"I am ten years old and nine months, with over seven years of time. Even if I don't succeed in the end, it's not too late for you to introduce me to the Bartender Guild. By then, I should be able to concoct even better liquors." Ji Dong stated with conviction. His age is based on the memory that came with his current body.
Yang Bingtian said seriously, "Are you sure about your decision?"
Ji Dong asserted, "How would I know if I don't try?" He had never been one to give up easily.
Yang Bingtian nodded his head, "Alright, I will assist you to the best of my abilities. I won't drink your liquor for free. If you can truly combine both systems to form the Yin Yang Crown, no matter what your future achievements are, you would have pioneered a new path in the Yin-Yang Magic World. You should rest now, I need to go back and think carefully about this matter."
Upon leaving Ji Dong's room and closing the door, Yang Bingtian muttered to himself, "What kind of family raises this kind of child, who not only possesses skills rivaling those of a senior bartender, but also possesses such indomitable resolve? Perhaps, he truly can turn something useless into something valuable?"
When the first light of morning streamed through his window, Ji Dong woke up. He had always followed the good habit of getting up early, especially since today was the commencement of school. Thirty-two times the effort would begin from today. He gave his fists a swift shake, quickly washed up, and immediately ran downstairs, intending to begin the day with a light jog.
However, when he arrived downstairs, he found that he wouldn't be able to jog today. Despite the sunrise just moments ago, the previously desolate academy had become bustling. Numerous children his age, or a little older, had arrived at the academy with their parents, making the dormitory area especially lively.
Although he couldn't jog, it didn't dissuade Ji Dong's intent to exercise. He started doing stretches on the spot. Being young comes with its advantages; even though his body was weak, it was flexible. After exercising for a while, his body started to warm up, as if gaining a little more strength.
"Hey, are you a freshman here too?" A crisp voice called out from behind Ji Dong. Turning around, he saw a boy his age, wearing simple clothing, standing behind him. Despite being dressed just as modestly as Ji Dong, this boy's appearance was much more charming. His pinkish face seemed like it could be squeezed for water. His bright eyes were lively and his short, clean cut hair added to his energetic vibe.
"I'm from the first grade of the Ding Fire Series, what about you?" The boy naturally went and linked arms with Ji Dong, donning a familiar demeanor.
"You're part of the Ding Fire Series? Are you a girl?" Ji Dong looked at him, slightly surprised. The sexual characteristics of a ten-year-old were rather indistinct.
"Bullshit, I'm a real man. Do you want me to pull down my pants to show you? Who told you that those in the Ding Fire Series are only female?" The boy said, getting a bit annoyed.
Ji Dong was about to say something when a loud voice sounded from a distance, "Well, well, Bi Su, you sissy is here. Let's see if I don't beat you to death this time."
A robust boy who was nearly a head taller than both Ji Dong and the boy beside him, came running over with an aggressive demeanor. His red hair was striking, and his broad shoulders made him appear like a young calf, as he dashed toward them. His target seemed to be the boy beside Ji Dong.
"Good brother, block him for me; I won't forget your favor." Bi Su hid behind Ji Dong, poking half of his head out to shout at the approaching redhead, "Carl, don't think I'm afraid of you. Was it because I kicked your ass during the entrance examination and made you fall flat on your face? Even now, you still can't let it go. This is my boss; if you have the guts, beat my boss first."
"What boss, you two are getting beaten together," the redhead, Carl, charged over. Ji Dong was in the way, so he directly threw a punch at him.
Ji Dong immediately realized he was being used. But currently, Bi Su was gripping his clothes tightly from behind, leaving him no room to escape. In his previous life, young Ji Dong was a skilled fighter. Due to his handsome and tall stature, he was liked by many girls in his school which inevitably provoked jealousy from his male classmates. Although he didn't know any formal techniques, he had plenty of experience in fighting.
