Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Friends and Foes
The villagers never expected Vahn, a seventeen-year-old boy, to actually land a blow on that thug who had obviously undergone body strengthening.
After all, no matter how long an ordinary man trained, they could never catch up to those people with cultivation resources. And Green Village had no such resources.
Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Vahn was able to hold his ground against one of them. That alone was enough to shock the crowd.
What they didn’t realize was that if this had been the old Vahn, he would have struggled even to defend himself.
But the present Vahn had already broken through the Veil of Mortality and stepped into the Body Tempering Realm. Although he was only at the lowest stage, his years of physical training and mental fortitude were proving invaluable.
With each exchange, his strikes grew sharper, more precise, as he learned how to channel his spirit energy throughout his body.
Strangely, he didn’t feel fatigue despite using so much spirit energy. This part puzzled him. He clearly remembered having only a small reserve, so where was this sudden abundance coming from?
The question remained unanswered, but for now he embraced the thrill of battle. In the past, he hadn’t even been given the chance to fight back. But today, he was holding his own against two men at once. It was really exhilarating.
However, seeing all this,Cain’s face turned ugly.
"What are you doing, fools? Don’t give him time to breathe. Everyone attack at once!" he roared at his dozen underlings.
"Ah, yes, Young Master!"
A dozen underlings rushed forward all at once.
Overwhelmed with their participation, Vahn was quickly pinned to the ground.
Only then Cain stepped forward arrogantly, carrying himself as though he owned the world. Although inside, he was just a coward scared of fights.
"Is that all you’ve got, trash? Now, I’ll show you what it means to defy me..."
He grinned wickedly, lifting his leg, ready to crush Vahn’s head under his heel.
But to everyone’s shock, Vahn was smiling.
"Hehe... Firat take a look behind you, Stupid."
Cain’s eyes narrowed in alarm. But before he could even turn around—
Bang!
A palm strike slammed into his back, sending him crashing face-first into the mud.
"Oh, my!" Gasps erupted from the villagers as another youth appeared, standing tall in fine blue robes. A sword hung at his waist, glinting faintly in the sunlight.
"Isn’t that Orion? Our village’s pride is back!" someone exclaimed in awe.
It was indeed Orion Falgur, Vahn’s childhood friend.
"You dare lay a hand on my friends while I stand here?" Orion’s voice was cold.
With a few more swift palm strikes, he effortlessly freed Vahn from the thugs’ grasp.
Cain also staggered to his feet, his already ugly face smeared with mud and dirt.
Orion glanced at him and shook his head in disappointment.
"It seems the Ironcrest Clan has cast aside both its motto and the honor of its late Clan Head. What a pity."
"Bastard! You think you have become a bigshot just because you have become an outer disciple? If my father wishes, he can kick you out of the sect anytime he wants."
Orion sneered. "I find your bluff quite amusing. I am not just an outer disciple, my master is an elder of the sect. Still, if you think your threat works on me, you can bark as much as you want. But you know I have quite a hatred for dogs like you. I might just slit your throat to silence you."
He said it all without any fear or hesitation, as if he would really do as declared.
Vahn couldn’t help but admire his friend’s growth. Both physically and mentally he had matured within just a few months.
The reason couldn’t be more clear: Strength.
When one’s strength overpowers the other party, this kind of confidence was probably natural.
Cain swallowed back the rage and humiliation inside his heart. Understanding the other party was stronger than all of them together, he left.
His pride was wounded, but it was better than dying or getting crippled.
Orion didn’t pursue the matter either. Because this kind of treatment of ordinary people was only natural. If he continued to pursue further, like killing Cain, it would bring greater problems for him in the sect. His master would be under a lot of pressure due the influence Ironcrest Clan had within the Verdant Sect.
Like many wise men, Vahn also understood that fact, so he didn’t say anything else. But he also knew these kinds of loose threats were always better to clear from the roots, otherwise they would surely come back to bite you one day.
However, there was nothing they could do right now except stay alert.
After the Ironcrest men left, the villagers praised Orion for his bravery and courage, while Vahn collected himself, gazing at the towering mountain in the distance.
He could feel Seraphina’s gaze even from miles away. If something bad were to happen to him, he believed she would step in.
It was a test for her, to see if she really cared for him or not. Unfortunately, Orion had stepped in and ruined it.
Still, Vahn believed there would be more time to test her intentions in the future. That five percent emotional connection wasn’t enough to erase all of his doubts. Not by a long shot.
Nonetheless, evening arrived by the time the tension among the villagers had died down.
"Vahn, Emilia... Let’s go fishing, just like last time," Orion proposed with a smile, and they followed.
They picked up their fishing rods made of bamboo sticks and headed toward the river.
They sat down at the spot where Vahn usually sat, then set up their hooks, watching the sun set in the west in a peaceful silence.
After a while of quiet peace and shared laughter, Orion suddenly asked,
"Vahn, my brother, you have awakened, haven’t you?"
For a fleeting moment, Orion’s ember eyes sharpened, flashing with a cruel light.
Vahn thought he was just imagining things. Until it happened.