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Chapter 17: The Young Master's Cohorts are Dim-witted Simpletons.
Yang Wei whistled as he strolled through the road path, the sunlight casting dappled shadows on his face, while the ropes of the wooden box swung lightly on his back.
His eyes were fixed on the path ahead.
Oblivious to the two cohorts of Young Master Jin Tianyu, they abruptly stood in front of him, blocking his way.
"Hm? Can I help you?" he asked, arching an eyebrow inquisitively.
The cohorts chuckled corruptly and one of them replied, "No, it's fine."
Yang Wei simply shrugged.
They obviously want something from me, but hopefully, for their sake and Lingxi's, I'll just ignore them and focus on selling these herbs. I'd have asked them the best place to go and sell these, but they don't look like the best choice I suppose...
Without a care in the world, poked his index finger into his nostril, then picked his nose and continued walking.
But before he could move any further, one of the cohorts reached out and roughly placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.
"Hm?" Yang Wei turned back, his finger still dancing deep in his nostril, and quizzically remarked, "You're holding me pretty tight. I'm guessing you want some of my attention."
As the cohorts chuckled, the second one eyed the wooden box on Yang Wei's back and inquired, "What's in the box?"
Yang Wei, unfazed, continued to pick his nose and replied, "Just some herbs I plan to sell."
The first cohort, with a sadistic grin, interjected, "Look at your seniors when they're talking to you!" He then dragged Yang Wei by the shoulder, tearing a bit of the worn-out blue robes he was wearing.
More of Jin Tianyu's cohorts emerged from another corner, taunting, "How ridiculous! The rat couldn't even afford anything other than these pitiful rags."
Their jeers grew louder and louder, but Yang Wei remained calm, still picking his nose.
Finally, he looked at the first cohort, who held a piece of his now-torn clothing, and remarked, "I'm used to the arrogance of you cultivators. Did you think this would make me angry?"
Slowly, Yang Wei removed his finger from deep within his nostril.
With a sly smile, he flicked the booger from his finger onto the first cohort's face. "You really are an idiot," he retorted.
This was an embarrassing moment for the first cohort.
The other three cohorts found themselves unable to contain their amusement, erupting into mocking laughter.
This incited a surge of fury within the first cohort. "Bastard! How dare you?!" he bellowed, his gaze ablaze with resentment as he glared at Yang Wei.
Yang Wei only sighed.
Cultivators... Easy to provoke, breathe in their presence and they'll take offense.
He had already concluded that at least 90% of them were the same.
Swiftly, the embarrassed cohort lashed out with a punch aimed squarely at Yang Wei's face. "You should've just been a good little junior and let me have my way with you!" he spat out.
As the first cohort's fist hurled towards him, Yang Wei nonchalantly let out a slow yawn.
"Too slow..."
In a split second, he skillfully employed his right forearm to intercept and deflect the incoming punch. The impact unleashed a powerful shockwave, carving a shallow but wide crater into the ground.
Jin Tianyu, observing from a nearby corner, wore a surprised expression.
He must've thrown a full-power hit at that cheeky junior; I never taught them to go easy. But now, if that's true, how's a junior—barely scraping the first level of the Mortal Realm, as far as I can tell—pulling off a counter against a Third-level Mortal Initiate's full-power attack?
Expectedly, Wu Fengtian cowered close to Jin Tianyu for safety.
How the fuck did that womanizing bastard block that attack?! I'm a Second-level Mortal Initiate and I'd be dead if I tried to block that... Maybe he has a stronger foundation? No! He's barely giving off the spiritual qi of a First-level Mortal Initiate.
The first cohort, frozen in disbelief at Yang Wei's counter, stammered, "Impossible... how did you...?"
"Earlier, I couldn't tell what realm of cultivation you were on, but after seeing that weak ass attack - you're nothing special," Yang Wei mocked him. "And even that's an understatement..."
"BASTARD!!"
Enraged, the first cohort lunged forward with another punch.
But, before he could make contact, Yang Wei swiftly launched his index and middle fingers like arrows, striking the first cohort's chest.