Seeing Carl's punch coming, Ji Dong was clear that if he was hit given his current physical condition, he would definitely be beaten to a pulp, even if he didn't become unconscious. Being used is better than being beaten up; he made his move instantly. Lifting his right leg, he aimed a solid kick. Carl was taller than him, but his arms shouldn't be longer than Ji Dong's legs.
Bang, dead on. Ji Dong's kick landed on Carl's lower abdomen. Carl was indeed tough, but Ji Dong was not in the best physical condition. Although Carl got knocked down, the immense force also knocked Ji Dong backward.
"Ouch, it hurts so bad!" Ji Dong tumbled down, but he wasn't the one shouting in pain; Bi Su was. Before, Bi Su was holding onto Ji Dong's shirt, and in an ironic twist of fate, he became a cushion for Ji Dong's fall.
Ji Dong quickly got up and mounted an attack on Carl. The first move would always be advantageous. Considering his build, it was apparent that Carl's strength was no joke. After Ji Dong kicked him, he would still consider him and Bi Su as being in cahoots. Well, that being the case, it's better to start fighting.
Seeing Ji Dong rush over, Bi Su was momentarily stupefied, but he too rushed over, instead of running away.
The two of them against one Carl, even though Carl was bigger, he still had difficulty coping. Ji Dong was straightforward, but Bi Su was quite cunning, only aiming for critical points. Even though they were all young and their punches weren't heavy, Carl still didn't want to be hit. In the end, it went from Carl occasionally punching them to covering his lower body most of the time.
"What do you think you're doing? Stop!" A thunderous roar sounded. Before Ji Dong could react, his body was lifted into the air as if riding a cloud. When he touched the ground, he saw a very sturdy man, holding him and Bi Su, one in each hand. A little flick from his foot and Carl too got up.
Having gained an upper hand, Bi Su was gleefully looking down at Carl, who was breathing fire from both eyes, about to launch himself at them. However, he was immobilized by a foot tap on his shoulder from the burly man.
"Well, aren't you remarkable! Starting a fight on the first day of school. Stand up straight." The burly man, just like Carl, sported a head of short red hair. However, Carl seemed like an amateur compared to him. This man looked like he was in his thirties. If Carl was a calf, then he was a strong bull. His leopard-like face and imposing manner made him naturally intimidating.
"So you like fighting, huh? Excellent. An Yin Yang Demon Master who dislikes fighting isn't qualified. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to fight in the future. However, fighting publicly on the school playground, you sure have guts! You've violated the school rules. You three are excused from the opening ceremony. Immediately, right now, turn around and run twenty laps around the field. If you can't handle it, you may as well go home to mommy. The last one to finish will run an extra five laps. This will be your opening ceremony. Start."
Without any hesitation, Bi Su was the first to dash off. Although Ji Dong cursed his rotten luck, he had been thinking it over for the past few days. Since he was going to start over, he might as well do it properly. So, with no other choice, he followed Bi Su and started running. Red Hair Carl gave them a furious stare before following after them.
Li Fire Academy had two playgrounds belonging to the Bing Fire Department and Ding Fire Series. They were currently running on the Bing Fire Department's field. It wasn't large, only two hundred meters per lap. Nonetheless, twenty laps would amount to four thousand meters. For ten-year-olds, especially someone as frail as Ji Dong, this was a challenge.
Many new and old students had gathered to witness this scene. The older students chuckled while the new students looked with fear at the fierce, muscular middle-aged man.
With a menacing glare, the middle-aged man roared, "What are you looking at? Do you want to run laps too? Get to the auditorium immediately and attend the opening ceremony. Right now, I will count to ten. If there's still someone here, you'll join them running laps."
Instantly, students from all grades scattered. No one wanted to be the next unlucky one.
The muscular man touched his face, "Am I that terrible? Just because I have a few more horizontal wrinkles on my face. Humph." As he said this, his eyes shifted towards the three boys running around the field. He watched Ji Dong particularly closely and chuckled, "These three kids aren't bad, they remind me of my younger days, daring to fight on the first day of school. That's commendable. Especially the skinniest one, he surely got a strong kick in, didn't expect that. Wait, why don't I remember him from last year's freshman enrollment exam?"
