Chapter 52: Studying Literature and Practicing Martial Arts, Racing Against Time! (Part One)

Shi Tiexin stood stunned for a long time, lost in the lingering shock of the information surge, unable to regain his senses until his desk was struck with a resounding slap.

Smack!

An exasperated hand slammed down right in front of Shi Tiexin. The subject teacher appeared at his desk, teeth clenched in barely contained fury: “Young man, this is class! Why are you daydreaming in the prime of your youth? Every moment is precious as gold, and you can never buy back lost time. Open your book and study properly!”

Shi Tiexin stared blankly at the teacher, finally jolted awake by the slap. He had been lost in contemplation of the diagram, but that slap had brought him back to reality.

He stood up.

Towering above the teacher, he was like a mountain.

Seeing Shi Tiexin’s imposing stature and solemn expression, the entire class grew nervous. Would Old Iron actually strike the teacher? That would be crossing a line. Even the teacher felt a twinge of fear; after circling the classroom and noticing Shi Tiexin hadn’t even opened his textbook, he had suppressed his anger, but now, facing him directly, some inexplicable aura made his heart race.

Look at him—those bull-like eyes fixed on him—terrifying!

Just as the teacher was about to step back and say something in panic, Shi Tiexin spoke.

“You’re right.”

“Huh?” The teacher could hardly believe his ears. This delinquent, who seemed like a gang leader, actually yielded so easily?

He didn’t know that Shi Tiexin was carefully pondering his words.

Every moment is precious as gold—that was perfectly true.

If he could never return, he’d simply settle down and practice mind and force techniques here, progressing step by step. After all, this world seemed devoid of martial arts, and he had no competitors. But suddenly, he realized that wasn’t the case at all. Though he hadn’t obtained an exact timetable, Shi Tiexin knew he couldn’t stay here for long.

Since he couldn’t remain, the local qualification exam—previously forgotten—now demanded his attention.

The qualification test for the local exam was imminent!

Fengming First High offered such excellent conditions, so many secret manuals, and cheap supplementary records. Once this opportunity passed, it would not return. And those inexplicable moments of enlightenment—wasn’t that the very definition of time being precious as gold? If he had money, if time could be bought, he’d spend everything just to shout, “Admin, renew my subscription!”

“Time is precious—I must not waste it!” Shi Tiexin’s resolve blazed fiercely, as if the progress bar from last night’s training had ignited his spirit, lightning flashing in his eyes.

He clenched his fist, declaring with unstoppable momentum, “I must seize every second to study!”

Without another word to the teacher, he dropped back into his seat, pulled out his arithmetic cards, and resumed intense practice.

The teacher stood there, baffled, unable to comprehend what was happening.

Was he really moved by my words?

Did this delinquent reform after a few sentences? I didn’t say much, but this is miraculous! And... Student, this is a politics class, yet you’re working on math problems—elementary math problems, no less!

But, never mind. At least he’s showing a better attitude, and as long as he’s learning, anything is better than nothing. I’ll let it go—if I push further, I might really get hit, and pain is pain.

With a mix of confusion, the teacher continued teaching. Shi Tiexin, meanwhile, was like a car with the accelerator floored, racing down the road of arithmetic.

He had always been focused, but now, with the unknown countdown looming over him, his concentration soared to new heights.

His pen danced across the paper, almost like a scanning probe, sketching out correct answers with each thought. That inexplicable feeling of enlightenment surfaced again, and this time, whether due to greater focus or the diagram he had seen, Shi Tiexin finally understood its origin.

It wasn’t unity with heaven and earth, nor some cosmic revelation. This sense of enlightenment, the feeling of being guided by a master, came entirely from his embodiment in this possibility—from the "Top Scholar Shi."

As he worked through the problems, fragments of memory dissolved. Shi Tiexin felt himself merge with Top Scholar Shi, glimpsing how, in elementary school, Top Scholar Shi had also pressed on, writing furiously, striving with relentless effort.

He saw Top Scholar Shi practicing over and over, through spring and autumn, cold and heat, year after year, never stopping the hard training of fundamentals. The reason Top Scholar Shi became a top scholar was precisely this: every drop of sweat forged a solid foundation. Excelling at arithmetic from the very start, Top Scholar Shi was able to astonish everyone in the entrance exam and become the champion of the district.

Shi Tiexin suddenly realized that without such enlightenment, even with superior and rare manuals, he could not achieve excellence in one leap. These results were the fruit of countless hours of diligent practice. Even shortcuts require time and sweat.

This enlightenment was possible because Top Scholar Shi had laid out the path he once walked. Only hard work builds a foundation. Top Scholar Shi had already worked, felt, and persevered, so Shi Tiexin could now make rapid progress, advancing by leaps and bounds.

He realized this was likely the reward for completing a destiny task. Because he had beaten Teng Chao-Guo, venting Top Scholar Shi’s anger and fulfilling his wish, Top Scholar Shi was now closer to him, feeding back his foundation.

Feeling Top Scholar Shi’s determination, Shi Tiexin was suddenly moved.

You and I are indeed the same person.

Our character is identical—stubborn as stone, strong as iron.

Rest assured, Top Scholar Shi, I will not squander your gift; I will not waste “our own” effort. I will carry your persistence with me, breaking through the chains of fate together.

I will certainly pass the qualification exam, and I will help you fight your way back to the elite class!

“Class dismissed!”

The teacher gathered his books, glanced at Shi Tiexin, and found that he had spent the entire lesson in a state of intense focus. Suddenly, a trace of affection arose for this student.

After all, a prodigal who returns is worth more than gold.

What was his name again? I should mention him to his homeroom teacher.