Chapter Twenty: Underhanded Tactics

Although it had only been a brief clash with Amory, Tang Tian was filled with confidence in his own Flash Fist. Even though Amory hadn’t used his true power, that slash of his was a masterpiece in its own right. Tang Tian’s hand was still tingling from the impact—a testament to Amory’s immense strength.

Yet, at the same time, Tang Tian had verified the power of his Flash Fist, which filled him with hope for the future.

But before he could move forward, there was still something unfinished.

Zhou Peng.

Tang Tian’s face darkened. Teacher Cen had been dismissed due to being caught up in the incident, and Tang Tian had vowed in his heart to avenge her. He was not someone who repaid grievances with kindness.

A true man cannot live without the satisfaction of revenge and gratitude; otherwise, what meaning does life hold?

He had held back only because he knew he had been too weak. After his last confrontation with Zhou Peng, the latter’s guards had surely multiplied. Going head-to-head with his previous strength would have been like an egg striking a rock.

But now, he was full of confidence in his abilities. The time for revenge had come.

He made his way to Ander Academy with practiced familiarity. It was class time, so few people were visible outside. Tang Tian glanced around, then vaulted over the wall.

The campus bully’s return, even after his brief absence, caused no small stir. His appearance was like a wild beast entering a village: chaos erupted on the training grounds, screams rang out, and students fled in panic.

It took Tang Tian considerable effort to catch a single student.

From the student’s stammered explanation, Tang Tian’s brow furrowed: Zhou Peng hadn’t returned to Ander Academy since Tang Tian’s transfer.

Zhou Peng not coming back to Ander?

Even a fool could see there was more to it. Zhou Peng wouldn’t avoid school out of fear—there must be another reason.

Tang Tian pondered, but to no avail. He shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. This time, Zhou Peng had been lucky. The student he held, however, fainted from fright.

Footsteps and angry shouts from several teachers echoed in the distance.

Tang Tian didn’t hesitate. He slipped away.

Once outside Ander, his mood brightened again. Starwind City was only so big—he’d run into Zhou Peng eventually. Besides, once he was strong enough, not only Zhou Peng, but even the Zhou family would be of little consequence.

Becoming stronger was the only real path!

Tang Tian resolved to settle this matter before heading to the Heavenly Road.

Once his mind was made up, he wasted no more thought on it, humming a tune as he set off for his own academy. Just then, he overheard a conversation behind him.

“Do you know where Shakima Academy is?”

“That dump? Who’d know! If not for all the commotion lately, I wouldn’t have even heard of Shakima Academy.”

“Damn it, so how are we supposed to make trouble for them?”

Tang Tian paused in surprise—make trouble for us?

※※※

Shen Yuan and Yang Yong stormed out of the school gates, determined to teach Tang Tian and Amory a lesson. But once outside, they found themselves at a loss.

Where was Shakima Academy?

They had never even heard of the school. No one they asked along the way recognized the name.

The two stood bewildered on the street, not knowing what to do. To slink back in defeat would be humiliating, inviting the ridicule of their peers. Everyone had risked punishment to cover their escape, and if they returned empty-handed simply because they couldn’t find the other school, it would be the joke of the year at Tianjing Academy.

Both Shen Yuan and Yang Yong were proud—such a humiliation would be worse than death.

But not a soul seemed to know where Shakima Academy was!

Yang Yong’s face darkened. “A school so obscure no one even knows its address dares to challenge us? Their principal must be insane! If he showed up in front of me, I’d cut him down myself!”

“Let’s not touch the old man. I heard our principal even came out to greet him, so they must have some connection,” Shen Yuan replied with measured calm. “Let’s just deal with Amory and Tang Tian. There are only two students at Shakima, so if we take them out, they won’t be able to compete in the martial tournament.”

“Stopping them from competing is easy—break a few bones and they’ll be out for a hundred days. But first, we have to find them, and fast. Next time, sneaking out won’t be so easy,” Yang Yong said with frustration.

“We’ll have to ask around,” Shen Yuan agreed, out of ideas himself.

Just then, he spotted a boy ahead who looked like a student and hurried over. “Excuse me, do you know Shakima Academy?”

The boy stopped, frowning as if deep in thought. “Oh, you mean the school Amory the Mad Bull transferred to? That rings a bell.”

Shen Yuan and Yang Yong exchanged a thrilled glance.

“Could you point us in the right direction?” Shen Yuan asked eagerly.

