"This round goes to Zhenlong Academy, securing them the winning point."
As the referee announced the result, all members of Zhenlong Academy rushed toward Mo Wufeng.
This victory had essentially been bought with Mo Wufeng's life.
Wan Jianyi clenched his teeth, visibly stunned. Cai Yan approached, her voice low. "Jianyi, you could have held back a little. There were other ways to stop him without going that far."
Wan Jianyi tightened his fists, wanting to argue but ultimately staying silent. He shot a glare at Mo Wufeng's direction and sneered inwardly: How despicable!
"Enough. You weren't entirely wrong, but Mo Wufeng's actions were... unexpected."
Cai Yan sighed, then cupped her fists toward Mo Wufeng in apology.
"Captain, are you alright?"
"Captain, can you still fight?"
Zhenlong Academy's team members rushed to support Mo Wufeng, their fists clenching at the sight of his frail condition.
"It's... nothing." Mo Wufeng coughed up another mouthful of blood, his voice weak. "As long as we won, that's all that matters."
Their eyes glistened with unshed tears, determination burning in their gazes. No matter what, they had to win this match!
Sensing Zhenlong Academy's soaring morale, Cai Yan's expression darkened.
Though Mo Wufeng was injured, his team's fighting spirit had been ignited. The next round would pit them against a Zhenlong Academy operating at peak momentum.
The pressure had just intensified.
"Everyone, stay sharp! If Mo Wufeng can risk his life for his team, so can every one of us! For now, rest up—we'll discuss tactics for the next match."
Cai Yan clapped her hands, rallying her team to leave the stage.
As both sides retreated, the atmosphere for the third and final round grew even more electrifying.
"That Mo Wufeng... he's got guts, I'll give him that." Gu Tengfeng nodded in approval.
Ling Feng smirked. "Rather than guts, I'd call him a masterful actor."
"Brother Feng, what do you mean by that?" Ye Nanfeng's eyelids twitched slightly. "Mo Wufeng may be our opponent, but as swordsmen, we should have a broad heart!"
"Listen to you, acting all righteous." Gu Tengfeng rolled his eyes before turning back to Ling Feng. "What did you notice?"
"Wan Jianyi held back at the last second. Mo Wufeng wasn't actually hurt that badly—definitely not enough to be coughing up blood like that. He put on a show to fire up his team and make himself look like some selfless hero. So yeah, calling him an actor is pretty spot on."
"Uh..." Gu Tengfeng's jaw slackened. From their vantage point, no one could've guessed Mo Wufeng's scheming.
"Damn, Brother Feng, how'd you even see that? That's insane!" Ye Nanfeng gaped.
"Everyone was watching Mo Wufeng, but I was observing Wan Jianyi's arm. In the final instant, he withdrew at least half his strength. He never intended to seriously hurt Mo Wufeng."
Ling Feng arched his brow, amused. "So the real 'gentleman' and 'villain' are actually the opposite of what they seem."
"If Ling Feng is right, then Mo Wufeng's scheming is downright terrifying—to come up with a plan like that in mere seconds..." Gong Cheng narrowed his eyes.
"Hailan Academy is doomed next round." Ling Feng rubbed his nose. "After this, Wan Jianyi will hesitate when striking. That hesitation will cost them the match. Pity."
Gu Tengfeng and Gong Cheng exchanged glances and nodded.
In battle, even a moment's doubt could be fatal—especially for a core member like Wan Jianyi.
True to Ling Feng's prediction, Wan Jianyi's performance in the second match grew erratic. At times, he pursued Mo Wufeng relentlessly; at others, he faltered, disrupting his team's coordination.
Seizing the opening, Zhenlong Academy staged a comeback, clinching the victory.
"Zhenlong Academy wins, securing one point!"
As the referee announced the results, both teams stepped off the stage. The Hailan Academy members hung their heads, frustration written all over their faces.
"Tch. If it weren't for someone, we wouldn't have lost so embarrassingly!"
A Hailan Academy member shot Wan Jianyi a glare. "And here we thought you were the team's core. Captain, next match, we should center tactics around you instead."
"Zhu Yu, enough." Another teammate nudged him, forcing a smile at Wan Jianyi. "Don't mind him. He's all bark."
Zhu Yu snorted and stormed off.
"Jianyi, what's wrong?" Cai Yan bit her lip. "This isn't like you."
Wan Jianyi clenched his fists but remained silent.
To everyone else, Mo Wufeng was the noble warrior, the heroic captain.
If he said now that Mo Wufeng had faked his injuries, who would believe him?
They'd only see a sore loser slandering a champion.
Perhaps only Cai Yan would take his side—but what good was that?
His pride needed no consolation.
At the judges' podium.
"Brother Di, your Zhenlong Academy has certainly produced... remarkable students." Feng Yuanzhan's words dripped with sarcasm.
Ordinary spectators might miss Mo Wufeng's theatrics, but directors like them? They'd have to be blind.
"Save your sneers, Feng Yuanzhan. Cunning is part of strength. That Wan Jianyi of yours has talent, but his rigid thinking makes him unreliable."
Di Jinglong smirked. "Loss is loss. Victory is victory. That's what matters."
Feng Yuanzhan flicked his sleeve. Had Hailan Academy lost fairly, he'd have accepted it. But Wan Jianyi's mental fortitude was lacking compared to seasoned veterans.
Mu Yunsang (Tianwei Academy) and Shen Botong (Wenyuan Academy) exchanged faint smiles, staying silent.
After all, results spoke louder than methods.
In war, only the victors survived.
"What a shame." Gu Tengfeng sighed. "Hailan Academy had a real shot at winning."
"At the core, their team lacked trust in each other," Gong Cheng mused. "Either way, we're up tomorrow against Wenyuan Academy. That should be smoother sailing."
Ling Feng raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on Mo Wufeng, silently plotting something.
Some distance away, Mo Wufeng suddenly shivered, rubbing his neck.
Why do I feel like someone's plotting against me?