White-Robed Chief
chapter-56

"Pom!" The thin youth landed heavily on the ground before spitting out another mouthful of blood.

He painstakingly tried to sit up and looked at Zhuo Feiyang in utter disbelief.

The Yi Public House had always prohibited personal duels. A lighter punishment being rank demotion, while a heavier penalty would be banishment from the house. It was puzzling that Zhuo Feiyang would make such a move, especially under the scrutiny of a large crowd. Was he not afraid of the consequences?

Zhuo Feiyang sneered. "You're just a piece of trash, and you dare to say such words. Do you think you're Chu Li?"

The crowd was fuming.

Martial arts was number one. Those who practiced martial arts were often hot-blooded, and took wins or losses very seriously. Every one of them strived to be the best of the best, and that attitude was carved in their blood. This would never change.

People had always been jealous of Zhuo Feiyang and felt that he was undeserving of the title of youth champion. Now that they have personally witnessed him losing to Chu Li, not once but twice, the feeling of envy and respect they had towards him vanished. They now looked down on him, especially after what he had just done. He had taken it way too far by hitting someone in front of so many people. The crowd could no longer take it.

"This is absolutely insane!"

"He really thinks that he's the greatest of all time huh!"

"I thought he was good, but he's worthless!"

"Even after losing, he dares to bully people, sigh... shame!"

"Youth champion so what? He can't even endure a single strike from Chu Li, how embarrassing!"

"Darn it, and he dares to hit people!"

Suddenly, a young man with a strong build emerged from the crowd. He pointed at Zhuo Feiyang and yelled out loud, "Zhuo Feiyang, what do you want?!"

"Blab blab blab, you're nothing but a group of worthless fellows. I will do whatever I want to do!" Zhuo Feiyang looked at the crowd. His blood red eyes looked like he wanted to slaughter them, his stare pierced them like a sword.

They might have been a little intimidated, but their hatred of the way he threatened them overpowered their fear.

"Zhuo, you simply attacked people, and we can't stand it anymore. I'm curious to experience what it is that you're really capable of!" The muscular guy scoffed.

Zhuo Feiyang sneered. "You're just a nobody, so how are you worthy to fight me?"

"Who do you think you are? Youth champion eh? What a joke!" The muscular guy said mockingly before smirking. "All your so-called achievements are nothing but a hoax! You, talented? What gibberish!"

"Great!" Zhuo Feiyang exhaled sharply before immediately throwing out a fist.

"Pom!" The muscular guy did not have time to react. He had been punched into the air before he knew what was happening.

He coughed out a streak of blood while sailing through the air before landing like a ragdoll on the ground. After this, he just lay there motionless, it looked like he had passed out.

Zhuo Feiyang lowered his fist slowly. Then, he swept his gaze across the crowd. "Who else is discontented with me?"

The crowd became more enraged.

"Me!" A short, chubby youth stood out from the crowd and calmly said, "Zhuo Feiyang, it looks like you're not that useless after all. Take this!"

He threw a punch at him, his whole body shifting alongside it to maximize the momentum. The punch moved powerfully and in a sharp arc - indeed, the skill move that he had used was the powerful Meteor Punch.

Zhuo Feiyang smirked and took a step forward. He quickly threw out a punch as well.

"Ah!" there was a cry of pain as the short youth covered his fist and backed off, his face pale. Shortly after, giant drops of perspiration formed on his forehead.

"Incompetent trash!" Zhuo Feiyang looked at him scornfully. Then, he turned towards the crowd once again. "Who else?"

The short youth let go of his injured fist, revealing it to the crowd for the first time. The people around him looked at it and cold chills traveled down their spines.

His wounded hand was broken from the bone out, and the whitish color of bones protruded out from it. This guy had practiced the Meteor Punch, so his fist should supposedly be rock hard. It was surprising that this harm had befallen on him. With this, they finally understood how powerful Zhuo Feiyang's punch was.

Most of the crowd were stunned as they creased their eyebrows nervously. Zhuo Feiyang was not weak at all!

Zhuo Feiyang laughed aloud arrogantly. "You're just a group of nobodies. Why, did you think that my abilities were fake? And that you people were stronger than me? Fools! Come on then, whoever is still unsatisfied, just step out!"

