Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Backlash

“I have something I want to ask.”

Chen Tang said, “What is the standard for a martial artist to enter the ranks?”

Mei Yingxue glanced at Chen Tang, a faint trace of indescribable regret and sympathy flashing in her eyes.

She originally didn’t have much of an impression of Chen Tang.

It wasn’t until more than two months ago, during that battle on the long street, that she completely remembered this tall young man in front of her.

At that time, many people around were watching the excitement, mocking and ridiculing.

She was in the crowd, but she couldn’t laugh.

Instead, she felt ashamed.

Mei Yingxue had practiced martial arts since childhood, but in the face of the Black Water Gang, she was afraid, dared not take action, and could only watch as Chen Tang fell into a pool of blood.

She didn’t even have the courage to step forward and save him.

So, she admired Chen Tang very much in her heart.

Mei Yingxue thought that people like Chen Tang only existed in Jianghu legends.

Until that day, she realized that in this world, there really are such passionate people who, when angered by injustice, would draw their swords to help.

So, she once helped Chen Tang send Cui Yong away.

She also visited several times, just worried about Chen Tang’s ability to make a living.

In Mei Yingxue’s opinion, someone like Chen Tang really shouldn’t die.

Now, hearing Chen Tang’s inquiry about martial artists entering the ranks, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Such a passionate person encountered severe injury, with all tendons and fascias severed, and no chance to practice martial arts. How unfair is the heaven to him.

“Miss Mei?”

Chen Tang saw Mei Yingxue standing there for a long time without speaking, her expression uncertain, not knowing what she was thinking, so he called out softly.

“Ah.”

Mei Yingxue snapped back to reality, gave an apologetic smile, and said, “I was just a little distracted.”

“There are two signs of entry: first, drawing a power bow of three stones; second, training the skin like armor.”

Chen Tang nodded.

This statement was the same as what Li Junqing had said.

Chen Tang said, “It doesn’t sound complicated, so it seems unnecessary to go to Wu’an County to test one’s cultivation.”

“That’s different.”

Mei Yingxue said, “Firstly, a strong bow of three stones is only available in the martial arena of Wu’an County; it’s forbidden to make bows over one stone in civilian territory.”

“Secondly, testing in Wu’an County, once passed, is the Court’s official designation of a Ninth Grade Martial Artist.”

Chen Tang asked again, “Isn’t there also the term ’Copper Skin’?”

“Hehe.”

Before Mei Yingxue could answer, a chuckle came from the side.

A group of youths was walking over, led by Gou Dai.

This boy seemed familiar.

A month ago, when Mei Yingxue helped Chen Tang with those thirty taels of silver, this boy had mocked him with words.

“Chen Tang, why are you asking so many questions?”

One of the youths had a disdainful expression on his face, shaking his head with a smile, “You’re just a cripple now, even hard labor is strenuous, yet you’re asking about entering the ranks, how laughable.”

“He even mentioned Copper Skin, haha!”

The youths all chuckled and sneered.

“What nonsense are you spouting!”

Mei Yingxue scolded them.

Gou Dai, seeing Mei Yingxue angry, grew more envious, and said, “Don’t talk nonsense, Chen Tang is our Changze County’s Young Hero Tiger Subduing!”

“At his age, who else can earn such a reputation?”

“Hahaha!”

The youths laughed even more uproariously at this remark.

Mei Yingxue frowned deeply.

She had never liked Gou Dai much, and upon seeing his demeanor now, she felt even more repulsed.

“Chen Tang, let’s go.”

Not wanting to interact with these people, Mei Yingxue took Chen Tang, intending to leave.

Gou Dai glanced toward the corner at the entrance, where his servant was hiding with the thugs, watching and just waiting for his signal.

A glimpse of fierceness flashed in Gou Dai’s eyes as he nodded slightly.

The servant understood, pointed at Chen Tang in the distance, and whispered, “Go bite that person, bite without holding back!”

With that, the servant released the chains from the necks of two vicious wolves.

“Howl!”

A low growl erupted in the Martial Arts Arena.

Mei Yingxue, with Chen Tang, had just turned around when she heard the wolf’s howl, startling her, and instinctually looked over.

They saw two wolves, taller than half a person, suddenly appear, rushing towards their position, their eyes glowing ominously, baring fangs menacingly, and they reached them in the blink of an eye!

“Ah!”

Mei Yingxue cried out in alarm.

This time she came out without carrying any weapons.

Facing these two ferocious wolves, she was completely defenseless.

“Junior Sister Yingxue, be careful!”

Gou Dai stepped in front rapidly, shielding Mei Yingxue.

The action appeared protective but was actually blocking her.

Doing so also fully exposed Chen Tang to the two wolves!

“Oh no, everyone watch out, the chains broke!”

At this moment, the servant ran out, feigning surprise as he loudly shouted.

“Chen Tang, watch out!”

Mei Yingxue saw that Chen Tang seemed unaware and turned pale.

But Gou Dai blocked her path, so she couldn’t rush over and could only shout a warning.

The two wolves were already lunging at Chen Tang from behind!

Yet Chen Tang hadn’t turned around.

Seeing this, a smile crept onto Gou Dai’s lips, as if envisioning the scene of Chen Tang being torn apart by the wolves!

At that moment, Chen Tang glanced back.

He didn’t even turn fully around.

Just a glance, and the two wolves behaved as if they’d seen a ghost, whimpering, instantly losing all aggression!

The two wolves changed direction, bypassing Chen Tang, avoiding him afar, running behind Gou Dai and trembling.

Wild animals’ sense of smell is the most acute.

As they neared, they sensed that Chen Tang’s scent was peculiar, reminiscent of that supreme ruler of the Three Thousand Snow Ridges!

Chen Tang, in the Snow Ridge, constantly battled fierce beasts, developing a ferocity more intimidating than the beasts themselves!

His glance back evoked the divine aura of a fierce tiger glancing over its shoulder.

Truly, a tiger’s watchful gaze!

In an instant, the two wolves seemed to see the Mountain Lord White Tiger gazing at them, becoming terrified, losing all composure, and shaking uncontrollably.

What?

The onlooking crowd, unaware of the inside story, was dumbfounded by the scene, staring in disbelief.

Why was it so different from what they imagined?

Why were these wolves more cowardly than dogs?

The crowd instinctively looked at Gou Dai, filled with doubt.

Could it be that the Evil Wolf Gang’s leader had just brought two pets from outside, looking scary but actually quite gentle?

Feeling the crowd’s gaze, Gou Dai’s face turned red with embarrassment.

After all, being just a teenage boy, he wasn’t composed enough for this.

“Damn it, you mutts, go bite him, bite him!”

Gou Dai, somewhat frantic, cursed out loud, kicking at the two wolves.

The two wolves, having marked the ground with urine earlier, had now soiled Gou Dai’s clothes as well.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, kicking harsher, gritting his teeth, and cursing, “Go bite, you two beasts!”

Pfft!

Being pushed too far by kicks, the two wolves, unwilling to provoke Chen Tang, turned back and bit down.

With one bite, they tore a piece of flesh from Gou Dai’s thigh!

“Ahhh, you damn mutts bit the wrong one, it hurts so bad!”

Gou Dai, bitten on both legs, fell to the ground, bleeding profusely, his face pale, crying out in pain.

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