Chapter 0031: The Ultimate Humiliation

The morning sun rose, ushering in a new day.

Last night felt like nothing more than a dream.

“Xiaofan, are you really sure nothing will happen?” Aunt Yun asked again when morning came.

“It’s fine. If anything were to happen, I would have been taken away last night,” Zhang Xiaofan replied.

“Really?” Aunt Yun still doubted.

“Of course it’s true. All right, Aunt Yun, go ahead with your day.” Zhang Xiaofan smiled, gently ushering her out the door.

“Zhang Xiaofan.”

At that moment, Wang Yuqing appeared. After a night’s rest, her complexion had improved, but today she seemed like a different person altogether.

“My mother and I have always depended on each other. I don’t want us to experience what happened last night ever again. You may be strong, perhaps even invincible, but that is your business. If you hadn’t acted tough outside, how would my mother and I have been taken hostage?”

Every word from Wang Yuqing struck straight to the heart.

Zhang Xiaofan did not argue. It was true—he had brought trouble upon Aunt Yun’s family.

“I’ll leave,” he said, and with that, Zhang Xiaofan walked out of the house, his back looking solitary and forlorn…

…

At Jinghai High School, inside the classroom of Grade 12, Class 2, Zhang Xiaofan unusually did not nap. He gazed out the window, his sharply defined features marked by deep contemplation, lost in thought.

The morning classes quickly passed, and Zhang Xiaofan worked through his concerns. The trademark mischievous smile returned to his face.

After all, Aunt Yun’s home was only ever a temporary stop for him. He would have to leave sooner or later, and now, leaving would bring them peace. Wasn’t that better?

Moreover, he and they belonged to two different worlds.

Leaving the classroom, Zhang Xiaofan headed to the school cafeteria.

He chose a light meal and had just sat down when a figure appeared before him.

“Please save my master.” The newcomer was Yuehen, dressed in a black low-cut T-shirt and a white skirt, her waterfall-like hair coiled elegantly behind her head, looking even more stunning than before.

“Sit down first. Let me finish eating, then we’ll talk,” Zhang Xiaofan said.

For the past two days, Yuehen and Feng Qingyang had tried every means, yet they hadn’t found the Spirit-Nurturing Stone, not even a clue. Today was the last day; if they didn’t succeed, Feng Qingyang would die.

“If you save my master, I’ll be yours.” Yuehen’s voice was cold, but her seriousness was evident. A slender jade hand rested on Zhang Xiaofan’s arm.

Although Zhang Xiaofan had rejected this offer before, she still wanted to try once more.

Zhang Xiaofan paid no mind to Yuehen’s subtle gesture. Today, he was in no mood for romance.

But not far away, a tall figure’s expression darkened.

“Zhang Xiaofan, it seems my warnings to you were nothing but wind in your ears.” The tall figure was none other than Xuan Yuan Wuqing, who had followed Yuehen into the cafeteria, eager to impress her.

“You’d better not provoke me today.”

Zhang Xiaofan raised his head and glanced at him calmly. Having set half a foot into the Transcendent Realm, how could he take this guy seriously?

“And if I do? What then?” Xuan Yuan Wuqing flared. He hadn’t dared make a move in the Treasure Pavilion, but school was another matter.

“Step aside.”

Yuehen glared at Xuan Yuan Wuqing. She was here to beg Zhang Xiaofan to save Feng Qingyang; how could she let Xuan Yuan Wuqing cause trouble now?

“Zhang, if you’re a real man, you won’t hide behind a woman just because you act so wildly, will you?” Xuan Yuan Wuqing sneered. Her scolding didn’t bother him. In fact, he liked Yuehen’s fierceness and icy demeanor.

A faint chuckle escaped Zhang Xiaofan’s lips. Then he stood up and looked at Xuan Yuan Wuqing. “You’re upset seeing me with her, aren’t you? In that case, let me make you even more upset. What can you do about it?”

Turning to Yuehen, he whispered, “Kiss me in front of him, and I’ll save your master.”

Without a word, without hesitation, Yuehen stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Zhang Xiaofan’s neck, and kissed him on the lips. Zhang Xiaofan’s large hand boldly gripped her slender waist.

“Well? Does it bother you?” Zhang Xiaofan’s gaze was fiery as he looked at Xuan Yuan Wuqing. He was this wild—why should he give face to someone who fancied himself a king? Did Xuan Yuan Wuqing really think himself invincible?

“Fine. Very fine!” Xuan Yuan Wuqing was indeed enraged. To be humiliated so publicly—how could he not be furious? His fists clenched tightly, but still he fought to restrain himself from starting a fight on the spot.

“I challenge you! Do you dare accept?” Xuan Yuan Wuqing growled.

By now, a crowd had already gathered. On one side was the high and mighty King, Xuan Yuan Wuqing, and on the other, the new upstart among the Four Great Vajras.

Everyone knew the script: Zhang Xiaofan had stolen the woman the King desired.

“This new transfer student is truly audacious! Even daring to pursue the King’s woman…”

“He really is wild, but that just means there’ll be a good show…”

“That’s what you call dominating, right? Did you see that? With just one sentence, goddess Yuehen threw herself at him. He’s my idol…”

“Do you think he’ll accept Xuan Yuan Wuqing’s challenge?”

“Hard to say. After all, Xuan Yuan Wuqing is the King—his fighting power is monstrous.”

