Chapter 25 First Act Cool

Chapter 25: First, Let Me Show Off

Zhang Qinghang was just about to say something when Cheng Ge unexpectedly beat him to it, causing his expression to instantly turn downright ugly.

He had originally planned to pretend to be concerned for a moment, but now, given the situation, he couldn't even keep up the pretense.

He snorted coldly, "I warned you before. Since you won't take the easy way out, don't blame me for being unkind."

Cheng Ge, woken up before getting enough sleep, was already grouchy. He hadn't intended to make a big deal out of it, considering they were classmates, but now this oblivious jerk Zhang Qinghang was running his mouth in his ear again, and his temper shot up instantly.

"How are you going to be unkind to me? Planning to find another bunch of useless lackeys to corner me again?" Cheng Ge slowly stood up and advanced towards Zhang Qinghang. Although his constitution wasn't great, he wasn't short; in fact, he could be considered quite tall.

Zhang Qinghang hadn't expected Cheng Ge, after all that had happened, to still dare act so arrogantly in front of him. He was about to lose his temper.

But suddenly, he met those ice-cold eyes, and his body stiffened abruptly. A chill surged from the depths of his heart, and he actually stumbled back several steps.

Seeing his cowardly demeanor, Cheng Ge felt nothing but disdain. He reached out and grabbed the other man's collar. "Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

Zhang Qinghang, grabbed by the collar, struggled a few times but couldn't break free, his face flushing red.

He hadn't expected Cheng Ge to be so strong. Suddenly recalling the previous two times he'd been pinned to the ground and humiliated by the other, he felt a bit of fear, but he still tried to put on a brave front.

"Cheng Ge, you... if you dare touch me, I won't let you off! My father is..."

Cheng Ge let out a cold laugh, tightening his grip even more, and abruptly flung the man to the ground.

"I don't care who your father is. Today, I'm telling you: if someone respects me an inch, I'll respect them a foot!

Forget your worthless father; even if the Heavenly King himself came, he'd have to leave a layer of skin behind! Don't believe me? Just try!"

Zhang Qinghang hadn't expected Cheng Ge to be so audacious. For a moment, his eyes widened, unable to utter a single word.

For an instant, he actually felt that Cheng Ge wasn't joking with him.

If he ever truly angered Cheng Ge, he might really be killed. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear.

But then he reconsidered: Cheng Ge was just a powerless Hanlin Bachelor. These words were probably just meant to scare him.

If it were someone less brave, they might actually be frightened. But he, after all, was the legitimate son of a third-rank official. How could he possibly take such words seriously?

"Cheng Muyu, I'll give you one last chance now. If you agree to follow me, I can let bygones be bygones for all that happened before.

If you stubbornly refuse, then don't blame me for being ruthless..."

"Get lost!" Accompanied by a furious roar, a blur flew straight out from the courtyard gate, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Zhang Qinghang clutched his aching chest, unable to get up for a long time, his eyes blazing with rage.

Gritting his teeth, he stared at the tightly closed courtyard gate. "Cheng... Muyu!"

...

Cheng Ge rested at home for a few days but really couldn't laze around any longer.

After all, he was still in his probation and needed to perform well. Otherwise, how could he rise to the highest ranks of officials?

To be honest, although he had spouted many harsh words at Zhang Qinghang, if it came to an open confrontation, it wouldn't be a big deal—worst case, it would be mutual destruction.

But he was afraid the other might resort to underhanded tricks, which would be utterly disgusting.

That day, he arrived at the Hanlin Academy early. Usually, he would cut it close.

But now, he was no longer the former Cheng Ge. After this ordeal, he had fully realized the importance of power and influence.

Now, he had transformed. Please call him Niohuru. Ge.

"Muyu, why don't you rest a few more days? This won't do. Your health is important."

"Yes, Brother Cheng, you should recover fully before coming back. Don't leave any lasting health issues."

Seeing his truly terrible complexion, everyone couldn't help but advise him.

Cheng Ge's face was pale, and he occasionally covered his mouth to cough a few times, looking like a consumptive ghost, as if he might keel over at any moment.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lecturer Wang walking toward him.

Seeing this, Cheng Ge immediately coughed violently a few more times, as if trying to cough his lungs out.

Despite this, Cheng Ge's gaze was exceptionally firm, his back straight.

He subtly nudged the Qiao Fangxu in front of him aside with his hand.

Step aside, please. I'm about to start showing off.

"Now that I have entered the Hanlin Academy and receive the emperor's stipend, though I have not yet officially taken office,

as one who aspires to serve, I should establish my heart for heaven and earth, set my life's purpose for the people, carry on the lost teachings of past sages, and create peace for all generations!

Repaying the emperor's favor on the Golden Platform, wielding the jade dragon to die for my lord. I only hope to master my studies soon to share the emperor's burdens and seek welfare for the people. How can mere illness become an excuse to shrink back!" Cheng Ge declared with resounding force.

"Excellent! 'Establish the heart for heaven and earth, set the life's purpose for the people'! Cheng Muyu, to have such aspirations is truly a blessing for our Hanlin Academy."

Lecturer Wang, standing behind the crowd, revealed a gratified smile. He stepped forward and patted Cheng Ge's shoulder. "With such awareness, you are sure to achieve great things in the future."

Cheng Ge pretended to have just noticed him and hurriedly bowed. "Thank you, Lecturer Wang. This student will certainly strive hard and live up to your expectations."

Wang Shijiang nodded, then said to everyone, "You should all take Cheng Muyu as an example, harbor concern for the world, and serve the court diligently." Everyone voiced their agreement.

Zhang Qinghang watched this scene from the side, his feelings mixed, his gaze toward Cheng Ge quite complex.

Lecturer Wang was a favorite of the emperor, upright and honest. Many people tried to secretly curry favor with him but never got the chance. Who would have thought Cheng Ge could now catch his eye?

Cheng Ge felt secretly pleased, but his face remained expressionless.

Of course, it wasn't that he wasn't happy; he was just afraid that if his expression became too animated, the two ounces of powder on his face wouldn't hold up.

He had shamelessly borrowed this from the maid Xiao Cui. He heard this stuff was expensive. The half box he scraped out could buy a lot of steamed buns.

But it must be said, the effect was quite good. He had only applied two layers of this paste, and his face was already as white as a ghost's.

"Brother Cheng truly has noble aspirations. We feel ashamed of our own inadequacy..."

"Brother Cheng, how about giving me a self-portrait? I'll have an artisan frame it and reflect on myself three times a day while facing it..."

The admiring gazes of the surrounding classmates focused on Cheng Ge, and they surrounded him, praising him incessantly.

Cheng Ge waved his hand slightly, lifting his chin a little. "Not at all, not at all. I'm just ordinarily outstanding, that's all."

"Some readers might not quite understand the protagonist's combat capability. Cheng Ge just has poor stamina, but that doesn't mean he's weak. If he's not suffering from a poison flare-up, actually, some of the 'gongs' are not his match."