Chapter 23

**Slap!**

"Everyone, stop for a moment!" Yang Meng suddenly clapped his hands, his voice loud and resonant throughout the training ground. "Today's training ends here. Next, we will have a sparring match!"

In an instant, the vast training ground fell silent.

Martial artists are naturally combative, a trait deeply ingrained in their bones. However, private duels were forbidden within the clan, and most of the time in the training ground was spent practicing, so opportunities for sparring matches were rare.

At this moment, hearing Yang Meng announce a sparring match, everyone became incredibly excited, rubbing their hands together and eager to participate.

"Practicing martial arts is important, but actual combat is even more crucial. Without real combat, no matter how well you practice, it's just a show, looking good but useless. — Yang Xu, step forward!"

Yang Meng pointed at a Yang clan member who was taller than the others and eager to participate.

"Yes, Big Brother."

Yang Xu, the Yang clan member, stepped forward excitedly, his eyes scanning the crowd, eagerly awaiting his challenger.

The sparring match in the training ground was not only rare, satisfying everyone's combative nature, but it was also a rare opportunity to stand out and gain recognition. Who wouldn't want to stand out and feel proud?

However, today's sparring match seemed a bit special—

"The White Snake Martial Technique is one of the important martial techniques of our Yang clan. However, some of us have stiff bodies and forced movements, looking similar but lacking the essence. Today, I will show you what true White Snake Martial Technique is!"

Yang Meng's voice was powerful, echoing throughout the square.

In an instant, all the Yang clan members showed looks of surprise. Previous sparring matches were not like this. What did Big Brother Yang Meng mean? Was he going to participate himself?

In addition to their surprise, everyone felt a sense of anticipation. Yang Meng was one of the Five Tigers of the Yang clan, a martial arts expert, and his status was much higher than theirs. Opportunities to see him in action were rare!

However, Yang Xu felt a bit dejected.

"Bad luck!"

Yang Xu cursed inwardly. He had been looking forward to a chance to dominate and stand out, but facing Yang Meng... the outcome was obvious.

In front of Yang Meng, he would be nothing more than a minor player.

Just as everyone was eagerly awaiting Yang Meng to demonstrate the "White Snake Martial Technique" himself, an unexpected turn of events occurred—

"Yang Ji, come up here! —"

Yang Meng said, suddenly turning his head and coldly staring at Yang Ji behind him.

**Boom!**

When Yang Meng uttered his name, Yang Ji's entire body trembled as if struck by lightning.

He had been lost in his own world, not even noticing when the Yang clan members in the training ground had stopped practicing. He never expected Yang Meng to target him!

Surprised! Shocked!

Yang Ji was caught off guard!

"Exposed!!"

After the initial shock, Yang Ji's first reaction was that his identity had been revealed.

This was definitely not what he wanted, although in the heart of the clan, it was almost impossible for the surrounding people not to notice a living person!

From the beginning, Yang Ji knew his actions would eventually be discovered; the only question was when.

But Yang Ji always harbored a bit of hope, until this moment—

In an unexpected situation, Yang Ji suddenly went from an unimportant bystander at the edge of the training ground to the center of everyone's attention.

Surprised! Astonished! Unbelievable!

Various expressions appeared on the faces of the crowd. After a moment of dead silence, the training ground erupted in loud laughter!

"Ha ha ha, Yang Ji! It's actually him?"

"Yang Meng is making him spar with Yang Xu?"

"What a joke!"

"Look at his stunned face! — Yang Xu will teach him what the White Snake Martial Technique is!"

"I bet a month's salary that this kid won't last a single move!"

"What a waste of words! Isn't it obvious?"

...

Everyone laughed at Yang Ji. His expression only fueled their ridicule and mockery.

Yang Meng had spoken so grandly that everyone thought he would participate himself, but unexpectedly, he made a 180-degree turn and chose "Yang Ji" to come up!

In the face of such a stark contrast, no one at this moment questioned why Yang Ji was here or why he was in the heart of the clan!

Compared to Yang Meng making Yang Ji "teach" Yang Xu the "White Snake Martial Technique," these minor details seemed insignificant.

Amidst the laughter, only Yang Meng remained calm and unmoved.

This was exactly the effect he had deliberately created. He had said so much not to praise Yang Ji, but to make him look foolish in front of everyone. And now, his goal was achieved!

"Well, Yang Ji? Come up and teach your fellow clan members!"

Yang Meng looked down at Yang Ji from a height, his cold gaze piercing through him.

