Chapter 104: Young Hero, Please Start Over
Chapter 104: Young Hero, Please Start Over
In an instant, the four felt their carefully built momentum shattered.
From Cao Bing and the three who wished to remain anonymous came waves of resentment: +666, +200, +200, +100.
The elderly man with white hair and beard had the least resentment, only adding 100. He forced himself to regain composure and declared, “Old man’s Eagle Thirteen Stabs.”
The arrogant youth sneered, “Ruthless boy Cao Bing.” He was the most spirited and harbored the greatest grudge against Zheng Jian, hence he had a name.
“Clear Wind Sword!”
“Iron Sword Calms the Three Mountains!” These two remained unnamed.
“All right, I know your titles—so what?” Zheng Jian smiled.
Eagle Thirteen Stabs, huh? Thirteen strikes and it’s over—pretty quick!
No wonder he was only in his forties but his hair was already white...
Cao Bing was instantly furious; this guy wasn’t just gasping for breath—he was doing it on purpose!
Resentment from Cao Bing surged by +666.
Ruthless boy Cao Bing, though young, was gifted and came from the renowned Dian Cang sect. Willing to endure hardship, he made a name for himself within a year of debut, shaking the martial world with the moniker “Ruthless Boy.”
The martial world groaned: “...Could you not shake things up so much?”
Eagle Thirteen Stabs hailed from beyond the border and was a legendary name in frontier lands.
Originally, Eagle Thirteen Stabs intended to challenge Yan Thirteen, but after hearing of Zheng Jian’s reputation upon entering the pass, he changed his mind and came here instead.
“So I have to kill you! Killing you will make my fame even greater!” Ruthless boy Cao Bing was the most desperate, eager for fame and also infuriated by Zheng Jian.
At this, Zheng Jian gave Cao Bing a thumbs-up. “Awesome! You’re like a little cow that can’t get pregnant—just amazingly awesome!”
Cao Bing was stunned, then after a moment’s thought caught the pun in Zheng Jian’s words. His pale face flushed red with anger.
Resentment from Cao Bing exploded by +999—pure fury!
“Three seniors, don’t be so eager. I’ll kill this guy first!” Cao Bing was furious; this guy’s mouth was just too infuriating!
Zheng Jian shook his head with a smile. “You all team up, then. Hurry up and finish, I want to go back and eat.”
“No way!” the four said in unison. Proud as they were, none wanted to unite.
Zheng Jian said, “Li Ning, anything is possible!” With that, he swung the Tearmark Sword, which flashed like a rainbow, passing swiftly before the four’s eyes.
Shaken, the four realized they had no choice but to work together. Cao Bing struck fastest and fiercest, his killing intent burning for Zheng Jian.
Too annoying, must kill!
In a flash, Cao Bing stabbed nine times, each directed at Zheng Jian’s throat, heart, and forehead—deadly strikes aimed to end his life!
Simultaneously, the other three also attacked.
But Cao Bing’s sword struck nothing; in the blink of an eye, Zheng Jian vanished.
The next moment, a blue light from the Tearmark Sword filled Cao Bing’s vision. When he regained focus, only Zheng Jian stood before him.
The other three were down...
Eagle from beyond the border, Iron Sword Calms the Three Mountains, Clear Wind Sword—these top swordsmen were instantly defeated by Zheng Jian. Their stage time was too short.
Congratulations, you’re done for...
Zheng Jian sheathed his sword and stood before Cao Bing, smiling. “Victory and defeat are common in warfare, young hero. Please start over.”
Cao Bing felt his limbs grow cold, his sword hand trembling. His voice shook, “Why... why don’t you kill me?”
“You’re still a child, underage! Little guy, the martial world isn’t a place to mess around like this. I’m in a good mood, so I won’t kill you. Go back and train for a few more years. Come back when you reach the innate stage.”
Cao Bing’s face flushed deeply, wanting to retort but unable. Facts spoke louder than words: his strength was still far from enough.
“I will definitely defeat you! Next time!” Cao Bing controlled his expression and said fiercely, “If you don’t kill me this time, you’ll regret it.”
“No need to say ‘definitely’ so many times. Repeat!” Zheng Jian laughed. “Dian Cang’s reputation is decent. Go back and train well.”
“In three years! I’ll come find you then. Don’t die at someone else’s hands.”
“Sure thing. I’m a disaster, a disaster for a thousand years.” Zheng Jian waved his hand, threw out the remark, and returned to the tavern.
Cao Bing stood silently at the door for a moment, then finally left.
As for the fallen, Zheng Jian didn’t even bother to touch the bodies—they were worthless.
In the martial world, people die every day; corpses are dealt with quickly. No need for Zheng Jian to worry.
...
At Han Family Tower, the back courtyard was brightly lit and lavishly decorated, reflecting the boss’s grandeur.
The owner of Han Family Tower, known as the Big Boss, was wealthy and powerful. He employed no fewer than five hundred enforcers, many of whom were experts.
Under the Big Boss was a strategist who looked like a failed scholar—Bamboo Leaf Green.
There were also two top warriors: Iron Hand and Iron Tiger.
At this moment, the Big Boss sat in a grand armchair, surrounded by several beautiful women attending him. Whenever he spoke, one would peel grapes and feed them to him with her ruby lips.
Eating grapes handed over by beauties, the Big Boss squeezed another grape with his large hand, smiling happily.
“Boss, the tavern owner in town has been on a roll lately. A few tough challengers came today and were all killed by him, leaving only the Ruthless Boy alive,” Bamboo Leaf Green said with a dark look, respectful but uninterested in the seductive scene.
The Big Boss pushed the beauty aside and smiled. “So, what are you implying, Bamboo Leaf Green?”
“Boss, this man is very powerful. If we can recruit him, he’ll surely become your right-hand man. Even Iron Hand and Iron Tiger might not match him,” Bamboo Leaf Green chuckled softly.
The Big Boss grew interested. The richer he was, the more he valued his life. That’s why he hired so many enforcers and took in desperate men like Iron Hand and Iron Tiger—he feared making money but losing his life. He was generous to his subordinates: whatever money they needed, he gave; whichever woman they desired, he gave—even his own favored concubines. If a subordinate liked one, he would give her without hesitation.
Money and beauty: the foundation of his recruitment.
“Very well. Since you say so, I assume you have a plan. I’ll leave this matter to you. Whatever you need, just say the word. If I can afford it, I won’t hesitate,” the Big Boss said grandly, waving his hand.
Bamboo Leaf Green smiled faintly, bowed, and slowly withdrew.
...
Back at the tavern, Zheng Jian was tallying today’s gains. This was why the ancient system was better than the gold system—Cao Bing gave him so much resentment value with just a few words.
“We don’t row the boat with oars, just ride the waves, ride the waves...”
...
Thanks to the passerby reader who just dropped 100 points—much appreciated, big brother! Greetings to the boss!
(End of chapter)