Chapter-Thirteen: Bitch
Thump… thump… thump…*
Ning Chen descended the steps unhurriedly, his cold gaze sweeping over the crowd. Those in his path instinctively averted their eyes, shying away in fear.
To the onlookers, Ning Chen was a paradox—strikingly handsome yet exuding an air of dread akin to that of a devil.
This dread crept up from their soles to the crowns of their heads, leaving an icy chill that gripped their entire bodies.
Wherever his gaze landed, people avoided meeting it. Their fear only deepened when Ning Chen let out an eerie, unexplained chuckle:
"Hahahaha~"
At that moment, Ning Chen stood at the center of the gathering, but the crowd instinctively kept their distance, forming an empty circle around him.
His ink-black robe hung like the abyss itself, swirling lightly with his movements. Jet-black hair cascaded down to his shoulders, framing a physique that hinted at untamed power—plump, well-defined muscles, capable of monumental feats.
The hem of his robe bore fresh bloodstains, as did his pale, pristine hands. Yet, not a single drop belonged to him.
His imposing aura—feral and terrifying—overshadowed even his striking features.
Behind him, the arena was stained crimson. Gu Yue Qing Shu lay unconscious, his clothes and hair soaked in blood.
The school master stood rooted to the spot, torn between awe and fear. His eyes lingered on Ning Chen's retreating figure as complex emotions swirled in his heart.
*"Such a natural fighting talent! But also so ruthless in his strikes. He's perfect for combat… yet to pummel his classmate like this—it's hard to fathom how cold-hearted he must be!"*
Ning Chen walked steadily toward the school building. Inwardly, his thoughts were sharp and clear. The fierce anger that had erupted earlier wasn't a mere momentary loss of control.
*"Hahaha! I've been deliberately hiding my strength since I awakened, showing weakness to keep a low profile and focus on cultivation. But not only did it fail to reduce my troubles, it brought nuisances like Gu Yue Qingshu right to my doorstep."*
*"I can't help but wonder why he even decided to challenge me. But since he did, he must pay the price. If we weren't at school, Gu Yue Qingshu, I'd have beaten you to death without hesitation!"*
Ning Chen wasn't one to blindly endure. He adapted his strategies to the situation at hand.
*"Hiding weakness serves no purpose anymore. Hahaha! If that's the case, I'll strike hard—defeat them in one decisive blow to prevent endless challenges in the future. One punch is enough to scare them all. Once they're afraid, they'll think twice before bothering me again!"*
To persist in pointless submission wasn't wisdom—it was cowardice.
By comparison, Ning Chen's method was cunning. Even during the recent fight, he hadn't used his full strength.
Had he unleashed his true power, he could have felled Qingshu in just three punches and two kicks—the sheer force would have rivaled that of an ox. But such an action would violate family rules and endanger his position. Even within a sanctioned sparring match, it would've been seen as excessive.
Instead, Ning Chen carefully restrained himself, relying on deliberate, heavy punches—the simplest and most straightforward of attacks.
With brute force alone, he overcame every defense. Qingshu found himself unable to counterattack, left entirely on the defensive.
Ning Chen understood perfectly well how to win. But brute defeat wasn't his ultimate goal. Delivering an overwhelming display of power with the Gang Fist had a far greater impact.
The blows landed not only on Qingshu's body but on his spirit as well. After this fight, Qingshu would think twice—perhaps thrice—before challenging him again.
The other students would grow fearful too, watching Ning Chen from a distance with wary eyes. Even the school elders, despite their pride in Ning Chen's skill, would only marvel at his mastery of fists and kicks without prying further.
After all, Ning Chen was only a "50% C-grade" in aptitude—a scandalous outlier in their esteemed ranks.
In this way, Ning Chen's actions were nothing short of ingenious.
He achieved multiple objectives in one decisive move:
- Dissuading Qingshu from further provocation.
- Establishing a reputation that would make others reluctant to cross him.
