The Key to an Apology Is Making Amends

The effect of that punch left both of them stunned.

Chu Chen was surprised by how little punishment Yu Xiaogang could take. He was a Soul Grandmaster, after all, yet he couldn't withstand a single punch?

Tsk, tsk. No wonder this world's power levels were a joke. The physical strength of low-level Soul Masters was pathetic. Utter trash!

Yu Xiaogang, meanwhile, was shocked that the child before him had attacked without warning—and with such force.

He hadn't even had a chance to defend himself before he was sent flying into a tree with a heavy crash.

His back and chest hurt like hell. Even his organs had been shaken, and the taste of blood surged up his throat.

Yet Yu Xiaogang never got the chance to cough it up. It wasn't that his injuries were minor; before he could spit blood, Chu Chen had lunged forward and seized him by the throat.

"That blind fool at the gate gave my grandfather and me trouble because you told him to, didn't he?"

"First you had someone make things difficult for us, then you stepped in to save the day and make yourself look powerful and kind. Pretty clever!"

"Did you think you were the only smart person in the world? That everyone else was too stupid to see through your tricks?"

"Or did you think your status was so lofty that nobody could do anything to you even if they exposed you? Am I right?"

Whether it was the choking or the accusations, Yu Xiaogang's face flushed red, and fear crept into his eyes.

He couldn't understand how a six-year-old child had seen through his flawless scheme!

Though panic churned inside him, the proud Yu Xiaogang refused to bow his head to a child.

Even with a hand around his throat and his face burning red, he gritted his teeth and tried to look like a dignified senior.

"How can someone so young have such a twisted mind? You show no respect for your elders and even resort to violence! What a disgrace!"

"Heh. You count as an elder?"

Chu Chen scoffed and tightened his grip.

"Are you the headmaster of this academy?"

"..."

"Are you its dean?"

"..."

"Are you even an official teacher here?"

"..."

"Looks like I guessed right. You're nobody..."

Chu Chen muttered to himself, then saw the resentment in Yu Xiaogang's eyes and slapped him hard across the face.

"Then why the fuck are you lecturing me? You're just some outsider hanging around the academy, yet you tried to trip up an enrolled student before he even got through the gate. Who gave you the nerve?"

The slap left Yu Xiaogang dazed. His eyes reddened, and he breathed like an enraged bull.

The eagerness with which he had regarded Chu Chen vanished, replaced by bitter coldness.

"You dare hit me?"

Smack!

"You're asking after I already did it? Are you senile?"

"How dare you—"

Smack!

"I dared. What are you going to do about it?"

"Do you know who I am?"

Smack!

"Just some academy outsider who sets traps for students and plans to swindle them. I'm hitting you to teach you a lesson. Besides..."

Chu Chen slapped Yu Xiaogang with every sentence. By the end, his voice had grown colder and colder.

"If I weren't new here and trying to avoid too much trouble, I'd fucking kill you. Want to find out if I dare?"

"You..."

Anger surged through Yu Xiaogang, and he opened his mouth to challenge him. But when his eyes met Chu Chen's, he swallowed the words.

Yu Xiaogang was arrogant, not stupid. He could see the killing intent in Chu Chen's eyes!

This child... would really kill me?!

Once he realized that, Yu Xiaogang truly panicked.

He was the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's leader, the first love of Spirit Hall's current pope, and the Corner of Wisdom—one of the renowned Golden Iron Triangle.

But only he knew about those connections!

Without them, Yu Xiaogang was merely a good-for-nothing in his fifties who had yet to reach level thirty. His fighting ability was practically nonexistent; otherwise, a six-year-old wouldn't have beaten him so helplessly.

Fighting back was out of the question. His chest hurt so badly he couldn't even muster the strength to summon his Martial Soul.

And even if he named every powerful person behind him, what would this six-year-old child from the countryside understand?

Everyone knew children didn't know their own strength. If this one got carried away, he might well kill him.

Yes, the child would surely meet a miserable end afterward. But what good would that do?

That would happen later. Yu Xiaogang only had one life!

No. I can't die. I haven't proved myself yet. I can't die so pointlessly at a child's hands!

With that thought, Yu Xiaogang's lips trembled as he forced out a few words.

"I... I'm sorry. I was wrong..."

"Oh, so now you know you were wrong? Where was that attitude earlier?"

Chu Chen scoffed, his tone mocking.

"And that's your idea of an apology? Didn't your parents teach you that the most important part of an apology is the compensation?"

"Yes! I'll compensate you!"

Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up, especially when he felt Chu Chen loosen his grip on his throat.

"Anything you want, as long as you don't kill me!"

"That's awfully agreeable of you."

Chu Chen raised an eyebrow. He kept his right hand around Yu Xiaogang's throat and held up two fingers with his left.

"Simple. Two demands."

"First, swear on your Martial Soul and your entire family's lives that you'll stay away from me and never cause me trouble again!"

"And don't try anything clever with the oath. You should know better than I do whether gods exist in this world!"

"As for the second..."

Chu Chen thought for a moment and looked Yu Xiaogang up and down.

"I was going to ask for some spending money, but that belt of yours is rather nice. I'll take it as compensation!"

"Impossible! Do you know what that belt—"

Yu Xiaogang cried out and tried to refuse, but before he could finish, Chu Chen tightened his right hand.

This time, Chu Chen used seventy percent of his strength, nearly crushing Yu Xiaogang's neck.

The choking pressure left Yu Xiaogang unable to refuse. Struggling, he forced a few words through his throat.

"I... I agree! The belt is yours!"

As soon as Chu Chen eased his grip, Yu Xiaogang hurried to swear an oath, afraid he might change his mind.

"I, Yu Xiaogang, swear to stay away from Chu Chen and never seek revenge for what happened today in any way. I offer my belt as compensation, with the gods as my witnesses. If I break this oath, may my Martial Soul shatter and my entire clan die horribly... Are you satisfied now?"