Chapter 76: Only Cowards Can't Accept Defeat!

After leaving the lawn, they passed by the training grounds and caught sight of the Lu brothers, Lu Yu and Lu Ming, huddled furtively in a corner, clearly plotting something. Xiang Nan recalled the earlier conflict; it hadn’t happened without cause—someone must have been stirring the pot. It couldn’t be a coincidence that Lu Yu had been right there. The Lu brothers were no easy foes, but Xiang Nan wasn’t one to be intimidated either.

A sly smile played on Xiang Nan’s lips as he leaned over and whispered a few words to Su Yao.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this,” Su Yao replied, so excited she could barely keep her mouth shut before dashing off toward the girls’ dormitory.

Xu Jiya, confused at the sudden flurry, asked curiously, “What’s Yao Yao up to now? She doesn’t even stay in the dorms, so why run that way?”

Xiang Nan answered mysteriously, “You’ll see soon enough.”

Moments later, Su Yao hurried back, her eyes still sparkling with excitement. “Here, I found what you wanted.” She slipped a small item into Xiang Nan’s hand.

“Come on, let’s go enjoy the show,” Xiang Nan grinned wickedly, striding toward the Lu brothers.

At the sight of Xiang Nan, both Lu brothers’ faces clouded over. At last, Lu Yu, unable to hold his temper, snapped, “What, haven’t you had enough of He Dalong’s lesson yet?”

“He Dalong? With skills like his, he’s not even fit to carry my shoes. If you’re going to try and get someone else to do your dirty work, at least find someone with real ability.” Xiang Nan didn’t bother with pleasantries; he cut straight to the point.

His gaze shifted to Lu Ming. “Hey, Lu Ming, what’s going on with you? Don’t you know the loser has to pay up?”

With that, he tossed the object in his hand to Lu Ming. Lu Ming caught it instinctively, then his expression darkened instantly.

Xiang Nan had given him a woman’s lacy red thong—clearly worn, with lacy trim, and just a hint of risqué allure.

“Come on, be quick about it. Put that thing on your head and run a hundred laps around the training ground—not one less!”

There were already plenty of people around the training ground, many of them members of the Longyuan Army Volunteer Corps, already well aware of the grudge between the two.

With a spectacle in the air, a crowd quickly gathered.

“I know about this bet—I was just waiting to see what would happen next, and here it is.”

“If you’re a man, you can’t back out. Lu Ming, go on, put it on!”

“God of the South is ruthless—red lace, that’s bold!”

“Hurry up and run. I need to get my video for my social feed—this is going to get so many likes.”

“Damn, you’re evil! Why didn’t I think of posting to my feed? I was just thinking of livestreaming.”

With everyone jeering, Lu Ming’s face was darker than the bottom of a pot. He flung the thong to the ground, pointing at Xiang Nan in a rage. “Xiang Nan, don’t push your luck!”

Xiang Nan shrugged, an innocent and infuriating look on his face. “You all be the judge—am I out of line? I’m just here to collect on a bet.”

“Not at all, not at all. A real man pays his debts!”

“We martial artists value our word above all else. Lu Ming, you’re not thinking of backing out, are you?”

“Exactly! Losing isn’t shameful, but not being able to take a loss makes you a coward!”

Even the usual sycophants who trailed after the Lu brothers didn’t dare side against the crowd now, and began to urge Lu Ming on with awkward murmurs.

“Young Master Lu, why not just swallow your pride this once? Otherwise, you’ll never live this down.”

“A real man knows when to bend and when to stand tall. Just challenge him again and win back your dignity.”

“If you back out in front of everyone, who’s going to take the Lu family seriously in the future?”

Xiang Nan, triumphant, stepped forward. “Lu Ming, stop hesitating. Once you let go of your pride, you’ll get used to it. But if you can’t take a loss, then say it outright: tell everyone you’re a coward and leave the capital’s Spirit Martial Academy for good!”

“You—!” Lu Ming was so furious he was nearly steaming. Finally, gritting his teeth, he turned to Lu Yu. “You started all this—take the punishment for me!”

But Lu Yu, ever the playboy, shook his head like a rattle drum. “What are you saying, brother? You’re the one who lost the bet, not me. If I take the fall for you, wouldn’t that make you look even weaker?”

“Shut up, you!” Lu Ming’s face was streaked with frustration; he was almost amused by his brother’s shamelessness.

There was no way out. Resigned, he steeled himself to fulfill the wager, vowing inwardly: Just you wait, Xiang Nan. Once we’re in Lingxu, I’ll make you pay!

Picking up the red thong from the ground, the humiliation was almost too much for Lu Ming to bear. His hands trembled—he simply couldn’t bring himself to put it on.

The onlookers, half-choking with laughter, began to chant and urge him on.

“Lu Ming, hurry up, stop stalling!”

“Classes are starting soon—can’t you let us finish the show?”

“If you couldn’t handle it, why’d you make such a bet in the first place?”

Under the pressure, Lu Ming glared daggers at Xiang Nan, grinding his teeth in hatred.

Lu Yu, eager to end the farce, snatched the thong from Lu Ming’s hands and, with a deft motion, plopped it atop Lu Ming’s head.

An explosion of laughter erupted all around—some people were laughing so hard they nearly injured themselves holding it in.

Lu Ming shot Lu Yu a murderous look, barely restraining himself from punching his brother flat.

Humiliation—utter humiliation!

I, Lu Ming, will bear this disgrace, but a gentleman’s revenge is never too late.

Just you wait, Xiang Nan!

Lu Ming couldn’t even describe his feelings as, under the jeers of the crowd, he ran a hundred laps around the training ground with a bright red thong perched atop his head.

By the time the spectacle was over, the crowd had dispersed, and Xiang Nan and his friends were nowhere to be seen.

Lu Ming squatted alone in a corner and wept.

He felt utterly wronged. He had grown up pampered and had never endured such shame!

And that cousin Lu Yu was truly worthless—while Lu Ming took the punishment for him, he had vanished without a trace.

Of course, the worst of them all was Xiang Nan!

With so many teachers and classmates around, it wasn’t the time or place for revenge, but once they reached Lingxu, Xiang Nan would see just how inescapable Lu Ming’s wrath would be.

Upon learning that outside help was allowed for team formation, Lu Ming had immediately decided to use this chance to eliminate Xiang Nan once and for all.

He had even sent Lu Yu to recruit a legendary expert from the Supreme Spirit Martial Academy to join their team.

This time, he would not only get rid of Xiang Nan, but also aim for first place in the Lingxu expedition!

Just then, Lu Yu strolled over, licking an ice cream.

“Brother, you finally finished. In this heat, I’m impressed you made it,” he said, giving the ice cream another lick.

Lu Ming swallowed, a glint of anger in his eyes. “Did you do what I asked? Where’s my man?”

Lu Yu took another bite of ice cream. “Brother, don’t worry—I’ve taken care of everything. Just wait and enjoy the show.”