Chapter 320 - 216: Battle Merit Controversy 2

Chapter 320: Chapter 216: Battle Merit Controversy 2

Martial Artists had enormous appetites and ate incredibly fast. At an event like this, it was no longer practical for them to grill their own food; instead, professional service staff handled the roasting. These servers were typically in the second or third cultivation realms and didn’t look particularly young.

Many Martial Artists, even after losing their chance for further advancement, were unwilling to return to their home planets and live as ordinary people. They had fought in the Fringe their entire lives and had long grown accustomed to its way of life. Going back to live among common folk would feel unnatural.

Besides, the vital energy in the Fringe was dense, and secret treasures would occasionally appear. With a bit of luck, they might stumble upon one and achieve a breakthrough.

Just then, Zhang Hu spoke up casually, "Feng Hua, let’s split the freshmen’s expenses for their first month. Before they go independent, they’re all one unit, you know."

The moment the words left his mouth, Yu Fei caught a flicker of disdain on Feng Hua’s face.

"Oh? Zhang Hu, that’s not standard practice. If you have something on your mind, just spit it out."

Zhang Hu leaned back slightly, crossing his arms over his chest.

"It’s just like the military drill. We all shared the losses from that battle. Since we did it then, we might as well see it through. No need to be so nitpicky."

Feng Hua sneered. "Heh. I doubt you’re interested in sharing the freshmen’s expenses. You’re just after the right to distribute their battle merits, aren’t you!"

Zhang Hu’s intention was obvious. In previous years, since the freshmen were new to the battlefield and still in their familiarization period, their gains were minimal. The senior students felt their time was wasted, and they ended up earning less than if they had just gone solo.

But this year was different. With a powerful and versatile Martial Artist like Yu Fei around, his haul of battle merits was bound to be substantial. Zhang Hu had set his sights on the right to distribute this joint pool of merits, wanting to get involved and claim a share.

According to past practice, the second-year class that engaged the first-year students during the military drill was responsible for them.

This meant the Yulin Army should be under the jurisdiction of the Salted Fish Assault Team.

Zhang Hu’s expression soured. "What’s that supposed to mean? Weren’t you the one who said the three first-year classes are a single unit? I took the loss, but you can’t just hog all the gains!"

But Feng Hua suddenly retorted with a sneer, "Hog the gains? Zhang Hu, do you think everyone is like you? This very afternoon, I submitted a request to Mr. Zhang. The Yulin Army’s earnings will be distributed entirely amongst themselves. I, Feng Hua, will not take a single point.

"I’ve always felt that the first year is the hardest for new students. As their seniors, we should be looking out for them, not trying to recoup our own losses. I don’t approve of this tradition. I don’t care what the rest of you do; I’ve already filed the application.

"And as for you, Zhang Hu, wanting to split the freshmen’s expenses—I have no objection whatsoever!"

Qingshan immediately put down the grilled meat in his hand and said urgently, "Feng Hua, you’re absolutely right! We seniors should be more generous. It’s not that many battle merits, at the end of the day. We can earn it all back with a little hard work in one big battle.

"However, since we’re each leading a class, we’re more familiar with our own situations. Let’s just have everyone be responsible for their own. No need to calculate and split everything; it’s too much of a hassle. You know I hate hassles!"

Qingshan didn’t really care about these things and had planned to follow tradition. But Zhang Hu’s intentions weren’t pure, and Feng Hua was incredibly direct. Her idea wasn’t bad, but she should have at least discussed it with everyone first. Now, what should have been a pleasant welcome party had turned strange.

He immediately raised his wine cup and called out, "Don’t take it to heart, you two. Zhang Hu meant well. We all come from the same university, comrades who will entrust our lives to each other on the battlefield. We’re just a year ahead and have a bit more experience, that’s all. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll need you to save our hides out there. Come! To the friendship between our six little squads, cheers!"

Zhang Hu sighed softly. Feng Hua’s words and actions had backed him into a corner. ’The truth is, I don’t really care how many battle merits the freshmen get,’ he thought. ’I was just pissed that Feng Hua welched on our bet, so I wanted to poke at her a little. I never expected this crazy woman to just go nuclear.’

He then raised his cup and said sincerely, "Since Feng Hua has put it that way, then starting with our year, we will no longer take a cut of the new students’ battle merits. We’ll cover all battlefield-related expenses.

"But Feng Hua, I still think we should split the first-years’ expenses. Mr. Yu’s combat power is astonishing. I’m afraid you’ll end up taking a loss!"

Feng Hua stood up and said coldly, "You don’t need to trouble yourself over that. We of the Salted Fish Team earn quite a bit. It’s not like we can’t handle it."

