Chapter 2
999 Words
Chapter 2: High School Life
“Welcome to Yingcai High School, Class 6, Grade 10!”
The classroom erupted in applause as their homeroom teacher, Ms. Huang, gave her welcoming speech.
Wang Ming sat silently in the back row, watching everything with cold detachment. He didn’t join the clapping. He knew better than anyone that even Ms. Huang didn’t believe a word of what she said.
A family? He scoffed inwardly. What a joke... How could something like that really exist? People are naturally selfish. We’re born to take, to claim—who’s ever thought about giving something back?
Ms. Huang finished her speech, and it was time for self-introductions. Each student would stand up and say a little about themselves.
Wang Ming found these introductions pointless. When his turn came, he just said his name and sat down. Luckily, he wasn’t the only one who kept to themselves, so no one bothered him. Introverts like him weren’t rare.
Ding-dong…
The bell rang sharply, signaling the end of class. Ms. Huang glanced around once more and left without another word.
As soon as she was gone, chaos broke loose. Everyone hurried to pack up, eager to leave.
Wang Ming looked out the window. It was already noon. He sighed softly, stood up with his hands in his pockets, and headed for the school gates to grab lunch. His mind drifted as he walked.
Though class had ended, plenty of students still lingered near the gates. Small groups watched the others leaving campus.
Anyone who’s been through high school would recognize the scene—though few really know what’s going on here. For most, high school is just a stepping stone to college. But for some, it’s a battleground, a stage to show off power and swagger. Nothing more.
Wang Ming walked out the gates, glancing left and right. Nobody here caught his interest, so he kept moving, steady and unhurried.
“Hey!”
Just as he was about to pass through, a deep voice stopped him. A big guy stepped right in front of him, blocking his way.
Wang Ming stopped, confused. What the hell?
The guy was over 5’7” and built like a tank. Muscles bulged under his shirt, clearly in prime shape. But why was he stopping Wang Ming?
Clunk…
Before Wang Ming could react, the guy wrapped his arm around Wang Ming’s neck and half-dragged him toward a nearby alley. To an outsider, it might look like friendly teasing—but Wang Ming wasn’t convinced.
His brow furrowed as he scanned the area. Three more guys, all big like the first, were coming up behind them. Wang Ming’s sharp eyes caught the glint of weapons—they were armed.
What the hell is this about? Wang Ming thought. It’s my first day. I haven’t pissed anyone off. So why am I getting cornered?
They reached the alley, and the three men closed in, their faces full of hostility.
Wang Ming, used to fighting the undead and not wasting energy on nonsense, had no clue what this was. These guys were strangers, but their aggressive vibe was clear.
The big guy loosened his grip and sized Wang Ming up. Then he smirked and pointed to himself. “Hey, you know who I am?”
Wang Ming blinked, still confused. Who was this guy?
Seeing his reaction, the muscle-bound guy straightened up, chest out with pride. “You’re new, so maybe you don’t know me. I’m Cheng Gang, boss of the sophomore class.”
The boss of the sophomore class? Wang Ming nodded slightly. Okay, but what does that have to do with me?
Cheng Gang smirked arrogantly. “I called you here for one reason—my little brother’s in your class.”
Wang Ming shifted his gaze to the guy Cheng Gang pointed at—a cocky kid who acted like he ruled the world. Cheng Jin, Wang Ming remembered. An arrogant jerk who rubbed him the wrong way.
Wang Ming looked back at Cheng Gang and said flatly, “You dragged me out here just to introduce your brother?”
Cheng Gang exhaled smoke, eyes narrowing. “I’m straight with you. I don’t mess around. I’m warning you—don’t cause me trouble. If you do, you’ll regret it. I can break you. Believe that.”
Wang Ming’s eyes narrowed, cold and steady. He didn’t answer.
Cheng Jin, clearly annoyed, lit a cigarette and blew smoke right into Wang Ming’s face. He sneered, “Don’t let your size fool you. If we fight, I’ll give you a three-second head start.”
Wang Ming’s eyes flashed with danger. His voice was low and deadly. “Are you threatening me?”
For a moment, Cheng Gang and Cheng Jin froze, surprised by Wang Ming’s boldness. Then Cheng Gang’s lips curled into a cruel grin as he swung a hand to slap Wang Ming’s face. “Don’t play games with us. If you want to die, just say so!”
Die?
That word pulled a sinister smile across Wang Ming’s face. His right hand rose slowly, aimed straight at Cheng Gang.
Cheng Gang laughed, mocking. “Did you see that? This punk actually thinks he can fight back.”
“The Seventh Path of the Netherworld—Weakness!”
Before Cheng Gang could react, Wang Ming’s icy voice whispered right next to his ear.
“What—?”
Cheng Gang turned just in time to be hit by a sudden wave of exhaustion that slammed into him like a freight train. His legs wobbled; his whole body felt drained, like he hadn’t slept in days. It was like all his strength was sucked away.
“Brother!” Cheng Jin shouted, panic flashing in his eyes. His brother was staggering, barely standing.
Without hesitation, Cheng Jin pulled out a steel pipe nearly a meter long and charged at Wang Ming, fury burning in his gaze.
But Wang Ming just stood there, calm and ready for the fight.
- Writer
