Chapter Ninety-Three: Favor and the Sea Tiger (Part One)

“Red flowers, that green grass, running forward with flair.” Casually carrying his bag, Liu Tian strolled slowly toward Shilan Middle School.

Three days had passed since the typhoon swept through, and all its aftermath had settled. The scorching sun hung high in the sky, and cicadas chirped faintly.

For the students of Shilan Middle School, the typhoon was an unexpected blessing, as their summer vacation was just around the corner.

Yet, in past years, summer vacation often proved more grueling than school itself.

Many parents had already arranged various tutoring classes for their children over the break. Of course, Lu Mingfei was an exception.

This young boy walked behind, watching Liu Tian’s figure, hesitating, wanting to speak but holding back.

Even though Chu Zihang was absent, and Liu Tian, in his mind, was just as invisible as he was in class—lonely and unloved—Lu Mingfei still couldn’t summon the courage to approach this potential kindred spirit.

Half a year ago, by chance, Lu Mingfei encountered the Ultimate Insult, and tracing its origins, he discovered the “Sea Tiger” series.

Those were joyful days, scouring the internet for related materials, begging and pleading. For nearly half a year, Lu Mingfei immersed himself in that fantastical world of the strong.

It was also why, when passing Chu Zihang, Lu Mingfei’s first instinct was to think the costume might be a cosplay of the Hell Overlord.

But in recent days, Lu Mingfei had calmed down—there were many characters wearing trench coats and carrying Japanese swords, not just the Hell Overlord. For example, Shana, Shana, and Shana.

Regardless, anyone willing to cosplay was at least an otaku, right?

In an era when otaku were still relatively rare, being one meant you could be Lu Mingfei’s friend.

But would Liu Tian, who stood alongside Chu Zihang, want to be friends with him?

Lu Mingfei hesitated, wavering.

“Damn it. So damn timid!” Liu Tian frowned, eyes scanning the ground. “If you want to watch, watch openly. Why hide and sneak around?”

After speaking, Liu Tian turned toward Lu Mingfei behind him, casting a shadow over him: “What have you been spying on me for?”

“Ah!” A dark face appeared suddenly before him. Lu Mingfei, who had just been imagining the black-faced Sea Tiger’s explosive fist launcher, startled and instinctively took a half step back. “Nothing, really nothing!”

“Cut the crap,” Liu Tian said, giving Lu Mingfei no chance to evade. “You’ve been spying on me for at least ten minutes, muttering to yourself and laughing foolishly from time to time. If it’s nothing, then that proves you’re an old gay.”

“Are you an old gay?” Liu Tian sized up Lu Mingfei from head to toe. “Looking closely, you’re quite delicate. Top or bottom?”

“N-no, no!” Lu Mingfei grew nervous instantly. “I’m not into that. I was really just thinking about something.”

“Say it then,” Liu Tian tilted his head and said.

For some unknown reason, looking up at Liu Tian, who was half a head taller, Lu Mingfei instinctively felt Liu Tian was about to say something like—If it’s interesting, I’ll spare your life.

But seeing Liu Tian’s eyes, Lu Mingfei dared not ask. He murmured, “Well, a couple of days ago I saw you walking with Chu Zihang on the street. That costume—was she cosplaying the Hell Overlord?”

“The Hell Overlord? What’s that?” Liu Tian asked.

“It’s a character from ‘Sea Tiger’—Hell Yuanhai, one of the original four powers, lord of heaven, the white-haired male foster father,” Lu Mingfei replied.

“‘Sea Tiger’? A manga, right?” Liu Tian raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t expect you to be an otaku. Then why not Shana? Hell Yuanhai sounds like a man’s name. Isn’t Shana cuter? By the way, is the manga good? What kind of characters does it have?”

How dare you insult the Overlord!

Lu Mingfei had wanted to say this, but an inexplicable intuition stopped him. “That manga is Mr. Liang’s final work. The main characters include Sea Tiger Bai Jinglang, Dog Donkey Lan Meng, Great White Shark Tiandao, Invincible Oga, the hopeless Baicinan, and the Endless War God Bai Shou Nan, among others.”

“Actually, the plot is okay—the main appeal is the aura, the overwhelming invincible aura that’s addictive, intoxicating as hell!” Lu Mingfei grew excited as he spoke. “Especially the ultimate power at the end, the final battle tattoo, self-destructive realm, magnetic field rotation, one million Sea Tiger explosive fists—simply invincible!”

