Dejection

Drunken Spring House.

The house was packed with distinguished guests.

Zhang Lingfeng and Ma Fei sat on either side of Guo Wei.

Yang Tao, Zhao Hu, Wu Yun, Liu Rushuang, and even Ye Fan-the fellow disciples who had attained Dark Force-sat around one table.

During the feast, everyone first praised Guo Wei for his skillful guidance, saying that a great teacher produced outstanding students. Then they took turns praising Zhang Lingfeng's exceptional constitution and boundless prospects, declaring that he would surely pass next summer's martial examination.

Huang Jiefu came with his deputy to offer congratulations.

In the end, even Young Master Yan, Yan Hexiang, arrived uninvited, hoping to befriend Zhang Lingfeng.

Zhang Lingfeng remained humble throughout.

The more Guo Wei looked at him, the more pleased he became, freely praising Zhang Lingfeng during the feast as the martial hall's rising star.

The words "rising star" left a bitter taste in Ye Fan's heart.

Not so long ago, he had been the one everyone rallied around. Who could have imagined that in just a few short months, the eyes of his fellow disciples, and even Guo Wei, would all be on Zhang Lingfeng alone?

He finally understood why Zhang Lingfeng had dared refuse him and completely ignored his hints about providing financial support. It turned out that Zhang Lingfeng had also attained Dark Force and was no weaker than he was.

Although he possessed supreme-grade aptitude and always felt that Zhang Lingfeng would never surpass him, he thought of how Zhang Lingfeng was the master of Warm Breeze Hall, with abundant resources, and now enjoyed everyone's appreciation.

His fist technique had momentum behind it too. One moment's inattention might let Zhang Lingfeng surpass him, and he grew increasingly agitated inside. Yet at the feast, he still had to offer Zhang Lingfeng a few compliments like everyone else.

Everyone distancing themselves from him was secondary.

What hurt most was Huang Jiefu's attitude. From the moment he entered, he had not greeted Ye Fan once. Clearly, Huang Jiefu was deeply dissatisfied with Ye Fan's request to suppress Zhang Lingfeng and lure him into seeking Ye Fan's help.

This time, he had come to offer congratulations with only one deputy, but he had also prepared a fine gift worth over a hundred taels of silver. He was even more enthusiastic and excited than when Ye Fan had broken through to Dark Force.

He had also reduced the share of earnings Warm Breeze Hall had to hand over from sixty percent to fifty.

Even Yan Hexiang, who supported Ye Fan, spoke highly of Zhang Lingfeng, looking as though he wanted to undertake great things with him. Yet in his everyday dealings with Ye Fan, he only wanted to tie him to the Yan Lineage's ship so he could never break away.

The contrast left a bitter taste in Ye Fan's heart. Unable to help drinking a few extra cups, he secretly swore that he would cultivate diligently, obtain more cultivation resources, and prove to everyone that he was Guo Wei's finest disciple.

"Master, Senior Brother Zhang, it's getting late. I should head back first. Take your time drinking."

Ye Fan rose to take his leave.

"Take care, Junior Brother Ye. Someone, see Junior Brother Ye out."

Zhang Lingfeng called Hei Hu over to see Ye Fan off.

Guo Wei merely gave a slight nod before continuing his conversation with Young Master Yan, Ma Fei, and the others.

The other senior brothers who had attained Dark Force seemed not to have heard him. Taking advantage of this rare gathering, they were all finding ways to attend to Guo Wei.

In truth, as someone with supreme-grade aptitude in whom Guo Wei had placed high hopes, Ye Fan could not possibly have been overlooked by Wu Yun, Yang Tao, Zhao Hu, Liu Rushuang, and the others.

They were still very close to Ye Fan, no different from usual.

It was simply that seeing the people who ordinarily rallied around him now gathering around Zhang Lingfeng instead had made Ye Fan extremely sensitive to the contrast.

He could read too much into any casual gesture, making his mood worse and worse. With the extra wine he had drunk, these negative feelings became even harder to control.

In particular, he had thought that when he left early, his fellow disciples would stop him and urge him to stay for a few more cups. Instead, none of them had said anything.

His mood sank to its lowest point as a result.

He slunk away.

