Chapter 32: Confidence (2)

Nangong Xian's body stiffened, and so did everyone else's.

By confessing his mistake, Nangong Xian had severely damaged his dignity. It would be difficult for him to hold his head high for a while.

However, if Yan Hozheng does not accept this apology, the matter will truly escalate. From now on, it will become an issue of self-respect before face.

Yan Hozheng smiled.

His charming smile seemed so bright.

"As you know, I am someone who loves martial arts."

Suddenly, what was he talking about?

"Confessing your mistake is good, but isn't the ending too awkward?"

Ming Helin's eyes wavered.

"Surely, you don't intend to challenge Nangong Xian to a duel as well?"

Under the cold silence, the sound of swallowing could be heard.

No one here had not seen Yan Hozheng's skills.

Yan Hozheng's martial arts are strong. Not just at the level of a young master, but someone whose skills would be recognized even in the martial world.

If his spear were to point at Nangong Xian, Nangong Xian would not be safe. What would happen then?

War. The Nangong family would not let this matter go.

Yan Hozheng chuckled.

"The duel with Chusheng was a contest of pride between martial artists. However, since Scholar Nangong has apologized, I don't want to make things worse."

"Then what?"

Yan Hozheng looked around.

"As you all know, the gathering of young masters is more about fostering camaraderie, right?"

"Yes, but?"

"Sharing a drink and building friendship is good, but there's nothing better than exchanging techniques to truly understand each other."

"..."

"Any endeavor requires interaction and self-reflection to grow. Martial arts are no different. If you truly want to foster camaraderie, let's do it like true martial artists."

Whoosh!

Yan Hozheng casually threw his spear.

Surprisingly, the target was Yan Zhiping.

Thwack!

Yan Zhiping skillfully caught the spear.

Everyone's faces showed amazement.

Yan Zhiping was the youngest in this gathering. Yet, he caught the spear that flew quickly without any difficulty.

Yan Hozheng came down from the training ground.

"Brother Pang."

"Huh? Me? Me?"

"My brother's talent is the best in the family. But he is still young. Can you teach him a move or two?"

"Wh-what?!"

Yan Hozheng looked at Yan Zhiping.

Yan Zhiping was also taken aback, but seeing his brother's eyes, he smiled.

'Brother is really like a slippery eel.'

'If it's good, it's good. Since it's come to this, learn as much as you can.'

Yan Zhiping respectfully saluted Pang Daohu.

"I am Yan Zhiping of the Yan family. May I request a move from Brother Pang?"

Pang Daohu, who had been staring at Yan Hozheng and Yan Zhiping with a bewildered look, burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! I'm all in! Are all the Yan family people like this?"

"I'm the odd one out. If Father knew this, he wouldn't let me off."

"Hahaha! Good! I was already itching to get my hands dirty thanks to Brother Yan!"

"Be gentle."

"Gentle? If I'm gentle, I'll be the one to suffer!"

Pang Daohu turned and shouted.

"Hey! Manhu!"

"What?"

"Don't just stand there awkwardly. Go learn a few moves from Brother Yan!"

"…But I'll get beaten like a dog, won't I?"

"Kid, that's also a form of learning!"

"Ahem!"

Pang Manhu slowly approached Yan Hozheng.

"Can you be gentle?"

"Learn by feeling the pain."

"Damn."

Yan Hozheng looked around with a puzzled expression. People blinked.

Yan Hozheng chuckled and took Pang Manhu to a corner of the training ground.

That was it.

Without a word, his back turned, which greatly stimulated the young masters' blood.

Even without saying, "Rest if you want, do as you please," his expression already said it all. "Are you still martial artists?"

Their hearts boiled. Not with anger, but with a competitive spirit.

At that moment, Ming Helin spoke.

"Thinking about it, Scholar Yan's words make sense."

His voice immediately changed the awkward atmosphere.

"Building camaraderie is good, but we are martial artists, aren't we? We stake our lives on a single sword. Such opportunities are rare."

Yan Hozheng's eyes, which were walking away, flashed fiercely.

Unaware of this, Ming Helin continued in a cheerful tone.

"Who wants to try the Ming family's martial arts?"

At that moment, Murong Yanhua stepped forward.

"I've always been curious about the Ming family's martial arts. Can I learn from this opportunity?"

"I would be honored."

The atmosphere heated up.

With the Yan brothers and Pang brothers leading, Ming Helin and Murong Yanhua also joined, and the other young masters started to notice.

They were already excited from watching the spirited fight between Yan Hozheng and Chusheng. It felt wrong to just stand by.

"Ahem! It's a bit sudden, but..."

"What can we do? Everyone wants to. Besides, my hands were already itching. I've been resting for days."

"Right? I've never had such a long rest in my family."

"Miss Zhuge! Let's have a go!"

"Ah, Miss Zhuge is with me..."

"Little Murong. Do you want to learn from this big sister?"

"I'm not little. But are you strong, big sister?"

The outer courtyard, which had been silent, gradually came to life.

At first, it was awkward, but that didn't last long. People who were hesitant to step forward would eventually do so once the atmosphere heated up.