"I will challenge your sword skills!" A tall, skinny young man slowly walked out from the crowd, his face solemn.

They were not brave enough to challenge Zhuo Feiyang's martial arts abilities, but what he had done was too much to let go, it was unacceptable! Hiding and acknowledging his greatness would be an act of cowardice. They had to step out and attempt to battle him no matter the cost. Even if they lose, they can do so knowing that they were not willing to bow down to this tyrant.

"Come on!" Zhuo Feiyang unsheathed his sword and smiled coldly. "I won't be Zhuo Feiyang if I don't kick all of your asses today!"

This statement further infuriated the crowd. They started to discuss excitedly among themselves. The training ground was in a buzz as you could hear curses and strategies getting thrown around.

Zhuo Feiyang drew out his sword and waved it lazily. "I'll let you strike me three times before I start attacking you!"

The tall, skinny youth drew out his sword before slashing three times. Zhuo Feiyang only needed to sway his body to the side slightly in order to effortlessly dodge his strikes. He looked very casual, as if the attacks were nothing at all.

"That's three!" Zhuo Feiyang exhaled sharply before throwing out a fist.

"Ding..." The long sword soared through the air before landing behind the crowd.

Zhuo Feiyang withdrew his fist and sneered. "More trash! Any more takers? Is there really no one who can get me to advance to my second move?"

The crowd became silent.

Those that had challenged him earlier were some of their best fighters. They had all been tempted to obtain the crown of the youth champion title and thought that they were well qualified to do so.

The rest of them knew that their skills were nowhere near as good. They would merely be walking to their own end if they had stepped out to challenge Zhuo Feiyang.

Zhuo Feiyang glanced at the group again and saw that nobody dared to step forth. He scoffed then announced loudly, "Trash, all of you!"

He turned around and left the place. Bai Zhijie gave the rest of the crowd a mean stare, then hurriedly ran to catch up with his Master.

He trailed behind Zhuo Feiyang and groaned. "Master, this time we're doomed!"

"Send me home, then go and see Elder Ding!" Zhuo Feiyang seethed.

"Yes." Bai Zhijie nodded.

The reason Zhuo Feiyang could enter the Yi Public House was all thanks to Elder Ding's recommendation. He was one of the elders of the Martial Arts Hall. Back then, he owed a favor to House Zhuo, hence he helped to get Zhuo Feiyang into the Public House. Now that Zhuo Feiyang had stirred up some problems, he had no choice but to utilize his connections.

Attacking people under the witness of a big crowd was a huge violation of the laws of the Public House. He could be stripped of his inner energy and banished elsewhere.

Zhuo Feiyang boarded the boat and his face suddenly became as pale as chalk. He sat down in a feeble manner. Bai Zhijie wasn't surprised by this, as he had seen this in the past. He knew that this was the aftermath of the Blazing Sunder skill move. He would fully recover after two days.

Chu Li returned to the East Garden. Throughout the journey, Li Yue could not stop grinning, to the point where he could barely close his lips.

Once they were back at the East Garden, they entered the small house. Li Yue immediately started to laugh out loud. "That was satisfying! Very satisfying!"

Chu Li smiled as he sat beside the stone table. "What was satisfying?"

"I think this time Zhuo Feiyang will be so frustrated that he will never challenge you ever again!" Li Yue grinned and continued, "Three hundred taels! He should be bankrupt by now, eh?"

Chu Li shook his head. "House Zhuo has an enormous reserve in terms of finances, I doubt that this will even hurt them."

"That rich?"

"If not, how could Zhuo Feiyang be so talented? It's because he has consumed all types of medicine since he was young." Chu Li sighed and said. "But I missed the chance to slap him in the face just now, what a waste!"

He had thought of doing so but had chickened out.

That would be too much - it would not be worth it. There was not even the need to do so, since this time he had already completely embarrassed his opponent. In fact, he had almost shattered his confidence entirely.

"Sigh...." Li Yue shook his head. "He was really unfortunate to encounter you, you're his nemesis!"

Chu Li smiled at the comment. "I'm no nemesis, there are many who are stronger than me."

"The title of youth champion now belongs to you!" Li Yue was all smiles as he said, "Brother, we should be worried about the numerous challenges you'll face in the future."

Chu Li smiled at him. "Sure! Same old rule, a hundred taels!"

