NOVEL WEB Chapter 32: Just Looking for a Fight
Before Yang Haoxuan even got close, he saw for the first time Yang Batian glaring at him with anger. Yet, beneath the fury, there was also a deep concern. Smiling, Yang Haoxuan said, "Hehe, Father, your insight is unmatched. Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine!"
"Too reckless! Too reckless! I knew my worries were justified!" Yang Batian reached out to check his son over, then let out a relieved sigh. Still somewhat reproachful, he added, "The Terrifying Valley is extremely dangerous, full of treacherous people. You were too impulsive!"
Upon hearing this, Yang Haoxuan realized that his father must have been there as well. He then recalled his father's current cultivation level and age, and couldn't help but be surprised. His father looked no older than forty but had already reached the Grand Martial Master level. His innate talent must be truly extraordinary.
At the same time, Yang Haoxuan's sudden appearance disrupted the atmosphere as everyone was preparing to welcome the princess. The onlookers now looked at the eccentric father-son duo with strange expressions.
Gradually, they realized that Yang Haoxuan had returned. His three-month disappearance had led to much speculation in the mansion. After all, he had been deeply humiliated by Yang Jian previously, and everyone thought he had either been unable to cope with the blow or had fled the Yang family out of fear.
"Yang Jian! Who's that person?" The fifteen-year-old Yan Wuxie tilted her head, curiously eyeing Yang Haoxuan. He was in a hurry, and the robe he was wearing still looked like the one from the Terrifying Valley, torn and ragged.
"Oh!" Yang Jian said casually, "He's the eldest son of the Yang family. A while ago, he used his cultivation to bully his own clan, so I taught him a lesson. He disappeared for a while after that."
"That wicked beast!" Yan Wuxie's face immediately contorted in disgust. "I heard that his dantian was repaired by a master and that he got some techniques, but he still hasn't changed his nature!"
"Old habits die hard," Yang Jian replied indifferently.
"Heh, that's true! Compared to you, Brother Yang Jian, he's like heaven and earth. You're so young, yet you've already become a Martial Master, and you're even under one of the Ten Great Sects of the Martial World, the Chongxuan Sect. Your future is limitless!" Yan Wuxie said breezily, a hint of admiration in her gaze.
Her gaze was filled not only with respect but also with a tinge of affection and shyness. At her age, she was just starting to develop feelings, imagining the perfect match. Naturally, Yang Jian seemed the ideal choice—he had the strength, the looks, and the background. Much better than any so-called "prince charming."
Yang Jian flashed a charming smile, but inwardly, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. Originally, he had thought that by using elixirs to buy the elders' favor, he would secure his position, but then Yang Batian had also offered even more elixirs, turning his own contributions into a mere act of generosity.
Reluctantly, he had even given away some of the treasures his master had given him, finally buying the elders' loyalty. He had also gone to great lengths to get close to the royal family, hoping that a marriage alliance with them would be the perfect way to overthrow Yang Batian.
However, the cost of this was enormous. For a cultivator, worldly entanglements, especially marriage, were the greatest hindrance to their training. Marriage, children, family—these things made it hard to focus on cultivation.
Of course, not all martial artists are indifferent to marriage and family. Many of them marry and have children.
On the other side, when Yang Batian heard that Yang Haoxuan wanted to get the Xuantian Iron, he hesitated. Xuantian Iron was nearly as valuable as a Gathering Qi Pill, and its supply was extremely limited. But after everything that had happened, Yang Batian was now fully at ease with his son. He quickly said, "No problem! Go to the backyard to get it; the elder in charge of the Xuantian Iron will give it to you!"
...
As Yang Haoxuan walked through the courtyard, he suddenly noticed a group of disciples chatting and laughing ahead. When they saw him approaching, they immediately stood up with odd expressions, then subtly glanced at the person sitting at the far end of the group.
It was Yang Ying. With a grim expression and venomous eyes, he glared at Yang Haoxuan. His posture was threatening, hands down, as though ready to strike at any moment. But soon, he put on a strange grin, stood up, and said, "Oh! Young Master Yang, what are you up to? It's only been three months, and you're already in such a sorry state!"
Yang Haoxuan paused for a moment, the situation reminding him of when he was still powerless. He smiled and replied, "Aren't you afraid I'll knock you down again?"
Yang Ying's face immediately turned red with fury. But then, he burst into a wild laugh, "Yang Haoxuan, you're so naive! With my brother's help, I've already reached the eighth level of a martial artist! Hahaha, and you dare challenge me? You still have the guts to be arrogant?"
As he spoke, he swaggered forward, his face full of provocation. The surrounding disciples looked at Yang Haoxuan with mocking eyes, waiting for him to be humiliated.
In these past months, with the help of Yang Ying and elixirs, he had broken through to the eighth level of a martial artist, and his foundation was solid. Ordinary seventh-level martial artists were no match for him.
Moreover, Yang Ying had frequently spread the word that Yang Haoxuan had no Earth-grade techniques and was a total fraud. He had even been easily subdued by Yang Jian recently, so the disciples believed it without question, all too willing to deceive themselves.
Suddenly, before anyone could think further:
Crack!
A clear sound rang out, and the disciples only saw a flash in front of them. Then, they saw Yang Ying flying backward as if his kite string had been cut, blood pouring from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes were still blank, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
"Quit your jabbering! Just looking for a fight!" Yang Haoxuan said dismissively, not even glancing at the fallen Yang Ying as he walked straight past.
The surrounding disciples were dumbfounded. Their eyes were filled with fear as they looked at Yang Haoxuan. What they had once laughed at now seemed crazy and arrogant. Especially his words, which carried a sense of pride that deeply impressed them. In that moment, they all had a single thought: Yang Haoxuan was a true powerhouse.
As for Yang Ying, he had fainted again. A single punch from a Martial Master was far beyond what a mere eighth-level martial artist could endure.
Soon, Yang Jian and Yan Wuxie arrived after hearing the news. They had been discussing martial arts in the garden when they suddenly learned that Yang Haoxuan had beaten up Yang Ying again, so they rushed over.
Seeing Yang Ying lying on the ground, Yang Jian immediately gave him a healing pill, but this time, Yang Ying did not wake up immediately. He only regained some of his vitality. Yang Jian couldn't help but suspect, "It seems that Yang Haoxuan's cultivation has grown during his three-month disappearance. Hmph, but I still don't believe he could break through to a Martial Master in just three months. He can't possibly be a match for me!"
"This Yang Haoxuan is going too far! Relying on a bit of luck, he's become arrogant and violent, beating up his own fellow disciples like this!" Yan Wuxie, who had heard about the conflict between Yang Haoxuan and Yang Jian, frowned with disgust. "If he can't defeat you, Brother Yang Jian, he turns on his own brother. How despicable!"
Yang Jian said nothing more and simply helped Yang Ying back to his room. He didn't pay any attention to Yan Wuxie, as in his eyes, this princess was nothing.
However, when Yan Wuxie saw Yang Jian's indifference, she became disappointed. Her expression shifted to one of defiance, and her mind couldn't help but recall Yang Haoxuan's ragged appearance, her heart filled with disdain.