Soon, the entire outer courtyard became a training ground for the young masters.

Those who found partners practiced seriously, and those without partners cultivated their inner energy. When they felt they had learned enough, they would switch partners and continue dueling.

Like a single spark setting a mountain ablaze, the courtyard was filled with shouts and the sounds of martial arts.

Gadeshang looked at Yan Hozheng with a strange expression.

Yan Hozheng was facing Pang Manhu in a corner of the training ground. His expression and movements suggested he was genuinely engaging with him.

"Truly an enigma."

The young masters and even the bodyguards seemed to have forgotten the earlier incident. They no longer cared about the intense competition.

'It seems he has some ulterior motive...'

Gadeshang scratched his head.

'Wow! To influence so many people's moods like this?'

It was no ordinary skill. Not only his martial arts and eloquence, but his ability to steer the atmosphere to his liking was exceptional.

Yet, it wasn't annoying. He didn't force people to do things, but rather guided them to act on their own.

"Hello."

"Eh?"

Gadeshang looked to the side.

Zhuge Jun was there.

"I am Zhuge Jun of the Zhuge family."

"Ah! I know, I know."

"Senior Hukai's martial arts are truly remarkable. If it's not too much trouble, can you teach me a move?"

Gadeshang couldn't help but laugh.

It wasn't because of anything else. Zhuge Jun's proposal surprisingly made his hands itch. He had been swept up in the atmosphere.

Gadeshang admitted this fact shamelessly.

"Sure! Let's have some fun!"

"Thank you!"

Everyone was deeply passionate, challenging each other's martial arts.

Nangong Xian was not among them.

* * *

Bang!

Nangong Xian, who had returned to his quarters, punched a hole in the wall.

"Huff huff!"

His face was flushed, and his expression was terrifyingly distorted.

"Damn it! Damn it!"

He couldn't control his anger. Nangong Xian punched the wall repeatedly.

"Ah!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

He was so angry that he couldn't even channel his inner energy properly. His fists were quickly covered in blood.

'Such humiliation.'

In over twenty years, he had never experienced such humiliation.

Growing up with a cold, rational mind and outstanding talent, he was expected to be a pillar of the Nangong family. Even with an older brother, he never thought his talent was inferior.

How else would his father have entrusted him with this task? It showed how much he trusted him.

But what now? Not only did he fail to suppress Yan Hozheng, but he was humiliated in front of everyone.

This was no ordinary matter. He had stepped in to clean up the mess caused by Nangong Shanghua, but his own actions were also despicable.

Now, everyone was swept up in the training, but once it ended, someone would surely spread the word.

Nangong Xian's face turned even redder. The thought of people whispering behind his back made his head feel like it would explode.

"I'll kill him...!"

He was so angry that even Nangong Shanghua annoyed him.

"Thunderbolt! I sent him to prevent trouble, and he made things this bad? Damn it!"

If not for Nangong Shanghua, he wouldn't have suffered such humiliation.

Yan Hozheng didn't bring up his brother for no reason. The bastard was using Nangong Shanghua's misdeeds to blackmail him.

'Fucking bastard!'

Yan Hozheng was a madman. Bringing up that incident in front of everyone would surely make the Yan family suffer. The Nangong family would never forget this humiliation.

But the bastard's eyes were genuine. He was truly ready to die.

So he stepped forward, and the result was the worst possible.

"I'll kill him. I will definitely kill him!"

His voice was filled with murderous intent.

The first person to humiliate him in his life. Nangong Xian genuinely wanted to kill Yan Hozheng.

'Why does Ayan like such a bastard?'

Thinking about the bastard, Zhuge Ayan came to mind.

'...!!'

Nangong Xian clearly saw the disappointed look in Zhuge Ayan's eyes.

The burning anger flared up again.

Zhuge Ayan shouldn't look at him like that. Even if she felt sorry for him, she shouldn't look at him with those eyes.

"Damn it...!"

He didn't like it.

He didn't like anything. This situation, Yan Hozheng, and even Zhuge Ayan didn't sit well with him right now.

After taking several deep breaths, Nangong Xian shouted.

"Jingqu!"

A moment later, a swordsman entered. The most senior of the guards who came with Chusheng.

"Did you call me?"

"..."

"Master Nangong?"

Nangong Xian lifted his head.

Seeing his eyes, Jingqu flinched.

"Where is the Tang family bastard being treated?"

* * *

"I learned a lot!"

"I also learned a lot. The Pang family's sword techniques are impressive. They truly deserve to be called the champions of Hebei."

"Hahaha! I haven't even mastered half of it. I'll ask again later!"

"Sure. But are you... okay?"

"My body is tough!"

"The bruise on your shoulder, did you get that from the iron rod?"

"…Let's go first!"

Pang Daohu quickly found someone else.

Ming Helin took a deep breath.

'This is tough.'

After a long time, facing a few different martial arts styles made his shoulders sore.

'Have I gone through everyone?'

At that moment,

"I've been waiting."

Ming Helin turned his head.

Yan Hozheng, holding an iron rod, stood there with a cold expression.

"You're the last."