Zhang Hu chuckled. "Is that so? How come I heard you didn’t even have a troop transport to use today and had to find a cargo truck instead? I’m worried you’re short on funds. It’d be embarrassing if you end up unable to cover the costs."

Hearing this, Feng Hua couldn’t resist the urge to drag Hengji out and give her a sound thrashing. ’So stupid!’ she fumed internally.

But she didn’t back down. "We save where we should and spend where we must. People like us aren’t ones to indulge in luxury. The battlefield is full of harsh environments; we’re just helping our juniors adapt ahead of time!"

As she spoke, she turned to Yu Fei with a smile. "You understand, right, Yu Fei?"

Yu Fei immediately stood up, holding a glass of azure liquid. It was "Traveler’s Solace," a specialty liquor from the Abyss. Brewed with a large quantity of extraordinary materials, its taste was smooth and mellow, but it packed a powerful delayed kick.

’I’m not really interested in this whole business of distributing battle merits,’ Yu Fei thought. ’When the sophomores handle the distribution, there must be recommended quotas from the higher-ups. Besides, they’re spending a month helping us grow. It’s only fair they get some compensation for their efforts.’

As for the conflict between Zhang Hu and Feng Hua, he couldn’t be bothered to get involved.

’Battle merits have to be earned on the battlefield, after all. Your rewards are proportional to your strength. I’m not worried about it.’

Besides, Feng Hua had already promised not to take a single cut of the Yulin Army’s gains. He had to acknowledge that favor.

"You’re too kind, Miss Feng," he said. "We’ve only just arrived, and we’re grateful for your care. Having seniors like you to guide us in this unfamiliar world... we can’t thank you enough. Our deepest thanks to all of you."

Gao Shou and Li Jueyin also stood up and offered some pleasantries. The atmosphere immediately became lively with laughter and cheerful drinking.

Privately, the three of them definitely had a better impression of Feng Hua now. As for Zhang Hu, they couldn’t pass judgment on someone they hadn’t gotten to know well.

Yu Fei didn’t know what the relationship between the three seniors was like on a normal day. He didn’t sense any real malice from Zhang Hu. On the contrary, he sensed faint ill-will from quite a few members of the Salted Fish Team.

It was more like dislike than a genuine desire to cause harm.

After a few rounds of drinks, Gao Shou started to sway on his feet, and a blush crept onto Li Jueyin’s cheeks. Yu Fei, however, seemed completely unaffected, showing no change at all.

Astonished, Qingshan decided to challenge Yu Fei to a drinking contest, declaring that since Yu Fei had eliminated him on the battlefield, he had to get his revenge here at the drinking table.

The other members immediately started cheering and egging them on. Now familiar with one another, they formed an interested circle to watch the two squad leaders face off.

Yu Fei smiled at Qingshan. "How about we play a game? Just drinking is too boring!"

Qingshan thought about it and agreed. "Let’s keep it simple, then. How about rock-paper-scissors?"

"Sounds good! A glass per round. Let’s make it quick!"

"Alright!"

Gao Shou had already lined the table with full glasses of liquor. They weren’t small, each one holding a substantial amount. And one had to remember that Traveler’s Solace, a drink made for Martial Artists, was far more potent than any common spirit.

"Begin!" Feng Hua declared, acting as the referee.

Qingshan lost three rounds in a row. After downing three glasses, the look he gave Yu Fei was one of utter disbelief.

"I don’t believe it. How can my luck be this bad?"

Feng Hua, however, saw the trick. Yu Fei’s reaction speed was phenomenal. He would start his motion a split second after Qingshan, but would then complete his own move before Qingshan finished his.

The visual effect was that Qingshan appeared to move second, making it look like he was deliberately throwing the losing hand.

"Son of a bitch... I refuse to believe anyone’s luck is this good. You’re definitely cheating..."

After twenty-three straight glasses, Qingshan collapsed, unwilling to concede defeat!

’When it came to rock-paper-scissors,’ Yu Fei mused, ’I wouldn’t be intimidated even if I were facing a Grandmaster.’

Just then, Zhang Hu came over, liquor glass in hand.

"Mr. Yu, I’m not playing rock-paper-scissors with you. I’m a bit slow, so indulge me. Let’s do this the simple way. We’ll just keep toasting and drinking. Whoever can’t keep going, loses!"

"Bring it on!"

Zhang Hu hadn’t figured out how Yu Fei was winning, but it was clear the man was unnervingly good at rock-paper-scissors. It was better to compete with raw drinking capacity.

’I refuse to believe it,’ he thought. ’We both cultivate a top-tier Iron Body, and I’m even in the Fifth Realm. How could I possibly lose to him?’

...