Free Web NovelChapter 37: Chapter 37: Nothing More Than This
Xie Yuan parted the door curtain and met Xu Yang’s sullen gaze for a moment. Then he turned back to the brawny disciple in front of him.
"Senior Brother Lin, I’ve just started my medicinal bath. If you have something to discuss, can it wait?"
He had only been in the medicinal bath for a few minutes. The potency of a basic medicinal bath could last for at least the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and it was best not to leave the liquid during this period.
Judging by their demeanor, it was clear they wouldn’t just let him get out, exchange a few words, and then graciously allow him to return.
’Wouldn’t the medicinal liquid be wasted, then?’
That was five taels of silver! Twice that amount could cover the initiation fee!
Even for the current Xie Yuan, the loss of five taels of silver would sting.
Hearing this, the senior brother surnamed Lin’s face clouded over with displeasure.
"Am I supposed to wait for you? Get out here, now!"
Xie Yuan’s expression darkened slightly.
He recognized this sturdy young man. His name was Lin Tao, a Core Disciple within the sect. He was from one of the earlier batches, giving him considerable seniority.
Though Xie Yuan didn’t know when Lin Tao would break through to become a First Training Martial Artist, the man had been cultivating for a long time. His mastery of the Iron Cloth Shirt’s 3rd Layer was exceptionally stable, making his skin as tough as cowhide. Among the Core Disciples, his skills were solid; he won far more than he lost in sect spars and had earned a considerable reputation.
’But even a reputable senior brother like him has clearly been swayed by Xu Yang’s money and is here to stick up for him.’
’Just as I thought before, no matter where you are, silver is the most effective tool.’
Xie Yuan shook his head and leaned back slightly against the wall of the barrel, leaving only his head exposed.
"Senior Brother Lin, the medicinal bath has begun. It’s not convenient for me to get out. Whatever you have to say, just say it here."
"You could have taken your bath any other time. Why now?"
Lin Tao’s face darkened as he snapped,
"Junior Brother Xu said you have no respect for your elders and don’t understand your place. Looking at you now, it’s obviously true! You have no manners at all—a crude lout from the mountains."
Xu Yang chimed in from behind, his voice dripping with malice,
"He’s always like this—arrogant and utterly conceited. He doesn’t even stand to greet a senior brother, just sits there soaking in his barrel without a care in the world. I’ve never seen a junior brother with such audacity."
Xie Yuan’s gaze swept between the two. Ignoring Xu Yang, he stared silently at Lin Tao and suddenly asked,
"How much silver did Xu Yang give you? Or did he promise you tonics and medicinal baths? To think you’d rather be his dog than a decent human being."
Lin Tao’s expression was a bit unnatural when he heard the first part of the question, but his face contorted with fury at the end.
"Xie Yuan, don’t you dare make baseless accusations! I heard you used dirty tricks during your spar with Junior Brother Xu, injuring him with a sneak attack. It was just a friendly spar, yet you resorted to such despicable, shameless tactics!
"I’m not here to bully you. I’m just here to have you two spar again. I’ll act as the referee to ensure it’s fair and just!
"Xie Yuan, I’d advise you to do this the easy way."
His tone carried a hidden threat.
Xie Yuan noted their blatant malice and glanced around.
’Cornering me in the bath chamber for a spar?’
’They’re obviously just here to let off some steam, but they have to dress it up in such sanctimonious words. Just what you’d expect from a high-ranking senior brother.’
Just then, Xu Yang snatched the clothes hanging beside Xie Yuan and tossed them into a far corner, a mocking look on his face.
"Junior Brother Xie, I’d advise you to hurry up and get out. Let’s have a proper spar. You don’t want to make Senior Brother Lin ’invite’ you out."
Xie Yuan listened without a word. He simply rested his hands on the rim of the barrel, leaned his head back, and watched Lin Tao in silence.
Seeing this blatant disdain, Lin Tao felt his dignity as a senior brother had been challenged, and fury surged within him.
His lips pressed into a thin line, he strode forward and reached for Xie Yuan!
A well-proportioned hand with long, slender fingers reached out of the barrel, intercepting Lin Tao’s.
Seeing Xie Yuan reach for him, Lin Tao let out a vicious smirk. He clamped down on the hand and yanked hard!