"Ah!" Li Yue stared at him wide-eyed.

Chu Li laughed. "I won't accept anyone unless they have a hundred taels."

"This..." Li Yue shook his head. "It's not appropriate. What if they label you as money-minded? We are Scribes and would need to go on missions. Who will want your services for that kind of money?"

Chu Li looked upward at the sky and grinned. "My time is precious, if you don't have a hundred taels, then don't even bother contacting me."

This was to exploit his opponent's weak resolve. It forced those who were against him to find a way to challenge him.

If he was working under somebody else, then he would have to protect their good name. But Xiao Qi was different, she looked directly into one's heart. Chu Li's Omniscient Mirror could avoid her probing and garner enough of her trust. Hence, his reputation did not matter as much.

Small matters like this were hardly worth mulling over.

Men always needed an excuse to look down on other people and to boost their own ego. Chu Li was merely giving the others the opportunity to look down on him. People would then start saying that he was very skillful in martial arts but that he was greedy. It would bring great shame to his name.

Li Yue sighed. "Brother, this is not a small matter. You must consider it properly!"

Chu Li smiled back at him. "There won't be any more challenges in the near future. So, I shall return to Jade Island."

"Alright, go ahead then. Let your pretty assistant help you relax a little!" Li Yue grinned, his face gleaming cheekily.

Chu Li gave him a stare, then got onto his boat and set sail for Jade Island.

Inside the small Public House, Xue Ling Xue was dressed in marble white clothing. She looked graceful and at ease, her pretty face stunning under the gentle sunlight.

She was slowly cultivating the Eight Forms of Crescent Cryptic. When she saw that Chu Li had returned, she stopped and served him a cup of White Jade Tea. "Master, did you win?"

"Yes," Chu Li replied sluggishly.

He sat in a small gazebo and absorbed the spiritual force of the Glory's Will Tree. He used the Recuperation Heart Technique and soon, all his minor injuries were healed. His body was restored to full strength.

Xue Ling's bright eyes observed his face, she watched him intently.

Chu Li looked at her, but she did not avert her gaze and continued to look at him directly in the eye. "Lord Zhuo Feiyang lost?"

"That is for sure." Chu Li smiled. "we can't both have won, right?"

Xue Ling was confused and asked, "Isn't he the Youth Champion?"

"He is indeed strong." Chu Li nodded.

He would not have dared cultivate the Infinite Azure Sea and the Eternity Blade moves if he did not possess the Life and Death Scripture. He would not be Zhuo Feiyang's match if he did not possess these skills. The Blazing Sunder move was extremely powerful and very hard to master. The fact that Zhuo Feiyang could master it in such a short period of time just proves that his talents were leaps and bounds above his peers.

"So, are you now the new junior champion, master?" Xue Ling's eyes brightened up.

Chu Li's smile disappeared from his face. "What junior champion? Nonsense. That's enough, let's continue practicing martial arts!"

He pointed at the steel baton right outside the gazebo.

Xue Ling nodded helplessly.

Chu Li stepped out of the kiosk and started cultivating the 72 styles of the Sentient Menace move. Xue Ling swung the baton aggressively at him. "Pom!" He was as a still as a rock, his stance unwavering. Xue Ling followed this with another hit.

"Pom pom pom pom..." Xue Ling counted her breaths and swung every five breaths.

Suddenly, the door of the small Public House opened and Su Ru Shu walked into the area. She was dressed in chestnut yellow as she smiled at Chu Li. "You were very still!"

Chu Li immediately stopped cultivating and accompanied her to the small kiosk, they then sat down together. Xue Ling served them tea and stood outside.

Su Ru looked beautiful as she smiled at him under the sunlight. "You've gained quite a reputation!"

Chu Li laughed lightly. "So you heard of the challenge?"

"Did you know that Zhuo Feiyang went berserk after you left?" Su Ru asked.

Chu Li was stunned.

Su Ru sighed and shook her head. "How preposterous! This fella is too immature!"

Chu Li was confused and pushed for more information. "What exactly happened?"

Su Ru told him the full story. Upon hearing it, Chu Li creased his brows. "Is he really going to be banished? That would be a waste!"

Zhuo Feiyang may be his arch-rival and would seek to kill him if he had the chance, but he was still a talented person and a valuable asset to the Yi Public House.