shen Bei?"

A student on the side pointed into the distance and said, "Over there, he's settling his wages with Boss Li."

Principal Zhang's mouth twitched as he looked in the direction of the finger.

Indeed, Shen Bei was counting the banknotes in his hand, even holding them up to the sun to check their authenticity, before contentedly tucking them into his pocket.

And Boss Li took out another stack of money, seemingly to thank Shen Bei.

Shen Bei, however, didn't stand on ceremony. He took it as his due, without even a polite gesture, directly reaching out to take it.

To Shen Bei, this was what he deserved.

If nothing had happened, would Boss Li have given him extra money? He'd be damned if he did.

"Shen Bei!"

Principal Zhang called out.

Shen Bei looked back, then turned to exchange a few polite words with Boss Li, before following Principal Zhang to a secluded, unpopulated corner.

Principal Zhang said with a smile, "Your performance this time has truly brought great Face to your Lingnan City Martial Arts University. I will submit a report to the country, specifically commending you. As for what rewards the country will give you, I cannot promise, just take whatever they give you."

Shen Bei said 'Oh' and nodded.

Presumably… the national rewards wouldn't be too stingy, right?

But it was hard to say, after all, it was only a Rank 1 earthquake.

The earthquakes in Sichuan West and Shanhai Pass were much more intense than at Diaobingshan Coal Mine.

However… despite this, this underground cavern was discovered by Shen Bei alone, and he was the first to kill the leader, thereby suppressing it.

The country might also give great benefits, after all, this was an unprecedented first in the country.

Thinking too much was useless; everything would be clear once the rewards were issued.

Then, Principal Zhang's expression changed, becoming serious, and he continued, "I don't want to ask, or hear, about the conflict between you and Yu Hao, and you don't need to say anything."

"Yu Hao was a student of the Martial Arts University, and the Champion of the previous class. Killing him casually would be a serious crime."

"Fortunately, a student reported that Yu Hao issued a death challenge to you. Afterwards, you just need to sign and fingerprint it, and everything will proceed naturally."

Shen Bei was still a bit surprised.

So, Yu Hao had harbored murderous intentions towards him early on?

But human greed knows no bounds, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.

He got himself killed by Shen Bei in a few swift moves.

He played himself.

Shen Bei nodded: "Okay."

"Then that's that." Principal Zhang became spirited, a sense of satisfaction spreading across his lips: "Go home!"

...

The students of the Martial Arts University finished washing up in the mine's bathhouse, then boarded the bus and left.

By the time they returned to school, it was already dark.

Shen Bei had been working all day, both doing labor and suppressing the underground cavern, and finally, he was ambushed by Yu Hao.

He was almost completely exhausted.

He collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep instantly.

He didn't even watch his usual pre-sleep routine of browsing videos of his "cloud-raised harem Young Misses."

Snoring filled the room.

Shen Bei: zzZ…

...

The next day.

Shen Bei was still asleep when he was awakened by the daily settlement panel.