challenge

"The senior's meaning is that your words are ineffective, just say it straightforwardly." Jiang Yun's disappointed eyes rolled, and he silently scorned Feng Lun.

Feng Lun's face reddened. In fact, he didn't have the authority to exempt Jiang Yun from the third round of assessment. Ultimately, his purpose for overseeing this assessment was to redeem himself from past wrongdoings.

"Never mind, I can see you're in a difficult situation. I won't force you," Jiang Yun actually just said it casually, not really seeking any special treatment.

"Three days later, be here on time for the third round of assessment. With your strength, it's just a formality," Feng Lun let out a sigh of relief and said.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll leave."

The third round of assessment at the Sky Sword Sect was a public assessment. All those who passed the first two rounds would undergo a practical test by inner disciples in three days. As long as they could withstand ten moves, they would pass.

Although Jiang Yun's sword power was sealed and he couldn't use it, he still had great confidence in passing the third round of assessment. So, he didn't linger here and left the assessment site of the Sky Sword Sect.

Other than the gate, Li Da Dan was waiting for Jiang Yun outside. Seeing Jiang Yun come out expressionless, Li Da Dan stepped forward and asked curiously, "Brother Jiang, did you pass the assessment? I've heard statistics that the third round assessment is the easiest, with a elimination rate of less than ten percent."

Jiang Yun didn't care much about these things. In his view, as long as his own strength was strong enough, these assessments were essentially meaningless. He wasn't really interested in Li Da Dan's well-intentioned reminder. He just nodded casually and then the two left the place.

After parting with Li Da Dan, Jiang Yun headed directly to his uncle Wen He's house. Just as he entered the gate, he saw his cousin Wen Quan returning from outside with a swollen and bruised nose. Wen Quan tried to hide, but Jiang Yun caught him and asked, "Cousin, weren't you at work? How did you end up like this?"

"Injured by accident, it's nothing serious, I'm just back to apply some medicine." Wen Quan smiled as he explained to Jiang Yun, but wincing from the pain when he moved his facial injuries.

Jiang Yun's expression darkened. Wen Quan was lying. It was obvious that he had been beaten up, and Jiang Yun could see it with just one glance.

"Cousin, tell me the truth. Did that guy surnamed Wu cause trouble for you?"

Since Jiang Yun had seen through the situation, Wen Quan no longer tried to hide it. He sighed and briefly explained what had happened. Jiang Yun's face grew darker as he listened.

Wen Quan used to work as an accountant and manager in a small tavern in the city. Unexpectedly, he encountered Wu Wencai at the tavern during lunch. Wu Wencai intentionally caused trouble by tampering with the food, and when he couldn't resolve the situation, he started a fight and beat Wen Quan severely, threatening him about his family.

This incident might not have made Jiang Yun angry in itself, but considering that Wen Quan would be living with the Wen family in the future, not addressing the problem posed a potential threat to their lives.

"Which tavern? Never mind, just take me there."

Jiang Yun's tone was heavy, his demeanor cold. Intimidated by his aura and also wanting to witness Wu Wencai's embarrassment, Wen Quan led Jiang Yun towards the tavern.

Upon arriving at the tavern, as soon as they entered, Jiang Yun spotted Wu Wencai and another young man around his age enjoying food and drinks. Moreover, this person was someone Jiang Yun recognized—a fellow inner disciple from the Sky Sword Sect whom Jiang Yun had met before.

Wu Wencai's face lit up upon seeing Jiang Yun, and he turned to the young man and said, "Brother Wan, speak of the devil, and he shall appear."

"Wu, my friend, you're saying he's the one who snatched your bride away yesterday?"

Wan Yankun glanced at Jiang Yun and spoke with a tone of disdain. After returning to the Sky Sword Sect, Wan Yankun had described Jiang Yun to the other inner disciples, praising his unparalleled comprehension of sword intent. However, during today's assessment, Wan Yankun realized that the situation was not as he had heard from Lü Yao. Jiang Yun was just an ordinary martial artist at the Fourth Layer of Body Tempering, far from the sword genius Lü Yao had depicted. This caused Wan Yankun to look down upon Jiang Yun, believing that he had merely gained Lü Yao's favor and had been falsely praised as a sword genius.

"It seems you didn't take the warning I gave you yesterday to heart," Jiang Yun ignored Wan Yankun's provocation and coldly stared at Wu Wencai, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"Since that's the case, it's necessary to give you a lasting lesson."

Before his words had even finished, Jiang Yun moved like lightning. Right in front of Wan Yankun, he grabbed Wu Wencai's collar with his left hand, lifting him off his seat, and mercilessly slapped him across the face with his right hand, not holding back at all.

The sound of crisp slaps resounded as Wu Wencai's cheek instantly swelled. However, Wu Wencai's own martial prowess was extremely low, leaving him without the power to resist. All he could do was glare, his eyes fiery as he shouted, "You're asking for death! Do you even know who Brother Wan is? How dare you hit me!"

Wan Yankun's expression was ugly. Jiang Yun's disregard for him, slapping Wu Wencai's face right in front of him, felt no different from slapping his own face. He stood up and warned, "Jiang Yun, if you let him go now and apologize to him, I might not take action."

"You want to help him?" Jiang Yun turned to face Wan Yankun, his tone deliberate and measured.

"Yes, I, Wan Yankun, keep my word. If you release him now and apologize, I can still hold back my hand. Otherwise, don't blame me for acting against you," Wan Yankun's tone was firm.

Jiang Yun chuckled lightly, turned his head, and slapped Wu Wencai's face again with the back of his hand.

Wan Yankun's face grew cold. Jiang Yun was showing him no face whatsoever. This slap not only left Wu Wencai bewildered, but also thoroughly infuriated Wan Yankun.

"Swish!"

Wan Yankun's right hand slapped the table, causing a sword to bounce up. In the midst of the spectators' astonishment, he drew the sword, and in the blink of an eye, the sword was aimed at Jiang Yun's chest.

Wan Yankun's movements were seamless, fluid, and graceful. The people in the tavern couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. But Jiang Yun was equally skilled. The moment Wan Yankun moved, Jiang Yun grabbed Wu Wencai and hurled him towards Wan Yankun's direction. If Wan Yankun hadn't pulled back and retracted his sword quickly, that thrust might have pierced a hole through Wu Wencai.

Still, Wan Yankun's sword managed to cut through Wu Wencai's clothes, leaving him with a pale face, terrified.

"Don't let me catch you sabotaging things from the shadows again," Jiang Yun looked indifferently at Wu Wencai and coolly dropped those words before turning to Wan Yankun. "I hope you'll be my challenger three days from now."

"Are you challenging me?"

"That's right, I hope you won't disappoint me."

Wan Yankun gave Jiang Yun a deep look and said, "Alright, three days from now, let's see what kind of storm you can stir up."

With that, he turned and left the tavern, leaving behind a tense atmosphere and stunned onlookers.