Chapter 55: Two Against One
The tavern erupted into uproar the moment Su Tianhao's words fully sank in.
"Did I hear that right? Su Tianhao is actually going to challenge Young Master Wenjie?"
"Isn't he just begging for a beating?"
"Even if his aura is stronger than most at the 1st level of Martial Disciple Realm, it's still only the 1st level!"
"Compared to Young Master Wenjie, such strength isn't even worth mentioning."
"Courting death!"
Faced with criticism from every direction, Su Tianhao remained utterly unfazed, expression unreadable as carved stone.
"Want to fight here and now?" he asked calmly, golden eyes chilling as they locked onto Ye Wenjie with predatory focus.
"Haha..." Ye Wenjie chuckled softly. "I have to admit, you're really brave—"
"Spare me the talk," Su Tianhao cut him off, tone sharp as a blade. "Talking is over."
"I see..." Ye Wenjie's slanted eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, though his smile never wavered. "Then let's take this outside. We wouldn't want to ruin my Ye family's establishment, now would we?"
'Ye family establishment,' Su Tianhao noted inwardly, a sharp glint flickering through his golden pupils. 'The Ye family controls entertainment throughout Oakwood City. I didn't realize I'd walked straight into enemy territory... No wonder the majority sided with Ye Wenjie so easily.'
Before he could reflect further, Ye Jianping stepped forward with barely contained eagerness.
"What are you waiting for? Aren't you going to fight?" he shouted impatiently.
Su Tianhao turned toward him with eyes cold enough to freeze blood.
He'd had enough.
"Of course I'm going to fight. I won't go back on my word—unlike some people." The implication was crystal clear as his gaze swept deliberately toward Ye Wenjie.
The patrons understood immediately. "Some people" referred unmistakably to Ye Wenjie, who had refused to apologize even after Su Tianhao's innocence was proven.
Ye Wenjie's smile tightened fractionally. "It seems you still harbor resentment about my... delayed apology. But you can still uphold your dignity—as long as you manage to beat me, of course."
Su Tianhao's lips curved into a smile that held no warmth. "Of course. But I'll only fight on one condition."
"Oh?" Ye Wenjie raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?"
Su Tianhao's voice rang out firm and clear, carrying to every corner of the watching crowd as he pointed deliberately at both men—Ye Wenjie and Ye Jianping. "I want to face both of you together."
Silence.
The entire tavern fell deathly quiet for a heartbeat—then exploded into absolute chaos.
"Arrogant! This Su Tianhao is far too arrogant!"
"No—this isn't mere arrogance. It's complete madness!"
"Isn't he just seeking death?"
"Acquires a little strength and suddenly thinks he's invincible."
Even Ye Wenjie and Ye Jianping stood momentarily stunned, neither having anticipated such an audacious declaration.
"Hahahaha!"
Ye Jianping's laughter rang out heartily, dripping with vicious delight. "Su Tianhao, I never expected you'd actually give me the chance to erase my shame! How truly noble of you!"
Though the words sounded like praise on the surface, they were saturated with mockery.
Ye Wenjie's lips curled into a predatory smile. "Since you so desperately need a beating... we'll be generous enough to oblige."
"Hmph." Su Tianhao's expression was filled with cold disdain. "Meet me outside when you're ready."
Without another word, he turned sharply on his heel and strode out of the tavern, leaving the patrons stunned in his wake.
"Quick! Let's get outside!"
"We definitely can't miss this!"
"I knew tonight was going to be interesting!"
One by one the patrons rushed toward the exit in an excited stampede, voices filled with anticipation for the coming spectacle.
Ye Wenjie turned calmly to his companions, charming smile still in place.
"Let's head out as well."
The two maids nodded eagerly, faces flushed as they averted their gazes bashfully.
The hawk-eyed youth grinned brightly, excitement practically radiating from him. He could barely contain his eagerness to watch Su Tianhao get thoroughly dealt with.
But the most excited of all was undoubtedly Ye Jianping.
