Volume One: Emerging Brilliance Chapter 123: Take on Anyone Who Dares Challenge!

Wang Jue and Chu Yue’s figures shifted rapidly in the night.

Countless gusts of wind erupted like a torrential flood, causing Monkey’s throat to bob involuntarily. He fled hundreds of meters away, trembling as he hid behind a tree. He dared to say that Wang Jue’s swordsmanship could single-handedly crush every senior and junior brother at the martial arts school.

"Bang!"

Chu Yue’s face turned deathly pale in an instant. Caught off guard, she was suppressed by Wang Jue’s blade, which sent her flying backward.

"Pfft..."

Chu Yue spat out a mist of blood, her already pale complexion draining of all remaining color. She had intended to capture Hou Wen tonight to interrogate him about the true killer of her younger brother, but she had not expected Wang Jue to suddenly intervene and ruin her plans.

What she found even more unbelievable was that Wang Jue’s strength had reached such a terrifying level. Under normal circumstances, she would have had nothing to fear, easily turning the tables on him. Unfortunately, Zhao Qingming had not provided her with the antidote. Now, under the pressure of Wang Jue’s assault, the poison in her system had flared up once again.

"I understand now! It was definitely you who killed my brother!"

Chu Yue stared at Wang Jue with venomous hatred. Biting the tip of her tongue to force herself to stay conscious, she scrambled to her feet and fled. "Just you wait! I will kill you in this lifetime..."

She knew that staying in her current state would be no different than waiting to be slaughtered. Once she discovered the murderer, she would ensure that when her wounds healed, she would carve this brat into a thousand pieces!

"Heh, naive."

Wang Jue’s cold, disdainful voice drifted through the air. He lunged forward instantly, his footsteps causing clouds of dust to explode.

"Bang!"

In an instant, he was before Chu Yue, his long sword sweeping horizontally. It was like a river of stars cascading down, the sword light blotting out the sky. This was the first time Wang Jue had unleashed the complete version of the secret technique, "Heaven-Slaying Sword Draw."

The moment he unleashed it, the repressed ferocity in his heart was fully ignited. At this moment, Wang Jue’s eyes were filled with killing intent, radiating a malevolent aura like a demon god.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom..."

Amidst the exploding airwaves, Chu Yue’s face was etched with horror. What kind of swordsmanship was this?!

She had no time to roar. Blown back by the sheer force, she let out a muffled grunt as her face flushed crimson. The sword energy, sharp as sparks, invaded her internal organs, colliding violently within. Had she not been injured, she would never have been dragged down to the point of being unable to block this strike. With her bones nearly shattered from the combined internal and external trauma, Chu Yue’s eyes were wide with agony.

Time seemed to stand still. Wang Jue and Chu Yue were suspended mid-air, face to face. Unlike their first meeting, Wang Jue now glared with ferocious intent, while Chu Yue was consumed by terror, her composure completely shattered.

"Ssh..."

Chu Yue’s beautiful eyes widened as she watched helplessly as Wang Jue’s sword pierced through her body. A second later, both figures fell like shooting stars.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Dirt exploded and bricks shattered as Wang Jue drove his sword through her, dragging her across the ground.

"Boom!"

A large tree by the roadside snapped and crashed down. The trail of blood sliding across the ground looked chilling in the night. The violent, overbearing scene left Monkey, watching from afar, completely stunned.

"Is this the true strength of Junior Brother Wang Jue?"

He stared fixedly at Wang Jue’s back, his throat moving as he swallowed. "How terrifying..."

"I am not reconciled!"

Chu Yue spat blood, clutching the sword in her chest as she glared fixedly at Wang Jue. "If I hadn't been injured..."

"Even if you weren't injured, you would still be the one to die."

Wang Jue looked down at her from above, then crouched down, his gaze icy. "Let me tell you a secret: that's right, I killed your brother."

"You..."

Chu Yue’s eyes bulged at the words. She gripped the long sword in her chest so tightly that the blade sliced through her palms, exposing white bone and dripping with blood.

"He relied on his strength being greater than mine, used me as bait, and in the end, was killed by me in return. Just like you, he told me before he died that he wasn't reconciled."

A cruel smile curled the corners of Wang Jue’s mouth. "Are you satisfied with this answer?"

"May you suffer a miserable death!"

Chu Yue roared, her face covered in blood. "He was my brother! My own flesh and blood..."

Wang Jue did not waste another word. With an expressionless face, he pulled out his blade and slashed downward.

"None of my business!"

Under the cold moonlight, a sharp "Rip!" echoed. Blood continued to spill from Chu Yue’s throat. Even in death, she could not believe she had been killed just like that. To describe it in four words: she died with her eyes wide open, unable to rest in peace.

He who kills shall be killed! Wang Jue never showed mercy to those who sought to take his life, even if they were a woman.

...

Wang Jue searched Chu Yue’s body but found nothing of value, so he and Monkey checked into a nearby hotel.

Inside the room, Monkey had yet to recover from the shock. In his mind, Wang Jue, who was merely a junior brother, had reached a level of strength that he could only look up to.

"Junior Brother Wang, you..."

Monkey wanted to ask about Wang Jue’s current strength, but the words died on his lips. He changed the subject instead. "Brother, I have to thank you. If it weren't for you tonight, I would truly be dead."