- Impressing the school elders while avoiding undue scrutiny of his true potential.
A single fight had killed three birds with one stone.
*How could a mere elder from a small school ever hope to contend with Ning Chen, a thousand-year-old true demon?*
Ning Chen returned to the school as if nothing had happened, showing no concern for the fact that he had just beaten his classmate unconscious in the ring. It was as though the brutal fight with Qingshu had never occurred.
Seizing the quiet moment, Ning Chen focused inward, using the time to cultivate his strength. Every second of practice was precious to him. The relentless pursuit of power burned in his heart, an insatiable flame that could never be extinguished.
Before long, the school elders and students re-entered the hall, their voices buzzing with hushed conversations.
"Oh, that Ning Chen was too harsh. That was his classmate!"
"He's handsome, sure, but he's terrifyingly cruel."
"I heard Qingshu is still unconscious."
Their words were laced with fear and unease. It was clear that Ning Chen's goal had been achieved. If he couldn't blend into the background as a nobody, he would ensure he was someone no one dared to provoke.
Though Ning Chen sat with his eyes closed, fully immersed in his cultivation, he heard every word. A faint sneer tugged at his lips.
*"What's the point of talking about me?"* he thought dismissively.
The students instinctively distanced themselves from Ning Chen, isolating him as though he carried a contagious curse. Yet, amidst the crowd, one figure defied the norm. Gu Yue Haoyu walked straight toward Ning Chen and sat down at his table.
Ning Chen was surprised but kept his expression neutral. Internally, he grew wary. Gu Yue Haoyu's actions were puzzling. Why would she approach him so casually when everyone else avoided him like the plague?
*"If something seems off, there's always a reason,"* Ning Chen thought, his guard rising. Her behavior was too deliberate, too calculated.
"Ning Chen, did you see me earlier? I defeated Mo Yan in close combat," Haoyu said cheerfully.
"Oh? So what?" Ning Chen replied coldly.
"Hey, it's nothing. I just wanted to tell you," she said with a bright smile, her expression as radiant as a blooming flower.
Ning Chen stared at her, his gaze icy and unreadable. Her demeanor only deepened the mystery in his mind.
*"She didn't mention anything about the fight earlier. Does she not know? Or is she deliberately avoiding the topic? Why is she trying to talk to me?"*
His thoughts churned, but no clear explanation emerged. Ning Chen wasn't naive enough to believe she was drawn to him out of admiration or charm. Such things didn't happen to him.
Time passed, and the setting sun painted the sky a deep crimson, casting a bloody glow over the world. As the school day ended, Ning Chen walked out of the gates, his figure solitary and desolate against the fiery horizon.
The scene was hauntingly beautiful, his black robe swaying in the wind, adding to the air of loneliness that surrounded him.
"Hey, Ning Chen, wait for me! Let's go together!" a voice called out, shattering the quiet.
Ning Chen didn't stop or look back. He continued walking, unaffected by the interruption.
Gu Yue Haoyu ran after him, catching up and grabbing his arm. Her voice was soft and sweet as she said, "Ning Chen, why are you walking so fast? Wait for me. What's wrong with me? I just want to walk with you."
A flicker of irritation crossed Ning Chen's eyes, though he masked it well. Haoyu didn't notice the coldness brewing beneath his calm exterior. His voice, however, betrayed his growing anger as he spoke through clenched teeth:
"I don't want to walk with you."
"Oh, don't be like that. Let's just walk. It's fine," she replied, undeterred.
The other students watched the scene unfold, their expressions a mix of pity and apprehension. They couldn't help but think of Qingshu, still lying unconscious, and wondered if Haoyu would meet a similar fate.
Ning Chen's steps came to an abrupt halt. His eyes grew colder, his voice sharp and cutting as he said:
"Get out Bitch!"
Haoyu's smile froze, her expression faltering as disbelief flickered across her face.
"What… what did you say?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.