“I think he’ll accept. If he’s a man, and given how bold he is, how could he shrink back…”

…

“That kid really knows how to stir up trouble…” Not far away, the beautiful homeroom teacher, Ouyang Xue, sighed helplessly, though she couldn’t help but find Zhang Xiaofan rather manly.

Come to think of it, she still owed this student a favor. Perhaps she should find an opportunity to thank him.

“Will he accept the challenge?” Ouyang Xue wondered inwardly.

“Will he accept?” Not far away, Yin Rou Rou had the same question in her heart.

“So the duel is inevitable. I really look forward to seeing which of you is stronger. Zhang Xiaofan, don’t let me down,” Nangong Haotian’s bewitching eyes glinted with anticipation.

…

Zhang Xiaofan looked at Xuan Yuan Wuqing and said indifferently, “Since you’re seeking humiliation, I’ll oblige you… but…”

A playful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. “Since it’s a challenge, there ought to be a wager, right? Are you brave enough?”

“Heh, why wouldn’t I be? What is there that I, Xuan Yuan Wuqing, would not dare? Name it—what’s the bet?” Xuan Yuan Wuqing replied with a self-assured laugh.

“Very well. If you lose, give me a petal of the Seven-Colored Lotus.” Zhang Xiaofan’s wicked smile deepened as he looked at the big man.

“Impossible!” Xuan Yuan Wuqing refused outright. The Seven-Colored Lotus was too precious; even he had no authority to give away a single petal.

“Seems you don’t have the nerve after all. In that case, go mind your own business and don’t interrupt me and my woman while we eat,” Zhang Xiaofan said mockingly.

“You!” Xuan Yuan Wuqing was livid, feeling his pride bruised. He had just boasted publicly—though Zhang Xiaofan had goaded him, if he didn’t accept, he’d be slapping his own face.

He thought it over. From his perspective, how could Zhang Xiaofan be his match? Even if he agreed, so what?

“And what if you lose?” Xuan Yuan Wuqing immediately asked.

“I won’t lose… But if you really can beat me, I’ll let you do as you wish with me. How about that?” Zhang Xiaofan said.

“Good! We’ll settle this in the dueling arena!” Xuan Yuan Wuqing agreed readily.

“No need to go to all that trouble. Right here is fine. It won’t take long to defeat you,” Zhang Xiaofan replied coolly.

Arrogant—utterly arrogant!

Facing King Xuan Yuan Wuqing, he showed not the slightest fear, and even spoke with such audacity.

The vast cafeteria was packed with no fewer than five hundred people. Some even stood on tables just to get a better view of the excitement.

Hearing Zhang Xiaofan’s bold words, many in the crowd gasped in amazement.

Xuan Yuan Wuqing, the King, had never been dethroned since earning his title. What kind of courage did this new transfer student possess to speak so wildly?

Yet some gave Zhang Xiaofan a thumbs up—this was what it meant to be a man!

Almost instinctively, the crowd cleared a circular space, about three meters in radius.

“Make your move. Don’t say I didn’t warn you—if you don’t give it your all, you’ll lose badly,” Zhang Xiaofan said calmly.

“Let’s see if you can keep talking tough in a moment. True strength is proven with fists, not boasting,” Xuan Yuan Wuqing replied with a low growl.

“Heh, that’s my thought as well. Like when you tried to ‘warn’ me with those childish acts—if you’re so capable, teach me a lesson now, why don’t you?” Zhang Xiaofan chuckled. “Hurry up, I don’t have all day.”

“Arrogant!” Xuan Yuan Wuqing was provoked. In the next instant, he stepped forward, taking a textbook martial stance, then launched a powerful right punch that tore through the air with a deafening whoosh, displaying his formidable strength.

He truly deserved his reputation as a martial artist half a step into the Transcendent Realm. Xuan Yuan Wuqing was the strongest opponent Zhang Xiaofan had encountered since leaving the mountain.

But that was all.

Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes narrowed. Suddenly, his five fingers formed a palm, reaching to intercept Xuan Yuan Wuqing’s punch.

Seeing this, Xuan Yuan Wuqing sneered inwardly. The force of his punch was not something any ordinary person could withstand.

Yet in the next moment, his expression changed.

At the instant their palms met, there was no thunderous collision—Zhang Xiaofan’s palm seemed almost ethereal, leaving afterimages in the air, an effect reminiscent of kung fu movie special effects.

Only Xuan Yuan Wuqing could sense it—his punch’s force was being swiftly neutralized…

Softness overcoming hardness!

Unbelievable as it was, Zhang Xiaofan was indeed using softness to overcome strength! The subtlety of that palm was the essence of Tai Chi’s deflection technique.

At that moment, Zhang Xiaofan’s palm withdrew, and Xuan Yuan Wuqing instantly lost his balance. Realizing something was wrong, he stepped forward again to steady himself.

A cold smile appeared on Zhang Xiaofan’s lips. He took a light step forward, formed a fist from his palm, and swung from his waist like a cannonball, smashing toward Xuan Yuan Wuqing’s abdomen with blinding speed.

Xuan Yuan Wuqing was skilled—his other hand quickly formed a palm to intercept the blow.

But to him, Zhang Xiaofan’s seemingly slender body couldn’t possibly possess much strength. Once again, he was mistaken.

At the moment of contact, he felt an immense force surge from Zhang Xiaofan’s fist, his own arm bending uncontrollably…