Getting Stronger By Fighting-Chapter 539 - 537 Cook Duan Kun_1

"Long time no see, Deans!"

When Wang Zhan saw the two Deans, he felt a mix of emotions despite the long separation. Even though they had been looking out for his best interests back then, the feeling of being pushed out like that had been deeply unpleasant. After all, Wang Zhan was only eighteen at the time—still a child, really—and he wasn't magnanimous enough to let it go completely. But Wang Zhan believed that as he aged, those feelings would eventually dissipate.

"My boy, we were wrong back then. We owe you an apology!" Liu Zhenfeng found it hard to meet Wang Zhan's gaze, his voice somewhat low.

Lv Zhenglong chimed in, "We two old fellows aren't begging for your forgiveness, but we hope that if the Academy faces difficulties in the future, you'll come back to lend a hand."

Wang Zhan smiled. "Deans, that's all in the past. I know you were trying to protect me back then. Today, I've come to ask about something."

Lv Zhenglong seemed to read his mind. "Sigh! You want to ask where your Teacher has gone, don't you?"

When Duan Kun was mentioned, the two retired Deans looked somewhat embarrassed.

Wang Zhan nodded. The only person he was still concerned about was his Teacher, Duan Kun. Duan Kun, that battle-hardened man of iron, had been furious when the Academy forced Wang Zhan out and had confronted the two Deans. Ultimately, he hadn't been able to achieve anything for Wang Zhan. He was disappointed not only in Liu Zhenfeng and Lv Zhenglong but also in the entire Academy, as not a single person had stood up to protest the injustice Wang Zhan faced.

"Your Teacher is at the Chu State Military Camp. We've tried to get him to return many times, but he's incredibly stubborn and just won't come back." Lv Zhenglong recalled something else and added, "That young man, Cheng Shu, also apparently went to see your Teacher several times but was rejected too."

An image of Cheng Shu surfaced in Wang Zhan's mind, and a faint smile touched his lips. It was that lad who first took me to the Black Market, and he helped me make my first deal.

"Alright, thank you, Deans. There's something else I'm not clear about, and I'd like to ask for your guidance."

Lv Zhenglong chuckled and slowly began to speak, "You want to ask why so many disciples from prominent families choose to study at our Chu State Military Academy, even though it's not as prestigious as the Top Four, right?"

Wang Zhan was surprised. How do they know what I'm thinking? He nodded anyway.

Liu Zhenfeng looked at Lv Zhenglong, indicating that he should be the one to explain.

"The Flaming Lion you saw today once rampaged murderously through the Human Race. In the end, the Academy dispatched a large number of powerful experts and paid a heavy price to subdue it. However, due to the threat of the Beast God, they couldn't kill the Flaming Lion. To compensate the Academy, the Federation grants it two slots for the Star War Battlefield every year."

Still somewhat confused, Wang Zhan asked again, "I've been at the Academy for quite a while. Why have I never heard of this?"

"The Academy's rules previously stipulated that the slots were to be given to third and fourth-year students. You were only a freshman back then. Even though you were extraordinarily gifted, the Academy didn't tell you about these matters."

After hearing this, Wang Zhan finally understood why so many young masters from various prominent families were willing to come to the Chu State Military Academy. This kind of information is likely common knowledge among families from influential factions in the Federation.

As for sending Wang Zhan to one of the Top Four Academies, it had been a decision made out of necessity. Lv Zhenglong believed that with Wang Zhan's strength, he would eventually secure a spot for the Star War Battlefield regardless.

Now that he had answers to his questions, Wang Zhan bade the two Deans farewell and prepared to leave.

As Wang Zhan walked away, Lv Zhenglong called out loudly after his retreating figure, "Your sister should already be on the Star War Battlefield!"

Hearing this, Wang Zhan's steps faltered for a moment. Ever since the day he acquired the System, he had been chasing his sister's shadow.

He looked up at the sky and murmured, "Sister, just wait. I will definitely catch up to you."

Then, he walked towards the exit with determined steps. Suddenly, his eyes lit up; Huang Pufeng and Song Dongming appeared before him.

The three of them exchanged a look, their hearts brimming with joy.

"What are you guys doing here?" Wang Zhan asked.

"What, were you planning to leave without even saying goodbye to us?" Huang Pufeng said, feigning annoyance.

"Who said I was leaving? I'm just planning to find Teacher Duan. When I get back, we'll drink until we drop!" Wang Zhan explained.

Hearing this, Huang Pufeng and Song Dongming finally let him off the hook.

"When you come back, we're definitely drinking until we drop!"

"Until we drop!"

"Until we drop!"

After Wang Zhan left, Huang Pufeng turned to Song Dongming. "Wang Zhan's getting stronger and stronger. The gap between us and him is just growing wider."

Song Dongming gave Huang Pufeng an understanding look. "So what? He's our brother. But we need to work harder too!"

Watching Wang Zhan's departing figure, Huang Pufeng murmured to himself, "Yeah, he's my brother."

After leaving the Academy, Wang Zhan picked up Three Seven and headed towards the Chu State Military Camp. Having found out that Duan Kun was here, Wang Zhan's current objective was to persuade him to return.

When he reached the entrance of the Military Camp, the guard recognized Wang Zhan, his expression tinged with excitement.

