World’s Best Martial Artist

Late May. MCMAU’s loan system was officially launched on the platform.

Meanwhile, Fang Ping had also launched a Buy 1 Free 1 program.

Buy a Rank-3 Vitality Pill at a price of 40 credits, get one Normal Vitality Pill worth 3 credits for free.

With more purchases came more freebies.

The pills were no longer collecting dust on the shelves, but it was not a clearance sale either.

Even without promotions, the students were generally desperate to lay their hands on pills.

Now, with the promotions and the loan system…

25th May. The loan system had just been activated. It was entirely loaned out to the eligible students. The available credit loan quota was snapped up almost instantly.

…

That day, a bunch of MCMAU Rank-3 martial artists had almost cursed Fang Ping’s name to death!

“Why can’t we have any!”

“What logic is this?”

“Rank-1 and 2 martial artists and even aspiring martial artists can get a loan, so why not us!”

“What does Fang Ping mean by this?”

“Why isn’t the university doing anything?”

…

There was a commotion in the Martial Arts Society.

Fang Ping had gone too far!

In the entire MCMAU, most of the martial artists who were lower than Rank-3 had activated the loan business. Only the Rank-3 martial artists could not. The opportunity was not opened to any of them!

Most of the Rank-3 martial artists were Martial Arts Society members.

Many people hypothesized that it was a clear attack aimed at the Martial Arts Society.

Even Qin Fengqing, who had recently stopped poking his nose into other people’s business, was cursing furiously. “Fang Ping is asking for trouble!”

Old Qin was really strapped for cash!

Recently, he had almost run out of food. If it was not for the financial aid provided by the Martial Arts Society, he would have starved to death.

He had been counting on the day the loan system launched. Based on his abilities, getting a loan of thousands of credits would be an absolute breeze.

Unfortunately, it turned out that there was nothing for him at all!

Everyone exchanged glances. Eventually, all eyes were fixed on Fu Changding and his group. These guys were Fang Ping’s classmates and Ping Yuan club members. They should know what was happening, right?

Fu Changding felt slightly helpless as he was dragged into the meeting. More than 10 Rank-3 martial artists were staring holes into him. The pressure was immense!

Qin Fengqing was practically holding a saber to his neck. He roared in rage, “Fu Changding, Fang Ping’s opponent should be Xie Lei. What does this have to do with us? Why are we not allowed to loan credits!”

“That’s right. I’ve been eyeing a C-class longsword. Only short of 200 credits… It’s not like I can’t afford to pay it back. What does Fang Ping want!”

“Exactly. His dispute with Xie Lei should be between themselves. Don’t involve the rest of the Martial Arts Society!

“Is Fang Ping not worried about causing public outrage!”

Everyone was steaming with anger. This was too much!

Initially, everyone was thinking about it because they had Rank-3 abilities. Distance platform had announced to the public that Rank-1 martial artists would be given an upper limit of 100 credits, Rank-2 would be 300 credits…

No one mentioned 1000 credits, but Rank-3 should get at least 500 credits, right?

In the end, they got 0!

They had already selected the pills and weapons, just waiting to make payment. Unfortunately, they were still short of one thing. All the good stuff had been completely snapped up!

Fu Changding felt his face reddening from the intense stares. After a while, he stuttered, “This…”

“Spill it, or else, you will be treated as Fang Ping’s accomplice. Since Fang Ping is in hiding, we’ll punish you in his place!”

Fu Changding was extremely dejected. He said timidly, “Actually, Fang Ping and Zhao Lei are best friends who are really close to each other…”

Zhao Lei’s expression darkened to a deeper shade of black. Lately, his face was either swollen or dark. He had almost forgotten how it felt to smile.

“Stop your nonsense. Spill it. What’s going on!”

Fu Changding desperately explained, “Fang Ping thinks that those in Rank-3 are considered high-risk customers. He wants to review it slowly.”

“What does this mean?”

“It means, Rank-3s enter the Catacombs. Many of them will die. It is not quite safe.” Fu Changding bit the bullet and spelled it out.

Everyone was in a daze. Following that, Qin Fengqing roared furiously, “This bastard is cursing us!”

Fu Changding registered the murderous intent, so he quickly added, “Before coming here, Fang Ping asked us to pass on a message to everyone. Rank-3 can loan credits as well, but the interest will be increased…”

“Bastard! He has gone too far!”

Everyone was seething with anger. What was with this discrimination?

“He said that if the interest is too low for the high-risk customers, he will have to compensate. Which he can’t afford to.

“Even the university is only willing to bear a small portion of it. Unless everyone can persuade the university to bear all of it…”

Everyone glared at him in unison. What a joke. If it was that easy to persuade, they would have done it a long time ago.

“How much higher is he going to set?”

“The minimum will be 0.0005. Other than that, the increment depends on the situation… Take President Qin, for example, Fang Ping thinks that it should be at least one-tenth because you face a much higher risk than anybody…”

Qin Fengqing was stupefied. Then, his fury returned with interest.

In other words, Fang Ping was saying that he, Qin Fengqing, had the highest chance of kicking the bucket. He was too risky, hence he needed to be avoided!

