Chapter Eighty-Four: The Madman

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He’s gone mad!

Fang Xiao had lost all sense; he was in a frenzy of slaughter!

Standing tall atop the martial platform, Fang Xiao faced Xue Zhenhai’s interrogation. Not only did he refuse to bow his head and admit fault, he openly contradicted this instructor of the Martial Hall before the crowd! He even went so far as to call Xue Zhenhai’s words nonsense.

Hundreds of students present instantly thought there must be something wrong with their ears.

How did he dare? How could he!

The vast training ground once again fell into utter silence, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Some wondered: Could it be that Fang Xiao didn’t recognize this instructor from the Martial Hall? Xue Zhenhai was a Vein-Opening Warrior! Surely not?

Xue Zhenhai himself stared, eyes wide with disbelief. Since taking up the role of Deputy Instructor of Liuhe Academy and head of the Martial Hall, he had never encountered such a defiant and arrogant student!

“Heh.” Xue Zhenhai was so furious that he laughed, though there wasn’t a trace of amusement in his eyes. His voice turned cold as he said, “Fang Xiao, on the duel platform, when the coin falls, the match begins.”

The instructor strode forward and shouted, “Before the coin had fully landed, you struck out, ambushing Gao Hong. And you still dare claim you’re blameless?”

Xue Zhenhai knew all too well that if he wanted to salvage the situation, he would have to pin a hefty accusation on Fang Xiao’s head. That way, Gao Hong’s reputation would be preserved, his own missteps glossed over, and the Gao family’s honor maintained!

As for whether Fang Xiao was wronged—this boy even dared talk back to him. If he didn’t crush him now, what face would he have to continue as an instructor of the Martial Hall?

His gaze shifted to the middle-aged referee on the platform, warning him with his eyes: Don’t say a word out of line!

The middle-aged instructor silently stepped aside. He still had some sense of shame, but neither the courage nor the confidence to oppose Xue Zhenhai.

But Fang Xiao did!

With a sudden leap, Fang Xiao landed in the training ground. Facing the overbearing Xue Zhenhai, he retorted fiercely, “That’s because you’re blind and foolish!”

This duel was initiated by Gao Hong; Fang Xiao had only responded passively. And in this match, Fang Xiao had won fair and square. Yes, he had struck first, but only after the coin had completely hit the ground.

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Anyone present who wasn’t blind or deaf could see that!

And as for Gao Hong—he’d had the audacity to wear inner armor for the duel against Fang Xiao. Despicable and vile!

Xue Zhenhai ignored this and immediately tried to frame Fang Xiao. His bias was so extreme it was as if his head had replaced his backside!

Fang Xiao had always respected his elders, but when faced with an instructor so shameless and domineering, he would never bend!

Contrary to what some suspected, Fang Xiao did in fact know who Xue Zhenhai was. Though he spent most of his time training at Lin Chong’s private residence, he had seen Xue Zhenhai before and knew of his status and strength. But so what!

“Good, good, good!” Xue Zhenhai spat out the word three times, his tone growing cold and calm. He fixed his gaze on Fang Xiao and said in a low voice, “Fang Xiao, disciple of the Martial Hall, you ambushed a fellow student and then insulted your instructor—so I shall personally administer your punishment! Any objections?”

Those last four words boomed like thunder, shaking the crowd and echoing for miles. The might of a Vein-Opening Warrior was on full display!

Fang Xiao did not respond. Instead, he drew the refined black-iron spear from his military satchel and with a swift motion, pointed its three-edged tip directly at Xue Zhenhai!

A burning pain from the medal on his chest warned Fang Xiao that this opponent was unimaginably dangerous. He should avoid a head-on clash—but facing a powerful Vein-Opening Warrior and hundreds of students who would never support him, Fang Xiao’s fighting spirit only soared higher!

Within him, the Qianyang Dragon-Tiger Qi surged to its peak. Vast power flowed soundlessly through his organs and limbs, even radiating beyond his body. Behind him, the faint image of a crouching tiger and a soaring dragon appeared!

Within that vision was also the unyielding spirit of a sixteen-year-old boy!

“True Form of the Dragon and Tiger?” For the first time, a hint of surprise appeared in Xue Zhenhai’s eyes. He hadn’t expected that this year’s new Martial Hall entrant could cultivate the Qianyang Dragon-Tiger Art to such a level. Such talent was truly terrifying!

But precisely because of this, Xue Zhenhai’s murderous intent toward Fang Xiao reached its peak. He would show Fang Xiao just how vast the gulf was between a Vein-Opening Warrior and a Condensing-Essence Fighter!

“I object.”

Just as the two were about to clash, a hoarse voice rang out, heard by everyone present. Instinctively, all eyes turned toward the source of the voice.

Xue Zhenhai felt a jolt of fear. He did not immediately turn around—

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Because he sensed it: an unbelievably sharp and deadly aura was pressed against the back of his neck. He hadn’t noticed a thing before!

That terrifying killing intent was like an unstoppable spear, ready at any moment to pierce through his throat!

The next instant, someone shouted in shock, “Instructor Lin!”

Lin Chong!

At this critical moment, the staff instructor Lin Chong had returned!

He wore a rough, plain gray outfit and carried a red-tasseled spear over his shoulder. He parted the crowd and, under everyone’s gaze, strode step by step to stand between Fang Xiao and Xue Zhenhai. The wine gourd hanging from his spear swayed gently.

This Martial Hall instructor smiled at the Martial Hall’s deputy. “Instructor Xue, you certainly know how to throw your weight around.”

Xue Zhenhai’s face paled, his fingers clenched into a fist, yet he dared not strike. He snarled, “Lin Chong, what do you think you’re doing?”

Unbeknownst to him, this question betrayed the weakness in Xue Zhenhai’s heart. He had been completely shaken by Lin Chong’s sudden appearance!

“I’m not here for anything in particular,” Lin Chong replied coolly. “Only to seek justice for Fang Xiao.”

“Instructor Xue, let me ask you: are you certain Fang Xiao ambushed his fellow student on the platform?”

Xue Zhenhai fell silent for a moment, then managed to force out the words, “Perhaps I was mistaken.”

At these words, astonishment swept through the crowd! Who could have imagined that a dignified Martial Hall instructor—a Vein-Opening Warrior—would go back on his word and admit fault?

Of course, Xue Zhenhai had no desire to humiliate himself so publicly. But his instincts screamed at him: should he dare to strike or refuse to admit fault, the likely outcome would be death!

Fang Xiao was a little madman, and Lin Chong was the big madman. The only reason Lin Chong regarded Fang Xiao so highly was that they were both madmen!

So, even at the cost of losing face, Xue Zhenhai had no wish to throw his life away at the hands of two lunatics!

With his words spoken, his face flushed purple with humiliation. He immediately covered his face and fled in a flash.

The surrounding students, as if suddenly awakened from a dream, also scattered as fast as they could, terrified that staying even a moment longer could bring disaster!

In just a few moments, the vast training ground was left with only Fang Xiao and Lin Chong.

Fang Xiao put away his refined black-iron spear and, brimming with excitement, asked, “Instructor, when did you return?”

At that moment, Fang Xiao was filled with boundless joy!

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PS: At last, I’ve finished handling my daughter’s enrollment. Thank you all for your blessings and support! Now your author can get back to writing this book in earnest!