Chapter 57: 56 If I want to hit you, I hit you; do I still need to pick a day?

56 If I want to hit you, I hit you; do I still need to pick a day?

He leaped down, and the Disciples quieted down slightly.

Regardless of anything else, the strength Tang Zhao had just displayed was not trivial; although everyone ostracized him from the bottom of their hearts, they dared not look down on him. The Disciple who had just made the snide remark hid in the crowd, planning to incite everyone to gang up on Tang Zhao if he came over.

After Tang Zhao came down, he did not look at him, but walked up to Zhang Xu (Zhang Dazui) and suddenly raised a foot, kicking him flying.

Zhang Xu rolled away, sprawled on the ground, and said angrily, "You motherf—" Seeing Tang Zhao's face, he lost some of his nerve, lowered his voice, and said, "Why are you hitting me? I didn't oppose you; Hu Si opposed you, go hit him!" By the end, his voice sounded quite aggrieved.

Tang Zhao said calmly, "Why would I hit others? I discussed it with everyone and asked if anyone opposed it; would I resort to violence just because someone opposes me? A gentleman seeks harmony but not uniformity; how could there be a reason for a one-man show? Am I that kind of overbearing and tyrannical person?"

"..." Zhang Xu was speechless for a moment.

Tang Zhao continued, "And I just said, one must not make trouble out of nothing. Those who haven't offended me, I will absolutely not strike. How can I break my own word? Him opposing me does not count as offending me."

Zhang Xu blinked and shouted, "But I didn't offend you either!"

Tang Zhao said, "You conspired with Gao Mo to kill me yesterday."

Zhang Xu's voice nearly cracked as he shouted, "But you already came into my room and hit me last night!"

Tang Zhao said, "Who said that if you offend me once, I can only hit you once? Did the gentleman's agreement just now include that clause? If I want to hit you, I hit you; do I still need to pick a day?" As he spoke, he kicked Zhang Xu again, sending him rolling a few steps into the crowd.

Zhang Xu's bones nearly fell apart; he scrambled up, looking disheveled, and caught sight of Hu Laosi. Suddenly struck by inspiration, he roared, "Hu Laosi, what kind of fart are you spouting? Why don't you listen to the YoungMaster's words? I'm not finished with you!"

He lunged forward with hatred, slapped Hu Si to the ground, then pinned him down and beat him with heavy, flesh-thudding blows.

Tang Zhao stopped looking at the two, turning a deaf ear to their shrieks, and said, "Fellow colleagues, are there any other objections?"

The crowd was silent for a moment, until someone said, "Who would dare..."

Tang Zhao tilted his head slightly, and Gao Mo rushed up like a madman, punched the man down, and cursed, "What are you farting about? You're the only one with a mouth?"

Aside from the two beatings, there was dead silence; the remaining people either looked down at the ground or stole glances at Jiao Feng.

In the field, besides Jiao Feng, no one could stop Tang Zhao from acting tyrannically; if Jiao Feng didn't speak up, those two lackeys would be useless.

Jiao Feng watched this good show with his arms crossed, showing no intention of interfering.

After waiting a moment, Tang Zhao said, "Since everyone has no objections, our agreement is made and effective as of today. Thank you all."

As he spoke, he bowed in salute.

His etiquette was always impeccable, yet everyone subconsciously dodged to the side, then all bowed slightly in return.

"Next... please let Teacher Zuo act as a witness." He gestured with a "please" motion.

Everyone's gaze shifted in a "swish." Zuo Hu, standing to the side, felt quite awkward; according to the script, it seemed very shameful, but he couldn't refuse. He rolled his eyes upward and said with a slight stutter, "This matter... is settled as such. A word is a bond; whoever violates it will bear the consequences." Having said that, he left in a hurry.

His back looked somewhat wretched; perhaps out of concern for his reputation, he hadn't particularly cooperated to support Tang Zhao. But the looks everyone gave Tang Zhao became even more bizarre.

If it had been an order from above, Zuo Hu would have performed better; such an awkward display could only mean that the person who forcibly dragged Teacher Zuo here was Tang Zhao himself.

He really dared to do it.

If Tang Zhao's rapid progress in martial arts made everyone feel he had become a different person, then this outburst made everyone feel that he had always been this kind of person.

This person had a fair face but a black heart; he was a wolf by nature, and having grown tired of pretending, he simply shed the sheep's skin to reveal his fangs.

In fact, everyone present was no saint, but Tang Zhao's way of doing things was more bizarre and differed from everyone else's train of thought; because he was unfathomable, he was all the more terrifying.

"This little Scholar... actually has such a side." In the distance, a few people watched this scene quietly. The leader, in a white dress, was Black Widow; the other, in official robes with a sword, was Xing Ji.

Xing Ji said leisurely, "He has always had a volatile side; after all, he is young, with hot blood boiling. He can be gentle, he can be upright, but he cannot be one to swallow his pride. I quite like his rigid side."

Black Widow said, "Since he is violent, he fits well with our Five Poisons Society. With a little guidance, there is great potential for him to join our Five Poisons Society."

