Chapter 47: Watanabe’s Field

"Little Qin Xuan, whose challenge is this? It seems pretty impressive." Liu Qianqian leaned in curiously.

Qin Xuan did not reply but unfolded the letter. On the page, he read in neat handwriting: "I've heard that Mr. Qin Xuan is a master of the sword. I, Watanabe, look forward to a duel with you. I hope you won't disappoint me."

Watanabe?

At a glance, Qin Xuan recognized the challenger as someone from the Land of the Rising Sun and wondered how he knew Qin Xuan was a swordmaster.

After a moment's thought, he quickly recalled Kato Shinji. The only person who truly knew his identity as a swordsman and was connected to the Land of the Rising Sun was Kato Shinji. Clearly, after suffering a loss at Qin Xuan's hands, Kato Shinji had gone looking for reinforcements.

"Watanabe? Another one from the Land of the Rising Sun," Liu Qianqian blinked.

At that moment, Zhou Xiaoyu walked up and turned to Gao Tie. "Xiao Tie, do you know anything about this Watanabe?"

Gao Tie's expression was serious. "I've seen posts about him on the forum. Watanabe is the president of the Kendo Club at Jinling University and is said to be very strong. Even our martial arts club and nunchaku club experts have faced him, but without exception, they've all been crushed!"

Gao Tie was a forum fanatic, often knowing more about campus affairs than upperclassmen.

"Oh? Kendo Club?" Qin Xuan asked, intrigued.

"Yes, but it's the kendo from the Land of the Rising Sun. Many students from Huaxia have joined, mainly because Watanabe is incredible, and, rumor has it, quite handsome. He has quite a few female fans." Gao Tie nodded.

"Interesting," Qin Xuan narrowed his eyes. "The swordsmanship of Huaxia far surpasses that of the Land of the Rising Sun a hundredfold. Unfortunately, it's too esoteric and refined, and ordinary people rarely get a chance to see it. Since Watanabe dares to challenge me, if I don't teach him a lesson, wouldn't that be a disgrace to Huaxia?"

Previously, even empty-handed, Qin Xuan had easily handled Kato Shinji's sneak attack with hidden weapons. If the Taiqing Sword were drawn, his combat strength would increase a hundredfold—no matter how formidable Watanabe was, he couldn't possibly be Qin Xuan's equal.

The Shushan Sword Sect has been handed down for centuries—not a reputation built on empty words.

"You're right! That guy is way too arrogant!" Liu Qianqian balled her fists, declaring, "How about I take care of him, Little Qin Xuan?"

"Don't make trouble, girl. I'll handle him myself," Qin Xuan replied, somewhat speechless.

"Why? Your trial is to protect the beautiful Qingwan—can you even manage this?" Liu Qianqian pouted.

"Of course I can. Besides, he's challenging me, not you." Qin Xuan smiled, patted her shoulder, and walked away, shaking his head.

"Don't worry, Liu beauty. Brother Qin will have that guy running for his life!" Xiaogang flexed his face muscles and declared.

"Fine, have it your way. But mark my words, if there's another challenger, I get to take them on." Liu Qianqian said, dissatisfied, waving to the others as she stayed behind.

"Qianqian, why aren't you coming?" Zhou Xiaoyu asked in confusion, "Weren't you excited about the picnic?"

"A picnic is nothing compared to important business. I'm going to put my nimble hands to work. Don't worry, I'll catch up with you soon." Liu Qianqian explained.

The group immediately understood, and Qin Xuan gave her a thumbs up.

With this task in her hands, success was almost guaranteed...

The picnic was held at the summit of a small hill within Jinling University's campus, called Cuihuan Mountain. Zhou Xiaoyu, with her excellent organizational skills, had arranged everything, notified the university, and prepared all the necessary equipment.

Unfortunately, Dongfang Qingwan couldn't stay out late and had to leave early, much to the disappointment of the boys.

