Backlash

"Your brother Tian is officially a Martial Artist now... so what if Li Shan got ahead of him for a few days? I caught up, didn't I?"

In the cramped dormitory, Tian Yang's smug self-praise echoed.

After a long pause, the numb expressions of the others finally showed some reaction. A few congratulatory remarks were mumbled, their voices dry and colorless.

Tian Yang didn't mind. As long as he could show off this time, that was enough.

After all, once tonight passed, he'd basically never have to deal with these people again.

Moreover, seeing them uncomfortable only made him feel more exhilarated. A strong sense of superiority was about to overflow from him.

No matter how much you envy or are jealous, you'll never catch up to me in this lifetime!

On the adjacent bunk, Liu Hong listened to Tian Yang's boasting with an unreadable expression. His eyes were unusually calm. The corners of his mouth twitched upwards, and he said with exaggerated tone:

"Brother Tian is truly amazing. Becoming a Martial Artist opens up a whole new world. We'll have to rely on you for guidance from now on."

"Easy, easy!"

Tian Yang had been paying attention to Liu Hong, and seeing him offer congratulations made him incredibly pleased.

Guys like this, who always asked about others' progress, were just trying to alleviate their own anxiety and find emotional resonance.

The feeling of his boasting hitting them directly, and then crushing all their confidence...

It was just too satisfying!

Of course, this might offend people.

But who cared?

Tomorrow, they'd go their separate ways!

Xu Yuan woke up in the middle of the night to a creaking sound.

His senses were incredibly sharp now.

He immediately opened his sleepy eyes and looked to his left.

It was pitch black all around, with only a faint sliver of moonlight filtering in.

In the dim light, Liu Hong was hunched over, his head bowed. His arms trembled as he seemed to be straining to lift something, emitting a grating sound.

Just then, he suddenly looked up, revealing a half-smile on his face. Half of his face was shrouded in shadow, making him look utterly deranged.

And below him, Tian Yang, who was lying down, tilted his head upwards. His face was flushed red, his eyeballs bulging, revealing bloodshot veins. A gurgling sound came from his throat.

In reality, with Tian Yang's current strength, it was difficult for ordinary people to force him into such a state.

But their beds were close together, and Liu Hong chose to attack Tian Yang in the middle of the night when he was completely unprepared. Naturally, his sneak attack was successful.

The surrounding laborers were all woken up by the commotion. Seeing the scene, they were startled and instinctively retreated.

Then, watching Tian Yang, who had been so smug earlier, now in such a pathetic state.

The resentment and jealousy they had accumulated long ago instantly ignited, transforming into a dark and cunning pleasure.

Seeing Tian Yang's eyes begin to roll back, on the verge of death.

Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes, his mind racing.

Tian Yang became an official Martial Artist. If something happens to him, the higher-ups will definitely investigate thoroughly. If I don't save him, I might get in trouble!

Conversely, if I save him, I'll be preserving a valuable asset for the Shangyang Family. Even if I don't get a reward, at least I won't make a mistake, and I might even gain Tian Yang's favor...

Everything happened in an instant, and Xu Yuan made his decision. But before acting, he couldn't help but glance at Xiao Sheng beside him.

The other man had also intended to intervene just now, clearly having thought through the situation as well.

But the situation was urgent, and Xu Yuan didn't pay him much mind.

He took three quick steps forward and grabbed Liu Hong, his immense strength forcing the other man to release his grip. The cloth strangling Tian Yang's neck fell away.

"Gasp..." Tian Yang gasped like a dying fish pulled ashore, his chest heaving violently as he greedily sucked in the surrounding air.

"Are you crazy?"

Seeing Liu Hong still struggling, Xu Yuan placed a palm on him and effortlessly knocked him off the bed.

"Pfft!"

Liu Hong fell to the ground, feeling as if he'd been hit by a heavy hammer in the back. His internal organs felt displaced, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

After Xu Yuan's palm strike, everyone seemed to snap back to reality. They came to their senses and shouted in alarm:

"Murder!"

