Iron Will!

"It hadn't hit her yet."

Cao Mengyun's casual remark thoroughly enraged Yang Ming!

Yang Ming knew that pregnant woman too.

Yang Ming remembered that whenever he passed by her house before, she would warmly bring out sweets to treat him. Sometimes, she would even take Yang Ming's hand and say she wanted him to be the older brother of the child still unborn in her belly.

The people of Holy Soul Village were simple and honest, without malicious intentions. Yang Ming could naturally tell that when the pregnant woman had said those things, she had been completely sincere, not merely making polite small talk.

Yang Ming's face darkened as though ink had been spilled across white paper. He stepped forward and enunciated each word sharply.

"Apologize! I want you to apologize to her, did you hear me?!"

Cao Mengyun sat steadily atop his horse, his sword-like brows knitting in displeasure. He was the dignified Patrol Deacon of Spirit Hall. If a child could so easily threaten him into apologizing to some rural woman, how could he ever hold his head high in the future?

Besides, Cao Mengyun did not think he had done anything wrong at all.

After all, hadn't that pregnant country woman survived being hit by him?

She had nearly fallen over herself. Who was there to blame?

So it was my fault?

Cao Mengyun raised his riding crop and viciously lashed it at Yang Ming, saying coldly,

"Where did this ignorant brat come from? Since your parents never taught you how to treat your elders with respect, I'll teach you on their behalf how to behave!"

The riding crop tore through the air with a sharp explosive crack. Even without using his Martial Soul, Cao Mengyun had put his full strength into the blow. If an ordinary child were struck across the face by that whip, disfigurement would be the least of it. Their life would be ruined.

A glint of red flashed through Yang Ming's eyes as the Three-Tomoe Sharingan emerged, allowing him to discern the riding crop's path. Using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he swayed from side to side, and the whip brushed past him before striking the muddy road, spraying dirt into the air.

"Hm?"

Cao Mengyun let out a surprised sound. He truly had not expected such a young boy to evade his casual strike.

Yang Ming was not the sort to swallow his grievances in silence after being wronged.

Seeing Cao Mengyun strike first, Yang Ming immediately attacked in anger. Gripping his spear and using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he closed in, the spear tip trembling as it produced three successive blossoms.

Cloud-Piercing Dragon!

One thrust, two thrusts, three thrusts!

Each thrust pressed forward, like thorned roses blooming—beautiful yet dangerous.

Surprise flickered repeatedly in Cao Mengyun's eyes. It was not enough that Yang Ming had evaded his attack; the boy had even given him such a tremendous surprise. Such masterful spearplay could not grasp the essence of the art without ten or twenty years of dedicated practice. How had Yang Ming learned to apply it at such a young age? Had he started cultivating in the womb?

In the blink of an eye,

as the spear tip was about to touch his nose, Cao Mengyun raised his right hand and snapped his riding crop. Like a python, it coiled around the spear shaft in layer after layer.

Without using his Martial Soul, Cao Mengyun had broken Yang Ming's attack with that move alone!

But in the next instant, a flash of electricity ran across the spear shaft and traveled from the spear tip straight into Cao Mengyun's body.

"Hm?"

Cao Mengyun felt an electric current strike his right hand. It immediately went numb, temporarily losing all sensation.

A good opportunity!

A sharp light burst from Yang Ming's eyes. He released the spear shaft with his right hand, kicked off the ground, leaped into the air, twisted his waist, and sent a whip kick toward the side of Cao Mengyun's face.

If Cao Mengyun were kicked by a country brat, it would be a blatant slap in the face. He would never be able to hold his head up before his peers again.

"Hmph!"

Seeing that his right hand was still numb, Cao Mengyun snorted coldly as a Soul Ring flashed around his body.

Even though the Three-Tomoe Sharingan clearly saw what was happening,

Cao Mengyun's counterattack was too fast, exceeding the limits of Yang Ming's physical reactions. Yang Ming's vision went black, and he felt a strange force strike him. His whole body jolted as though hit by lightning. He let out a muffled groan and flew backward like a cannonball, blood spraying from his mouth through the air. Bang!

Yang Ming's back slammed heavily into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Seeing Yang Ming fall, Cao Mengyun had originally intended to lash him again, venting his frustration at having his path blocked.

However, seeing Cao Mengyun refuse to show mercy even after gaining the upper hand, even the honest villagers became enraged!

You could treat us as worthless grass, but Yang Ming was still a child!

The villagers surged into the street of their own accord, carrying farm tools such as hoes, axes, and rakes. Gritting their teeth, they charged toward Cao Mengyun.

If they had merely been ordinary farmers, Cao Mengyun naturally would not have cared.

But at that moment, Cao Mengyun saw a man—a man who appeared to be the blacksmith from the forge. When Tang Hao's cold eyes fell upon him, Cao Mengyun actually felt a faint sense of fear.

Since Tang Hao had settled in Holy Soul Village, village chief Old Jack had always shown him considerable care. Although Tang Hao's usual attitude toward the village chief was far from good, Yang Ming was the chief's grandson. Seeing Yang Ming humiliated, he naturally could not stand by and watch!

Anyone who could become a Great Spirit Master was naturally no fool.

Cao Mengyun understood that Holy Soul Village was, after all, a village that had once produced great figures. Hidden experts might be lurking here. He immediately snorted, cracked his riding crop, and rode away.

The black horse neighed beside them, followed by the fading sound of hoofbeats.

Yang Ming struggled up from the ground. Watching Cao Mengyun's retreating back, he clenched his teeth tightly and said bitterly,

"One day, when I become a Great Spirit Master, I'll make you pay!"

The pregnant woman who had nearly fallen and gone into premature labor hurried over. Supporting Yang Ming, she dusted off his clothes and asked with concern,

"Yang Ming, are your injuries serious? Why don't you come to my house and let Auntie apply some medicine?"

Besides the pregnant woman, the surrounding villagers also hurried over, asking after Yang Ming with concern.

Seeing the sincere concern on the villagers' simple faces, as well as the farm tools in their hands, Yang Ming knew they had risked their lives to save him just now. Warmth filled his heart. He clasped his hands and said,

"Thank you for your concern, everyone. My bones are tough enough. This little injury is nothing!"

Hearing Yang Ming's words, the villagers all gave him a thumbs-up and praised him.

"That's a real man!"

From within the crowd, Tang Hao watched Yang Ming from afar. Only after seeing that he was not seriously hurt did he look away.

Then Tang Hao smacked the back of his son Tang San's head and said bluntly,

"San, look at Little Yang. At such a young age, he's already a true man of iron. When he saw the strong bullying the weak, he dared to step forward and stop it. The village chief really raised a fine grandson!"

"And when will you be as outstanding as Little Yang?"

Tang San's face darkened as he listened to his father's endless nagging.

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