The "he" Han Shaobai was thinking of was, naturally, Chen Yang.

Zheng Xiaoman was indeed stunningly beautiful, as brilliant and captivating as a star. But Han Shaobai was in no mood to appreciate her beauty. His pupils contracted to pinpricks, staring intently at Chen Yang, who stood beside her.

There are some people you meet only once but never forget for the rest of your life.

For Han Shaobai, Chen Yang was one such person.

Chen Yang noticed him too and flashed a wide grin in his direction.

A chill ran down Han Shaobai's spine, and he clenched his teeth tightly.

"President Zheng, that is Han Shaobai, a disciple of our Martial Association's Protector Ye Nantian! He is a standout among our younger generation and one of the key people responsible for establishing the new branch in Lingjin City," Jia Guangping introduced, holding his head high with an air of vicarious pride.

Zheng Xiaoman nodded, then asked with curiosity, "Is he very strong?"

"Of course! Even two of me combined wouldn't stand a chance against him." Jia Guangping's eyes filled with envy and jealousy. He knew he could never reach Han Shaobai's level in this lifetime.

Zheng Xiaoman drew in a sharp breath. The Martial Association was truly full of hidden masters.

Zheng Xiaoduo pouted and said, "From the sound of it, you're not very impressive either!"

"That depends on who you compare me to," Jia Guangping said, glancing at Chen Yang. "Take this guy, for example. I could crush him with a single finger!"

"Oh, please. Anyone can brag," Zheng Xiaoduo replied, unconvinced. In her eyes, Chen Yang was the strongest.

"We'll see if it's bragging or not after a fight!" Jia Guangping winked at Zheng Xiaoduo and then fixed his gaze on Chen Yang. "Kid, you got the guts to fight me?"

Chen Yang ignored him. A small smile played on his lips as he saw Han Shaobai walking over.

Jia Guangping's expression darkened. "Kid, are you pretending you can't hear me?"

"Just forget it. He's not your opponent," Zheng Xiaoman said, waving her hand to stop him. She didn't want Chen Yang to get hurt because of her.

Jia Guangping just laughed. Ignoring Zheng Xiaoman completely, he took a sudden step forward, his fist smashing toward Chen Yang's head.

BOOM!

The force of the punch seemed to tear through the air.

"You...!" Zheng Xiaoman's face paled. She was powerless to intervene and could only watch in horror.

It's over. Now Xiaoduo is going to blame me again.

Zheng Xiaoman sighed inwardly. She was furious at Jia Guangping for attacking, but she also blamed Chen Yang for being so reckless.

He knew he couldn't beat the other guy, so why be so arrogant? Couldn't he have just lowered his stance a little? Now look at him, getting thrashed in a place like this.

In a flash, a dull, heavy thud echoed through the hall.

BANG!

Unbelievably, Jia Guangping's fist never touched Chen Yang. Instead, it had been stopped cold by Chen Yang's open palm.

An unparalleled, excruciating pain shot from Jia Guangping's fist and spread through his entire body.

His face turned ashen, twisted in agony. It felt like he had just punched a steel plate!

So hard! How can he be this hard? The moment of impact, my whole fist felt like it was going to shatter!

Jia Guangping was completely dumbfounded. He never could have imagined this outcome.

"He... he actually blocked it?" Zheng Xiaoman stared, astounded, her beautiful eyes practically bulging out of their sockets. She stood motionless, gaping at Chen Yang as if she'd just seen a ghost.

"You like to show off so much?" Chen Yang asked with a half-smile. He clenched his other hand into a fist and blasted it toward Jia Guangping's chest.

"What!?" Jia Guangping's expression contorted in terror and panic.

He couldn't even see the shadow of the fist, only feel the ferocious power rushing toward him.

BANG!

Chen Yang's fist landed solidly on his chest. Jia Guangping was sent flying backward, a splash of scarlet blooming on his torso. He crashed heavily to the ground and coughed up mouthfuls of blood, his mind a complete blank.

How is this possible? I'm a Steward of the Martial Association, a fifth-tier Fist Master! He beat me with a single punch?

"Just a piece of trash. Why were you jumping around in front of me?" Chen Yang shook his head in exasperation. He hadn't wanted to bother with the man, but he just wouldn't quit.

In an instant, the entire banquet hall fell dead silent.

What... what was happening?

Did he just attack a member of the Martial Association on the Martial Association's own turf?

Everyone turned to look at Chen Yang, drawing in a sharp, collective breath. This guy had some serious nerve!

"Sis, did you see that? Did you see?!" Zheng Xiaoduo was so excited she nearly jumped for joy. She grabbed Zheng Xiaoman, her face flushed as she said, "That's my Uncle Chen Yang's strength! He's the strongest!"

"You said this Teacher Jia was so powerful, right? So what happened? He couldn't even take one hit from my uncle!" Zheng Xiaoduo was not only thrilled but utterly vindicated.

With this single act, Chen Yang had shattered their prejudiced assumptions about him.

"This... this..." Zheng Xiaoman stood there dumbfounded, her mind reeling. But she quickly shook her head. "His strength is beyond my expectations, but his actions are too reckless and impulsive. It's completely thoughtless! This is the Martial Association's territory, and Han Shaobai is right there watching! To hit Jia Guangping in front of so many people is a blatant slap in the face to the entire Martial Association!"

Zheng Xiaoman sighed, her gaze on Chen Yang now filled with pity and helplessness. Without a doubt, this guy was doomed to a miserable end.

Zheng Xiaoduo's smile froze. "But Jia Guangping provoked him first, and he attacked first!" she said anxiously. "Isn't he the one who started it? Shouldn't that matter?"

"Matter?" Zheng Xiaoman laughed. "You're too naive. Once you step out into the world, you'll learn that reason doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is how hard your fists are."

Zheng Xiaoduo was speechless.

"He's talented, what a shame..." Zheng Xiaoman shook her head and lamented. She had certainly seen Chen Yang's strength, but now there was no chance of inviting him to be Xiaoduo's teacher.

"Sis, you can save him, right?" Zheng Xiaoduo asked, her face pale as she looked to her sister for help.

Zheng Xiaoman shook her head. "He slapped the Martial Association in the face in front of everyone. No one can save him."

In fact, everyone else present thought the same thing. To put it bluntly, Chen Yang was going to shed blood here today, and he might even die.

And who was Han Shaobai? As Ye Nantian's disciple, he was known for his bold and unrestrained manner. It was obvious how he would react to seeing a member of the Martial Association beaten before his eyes.

As expected, Han Shaobai's expression changed, and he began walking straight toward Chen Yang.

Jia Guangping spat out another mouthful of blood and struggled to shout, "Young... Young Master Han, you have to stand up for me! Help me kill this piece of trash!"

Han Shaobai was fuming. He shot Jia Guangping a cold glare, mentally cursing him and his entire family tree back eighteen generations.

This idiot doesn't know life from death! He could have provoked anyone, but he had to provoke *him*? I've already been beaten by him once, and you want *me* to get revenge for you? What am I supposed to use? My life?

Cursing inwardly, Han Shaobai didn't dare to delay and walked directly up to Chen Yang. Soon, he was standing right in front of him.

The atmosphere in the hall became incredibly tense.

"I'm... I'm so sorry! That piece of trash was blind enough to offend you. I apologize on his behalf!"

Then, in the utter silence and to everyone's dumbfounded astonishment, Han Shaobai actually bowed in apology.

Jia Guangping's jaw dropped.

Zheng Xiaoman stood frozen.

The entire hall fell into a stunned, disbelieving silence.

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