Chapter 102: 102 and the Guiqing Association Training Match_1
Chen Runyu and his companions were uneasy, not understanding why these young noblemen, who had just joined the association, would follow them to the A-Level Area. It never even crossed their minds to ask Wen Jiang about it. Not only was she an S Rank Spirit Card Master, but also a member of the Noble Song Family—just these two statuses were enough to leave all the A-Level Players on the entire floor gasping for breath.
When Chen Runyu and his group saw Wen Jiang arrive, they could only manage an awkward smile, not even daring to greet her. Before Wen Jiang could speak, Zero Egg piped up, "Could these two have come to see you, the person involved?"
If Song Yingchen didn’t have a good relationship with the Song Family, everything and everyone associated with him would be investigated, so it was highly likely these twins knew Wen Jiang. Young noblemen often seemed to have unruly characters; they were probably here to enjoy the spectacle, or perhaps for even worse reasons.
As the atmosphere grew strange, Wen Jiang smiled and took the initiative, "Runyu, our new teammates?"
Chen Runyu and the others twitched. Damn, who would dare to call them new teammates? They’re practically our overlords!
Shi Qi desperately made eye signals to Wen Jiang, while Ruan Chunen silently mouthed, "S Rank, Shadow God’s new teammates."
Chen Runyu, having been singled out, had no choice but to speak up, "These are Shadow God’s teammates, the newly joined S-level Players..."
"S Rank?" Wen Jiang feigned surprise. "An S-level Player actually deigning to visit our A-Level Area?"
Song Jue and Song Yi exchanged glances. As the elder brother, Song Jue spoke first, a smile playing on his lips, "Do you know our second brother?" Their smiles weren’t friendly but carried a taunting, malicious quality. They knew about the situation between Song Yingchen and Wen Jiang, and their visit was a deliberate attempt to poke at Wen Jiang’s old wounds. The love story between a young nobleman and a girl from the slums seemed to be a source of amusement for their leisure time. After all, Madam Song had recently berated Song Yingchen in front of them several times at home. They had also heard that their ’cheap’ second brother, who had returned from outside, had ended things with the girl he came back with from the slums.
Thus, they were all surprised when they heard Wen Jiang had joined the Mount Flower Association. They knew Wen Jiang hadn’t been a Spirit Card Master before; if she had been, she wouldn’t have been bullied so severely at the elite academy. Moreover, Wu Fanjia, the one who had bullied her, was now dead. The family suspected Song Yingchen was responsible, which only thrilled the twins more. The twins didn’t know why Wen Jiang and Song Yingchen had broken up, but they assumed Song Yingchen must have been the one to let go first. After all, they knew their second brother well enough; he definitely wouldn’t abandon everything for a woman. And it was only natural for a woman to change drastically after being provoked and heartbroken.
Logically, Wen Jiang should have said she didn’t know him or shown some distress.
But Wen Jiang simply smiled and said, "Oh, I know him. He’s my grandson."
"..."
The atmosphere froze for about two seconds. Chen Runyu and the others were stunned. Wen Jiang actually knew the older brother of these twins? Doesn’t that mean she’s acquainted with a young master of the Song Family?
Zero Egg remarked, "Their anger levels are skyrocketing. Looks like their self-cultivation isn’t quite up to par; a single sentence broke their composure."
Fortunately, Song Jue managed to keep his cool. A cryptic light flickered in his dark, intense eyes. "Sister, that kind of joke isn’t funny. However, I’m pleased to meet you. Now that we’re in the same association, I hope we can all get along splendidly." He curled his lip, emphasizing the words "get along splendidly" with particular force.
Then, the two of them inexplicably turned and left.
Once they were gone, the oppressive atmosphere seemed to lighten. Chen Runyu and the others breathed a sigh of relief, their curiosity now at its peak. However, what the Song Family members had said involved the secrets of the nobility, so no matter how curious they were, they didn’t dare ask Wen Jiang about her relationship with the Song Family. Besides, it was clear Song Jue’s last words meant he wouldn’t forget Wen Jiang.
Chen Runyu was somewhat worried. "Wen Jiang, how did you offend the Song Family?"
"I haven’t offended the Song Family." Wen Jiang didn’t see it that way. She smiled and said, "People always make mistakes when they’re young and ignorant. It’s all in the past and not important. Now, let’s continue training. I heard the coach say we have a practice match with the Guiqing Association tomorrow?"
"Yes."
At the mention of this, Chen Runyu, who had been the center of their concern, immediately had his attention diverted. Dou Yuan quickly added, "Wen Jiang, Chen Yunbai, the assassin from the Guiqing Association, is Runyu’s nemesis. You must help us teach him a good lesson! We’re fine with a four-protect-one strategy tomorrow!"
Wen Jiang let out a short laugh and glanced at Chen Runyu. "You’re family, yet your relationship is this bad?"
Chen Runyu shook his head. "We’re not family." A family that had to compete to the death in everything was just too suffocating.
Wen Jiang had personally witnessed Chen Yunbai’s provocation last time. Chen Runyu didn’t mind these matters being brought up. The group then stood together and briefly discussed tactics for the next day’s match against the Guiqing Association. As for the earlier incident with the twins, everyone tacitly chose to forget it.
The next day, several members from the Mount Flower Association took a dedicated vehicle to the training facility. Because A-Level matches required a real battleground where participants couldn’t hold back as they might in a regular training hall, an A-Level training ground had been built on the outskirts of Imperial City. It was also the top choice for annual practice matches between major associations. Card tactics needed to be kept secret. So, after the Mount Flower Association and Guiqing Association submitted their application for the day, only members from the two associations, staff, and their respective coaches would be present inside.
In the vehicle, everyone except Wen Jiang was quite nervous about the practice match, especially Chen Runyu. Even though he trusted Wen Jiang’s competence, he still worried about the possibility of losing. As it was his first year competing officially, his mindset wasn’t as steady as the veteran team members’, and Shi Qi was comforting him.
"Look at Wen Jiang, she’s still watching TV dramas."
Chen Runyu: "..."
It just so happened that shortly after their vehicle arrived, the people from the Guiqing Association also showed up. Chen Yunbai’s bright red hair was incredibly conspicuous. When he stepped off their association’s bus, he was the most eye-catching person in the crowd. He also wore sunglasses. When he saw Chen Runyu, he pushed them up with his middle finger and smirked roguishly, "Cousin, long time no see. Are those cards your association got from us working out for you?"
This matter normally couldn’t be mentioned, but everyone present was a core member and undoubtedly knew about it. His bringing it up immediately upon arrival caused varied expressions to cross the faces of the Mount Flower Association members. Ever since those cards had come into their possession, Tang Qian hadn’t let them train with them.
Chen Yunbai had intended to use this to needle Chen Runyu. Upon hearing his words, Tang Qian’s brow furrowed. The opposing coach, seeing the situation turning sour, casually smiled and chided Chen Yunbai, "Yunbai, those are their tactics. You’d best say less."