Monarch-like Contempt
1378 Words
"Don't think I'm joking with you," Chu Ran said, his cold gaze fixed on him. "If you dare utter one more disrespectful word to me, I'll cut out your tongue and feed it to the dogs!"
His words were frigid, chilling the very air.
Like a malevolent spirit clawing its way out of an icy hell.
The surrounding air seemed to freeze instantly, as if snowflakes were falling from the sky.
A coldness rapidly spread outward, enveloping the area.
Cold!
A cold that made one's heart tremble with fear.
Wang Mang's voice caught in his throat. His teeth ground together audibly.
His face instantly turned deathly pale, his lips devoid of color.
The cold sweat on his forehead flowed faster. He stared at the slender, fragile-looking youth before him, his eyes filled with fear, a chill rising from the depths of his heart.
Wang Mang felt both shocked and terrified, finding it utterly absurd!
He and Wu Zhen had fled all the way from the Western Shaman-Barbarian lands to Central Continent. They had endured pursuit from their own tribe, attacks from fierce beasts, constant danger, with death hanging over their heads. He had never felt fear, never been scared!
Yet now, facing this pale, gaunt, seemingly calm and harmless youth, he actually felt afraid!
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something.
But remembering Chu Ran's words just moments before, he instantly fell silent.
Not daring to utter a single word.
A look of confusion momentarily flashed across his face as his eyes darted around.
He saw the gazes of everyone around, filled with curiosity, wariness, and awe, all fixed on Chu Ran.
This young man had effortlessly captured everyone's attention.
Wang Mang's heart tightened. He looked at Chu Ran again, all traces of his earlier contempt and disdain gone.
In his eyes now, this frail, slender youth was as fearsome as the mythical ferocious beasts Qiongqi or Taotie.
Even though he appeared delicate, handsome, slender, and harmless.
*I completely misjudged him!* Wang Mang thought, regret instantly flooding him. *I've provoked someone I cannot afford to provoke!*
*Didn't Ah Zhen say I was too arrogant? Was he really right?*
For a moment, the surroundings were utterly silent, no one speaking.
Everyone watched Chu Ran with curiosity. How would this develop?
It seemed this wouldn't end peacefully!
In the distance.
Several disciples of the Shangqing Sect, dressed in pale blue Daoist robes, stood together, their gazes also on Chu Ran and Wang Mang.
"Senior Brother Yun, shouldn't we go stop them?" one of them said.
The one called Senior Brother Yun was a young man who appeared around twenty years old. Exceptionally handsome, with regular features, a high nose bridge, and thin, pale red lips.
His black hair was tied up, not wearing a formal crown but held by a simple green wooden hairpin.
He wore a pale blue Daoist robe that fit him well, with white cuffs and a belt of the same color at the waist. His tall, slender frame was perfectly outlined. He resembled a tall, straight pine or cypress, an air of refined elegance emanating from him.
This was Shangqing Sect's Daoist Yun Hua, the head senior disciple of Zixia Peak.
He was in charge of the morning preliminary selection for the current disciple recruitment.
Yun Hua's eyes were fixed intently on Chu Ran, not looking away.
Hearing the question, his voice was stern. "Why should we stop them?"
The questioning disciple's mouth twitched. *Isn't the reason obvious?*
"They look like they're about to fight," the disciple said, maintaining a respectful expression. "If they start fighting, it will disrupt order and could become difficult to manage."
"If you can't even manage that, then what use are you being here?" Yun Hua rebuked coldly.
"..." The disciple was momentarily stunned.
He looked up at Yun Hua with a bewildered expression.
Completely*** why he was being scolded...
Yun Hua's eyes remained fixed on Chu Ran as he spoke sternly, "The Sect Leader and the Elders sent us here precisely to maintain order and safety during the disciple selection. If there are troublemakers who refuse to listen to reason, drive them out!"
"If you don't even have that basic understanding, you might as well roll back home right now!"
"..."
The disciple was completely tongue-tied by this scolding. After a long moment, he ventured tentatively, "Senior Brother Yun means... drive that young man out?"
Hearing this, Yun Hua finally withdrew his gaze from Chu Ran.
He looked sharply at the disciple and**, "i***t!"
"When did I say that?" he demanded.
"..." The disciple, who felt like crying from being scolded.
*You pretty much just did!*
"Has that young man caused trouble?" Yun Hua said coldly, then answered himself. "No!"
"Since he hasn't caused trouble, what right do you have to drive him out?" Yun Hua said disapprovingly. "Don't a***e your authority or bully others!"
"..." The disciple.
*Crying internally.*
*Senior Brother, I didn't say anything...*
*I've been wronged!*
After reprimanding his junior, Yun Hua turned back to continue watching Chu Ran.
At that moment, the situation on the field changed abruptly.
Wang Mang, intimidated by Chu Ran, dared not speak.
Seeing this, the tall, thin man had no choice but to plead with Chu Ran again. "What do you want?"
"Nothing much," Chu Ran said coldly. "An eye for an eye. He threw a punch at me; I'll return one. That's all."
Hearing this, the tall man immediately frowned.
This proposal was simpler than he had imagined.
He had thought the youth would be****, unwilling to let Wang Mang off so easily. Just one punch—Wang Mang's physique could easily withstand it. But... the tall man looked at Chu Ran, a sense of unease flickering in his heart.
He couldn't shake the feeling that this youth wasn't as simple as he appeared on the surface. Even a seemingly straightforward solution like this still made him feel**.
For a moment, the tall man couldn't respond.
Wang Mang, seeing his silence, grew anxious. Forgetting Chu Ran's earlier warning, he hastily shouted, "Agree to it! It's just one punch. Look at his skinny arms and legs—can they even harm a single hair on me?"
Hearing this, the tall man immediately frowned. He lifted his head and**** at him, "Shut up!"
*This blockhead will get himself killed by that mouth of his one day!*
The tall man felt a pang of regret. *I should have ditched this blockhead as soon as we entered Central Continent. I'd heard that barbarians only have brute strength and their brains don't work well. I never thought much of it before, but seeing it today... it's true!*
*I shouldn't have been soft-hearted back then!* the tall man thought**.
"Ah Zhen, hurry up and agree! You know me! I could kill a starving wolf with my bare hands at the age of three!" Wang Mang said, seeing him remain silent for so long, sweat beading on his forehead from anxiety.
He, a******, had been easily subdued by a human pretty boy. He couldn't bear the shame! Wang Mang felt humiliated, shocked, and anxious. Especially under the gazes from all around, he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.
If he could get free, he'd take not just one punch, but ten!
*After all, us** men fear nothing less than a beating!*
Chu Ran stood to the side, listening coldly to their exchange without saying a word.
"Ah Zhen! Ah Zhen!"
Irritated by his pestering and seeing no other solution at hand, the tall man had no choice but to agree.
He lifted his head and said coldly to Wang Mang, "Do as you please!"
Hearing this, Wang Mang was overjoyed. "Ah Zhen, you're the best!"
With that, he turned to Chu Ran, snorted, and said, "Go ahead! I'll let you hit me once, and this matter will be settled."
*It's just one punch. You, a pretty boy, with your fancy little fist—what do I have to fear?*
Thinking this, Wang Mang's expression showed a hint of nonchalance and**.
- Writer
