Beginning from the 22nd of August, Fang Ping began to contact the students on the restructuring of the Martial Arts Society!
The members of the Ping Yuan Club would once again play their role.
…
Within the campus of the MCMAU.
“Zhang Yu is already a senior, and it stands to reason that the Martial Arts Society should re-elect the president!”
“It is the consensus of the various schools that the seniors should not serve as president of the Martial Arts Society. It seems like Senior Zhang is attached to the power he holds!”
“Senior Zhang and the others are now busy preparing for their own futures. How can they find the time to manage the Martial Arts Society? Nowadays the Society exists in name only—they even got Zhou Yan to manage the Martial Arts Society in escrow. What is the point of the existence of the Martial Arts Society?”
“Time for re-election! Re-elect the president!”
“I think Xie Lei is pretty good. He can serve as the President of the Martial Arts Society.”
“I think so too!”
…
For a while, a noxious trend grew in MCMAU.
Most agreed that Xie Lei should be the president!
…
Within the Martial Arts Society.
Zhang Yu leaned on the chair and asked softly, “What do you all think?”
Xie Lei said in a deep, indignant voice, “I didn’t instigate that!”
“Xie Lei is not such a person!” Zhang Ziwei, who was just entering Rank-3 defended him.
Zhang Yu chuckled and said, “I believe it is not Xie Lei’s idea, but… the students are right. Senior students, under normal circ.u.mstances, should not serve as presidents of martial arts societies.
“I’m just…”
Zhou Yan added, “The president is not greedy for the position. The only problem is that in the second half of the year, there is the Second Martial Arts Champions.h.i.+p. If the president leaves, he can only quit the Martial Arts Society. If the time comes that partic.i.p.ation is only limited to members of the societies, the president won’t be able to compete.”
Qin Fengqing, who had just returned, said impatiently, “No matter how we look at it, it is still a matter of strength! If you are strong enough, who would dare to make a sound!”
Qin Fengqing continued, “This is no accident. This must be the work of Fang Ping. I know all the members of the Ping Yuan Club, and they were the ones who spread the word around.
“Never mind him. If this punk wants to be the president of the Martial Arts Society, I also want in!
“Xie Lei, do you wish to compete against me?”
Xie Lei frowned, and said after a while, “Qin Fengqing, if President Zhang serves as the president, I have no objections. However, if either you or Fang Ping wish to become the president, then you must ask for my opinion!”
“Who do you think you are?”
Qin Fengqing sneered coldly. “Don’t think that just because you broke through to Rank-4, you can act so arrogantly. If you are not convinced, we can have a short match!”
“You think that I am afraid of you?”
Xie Lei’s eyes showed indifference, and with his eyebrows raised, he seemed even colder.
“Enough!”
Zhang Yu growled and reprimanded them while rubbing his temples. “Shut up. All of you. If you know that it was Fang Ping’s doing, then it means that he intends to be the president of the Martial Arts Society. What do you all think?”
Liang Fenghua, who also just broke through to Rank-4, said lightly, “I don’t think there is any problem. The President is now a senior. Indeed, he doesn’t have the time and energy to focus on the Martial Arts Society. If so, changing the president is not a big deal at all.”
Xie Lei frowned. “Liang, how much do you even know of this Fang Ping? Don’t be biased just because he is a student of Instructor Lu.
“I won’t narrate much on Fang Ping as a person.
“But he only cares for his selfish gains, anyone can see that!
“Whether it is his platform or his reselling of pills in school, not to mention the little advertis.e.m.e.nts of his, he has seriously gone against the school’s conduct…”
Liang Fenghua laughed, but did not say anything. Ye Qing sneered. “Funny, since when did the school prohibit students from shooting advertis.e.m.e.nts?
“The Vice-chancellor hasn’t said anything about it, yet you’re already objecting it!
“Fang’s family is poor and the Catacombs are sealed off. He doesn’t have financial resources for his cultivations. Is it a sin to earn money for resources on his own?
