Chapter 19

Jiang Yi had always been clear that he and Jiang Ruhu would inevitably have a confrontation. He had to settle the scores of so many years of grievances with Jiang Ruhu. If there was an opportunity, Jiang Ruhu would also take the initiative to find him, to maintain his authority as the leader among the second-tier members of the Jiang family.

After breaking through to the second level of the Cauldron Casting Realm last night, Jiang Yi was no longer afraid of Jiang Ruhu. Instead, he boldly went up the mountain, hoping that Jiang Ruhu would block him so he could vent his anger.

Now, Jiang Ruhu had come, but he felt no excitement. Instead, his face was full of bitterness, realizing he had been too careless.

Twenty people!

The weakest among them was at the second level of the Cauldron Casting Realm, and Jiang Bao, Jiang Song, and others were among them. With so many people, even if he had the strength of the fourth level of the Cauldron Casting Realm, it would be difficult for him to leave West Mountain unscathed. Not to mention, he had just broken through to the second level of the Cauldron Casting Realm, and he only had six strands of black essence energy in his dantian...

What could six strands of black essence energy do? Perhaps he could severely injure a few, but once the black essence energy was gone, he would surely be beaten to a pulp by the enraged crowd. If he was lucky, he might break a few bones; if he was unlucky, he could be beaten to death in the chaos. He knew these rich brats too well; once they got carried away, they wouldn't care about the consequences.

But... did he have a way out?

The twenty people had spread out early, surrounding him in the middle. The essence energy in their bodies was quietly circulating. No matter which direction he tried to escape, he would be caught and then fall into an endless siege.

Calm down! Calm down!

Jiang Yi's back was slightly hunched, like a wild beast, staring at Jiang Ruhu. His peripheral vision scanned the surroundings, and his ears listened to every sound. His mind raced, searching for a way out.

He must not die or be injured; otherwise, if he lay in bed for half a month, the Fengyue Tower would come looking for him, and Xiao Nu would be in danger. So today, he must win and leave West Mountain unscathed.

"What? Scared?"

Jiang Ruhu saw Jiang Yi tense up, and he felt a strange sense of satisfaction, finding it as amusing as a group of tigers playing with a monkey. The essence energy in his dantian quietly circulated, his face muscles twitching, and he walked toward Jiang Yi with a menacing air. He roared, "If you were afraid, you shouldn't have messed with my people. Now... it's too late! But, since I'm in a good mood today, I'll give you a chance. If you crawl under all of our legs, we'll let you off today. What do you say?"

"Brother Hu!"

Jiang Bao and Jiang Song were alarmed, but when they saw the strange look in Jiang Ruhu's eyes, they immediately understood and started laughing. When Jiang Yi crawled under their legs, it would be the perfect opportunity to ambush him. Jiang Ruhu had no intention of letting Jiang Yi off; he just wanted to humiliate him further...

Jiang Yi remained silent. Just as Jiang Ruhu was about to lose patience and signal an attack, Jiang Yi suddenly spoke, "Alright! I'll crawl, but I hope... Brother Hu, you keep your word."

"Huh?"

Many people exchanged glances, showing surprise. Most of the twenty people had bullied Jiang Yi before. Beating him up was the least of it; sometimes they had beaten him until he spat blood. But they had never seen Jiang Yi beg for mercy, let alone... voluntarily crawl under their legs.

Jiang Ruhu was not a fool; otherwise, he wouldn't be the leader of this group. A meaningful smile appeared on his lips. He quickly exchanged a glance with Jiang Ruying, a third-level Cauldron Casting Realm collateral member, and gave him a nod. Then he turned to Jiang Yi and nodded, "Of course. My word is as good as gold. As long as you crawl under all of our legs and promise to avoid us in the future, I'll let you off. Ruying, get into a horse stance!"

Jiang Ruying immediately stepped forward, squatted into a horse stance, and mockingly pointed to his crotch, "Come on! Crawl through."

"Ha ha ha!"

"Crawl! Crawl through!"

The crowd burst into laughter, all excitedly watching Jiang Yi, waiting to see him humiliated.

"Alright! I'll crawl..."

Jiang Yi gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and walked toward Jiang Ruying, his face full of anger and humiliation, his body trembling with rage. But there was no sign of essence energy circulating in his body, and his steps were unsteady, showing no intention of resisting.

"Ha ha—"

Some of the family members relaxed their guard and laughed, thinking Jiang Yi, this "waste," wouldn't dare to resist. Even if he did, what could he do with his first-level Cauldron Casting Realm strength? They didn't believe Jiang Yi had injured Jiang Bao and Jiang Song, and now they were even more convinced.

One step, two steps, three steps!

Jiang Yi lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and walked toward Jiang Ruying. When he was three feet away, he slowly bent down, preparing to crawl under Jiang Ruying's legs...

"Ha!"

At that moment, a sudden change occurred!

Jiang Ruying, who had been in a horse stance, suddenly leaped forward with a cold glint in his eyes. His right leg, surrounded by yellow essence energy, swung like a sharp axe, aiming to strike Jiang Yi's back.

A high-level martial technique, Mountain Splitting Leg.