“It’s outside the city, very far. I’m not sure I could explain,” the boy replied, shaking his head.

“Could you take us there?” Shen Yuan forced a friendly smile.

The boy shook his head vigorously. “No, I have class. I don’t have time!”

Yang Yong’s face turned cold. “Kid, don’t push your luck! I’m telling you, today you’re coming with us whether you like it or not. We’re from Tianjing—want to test us?”

The boy turned pale with fear. “You—you’re from Tianjing…”

Shen Yuan glanced at Yang Yong. “Time is short.”

Yang Yong didn’t hesitate. With a sweep of his arm, he grabbed the boy by the collar, activated his lightstep technique, and sped up. Shen Yuan followed, keeping pace.

“Which way?” Yang Yong barked.

The boy, trembling, pointed. “That… that way…”

The two shot off in the indicated direction.

Yang Yong’s lightness skills were exceptional; even carrying a person, he moved swiftly and nimbly. Shen Yuan, though slightly less agile, revealed his own formidable inner strength—his steps covered great distances and his breathing remained steady.

Neither held back, racing out of Starwind City and down the dirt road beyond.

After about an hour, Yang Yong began to suspect the boy was misleading them. Just then, a small wooden sign appeared in their view:

—Shakima Academy.

Yang Yong and Shen Yuan exchanged a look of joy—they had finally found it!

But at that moment, Shen Yuan’s face froze, his eyes widening in terror as he saw something dreadful.

“Watch out!”

Before Yang Yong could react, his jaw was struck by a powerful blow.

The force was tremendous. Yang Yong felt searing pain in his jaw, his mind going blank.

“Fly Bull!”

A shout shattered the silence of the woods.

“Haha, Basic Tang, you’re finally back!”

With a crash, a man built like a raging bull, wielding a massive wooden sword as large as himself, burst from the trees. Amory stared at the scene in surprise.

“Fly Bull, I found you a worthy opponent—the best from Tianjing Academy. They’ve come to make trouble for us. The great task of defending the mighty Shakima Academy is yours,” Tang Tian said, raining blows on Yang Yong without even looking up.

Yang Yong’s lightness skills had left a deep impression on Tang Tian. Though brimming with self-assurance, Tang Tian wasn’t foolish. His Flash Fist was formidable, but his other skills, especially his footwork, were still only at the most basic level.

Yang Yong’s mastery of movement alone gave him a clear edge. As Old Wei had said, without superior lightness skills to close the gap, victory was impossible. Only fist techniques above the sixth grade could attack at range.

Tang Tian hadn’t used his true power, but his Flash Fist was already incredibly fast, honed to perfection. His punches fell like rain, overwhelming in frequency.

Stunned by the first blow, Yang Yong was rendered helpless—a punching bag, unable to strike back.

Bang!

After who knows how many punches, Yang Yong finally couldn’t take it anymore and collapsed into unconsciousness.

Amory glanced over with a look of deep sympathy.

Basic Tang’s physical prowess was already monstrous, and his striking technique flawless. No one understood the weight of Tang Tian’s fists better than Amory.

To endure that many punches—Amory himself could hardly imagine it. Poor guy…

He quickly turned his attention to Shen Yuan.

“Steel Palm Shen?” Amory said gravely, recognizing him instantly, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Steel Palm was Shen Yuan’s nickname, famed for his iron-hard palms, honed by practicing metal-element palm techniques. His hands were said to be impervious to blades, and those who knew him called him Steel Palm.

Shen Yuan was ranked ninth at Tianjing Academy, while Amory had been seventh at Beast Academy. However, Tianjing was ranked first, Beast Academy third, so Shen Yuan’s status was technically higher.

Shen Yuan had been stunned by Tang Tian’s ambush, but now his expression was calm as ever. “Didn’t expect to stumble here today. Tang Tian, well played.”

“Ha, you flatter me,” replied Tang Tian, not even looking up as he produced a rope from who knows where and began binding Yang Yong tightly.

“Come, let’s have a proper fight. Show me the legendary invincible Steel Palm!” Amory’s passion was ignited at the prospect of a good brawl.

“Invincible is an exaggeration, but you’ll do,” Shen Yuan replied coldly, his palms turning as black as iron.

Tang Tian, having just finished tying up Yang Yong, showed no interest in the impending clash. Instead, he crouched down, eyes gleaming, and began searching Yang Yong for spoils.

Nothing was more exciting than loot!

Peerless Tang Sect