’This should make him cry out in pain and come tumbling out face-first... Huh?’
Things didn’t go as Lin Tao had expected. His powerful tug elicited no reaction from Xie Yuan whatsoever.
Xie Yuan remained leaning back in the barrel, completely unperturbed. His arm was extended high, as if he were shaking the hand of a subordinate who had come for an audience.
Lin Tao’s expression turned grim, and he began to apply more strength.
’He’s overestimating his own strength!’ frёewebηovel.cѳm
Watching from the sidelines as Xie Yuan and Lin Tao clashed, Xu Yang was inwardly delighted.
’That bastard really thinks he’s invincible, daring to take on Senior Brother Lin.’
’Now that Senior Brother Lin is involved, he’ll be sorry. In a moment, I’ll pay him back double for the humiliation I suffered last time!’
He stared wide-eyed, not daring to blink, for fear of missing the look of pain on Xie Yuan’s face.
But gradually, Xu Yang sensed that something wasn’t right.
Xie Yuan’s expression remained relaxed, as if it were a simple handshake. Lin Tao’s expression, however, shifted from ugly to grave, then to surprise, and finally, to sheer horror.
To Lin Tao, Xie Yuan’s hand felt like an iron vise. The strength he exerted in their contest vanished as if a stone dropped into the ocean, having no effect at all. In contrast, the force coming from Xie Yuan’s hand wasn’t an explosive burst of power. It was a continuous, ever-increasing pressure that gradually became painful, causing sweat to bead on his forehead.
’How is he so strong!?’
Just then, the corners of Xie Yuan’s mouth curled up, revealing a row of gleaming white teeth.
"Don’t tell me... this is all you’ve got? If this is the extent of your abilities, then this junior brother is about to get serious."
He abruptly increased his power, channeling his internal breath and Blood Qi!
Lin Tao cried out in pain as the bones in his hand emitted a sharp CRACK. Sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.
His body contorted, and unable to hold his ground, he gradually sank to one knee. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he began to beg for mercy, slapping the side of the barrel with his free hand.
"Let go! Let go! Let go! Fuck, I was wrong!"
With a faint smile, Xie Yuan released his grip.
Lin Tao let out a sigh of relief, but then a powerful force struck the back of his head, slamming it against the barrel. His vision went black, and he fainted.
Xie Yuan dusted off his hands and turned to look at Xu Yang.
Xu Yang’s mouth hung open, unable to process what had just happened.
’Lin Tao, one of the top cultivators in the sect, lost to Xie Yuan?’
’How is that possible?’
Seeing Xie Yuan turn to face him, he trembled and immediately turned to flee.
"Stop. Did I say you could leave?"
Xie Yuan snorted coldly, and Xu Yang instinctively froze.
He turned his head back stiffly and stammered,
"Wh-what do you want?"
"The clothes."
Xie Yuan gestured.
It dawned on Xu Yang. He scrambled to pick up the clothes from the floor, clumsily folded them, and hung them back up for Xie Yuan. It was quite a difficult task for this young master, who had likely only ever thrown clothes, never picked them up.
After hanging up the clothes, he looked at Xie Yuan apprehensively. He then saw Xie Yuan gesture downwards.
"Lin Tao."
Xu Yang hurried forward and, keeping his distance from the barrel, helped Lin Tao to his feet.
An unconscious person is heavy, but Lin Tao was lifted up without much trouble.
Once upright, Lin Tao acted as if he had just woken up. He left the bath chamber without a word, not even glancing back.
Seeing this, Xu Yang glanced at Lin Tao’s retreating back, then at Xie Yuan’s mocking expression. He suddenly ducked his head and bolted out the door.
As he rounded the corner, his foot slipped, and he fell to the ground. Not daring to linger, he could only scramble away.
Xie Yuan chuckled and leaned back comfortably against the barrel.
He could have gotten up and taught Xu Yang a lesson, but there was no need. Xu Yang wasn’t as important as his medicinal soak.
Xie Yuan was in a wonderful mood. He focused his full attention on tempering his skin with the medicinal liquid, paying little mind to the "warm-up."
He was just thinking...
’So, this is all a Core Disciple amounts to before me now.’