"You're Wang Zhan?"

Wang Zhan nodded. I didn't expect to be this famous already.

After Wang Zhan stated his purpose, the guard called over his team leader, who then allowed Wang Zhan to enter.

"Master, why did you bring me to the Military Camp?" Three Seven asked, puzzled.

Wang Zhan affectionately patted Three Seven's head. "I'm taking you to meet your Grandmaster."

Three Seven and Wang Zhan arrived at a kitchen in the Military Camp, where Duan Kun was sitting on a small stool, feeding firewood into a stove. A pang of discomfort struck Wang Zhan. He walked up behind Duan Kun and said softly, "Master, you have so much more white hair now."

Duan Kun, who was feeding firewood into the stove, jolted at the words. When he turned around, his eyes were visibly moist.

"You rascal! What are you doing back here?" After speaking, Duan Kun rubbed his eyes and muttered, "The wind's too strong. Got some sand in them."

Seeing Duan Kun like this, Wang Zhan felt a twinge of unease, but he still smiled and said, "Well, I missed you, old man, so I came back to see you."

With that, Wang Zhan nudged Three Seven forward. "Quick, call him Grandmaster!"

"Grandmaster!" Three Seven looked at Duan Kun with some puzzlement but called out as told.

Only then did Duan Kun notice the little fellow, Three Seven. "Not bad, not bad! You've even taken a disciple," he said, clearly quite taken with the child.

"Master, I want to place Three Seven in the Chu State Military Academy, and I was hoping you would return to help me look after him," Wang Zhan said.

Duan Kun sized Wang Zhan up for a long moment, suddenly finding that he couldn't quite see through his former disciple anymore. "What's your current strength? As for me, I'm settled here and don't want any more fuss. Isn't the little fellow perfectly fine staying with you?"

"Master, I've already broken through to the Martial Arts Grandmaster realm. I want to go to the Star War Battlefield. The little fellow is still young, and I wouldn't feel at ease leaving him with anyone else," Wang Zhan explained.

Hearing that Wang Zhan was already a Martial Arts Grandmaster, Duan Kun was visibly delighted. "After how the Academy treated you, you don't hate it?"

"I don't hate it. There was no other choice back then. Besides, so much time has passed; any resentment should have faded by now."

Three Seven's gaze darted between the two of them. Seeing that Wang Zhan was talking about leaving, he quickly cried out, "Master, where are you going? Don't you want Three Seven anymore?" At that moment, Three Seven looked like he was about to burst into tears.

Wang Zhan quickly comforted him. "Of course not. Master has something important to do. You stay with your Grandmaster and grow up quickly. Master will wait for you on the Star War Battlefield."

Three Seven looked at Wang Zhan with his big eyes. "Then, Master, you have to wait for me! I'll work very hard!"

Although Three Seven didn't understand what the Star War Battlefield was, he grasped that Wang Zhan had important matters to attend to. Deep in his heart, he made a firm resolution: he would definitely follow in his Master's footsteps.

Wang Zhan turned to Duan Kun, expectantly awaiting his answer.

After long contemplation, Duan Kun slowly said, "Alright. There isn't much I can do to help you, but I'll make sure you have no worries here. Once the little fellow is grown, I'll have him find you." Duan Kun then glanced at Three Seven and added, "But are you really sure you want him to walk this path?"

Wang Zhan nodded. "Our meeting was fated; it means this is a path he must take. Besides, Master, didn't you always teach me that a Martial Artist needs a heart that is brave and unafraid to press forward?"

Duan Kun had a moment of clarity. "It seems I've been a cook here for too long... Ah, well. Let it be. The little fellow has his own destiny."

Thanks to Wang Zhan's influence, Duan Kun left the Military Camp smoothly. As he departed, Duan Kun cast a final, lingering look at the Military Camp gate, clearly reluctant to leave.

The trio returned to the Chu State Military Academy. Wang Zhan found Zhang Sheng and explained his purpose. Zhang Sheng readily agreed and even specially arranged a courtyard for Duan Kun and Three Seven. Leveraging the fame of Wang Zhan's disciple would allow for massive student recruitment; it would only be a matter of time before the Chu State Military Academy surpassed the Federation's Top Four. Wang Zhan knew what Zhang Sheng was thinking. As long as Three Seven and his Master, Duan Kun, had a place to stay and could freely use the Academy's resources, Three Seven would be able to grow quickly. That was all that mattered to him.

Once Three Seven and Duan Kun were settled, Liu Zhenfeng and Lv Zhenglong came in. Upon seeing the two Deans, Duan Kun's expression visibly soured. Wang Zhan tactfully excused himself, leaving the three of them some private space.

Just as Wang Zhan stepped out, he bumped into Huang Pufeng and Song Dongming, who were arriving with bottles of liquor.

"You two must have noses like bloodhounds to sniff out that I'm back already!"

Huang Pufeng laughed and retorted, "You're the dog!"

The three of them soon found a spot to sit, drink, and chat merrily.

"Wang Zhan, you're a true demon, able to fight opponents several ranks above you! Do you have some secret? Teach us brothers!" After speaking, Huang Pufeng drained his cup in one gulp.

Wang Zhan smiled and said slowly, "You two wouldn't be able to learn my secret. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind teaching you."

"What are your plans now?" Song Dongming asked.