In an instant, the vast training ground fell silent again. Everyone who thought Yang Meng was joking sensed a different tone in his words.

Even the most foolish person could now tell that Yang Meng was serious, and immediately, mocking, ridiculing, and disdainful gazes fell on Yang Ji from all directions.

No one believed that Yang Ji would really come up. They could almost predict his fleeing in disgrace.

Even Yang Xu, the challenged, crossed his arms.

"Arrogant fool, if I don't show you your place, you won't know who you are!"

Yang Meng sneered inwardly.

He was waiting to see Yang Ji's humiliation.

Yang Ji didn't speak, his mind racing with thoughts.

Yang Meng's reaction was indeed unexpected. Upon reflection, the familiar words he had said earlier were clearly a repetition of his own words.

"Words do indeed bring disaster!"

Yang Ji smiled bitterly, understanding where he had offended Yang Meng. Honestly, he had no such intention, but it was too late to say anything now.

Although Yang Ji didn't want to draw attention or be noticed by the matriarch again, it was too late to regret now.

"Fine! I'll come up!"

Yang Ji didn't hesitate for long, responding decisively.

Since this incident had happened, he couldn't secretly sneak in to learn martial arts anymore. Instead of fleeing in disgrace, he might as well use this opportunity to test his skills.

Yang Ji also wanted to know if his understanding was correct or not.

This question had troubled him for a long time. For several days, it had been on his mind, even leading to this "disaster."

If he didn't resolve this issue, Yang Ji would feel a constant discomfort, making it hard to eat or sleep. Even if he was noticed by the matriarch, he couldn't ignore it.

Now, the only way was through actual combat!

Only in actual combat could he test his skills.

**Thud!**

Yang Ji lifted his leg and immediately walked up the platform under everyone's watchful eyes.

The training ground fell silent. Seeing Yang Ji climb the stone steps, the Yang clan members felt a sense of disbelief.

Yang Ji had come up! He had actually come up! Did he really think he could defeat Yang Xu, a clan disciple trained to the ninth level of the Breathing Technique?

No one could believe their eyes. But Yang Ji's expression was calm, his steps steady, not at all like someone acting crazy.

The next moment, the training ground erupted in excitement, as if everyone had been injected with adrenaline.

"Ha ha ha, this will be entertaining!"

All eyes were on Yang Ji.

At the edge of the training ground, watching Yang Ji walk up, Yang Meng's face showed a moment of surprise, then his eyes narrowed, revealing a cold glint.

"Good! Very good! I want to see what makes you think you can say such things."

Yang Meng's mind raced, and he immediately turned to face the crowd.

"Now, everyone, let's welcome Yang Ji to 'teach' us what true White Snake Martial Technique is!"

Yang Meng's voice was loud and clear. He pointed at Yang Xu and said harshly:

"Yang Ji is very 'skilled'! It's rare for him to personally guide you, so consider this your good fortune. Pay attention and use your full strength. If you show any slack, don't blame me for being harsh!"

Even a fool could tell that Yang Meng was speaking sarcastically.

Therefore, Yang Xu clenched his fists, making a cracking sound, and smiled sinisterly.

"Big Brother, rest assured, I will use my full strength and hold nothing back! — Yang Ji, you better be ready to teach me!"

Everyone laughed, knowing that Yang Xu was going to give him a hard time. With Yang Xu's strength, Yang Ji would be lucky to last a single move.

"Yang Xu, go easy on him!"

A Yang clan member laughed.

Amidst the laughter, Yang Ji slowly entered the square and stood opposite Yang Xu.

"Alright, the match begins!"

Yang Meng announced without further ado.

In the square, Yang Xu did not immediately attack. He took a few steps closer, looking at Yang Ji and laughed.

"Hehe, Yang Ji, I will use my full strength, so don't hold back either!"

Hearing Yang Xu's words, everyone laughed, their excitement reaching a peak.

"Yang Xu, beat him up!"

"Ha ha ha, don't listen to him, save some energy for the matriarch, or she might find you trouble."

"Eight zhang! If you can't throw him out eight zhang in one move, I'll disown you!"

"Get lost! Be careful, or she'll skin you alive!"

"Ha ha ha, finish it quickly, don't waste time. Finish the match and don't delay everyone!"

...

In the square, everyone laughed and cheered.

Yang Ji remained calm, unfazed by the laughter. After eight years of being marginalized and suppressed within the clan, this level of ridicule was nothing to him.

---

**End of Chapter**