The clouds drifted lazily across the sky, veiling the moonlight and casting a deep shadow over Gu Yue village.
The watchman's clappers echoed through the night, a rhythmic reminder of the hour's dangers - fire, beast attacks, and sneaky foreign Gu Masters. Despite the late hour, lights still flickered in many homes.
In the Chi family branch, old man Gu Yue Chi Lian sat in his brightly lit study. His weathered face creased with concern as he spoke to his grandson, Gu Yue Chi Cheng.
"So, Fang Yuan roughed you up today, eh?" Chi Lian's voice was gentle, but his eyes were sharp.
Chi Cheng's right eye was swollen black. He clenched his fists, anger bubbling up. "That C-grade nobody dared to block us at the school gate! He stole our primeval stones and beat us up. The guards did nothing until he was long gone. Grandpa, I need your help to settle this score!"
Chi Lian shook his head, his long beard swaying. "This is your fight, boy. A few bruises and a lost stone aren't enough for me to step in. Even if he'd broken your bones, I wouldn't interfere. Do you know why?"
Chi Cheng frowned, thinking hard. After a moment, he ventured, "You want me to stand on my own two feet?"
"That's part of it," Chi Lian nodded. "But remember, you're not just yourself - you're the face of our Chi family branch. We've been butting heads with the Mo family for years. Every move you make shows what our future might be. I can help from the shadows, but you need to look strong on your own. If you don't, the elders backing us might lose faith and jump ship."
The old man sighed, his shoulders sagging. "It's why I helped you cheat and pass as a B-grade talent. Our family needs a strong heir to keep our supporters close."
Understanding dawned on Chi Cheng's face. "I get it now, Grandpa."
Chi Lian's eyes narrowed. "Understanding isn't enough. You need to work hard. Fang Yuan is just a pebble in your shoe. Train your martial arts, study hard, and get your pride back. And don't slack on your cultivation - reach middle stage as soon as you can. If you become class leader, it'll bring honor to our whole family."
"Yes, Grandpa!" Chi Cheng's voice rang with newfound determination.
A smile cracked Chi Lian's stern face. "That's the spirit of a true Chi heir. Work hard, my boy. I'll do what I can to help."
As Chi Cheng left, his steps lighter and more purposeful, Qin slipped into the room. He knelt before the old man, every inch the loyal servant.
Chi Lian's voice turned cold as ice. "How good is this Fang Yuan at fighting?"
Qin's face remained blank as he answered, "At least ten years of experience, maybe more. One-on-one, he's unbeatable. I'm not sure how many of us it would take to bring him down in a fair fight, if we even could."
Chi Lian's brow furrowed. Such skill was odd for a young one, but he couldn't act openly against the boy.
"If you manage to defeat him," Chi Lian said calmly, "you can pick any rank 1 gu from the family vault."
He pretended not to notice the greedy gleam in Qin's eyes as he dismissed him. After all, as the old saying goes, "A wise general knows how to dangle the carrot."
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As days passed, the incident gradually died down. No elders interfered, and after Fang Yuan easily defeated a few challengers, the other students became more dedicated to their martial arts training.
A week later, Fang Yuan repeated his actions, blocking the gates and demanding primeval stones. "A piece of primeval stone per person and you'll be spared of physical pain," he stated coldly.
Mo Bei was the first to step forward, roaring, "Fang Yuan, your bullying is excessive. I challenge you!" He rushed at Fang Yuan with raised fists, but after a few quick exchanges, he lay unconscious on the ground.
Chi Cheng, seeing his peer fall, yelled, "Mo Bei, you're too useless! Watch me!" He dashed towards Fang Yuan, but soon joined Mo Bei in defeat.
Suddenly, like a whirlwind tearing through the crowd, Qin burst onto the scene. His eyes blazed with a wild, almost feral light as he hurled himself at Fang Yuan.
"You bastard!" Qin snarled, spittle flying from his lips. "I'll tear you apart!"
Qin fought like a man possessed, his movements erratic and unpredictable. He clawed, bit, and struck with a ferocity that made even Fang Yuan raise an eyebrow.
"Oh?" Fang Yuan murmured, a hint of interest in his voice.
Chi Cheng, struggling to his feet, watched in awe as his friend battled. Qin was frothing at the mouth, his desperation to win evident in every move.
"Get him, Qin!" someone shouted from the crowd.
"Break his legs!" another voice chimed in.
Inspired by Qin's ferocity, more students joined the fray. A burly youth charged in, swinging a wild haymaker. Without even looking, Fang Yuan sidestepped and sent him sprawling with a casual backhand.
Two more rushed in from opposite sides, thinking to catch Fang Yuan in a pincer. In a blink, Fang Yuan had grabbed one by the collar and used him as a human shield against the other's kick. Both went down in a tangle of limbs.
"Is this the best you can do?" Fang Yuan taunted, his voice eerily calm amidst the chaos.
As the fight wore on, Chi Cheng found himself appreciating Qin more than ever before. He realized the depths of loyalty Qin held for the Chi family, willing to throw himself so completely into this fight.
"Qin, you madman," Chi Cheng thought, a mix of admiration and worry in his heart.
The crowd's shouts grew more desperate as student after student fell to Fang Yuan's seemingly effortless counters. Yet Qin kept coming, his attacks growing wilder and more reckless with each passing moment.
"Why won't you fall?!" Qin screamed, launching another frenzied assault.
Fang Yuan didn't bother responding.
With a few more well-placed strikes, Qin joined the others on the ground, gasping for breath.
After fifteen minutes of chaos, Fang Yuan leisurely walked away with a bulging money bag, leaving behind a floor full of groaning youths. Some lay motionless, while others clutched their bellies or other sore spots, moaning in pain.
As the dust settled, the guards finally rushed in, shouting, "Brothers, time to come up and sweep the field fast!"
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And so, time passed, and the thief kept stealing, while the actor delighted in playing his part.