His overly excited voice immediately drew the attention of nearby people. Many cast puzzled looks at the two, but upon seeing Lu Mingfei shouting, they averted their gazes as if seeing something they didn’t want to witness.

“That’s Lu Mingfei again. What crazy thing is he shouting about this time?”

“Who knows? And who’s that guy with him?”

“Looks like Liu Tian, the special recruit who got in with a special admission?”

“That commoner? Birds of a feather flock together.”

Such murmurs reached Liu Tian’s ears.

Usually, Liu Tian might have shown them what contempt really meant and who truly belonged together.

But now, he had no interest in those people. “What did you say just now? Tiandao, Baicinan, Lan Meng? Sea Tiger? Where can I find this manga? Take me to see it!”

His intense emotional surge made the battle tattoo on his forehead flicker and vanish. Lu Mingfei looked at the suddenly more excited Liu Tian, feeling a little confused. “Well, I found it online. I don’t have money to buy the ‘Sea Tiger’ manga.”

“A mediocre student who can afford Shilan Middle School doesn’t even have money to buy manga?” Liu Tian said. “Are your parents that strict?”

“My parents are traveling. I’m currently living with my uncle and aunt,” Lu Mingfei explained. “They only give me a hundred yuan pocket money a month. I spend it all online, no money left for manga, but I’ve saved the manga on QQ.”

“Tsk.” Liu Tian glanced at Lu Mingfei. Though he said nothing, his meaning was clear—You’re useless.

But Liu Tian was, after all, a man who believed in reciprocity. His earlier excitement was sudden; calming down, he knew this wasn’t something to rush. “This information of yours is very good, very good indeed. When I see that manga, if it really is what I think it is, then I owe you a favor.”

A favor—this was the first favor Liu Tian had ever acknowledged since arriving in this world.

Perhaps to many, a favor was worthless, but at Liu Tian’s current level and temperament, his favor was more precious than anything else in the world.

Moreover, as Liu Tian grew stronger, the value of this favor would only increase, potentially worth a nation or even an entire planet.

But if the news Lu Mingfei shared about “Sea Tiger” was true, then this favor would surely be worth it.

“Ah Tian?” Chu Zihang approached from behind carrying a lunchbox. Seeing the two standing still, she quickly stepped forward. Since they were outside, she followed Liu Tian’s previous instructions and asked, “What’s going on here?”

“Zihang? Do you have contact info for Shao Qian of the Black Prince Group?” Liu Tian asked, forgetting to bring his phone despite having the money.

“I don’t have it, but my dad probably does. They’ve been partners for years.” Chu Zihang was a person who kept her promises. Years ago, after agreeing to call Lu Tianming “Dad,” she always addressed him that way in any setting.

“Do you have your phone now?” Liu Tian asked.

“Yes.” Chu Zihang pulled out an old Nokia model from beneath her skirt.

“Call Lu Tianming, have him contact Shao Qian and give my name. I want to see the complete ‘Sea Tiger’ collection by Mr. Liang at Xuanyuan Residence as soon as possible. Also, have him get me a better-quality phone, any model, as long as it can withstand drops.” Liu Tian spoke softly. “As for the payment—have Shao Qian transfer one million credit points as a reward for this message.”

“Yes,” Chu Zihang said, handing the lunchbox to Liu Tian. “This is today’s lunch. It might be a bit rough, but I’ll keep improving.” She hurried off to call Lu Tianming.

This was Liu Tian’s first task for her, and she had to do it well.

Just as Chu Zihang handed Liu Tian the lunchbox, many who had been spying suddenly fell to the ground, overwhelmed by a powerful shock that left them helpless. They tried to get up repeatedly but failed, their minds clouded with questions: Who am I? Where am I? What did I just see?

Lu Mingfei, who had been standing dumbfounded since Chu Zihang arrived, felt the impact even more deeply.

Listening to their conversation and seeing the school’s idol Liu Tian casually decide the fate of fortunes that many could never earn in a lifetime, Lu Mingfei’s mind was completely dazed.

Who am I? Where am I? What kind of person is this guy? Wasn’t he supposed to be an orphan from the slums?

“Bro, you guys must be joking, right?” Lu Mingfei said instinctively.

“I’m Liu Tian,” Liu Tian replied. “For your information, you can call me Liu Tian. And as for jokes, do I look like someone who jokes?”

“My favors are very precious,” Liu Tian said. “If your information is true, maybe one day you’ll understand what you’ve gained. Now hurry to class. Good students with privileges like me—you sure you don’t want to get there early?”