Chapter 84

The appearance of Young Master Yang Shaoting came as a surprise to everyone.

Everyone knew that the three young masters of the Yang family had almost turned against each other in their competition for the position of young master. The second and third young masters were particularly at odds, almost ready to tear each other apart in a public spectacle. When Yang Shaoting appeared, surrounded by a crowd, the onlookers immediately fell silent, their faces filled with anticipation of the drama to come.

This is what they call, everyone's fate is unique, but the mentality for gossip is largely the same.

The moment Yang Shaoxing saw Yang Shaoting, his face darkened, but he didn't understand why he was there, so he held back and said nothing.

Yang Shaoting, who was used to being arrogant and domineering, had been the center of attention for a long time. He was completely unfazed by the crowd's gaze and walked straight to Xu Dong's side, feigning surprise: "Xiao Dongzi, do you know how hard I've been looking for you? Let's go, let's go, let's go have a drink."

He tried to pull Xu Dong away. Xu Dong, of course, knew the principle of going along with the flow, so he smiled slightly and prepared to leave with him.

Yang Shaoxing was furious, "Third Brother, this person stole the practice of our Yang family's Fierce Tiger Style and killed Yang Buqu and Yang Buli. He is very likely a spy sent by a neighboring country!" As he spoke, he was about to grab the person.

Though he didn't say it outright, his meaning was clear—this person, I must kill him, so get out of my way!

Suddenly, a sharp light flashed in Cheng Jianbang's eyes, and a formidable aura spread out, creating a whirlwind that blew the hair of those around him into disarray, causing great alarm!

Yang Shaoxing, who was the first to feel the impact, felt his breath catch, and his face showed shock: "You've actually made another breakthrough?!"

In the military, promotion depends on both seniority and strength, but strength is more important! With the strength Cheng Jianbang displayed, it would be easy for him to take charge of the entire gate guard army, not just a single battalion! The fact that he chose to display his strength at this moment was truly thought-provoking.

Seeing that Yang Shaoxing couldn't advance or retreat, and that Yang Shaoting was pulling the person away, Liang Shanley knew that the matter was beyond salvaging and would end in a disappointing anticlimax. After all, as a party involved, he couldn't meddle in the Yang family's internal affairs, as the nature of the situation was different, and thus the handling methods would be different.

This outcome left Liang Shanley feeling humiliated, and he secretly harbored resentment towards Yang Shaoxing. Seeing the other party humiliated by Cheng Jianbang, he finally huffed in anger and stormed off.

The farce ended abruptly, and the onlookers found it rather tasteless. However, they were left with endless speculation about Xu Dong, the main character—a nobody who not only had the protection of Cheng Jianbang but also the support of the third young master of the Yang family!

The mysteries surrounding this would keep them busy for a while.

※※※

Yang Shaoxing had just returned home and hadn't had time to vent his anger when a servant rushed in to report, "Young Master, the eldest son has come with Father's order and is waiting in the hall!"

The mention of "Father's order" sent a chill through Yang Shaoxing's heart. He quickly tidied his clothes and, accompanied by Yang Bufan, went to the hall. There, a dignified young man sat upright, his expression calm, as if nothing in the world could disturb his peace.

Yang Shaoxing clenched his fists. He suddenly realized that both Cheng Jianbang and Yang Shaoting, as well as his elder brother, had made breakthroughs, while he had remained at the level of a three-star Awakened for half a year. This feeling of frustration was like a venomous snake, constantly gnawing at his heart, making him extremely uncomfortable!

It was clear that Yang Shaoxing's anger was directed at Xu Dong and Yang Guang, who had humiliated him.

"Eldest Brother, what brings you here?"

Yang Shaoxing sat in the main seat, sipping the drink served by a servant, and asked in a measured tone.

The eldest son of the Yang family didn't speak but handed Father's order to Yang Shaoxing. The latter took it and read it, his face turning grim.

Soon, the veins on Yang Shaoxing's temples bulged, and he couldn't help but slam his hand on the armrest. With a crack, the armrest broke cleanly and fell to the ground, as if it had been soaked in sulfuric acid, with parts already melted.

He struggled to control his anger and demanded, "What does the head of the family mean by this?"

The fact that Yang Shaoxing referred to the head of the family rather than Father clearly showed his intense anger.

The eldest son of the Yang family smiled faintly, "Father said that this matter concerns the Yang family's status in the Northern Birch Province. If we succeed, not just Blood Helmet City, but even Tiankui, Lulan, and Iron Boot will be under the Yang family's control. With some effort, we might even become a first-class family in the Northern Birch Province. Anyone who disobeys the order, Father said, will be executed without mercy, even if they are close relatives!"

