On the upper bunk, Jiang Ping's face finally showed some expression as he sneered, "I hit you, you bastard!"

This person asked about everyone's martial arts progress daily, regardless of whether others found it annoying. It was a small matter, and Jiang Ping was willing to answer. But this person insisted on waking him up just to ask for results, despite Luo Daniu's repeated attempts to stop him. This wasn't just foolishness; it was stupidity, completely disregarding others' feelings.

Since the other party showed him no respect, why should he show any in return? He hit him, so what?

Of course, Jiang Ping understood that Sun Zheng hadn't shown his foolishness before, but today he woke him up because his old friend Qian Dele had become one of the few to reach the Entry Level of Nourishing Life Art. This was the confidence behind Sun Zheng's sudden arrogance.

However, Jiang Ping never considered this "confidence" worth his attention. At worst, he would take on both of them today and beat them into submission!

As Jiang Ping spoke with a hint of anger, the atmosphere in the dormitory became tense. Sun Zheng's fury surged, ready to act. Just as things were about to escalate, a hand stopped Sun Zheng. It was Qian Dele, the "confidence."

He got down from the bed, glanced at the clear five-finger mark on his old friend's face, then looked at the unyielding Jiang Ping and frowned, "We're all in the same dormitory, living together is fate."

"Indeed, Sun Zheng was wrong to wake you up."

Waking someone up for a trivial matter would anger anyone, and Sun Zheng was indeed in the wrong.

"But hitting someone is even more wrong. How about you apologize to Sun Zheng, and we'll call it even?" Qian Dele's tone turned cold.

"Me apologize?" Jiang Ping chuckled at the suggestion.

"Apologize!" Sun Zheng stared intently at the young man on the upper bunk, his eyes nearly overflowing with anger. If the other party didn't apologize today, how could he face his other roommates?

But Jiang Ping said, "Sun Zheng was wrong, and you brush it off with a word. I'm wrong, and I have to apologize? Isn't that a bit biased?"

"Sun Zheng was wrong, but you shouldn't have hit him."

"If he was wrong, why doesn't he admit it and apologize to me?"

"And you want me to apologize?" Sun Zheng was instantly agitated. His face was still burning, and he was expected to apologize? If not for Brother Qian holding him back, he would have acted already.

Qian Dele's expression darkened. He had already given face, and the matter could have been settled with an acknowledgment of wrongdoing, but the other party was unyielding.

"Jiang Ping, even if Sun Zheng was wrong, if you were uncomfortable, you could have asked him to apologize. Striking someone is a bit excessive, isn't it?" Qian Dele said sternly.

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"Then why don't you have Sun Zheng apologize to me!" Jiang Ping blinked.

"....." Qian Dele was momentarily speechless. He said, "But you've already hit him."

"So it's even. He woke me up, I slapped him, isn't that fair?"

"......" Qian Dele's mouth twitched slightly. Was this really fair?

The key was that Jiang Ping, damn it, did have some reason, and with so many roommates watching, he couldn't just turn the tables.

"Brother Qian, why bother talking so much? Just drag him down and beat him. You've reached the Entry Level of Nourishing Life Art, with fist strength nearing two hundred pounds. Beating him should be easy." Sun Zheng, impatient with the back and forth, couldn't help but say with resentment.

Of course, he deliberately mentioned Qian Dele's breakthrough to let Jiang Ping know and weigh the consequences. Unfortunately, Sun Zheng didn't see a hint of fear in Jiang Ping's eyes, leaving him somewhat disappointed.

"Don't say that again. We're all in the same dormitory; fighting only harms harmony." Qian Dele glared at his old friend.

The words sounded decent, but Jiang Ping knew the other party was positioning himself as the stronger one, showing tolerance by not bullying the "weaker" Jiang Ping. Of course, he didn't know another reason was that Qian Dele wanted to leave a good impression on Chief Escort Liang and couldn't cause trouble as soon as he emerged.

"Brother Qian is right; harmony brings wealth. Brother Jiang, apologize for hitting him, and let's all live peacefully under the same roof. Hitting people is never good." At this moment, Luo Tiegen tried to mediate, only to be met with a cold look from Jiang Ping, "Mediating? You think you're qualified? When you were mooching off my salt, I didn't see you being so eloquent."

