I Can Replicate Martial Arts-Chapter 158 - 87: Dissipating Skill and Re-cultivating
’You’re so indecent, Old Wang!’
’What do you mean, "because you’re dating"? Just be blunt and say it’s because we slept together.’
"Coach, you’ve misunderstood. We’re just regular friends!"
Zhao Rui said with a straight face.
"Oh? That’s strange, then."
Wang Zhanshan frowned. He was quite concerned about Miao Miaomiao’s situation. After all, she was one of the four top masters of the freshman class.
However, for a variety of reasons, he had never found a way to solve the problem of her Charm Technique activating on its own.
At first, he’d assumed it was because Miao and Zhao had become a couple and slept together.
And that this was what had neutralized her Charm Technique.
But seeing how vehemently Zhao Rui denied it, it didn’t seem like he was lying.
"I heard you two have been spending a lot of time together recently?"
"Yes, Coach. We’ve been discussing Martial Arts and learning from each other. Nothing else... inappropriate has been going on."
Zhao Rui’s answer was decisive and to the point.
"Oh. Alright, I understand. You can go."
Wang Zhanshan waved a dismissive hand, and Zhao Rui left the hall.
A Cultivation Technique like the Charm Technique, which defies conventional Martial Arts, often involves the core principles of Essence, Qi, and Spirit—concepts one usually only comprehends after reaching the Grandmaster Realm.
’Logically speaking, a charm’s purpose is seduction, so the solution should lie in the direction of a Yin-Yang Union.’
’But he was a coach, a male one at that. He couldn’t just tell a female student to stop being so innocent.’
’You know... to be a little looser, a bit wilder.’
’To go find a man.’
’Maybe then she’d discover why her Charm Technique was out of control.’
So when he’d originally heard the rumors that Miao Miaomiao and Zhao Rui were dating—and that the two were often seen sitting side-by-side chatting—he thought his guess might have been correct.
That’s why he had called Zhao Rui over to verify his theory.
But the result wasn’t what he’d expected, forcing him to sink back into contemplation.
...
On the other side, not long after leaving Wang Zhanshan, Zhao Rui was summoned by Coach Zeng Hongyi.
"I’m proposing you as captain of Team Two."
Zeng Hongyi’s words, delivered the moment they met, stunned Zhao Rui.
"Me? Coach, I don’t think I’m the right fit. I’m not an Eighth-level Martial Artist, and besides, there are still sophomores and juniors on the team."
Zhao Rui scratched his head. He really hadn’t seen this proposal coming.
Since only two of the sophomore members, including Qin Rui, had remained, the original small team that Zeng Hongyi had been in charge of was effectively disbanded.
Furthermore, with the seniors approaching graduation, they were certain to attend practice less frequently.
After a quick discussion, the coaches decided to reorganize the teams.
Zhao Rui’s team was composed of one junior, two sophomores, and seven freshmen.
"I’ve already asked around. The junior and the sophomores unanimously recommended you for captain. As for the freshmen, none of them had any objections."
Zeng Hongyi said with a smile.
He had expected the two sophomores to choose Zhao Rui. After all, in their "foursome," it was always their junior, Zhao Rui, who called the shots.
What he hadn’t expected was for the junior to have no objections either.
Thus, Zhao Rui’s appointment as captain was truly well-deserved.
"Uh! Coach, I’m kind of lazy. I don’t want to manage things!"
Zhao Rui said, exasperated.
"You’re doing it whether you want to or not. This is the coaching staff’s decision."
Zeng Hongyi glared at him and said in a stern voice, "And that’s final!"
"Now go, assemble your teammates."
Zhao Rui rolled his eyes but reluctantly accepted the title of Team Two’s captain.
Soon, the ten team members were gathered in an open area in the northwest corner of the Martial Arts Arena.
"After careful selection by the coaching staff, the captain of Team Two will be Zhao Rui. He will be responsible for supervising the daily training schedule..."
Zeng Hongyi announced the decision publicly. Just like that, Zhao Rui, a mere freshman, became one of the three team captains.
He was also the only captain without an Eighth-level Martial Arts Cultivation.
Upon hearing the appointment, everyone broke into applause, which took Zhao Rui by surprise.
’Am I really that well-liked?’
’Isn’t anyone going to challenge this?’
"Alright, assemble for practice! Today, we’ll continue our study of the Prajna Palm!"
Zeng Hongyi didn’t waste any more words. After the brief announcement, he began the day’s routine practice.
The practice session lasted for the better part of the day.
The team’s atmosphere remained quite harmonious all the way until they were dismissed that afternoon.
"Captain Zhao, you’re treating tonight!"
The moment the coach announced the end of practice, a group of teammates flocked to Zhao Rui, teasing him with wide grins.
"My treat, my treat! Barbecue, let’s go!"
’It’s my first day as captain. It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t bleed a little cash.’
And so, the large group trooped out of Mingcan Courtyard and headed to a nearby barbecue joint for a small gathering.
Everyone drank and celebrated, not breaking up the party until after nine that night.
Slightly tipsy, the cool wind felt invigorating!
After parting ways with the group, Zhao Rui was strolling down the street when the melodious sound of a zither suddenly drifted to his ears.
He looked toward the source of the sound and saw a brightly lit row of rooms in a building not far down the street.
The beautiful music was coming from within.
Hanging outside the building was a sign: Little Kangaroo Art Training School.
An idea sparked in Zhao Rui’s mind. He rapidly circulated his Inner Strength to dissipate the lingering smell of alcohol around him, then strode up the steps.
When he reached the reception hall, he saw a few young, attractive women tidying things up behind a counter.
"Excuse me, do you teach musical instruments here?"
Hearing Zhao Rui’s question, the women looked over. One of them replied with a smile, "We do. Are you enrolling your child? What instrument are you interested in?"
"It’s for me, actually. What instruments do you teach here?"
The woman was taken aback for a moment at his words, but her expression quickly cleared with understanding. "We have piano, zither, guitar, recorder... a lot of different ones. Is there a particular instrument you’re fond of?"
"Could you give me a tour? And maybe introduce the teachers? I’m a complete beginner."