“Even the reselling of the pills is within his rights. He exchanged for the pills using his own credits. What’s it to you who he sells them to!
“As for his platform, since he became in charge of it, he has benefited the students. If even you, Xie Lei failed to do so, why would you deny the efforts of Fang Ping?
“Xie Lei, you’re thrice-honed and are one term above Fang Ping, but you’re not as good as he is now. Is this jealousy on your part?
“You say that Fang Ping is selfish, but what about you, Xie Lei?
“Can you honestly say that you targeting Student Fang has nothing to do with him stealing your limelight and hitting your girlfriend?
“Xie Lei, we are all martial artists here. We are smart people, so don’t treat anyone as a fool!”
Xie Lei sneered. “If that’s what you think, then so be it. Whether it is for the public good or for selfish intentions, it is clear in my heart!”
“You might know a person for a long time but not know his true nature.”
Ye Qing said lightly, “Let’s not talk about useless things. If Fang Ping wants to be president, it will depend on his strength and whether he can prove himself to everyone else.
“I have no objections. As senior students, I suggest we do not comment.
“As for you, if you want to be president, I have no problem with that too, provided that you can beat Fang Ping and be more convincing than him!”
Qin Fengqing suddenly slammed the table and said angrily, “Don’t I have any say? I want to be President too!”
Zhang Yu’s head was pounding. Zhou Yan, who was silent for the most part, said exasperatedly, “You are about to graduate, is it necessary?”
“Why isn’t it necessary?”
Qin Fengqing snorted. “Those who are capable should take more responsibility. If I think I can do it, then I can! This whole controversy started because Zhang Yu can’t win people over. Since taking over as the President of the Martial Arts Society during the holidays last year, up to now, a whole year has pa.s.sed. Even so, Zhang Yu has not made any notable achievements.
“That’s why the school is critical of him now.
“If Zhang Yu had become a Rank-5 martial artist during this year, who would dare to question him?
“Would Fang Ping be brave enough?
“Or Xie Lei?
“To say so much is all nonsensical. If a Martial Arts Society does not look at martial arts, then does it exist just for fun?
“If I think my martial arts ability is strong, then I can be the president. As for management, there are a lot of people in the School of Social Sciences majoring the management courses. I can just get a few people to do it. Can’t I even handle a school such as this?”
Qin Fengqing spoke bluntly. Liang Fenghua laughed and said, “Old Qin’s words are crude yet his reasoning is refined. This is indeed the rationale. What do you think, President?”
Zhang Yu glanced at Xie Lei, then looked at Qin Fengqing. He sighed softly and said, “Indeed, as the president of the Martial Arts Society, I have not achieved much. I am responsible for this.
“The Martial Arts Society of MCMAU is currently weak, and the so-called co-governance school is all but empty talk.
“If you are unsatisfied with me, that is to be expected.
“I should just hand in my resignation and relinquish the position of the President of the Martial Arts Society.
“As of today, Li Hansong of CCMAU’s Martial Arts Society is at Peak Rank-4.
“w.a.n.g Jinyang of NMAU’s Martial Arts Society is at Upper-Stage Rank-4.
“Sino Nation University’s Liu s.h.i.+jie is at Upper-Stage Rank-4.
“Even South Capital University’s Chen Haoran is at Middle-Stage Rank-4.
“Everyone, it is not that I am clinging on to this position, but I still think that the strong should be in control. Let Chen Wenlong take over.”
Chen Wenlong was actually present all this while.
But he remained silent while sitting in the corner.
After hearing what Zhang Yu had to say, Chen Wenlong spoke after a moment in silence, “I have already discussed this with the Magic City’s Military Department. After my graduation, I will join them and serve as the commander-in-chief. In the time to come, I will spend more time at the Catacombs in Magic City. I am sorry, old Zhang.”
