Getting Stronger By Fighting

And so it was.

When the people sent to meet Yang Cui knocked on her door, it creaked open. A plump, middle-aged woman with huge golden waves in her hair emerged. Her face was set in a solemn, severe expression, and she carried herself with a fierce, aggressive air. She abruptly planted herself in the doorway like a shrew, two cleavers raised in her hands, and barked loudly, "Scram! This is my house! I'll kill anyone who tries to come in!"

Despite being faced with several burly men, Yang Cui's face still held that fierce courage she'd carried with her from the slums; she wasn't the least bit intimidated.

For a moment, the room fell silent. The Grandmasters who had come to escort Yang Cui exchanged glances, utterly dumbfounded and not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

No wonder Wang Zhan is so tyrannical! Dammit, like mother, like son!

Yet, unexpectedly, Yang Cui paid no mind to their thoughts. Gripping the two cleavers tightly, she glared at them fiercely. "Are you deaf? Speak up! What are you here for? Let me tell you, this is the Federal Martial Arts Academy! This is the Federation! No one here is afraid of you!"

In fact, ever since she had seen the shadowy figures, Yang Cui had felt that something was amiss. Especially when those figures conspicuously moved toward her, her maternal instinct immediately made her think of Wang Zhan.

It's definitely that little bastard causing trouble!

So, while Yao Yao's parents were at a loss, believing Yao Yao had implicated them and that the noble families were now taking action, Yang Cui had already rushed into the kitchen and grabbed her cleavers, just like the ambitious and confident young girl she once was. She pounded her chest and declared to them, "Rest assured! Whether it's because of your daughter or not, as long as I, Yang Cui, am here, I will definitely protect you!"

At this, even Yao Yao's mother, who had always lived at the bottom of the Federation with a heart full of sorrow, was frightened by Yang Cui.

What kind of family is this? Threatening to chop people up at the drop of a hat, yet also promising to protect them?

However, for some reason, Old Yao and Yao Yao's mother felt a strange stirring in their hearts; it seemed they weren't actually repelled by Yang Cui's behavior...

If they were shocked, these experienced Grandmasters were even more astonished, unable to react for a moment. Luckily, one of them quickly raised his hands to signal to Yang Cui. "Wang Zhan's mom, we're here to pick you up on Miss Yu Lan's orders! We mean no harm!"

The others also chimed in at once. "Yes, yes, yes! We're with Miss Yu Lan. If you don't believe us, you can call her to confirm..."

At this point, Yang Cui paused, her ferocity waning slightly. She asked suspiciously, "You're really not with those people outside?"

The Grandmasters immediately patted their chests, assuring her, "Wang Zhan's mom, we're definitely not with them! And you'd better hurry. I suspect some of them have ill intentions toward you..."

Only then did Yang Cui say, "Oh." Then she slammed the door shut, leaving them with a parting shot: "Then you wait here! I'll go ask. If you have sinister intentions too, let me tell you, even as a woman, I can still chop people up!"

Thus, the Grandmasters were left standing there, looking awkward and helpless. In all their years of service, they had never witnessed such a spectacle. An ordinary family, daring to threaten Martial Artists with cleavers at the slightest provocation?

No wonder Wang Zhan didn't panic at all during his battle in the Jing State Wilderness Area, even daring to provoke leader-level beasts. It's all taught by example! They'd really learned something today...

In reality, however, Yang Cui already half-believed them. She felt a bit awkward, but seeing the expressions on Old Yao and Yao Yao's mother's faces, she didn't know how to explain. So, she put it aside and quickly called Yu Lan to confirm. "...Yu Lan! There are a lot of people around my building downstairs. Some people outside claim you sent them to pick me up, is that true?... Yes, yes, yes, one of them has a square, poker-like face..."

"...Alright, alright! I get it. Thank you! Auntie is leaving now. Ai, Heaven knows what trouble my son has gotten into this time, why are there so many people downstairs..."

After a phone call that lasted a mere ten seconds, Yang Cui immediately said to the other two, "Yao Yao's father, Yao Yao's mother, let's go right away! Otherwise, we won't be able to leave later. If there's anything, I'll explain on the way..."

And so, the embarrassed Yang Cui immediately channeled Wang Zhan's special talent: as long as she wasn't embarrassed, others would be. With the aid of the Martial Kings, they rushed out without stopping. This way, they indeed managed to avoid the surging crowd.

