Chương 82: Xiong Ba

The Song Manor. Inside the house, several people were happily bustling about. Only one person remained completely 'frozen' since earlier. Hearing the news that Xiong Ba had broken through to the Third Grade was like a thunderclap to Wu Yi's ears. He began to doubt his life! His cultivation speed was originally far inferior to Song Que's. Although he felt a bit sour about it, he had long since determined that this kid was a freak of nature. Brother Yi had come to terms with it.

Comparing yourself to a freak is just asking to be tortured! Besides, having recently broken through to the Second Grade, the elders in his family hadn't spared any praise upon hearing the news, causing Brother Yi's confidence to surge once again! But how long had it been? Now he heard that the inconspicuous, foolish-looking kid Xiong Ba had also broken through to the Third Grade?! Are there too many freaks in this world, or is my aptitude just incredibly stupid?

Could it be that my family only praised me to comfort me, so I wouldn't lose the will to live?! Feeling as though the entire world harbored malicious intent toward him, Old Wu began to grow suspicious and paranoid. But having lived for so many years, he knew his eyes wouldn't deceive him. Reaching the Second Grade at his age was genuinely a rare feat in Qinghe County! After spacing out for a while, Wu Yi couldn't hold back his doubts and asked:"Xiong Ba, did you really break through to the Third Grade?"

"Hehehe, Brother Yi. Just now!" The simple-minded A'Xiong scratched his head and smiled foolishly. Gulp. Swallowing hard, Old Wu stubbornly wanted to verify it personally.

"Let's spar for a bit." Tilting his head to look at the slight Wu Yi, Xiong Ba felt unsure. His mind wasn't the brightest, but he wasn't stupid; he knew his own brute strength. Aside from his young master, he hadn't met anyone stronger than himself yet. Looking at the delicate and frail Brother Yi, he was afraid he might accidentally snap him in half. If that happened, his young master would skin him alive. Thinking this, he shook his head:"No, you're too fragile."

Hearing his words, Old Wu almost spat out a mouthful of blood. Is that human language?! I am not a biscuit, nor am I a piece of bone! I am a genuine Second-Grade martial artist, and you call me fragile?! Naturally, Wu Yi also had a temper and immediately refused to accept this. After all, Xiong Ba had just broken through; it wasn't certain how much his strength had increased.

"Hmph, you're even looking down on me! Come on, let me test just how formidable the Third Grade is!" Looking at Xiong Ba eagerly pleading for help and the stubborn Old Wu, Song Que couldn't help but cover his face. He had to nod at Xiong Ba.

"Be a little careful, don't hurt Brother Yi." Having sparred with Xiong Ba day and night, Boss Song knew his strength like the back of his hand. Now possessing more than one 'Bear Power', dealing with Old Wu was a piece of cake. Just don't let him lose too ugly. Hearing this, Wu Yi's face grew even darker. He felt these kids were truly bullying people too much! Mustering a hundred and twenty percent of his focus, he began to exchange blows with Xiong Ba. But the gap was truly vast.

Compared to Song Que's fierce and overbearing moves, Wu Yi's martial arts looked no different from a child's slow dance in Xiong Ba's eyes. He only defended and didn't attack, casually resolving all the moves with just his two hands. The more Old Wu fought, the more his heart sank, knowing his defeat was inevitable. But still unwilling to accept it and wanting to test the ultimate disparity, he retreated, drew his saber, and shouted:"Be careful, I'm going to use my saber!"

"Slash all you want, Brother Yi, you won't be able to hurt me." Hearing this idiot's honest words, Song Que's face darkened. He suppressed the urge to turn and walk away, standing awkwardly and looking at the clouds as if he hadn't heard anything. This time, Old Wu was truly angry! He drew his saber like a swift shadow, continuously executing his family's inherited martial art, the Four Seasons Saber Art! Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

The saber momentum was sometimes as fast as winter lightning, and sometimes as continuous and lingering as early spring drizzle. Watching it, Song Que couldn't help but praise it. But that was all it was. It didn't have a single bit of effect. Xiong Ba didn't even need a saber. Still using just his bare hands, he casually and openly blocked all the moves Wu Yi executed. Old Wu hacked until he was exhausted and panting, yet he couldn't injure him in the slightest. Doesn't he know how to respect his elders?!

Couldn't he at least pretend to struggle a bit to save Brother Yi some face?! Boss Song was helpless against this guy's low EQ and hurriedly called for a stop:"Alright, that's enough testing for today. Everyone needs to go prepare for the banquet now." Already nearing exhaustion, Wu Yi stopped in frustration, sheathed his saber, and panted heavily.

"Hehe, Brother Yi, you need to eat more!" Seeing Old Wu's weak appearance, Xiong Ba warmly and thoughtfully reminded him.

"Scram! Go chop wood! If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!" Sigh, I just wanted what's best for everyone. Why scold me? Wronged and not understanding why, Xiong Ba could only run off dejectedly, head hanging low. Occasionally, he peeked back to see if his master was truly angry. If he was truly angry and cut off his meals, he would suffer a massive loss today!... Brother Yi's mental fortitude was quite resilient.

