Chapter 70 0072: In a Month, They Will Be Geniuses (Vote Requested)

Principal Fang of Lanwind Academy was infuriated after watching Principal Gu’s interview. Was this a blatant attempt to lure Chu Yun back? What wishful thinking!

The academy immediately arranged a talk with Chu Yun. When Chu Yun arrived at the principal’s office, he found Zhang Yang and the other seven already present.

“You’re here? Please, have a seat,” Teacher Yu greeted him hastily.

“I don’t know if you’ve seen the interview with the principal of the First Martial Arts Academy, but if you have, I hope you’ll think things over carefully. Admittedly, our academy can’t compare to them, but if you go back, you’ll only make it to the main roster of three teams. Here, you’re our number one. That’s a completely different kind of treatment,” Principal Fang said earnestly, trying to persuade Chu Yun.

The other board members echoed his words: “We know young people value fame and recognition more than money. We also understand that staying here may mean you won’t reach the grand finals, perhaps not even get past the city championship. But please consider it—give us a little time. We’ve already decided to replace Zhang Yang and his team, and within a month, we’ll find you stronger teammates. You’ll still be the captain. What do you say?”

Teacher Yu chimed in, “I’ve already scouted potential candidates from other regions. There’s still a month before the tournament. If I handle it, I believe it’s doable.”

Chu Yun looked at Zhang Yang and the others in surprise. “You’re leaving?”

Zhang Yang managed a wry smile. “What else can we do? We know the gap in strength between us and you—sticking around would only hold you back. Just like in the last practice match, we can’t deny, even to ourselves, that we’re dead weight. Since the academy is set on rebuilding, we’re willing to step aside.”

Chu Yun frowned. “You just accepted me as your captain, and now you’re leaving? Am I supposed to lead no one?”

Zhao Hu said bitterly, “Competition isn’t like a practice match where you can take out the entire opposing team alone. Our weaknesses will inevitably limit the team’s progress.”

Teacher Yu nodded, “Their abilities truly aren’t enough. You don’t realize the overall strength of other academies, do you? Let me explain: the First Martial Arts Academy’s third team averages at Warrior Level 8, the second team at Level 9, and the first team barely at Fighter Level 1. If you’re paired with Zhang Yang and the others, our combined strength is only Warrior Level 6—far too much of a gap! To win a spot from them, we need to boost our average to at least Warrior Level 8.”

Zhang Yang and his team could only chuckle helplessly. “Captain, we want to help, but we’re just not up to it.”

“To be honest, I don’t even want to join this so-called tournament,” Chu Yun replied. “I’m not interested in fame or recognition.”

“But we care,” the chairman said with a bitter smile. “Do you know how many years it’s been since Lanwind qualified out of the city championships? Twelve years! We’ve never made the finals. It’s not that we don’t want to recruit talented students—it’s just that with our track record, those with real potential won’t give us a chance. To survive, we had to take the commercial route. But you should remember, we used to be the top martial arts academy in Watchtower City. We have dreams too. With your arrival this year, I think we can use your reputation to attract stronger candidates and build a new team!”

Chu Yun frowned. “But there’s only a month left. Isn’t it too late to recruit new talent?”

“It’ll be tight,” Teacher Yu admitted, “and to be honest, we may not be able to build a whole new team this year. We just wanted you to know that we’re committed to strengthening our academy’s reputation. If we don’t qualify this year, could you at least not leave right away? We see your potential and want to make you the face of Lanwind, to promote our martial arts prowess.”

“If time is short, then there’s no need to dismiss them,” Chu Yun said, gesturing to Zhang Yang and his team. “Let’s keep the current lineup. I think it’s enough. Replacing them with outsiders might just bring in egos and cost us valuable time on team cohesion. These eight are enough. I’ll train them myself—one month’s time will do.”

Zhang Yang and the others were taken aback.

Teacher Yu smiled ruefully, “They haven’t improved in two years. At most, they’ll be able to warm up in a month!”

“You firing them reminds me of my own experience—just like when the other academy expelled me,” Chu Yun said. “Aren’t you afraid they could be late-blooming geniuses?”

Zhang Yang and the others looked stunned.

Teacher Yu chuckled. “How many geniuses can there be? If everyone were a genius, it wouldn’t mean anything.”

“The geniuses in your eyes aren’t worth much to me,” Chu Yun replied with a light laugh.

If someone like Duanmu Ci is considered a genius, then I could create countless such ‘geniuses’ myself!

He had no interest in the tournament; it all felt pointless. Brawls between rookies were a waste of his time. But if he couldn’t say no, why not turn these teammates into geniuses and let them win for the academy?

“All right, if we can’t build a new team this year, then don’t break up the old one,” Chu Yun said, standing and putting his hands in his pockets. He looked at the principal and the board, “A month from now, those you call trash today will be the prodigies you can’t believe!”

With that, Chu Yun turned and left the office.

He left Zhang Yang and the others deeply moved. The word “genius” from Chu Yun’s lips fired up these old-timers as if they’d been injected with new life. It might sound exaggerated, but Chu Yun was standing up for them.

Little did they know that a month later, when they stood on the stage looking down at their opponents, they would realize that being called a genius by Chu Yun was merely the result of a month’s training.

Chu Yun’s thoughts were simple. Let others chase after fame and fortune—he only wished for a quiet place to cultivate, to avoid trouble by lending a hand when needed. Why not?

The academy’s grand plan for his future resurgence held no appeal for him. He’d rather train a few strong fighters as figureheads, quietly cultivate on his own, and when the time came, hand his diploma to his mother. As for this world, he didn’t care for it—for his goal was the sea of stars beyond.

“Captain, we’ll train as hard as we can!” Zhang Yang and the others chased after him as he left the office. “If we don’t make it this year, we’ll try again next year. As long as you believe in us, we won’t give up!”

Chu Yun stopped, turned back, and looked at the eight of them. “Good. Then train with me. Do exactly as I say.”

“No problem. You’re the captain; you call the shots,” Wang Biao said.

“Tonight’s first lesson will be on endurance,” Chu Yun declared.

Zhang Yang and the others looked curious. “How will we train that?”

“By letting the Longjiang team beat you up,” Chu Yun replied.

All eight were left speechless.

(Two more chapters tonight; I’m off to write them now.)