Volume One: The Youth Enters the World Chapter Seventeen: A Lesson

Chen Yufeng furrowed his brow, wondering who the person beside Zhou Xiaodie was. How dare he speak to him in such a manner? The young man was certainly bold. Moreover, his plain attire did not suggest the bearing of a scion from any notable family.

“Miss Zhou, who is this?” he asked.

Fang Tian exchanged a glance with Zhou Xiaodie, signaling something with his eyes.

Catching the look, Zhou Xiaodie immediately understood his intention. “This is my attendant. My cousin is drunk, and I was going to have him help me take my cousin home.”

If she hadn’t spoken, it wouldn’t have mattered, but now—good heavens—a mere attendant dared to call him a fly. Chen Yufeng’s anger flared, and he decided he’d have to teach this fellow a lesson when the chance arose. Still, he had to restrain himself; he couldn’t lose his composure in front of Zhou Xiaodie.

But one of his followers, unable to tolerate Fang Tian’s insolence, snapped, “Boy, watch your tongue! How dare you call our young master a fly? Have you grown tired of living?”

Chen Yufeng’s expression darkened. His underling was as brainless as ever. He turned to scold him, “Shut your mouth, you fool.”

The follower, startled by the rebuke, was at first bewildered. After a moment’s thought, he realized that Fang Tian’s words reflected back on his own master. His resentment toward Fang Tian deepened, and he shot him a venomous glare.

Having dealt with his subordinate, Chen Yufeng forced a smile for Zhou Xiaodie. “My underlings are ignorant. Please, don’t take offense.”

“It’s nothing. But I really must go. Would you please let us pass, Young Master Chen?”

“Are you sure you won’t stay?” he pressed.

“I’m sure, Young Master Chen.”

Despite Chen Yufeng’s repeated attempts to persuade her, Zhou Xiaodie remained firm in her refusal. He felt his dignity slipping away and began to feel humiliated. In his frustration, he reached out to seize her arm, but before he could touch her, Fang Tian blocked his hand.

Fang Tian, already exasperated beyond endurance by the man’s behavior, spoke without the slightest courtesy, “Chen Yufeng, you’re going too far.”

Chen Yufeng, provoked by Fang Tian’s interference, could no longer contain his temper. He drew his hand back and barked, “You attendant, you talk too much! Do you know who I am? How dare you address me by name! Even if Zhou Xiaodie is here, don’t think I won’t deal with you!”

Fang Tian replied coolly, “Deal with me? You’re welcome to try.”

Sensing trouble, Zhou Xiaodie tried to intervene. “Please, stop arguing. Young Master Chen, I truly must leave—perhaps another time.”

“Miss Zhou, it isn’t that I won’t let you go, but your attendant spoke out of turn. He must apologize. Otherwise, I’m afraid this won’t end well for him—I certainly won’t be polite.”

Fang Tian sneered, “Not polite? And what exactly will you do?”

Stung by Fang Tian’s derision, Chen Yufeng’s rage finally boiled over. His expression twisted, and he could restrain himself no longer. “You’re courting death!” he shouted, throwing a punch straight at Fang Tian.

But Fang Tian, utterly unimpressed, raised his hand and caught the punch with an open palm. The impact of fist and palm unleashed a shockwave, shattering the surrounding tables. Chen Yufeng was forced back several steps until he collided with a pillar.

The shopkeeper at the counter, seeing the display, immediately recognized that both were cultivators. A brawl here would only mean disaster for the Springview Pavilion. Knowing Chen Yufeng by sight, he hurried forward, pleading, “Young Master Chen, please restrain yourself! My humble establishment cannot withstand such havoc. I beg you to show mercy.”

But Chen Yufeng was in no mood to listen. “Don’t worry, shopkeeper. Put anything that’s broken on my tab. Now get out of my way.”

Hearing this, the shopkeeper could only retreat, not daring to interfere further. After all, the damages would be compensated.

Zhou Xiaodie, standing nearby, grew anxious as the confrontation escalated. “Stop this at once! Don’t cause any more trouble!”

“Miss Zhou, it’s not that I wish to fight, but your attendant is unbearably insolent!” Chen Yufeng retorted, then turned to Fang Tian, “So, you have some skill. I was careless before and didn’t use my full strength. I didn’t expect an attendant to possess such spiritual power. Very well. This time, I won’t hold back. If you have the ability, try taking my attack.”

Fang Tian’s gaze turned icy as he replied, “Finished talking? Then come at me.”

“Still so defiant, are you?” Chen Yufeng sneered. “Take this—Martial Technique: Diamond Fist!”

Chen Yufeng channeled his spiritual energy, launching an attack as forceful as a breaking wave toward Fang Tian. Yet Fang Tian remained unmoved, raising his hand again to receive the blow, as though he hardly considered the attack worth his attention.

Seeing Fang Tian meet his assault with his bare hand, Chen Yufeng inwardly ridiculed him for his arrogance. With his cultivation at the ninth level of the Spirit-Gathering realm, how could such a punch be stopped so simply? It was preposterous.

But what happened next left him dumbstruck. Fang Tian caught the strike easily, gripping Chen Yufeng’s fist in an unyielding hold. Chen Yufeng tried desperately to withdraw his hand but found he couldn’t budge it, as if some invisible force had bound him. He was utterly powerless.

Chen Yufeng’s followers, shocked by the turn of events, were left reeling. They hadn’t witnessed the scene they’d expected; instead, their young master was now helplessly caught, his fist trapped in Fang Tian’s grasp. Uneasy, one of them called out, “Release our young master at once! If you don’t, you’ll face the Chen family’s wrath!”

Fang Tian smirked, mocking them. “I’m the one in control here, not you. I suggest you mind your manners, or who knows what I might do?”

A sense of panic crept into Chen Yufeng’s heart. He couldn’t understand how he had been subdued so easily. Something about this was all wrong. He struggled in vain, then resorted to threats.

“Boy, you’d better let go of me now, or the Chen family will never forgive you, no matter if you’re from the Zhou family or not.”

“Oh? All I’ve done is hold your hand, and you’re already threatening me?” Fang Tian replied. “It seems you need a lesson.”

Spiritual energy surged from Fang Tian as he tightened his grip. With a sickening crack, Chen Yufeng’s arm was broken. Fang Tian then kicked him aside, sending him sprawling.

Chen Yufeng collapsed, clutching his shattered arm, howling in agony. “My hand! My hand!” He had barely screamed a few times before the pain overwhelmed him and he passed out. Fang Tian had dealt him a heavy blow indeed.

Fang Tian turned to the remaining followers. “Your young master has fainted. Aren’t you going to take him away?”

Realizing Fang Tian was not to be trifled with, they quickly gathered up Chen Yufeng and made a hasty, humiliated retreat.