CHAPTER 42: 042 HER FIRST MATCH IS ABOUT TO BEGIN_1

"She’s contributed another two points."

Zero Egg was both shocked and delighted. "This is really the first time I have seen such high-quality emotional energy!"

It gave full praise to Wu Fanjia’s contribution. "She’s a good seedling, suitable for long-term development. Just don’t kill her off in one go."

"But then again," Zero Egg continued, "aren’t you afraid she might call the police on you after you hit her?"

After all, assault is illegal. Wu Fanjia could have Wen Jiang arrested without any due process.

"She won’t," Wen Jiang replied, her certainty rooted in the original host’s memories. "People like her would rather flay me alive themselves. Why would they bother calling the police? Going to the authorities would only hinder her from taking action personally."

It was just like before, when Wen Jiang was bullied and didn’t report it. People like Wu Fanjia weren’t complicated; they were simply wicked through and through. She might like Song Yingchen, but Wen Jiang held no grudge against her. Threatening Wen Jiang with a knife, however, revealed Wu Fanjia’s true, malicious nature.

In this world, with its slums and its irksome Nobility, class struggles were even more intense. Wen Jiang, from the slums, was at the very bottom—someone anyone felt they could step on.

After returning home, as Wen Jiang was preparing to wash up, Zero Egg suddenly voiced its concerns.

"But isn’t this going to cause you trouble moving forward?" Zero Egg asked, its earlier delight replaced with worry. "After all, she is an A-Level Spirit Card Master. If she really goes crazy and decides to target you, their law enforcement isn’t guaranteed to stop her in time."

Wen Jiang raised her hand. A hundred B-Rank cards converged, emitting a dazzling radiance as they spun around her. She chuckled softly. "I’d be more afraid if she *didn’t* come after me."

Zero Egg: "..."

How could it forget? This host is a monster. Wu Fanjia, by crossing her, was in for a world of hurt.

Of course, events often take unpredictable turns.

True to Wen Jiang’s prediction, Wu Fanjia didn’t call the police, but she couldn’t conceal her injuries. Though ignorant of how Wen Jiang had become a Spirit Card Master, her desire to kill Wen Jiang remained undeterred.

When the Wu Family learned of the disgrace Wu Fanjia had suffered, they couldn’t stand idly by. Upon discovering the other party was from the Mount Flower Association, they didn’t hesitate, immediately sending their Butler to the Association to demand the person responsible. Their only condition was that Wen Jiang come to the Wu Family residence to apologize.

The fate awaiting Wen Jiang if she set foot in the Wu house was all too predictable. Furthermore, news of her actions had already reached certain ears.

"She’s causing trouble just after joining the association?"

Tang Qian, being part of the A-Rank Group, wouldn’t typically intervene in the B Level Group’s affairs. However, Wen Jiang’s identity was special, so she had specifically instructed the B Level Group’s coach to keep an eye on her. With the Wu Family making demands, the concerned coaching staff informed Tang Qian of the situation.

Upon receiving the news and learning the other party was from the Wu Family, Tang Qian felt a slight headache. The Yunxia Empire had seven great noble families, beneath which were several influential families in Imperial City. The Wu Family was just one of these. In the past, it would have been unthinkable for them to send a mere Butler to demand someone from the Mount Flower Association. The situation had changed primarily because General Jimo had recently passed away. These people knew the Jimo Family was no longer as glorious as before and had begun to disregard the power backing them.

Still, Wen Jiang had caused this situation.

"Is what happened at her school true?" Wen Jiang’s file lay on Tang Qian’s desk. Prior to this, she hadn’t imagined the girl had such a tragic past.

When Tang Qian saw the record of Wen Jiang’s recent hospitalization for a knife wound, she felt conflicted.

The association’s investigation team member nodded. "All the evidence was obtained from the hospital; it should be correct."

Then she indeed had a reason to hit Wu Fanjia, Tang Qian thought. She disliked these prominent families anyway, and since Wu Fanjia had erred first, Tang Qian’s expression turned cold. "Even if General Jimo Xiao has fallen, the Jimo Family is still Nobility of the Yunxia Empire. Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come here demanding people. Tell him to leave."

The investigation team member added, "Wu Fanjia was supposed to join our Mount Flower Association too. Coach Ji Da is also making a fuss about it."

Tang Qian scoffed. "Then his judgment is truly poor."

The investigation team member was surprised. Logically speaking, Wen Jiang was only a B-Level player and shouldn’t be protected to this extent; after all, offending other families could be very troublesome. Yet Tang Qian seemed intent on protecting Wen Jiang.

After the man left, Tang Qian sighed. "What kind of troublesome person have we recruited?"

She gave a wry smile. If not for Wen Jiang’s card-making talent, she wouldn’t have bothered with this matter.

When the Wu Family’s Butler relayed the message back, whether he sensed the Mount Flower Association’s stance or not, he did not return.

Wen Jiang had now also left school and was unreachable except through the Mount Flower Association. It seemed as if the matter had blown over.

But Wen Jiang knew very well that Wu Fanjia would not let things rest.

Three days later, Ding Ruijie informed Wen Jiang that her first match with the Mount Flower Association had been arranged. However, the location was not in Imperial City.

"We’re short on time," Ding Ruijie explained, "and it’s too late to go through the normal procedures to sign up for various competitions. This particular competition is part of the Dongzhou Partition league. It’s open only to the B Level and R-Rank groups and will be held in Border City of the Yunxia Empire, jointly with other countries. The prestige isn’t as high as the biggest national leagues, but there are many contenders. After discussing with other coaches, we’ve decided to send you directly to the solo matches without requiring internal selections."

"You want me to go?" Wen Jiang’s eyes twinkled. "You trust me that much?"

"This league is usually a formal event for gaining prestige; only the top three ranks draw significant attention," Ding Ruijie said. "However, Spirit Card Masters from other countries are not weak. Consequently, many in our Mount Flower Association’s B Level Group currently lack the necessary strength, especially since we’re up against B-Level competitors from other associations."

She was quite blunt. "Previously, we have never won the championship in this event, nor have we even made it into the top three."

In other words, since anyone sent might face defeat, Wen Jiang, the newcomer who had appeared out of nowhere, was naturally the most suitable choice. No other player had even signed up. Moreover, having joined the Mount Flower Association after just one match, everyone was eager to see her true strength.

Zero Egg suddenly spoke up. "If we go to Border City, with no immediate threats around, that Wu Fanjia..."

She would probably make a move against Wen Jiang there. After all, her competition schedule could be easily found out, and Zero Egg couldn’t block that.

Wen Jiang, however, didn’t seem to mind. Ding Ruijie was only concerned about one thing. "How has your card deck practice been recently? In solo matches, output cards are the most common, though assassin cards and Control Cards occasionally snatch victory. It will all depend on your adaptability."

"No problem," Wen Jiang nodded. "When does the competition start?"

"In three days. You’ll have to depart tomorrow to familiarize yourself with the venue in advance."

This was Wen Jiang’s first match, and it marked the beginning of her ascent to prominence.

Having lingered in Imperial City for so long, it’s time to see how splendid the world can be, Wen Jiang thought.