"Take care, Junior Brother Ye. I have to go back and attend to Master Zhang."

At the entrance, Hei Hu stood straight and spoke to the solitary Ye Fan.

Ye Fan's expression froze.

Although Hei Hu had entered the martial hall before him, he was merely an outer disciple apprentice. How dare he address him as Junior Brother Ye? But remembering that Hei Hu was Zhang Lingfeng's man, and finding that "Master Zhang" truly grating, he could only force down his anger.

He waved impatiently and walked back toward Datong Street.

"Brothers, Master Zhang broke through to Dark Force today! From now on, we brothers of Warm Breeze Hall have a place here in Baile Ward, and even throughout Baiyang County!"

"There's all the wine you can drink today, and as much fish and meat as you want! Come on, drink!"

"Thank you, Master Zhang!"

"Thank you, Chief!"

"Thank you, Great Aunt!"

Chen Sanshi and the brothers of Warm Breeze Hall were holding a feast in the courtyard Wang Biao had given them, celebrating Zhang Lingfeng's breakthrough to Dark Force. At that moment, the courtyard blazed with light.

Chickens, ducks, beef, and mutton were delivered into the courtyard without pause. Voices bubbled like a boiling cauldron as everyone discussed Zhang Lingfeng's breakthrough to Dark Force.

Returning from Drunken Spring House, Ye Fan had not expected to see people rallying around Zhang Lingfeng on Datong Street too.

Only yesterday, in this very courtyard, he had told Zhang Lingfeng that if he earned a first-class result in next year's martial examination, he might need to borrow a place here to hold a feast.

He had never expected Zhang Lingfeng to hold one tonight.

They had both broken through to Dark Force, and he had clearly done so before Zhang Lingfeng. Why was the whole world cheering for Zhang Lingfeng while leaving him alone in the cold?

Scenes of Ma Fei, Liu Rushuang, and the others rallying around Zhang Lingfeng at Drunken Spring House and the martial hall kept surfacing in his mind. He seemed to see Guo Wei calling Zhang Lingfeng alone into his room once more.

"Take care, Junior Brother Ye. I have to go back and keep Master Zhang company..."

Hei Hu seemed to appear before him again. Reeking of wine, he could no longer control himself. With a furious roar, he punched the wall.

Dark Force erupted.

His blood and Qi were freed of two shackles.

His fist shattered the stone bricks and sank into the wall.

"Young Master Ye, that punch could shake mountains. It leaves me marveling at you as a celestial being."

A woman wearing a cloak and a black veil appeared in a corner.

Two maids stood beside her, one carrying a lantern, the other a flower basket.

"You know me?"

Ye Fan was bewildered and uncertain. Having drunk a little too much, he could not help shaking his head. He only felt that the woman in front carried herself with exquisite grace, clearly a daughter of a distinguished family.

But with her veil on in the darkness, he could not make out her face.

"Young Master Ye, you trained under Master Guo, broke through to Ming Jin in less than two months, and attained Dark Force within a year. I have admired you for a long time. How could I not know you?

"When Master Guo gathered the local magnates at the martial hall to hire martial instructors that day, I wanted to invite you to help me. Alas, you had eyes only for the Yan Lineage. My family has little strength or influence, and I had no power to wrest you from their hands."

Zhang Pingping sighed.

"My apologies. I've had a little wine and failed to recognize you, miss. But it is my honor that you appreciate me."

Ye Fan studied Zhang Pingping carefully. She seemed utterly unfamiliar, yet her words made him feel a deep warmth.

After being repeatedly left out at the restaurant, he had felt as though everyone in the world revolved around Zhang Lingfeng. Suddenly discovering someone who appreciated him was like seeing a ray of dawn in a dark world. He could not help wanting to grasp that light and seek some comfort.

"To meet you is a blessing I must have cultivated in a past life. It's only a pity that I cannot share wine and conversation with you. Otherwise..."

Zhang Pingping sighed.

"To tell you the truth, miss, although I've had some wine, I still feel stifled and unable to enjoy myself. I was just hoping to find someone to drink with and make merry."

Ye Fan spoke despite himself.

"This way, please, Young Master Ye."

Zhang Pingping pointed toward another alley beside them.

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