Qin Fengqing wanted to spit blood. The others were extremely unsatisfied as well and complained. “That is President Qin’s problem. If we enter the Catacombs, we’re bound to make it back safely.”

This time, Qin Fengqing’s anger at Fu Changding dissipated. Instead, he glared at the person who was speaking!

‘Are you implying that I am a burden?’

…

The commotion that broke out in the Martial Arts Society had long been foreseen by Fang Ping.

Dean’s office.

Fang Ping was reporting his work at the moment.

“The loan system has just been activated today. In just 3 hours of activation, 80 thousand credits have been loaned out!”

Fang Ping let out a sigh and continued, “Dean, I’m sure the university can see how poor us students are, and how desperate we are for the credits. In my opinion, another 100 thousand credits should be increased to the quota.”

Huang Jing ignored his comment. Instead, he frowned and asked, “Why are you not loaning out to the Rank-3 martial artists?”

“It’s for risk management…”

As he spoke, he quickly added, “Of course, I have reserved twenty thousand credits. Just for them.

“Anyway, I need to review the qualifications. We must not encourage the students to intentionally look for death.

“Some Rank-3 martial artists are very snobby. Once they have laid their hands on high-quality equipment, weapons, and pills, they’d head for the Catacombs without a second thought.

“I think that people like this need to be controlled slightly. We can’t let them simply walk to their deaths.

“So, in handling the Rank-3 martial artists, I think some of them should be urged to enter the Catacombs. As for others, I think we just need them to calm down.

“Dean, do you agree with what I’ve said?”

Huang Jing glanced at him and eventually said, “I heard that you are increasing the interest rate for Rank-3 martial artists?”

“Dean, I had no choice. With the interest rate being so low right now, if I don’t increase it, everyone will want to take a loan.

“Rank-1 and 2s are still okay because they are mostly completing missions on the surface.

“However, most of the Rank-3s will enter the Catacombs. It’s too dangerous. If there are many casualties, the university will still only bear 5% of the loss, which might be a rotten mess of 5000 credits.

“I’m supposed to take responsibility for the rest. I won’t be able to afford it unless the university can give me more…”

“Dream on!”

Huang Jing interrupted him and said in a deep voice, “The university encourages students to participate in actual combat, but that doesn’t mean that we are willing to sacrifice them.

“If the channel has truly opened, the university will have its concerns whether you are encouraging a large number of students to sacrifice their lives in the Catacombs intentionally…”

“In all honesty!”

Fang Ping felt he was wrongly accused. He raised his hand and spoke with indignation, “Dean, am I that kind of person? What good is it to me if I let everyone die? This is an unjust accusation. Is it Xie Lei who made the complaint?

“I knew it. This kind of person is overly sensitive and loves telling tall tales. Doing something so shameless…Just how old is he!”

Huang Jing was speechless. He clarified, “This has nothing to do with Xie Lei.”

Something clicked in Fang Ping’s mind and he roared, “Then it must be Instructor Tang! He’s gone too far!

“He can question my professionalism, but he should never question my character!

“Dean, to handle Instructor Tang, an instructor who wrongly accused a student, I suggest that he should enter the Catacombs and kill hundreds of Rank-6 martial artists to make up for it…”

“Silence!”

Huang Jing shut him down. What was this fellow thinking of? Was he trying to frame Tang Feng?

Huang Jing had no intention to entertain his antics. He already had a lot on his plate; he had no time for Fang Ping’s nonsense. He thought for a while before saying, “The university has responded to the 100 thousand credits. Paying it in advance is already extremely difficult. Anything more than that is impossible.

“The university’s funding is really tight as well. New students are enrolling next semester. The university needs to prepare a bunch of pills and weapons to fulfill their needs.

“MCMAU has increased its enrollment this year. This is the first time enrollment has hit 2000 people. Even the university is cracking its brain at the lack of funding…”

“Didn’t CCMAU say that they’re giving us 10% of its resources?”

Huang Jing sighed and replied, “There’s still a shortfall…”

“Dean, in my opinion, it is quite simple to solve this problem. Many high-ranked martial artists have graduated from our university. We should raise funds from them. They’re all wealthy…”

Huang Jing glared at him. Unperturbed, Fang Ping continued encouragingly, “Dean, I really think this will work. Do you want to put me in charge?

“I will help the university to raise funds. Let’s not talk about the extras. I think that eight hundred million to one billion is possible.”

MCMAU has been established for 60 years now. How many powerhouses have graduated since?

There was the governor, business big shots, Military Department tycoons, political notable figures, and people from various other trades and industries.

Fang Ping’s mind was awhirl. He could use this opportunity to make contact with big shots from various industries. He could open up many avenues for his own business and, at the same time, try his luck to find a potential wealthy sponsor.

“MCMAU is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. I think we can organize it this once. Under the name of celebrating the university’s anniversary, we can carry out fundraising simultaneously.”

Huang Jing considered for a while before saying, “We’ll discuss this some other time. Requesting money from the alumni…”

Reputation was important to martial artists.