"Eh, that guy is here too," Qin Xuan noticed upon arrival that many classmates were already preparing. Among them was the bespectacled man who had vied for the class monitor position against Zhou Xiaoyu—his name was Zou Qingshu.

"Well, since it's a class event, of course he had to be invited. Otherwise, I'd look petty," Zhou Xiaoyu smirked.

Zou Qingshu noticed their arrival and his expression changed. He'd been chatting happily with some girls, but now, with a sly smile, he approached.

"Qin Xuan? Quite the spectacle today, but it's a pity you'll be expelled... Tsk tsk, honestly, I think the department's decision is a bit harsh," Zou Qingshu said, gloating.

"Yes, I'm drafting a petition to protest to the department leadership. How about you sign it too, Zou Qingshu?" Zhou Xiaoyu grinned mischievously, intending to mess with him—there was no petition.

As expected, Zou Qingshu's face changed. "Of course. As a classmate, I must help in such matters. Don't mention it."

Despite a thousand reservations, he couldn't refuse, forced to swallow his frustration.

Qin Xuan merely smiled, not bothering to engage with someone like Zou Qingshu.

Suddenly, a group of girls called out from nearby, "Qingshu, help us start the fire—we don't know how!"

"Coming, right away!" Zou Qingshu ran over, eager.

Qin Xuan glanced around and saw several barbecue grills set up—Zhou Xiaoyu had certainly put effort into this picnic.

Soon, girls at another table called out, "We don't know how either. How do you start this fire?"

Zhou Xiaoyu nudged Xiaogang. "Hey, idiot, here's your chance to shine! Opportunities like this don't come often!"

Xiaogang's face lit up, and he dashed over, flexing his muscles. "Ladies, let me help you start the fire!"

Qin Xuan shook his head, convinced Xiaogang was truly one of a kind...

Within moments, fires were burning at every grill. Cooking on the mountain required careful precautions, which Zhou Xiaoyu had handled perfectly.

As the sun set, a girl in red finally ran up the hill.

"Little Qin Xuan, it's done!" Liu Qianqian exclaimed, waving an old-fashioned phone.

"Is that the Mediterranean's phone? Xiaoyu, it's sorted—come gather the evidence!" Qin Xuan laughed and stepped forward. Though stealing a phone wasn't exactly ethical, was there any need for morals with someone so unscrupulous?

Zhou Xiaoyu ran over excitedly, and the three gathered.

"Look, there are texts... Damn, Li Shihao is so devious!" Zhou Xiaoyu cursed as he read.

From the messages, it became clear that the Mediterranean was just a mouthpiece. The Li family had someone high up in Jinling University's business school, and after Yang Yanan received Li Shihao's text, he simply cheered on that person, quickly persuading the other decision-makers to fine Qin Xuan and expel him.

"The Mediterranean is really dumb—not even deleting the messages. Now the show begins," Qin Xuan chuckled.

"I'm posting this right now!" Zhou Xiaoyu grinned. "Let's show Li Shihao the power of public opinion."

In this conflict, Li Shihao played a role favoring the Land of the Rising Sun. With irrefutable evidence, this would undoubtedly put him in the eye of the storm.

As for the university, the upper echelons quietly decided not to intervene, leaving the matter to the students to resolve...

Otherwise, Jinling would be shaken by an uproar.

Zhou Xiaoyu was confident that as long as the university didn't interfere by deleting posts, things would quickly turn in their favor.

He was proven right.

With three pieces of solid evidence, Zhou Xiaoyu's post was soon noticed on the forum, drawing widespread attention. Replies poured in, all mocking Li Shihao.

The momentum was unexpected even for Qin Xuan.

"Don't worry, boss. Something's bound to happen tomorrow morning. Never underestimate the power of public opinion or young people's patriotism..." Zhou Xiaoyu assured.

If the university could not withstand the pressure, rescinding or altering Qin Xun's expulsion would become inevitable.