Zhang Yu frowned slightly and hesitated half a second before saying, “I won’t force you, but the Martial Arts Society would have to enter the champions.h.i.+p at the end of the year. I hope you can partic.i.p.ate.”
“That is for certain!”
In a deep voice, Chen Wenlong declared, “I have long wanted to compete against the others. Being the best writer is as meaningless a t.i.tle as the second-best fighter. If Li Hansong and the others want to claim that they are undefeatable Rank-4s, they will have to ask me first!”
Zhang Yu gave a slight nod and gently tapped the table. After a while, he said, “Let’s do it this way then.”
“Which is?” Qin Fengqing was not satisfied.
“Since Fang Ping wants this position and he chose to take action now of all times; we can expect him to bring quite some trouble these two days.”
Zhang Yu softly said, “Since everyone wants to be President, then claim it with your own ability.”
“What about you?”
Zhang Yu chuckled and said, “Me? Beat me first, then we’ll talk. If you cannot defeat me, even if I resign, the president seat of the Martial Arts Society should be vacant until a more eligible candidate arrives!”
Qin Fengqing and the others did not say more, it would all come down to their own ability!
…
August 24th, MCMAU held its school conference.
Field 1.
Early in the morning, thousands of students gathered together, their collective Vitality soaring!
There were three terms of students, close to five thousand people.
The instructors from both the social sciences and martial sciences added up to about a thousand people!
With so many martial arts powerhouse gathered together, the Vitality filled the sky, smothering some of those Rank-1 martial artists, making their faces pale.
At the time, as the new students had yet to arrive; even the students of MCMAU with the shortest admission period had also been there for a year. Almost all of them had become martial artists. Those who were aspiring martial artists were also striving to be either twice-honed or thrice-honed. Their strengths were not weaker than the usual Rank-1 martial artist.
With such a huge amount of middle-ranked instructors, even though they did not release their Vitality on purpose, but after years of b.l.o.o.d.y battles, their ferocious energy seeped through the area, shaking up the void.
When all of the students and instructors of MCMAU gathered together, the whole of Magic City could feel its tremendous vigor.
Five to six thousand martial artists, including middle-ranks and high-ranks. The force of MCMAU was intimidating and terrifying.
…
There were no seats on the main stage.
Wu Kuishan was standing in the middle; on his two sides were Huang Jing and a thin and feeble-looking elder—Liu Polu, who had just rushed back from Nanjiang.
Beside them were seven Peak Rank-6 powerhouses.
At the moment, only the ten of them were on stage. The rest of the instructors, along with the students, stood on the field.
Besides the congregation from MCMAU, there were also a few powerhouses from the outside.
There were powerhouses dispatched by the central government, the Education Ministry, the Military Department, and from Magic City, to witness the election of a new MCMAU Vice-chancellor, and to announce the commissioning of some new superiors.
“Dear teachers and fellow students!”
Wu Kuishan was the first to speak, and he spoke in a loud voice. “Year 2009, June 28th, may everyone remember this date!
“For it was on this day that many people who were precious and respectable to us, left us forever!
“And this includes…Our vice-chancellor!
“In his life, his biggest wish was to lead MCMAU to achieve greater heights!
“In his life, his last regret was that he couldn’t grow together with MCMAU!
“He had made painstaking efforts for sixty years, and even during his final moments, he wouldn’t let go of MCMAU… ”
Below the stage, there was a racket.
Many people seemed dazed.
The vice-chancellor, dead?
A Grandmaster powerhouse was dead?
On the day that the tomb was erected, not everybody knew about it. Some people had gone back, while others were not eligible to go to the Southern Area. Many were unaware.
A lot of people already were no longer paying attention to what Wu Kuishan was saying.
A few moments later, Wu Kuishan shouted, “The deceased is gone, but MCMAU cannot stop moving forward!”
“Today, I, Wu Kuishan, am fulfilling the vice-chancellor’s dying wish, and with profound respect and humility, I formally a.s.sume the post of vice-chancellor of the MCMAU…”
Wu Kuishan was straightforward. With no extra explanation, and without needing anybody else to make the announcement, he directly announced that he was taking over as vice-chancellor.