Some of the Jiang family members were shocked. Did they really need such a high-level technique to deal with a small fry like Jiang Yi? Jiang Ruying's full-strength attack from the third level of the Cauldron Casting Realm would surely kill Jiang Yi. Two of the more timid ones even closed their eyes to avoid seeing the gory scene.

"Hmph!"

A heavy cold snort echoed. Jiang Yi, who had been bending down, seemed to have anticipated this. He suddenly raised his head, and blue essence energy flowed from his fist, which had been hidden in his sleeve. He fearlessly punched toward Jiang Ruying's powerful leg.

"Bang!" "Crack!"

A bone-breaking sound and a dull explosion of essence energy echoed. The collision of essence energy caused the air to vibrate, raising dust and blinding everyone. But at that moment, everyone forgot to close their eyes, staring wide-eyed at Jiang Ruying's body flying away like a broken kite...

"Boom!"

Jiang Ruying's body crashed to the ground, his right leg's pants torn, and his bloody calf bone visible. His face was contorted in pain, and he howled, clutching his right leg.

"What's going on?"

Everyone was stunned, except for Jiang Bao, who showed a hint of fear. His situation that day had been exactly the same as Jiang Ruying's; he had also been punched away by Jiang Yi...

"Jiang Ruhu, I knew you wouldn't let me off, so I never expected you to show mercy."

A cold voice startled everyone. Jiang Yi's body shot forward like an arrow, heading straight for Jiang Ruhu.

Capture the leader first!

Jiang Yi's goal was clear. Since there was no escape, he had to fight! To leave safely today, he had to... take down Jiang Ruhu.

So, from the beginning, he pretended to comply, making most of them relax their guard. Then, using the powerful strength enhanced by black essence energy, he punched Jiang Ruying away. Now, taking advantage of their shock, he prepared to take down Jiang Ruhu.

"Hmph! What are you waiting for? Attack him!"

Jiang Yi's plan was good, but he had miscalculated one thing. When Jiang Ruhu saw Jiang Yi charging at him, he didn't rush forward in anger. Instead, he quickly retreated and shouted, urging everyone to attack Jiang Yi.

"Attack!"

The three people next to Jiang Ruhu immediately woke up. They were used to following Jiang Ruhu's orders and didn't hesitate, their essence energy surging as they charged at Jiang Yi.

"Damn, this Jiang Ruhu has inherited his father's fighting spirit, cautious like a mouse and cunning like a snake. Sigh... I have no choice but to fight, black essence energy!"

Jiang Yi cursed inwardly. He never expected Jiang Ruhu, with his fourth-level Cauldron Casting Realm strength, to be so cautious. Thinking of his father, Jiang Yunshe, who was known as "Bamboo Leaf Green" for his cunning and deceit in Tianyu City, Jiang Yi felt a bit more at ease. With no other choice, he circulated a strand of black essence energy in his eyes and charged forward.

"Phantom Step!"

His eyes like lightning, he locked onto the three people approaching in a fan shape. Based on their movements, he predicted their attacks and trajectories, stepping in a strange pattern to the left.

"Huh?"

The one on the left was a third-level Cauldron Casting Realm member. He never expected Jiang Yi to charge at him instead of breaking through the other two second-level Cauldron Casting Realm warriors. Recalling how Jiang Ruying had been punched away, he hesitated, his steps faltering.

"Whoosh!"

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yi's body flashed, turning to the right. The two on the right, seeing Jiang Yi heading left, had already started to turn. Now, seeing him charge straight at them, they panicked and swung their fists at him.

"Silk Binding Hands!"

Jiang Yi's hands, like seaweed, wrapped around the two, easily restraining their arms. He turned his body, pulling them forward, and swept their legs with his leg like a venomous snake.

"Bang!"

As expected, the two stumbled and fell to the ground. Jiang Yi's body shot forward again, heading straight for Jiang Ruhu, his eyes cold as he shouted, "Jiang Ruhu, do you dare to fight me?"

"Here comes! Meteor Fist!"

Jiang Yi easily passed the two but seemed to forget the third person. The third-level Cauldron Casting Realm warrior, who had been fooled by Jiang Yi, now realized his mistake and charged at Jiang Yi, raising his fist to strike his back.

"Bang!"

At that moment, Jiang Yi didn't dodge. His body continued to charge forward, and the third-level Cauldron Casting Realm warrior easily hit his back. A powerful force surged, and Jiang Yi's body flew up.

"Ha ha! Jiang Yi, with your strength, you think you can fight me?"

Jiang Ruhu, who had been planning to dodge and continue the siege, now stopped and laughed, his eyes filled with murderous intent. Essence energy poured out of his body, and his fists, like iron hammers, aimed at the flying Jiang Yi.

"Spit!"

In mid-air, Jiang Yi's face showed no panic. Instead, his eyes held a mysterious smile. When he was two feet away from Jiang Ruhu, he suddenly opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood, splattering Jiang Ruhu's face and head...

Soon, a cold voice that made Jiang Ruhu shiver rang out, "Jiang Ruhu, you've fallen for my trap! If I don't break all four of your legs today, I'll write my name backward..."

"Damn!"

Jiang Ruhu, hit by the blood, couldn't open his eyes. His heart sank, and he stopped attacking, crossing his hands to protect his head. He hastily retreated and shouted hysterically, "All of you! Are you dead? Why aren't you attacking? Kill Jiang Yi, the bastard!"