It was eleven o'clock in the morning.
At the Sword Valley in the Immortal Abode of Donghai Martial Arts Academy.
Jiang Wuming was instructing Xia Dong in practicing the Vajra Fist.
This was Xia Dong's fervent request.
Upon learning that Jiang Wuming had publicly taught the Vajra Fist in his first class at Donghai Martial Arts Academy, she had clung to him, insisting on learning from him.
Initially, Jiang Wuming felt that a powerful fist technique like the Vajra Fist was not suitable for Xia Dong. However, unable to resist her persistent pleas, he had agreed.
"This set of fist techniques is so difficult. How did Su Qiang grasp the first three stances in such a short time? It's simply incredible!"
After practicing, Xia Dong discovered the immense difficulty of cultivating the Vajra Fist.
"—"
Jiang Wuming touched his nose, unsure how to respond for a moment.
In terms of martial arts talent, Xia Dong was significantly superior to Su Qiang.
Under normal circumstances, if Su Qiang could comprehend the Vajra Fist in a short period, Xia Dong naturally could as well.
"Ding—"
Immediately, before Jiang Wuming could formulate a response to Xia Dong, his phone rang. Taking it out, he saw it was Qin Xiaozhi's call and answered it directly.
"Boss, my grandfather just called me. Ye Wentao took Wang Lin to see my grandfather this morning..."
As soon as the call connected, Qin Xiaozhi began by informing Jiang Wuming about Ye Wentao and Wang Lin's visit to Qin Yuanzheng.
"Xiaozhi, please thank your grandfather for me."
Jiang Wuming listened quietly to Qin Xiaozhi's narration, his expression calm as he spoke.
"Boss, my grandfather didn't really do much. It was mainly Dean Ren Xiaoyao of Donghai Martial Arts Academy who vouched for you."
For some reason, Qin Xiaozhi sensed a pang in his heart from Jiang Wuming's calm tone. His maternal grandfather, not only disowned him and announced it to the world, but also mobilized family resources against him. How disheartening!
"Mm."
Jiang Wuming gave a soft acknowledgment, then hung up the phone and put it away.
"Brother Wuming, how could your maternal grandfather treat you like this? Doesn't his conscience hurt?"
Seeing Jiang Wuming hang up the phone, Xia Dong couldn't help but speak up for him.
As a Seven-Star Martial Artist, her hearing far surpassed that of ordinary people. She had overheard the conversation through the receiver and learned the truth.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wuming smiled and patted Xia Dong's head, remaining silent.
"Brother Wuming, are you very sad?"
Xia Dong looked at Jiang Wuming with concern, asking softly.
"I'm not sad, but they will regret it!"
Jiang Wuming gently shook his head and spoke again, as if responding to Xia Dong, but perhaps more like making a vow to himself!
He didn't care about the Ye family's actions this time, but he wouldn't forgive their indifference back then. His mother was murdered, and the Ye family showed no reaction. His father sought revenge for his mother, and the Ye family remained aloof, as if it were none of their business!
"Mm, they will definitely regret it!"
Xia Dong, unaware of the deeper meaning behind Jiang Wuming's words, believed him unconditionally. She nodded vigorously, then brandished her small fists as if cheering him on.
"Xiao Dong, you should rest for a while. I'm going out," Jiang Wuming said after a moment's thought.
"Okay."
Xia Dong nodded obediently and watched Jiang Wuming leave before returning to the wooden house.
She intended to tell Xia Xueqin about Jiang Wuming's situation. However, as soon as she entered, she found Xia Xueqin standing by the window, looking at Jiang Wuming's retreating back with a pained expression, her fists clenched tightly.
Although she couldn't do anything about the Ye family targeting Jiang Wuming, she would do her utmost to protect him and prevent him from being hurt again!
Jiang Wuming sensed Xia Xueqin's gaze but did not look back. Instead, he walked straight out of the Sword Valley and headed towards Ren Xiaoyao's residence.
Ren Xiaoyao's residence was located at the highest point of the Immortal Abode, named Xiaoyao Peak. It was also a simple wooden house, with a bamboo forest in front of it, perpetually shrouded in mist, resembling a fairyland.
As Jiang Wuming made his way to Xiaoyao Peak, several people had already arrived ahead of him.
Wang Lin, along with Wang Zhisheng and Song Chenglong, Liu Hu, and their families, had come to visit Ren Xiaoyao.
Among them, Song Chenglong and Liu Hu were kneeling on the ground, their parents wearing anxious and regretful expressions.
Wang Lin and his son Wang Zhisheng stood, their faces filled with suppressed frustration.
All of this was because Donghai Martial Arts Academy had made a decision that morning: Wang Zhisheng had conspired to harm Su Qiang, and Song Chenglong and Liu Hu were accomplices. The evidence was conclusive, and the academy had decided to expel all three students.
