Teacher by day, Farmer by passion - Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Even kids grow.

Ace’s expression remained unreadable as he processed the rules.

“They’re allowed to kill?” he asked.

Hua Hua nodded. “Yes, the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament is taken very seriously. Strength determines one’s fate here.”

The voice inside Ace’s mind echoed.

So, will you be willing to sacrifice your disciples’ lives for your greed?

Ace ignored it, his jaw tightening. “I need to speak with my disciples.”

The Hua family members didn’t stop him. They merely watched as he strode toward the preparation area.

“Mei’er! Yifeng!” he called, scanning the crowd.

For a moment, he couldn’t find them. Then, he spotted the two chatting easily, as if they weren’t moments away from stepping into a battlefield where death was a real possibility.

He exhaled sharply and approached. “There you two are.”

Liu Mei tilted her head. “Is something wrong, Master?”

Ace hesitated before speaking. “What do you say about forfeiting the tournament?”

Liu Mei smiled, her confidence unwavering. “Master, it’s fine. We won’t kill anyone.”

Ace narrowed his eyes. “It’s the opposite I’m worried about.”

“Don’t worry,” she reassured him. “I can handle it.”

He turned to Shan Yifeng, who merely grinned. “Master, just watch. I’ve got a big surprise for you.”

Ace frowned. The duo was too confident. Maybe they didn’t realize the danger.

He sighed. “If your opponent is a Gold Rank, forfeit. Understand?”

“Yes, Master,” they both answered.

Ace’s gaze hardened. “If you don’t, I’ll punish you even in death.”

Even as he said it, guilt crept in. Deep down, he didn’t truly want them to forfeit.

Somewhere within, he had already chosen—letting them fight, letting them risk everything.

It was a gamble.

Either they’d win and ultimately get him that divine grade cultivation manual or they die trying to win.

In the end, he chose to gamble with their life for his benefits.

Ace didn’t have much time to dwell on his thoughts before Shan Yifeng was called onto the stage.

“Next, we have Hua Feng from the Hua family!” the announcer called.

It was the alias the Hua family had given Shan Yifeng. Since Shan Yifeng was representing the Hua family, having a name that didn’t include “Hua” wouldn’t have made sense.

Yifeng grinned and waved back. “Alright, watch me, Master!” he said in a cheerful tone before stepping forward.

Ace exhaled, arms crossed. His concern hadn’t faded.

Liu Mei, standing beside him, smiled reassuringly. “It’s okay, Master. Junior Brother is much stronger now.”

“I’m still worried, Mei’er. Can’t your master worry?” Ace muttered.

Liu Mei smirked. “Don’t you trust us?”

Ace shot her a look. “You’re getting more cheeky. I probably shouldn’t overfeed you anymore.”

“Huh? What?! Master, if I don’t eat, how will I grow?!”

“You shall stay tiny all your life,” Ace replied flatly.

Liu Mei gasped dramatically. “That’s cruel!”

The tension eased, and Ace found himself chuckling despite his worry.

Then, the announcer continued.

“His opponent—Hoo Lee from the Hoo family, also a peak Silver Rank!”

The crowd murmured in excitement.

Like the previous match, the referee raised a hand. “If either of you wishes to forfeit, raise your hand now.”

Neither fighter moved.

The referee nodded as he grabbed the whistle in his hand and placed it on his lips.

FWEEEEET!

The whistle blew once more.

Hoo Lee scoffed, a mocking grin stretching across his face. “Hua Feng, was it? Why don’t you just surrender before I kill you?”

Ace, standing off to the side, muttered under his breath, “Hoo Lee shit,” before bursting into laughter.

He leaned on Liu Mei for support, unable to contain himself.

Liu Mei blinked in confusion. “Master, what is Hoo Lee shit?”

“Nothing, dear. Nothing at all,” Ace replied, still chuckling. He quickly changed the subject. “So, who do you think will win?”

“Younger brother,” she answered without hesitation.

“Alright, I’ll firmly trust in you—and him.” Ace replied grinning..

“Oh, and,” Liu Mei added mischievously, “younger brother told me he wants the princess to be his partner!”

Ace had completely forgotten about that.

The princess—who had declared she was searching for a dual cultivation partner and postponed the tournament by a week.

“I didn’t know he had such… refined tastes,” Ace mused.

Back on stage, Hoo Lee had already pressed forward, his punches relentless. Each strike carried crushing force; forcing Shan Yifeng to retreat step by step.

Boom!

A straight punch to the gut sent Yifeng stumbling back, his feet barely steadying on the cracked stone stage.

Bang!

Another blow came—this time to his shoulder. Yifeng’s body twisted from the impact. His breathing grew heavy.

The crowd murmured.

“Hua feng’s getting overwhelmed.”

“Hoo Lee isn’t giving him any space!”

Hoo Lee smirked, confidence surging. “What’s wrong, Hua Feng? Not so cocky now? Come on, just surrender.”

But just as he threw another punch—

Something changed.

Yifeng’s body swayed, his stance loose and unpredictable. Instead of dodging with clean precision, his movements became… chaotic.

No, not chaotic.

Unpredictable, unnatural.

Ace’s eyes widened from the stands. His arms slowly uncrossed as realization struck him.

That’s… the Drunk Man Technique?! How? I only showed him once!

Hoo Lee’s fist missed by a hair’s length as Yifeng staggered—seemingly off-balance—only to twist at an impossible angle. His arm flung out lazily.

Smack!

A palm connected with Hoo Lee’s face. It wasn’t even a full-force strike, yet the sheer awkwardness of it sent Hoo Lee stumbling.

“What the hell?” Hoo Lee growled, regaining balance.

He attacked again, but Yifeng was swaying, dodging, shifting in ways that made no sense. His body bent and twisted like a man drunk beyond reason—yet every movement placed him exactly where he needed to be.

A mistimed swing. A wild step.

Hoo Lee’s attacks no longer connected.

Yifeng suddenly smiled, his eyes shining with excitement. His footwork blurred—

And then he struck.

A fist, casual and unassuming—yet it landed directly in Hoo Lee’s ribs.

Crack!

The sound echoed through the arena.

Hoo Lee staggered, coughing violently. He barely had time to register what happened before—

Bam!

A knee to the jaw.

Wham!

An elbow to the temple.

Hoo Lee’s body collapsed onto the stone, twitching.

Then there was silence.

The referee hesitated before raising his hand. “T-The winner—Hua Feng!”

Ace let out a slow breath, still staring at Yifeng, who showed no sign of excitement despite winning.

Liu Mei tugged at his sleeve. “Master, did you see? Junior Brother is amazing!”