Chapter Twenty-Five: Future Troubles

The battle on Liu Feng’s side was nearing its end.

Though the delicate-looking youth had consumed a medicinal pill that greatly boosted his strength, the side effects soon began to show as the fight dragged on. His power rapidly faded.

Liu Feng’s force was utterly domineering. Each clash with the youth left welts and wounds on the young man’s palms.

With a resounding boom, Liu Feng drew back his fist, energy surging and condensing around it, burning like a blazing torch—an intimidating display of power. He launched his fist, unleashing a wild surge that tore the air into swirling cyclones, enveloping the delicate youth.

The youth’s face flushed red. He thrust both palms forward, conjuring a thin beam of energy—small in size, but carrying enough force to shatter metal and stone. It collided with Liu Feng’s punch.

The two forces met with a thunderous crash, splitting the air like a bolt of lightning, so bright no one could keep their eyes open. The unleashed power tore across the ground, fracturing the blue flagstones, then shattering them completely, fragments shooting in all directions from the impact.

Overwhelmed by the mighty force, the delicate youth staggered backward. Liu Feng pressed forward, his foot pounding the ground as he crossed the distance in a single stride. His fists, trailing sonic booms, hammered down on the youth once more.

Though the youth tried to defend himself, his strength was spent. He was sent flying, his body tossed aside. Liu Feng closed in again, landing another heavy blow that made the youth cough up blood before he swayed and collapsed to the ground.

Liu Feng stepped up and pinned him underfoot.

“You dare to bully us with numbers? Is there no sense of fairness left?” the frail youth spat angrily.

“What’s the point of talking reason with people like you? A good beating is all you deserve,” Wang Yue replied with swagger.

It turned out that Zhang Bing, who’d been itching to join the fight while watching, saw that Wang Yue and the frail youth were locked in a stalemate and jumped into the fray himself. The frail youth, already struggling against Wang Yue, was thrown into confusion as Zhang Bing entered the fight. Before he could react, he was struck directly in the eye.

Moments later, the frail youth was hit again and again, forced to retreat until he finally collapsed. Wang Yue immediately pinned him to the ground.

The group exchanged glances, dragged the three defeated youths together, and then brought over the girl who had been hiding in the corner.

Liu Feng looked at the trio and said, “Now, apologize to this young lady.”

“Dream on, boy. You want me to apologize to her? Pure folly!” the delicate youth glared at Liu Feng with defiance.

Wang Yue, losing his patience, punched the youth squarely in the eye, leaving it swollen in an instant. “You harass a girl in broad daylight and show no remorse? You deserve every bit of this!” he scolded.

The delicate youth glared venomously at Wang Yue. “Just you wait. One day, you’ll regret this.”

“Still mouthing off?” Wang Yang couldn’t stand it. He walked over and landed two solid kicks on the youth’s body.

“I advise you to stop being stubborn. Apologize to the young lady and spare yourself more pain,” Wang Yue said coolly.

Just as the delicate youth was about to retort, the tall young man beside him tugged at his sleeve, signaling with a glance. The frail youth also whispered, “Young Master Wang, a wise man knows when to yield. Just apologize to her for now.” Yet a cold, ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as he spoke.

The frail youth and the tall young man stepped forward and bowed to the girl. “Miss, we’re truly sorry for our recklessness today. Please forgive us.”

The girl, having never witnessed such turmoil before, huddled on the ground, trembling. When she heard their words, she simply nodded, dazed.

Finally, the delicate youth approached. His face was twisted with anger, teeth clenched audibly. Who was he? A prodigy acclaimed since childhood, a rising star at the academy—yet today, he’d been defeated by someone his own age. Worse, he had to apologize to a girl from an ordinary family. The humiliation was immense, but the situation left him no choice. If he refused, he’d only be beaten further. After much deliberation, he swallowed his pride, took a deep breath, and said to the girl, “I am sorry for my recklessness today. Please forgive me.”

The girl nodded absentmindedly.

Then the tall young man turned to Liu Feng and his companions. “Satisfied? We’ve apologized.”

Liu Feng replied, “Let this be a lesson. Don’t let us catch you doing anything like this again.”

Zhao Yang added, “You may leave.”

The three youths rose, supporting one another as they walked away, but each of them cast a hateful glare back.

“We’ll find out who they are when we get back,” the tall young man muttered as they departed.

“I’ve never suffered such humiliation. Once we learn their identities, I’ll make their lives a living hell,” the delicate youth vowed through gritted teeth.

The frail youth asked, “Young Master Wang, how do you plan to deal with them?”

Clenching his fists, body trembling with fury, the delicate youth replied, “I’ll have my family cripple their cultivation, break their legs, and make them less than ordinary men.”

“Well said,” the frail youth responded.

“Excellent. Young Master Wang will have his revenge,” the tall young man chimed in.

Their voices faded as they disappeared down the street.

“Do you think they’ll come after us?” Zhao Yu asked anxiously.

Zhao Yang replied, “Be careful whenever you leave the academy. Don’t let anyone catch you off guard.”

“We knew this would bring trouble,” Wang Yue said, his voice fervent, “but could we just stand by and watch? Martial artists must have the courage to stand up for those in need, not just bow before the powerful.”

Liu Feng nodded in agreement. “In any case, let’s be more cautious in everything we do.”

Zhao Yang turned to the girl. “Miss, let us escort you home.”

By now, the girl had recovered from her fright. Grateful, she said, “Thank you all so much. I will never forget your kindness.”

Liu Feng and his companions escorted her home. She invited them in, but they politely declined and departed, weaving through the quiet streets toward the academy.

It was late; the streets were nearly deserted. Before long, they arrived at the academy, which was silent in the deep of night. The group agreed to attend lectures in the morning and exchange their contribution points in the afternoon.

The next day, Liu Feng attended his mentor’s class as usual. Time passed quickly, and soon the session was over.

Liu Feng, Zhao Yang, Zhao Yu, and the others made their way to the academy’s administrative office to exchange their contribution points. Clenching his fists, Liu Feng thought, “With these contribution points, I’ll be able to train in the tower and strengthen myself even faster.”