C18 Ten Minutes to Go

Jiang Gongyin, Bai Junji, Kuan Ping, and Yang Kuo had been waiting at the Martial Inheriting Society for a good half hour. Feng Manlou, who had promised to join them after lunch, was nowhere to be seen.

President Bai Junji was growing impatient. "Gongyin, are you certain you arranged to meet Manlou today at 12:30 PM?"

"Absolutely, he even mentioned bringing his roommates to join the club and told us to have a hundred-dollar red envelope ready!" Jiang Gongyin confirmed.

"Should I go downstairs to meet him?" he suggested.

"No way, we're all esteemed seniors of the Martial Inheriting Society. It would be beneath us to go downstairs to greet newcomers," Kuan Ping protested vehemently, shaking his head vigorously.

"At this point, we're resorting to handing out red envelopes to attract new members; what's the point of maintaining our pride?" Yang Kuo said, arms crossed and rolling his eyes in exasperation.

After a moment's thought, Bai Junji slapped his thigh and stood up decisively. "Kuo is right. The club's survival is at stake; forget about pride. Let's go downstairs and welcome the newcomers!"

The others nodded in agreement, and they all headed out together.

Exiting the activity room, they made their way along the corridor toward the stairwell, only to run into a boisterous group of young men and women, which stopped them in their tracks.

The flashy, athletic-looking leader of the group sneered at them. "Look at the Martial Inheriting Experts in such a hurry. According to the activity department's rules, our Combat Dance Club still has to wait..."

He glanced at his oversized, camouflaged electronic watch and continued, "Another ten minutes before we can officially take over this activity room. You might as well spend another ten minutes praying inside. Maybe a miracle will happen, and someone will join the Martial Inheriting Society, saving you from disbanding."

His companions snickered at his words.

Fuming, Yang Kuo's brows shot up as he barked, "Soong Fei, are you looking for a fight? If you're brave enough, come inside the activity room and face me one-on-one. I'll take you down with just one hand!"

"Fine, if it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get. Who's scared?" Soong Fei paused, then slapped his forehead as if a lightbulb had gone off, and said in a mocking tone, "Oh, my memory is just terrible.

A one-on-one is no problem, but today's not good.

Today, our Combat Dance Club is taking over your activity room. We've got to clean and redecorate, and with so much on our plate, we just can't find the time.

Let's settle this tomorrow. I'll be here waiting for your challenge at noon."

"Cut the crap. If you're brave enough, let's do this now!" Yang Kuo charged at him, only to be stopped by Bai Junji's outstretched hand.

"President, Soong Fei has gone too far. Let me give him a thrashing! Don't worry, I won't kill him!"

"That's enough. All three of you, back to the activity room!"

Bai Junji's command boomed, drawing curious glances from everyone on the floor.

What a scene in the narrow hallway: people with bandaged hands, donning Muay Thai shorts, boxing gloves, MMA grappling gloves, and various martial arts uniforms. It was like a multicultural expo.

Apparently, every martial arts club was on the sixth floor!

"President!"

"I said go back!"

Reluctantly, Yang Kuo's fists tightened, his calloused hands cracking, but ultimately, he was coaxed back by Jiang Gongyin and Kuan Ping.

"President Soong's got a point. We've got ten more minutes to pray for a miracle," Bai Junji said with a chuckle. "But if a miracle does happen, President Soong and his crew will have to keep training in the garden, out in the sun and rain. It's quite a sorry sight when you think about it."

Bai Junji stood an imposing 1.9 meters tall, not only striking in appearance but with arms as thick as a girl's thighs.

Confronted by such a man, Soong Fei, though not one to back down from a fight, chose his words carefully. With a cold laugh, he shot back, "Then let's hope God hears your prayers."

"We don't need the gods to listen; we are martial artists who have carried on the martial arts culture of C Country for thousands of years. The deities of our martial tradition will watch over us."

Bai Junji's statement was a veiled jab, ostensibly declaring his faith, yet in truth, he was ridiculing Soong Fei for his devotion to battle dances, accusing him of being a sellout, neglecting his own heritage in favor of foreign practices.

Soong Fei's face turned an angry shade of green. "Hmph, we'll see about that."

"Indeed, we will see," Bai Junji replied before turning to head back to the Martial Inheriting Society.

"President, your parting shot was spot-on!" Kuan Ping said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Have you no shame? If it weren't for you stealing Soong Fei's secret crush, he wouldn't be making these snide remarks," retorted Yang Kuo with irritation.

"At the time, I had no idea he was smitten with Xian. And anyway, I broke up with her, didn't I? If he's so fond of her, he's free to pursue her now!" Kuan Ping shot back.

"Enough, enough, this isn't the time to dredge up past romances," interjected Jiang Gongyin. "Junji, are we seriously just going to sit around waiting for divine intervention?"

"Wait for nothing. Get on the phone to Feng Manlou right now. If he doesn't pick up, call him twice, and if still no answer, bombard him with two hundred calls! I've made bold claims. If no one shows up, how are we supposed to face anyone at East Sea Institute ever again?"

...

In the hallway, Soong Fei leaned on the railing, looking out into the distance, feeling utterly vindicated.

If he could just hold out for ten more minutes, Kuan Ping and the rest of the Martial Inheriting Society's riffraff would be shamefacedly ousted from the activity center.

Haha, that's what they get!

That'll teach him to steal my love interest!

Seconds and minutes ticked away, and soon only one minute remained.

No more miracles would occur.

"Pity for you, Bai Junji, it seems the Martial God of C Country has no plans to favor you today."

With a smirk, Soong Fei turned and strode toward the door marked 6608, the Martial Inheriting Society's headquarters.

Suddenly, a clamor of footsteps erupted from behind.

Soong Fei's heart skipped a beat. He spun around to see what was happening and caught sight of six boys charging out of the stairwell. Among them, a lanky guy in slippers dashed by him like a flash of lightning.

'What in the world? What's happening?'

'And why is he running east? The only thing east is the Martial Inheriting Society!'

'Could it be?'

'No way, this can't be some cliché plot twist, can it? Like something out of a movie, with a last-minute reversal?'

Before he could gather his thoughts, Feng Manlou burst through the door, exclaiming, "President Bai, we want to learn traditional martial arts. We want to join the Martial Inheriting Society!"

Soong Fei felt as though lightning had cleaved the clear sky, striking him directly. He was completely stunned.

The other five boys, gasping for breath as they ran, managed to say, "I... We... We also want to... join the Martial Inheriting Society..."

The members of the Combat Dance Club stood frozen in shock. Eventually, a girl in a crop top murmured incredulously, "Seriously? They're really doing this?"

Bai Junji let out a hearty laugh and raised his voice on purpose. "No problem, welcome to the Martial Inheriting Society!"

Yang Kuo peeked out from the doorway, his expression indifferent as he gave Soong Fei a nonchalant shrug. "Who would have thought the Martial Inheriting Society would actually have divine protection? This is truly unexpected."

"You... you..." Soong Fei was too furious to form words. He huffed angrily and stormed off.

Seeing their president leave, the rest of the club members reluctantly followed suit.

Back in the activity room, Kuan Ping laid out six application forms on the table, beaming. "Come on over, everyone. Just fill out these forms. It's easy – just your name, hometown, and class."

Feng Manlou and the others nodded in agreement.