Hearing this, a wave of panic rose in Yang Shaoxing's heart. What was the Yang family planning during this time? As the second son, he knew only about the South Corner Village incident, but had received no wind of anything else! This sudden feeling of being excluded was chilling, "Eldest Brother must know something. Has Father already made a decision?"

The eldest son of the Yang family ignored his brother's speculation and continued, "For this matter, Father wants to withdraw your protective forces. Please do not obstruct this, Second Brother."

The three young masters of the Yang family had separated at the age of sixteen, and to ensure their safety, the family head had assigned a large number of high-level fighters as protective forces, including five-star Awakened.

The eldest son of the Yang family came and went quickly. In just fifteen minutes, he took away most of the forces, leaving only Yang Bufan at the second son's residence.

Feeling the emptiness of the mansion, Yang Shaoxing took a deep breath and said softly, "During the field trial, I must kill Dong and Yang Guang. I beg you to help me!"

Though his voice was light, Yang Bufan felt a chill run down his spine. He didn't hesitate and immediately bowed, "Wherever Second Young Master's sword points, I will fulfill my mission!"

※※※

At the inn, the crowd dispersed, each busy with their own affairs.

Yang Shaoting led a group of servants, including Mad Bull and Cold Dagger. These two, upon seeing Xu Dong and sensing the aura emanating from him, had to suppress their initial desire for revenge.

It was a joke; even at the one-star level, Xu Dong could take on both of them. Now, having advanced to the two-star Awakened level, even if they both attacked, the outcome would likely be the same.

Moreover, the attitude of the third young master, Yang Shaoting, towards Xu Dong was obvious. How could they dare to have such thoughts?

On the way, Yang Shaoting didn't stop talking, "A few days ago, I took the Power Fruit you sold me, and, hehe, I actually broke through. You don't know how many Power Fruits my mother had to find to activate the flesh armor in my body, but it was your fruit that finally gave me the chance to break through."

Taking Power Fruits to activate the flesh armor in the body also has a certain failure rate. However, Yang Shaoting's case was indeed rare.

Yang Shaoting chuckled, "I know you must be wondering. Second Brother is a member of the Yang family, and Yang Buqu and Yang Buli are naturally part of the Yang family's dogs. You killed them and stole the Fierce Tiger Style, yet I can act as if nothing happened. Let me tell you, the reason is simple. Second Brother is my competitor, and if my competitor is weakened, I'm happy, not angry. Why would I cause you trouble?"

At this point, he changed the subject, "By the way, when I saw the wounds on Yang Buli's body, they seemed to be caused by brute force. Good boy, that strike must have been as powerful as a full-force attack from a three-star Strength Awakened. What type of Awakened are you? How can you be so strong?!"

Xu Dong just smiled without answering.

Praying opened her mouth but silently said, "None of your business!"

Xu Dong didn't answer, which was expected, and Yang Shaoting didn't press the issue. He sighed and said, "I was sitting in the Adventurer's Guild earlier and heard some rumors. Someone provided seven qualification vouchers for the assessment. I immediately thought of you."

"I also thought, how could you, who just became a one-star Awakened, have the strength of a two-star Awakened to accomplish this? In other words, in less than two weeks, you've made another breakthrough. I, Yang Shaoting, rarely admire anyone, but you are the first! So I decided to help you this time."

By the time he finished speaking, they had arrived at the Mondo Temple. After the ban was lifted, the square outside the Mondo Temple was crowded with people, either worshiping or praying, making it incredibly lively. White-robed cultivators were moving through the crowd, spreading the gospel of Mondo.

Not far from the Mondo Temple was the Blood Helmet City branch of the Adventurer's Guild, which was much quieter in comparison. However, those entering and exiting were all formidable figures.

At this moment, a cheerful, handsome young man appeared from a distance and walked straight into the Adventurer's Guild branch.

This young man could be none other than Yang Guang.

Unexpectedly, after fleeing from Praying, he had calmly returned to submit the assessment vouchers. It seemed that in this short time, he had recovered well, and there were no visible signs of injury.

Seeing Yang Guang, Praying's eyes turned red, and she gritted her teeth in hatred. If not for Xu Dong's restraint, she might have already rushed over.

Yang Shaoting stopped and turned to look at Xu Dong seriously, "Today, I saved your life, which is a huge favor. My favors are not easy to repay. Remember, you owe me a life. Alright, I have a lot of things to do, so we'll talk next time."

With that, he turned and left without any hesitation.

Xu Dong watched the gradually receding figure in the distance, thinking to himself, "I feel that Yang Shaoting is different from what I imagined. He doesn't seem like a spoiled rich kid."

Praying didn't hear this, as she was already storming towards the Adventurer's Guild branch, her anger boiling, "That bastard, if I don't teach him a lesson, I can't swallow this humiliation!"

Xu Dong could only smile bitterly, feeling helpless with this fiery-tempered girl.