“Me?” Hai Chen lay on the ground, his leg throbbing from the forceful kick he had received. Bewilderment washed over him, mingled with a growing anger.
It was true that he wanted to curry favor with Zhu Shang. After all, whether it was talent or family background, Zhu Shang was far superior to him. But flattering and currying favor was one thing. Being forced to kowtow and admit wrongdoing was another.
The three disciples from the martial academy who had accompanied him were frozen in fear, barely daring to breathe. Wu Sheng and Luo He exchanged perplexed glances. Only Wu Yuan took a bite of his meal unhurriedly, watching Zhu Shang and Hai Chen’s performance with an indifferent expression.
“What do you mean ‘me’?” Zhu Shang scolded, “Do you have any idea who Senior Brother Wu is? He is a special recruit of the Cloud Martial Hall, and among those select few, he is extremely strong. His status rivals that of the Cloud Heirs themselves!”
“Now, apologize!” Zhu Shang delivered a ‘ferocious’ slap to Hai Chen’s head.
Upon hearing the words ‘rival the Cloud Heirs’, Hai Chen, who had been seething with anger and contemplating retaliation, felt as if a bucket of icy water had been dumped over him.
His entire body froze stiff. Special recruitment? He had heard of it, but wasn’t sure just how prestigious it was. But the Cloud Heirs? That, he had heard from his clan elders.
Almost all graduates of the Cloud Martial Hall ended up becoming Adepts. A small portion could even become second-rate Adepts. But the Cloud Heirs? More than 80% would eventually become first-rate Adepts. Most importantly, they were individuals who had been personally nurtured within the sect, earning its full trust. Hence, a Cloud Heir could easily assume a high position, compared to a first-rate Adept from a tertiary martial academy who had to struggle up the ranks.
Such positions included the provincial general of defense, division head, protectorate, or other key positions in the five halls. Moreover, he had heard that many Cloud Heirs would be assigned the sect’s top experts as their masters, including the Hierarchs themselves. Within the sect, they had immense status.
Naturally, becoming one was exceedingly difficult. Out of each generation of disciples from the Cloud Martial Hall, only two or three might eventually become Cloud Heirs.
This country bumpkin? His status is on par with the Cloud Heirs, and he is good friends with Wu Sheng and Luo He? Hai Chen drew a sharp breath.
He was arrogant, and even a bit stupid, but not to the point of utter foolishness. Normally, he wouldn’t dare to provoke these truly formidable characters. By now, he realized he had gotten himself into serious trouble!
At present, Wu Yuan was still quite young, lacking the ability to retaliate against him, let alone his family. If he planned to take revenge, that would likely take a decade before it came to fruition. But who in their right mind would willingly provoke such a formidable foe out of the blue? When the time for retribution arrived, his entire family could face annihilation! Who knew whether Wu Yuan was the type to hold grudges?
If my father knew, he would surely break my legs. Fortunately, there’s still a chance to salvage this.
These thoughts flashed through Hai Chen’s mind in an instant.
Without hesitation, Hai Chen scrambled to kneel.
“Senior Brother Wu, I have erred. I have offended you with my arrogance and presumptuousness. I beseech your forgiveness.” Hai Chen said solemnly. At the same time, he placed both hands on the ground, lowering his head to kowtow.
The sight left the other disciples stunned. Never did they expect the usually arrogant Hai Chen to genuinely kneel and admit his wrongdoings.
As Hai Chen’s forehead was about to touch the ground, a hand intercepted and pushed his shoulder back up with such force that he almost flew off the ground. It was Wu Yuan!
“I accept your apology, but there’s no need to kowtow. I’m still young, and don’t deserve such a grand gesture,” Wu Yuan said lightly, “In the future, I hope Childe Hai Chen can get along with my two brothers in the martial academy.”
“Certainly,” Hai Chen replied, a weight lifted from his heart.
“Zhu Shang, let this matter rest here,” Wu Yuan swept his gaze over Zhu Shang, and pointed at the table, “We still have to eat.”
It was a clear dismissal.
“Alright, please continue with your meal. Today’s incident was indeed Hai Chen’s fault. Later, I will visit your accommodation to express my apologies, Senior Brother,” Zhu Shang said earnestly with a bow. He then led Hai Chen out of the room, and several accompanying disciples from the martial academy hastily followed.
Now, only Manager Hu and two waitresses were left in the room.
“Manager, I understand that today’s incident was not your fault, but it can’t be a mere coincidence that they entered our room. There are six private rooms, and ours is located right inside, yet you led them directly to us,” Wu Yuan said lightly.
“Childe Wu,” the steward was terrified.
“If you don’t have the courage or strength to maintain the peace in your own tavern, you should reconsider your job,” Wu Yuan suggested. “Now, leave. I don’t have the patience to deal with you today. Don’t disturb us.”
“Thank you, Childe Wu,” the steward, having been pardoned, quickly retreated from the room with the two maids.
After the door was shut, the room fell silent.
“Brother Yuan!” Wu Sheng and Luo He stared at Wu Yuan in astonishment. Even though they were close as brothers, the Wu Yuan before them felt somewhat unfamiliar. It was his composed demeanor just moments ago that caught them off guard the most, leaving them struggling to reconcile this new version of Wu Yuan with the familiar friend they had known their whole lives. For a fleeting second, Luo He even questioned if he were looking at his father.
“Wasn’t I cool?” Wu Yuan joked. One sentence was enough to diffuse the tension in the air.
“Indeed!” Wu Sheng exclaimed, giving him a double thumbs up.
“Brother Yuan has always been cool,” laughed Luo He. “The sight of Hai Chen kneeling is simply too satisfying.”
