Chapter 25: His Highness Xue Beng's Daily Beating
Before Zu Zong could speak, someone on the opposite side shouted, "Insolent! How dare you not bow in front of His Highness Xue Beng!" Then he turned and saluted the young man at the center. "Your Highness, these two unruly commoners don't know the rules. Shall I teach them a lesson?"
The leader's appearance screamed one word: spoiled. It wasn't just how he looked—his entire demeanor reeked of arrogance and entitlement.
Zu Zong suddenly realized what was happening. No wonder he looked so familiar—it's Xue Beng! The guy who got beaten up by Dai Mubai in the original story. Didn't he play dumb to hide his strength and later help expose Qian Renxue's disguise? He ended up as the biggest winner in Heaven Dou Empire, inheriting the throne.
Xue Beng was a scoundrel, but not an idiot. Though a prince, he was the least favored and lived under constant threat. His prematurely dead older brothers were proof of how dangerous the palace was. There were people he couldn't afford to offend—like the upper three sects, Spirit Hall, or his crown prince brother, Xue Qinghe.
Seeing Zu Zong's refined appearance and noble bearing, Xue Beng probed, "Which family are you from?"
Xiao Wu had long lost her patience. She had just been enjoying a comfy ride on her "little boyfriend's" back, only for this idiot to show up. "What family? We were invited to join Heaven Dou Academy."
Hearing that, Xue Beng relaxed. So it's just a pair of nobodies who got lucky.
He smirked and said, "What, you two little brats still sucking milk? Dreaming about joining a noble academy like this one? Not every featherless chicken can become a phoenix."
He turned lecherous, eyes fixed on Xiao Wu. "But this girl's not bad. Keep me company, and maybe I'll let you in. Hahaha!"
As he spoke, he ignored Zu Zong completely and stepped toward Xiao Wu. His gaze was full of sleaze, playing the role of a degenerate prince to perfection.
Zu Zong sighed inwardly. This must be what they call typecasting.
He didn't stop Xue Beng. If the prince wanted to throw himself into a pit, Zu Zong had no reason to stop him.
Xiao Wu wasn't some delicate girl either. With the Shapeshifting Pill Zu Zong had given her and his constant urging to train, her spirit power had already reached level 33—far higher than in the original.
Just as Xue Beng reached to touch her soft, round cheek, Xiao Wu smiled sweetly. Xue Beng froze for a second, thinking, She's into it!
Zu Zong gave him a sympathetic look and silently mourned. You poor prince. May the heavens have mercy.
Sure enough, the next moment, Xiao Wu grabbed his arm and unleashed her full combo: the violent Eight-Stage Throw.
"Ahhh!"
"Help!"
"Mercy, please, Auntie!"
Xue Beng's wails and pleas filled the air. Xiao Wu only got more energetic the more she hit him, using both fists and feet without pause.
Back in Nuoding, nobody except Zu Zong was her match. Beating them was no fun. But fighting Zu Zong always ended with her pinned to the ground in seconds. As for that Tang San guy Zu Zong always mentioned—she avoided him like the plague.
In her words: "Just hearing about his first soul skill makes me sick. That guy must be even worse. Hmph! Xiao Zong can't be wrong."
Tang San (angry + sobbing):Zu thief! You not only stole my wife, but now you insult me behind my back?! I'll capture you alive, eat your flesh, and wear your skin. Prepare to die! Hyaah—!
Tang San fainted once again.
Half a cup of tea later, Xue Beng's face was swollen like a pig's. Only then did Zu Zong call her off.
The rest of Xue Beng's group were trembling with fear. Only two or three managed to summon their spirits and assume defensive stances.
They were completely shaken. Who would've thought this cute little girl, barely twelve or thirteen, was actually a tiger in disguise?
Zu Zong glanced at them and muttered, "Typical greenhouse flowers."
Lying nearby, Xue Beng regained a bit of consciousness after Xiao Wu finally stopped. Gritting his teeth with stubborn willpower, he barked at his cronies, "What are you all standing around for?! Can't you see I've been beaten up? Summon your spirits and beat them up! I don't believe that so many of us can't take down one girl!"
His hopes were high, but reality... was harsh.
Xiao Wu's violent Eight-Stage Throw had left such a terrifying impression that Xue Beng's cronies didn't dare make a move. Sure, Xue Beng was their boss, but risk their lives for him? Absolutely not.
Hearing there might still be a fight, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up with excitement. She raised her tiny fists, full of aggressive cuteness. "More fighting? I like that!"
Just then, Zu Zong reached out and stopped her, placing her behind him. "That was just to let you vent. Girls shouldn't always think about fighting. What if you can't get married later?"
Then he turned his gaze toward the other nine of Xue Beng's followers. His tone turned cold. "Are you sure you want to do this? Unlike Xiao Wu, I won't waste time."
Zu Zong (holding his breath):Ugh, I finally got to say that classic Uchiha Itachi line.
Uchiha Itachi (angrily):Much appreciated, really.
Hearing the part about "not being able to get married," Xiao Wu's face immediately turned bright red. She seemed to realize something and lost all interest in continuing the fight.
The crowd, seeing their "tigress" being reined in, relaxed. As for Zu Zong? They completely dismissed him. In their eyes, anyone who hid behind a girl couldn't be all that strong.
"Brothers, summon your spirits and beat him up!"
Once the first one made a move, the rest followed. All nine spirit rings activated—each of them was a Spirit Grandmaster or a Spirit Elder.
Zu Zong shook his head and vanished from sight.
Within five blinks, the nine of them were all either kneeling or lying on the ground, clutching their stomachs and howling in pain.
"Oww…"
"It hurts…"
"My little JJ...!"
Lying on the ground, Xue Beng was stunned. "What kind of speed was that? Is he even human? Is he man or ghost?!"
But it wasn't over. Zu Zong casually kicked each of them into the air, one after another, until they crashed down in a stack—piled up like dominoes right on top of Xue Beng.
The bystanders were all dumbfounded. The way they looked at Zu Zong changed completely. What they had assumed was just a pretty boy now looked like a full-blown demon. Of course, those were all the guys.
Most of the girls, on the other hand, had sparkling stars in their eyes the entire time.
Xiao Wu skipped over, threw herself into Zu Zong's arms, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Wow! Xiao Zong, you were amazing! What spirit skill was that? It almost looked as strong as my third skill!"
Zu Zong actually smiled and said calmly, "Alright, let's go register."
Qing Jiao:Yeah, go on, keep showing off.
Zu Zong:No kidding, I finally got a cool moment. If I didn't smile, should I cry instead?
Just then, a stern voice suddenly rang out. "What's going on here? Why so noisy?"
From the tree-lined path on the hillside, a figure came speeding over. He wore a silver training outfit, looked to be in his fifties, had a round face, thick brows, and big eyes. With hands clasped behind his back, he looked every bit the part of a seasoned expert.
(End of chapter)
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