Chapter 65
Xun Jun often laughed with his disciples, concluding the devil training early and heading towards Liyang City. His main intention was to give them time to rest and adjust their state for the upcoming martial arts competition.
"Qianqian," Jun Chang laughed along the way, addressing Lu Lu, "How have you been improving your strength these past few days? I see you've been practicing diligently."
Lu Lu responded lightly, "It's been okay."
Accustomed to her indifferent manner, Jun Chang laughed didn't press for more amusement, turning his attention to Xiao Xinji, who walked with his head down.
"This guy must be thinking about how to face the people in Liyang City and perhaps the Xiao family, who he might encounter," Jun Chang remarked to himself.
"Cheer up," Xun Jun often said with a smile, patting Xiao Xinji on the shoulder. "As a man, you must face everything bravely."
"Okay," Xiao Xinji replied with a deep sigh, his dark eyes blinking with determination.
As they continued their journey, dusk settled in by the time they reached the gates of Liyang City. Before they could enter, martial arts practitioners passing through the gates noticed Xiao Xinji and began whispering among themselves.
"Isn't this the waste from the Xiao family?"
"He's really here for the martial arts competition!"
"I thought it was just a rumor, but it seems it's true!"
"Hey, a guy without spiritual roots and cultivation dares to participate in the competition? Isn't he afraid of being humiliated?"
Hearing these mocking remarks and private discussions, Xiao Xinji clenched his fists and gradually lowered his head.
"Xiao Mu," Jun often laughed, calling Wu Su Xiaomo, "Here!"
Xun Jun often smiled at the two martial artists who had just ridiculed Xiao Xinji and said, "Someone is disrespecting your junior brother. What should we do about it?"
Understanding his intent, Wu Su Xiaomo swiftly moved like a rabbit, knocking out one of the martial artists with a swift kick.
"Brush!"
Her body spun around, delivering another precise kick to the face of the second martial artist.
"Thud! Thud!"
In moments, both men lay on the ground, subdued effortlessly by Su Xiaomo's skillful technique.
"One punch, one strike, and it's done," Wu Su Xiaomo said confidently, clapping her hands. "Anyone who humiliates your younger brother humiliates me."
"Yes," Jun Chang laughed with satisfaction.
Li Qingyang whispered, "Head, we're in Liyang City now, should we start trouble?"
Xun Jun often laughed, "Not in the city, and let's not break the law."
"That makes sense," Li Qingyang agreed.
The two martial artists who had been thrown out of the gate lay on the ground, their faces imprinted with shoe prints. Despite their anger, they dared not utter a word.
Jun often exchanged a smile with his disciples and said casually, "Never dare to insult my Ironbone disciples again, or this place will make sure you don't see the sun tomorrow."
With that, he waved his sleeves and led his disciples into the city.
As they walked, Xiao Xinji's tightly clenched fists gradually relaxed. "Thank you, Head, and brothers," he said gratefully.
Wu Su Xiaomo leaned over, placing her hands on his shoulders. "We're all fellow disciples. Thanking us is unnecessary."
Xiao Xinji smiled, perhaps for the first time since joining the competition, his face bright with genuine happiness.
"People in Liyang City may look down on me, but I have the Head and a group of brothers who have never thought of abandoning me. That's enough," he thought to himself as they passed through the dark city gates and the sun came into view.
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"The boy with his head down just moved so fast!"
"He didn't even use spiritual power for those moves, how can he be that quick?"
"Is he a disciple?"
"He might just be the top disciple of the Ironbone faction."
"Could he be Qingyang City's top genius?"
"Yeah, the genius of Qingyang City joining Ironbone makes sense."
Xun Jun often laughed as he led his disciples into the city, while the gate guards continued to debate, mistaking Wu Su Xiaomo for Li Qingyang.
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The martial arts competition was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Jun often laughed and took his five disciples to find an inn first. Along the way, Xiao Xinji's presence continued to attract attention and comments.
Words like "waste" and "Xiao family" were frequently whispered, and some martial artists looked at him with disdain.
"Cheer up," Xun Jun often said, noticing Xiao Xinji's downcast demeanor. "Don't mind their opinions. They're just a bunch of dogs. Once they see your strength, they'll wag their tails and kneel before you."
Xun Jun often laughed confidently. "Dogs are loyal companions and caretakers. They should not be insulted."
The martial artists who had been talking behind them overheard his words and their expressions turned angry.
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Wu Su Xiaomo glanced at them and laughed, "Master, a disciple doesn't like being disliked by certain people. It's like having a fly buzzing around."
Xun Jun often laughed, agreeing, "That fly needs to be swatted."
"Swatted?" Wu Su Xiaomo didn't quite understand.
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While Xun Jun often laughed and chatted with Su Xiaomo, he had angered those who had earlier called Xiao Xinji a waste. However, the rules of Hechengchi prohibited private fights unless officially challenged.
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Soon, the group reached an inn and were about to enter when they heard footsteps behind them. Turning around, they saw a man in a golden robe accompanied by his attendants.
"Bei!" Xiao Xinji's expression darkened.
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"Bei?" Jun Chang laughed, his eyebrow raised. "Isn't it a bit presumptuous to group yourself together? Didn't this name have a feud with Ai Zuo from the Ai family?"
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The man in the golden robe, Bei, approached them, saying, "Well, well, if it isn't the genius that Qingyang County hasn't seen in a millennium. It's been a few years, but you seem even more outstanding now."
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"Head, let's go inside," Li Qingyang said, uninterested.
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Bei continued, "Old acquaintances meet, and you're just going to leave without a few words?"
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Su Su Xiaomo scratched her head and muttered, "Head, this guy's been talking for a while now. Is he unwell?"
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Jun often laughed and chuckled, "Maybe."
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Satisfied with their encounter, Xun Jun often led his five disciples into the inn, leaving Bei outside with his comments hanging in the air.