Chapter 2 02

Zhi Hao knew that if he stayed there, he would only continue to be humiliated. Even though he was furious and seething with anger, acting impulsively wouldn't change anything. "If I act rashly, it will only lead to my destruction. Who would help me? My father? The clan? That's completely impossible." He thought to himself as he took steps to leave.

Zhi Hao clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the rage burning in his chest. Every word Xiao Bei spat at him was like acid corroding his pride and heart. He knew that every moment spent in that place would only deepen his suffering.

"You are nothing but trash beneath our feet!" Xiao Bei shouted, his voice dripping with disdain. His words echoed in Zhi Hao's ears, stabbing deep into his exhausted soul.

Bang! Another brutal kick landed.

Xiao Bei's eyes sparkled with satisfaction as he watched Zhi Hao stagger from the impact.

"Leave, before I humiliate you even further!" Xiao Bei sneered, shoving Zhi Hao with his foot.

Zhi Hao felt blood trickling from the corner of his lips, a bitter reminder of the pain that ran deeper than physical wounds. His heart was shattered, but he knew he had to keep his head cool. "Fighting you now won't restore my honor. I need power-enough strength to surpass you, to take my revenge," he whispered to himself.

"Look, it's Zhi Hao, the trash of the Zhi Clan!" a young man from the crowd jeered, followed by bursts of laughter from others.

"Maybe he's just an adopted child, which is why he can't inherit the Zhi Clan's strength," someone remarked.

"A pathetic orphan with no shame!" another added with a mocking tone.

Each word hurled at him felt like shards of glass cutting into his already wounded heart.

Zhi Hao gripped his sword tightly, his eyes reddened, but he refused to shed tears before them.

His feet moved faster, leaving behind the growing taunts and ridicule.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the city, Zhi Hao found a large, shady tree that seemed to offer him a brief escape from the cruel world.

He sat down, his back leaning against the sturdy trunk. His trembling hands covered his face, trying to hide the invisible wounds. The soft breeze carried a silence that contrasted with the vicious hatred he had just endured.

Under that tree, Zhi Hao took deep breaths, attempting to dispel the echoes of mockery and regain some strength. He knew this wasn't the end-this was merely a test of a power he had yet to discover.

Suddenly, a shadow moved from above, descending swiftly from the very tree Zhi Hao was leaning against.

Zhi Hao, still aching from Xiao Bei's torment and the countless insults, was startled by the sharp sound of cutting wind.

Swoosh!

A blade darted toward his neck, aiming to sever a life that he himself thought was already worthless. But in an instant, another sword clashed with the attack, deflecting it with force.

Clang!

Sparks erupted as the blades collided.

Zhi Hao rolled to the side, instinctively avoiding the dangerous crossfire. His heart pounded as he realized someone had just tried to end his life.

"Run, Young Master!" a tense voice called out.

The voice jolted Zhi Hao's memory. It was Wang, a familiar figure from his past visits to his father.

Ignoring the pain surging through his body, Zhi Hao forced himself to run, stumbling forward as he obeyed Wang's command. His instincts screamed at him-his life now hung by a thread, dependent on every step he took.

"Hahaha! Do you really think you can stop me?" a deep, chilling voice sneered. The cloaked figure raised his hand, swiftly pulling his sword back.

Wang sighed, preparing for what would surely be a grueling battle. "If you want to kill Young Master Zhi, you'll have to step over my dead body first. Who are you?" he challenged, his voice calm yet firm.

A cold chuckle escaped from beneath the attacker's hood. "Hahaha. You don't need to know who I am. What matters is that he must die. If you wish to die first, I'll gladly oblige."

With blinding speed, the figure lunged at Wang, his sword flashing with deadly precision. Wang, his years of experience kicking in, dodged the strike and drew his own blade.

The air was filled with the sound of steel clashing.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Sparks flew as fierce strikes collided.

Boom!

Boom!

BANG!

"Oh, it's you! I should have known. Did you come under orders from the Second Young Master?" Wang asked, his voice dripping with suspicion as he locked eyes with Elder Mo.

Elder Mo, his wrinkled face reflecting the sharpness of his mind, no longer bothered to deny it. "Indeed, I came under his command. But do you really think I arrived unprepared, Wang?" he rasped with confidence.

A cruel smirk formed on Elder Mo's lips. "I have already sent two of my subordinates after him. He is as good as dead!" he declared, as if the battle was already won.

Elder Wang raised an eyebrow, unshaken. "Why bother killing him? He's not even the heir, despite being the eldest son." He taunted, trying to find cracks in Elder Mo's resolve.

Without wasting another moment-

"Lightning Sword Technique-Thunder Strike!" Elder Mo roared, his voice booming like a storm. A crackling blue lightning bolt formed at the tip of his sword, flashing toward Wang with immense speed.

Slash!

Whoosh!

Wang remained calm, lifting an eyebrow as a smirk played on his lips. "Oh? So you've mastered the Zhi Clan's sword techniques. I never expected an outsider to wield it. It seems the Second Young Master no longer cares about his place in the Zhi Clan," he mocked. With a near-invisible movement, he swung his sword.

"Phantom Blade Technique-Twin Phantom Blades!"

Two identical sword images materialized beside him, slicing toward Elder Mo simultaneously.

Swoosh!

BOOM!

The two powerful techniques collided midair, resulting in a massive explosion. Dust and sparks erupted in every direction, and the deafening blast reverberated through the battlefield. Both warriors were forced back a few steps but quickly steadied themselves, their gazes locked in an unyielding battle of will-waiting to see who would make the next move in this deadly duel.

---

Deep in the shadowed forest near Linggau City, Zhi Hao continued his frantic escape, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the Zhi Clan.

The ominous forest was his only hope-a sanctuary where he could hide, survive, and nurture his growing hatred. Desperation and fear swirled within him as he realized he had nowhere else to go.

Sensing an imminent threat, he quickened his pace. In the distance, two figures gracefully leaped through the dense trees.

"Look at him, running around like a headless chicken!" one of the pursuers taunted, his laughter slicing through the eerie silence of the forest.

"We need to finish this quickly and return to assist Elder Mo. Let's not let him fight Wang alone," the other urged, swiftly drawing his blade.

With a rush of wind, one of them leaped high, executing a mid-air spin before landing directly in front of Zhi Hao.

Time seemed to freeze.

Zhi Hao's breath caught in his throat, fear surging through him as he realized his fate dangled by a fragile thread-his life now at the mercy of his enemies' arrogance.