Chapter 25: Far Too Frail, Nurturing the Body Once Again (Part One)

Blub-blub-blub—Teng Chaoguo’s head was shoved deep in the piss bucket, bubbles rising noisily beneath the surface.

Shi Ironheart’s face was as cold and hard as forged iron, unmoved by the scene. In the fractured memories dissolving before his eyes, this fool had repeatedly and arrogantly taunted him to “drink urine.” It seemed this “Mr. Over-the-limit” had a particular fascination with such things.

Well then, why not let him savor a full bucket’s worth?

With a heavy thud, Shi Ironheart planted his foot firmly on Teng Chaoguo’s back, pressing him down so forcefully into the bucket that he couldn’t lift his head. The breath Teng had held was forced out, and the pipe overhead began gushing anew, water cascading straight onto the back of his skull. It was like the most meticulous hair-washing at a barber’s—slow, methodical, every inch covered in lather.

The other four lackeys were paralyzed by fear, too frightened to help. They stared in dumb shock, marveling at the unrelenting torrent—so strong, so long, so unyielding, not a sign of weakness even after what felt like an eternity.

How much water could he possibly have stored up?

Wait, when he stood up in Class 28 and said “toilet,” did he actually just need the bathroom?

Teng Chaoguo clung desperately to the rim of the bucket, struggling with all his might, but he couldn’t break free from the crushing weight of that foot. Only after a long while did Shi Ironheart’s stream finally weaken. With a final shudder, he squeezed out two more spurts, tucked himself away, fastened his pants and zipper with maddening calm, and only then did he lift his foot off Teng’s back, stepping aside.

With a gasp and a violent jerk, Teng Chaoguo tore his head free and flung it back, sending his long hair spraying water everywhere—almost like a mermaid emerging from the waves. He gulped for air, his face contorting wildly, then collapsed to the ground and vomited in great heaving spasms. The puddle spread across the floor, filled with all manner of filth, enough to make anyone gag. The lackeys instinctively wanted to help, but the revulsion was too much. In the end, not one of them moved.

Especially after Shi Ironheart’s brutal, cold, and unrelenting act, none dared even meet his eyes. The dread he cast over them had frozen their courage.

Who would dare help Teng Chaoguo now, reeking and soaked as he was?

“I’ll kill you—!” Teng Chaoguo, filthy and wretched, staggered upright, shrieking as he lunged at Shi Ironheart. But before he could steady himself, a mighty kick sent him flying sideways, crashing with a sickening thud into the row of piss buckets. Buckets toppled, the contents splashed out in a torrent, drenching Teng from head to toe.

The crowd scattered, not one soul willing to intervene.

Shi Ironheart watched impassively. Wasn’t this a bit too harsh? But cause and effect were entwined; had Teng not bullied “me,” how would I have retaliated? Had he not ambushed me from behind, would I have forced his head into the bucket?

He brought it all on himself.

And as for killing me? With your feeble strength? What a joke.

Do you see it now? Such weaklings are nothing to fear.

—

Shi Ironheart sent this message to his mind, and instantly felt a tremor within the knot of condensed consciousness. It was as if a string of wind chimes rang sweetly in his mind, and the process of dissolution suddenly accelerated. Before, it had been no more than a ten-thousandth or a hundred-thousandth at a time; now, it leaped to five-thousandths, even a full percent.

As his consciousness dissolved and merged, Shi Ironheart was suffused with an indefinable sense of comfort, as though his entire being—from surface to core—was ascending, evolving into something more.

Was this, perhaps, the reward for fulfilling his fated task?

In high spirits, Shi Ironheart ignored Teng Chaoguo and strode out of the black latrine.

Outside, the crowd waited anxiously.

The big guy had emerged—again!

After all those sounds—pissing, shouting, splashing, bubbling, crashing—the big guy had come out victorious from the duel in the black latrine.

“I was right! That’s the aura of a true powerhouse,” Liu Shufeng said, arms folded, surveying the scene with disdain. “I, Liu Chuanfeng, will be waiting for you atop the strongest throne.”

“Wonderful, just wonderful!” Zhao Qingmiao’s eyes overflowed with tears, streaming down like twin rivers. “Boss, I was wrong—I truly was! I’ll change, I promise! From now on, you’re my big brother!”

The rest chattered excitedly, gossiping and spreading the tale with wild enthusiasm.

Only Zhou Nan stood there in stunned disbelief, watching Shi Ironheart approach step by step.

Impossible. Absolutely impossible! He fought five men alone!

Look at him—steady steps, calm expression, not the slightest sign of injury… Is he some kind of war god?

Wait—oh no, why is he staring at me?

Suddenly, Zhou Nan realized Shi Ironheart was fixing him with an intense gaze, and panic surged within him. Could it be… he’s figured out I was the one who provoked Teng Chaoguo into action?

No, no way—I didn’t give myself away!

Or is this man so shrewd he’s already seen through everything?

What a terrifying man… truly terrifying…

—

Zhou Nan trembled, while Shi Ironheart’s eyes remained fixed on him, a spark of inspiration lighting up his mind.

He suddenly realized that no matter how tight the blockade, there were always those who could slip through the cracks. The school had no elementary textbooks, but someone could fetch them. This Zhou Nan had been hoarding five or six packs of cigarettes; there was no way he’d smuggled them all in at the start of the term. He must have a way to sneak things in or out.

So, I’ll need him to fetch me my elementary textbooks.

Now, would I have enough assets to persuade him to run errands? Not that it mattered—I was flat broke.

Shi Ironheart stared at Zhou Nan for a long moment before turning and leaving.

As soon as he disappeared, people rushed into the black latrine to check on Teng Chaoguo—had there truly been an all-out brawl, or had some agreement been struck between the two sides?

The result left them thunderstruck.

Teng Chaoguo had been kicked into the piss bucket! When the onlookers gathered, he nearly went mad, roaring threats and curses at anyone who dared approach. But after being forced to drink piss, his fearsome reputation was shattered in an instant. Once, he’d been the black-handed tiger, making everyone tremble. Now, he was the piss-bucket chicken—who would fear him now?

Besides, his bullying and extortion had long stoked public resentment; now, with his fall, everyone was eager to pile on.

“Screw you! Who are you threatening now?”

“I’ve been around a long time, but I’ve never seen anyone take a dip in the piss bucket—ha!”

“He’s not even trying to get out… Maybe he likes it in there.”

“In that case, let me help—I’ve got a weak bladder. Watch me try the drip-feed method…”

“My pee’s yellow, high-proof, smooth down the hatch, one straight shot!”

“Teng! Drink! Pee!”

“Teng! Drink! Pee!”

A chorus of jeers broke out, hands clapping to the chant, filling the black latrine with wild, raucous energy. Teng Chaoguo was left hollow and defeated, realizing his reputation was utterly ruined.

So long as the title “Teng Drinks Pee” stuck, he would never have a foothold here again.