'Not only am I going to get my revenge tonight—I'll personally crush Su Tianhao beneath my feet with the Young Master's help!' His thoughts churned with vicious satisfaction. 'The heavens truly do favor me!'
After enduring so much humiliation and suffering through countless insults, he was finally going to extract his revenge and purge this burning hatred from his heart. Without doing so, such festering resentment would inevitably manifest as a heart demon—crippling his future cultivation potential.
Heart demons were born from humanity's most troublesome emotions. Once they took root in a cultivator's heart, they posed devastating hindrances to both mind and spiritual progress. Without eliminating them completely, achieving any meaningful breakthrough became virtually impossible.
---
The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, leaving behind fading streaks of crimson and violet that slowly dissolved into the deep indigo embrace of night. A gentle breeze stirred the cooling air, carrying faint scents of earth and distant pine. The first stars began piercing the darkening canvas above, shimmering softly like scattered jewels across black velvet.
In the quiet stillness of the open courtyard behind the tavern, Su Tianhao stood alone—his solitary figure stark and clear against the darkening sky. His golden eyes reflected the faint celestial glow, steady and absolutely resolute.
The distant murmur of the tavern faded into memory, replaced only by the whisper of wind and the quiet, determined beating of his own heart.
Then—
Footsteps.
They came slowly at first, a distant rhythm gradually growing louder and more insistent.
The patrons flooded into the open space, forming a wide circle around Su Tianhao with remarkable speed. Anticipation burned in every watching eye.
A moment later, Ye Wenjie and his followers emerged from the tavern entrance, striding forward with large, confident steps. The assembled crowd parted respectfully as they approached, creating an open pathway straight into the makeshift battleground.
"Su Tianhao..." Ye Wenjie's voice carried easily across the air, smooth and friendly. "I truly admire your confidence."
He stepped deliberately into the open space, each movement calm yet subtly imposing—a predator approaching cornered prey.
"However—confidence means absolutely nothing before true strength."
"Hahaha! That's right!" Ye Jianping followed close behind, cruel smile stretching wide across his pale features, expression radiating pure ecstasy. "Su Tianhao, prepare to be utterly crushed!"
"Shut up and fight already." Su Tianhao's voice cut through their posturing with cold dismissiveness, expression twisted with visible disgust as he stared at Ye Jianping.
"Allow me to serve as referee!"
A loud voice rang out, echoing powerfully across the open space and silencing the murmuring crowd.
Everyone turned. It was the huge middle-aged man with gruff features who had spoken up during the tavern confrontation. He stepped forward with an imposing aura that commanded immediate respect.
"Any objections?" he asked, his deep voice brooked no argument.
The crowd shook their heads almost in unison. They didn't care who acted as referee, as long as they got to witness what promised to be a memorable match.
"Good."
The massive man nodded once before turning to face all three combatants—tension crackling in the air between them like invisible lightning.
"Since this is two against one, the young man should be granted the first strike. Any objections?"
The crowd fell silent, all eyes turning expectantly toward Ye Wenjie and Ye Jianping.
Su Tianhao studied the massive man with renewed interest, analytical mind racing.
'Who is he, and why is he helping me?' The question burned in his mind. He attempted to probe the man's cultivation level—only to find his senses completely blocked, as if striking an impenetrable wall.
'Just as I thought. He's not simple at all.'
Ye Wenjie frowned slightly at the obvious favor shown toward Su Tianhao—quickly masked behind a warm, magnanimous smile.
"Indeed, a two-against-one match isn't exactly fair... but that's his own choice." His voice carried clearly to every listening ear. "As a benevolent person, I'll naturally allow him the first move."
The crowd smiled approvingly, their already high opinion of Ye Wenjie climbing another notch.
Ye Jianping grinned before turning back to Su Tianhao. "All right. Make your move."
"Hahahahahaha!" His laughter burst forth as he threw his head back dramatically. "Cherish this opportunity, Su Tianhao—because you might not get another chance to attack once we begin!"
"Then I won't be humble," Su Tianhao replied flatly.
Then—without any warning.
He moved.