But Yang Cui never imagined that just as they were about to slip out of the sight of the ordinary people, someone from a distance suddenly called out to her, "Wang Zhan's mother!"

Yang Cui turned her head. What's going on? Why do all these people know me?

But by the time Yang Cui turned, these people, who had been slowly milling about and delaying for some time, immediately shouted loudly to her. Although their faces couldn't be seen clearly, their voices were like thunder, piercing straight to the heart.

"Thank you! You have a good son!"

Additionally, "Yao Yao's mother, Yao Yao's father! Thank you! You raised a good daughter!"

It was as if they were making small talk. Those people, still in the distance but now stationary, said these words. The only discernible thing was that the people in the crowd seemed to be of all ages, a mixed group.

But Yang Cui and Yao Yao's parents were completely dumbfounded.

What is going on? Why are they thanking us? Could it be that this whole situation, which nearly trapped Yang Cui and Yao Yao's mother inside the dormitory building, was just so they could say this one sentence to them?

Of course, even if they didn't understand what was happening, they felt the goodwill from these people. They were marching in silence, but their arrival wasn't intended to cause trouble for Yang Cui and Yao Yao's parents; rather, it carried an undertone they couldn't quite comprehend.

Thus, when some mentors and students saw familiar figures in the crowd, they immediately understood.

"Dad..."

"Mom..."

"Grandpa..."

"Why are you here?"

From within the crowd, the white-haired elderly folk then pointed at the noses of these good-for-nothing descendants and cursed, "Why can't I be here! If we hadn't reacted quickly, knowing someone would try to harm Wang Zhan's and Yao Yao's families, we old folks wouldn't have stepped in and blended into the crowd in time! We persuaded everyone not to cancel the plan, to avoid provoking the enemy and worsening the situation. Then we used delaying tactics to protect them and lull the enemy. Otherwise, by the time you lot arrived, it would have been too late!"

These old people, who had either lived through harsh times or witnessed the evils of the world, didn't mince their words. But this startled the mentors and students.

Someone infiltrated our Martial Arts Academy? How is that possible? Why didn't we sense anything?

They weren't unaware that Wang Zhan's and Yao Yao's family members were being housed in the Federal Martial Arts Academy. However, the Academy strictly forbade inquiries or leaking information about such matters. As a result, unless the situation became clear, over ninety-nine percent of the people would have remained in the dark.

However, some immediately realized something, and a shiver went down their spines. After exchanging quick greetings, they asked warily and cautiously, "Then, are those people among you right now? This is so dangerous! Could you please inform us in advance next time…?"

An old man, displeased by the question, snorted and retorted indignantly, "Bullshit! What's dangerous? We old folks are the ancestors of danger! Besides, these little tricks of theirs? We were using them ages ago! Trying to show off your axe before Luban? Impossible! Men, bring those people up for me!"

Upon his order, THUD! Several old men awkwardly carried over a few neatly dressed young men and women in their early twenties, placing them before the crowd.

Moreover, a fair-skinned, chubby young man was immediately singled out. The Old Man leading the group pointed at his nose and berated him, the very picture of exasperation at unfulfilled potential. "Look at this fellow! He doesn't look like a good sort at all! Had the nerve to mingle with us old folks and try to clown around, utterly shameless! And what are you lot good for? Can't even handle such a small matter without us old folks stepping in?

"Let me tell you, this silent march was my idea! A bit risky, perhaps, but at least it prevented chaos. If we had to rely on you, we'd all have starved to death by now! What are you still looking at? Hurry up and nail him to the main gate!"

The others who heard this were left speechless, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Fortunately, the old folks' good intentions had paid off. At least for now, the danger was outside the Martial Arts Academy. Although there had been some minor disruptions within, the situation was still manageable.

However, the young man who was berated didn't take it well. Cheng Shu, looking utterly innocent, was filled with indignation.

What's wrong with being fat? Who did I offend? Did I eat your family's rice? Why nail me to the school gate?

He had merely sensed something was off, so he quickly blended into the crowd, looking for a chance to help. Who would have thought? These old codgers wouldn't stand a chance against Cheng Shu, a level 6 Martial Master, in a fair fight. But they could play dirty!

And so, Cheng Shu had fallen into their trap and been poisoned. Drugged and dizzy, he was too weak to even argue his case.

Meanwhile, even as Yao Yao's parents were about to meet Wei Daoming, their minds were still replaying the words from that earlier scene: "Yao Yao's mother, Yao Yao's father, thank you! You raised a good daughter!"