"Senior Brother, you're being boring now."

Wang Jue handed him a glass of water. After Monkey took it, Wang Jue continued, "You’ve helped me so much in the past; why are you being so polite now that I’ve helped you?"

"Uh..."

Monkey froze, staring blankly at Wang Jue. After a long moment, he lowered his head and grinned, feeling a sense of relief. He had feared that with such strength, Wang Jue would distance himself, but his attitude remained the same as before.

Truth be told, Monkey was deeply moved. His thirty-year friendship with Li had been sold out in the blink of an eye, while he had known Wang Jue for less than three months, yet the moment he was in trouble, Wang Jue had charged in single-handedly to save him.

Monkey took a sip of water, set the glass down, and said earnestly, "In that case, I won't stand on ceremony with you anymore. If you ever need me in the future, just say the word!"

"Alright, alright, don't get all sentimental, we're two grown men." Wang Jue muttered with mock disgust.

They looked at each other and burst into laughter. After a pause, Wang Jue asked, "Senior Brother, what are your plans for the future?"

"I used to think my strength was enough to walk sideways in Peaceful Town, but now I realize that compared to the martial artists in the big cities, our Peaceful Town is far too small." Thinking of his brush with death, Monkey sighed. "I’m going to put my material acquisition business on hold for now. Starting tomorrow, I’m going into closed-door cultivation. Even if I can't break through to the Red Star Realm, I must reach the peak of Spirit Infusion!"

"Then good luck." Wang Jue gave him a look of encouragement.

Monkey suddenly asked, "By the way, Junior Brother, do you have any advice for the path of martial arts?"

"Hmm?"

Wang Jue was stunned, not expecting the sudden question. Regaining his composure, he replied without hesitation, "Simple. If someone doesn't submit, you beat them up. Just push your way through everything!"

Monkey: "..."

He was speechless. However, when he recalled the scene of the battle between Wang Jue and Chu Yue, he couldn't help but gasp. "Hiss..." It had to be said, his junior brother was truly reckless!

Afterward, Wang Jue checked the time, chatted a bit more with Monkey, and then headed back. He wasn't worried about Monkey getting into any more trouble.

...

Perhaps because of the events of the previous night, Monkey stopped going to the martial arts school the next day and instead practiced at home, picking up his martial path once again.

Wang Jue, on the other hand, was dragged out of bed early in the morning. His father, Wang Jianbin, uncharacteristically skipped his shift at the noodle shop. Instead, he dressed in a formal suit and took Wang Jue along, saying they were going to visit an old classmate.

"Dad, don't tell me you still don't know how to tie a tie?"

Wang Jue rarely saw him in a formal suit and couldn't help but chuckle. "Do you want me to help you? Or should I ask Mom?"

"You little brat, shut your mouth." Wang Jianbin said, his face turning red with embarrassment. "If you don't speak, nobody will mistake you for a mute."

Seeing this, Wang Jue’s mother smiled and tied the tie for him. Wang Xiaoyu had gone to a classmate's house, or she would have been clamoring to tag along with Wang Jue.

Half an hour later, the father and son stepped out of the car. Wang Jue looked resigned, carrying gifts in both hands as he followed behind his father.

Upon arriving at the residential complex, Wang Jianbin made a call. "Old Zhou, I'm almost there. No, no need, I remember the way. Alright, see you in a bit."

After hanging up, Wang Jianbin turned to warn Wang Jue. "Little Jue, remember to greet your Uncle and Aunt politely when we get inside, you hear me? Your Uncle Zhou and I have been like brothers since we were children; we swore brotherhood."

"Oh, and by the way, our families once arranged a marriage for you two. When you were kids, you two often played house together while running around naked... Hahaha, it was quite interesting."

Hearing this, Wang Jue’s face stiffened. What era was this? Arranged marriage? When did he ever play house with someone while naked? Why did he have no memory of it?

Wang Jue searched through his memories but found nothing from his early childhood, giving him an ominous feeling. "Dad, give me the truth. You brought me here specifically—what for?"

"Heh heh." Wang Jianbin just chuckled, refusing to say.

Was this forcing him to play his trump card? A playful glint appeared in Wang Jue’s eyes. "Dad, you can't trick your son like this. I'm still young; don't set me up for early puppy love, or I'll tell Mom you're pushing me to flirt with female classmates."

"You little brat, I think you're looking for a beating!" Wang Jianbin’s face darkened immediately.

Wang Jue was unfazed, his attitude firm. "Let’s get this straight: no mention of the arranged marriage, or you can explain it to Mom yourself when we get home."

"Fine, fine, I won't mention it." Wang Jianbin waved his hand dismissively. "Enough, let's go, don't keep them waiting!"

With that, he strode ahead to lead the way, seemingly not worried at all that his son might run off.

Wang Jue: "..."

The ominous feeling in his heart grew stronger. Looking at his father’s receding figure, he twitched his lips, braced himself, and followed with the gifts. It wasn't that he was against falling in love, but it depended on the person. If it were Luo Shui, he would be a hundred percent willing.

"I'll see how it goes. If it really doesn't work out, I'll ask Luo Shui for help."

Wang Jue had already made up his mind. If his father truly forced him into a blind date, he would have to play his trump card and call Luo Shui. He believed that if Luo Shui knew about this, she would definitely be willing to do him this favor!