C3 Revenge

Sensing a shift in Chen Chu's demeanor, Zhang Xiangtian and Zhao Qianli instinctively stepped back before Zhang Xiangtian regained his composure and declared, "A cripple without a trace of Genuine Qi, and you still fancy yourself at the peak of the Qi Refinement Stage?"

"It looks like this cripple hasn't learned a thing after three years in bed. I'll be the one to school him."

With a menacing laugh, Zhang Xiangtian charged, Genuine Qi surging from his Dantian, fists cutting through the air with a chilling force.

From behind, Xiaowan's voice pierced the tension, "Be careful!"

Chen Chu's mind raced with lethal intent. He met the oncoming assault head-on, his movements a blur as he sidestepped the fearsome blow. In a swift counter, his hand arced toward Zhang Xiangtian's ribs, Genuine Qi coursing through his arm, his palm glowing with a sudden brilliance. A resounding thud echoed as Zhang Xiangtian was sent hurtling like a kite severed from its string, finally crashing to a halt against a large tree yards away.

Clutching his side, Zhang Xiangtian's face twisted in pain before he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Zhao Qianli, who had been smirking at the sidelines, was jolted by the turn of events. He hadn't anticipated that Chen Chu, recently bedridden, would explode with a force rivaling the Fifth Level of the Qi Refinement Stage, leaving Zhang Xiangtian grievously wounded with a single strike.

Just half a month earlier, Zhang Xiangtian had broken through to the Fifth Level of the Qi Refinement Stage. As a seasoned bodyguard, his combat prowess was unmatched among his equals.

The spectacle before him left Zhao Qianli reeling, the urge to flee rising within him. But the mission entrusted to him by that man steeled his resolve, his fists clenched in frustration.

He bellowed with fury, "Chen Chu, you're digging your own grave. I spared you once, thinking you were nothing but a cripple. But today, you've harmed my brother, and for that, you'll pay with your life."

Having found justification to put Chen Chu to death, Zhao Qianli dropped all pretense. His Genuine Qi surged outward, showcasing the formidable power of the Seventh Level of the Qi Refinement Stage. With a thunderous stomp, Zhao Qianli charged at Chen Chu with lightning speed, his right leg, brimming with dense Genuine Qi, delivering a vicious kick to Chen Chu's chest.

Chen Chu recognized the martial technique Zhao Qianli unleashed; it was merely the Low-grade Yellow Rank Cloud Piercing Kick. In the past, such an assault would have left Chen Chu with no choice but to close his eyes and await his demise. But now, having assumed control of this body, he refused to be victimized any longer.

The disturbance on the street soon drew the curiosity of several clan members. Upon realizing that one of the combatants was Chen Chu, they began murmuring among themselves. As Zhao Qianli executed the Low-grade Yellow Rank martial skill against Chen Chu, some women hastily shielded their eyes, unwilling to witness what they feared would be Chen Chu's tragic end.

A cold smirk played at the corner of Chen Chu's mouth. If he couldn't overpower his opponent with decisive force, his rebirth would have been in vain. Without hesitation, he employed a martial skill deeply etched in his memory.

The Netherworld Finger, a Low-grade Profound Rank martial skill, capable of shattering myriad techniques when fully mastered.

As the threatening leg bore down on him, Chen Chu swiftly channeled the Genuine Qi within his body. It flowed through his meridians, converging at his fingertips. As the leg's shadow loomed over his chest, Chen Chu sidestepped, his fingers slicing through Zhao Qianli's Genuine Qi shield like a dragon darting out of its cave. A burst of purple Genuine Qi shot forth, branding Zhao Qianli's chest.

A dull thud echoed as Zhao Qianli's frame shuddered violently. He stared at Chen Chu with eyes wide with terror, his cheeks twitching involuntarily as he collapsed, defeated and disbelieving.

It was inconceivable to him that a youth who had been bedridden for three years could unleash such a fearsome offensive.

Zhao Qianli's body convulsed, blood frothing at his mouth, his life hanging by a thread. Xiaowan rushed to Chen Chu's side, anxiously examining him for injuries. Only when she confirmed that he was entirely unscathed did she allow herself a breath of relief.

Chen Chu vowed to exact revenge for the young man who shared his name. He approached Zhang Xiangtian, who lay gasping beneath a tree. Sensing Chen Chu's murderous approach, Zhang scrambled to his feet in a panic. But before he could flee, Chen Chu's kick sent him sprawling in the dust, his appearance pitiful.

The onlookers, still stunned, realized Chen Chu was not about to spare Zhang Xiangtian. Opting to steer clear of the unfolding drama, they slunk away, including several of Zhang's allies.

Chen Chu seized Zhang by the collar and hissed, "You and your accomplice deserved death long ago. When you exploited my injury to ruin my meridians, you should've foreseen this reckoning. Now tell me, who put you up to this?"

Under Chen Chu's piercing stare, Zhang's face shifted through shades of fear. A glance at Zhao Qianli's corpse sent shivers down his legs, and, desperate to survive, he spilled the truth.

"The Second Elder—it was he who commanded us. Chen Chu, for the sake of our childhood bond, please let me go. I'm begging you."

Three years prior, Chen Chu was the prodigious Young Lord of the Chen Family, peerless in strength. He was destined to enter the Genuine Essence Mirror before fifteen and represent Wanbei City at the Qingzhou Heavenly South Academy's entrance exam, a feat that would've made him a legend.

But envy had festered in the heart of the Second Elder, whose son Chen Chu had replaced. During a clan training exercise months ago, the Elder had planted a herb in Chen Chu's pack that lured a high-level Strange Beast, resulting in a grievous injury. Upon his return, Zhang and Zhao left him paralyzed for three years.

Now, understanding the full scope of his betrayal, Chen Chu's face darkened with rage. Disgusted by Zhang's groveling, he delivered a palm strike to his chest, obliterating his internal organs with a surge of Genuine Qi.

Xiaowan was startled and stood silently to the side, sensing a change in the young man before her. He seemed transformed, exuding a newfound confidence and shedding his former despondency.

Chen Chu's spirits lifted slightly after dispatching two nobodies. Turning to Xiaowan, who was gazing at him intently, he said with earnest, "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

Shaking her head, Xiaowan appeared oblivious to the nearby corpses. She grasped Chen Chu's hand and cheerfully led him across the street. The demise of two inconsequential individuals paled in comparison to the joy she felt for Chen Chu's recuperation.

"Young Master, you're finally well again. The Patriarch sent me to relay a message to you. Now that you're recovered, you should visit him. A face-to-face conversation would be best."

Chen Chu's mood brightened considerably at the sight of Xiaowan's joy. With a resigned smile, he responded, "Thank you."

As they made their way through the alleyways and courtyards, they drew many curious glances.

It had been three years since Chen Chu had vanished from public view, and at first glance, he was hardly recognizable. It wasn't until the pair had moved on that the onlookers began to recall who he was, sparking exclamations of surprise.

"Look, isn't that Chen Chu? The so-called failure has actually recovered."

"I thought my eyes were deceiving me. Didn't the Patriarch bring in numerous Genuine Essence Stage masters to heal him years ago? They all failed back then. Who would've thought that after a few years of absence, he'd make such a recovery?"

"Ah, what's the use now? He's just an ordinary person. Such a waste of a promising talent."

"Even if he starts over now, it's too late. He's no match for the big leagues. I've heard that the Second Elder's son, Chen Jie, has already reached the third level of the Genuine Essence Stage. How enviable."

"Everyone at the Heavenly South Academy is exceptionally gifted..."