Chapter 27: Experiment #1
Ever since I had come here, there was always a thought at the back of my mind that I would meet someone unreasonable. But just like those videos on YouTube where people acted crazy. Meeting such people was quite rare.
People usually restrained their basic desires, thoughts, or instincts of lashing out... Even if, for one moment, someone felt like wanting to kill someone, they would usually not do so.
Now flip that on its head. What if someone were strong enough to do whatever you wanted? They were powerful, and there were no restraints on their behavior.
The laws that were stopping the average crazy guy from acting out were gone in an instant.
It was only a matter of time before I would meet a young master like this. Ironically, it was someone supposed to protect me. Shan Sha was right. If I wanted peace, I would have to fight for it. Not only this once, but for the rest of my life.
"How troublesome," I muttered under my breath.
"That's how life always is, brat," the old man smiled.
Why did I get the feeling he was enjoying this way too much?
Fighting with superpowers sounded amazing on paper and something I could enjoy. But whenever I thought of that, my mind wandered toward the moment when I killed that young man. It was gruesome. I could recall that feeling like it was yesterday.
What would be the chances I would get into a lot of trouble if I killed him? I asked the librarian.
At least I needed to know what I was getting into. If I was fighting someone this arrogant, it would be stupid to hold back. He looked like the kind of guy who would kill me and act like it was an accident.
No, he was more likely to proudly claim something like this.
That would be a troublesome situation, the librarian stated.
Though the chances of that happening are slim to none, the old man chuckled. Who do you think you are, young man? This is no minor stage difference of a star or two. This is a whole other stage, where the cultivator's understanding of Qi itself develops. So it is arrogant of you to even think you can win.
I just like to be prepared, and I know my chances, I reassured the old man, but he still looked unhappy for some reason.
Whatever. You can't stay holed up in the library and let your opponent come up with plans on how to deal with you, the old man snorted and pointed at the guy outside. Even someone as dumb as he looks can come up with a plan given enough time probably will need a lot of time for this one. But that works in your favor.
He was right. No matter how I looked at it, there was no other way.
What do you think would stop him from coming back? I asked the old man.
Just make sure to show him that you are not easy pickings and no matter what happens he will only end up in a world of pain, the old man reassured me. Just go out there and show the world what you're made of. Stop dawdling already.
It seemed like the memory with the librarian was still a bit too fresh for him to act recklessly.
But as my steps grew heavier the closer I got, my mind also grew lighter at the same time. Thoughts were moving faster. Not everything was so clogged with what I should study next, array, exercise plan, worries about what would happen after all this, etc.
Maybe there was some choice out there I hadn't seen. Perhaps I could have called some officials or something. No, who was I kidding? This was a cultivation and martial arts sect. Fighting between two students wasn't forbidden.
I had little to no chance of beating him, and almost every part of me was terrified. Even though all I had to show him was that I was no easy pickings.
My heart thrummed in my ears, and a part... A very small part of myself was curious about this fight. I wanted to test how well my strength would hold up against someone stronger than me.
Would my techniques work at all? How much progress had I made?
Despite getting closer, the inner disciple's rage grew and veins crawled on his forehead like worms, but he still didn't attack.
Many things were brewing in the background that I was not aware of. So to me, this guy was like someone who came out of nowhere. I held no hate for the young man, so I asked one last time, "Is there any way we can solve this peacefully?"
The man's features softened, and for a split second I had some hope before he said, "Kowtow to me a hundred times, and take ten slaps from me until your cheeks swell up like a bunny."
Oh, I was getting the protagonist treatment but without any of the benefits.
There was no doubt in my mind that even if I were to follow his commands, he wouldn't stop humiliating me. Probably push me around in public too.
"How annoying, everything nowadays has become so troublesome," I muttered under my breath.
Of course, I was overreacting a bit with 'everything' being wrong as weeks had passed with nothing happening.
Without much to say, the wind around the man shifted and he threw a slap my way. I leaned back and dodged the lackluster attack.
"Oh? You dare dodge this young master's move?!" He looked annoyed.
Man, this guy was so annoying. Even hearing him talk was like listening to a screeching chalkboard.
Without warning, I lashed out and slammed my fist on his chin. It was a picture-perfect hit where it would cause someone's brain to rattle in their skull, and knock them out.
The inner disciple's head leaned to the side, and a smile made its way onto his face as he turned back to face me.
"Is that it?"
There was not even an injury on him.