"Dean Ren..."
As Ren Xiaoyao appeared, Song Chenglong, Liu Hu's parents, and Wang Lin greeted him in unison.
"You may leave."
Ren Xiaoyao, aware of their intentions, said expressionlessly.
"Dean Ren, Xiao Long was momentarily bewitched and made a mistake. Please give him a chance to reform!"
"Dean Ren, Xiao Hu also made a mistake. He has already profoundly realized his error!"
Song Chenglong and Liu Hu's parents' faces changed dramatically. They then bowed to Ren Xiaoyao, pleading with him to be lenient.
In this era of fierce and intense competition, opportunities for commoners to rise to prominence were becoming increasingly rare. Song Chenglong and Liu Hu had finally seized the opportunity presented by the flourishing of martial arts. Entering Donghai Martial Arts Academy could change their destinies, and even the destinies of their two families!
Now, facing expulsion, they were losing the chance to change their lives, and their parents were naturally extremely anxious.
"Teacher Jiang Wuming has already given them a chance, but they did not cherish it. They can only blame themselves."
Ren Xiaoyao's expression remained unchanged. He already knew the entire story and had no intention of giving Song Chenglong and Liu Hu another opportunity.
It's over!
Hearing Ren Xiaoyao's words again, Song Chenglong, Liu Hu, and their parents turned pale, as if they had fallen into an abyss.
"Dean Ren, you and Donghai Martial Arts Academy have already vouched for Jiang Wuming. Now you are expelling us three. Is that fair?"
At this moment, Wang Zhisheng said with unconcealed resentment and anger.
"Slap!"
Wang Lin responded to Wang Zhisheng with a slap.
Wang Lin, in front of Ren Xiaoyao, slapped Wang Zhisheng. While it appeared to be a reprimand for Wang Zhisheng's impudence, it was actually a feigned show of remorse.
This was because, at that moment, his internal frustration and anger were no less than Wang Zhisheng's!
Originally, he had intended to use the Ye family's influence to teach Jiang Wuming a memorable lesson and seek justice for his son.
However, Jiang Wuming remained unharmed, and Wang Zhisheng, who had lost a hand, was to be expelled!
"Dean Ren, my son is young and foolish. I hope you can be magnanimous and overlook his actions, giving him a chance."
Although Wang Lin harbored countless grievances and immense anger, his composure was profound. He did not let his negative emotions show on his face. Like Song Chenglong and Liu Hu's parents, he bowed and pleaded with Ren Xiaoyao.
"It is a dereliction of duty by the admissions office and a disgrace to the academy to admit someone like your son with such malicious intent, Wang Lin!"
Ren Xiaoyao stared coldly at Wang Lin, as if seeing through Wang Lin's thoughts, and spoke without reservation.
Swish! Swish!
Upon hearing Ren Xiaoyao's words, the faces of Wang Lin and Wang Zhisheng, father and son, changed drastically.
Ren Xiaoyao ignored them, turned, and returned to the wooden house.
"Let's go!"
Seeing this, Wang Lin knew that Ren Xiaoyao would not give Wang Zhisheng, Song Chenglong, and Liu Hu another chance. He said, filled with suppressed frustration and anger, and turned to leave.
Wang Zhisheng silently followed closely behind Wang Lin.
Song Chenglong, Liu Hu, and their parents, seeing this, also left like walking corpses.
A moment later, Wang Lin and Wang Zhisheng, father and son, and the families of Song Chenglong and Liu Hu encountered Jiang Wuming, who was heading to find Ren Xiaoyao, in the bamboo forest.
Instantly, Wang Lin and Wang Zhisheng, father and son, stopped in their tracks, their faces filled with hatred as they stared at Jiang Wuming, wishing they could tear him to pieces.
But they could only think about it!
Even if they had ten times the courage, they would not dare to attack Jiang Wuming here!
"Teacher Jiang..."
Song Chenglong and Liu Hu also looked at Jiang Wuming, attempting to beg him.
However—
Before the two could utter the rest of their words, Jiang Wuming flashed and disappeared into the depths of the bamboo forest, vanishing from their sight.
Seeing this, Song Chenglong and Liu Hu collapsed onto the ground, their faces etched with regret.
If time could turn back, they would not have become Wang Zhisheng's accomplices and gone against Su Qiang for petty personal gain!
To take it a step further, even if they had chosen to do so back then, as long as they had heeded Jiang Wuming's words yesterday, immediately left after self-redemption and punishment, they would not have been expelled!
In that case, they could have pursued further studies at Donghai Martial Arts Academy, joined the Martial Division in the future, changed their destinies, and brought honor to their ancestors!
However—
There are no ifs in this world.
Some things, some people, once missed, will leave a lifetime of regret!