As soon as they started running, the difference in physical strength became apparent. Carl, with his resiliently muscular body, maintained a strong power in his steps. Each stride was a heavy stomp propelling him forward. Despite starting last, he quickly overtook Ji Dong and Bi Su and took the lead.
Bi Su, while not as strong as Carl, kept up a light and graceful pace. He wasn't left too far behind and maintained his run with ease.
For Ji Dong, unfortunately, things weren't looking too good. At first, he managed okay as he had been exercising for a few days. He could barely keep up with the rest until the fifth lap when his breath became heavier as his legs felt more sluggish and heavy. His clothes became drenched with sweat and his distance from Carl and Bi Su became greater.
By the ninth lap, Carl had overlapped Ji Dong by one whole lap and showed no intention of slowing the pace.
When Bi Su overlapped Ji Dong for the first time, he looked at Ji Dong in confusion, "Mate, you aren't physically fit, huh! How did you pass the physical assessment during the entrance exam? Thanks for earlier."
Ji Dong gave him a glance and huffed out, "Seeing that you didn't abandon me in the fight just now, I won't hold this against you."
Bi Su pat his rather flabby chest, "How could I just leave, am I that kind of person?"
Ji Dong retorted, "You sort of seem like it."
"Uh... Do you want me to help?" Bi Su offered, reaching to support Ji Dong and relieve some of his body weight.
Ji Dong managed to dodge his hand, "Not necessary, I can manage. Run ahead, don't worry about me."
The burly man who was standing at the center of the field had noticed their interaction, "What are you doing? Hurry up and run. Do you want more punishment?"
Bi Su stuck out his tongue and resumed his fast pace to catch up to Carl.
By the fifteenth lap, Ji Dong was completely exhausted yet he hadn't considered giving up. He reflected; to become a Yin Yang Demon Master required thirty-two times the effort of a genius. He decided to view today's punishment as a new beginning.
The burly man stood in the middle of the field, watching the boys. Initially, he had admired Ji Dong, who had fought fiercely. However, in the progress of the punishment run, the burly man noticed the stark differences. Carl and Bi Su exhibited good physical ability, running twenty laps was nothing to them. But the skinny kid struggled significantly. He began to question how this kid made it through the entrance examination.
His thoughts changed abruptly as he noticed Ji Dong pushing himself hard despite severely depleting his strength. There wasn't the slightest hint of giving up or begging for mercy. The burly man admired his persistent determination and his tenacity earned him a silent nod of approval.
By the time Ji Dong completed his sixteenth lap, Carl and Bi Su had already finished their punishment. Surprisingly, Bi Su demonstrated an incredible amount of acceleration at the end and was almost neck and neck with Carl.
Ji Dong continued his unfaltering strides, suddenly, he felt that his body was lighter and running didn't seem as difficult as before. A light bulb went on in his head. He thought, "I've broken through my limit?" He knew during aerobic exercise, the body would eventually reach a limit. Surpassing this limit meant surpassing oneself. His steps became lighter and his breathing seemed less laborious. The lap from seventeen to twenty were noticeably easier and he persevered.
However, the punishment wasn't over. Being the last to finish, he had five more laps as punishment. As Ji Dong started his twenty-first lap, a figure suddenly caught up to him.
"What are you doing?" Ji Dong turned to see Bi Su running beside him.
Bi Su gave a cheeky grin, "The fight was my fault. You were just caught up in it. I can't let you bear this punishment alone, right? Let's do it together."
Before he could finish speaking, Red Head Carl appeared on Ji Dong's other side, speaking as he ran, "I didn't come to accompany you guys. I just want to prove that with my level of stamina, I shouldn't be running any less than you." Though his words suggested otherwise, Carl invariably kept pace with Bi Su and Ji Dong, and the three of them ran side by side.
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