“Such a shame,” sighed Luo He with regret. “Brother Yuan, why did you stop him from kowtowing in the end? It was a rare opportunity.”
Wu Sheng looked at Wu Yuan with some puzzlement as well.
“Since the situation had already been resolved, there was no need to go overboard.” Wu Yuan calmly stated, savoring a piece of pork head. “With everyone watching, kneeling to apologize is the limit. Kowtowing is trampling on a man’s dignity.”
Wu Sheng and Luo He pondered over his words for a moment. In the heat of the moment, all they wanted was to humiliate Hai Chen for their own satisfaction.
“I stopped him and helped him up to leave him with one last shred of dignity. After all, I had no intention, nor the ability to kill him.” He placed his chopsticks down and let out a hearty laugh. “Considering Zhu Shang offered him guidance, Hai Chen’s background mustn’t be ordinary.”
“Brother Yuan is smart indeed,” Luo He praised. “The Hai Clan is one of the ten largest families in Southdream. Their chieftain is a special custodian of the sect, and a first-rate Adept.”
“This Hai Chen happens to be the grandson of the Hai Clan’s chieftain. However, that chieftain has more than twenty grandchildren, and he doesn’t seem to be particularly favored,” Luo He remarked.
Wu Yuan nodded slightly. Although Hai Chen’s status didn’t seem that high, ordinary Adepts tended to avoid offending the offspring of such large clans.
“Brother Yuan!” Luo He suddenly exclaimed, “I now comprehend why my father insisted on sending me to the Southdream Martial Academy, and why only martial virtuosos or stronger martial artists can inherit the chieftain position. In truth, all the chieftains of my Luo Clan have been third-rate Adepts at least.”
“Oh? Why is that?” Wu Yuan asked with a knowing smile.
“Martial power!” Luo He shook his head, his tone solemn, “When I was in the Li City Martial Academy, I failed to realize it. I had money and the protection of my clan, so no one dared to offend me. But here in the Southdream Martial Academy, those with powerful backgrounds are a dime a dozen. My background is not worth mentioning!”
“What’s truly valued is martial power, personal strength. Wu Sheng relied on himself to establish a solid position among the freshmen. No one would dare to bully him.” Luo He said gravely, “But anyone can ridicule me without a second thought. That’s because my strength ranks at the bottom of the academy.”
“A scholar wields their pen as a sword. A merchant employs their wealth and goods as a spear. But ultimately, these are all superficial. This world, is a world of martial artists.” Luo He said, gazing at Wu Yuan, “That’s why, Brother Yuan, even though you come from a humble background, just revealing your potential in martial arts can compel the offspring of a major clan to kneel and admit their mistakes.”
“Brother Yuan, thank you for helping me see this clearly. From now on, I will practice wholeheartedly. I don’t aim to become an Adept, but at least graduate successfully and ultimately become a martial virtuoso.” Luo He solemnly declared.
“The heritage of ten generations of nobility pales in comparison to the ascent of a single Grandmaster,” Wu Sheng solemnly asserted. “A Land Ranker can stand at the peak of the world.”
“We still have time. As long as we have a clear view of the journey ahead, it’s never too late to work hard.” Wu Yuan laughed, “Come, let us raise a toast with water in lieu of wine.”
“Cheers!” Wu Sheng and Luo He raised their cups.
…
Not far from the Drunken Sect Tavern was another slightly more modest tavern.
Within a private room, Hai Chen raised his cup respectfully, “Brother Zhu, were it not for your advice today, I would have unknowingly made a grave blunder. Here’s a toast to you.”
“Martial artists abstain from alcohol, are you unfamiliar with the basic teachings of the academy?” Zhu Shang shook his head, “With such a lack of restraint, when will you become a martial virtuoso? And you dare aspire to become an Adept expert?”
Hai Chen’s embarrassment was evident as he and a few fellow disciples lowered their heads in shame.
“Hai Chen,” Zhu Shang stood up, his voice tinged with finality, “Today, I have given you a warning out of respect for your cousin. There won’t be a next time. You may eat, I will take my leave.”
With that said, Zhu Shang briskly left the private room. The crowd in the room exchanged uncertain glances.
“Get lost!” Hai Chen smashed his cup on the floor in rage, “A bunch of worthless bastards!”
…
Inside the Drunken Sect Tavern, the three brothers ate and chatted until the sun began its descent in the western sky. Only then did they settle the bill and leave the tavern, each heading their separate ways back to the martial academy.
I hope everything turns out well. Wu Yuan gazed at the departing figures of Luo He and Wu Sheng, sighing inwardly. He couldn’t help them, their paths were theirs to tread alone.
Having been out most of the day, my heart feels somewhat lighter. A slight smile grew on Wu Yuan’s face as he headed straight for his courtyard house in the Radiant Hall.
Not long after Wu Yuan reached the martial chamber on the second floor, he received a report from Gu Ji.
“Zhu Shang came to visit me?”
Wu Yuan responded tersely, “I have no interest in meeting him.” He attached no significance to what happened just now.
As someone who could mingle with a figure like Hai Chen, how could Zhu Shang be as simple as it appeared? But Wu Yuan couldn’t be bothered with the man’s identity or status.
He cultivated in silence, merging strand after strand of blood-red mist into his body, feeling the constant transformation of his body.
Gradually, night descended.
As the night grew deeper, enveloping his surroundings in absolute stillness, Wu Yuan abruptly opened his eyes, still seated in a lotus position.
I’m no longer able to absorb the blood-red mist? Have I finally reached the limit of how far my body can transform? Wu Yuan’s eyes glimmered with an inkling of anticipation.
I’m curious to see what extent my physical constitution can be improved to this time!