"You......"

"Don't bother with him. Some people are just small-minded, never letting go when they're in the right." Sun Zheng, feeling better with other roommates speaking for him, sneered.

"You're so big-hearted. Why don't we just drop this and go back to sleep?"

Jiang Ping's words were quickly turned back at Sun Zheng, leaving him speechless and glaring at Jiang Ping.

......

The dormitory fell silent again.

Sun Zheng wanted to act several times but was stopped by Qian Dele and Luo Daniu. Daniu wanted to mediate, while Qian Dele was worried about implicating himself and ruining his image in the head escort's eyes.

Other roommates tried to mediate but didn't take sides, speaking well of both parties. Meanwhile, Jiang Ping, the person involved, maintained a "so what" attitude, coldly looking down at the aggrieved Sun Zheng.

He wasn't being relentless; he was willing to apologize, but only if both sides did. It was impossible for him to apologize unilaterally. Otherwise, admitting fault alone would be seen as backing down, and others would look down on him. He feared that if the fool below got cocky, he would push his luck in the future.

So Jiang Ping had to show some toughness this time, letting others know he wouldn't cause trouble but wouldn't fear it either.

Yes, offending a backgroundless country bumpkin didn't count as causing trouble.

Time passed bit by bit.

Both sides were somewhat stubborn, but eventually, under the comfort of his friends, Sun Zheng swallowed his pride.

Seeing the situation calm down, Luo Daniu quickly extinguished the candle, signaling everyone to sleep as there was a test tomorrow.

Subsequently, the dormitory fell into silence, even the usual bedtime chats ceased.

......

The next morning.

Jiang Ping opened his eyes and stretched lazily.

Although a small incident happened last night, it didn't affect his sleep. He slept soundly and felt refreshed.

"Huh?"

Jiang Ping made a small sound of surprise as he looked around the dormitory and found everyone was already up.

Previously, he was usually the first to wake up.

"Today is the second Fist Strength Test; everyone must be nervous." Luo Daniu noticed the confusion in Jiang Ping's eyes and explained. He was nervous too.

Luo Daniu knew he wouldn't make it into the top five in the Fist Strength Test, but if too many people surpassed him, he'd feel disappointed.

By the door, Luo Tiegen and Sun Zheng returned to the dormitory after washing up, chatting and laughing. Clearly, the incident last night had deepened their friendship.

Jiang Ping saw Luo Tiegen helping Sun Zheng with his salt, and Sun Zheng's basin held both their towels.

Then, Luo Tiegen packed his things and said, "Brother Sun, Daniu, Brother Jiang, let's go practice?"

One had to admire this guy's thick skin; he was reprimanded last night, yet today he was calling "Brother Jiang" as if nothing happened.

Look at Sun Zheng, full of spirit, with a cold face and furrowed brows.

"You guys go ahead." Jiang Ping declined politely. He still needed to wash up, unlike Luo Daniu, who went straight to the Martial Training Ground without washing, saying he wanted to practice the Nourishing Life Art a few more times before the test.

Not long after.

When Jiang Ping walked from the dormitory to the Martial Training Ground, he found it already crowded with people, almost everyone was there.

Everyone was seriously practicing the Nourishing Life Art, clearly hoping to make as much progress as possible before the test.

Jiang Ping was about to join them when Escort Master Huang and Chief Escort Liang arrived together.

"Didn't work hard earlier, and now you're scrambling before the test. Serves you right for not reaching Entry Level."

The head escort, like a strict teacher, scolded many people until their faces turned red.

"The path of Martial Dao cannot be made up with diligence alone. If you want to stay in the escort agency, you either need some talent or be willing to spend money on your health!" Escort Master Huang added.

Listening to the words of the two seniors, some people continued practicing as if they hadn't heard, while others pondered the escort master's words.

"Everyone stop, line up, it's time for the test."

The head escort stood in front of the crowd, with Escort Master Huang closely following, holding a yellow booklet.