Everybody was quiet.
There was no applause.
Wu Kuishan did not care. He did not need any.
Between him and Huang Jing stood a slightly hunched middle-aged man. After Wu Kuishan had finished speaking, without the need for anyone to introduce him, the man introduced himself as a martial artist from the Education Ministry.
After the self-introduction, he began to announce the new commissions for MCMAU.
Wu Kuishan would serve as vice-chancellor and Huang Jing as the deputy vice-chancellor.
Liu Polu would continue to serve as the honorary princ.i.p.al, and as it had been the practice for many years, he would not partic.i.p.ate in the daily management.
The notice of appointment was only for these three people. The choice of the dean would be under the school’s and the three Grandmasters’ jurisdiction.
After the announcement, Wu Kuishan immediately announced a new commissioning.
Huang Jing would continue to serve as the dean of the School of Weaponry, with Tang Feng and Li Changsheng as deputies.
There were no changes for the School of Social Sciences and the School of Production.
However, changes were made for the School of Tactics and Strategy.
“Luo Yichuan will serve as the dean of the School of Tactics and Strategy. Dean Zheng… was martyred on July 16th!”
The audience was abuzz again!
The faces of some students of the School of Tactics and Strategy paled. The dean had died?
What the h.e.l.l was going on!
The vice-chancellor who was a Grandmaster powerhouse had died. The dean of the School of Tactics and Strategy, who was a Peak Rank-6 powerhouse, had also died.
Also, some familiar instructors were nowhere to be found.
On usual days, as the school would not gather the students and instructors together, everyone had not felt much.
However, at this moment, as the school was having its conference, it was very clear who was missing.
Fang Ping, who was off stage, actually had a hunch that something was amiss when he saw that there were only seven Peak Rank-6 powerhouses on stage.
Although he had guessed that Dean Zheng might have stayed back at the Catacombs, he also understood that the possibility was low for Dean Zheng to stay put. As the powerhouse who was in personal command of the Catacombs had also returned, there was no way that Dean Zheng would not return.
At this moment, when Fang Ping heard the news about Dean Zheng’s sacrifice, he sighed slightly, yet he was not surprised.
Fu Changding’s teacher Luo Yichuan a.s.sumed the post of the School of Tactics and Strategy’s Dean. If it was another time, there would be no shortage of congratulating and praise. Now, however, that was the last thing on anyone’s mind.
Out of the seven Peak Rank-6 powerhouses, three of them served as deans, while two of them were vice-deans of the School of Weaponry. In fact, the vice-dean of the School of Weaponry was more important than the deans of the other schools.
One of the remaining two was to stay put in the Catacombs. The other one was Lu Fengrou, who did not hold any post.
This was to be expected.
In terms of strength, Lu Fengrou was perhaps the strongest of the seven.
However, Lu Fengrou was not suitable for high vocational positions.
Lu Fengrou was p.r.o.ne to losing control. Although her anger was usually targeted at only a few people, the school nevertheless did not risk awarding her a lofty position.
After the announcement of the appointments, there was no necessity for the announcement of the other department leaders.
In MCMAU, or Martial Arts Universities in general, these are the positions that were truly the high ranking ones.
Compared to the Vice-chancellor and Deputy vice-Chancellor, the Deans of the Big Four…perhaps even the logistics department was not considered important.
The completion of the announcements usually marked the end of the school conference. Martial arts powerhouses were people of few words. Even the inaugural speech would not be done as it was not needed.
However, this time, Wu Kuishan and the others did not announce the dismissal of the a.s.sembly.
On the stage, Lu Fengrou looked at Fang Ping.
The President of the Martial Arts Society was also a very important position in MCMAU. It was not easy to gather students and instructors together.
Among the crowd, Zhang Yu and the others also looked at Fang Ping.
Now was the time.