"Someone, quickly!"

A few laborers fumbled to light candles.

Outside, a commotion could be heard, and the door was kicked open.

"Who's killing someone?"

A few servants rushed in, their eyes scanning the room.

Normally, it would be fine, but these past few days, the laborers absolutely cannot have any accidents. Otherwise, if an inquiry comes down from above, no one will be able to bear the responsibility.

The head servant glanced at Tian Yang on the bed. His face was pale, saliva was flowing from his lips, and there was a faint ligature mark on his neck. The man looked utterly terrified.

He looked further down and saw that the other man's knuckles were thick, his lower abdomen vibrated like a drum, and his breathing had a unique rhythm.

"A Martial Artist?"

The servant's face was filled with astonishment, and then he ordered the person next to him, "Quick, go call a Martial Master to take a look. A Martial Artist was almost killed; we can't handle this matter!"

Soon.

A Martial Master with three horizontal stripes embroidered on his shoulder arrived. This person wore a blue, cross-collared robe and had a stern face. He carried himself with a certain presence as he walked.

Seeing this, those around immediately lowered their heads in respect.

"Steward Zhao, it's here."

Zhao Qiusheng arrived at the laborers' dormitory. He frowned at the stench emanating from the surroundings and said indifferently, "What exactly happened?"

His voice was extremely low, yet it carried an unshakeable aura.

Zhao Qiusheng was actually quite frustrated. As an outer court steward, he was swamped with work. He had finally managed to sleep halfway through the night, only to be woken up suddenly by someone saying a Martial Artist had been assassinated.

This immediately put him on alert. The higher-ups had been watching the matters concerning laborers and Martial Students very closely lately.

Especially now, after the Shangyang Family and the Bai Family had fallen into conflict, there was an urgent need to replenish the fresh blood of Martial Artists.

As a result, after hearing the entire story, Zhao Qiusheng's expression suddenly turned grim.

What the hell was this? A laborer was so jealous of someone above him that he tried to strangle a Martial Artist in the middle of the night?

Was he playing with him over these petty, ridiculous matters?

"Who is Liu Hong?" Zhao Qiusheng asked slowly, his tone calm but with a hidden anger.

Liu Hong's face was deathly pale, trembling like a sieve as he was brought to the center.

At the time, he didn't know what had gotten into him. It was as if he was possessed. All he could see was Tian Yang's smug, hateful face. Lying in bed that night, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and he couldn't sleep at all.

Then, as if in a trance, he grabbed his inner garment and put it around Tian Yang's neck...

Liu Hong's hands and feet felt ice-cold now, filled with regret. "Steward Zhao, I..."

"You're not even a Martial Artist yet?!"

Zhao Qiusheng almost laughed out loud when he saw this person. He didn't bother to wait for the other man to finish speaking and directly pressed a palm against his chest.

The move was swift and brutal. Before Liu Hong could even react, his chest caved in, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed limply to the ground, life extinguished!

Xu Yuan, who was nearby, felt his pupils contract violently. He clearly saw that the other person's hand hadn't even touched Liu Hong. From several feet away, he had caused Liu Hong's death.

"What kind of ability is this? Qi Projection from martial arts novels?"

A storm raged in his heart.

He had thought of himself as quite capable now, but facing such a technique, he was completely helpless!

"Hiss!"

The other laborers hadn't seen this detail. They only knew that the person had casually killed a laborer, as if slaughtering a dog or a sheep. Someone who had been joking with them just a moment ago was now gone in the blink of an eye!

A sense of shared sorrow inevitably welled up in their hearts.

Zhao Qiusheng calmly withdrew his hand and instructed others, "Get him out and throw him away."

"Yes, Steward Zhao." Several servants stepped forward and dragged Liu Hong out like a dead dog, making the laborers' hearts pound with fear.

"Who saved the person?"

Zhao Qiusheng's eyes were sharp. He had already seen that Liu Hong had been injured before.