Xing Ji laughed, "How could that fit? Good and evil may change, but a person's aesthetic taste does not. Look at how Tang Zhao does things—methodical, with give and take, and seeing things through to the end. How interesting! Even if he were to fall one day, he would be a villain with taste, completely different from the mindless, vicious bugs you raise with your gu-poison. How can they be mentioned in the same breath?"

Slowly losing his smile, he added, "And he won't let you guide him. A genius inclined toward goodness is more precious than pure gold or fine jade; he is a treasure of the Human World, and I will not let anyone defile him. Manor Master, you are a talent of the moment, do not lead yourself astray."

Black Widow snorted and said, "You certainly value him highly. Since you value him so much, you should keep him in your palm. Look at the progress of his martial arts; don't you find it strange? This is not martial arts taught by Teacher Guan. Even a silkworm turning into a butterfly requires a cocooning process; how can one transform on the spot? You shouldn't just guard against me, only to have other sewage come and stain your treasure."

Xing Ji pinched his chin and said, "It is quite interesting."

He seemed to be thinking, then added, "I will investigate Tang Zhao's affairs. Manor Master, you should also restrain the others. Let the children's business in the Grape Courtyard be a test for this child; don't let messy people from the outside come in to cause trouble. Otherwise, if it comes to external help, our Land Inspection Division will not lose."

Black Widow raised her eyebrows and said, "Xing Ji, you always speak so lightly. Which of your requests have I not fulfilled? That should be enough to give you face. You should also give me face and tell your subordinates to show some Restraint. The hearts of the people are against you; there is no one in the manor who doesn't hate the Land Inspection Division, and my prestige is not to be consumed like this. If your subordinates would just settle down, Tang Zhao would never have invited such hatred."

Xing Ji smiled, "Naturally, everyone's subordinates are managed by themselves; living in harmony depends on everyone. Oh, that Teacher Zuo—I know the Manor Master finds him useless, but since he is willing to shelter Tang Zhao, just tolerate him for a few days."

Black Widow said, "Since Lord Xing has spoken, I will keep him for a few more days and deal with him after Tang Zhao leaves."

As the grand drama concluded, everyone went back to doing what they were doing.

Tang Zhao also prepared to practice martial arts; although his lessons with Guan Lei were practically finished, that small practice field was very quiet, and he really did not want to be in the same ranks as these people.

At this moment, someone silently blocked his path.

As soon as Tang Zhao saw this person, he politely cupped his hands and said, "So it is Brother Jiao. Thank you for your righteous assistance, Brother Jiao."

In truth, Jiao Feng hadn't done anything; he had just stood by and watched, but his inaction counted as a favor of sorts.

One must know that every generation of young Disciples in the Grape Courtyard had a Grey Spider King, but not every generation's Grey Spider King was undisputed; there were often fights for the title. But Jiao Feng's generation had none; he was of an overwhelming level. And although he did not form cliques, he had great prestige; if he had come out and voiced opposition just now, he wouldn't have needed to strike—the crowd would naturally have responded to his call, and Tang Zhao would not have been able to control the situation so easily.

Jiao Feng said indifferently, "Other people's business has nothing to do with me. I thought you were a content and honest person; I was wrong. You actually take the initiative to attack."

Tang Zhao smiled, "When things are uneven, they cry out; since a person has a breath of life, they must always do something. Do I look like I have a face that is easy to bully?"

Jiao Feng scrutinized him and said, "Indeed, one cannot judge a person by their appearance. Your palm technique is quite good; would you like to spar?"

Tang Zhao raised an eyebrow, "Spar?"

Although Jiao Feng had never shown hostility, issuing a challenge at this time inevitably carried a suspicion of provocation.

Jiao Feng said frankly, "Spar. Just a martial arts spar; no need for others to see. Let's find a quiet place, just the two of us. Empty-handed, no swords." His gaze shifted to the Art Tool in Tang Zhao's hand, and he said, "If you use a sword, I am no match for you."

It seemed he knew the significance of the Art Tool; this alone showed insight higher than teachers like Zuo Hu.

Tang Zhao pondered slightly; he had always known Jiao Feng did not lie, but with the recent tense atmosphere, he was a bit uncertain, so he said, "Fine, follow me."

He led Jiao Feng into Guan Lei's small courtyard. This place was isolated from the outside practice field, and with Guan Lei looking after it, it should be perfectly safe.

Who knew that upon entering the courtyard, they couldn't find Guan Lei, only Teacher Liu, who said that Guan Lei had sobered up this morning and, having been touched by some emotion, had gone out to clear his mind; he likely wouldn't be back for a few days.

Tang Zhao had been worried he would leave and never return, but Teacher Liu said he would likely return; although the lessons were over, he would still come back to say goodbye. Only then did Tang Zhao set his mind at ease, put aside his melancholy, and borrowed the courtyard from Teacher Liu for the duel.

It just so happened that the giant rock in the small courtyard had been pushed out by Tang Zhao overnight, leaving a flat space in the middle that could serve as a ring. Tang Zhao stuck several Art Tools into the corners, partitioning off a space two zhang in diameter, and said, "Brother Jiao, please."