After a momentary blow, under 'Master Psychologist' Song's consolation, he quickly accepted his fate. He secretly swore in his heart never to compare himself with these two freaks again. Later, when Guan Yu arrived and the specialty dishes were served one after another, he had long thrown the earlier incident to the back of his mind. Having not enjoyed fine food and wine for a long time, Wu Yi turned his grief into action, opening his mouth wide and eating with all his might.

In the end, besides Song Que, the others weren't very sober. Wu Yi and Guan Yu were completely drunk, snoring while hugging some pillar in an unknown corner of the house. Grandee Song's expression remained normal. As usual, he returned to his room, consumed a tonic, and continued cultivating the Immaculate Glass Body.... Wu Yi stayed in the city for another two days before leaving.

Before he left, he mysteriously whispered to Song Que that, thanks to his blessing, Brother Yi might soon be transferred back to work in the county. Song Que immediately raised both hands in welcome. He didn't know many people in this place anyway. After Wu Yi left, the Song Manor returned to its orderly routine. Aunt Li and the others continued to be busy with the organ porridge business. Song Que and Xiong Ba devoted themselves to cultivation.

Brother Hong continued to act like a divine dragon—seeing the head but not the tail—wandering off to who-knows-where until evening before showing his face. Like this, another four days passed before Song Que had to leave the house. For no other reason: his medicinal herbs had hit bottom again. With him and Xiong Ba—these two bottomless pits—plus the kid A'Xin, the tonics and herbs they consumed daily had to be calculated by the pound!

With the Tesseract assisting in digesting the medicinal properties, they weren't afraid of over-nourishing themselves. All medicinal properties were broken down into the purest energy to nourish their bodies. Assigning Brother Hong to continue going out to restock medicinal herbs, Song Que strode towards the Sea of Clouds Pavilion. He wanted to find a long-term, stable supply; living hand-to-mouth like this wasn't a good solution....

"Kid!"...

"Kid surnamed Song!" Just as he stepped out the door, Song Que was called out to. Initially, he didn't pay it any mind, but when the person shouted his surname, he realized they were looking for him. Turning his head and seeing Old Zhan glaring at him from in front of his door, Boss Song was also dumbfounded. Looking around and seeing no one else, he pointed at his own face in disbelief and doubt.

"Hmph, I'm calling you! Get over here to this old man!" Eh? This is the first time Old Zhan has looked for me. Could it be there's a matter? Or perhaps, having heard of this young master's heroic deeds, the old man has started to regret it and is reconsidering? Knowing one's mistakes and correcting them—a youth worth teaching! Joyful, Boss Song walked over quickly with a face full of smiles, saying:"Senior Zhan, have you agreed to impart your martial arts?"

"Impart? Hmph, you could say that." Haha, still shy! If you're teaching, just say you're teaching; if not, then not. What's this 'you could say that'? The old man is quite tsundere! But out of respect for his age, it's understandable.

"Senior, I need to run an errand for a bit now. May I visit your house this afternoon?"

"You? Forget about visiting the house." Old Zhan said with a disgusted expression:"Kid, let me ask you. What is the name of that big, dark-skinned, bald kid in your house?"

"Oh, is Senior asking about the person guarding my door these past few days? He is called Xiong Ba. Is there a matter?" Although confused, Song Que answered honestly.

"What is his relationship to you?"

"What relationship? Consider him family, or a brother. Why do you ask, Senior?"

"Called Xiong Ba, is it? The name isn't bad! Kid, I want to take that kid as my disciple. Hurry back and bring him over here to formally acknowledge me as his master!" Hearing the old man's words, Song Que froze for several seconds. Looking at Old Zhan's arrogant expression, as if he were bestowing a massive honor upon someone else, and his commanding tone that brokered no refusal, Song Que's face darkened. He immediately sneered:"That is impossible."

Having spoken his piece, Old Zhan felt quite confident in his heart. The kid in front of me is eager to learn; now given the opportunity, he won't be able to wait to grasp it! There's no need to be overly grateful, and there's no need to use this opportunity to pester and covet Xiaoxiao. This old man merely cherishes talent and doesn't want a lifetime of learning to go to waste. This matter had to be traced back to a few days ago.

At that time, Boss Song had focused on hiding in the house to cultivate, letting Xiong Ba show his face to chase people away. The effect was truly remarkable. Seeing this tall, dark, fierce-looking foolish bear, many people felt their hearts drum in fear, and many even retreated on the spot. But there were also those who believed they had backing and were accustomed to acting tyrannically. Refusing to believe the warnings, they insisted on forcing their way in to find Song Que.

Did what happened next even need to be said? Holding nearly one 'Bear Power' of strength, Grandmaster Xiong didn't care who they were. The young master had ordered that anyone who forced their way in should be beaten away; he only needed to execute the order! Consequently, the few people who came were beaten by him until they couldn't tell north from south, fleeing for their lives!

The carriage sent with the intention of picking up Song Que was also lifted by Xiong Ba's two hands and thrown aside to get it out of the way! Seeing his terrifying might, the remaining people immediately wilted, all of them backing away quickly as if avoiding an evil spirit. Watching this from the side, Zhan Sheng was also shocked and left dumbfounded.