In the icy silence, Qin Fengqing suddenly stepped forward with the intention to speak. Seeing this, Fang Ping immediately said loudly, “Vice-chancellor Wu, Deputy Vice-chancellor Huang, I did not intend to bother you all today!
“But I still want to gather the courage to ask everyone to bear witness!
“When I first founded the Ping Yuan Club, I have said that before the second year of school, I would challenge the President of the Martial Arts Society, President Zhang!
“A man must always keep his word. Now that the school is about to reopen, it is time for me to fulfill my promise!
“Not only that, the school has also taught us that martial artists must fight for themselves. Today, I would like to contend for the position of President of the Martial Arts Society!
“In MCMAU, respect is afforded to the strong. This was also the ideal taught by Vice-chancellor Huang at the beginning of school last year.
“Therefore, I want to challenge President Zhang Yu for the post of President of the Martial Arts Society! ”
As soon as he made this remark, the crowd once again clamored.
Today, many things were beginning. Was this going to change things for MCMAU?
Before Wu Kuishan and Zhang Yu could speak, an instructor reprimanded, “How can you be so casual about the post of President of the Martial Arts Society? Fang Ping, today is not your time for fun!”
Fang Ping exclaimed, “Teacher, do you think that I am fooling around? Now, the three Grandmasters of MCMAU, more than a thousand of instructors and thousands of students are present. Where does this question of fun come from?”
“The President of the Martial Arts Society is also the leader of MCMAU’s students. What virtues or abilities do you have, Fang Ping? What contributions have you made to MCMAU?
“With Zhang Yu’s dedication, how could he be fired at will and without fault!”
Fang Ping once again raised his voice. “At MCMAU, weakness is the biggest fault!
“MCMAU is not a university, since the time of enrolment, we have been reminded of this time and time again!
“Vice-chancellor Wu, Vice-chancellor Huang, including the Deans of the various Schools, who amongst them is not the strongest of the strongest?
“The President of Martial Arts Society is naturally the strongest among the students!
“At CCMAU’s Martial Arts Society, Li Hansong has reached Peak Rank-4. At the other martial arts universities, it is also the strongest who are serving as the presidents!
“For MCMAU, the Rank-5 students are graduating. The situation is different in that we cannot afford to be as complacent as before. I claim that I am better than President Zhang and will use the strength to prove myself. What is wrong about that?”
After Fang Ping had spoken, he continued on. “As for my contributions, at the beginning of this year, I led MCMAU to victory in the champions.h.i.+p. Should it not be counted as a contribution?
“I was an invincible Rank-3, defeated all the other schools and raised the prestige of MCMAU. Should it not be counted as a contribution?
“I have brought back important intelligence from Sino Nation. Should that not be counted as a contribution too?
“Teacher, it would be wrong for you to deny me the right to challenge!”
The instructor wanted to argue, but Wu Kuishan said lightly, “Zhang Yu, what do you say?”
Among the crowd, Zhang Yu stepped forward, raised his head and said, “I accept the challenge. What Fang Ping said is not wrong. Times have changed and MCMAU needs a stronger student to a.s.sume the post of President. Even if Fang Ping did not bring up the matter, I was thinking along the same line!
“Of course, winning against me does not mean that you are the strongest. Fang Ping, if you win, would you dare to accept the challenge of others? ”
Fang Ping laughed. “President Zhang, you don’t have to provoke me. I will not refuse a challenge from anybody!”
At this moment, Xie Lei suddenly shouted, “Fang Ping, if you want to challenge the President, you will need to get through me first!”
Zhang Yu was about to stop him, but Fang Ping said loudly, “I have long wanted to have a friendly exchange with you, Xie Lei. Since you can hardly wait, then you and I will fight first, as a warm-up for me!”
“Arrogant brat!”
Xie Lei was furious. With one sentence, Fang Ping had made him lose his cool!
The next moment, Xie Lei moved his body, leaped over the crowd, and appeared at the very front.