C16 Master Chiang

The man sporting an earring had been certain that Chiang Hao would go down with a single move. To his surprise, before he could even finish his thought, he witnessed Chiang Hao's finger strike the duckbill cap-wearer's calf with pinpoint accuracy.

Crack!

The duckbill cap-wearer hit the ground, clutching his ankle in agony, his cries echoing off the pavement. The unmistakable sound of breaking bones sent a shockwave through the onlookers.

"Ding! One finger standoff against the mantis kick earns an Exclamation Point +100."

The crowd had a clear view of the mantis kick's lightning speed as it lashed out at Chiang Hao. Yet, Chiang Hao faced it head-on without a hint of fear, earning a newfound respect from the spectators.

It's well-known that birds are the bane of aircraft in flight, as the collision of two high-speed objects can unleash tremendous force. One could only imagine the immense pressure Chiang Hao's finger had just withstood.

"How did he pull that off?"

"I never knew Chiang Hao was so formidable. I'm seriously starting to fall for him."

"My God, when did Chiang Hao get so strong?"

"Those two sounds we just heard? That was the sound of bones breaking."

"One finger to break ribs, now one to break foot bones – that skill is incredible! I'm totally convinced."

Chiang Hao's feats had left his classmates in awe.

"How can this be?"

The once-cocky earring man stumbled back several steps, his face etched with terror. They were a group of wealthy heirs, accustomed to a life of ease and frequent brawls, yet none had ever encountered someone as formidable as Chiang Hao.

"Is there anything else you want?" Chiang Hao turned to address the crowd, his tone dismissive. "If not, I'm off. And don't come looking for trouble with me again."

Stunned by the back-to-back demonstrations of Chiang Hao's might, the crowd could only shake their heads in silence.

Only Zhao Tianqiang, the class monitor, hadn't lost sight of his duty. He jogged over, beaming a friendly smile.

"Chiang Hao, you've got some serious fighting chops! But hey, the class is planning a trip, and you should really come along. We're in our third year now, and in just one more, we'll all be graduating. It's not often we get to have a gathering like this."

"I've got something really important to handle during the National Day holiday, so I can't join in on the fun with everyone," Chiang Hao said with a nonchalant tone.

Chiang Hao was aware that Zhao Tianqiang, despite his friendly facade, was quite cunning. Zhao had been cozying up to him lately, undoubtedly with an ulterior motive.

"Our trip's destination is in the suburbs of B City, just a short distance from downtown. We'll be staying at the nearby Hilton Hotel at night."

"And then?" Chiang Hao was clueless about Zhao Tianqiang's intentions.

"You've heard of the Hilton Hotel, right? It's a top-tier, five-star establishment. You've never stayed there, have you?" Zhao Tianqiang boasted with an air of wealth.

"No, I haven't."

"Well, I'm footing the bill myself, offering a complimentary stay for our classmates," Zhao Tianqiang said, puffing himself up with generosity.

"Then you're a good person," Chiang Hao acknowledged with a nod.

The Hilton Hotel, dubbed the 'King of Hotels,' was not cheap. Hosting the entire class would certainly cost a pretty penny.

"This is an incredible opportunity you shouldn't miss. Come travel with us. Don't worry about the expenses. You can bring your sister along, too. I'll cover both your accommodations and all expenses for the both of you," Zhao Tianqiang disclosed his real agenda.

It was at that moment Chiang Hao grasped Zhao Tianqiang's underlying message: his true interest was Chiang Hao's sister.

Thinking of making a move on my sister?

Not a chance!

"Sorry, my sister's not available," Chiang Hao said, eager to end the conversation with the sanctimonious hypocrite and walk away.

"Chiang Hao, think it over carefully. Pass up this chance, and you'll never experience a luxury hotel or the high life of the elite. You might even struggle to get by in B City," Zhao Tianqiang warned, his implications clear: Accept me as your brother-in-law for a life of luxury, or refuse and face a life made intentionally harder.

"Is that a threat?" Chiang Hao asked with a cold laugh.

After all that talk, Zhao Tianqiang's true colors finally emerged.

"I wouldn't dare claim otherwise; I'm merely stating the facts. Being reborn is an art form, and for someone like you who survives on student loans year after year, understanding your situation is crucial. Without my help, you're doomed to a lifetime of poverty," Zhao Tianqiang said, lifting his chin arrogantly.

What's there to fear from a mere warrior?

Zhao Tianqiang considered Chiang Hao, a nobody from society's lower rungs, as insignificant as an ant.

But to his astonishment, right after he spoke, a sleek Pagani M12 rolled up, coming to a halt in front of Chiang Hao.

As a wealthy heir and a man of the world, he instantly recognized the Pagani, a model based on the Lamborghini Diablo with only 24 in existence, valued at over 20 million.

Why was this luxury car stopping here?

Curiosity piqued, Zhao Tianqiang watched as a stunning young woman in a black OL uniform stepped out, her beauty radiant, with sparkling eyes and pearly teeth.

"Master Chiang, I'm Chun, Secretary to Director Han. She sent me to escort you to the hotel."

The young beauty nodded with a smile, her chest's 'little bunnies' playfully bouncing, seemingly eager to break free from their confines.

Master Chiang?

The crowd was dumbstruck.

Why were today's surprises coming one after another?

"Ding! Envy abounds. Exclamation Point +100."

Zhao Tianqiang, still clear-headed, pieced it together: In B City, the only person with this rare Pagani and the surname Han was Han Xun'er.

Chiang Hao must have bewitched Han Xun'er, the great beauty, while telling fortunes under the bridge.

No, he thought, I must reveal Chiang Hao's ruse and save the beauty from deception.

"Excuse me, miss, but there seems to be a misunderstanding. He's just an ordinary junior from A University, who cons people for tuition money under the bridge. He's no master."

Zhao Tianqiang pointed at Chiang Hao, offering the young woman a knowing smile as he spoke.

"Who are you to accuse Master Chiang of cheating and swindling?"

Chun bristled with anger upon hearing Zhao Tianqiang's disparaging remarks about Chiang Hao.

After all, Chiang Hao was a VIP whom Director Han had explicitly said to treat with the utmost respect. How could anyone allow such disrespect to go unchallenged?

"Miss, please don't get me wrong. I'm the class president in his program. We study Land and Resources Management, which is completely unrelated to Master Chiang's field."

Zhao Tianqiang, careful not to upset the secretary of Han Xun'er, offered a placating smile as he clarified his position.

"Hmph, a class president should stick to his duties, not overstep by criticizing his peers. That hardly seems fitting for someone in your role. As for Master Chiang's integrity, we're perfectly capable of making our own assessments—your input isn't needed," Chun retorted icily.

Though she was the 19-year-old Han Xun'er's secretary, Chun had been out of school for several years and could easily discern Zhao Tianqiang's true intentions. He was simply envious of any classmate who outshone him.