On the contrary, Fang Ping disagreed. Would those powerhouses still need to depend on millions of millions?

Besides, MCMAU was trying its hardest to nurture more elite martial artists, so what was wrong with a little bit of fundraising?

As they discussed these matters, Huang Jing had already forgotten about the earlier subject. He waved his hand and said, “Understood. You can leave now.”

“I’ll take my leave then, dean. If the university really wants to raise funds, you can put me in charge. I’m only a student, it’s easy for me to ask…”

“Get out!”

Huang Jing waved his hand. This brat was ridiculously enthusiastic about these things.

As Fang Ping turned to leave, Huang Jing suddenly said, “Oh, right. Go to Old Man Li for a bit and tell him that his application has succeeded.”

“Application?”

“Tell him. He’ll understand.”

“Oh, I’ll be leaving then.”

Fang Ping did not delay any further and quickly left the dean’s office. He headed straight for the logistics department.

…

Recently, the logistics department looked even more desolate than before.

Many of the windows which were previously open were now shut tight. The number of martial artists stationed as guards had reduced comparatively as well.

Upon seeing Fang Ping, Old Man Li asked lazily, “You have credits again?”

“Nah. I didn’t do any missions recently, where’d I get credits?”

Fang Ping shook his head. He would get them very soon anyway.

100 thousand credits. Loaning all of it out for a day meant that 30 credits would be added into his account. Rank-1, 2, and aspiring martial artists had a lower risk of being involved in an accident.

In a month, that would be 900 credits in his account. If he could charge a higher interest rate for the Rank-3s, he would earn at least 1000 credits.

After distributing the profits, Fang Ping could get a share of 100 credits.

By the following month, these 1000 credits would become the capital. After they were loaned out again, it would be another 10 credit interest…

As for these, they would become Fang Ping’s personal income.

The university only wanted ninety percent of the annual income from the credit quota.

In other words, what the university meant was that out of the 100 thousand credits that were loaned out with an annual interest of 10%, the university would only take 9000 credits.

As for the rest, the university did not care.

There was a lot of room to work around this.

Also, in the later stages, the university would not take the credits back in advance. Hence, the interest that could accumulate in a year would amount to more than ten thousand credits. Fang Ping had even gone to the point of pondering whether he should exchange pills and sell it outside as a middleman.

By doing so, there would be a sizable price difference.

Of course, if the university and pill and weapon companies found out, there was a high possibility that he would be thrown into the Catacombs.

Naturally, Fang Ping kept quiet about these things. It was hard to say if no one else in MCMAU had discovered this route. It was not hard to discover anyway. No one was talking about it now because they would be digging their own graves if they did.

Keeping his thoughts to himself, Fang Ping said, “I have just returned from the dean’s. He said that your application is successful. Instructor, have you applied to change your job?”

“Change my job…”

Old Man Li was stunned. Then, he seemed to have remembered something. He looked at Fang Ping suddenly and grinned. “It’s nothing to do with my job. That’s right, Fang Ping, you have been improving really slowly recently. That’s no good.”

Fang Ping laughed drily and responded, “I’m an explosive player. Right now, I am building my foundation. You never know, I may become an Upper-stage Rank-3 in a few days’ time.”

“Is that true?”

Old Man Li murmured, “Perhaps you have gotten lazy. This is not a good thing. Lately, you have forgotten to put some pressure on yourself.”

Fang Ping was in low spirits. ‘I am stressed out, alright.’

“Forget it, pressure doesn’t appear out of thin air.”

Old Man Li promptly changed the topic. “Are you free tomorrow? Go out with me for a bit.”

“Where are we going?”

“A good place. It’ll be helpful for you.”

Fang Ping heard those words and said hurriedly, “Is it the place you mentioned earlier? Beneficial for those entering the Catacombs?”

“Yes. Are you going?”

“Yes!”

Fang Ping was filled with joy as he nodded incessantly. Of course he would go.

“Remember to come earlier tomorrow then.”

“Yes.”

“…”

After they had agreed on the rendezvous, Fang Ping left the logistics department wreathed in smiles.

Once he had left, Old Man Li yawned and said to himself, “I’d almost forgotten about this. I didn’t even expect the application would go through.”

As for what he had applied, it was to bring someone into the research institute. That place had an extremely high degree of confidentiality.

…

Fang Ping was over the moon but was oblivious as to what was happening.

He had just received Li Chengze’s call. Right now, his mood was getting even better.

Was this multiple good news coming all at once?

The platform had been activated. The loan business went well. He could just sit and collect money every day. Old Man Li was also bringing him somewhere that would benefit him. Now, someone had even appraised his company highly, and financing had entered a whole new stage. A few agencies had already officially quoted a price.

“Either none of them comes, or all of them come at once. I am really lucky.”

Fang Ping could not stop beaming. Perhaps achieving more than a hundred million Wealth would not be too far away now?

As for himself, though his progress was slow now, his focus was not to perform bone-honing these few days. Instead, he focused on body-honing. In addition to that, he was using pills to take baths.

When his physique had improved, he could complete torso-honing overnight with no problems. There was no need to rush.