The impact caused the first cohort to cough up blood and hurtle backwards like a rocket.
Yang Wei nonchalantly reached for his ear with his pinky finger, taunting the first cohort. "You really are weak," he sneered.
Infuriated, the third cohort behind Yang Wei burst forth, surrounded by spiritual qi and shouting insults.
"BASTARD!!"
Yang Wei rolled his eyes.
"Again with the insults? Is that all you've got in your vocabulary?"
Swiftly, he made a sharp turn and then concurrently deflected the third cohort's fist with his left hand and delivered a piercing blow to the assailant's throat with his right, followed by a swift and solid kick to the chest, sending the third cohort sprawling helplessly on the ground.
The confrontation had escalated to a fierce showdown.
Several other disciples of the sect rushed out of their courtyards to see what was going on.
"It's a fight!"
"Who and who?!"
"I don't know, but I'd like to see this!"
The second cohort, his eyes wide with fear, staggered backward, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
I just can't wrap my head around what just happened... How is he so fast? How can he land attacks that can damage Third-level Mortal Initiates like me and them? Is he a Rogue Cultivator? No, maybe he's using some sort of ancient technique or perhaps it's his bloodline?! How is he so strong?!
He craved a logical answer but found none.
Abruptly, the fourth cohort, buoyed by ignorance and rage berated Yang Wei.
"I've never seen a more arrogant junior in my life! How dare you, a lowly junior, lay a hand on your esteemed seniors?! I'll teach you some morals, asshole!"
He lunged toward Yang Wei, his hand contorted into claw-like shape.
But with incredible speed, Yang Wei cut him off, "Shut up," he casually told him.
Then, he delivered a resounding slap across the fourth cohort's cheek.
The impact sent the fourth cohort hurtling through the air, crashing like a rocket into the stone fence of a nearby courtyard, his head lodged in the wall.
Disinterestedly, Yang Wei leisurely flicked at his ear with a pinky finger as the fourth cohort writhed, trying to free himself from his bizarre predicament.
"Dim-witted simpleton," Yang Wei sighed, "You saw me take down two of your allies, who are likely comparable in strength to you, and yet, you still chose to attack."
With an indifferent expression, Yang Wei turned towards the second cohort, who stood, quivering like an active engine.
"Are you planning to act like your pathetic companions and attack as well?"
Yang Wei casually asked this as he picked his ears still.
"Take my advice and stay out of this, unless you want me to crush you so brutally you'll wish you were dead."
The threatening undertones in Yang Wei's words were unmistakable.
As Yang Wei shot a frigid glare towards the second cohort, the latter immediately fell to the ground.
Foam bubbled from his mouth as though he were epileptic.
The second cohort passed out.
No, Yang Wei hadn't laid a finger on him nor did he use any other incorporeal means.
It was simply the cohort succumbing to absolute fear.
Observing the scene, Yang Wei casually examined the wax under his pinky finger, nonchalantly blowing it away before advising, "Good boy."
With countless of disciples gawking from numerous courtyards, Yang Wei strolled away, leaving behind his vanquished adversaries; if they could even be called that.
Just like that, he was gone, contentedly skipping, like a carefree child, over the remnants of his defeated foes.
He continued to skip joyfully, holding the ropes attached to the wooden box strapped to his back. He hummed a melody, reveling in his carefree demeanor.
"You, stop," Jin Tianyu commanded as he remained rested against the wall, fanning himself with a folding fan.
Yang Wei halted and, with a smirk, remarked, "Oh, you must be the bigger asshole who sent those dim-witted assholes of yours to teach me some morals."
Jin Tianyu folded his fan slowly, eyes narrowing.
"Congratulations," Yang Wei continued, clapping mockingly. "Your subordinates managed to tear my robes. You should be proud of them for that much, ignorant fool."
The atmosphere tensed as Jin Tianyu pointed the folded fan at Yang Wei.
"It's clear you were raised in squalor. Allow me to enlighten you on the proper way to address someone of noble birth!"