Blossoming Path

Chapter 150: Hope on the Horizon

Tian Zhan strolled forward, each step calculated, like a storm gathering strength. I could feel the tension tightening as Wei Long stood frozen, torn between anger and confusion.

“What are you doing here?”

But Tian Zhan only gave him a cold glance, dismissive, as if he were an inconvenience rather than an adversary.

“You don’t deserve an answer from me,” He said coolly. The blatant disregard, dripping with disdain, visibly rattled the Narrow Stone Peak disciple, his face slowly flushing red. And as much as I hated the man, it was almost comical to see him shrink, his rage barely contained in the face of Tian Zhan’s utter confidence. It was a remarkable contrast; Wei Long, built like a bull, fists ready to crush, but visibly holding himself back in front of a man no taller than I was.

I felt the briefest opening and turned to Tianyi. “Are you alright?” I whispered, voice low and urgent, reaching out to steady her. My heart twisted at the sight of her, even in the pale morning light.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

There were faint, spider-webbed cracks along her neck, each line a reminder of Wei Long’s brutal strength. And all over, those raised lines on her skin now held darkened edges from the blows she’d taken.

She gave me a small nod, trying to brush it off, but I couldn’t help it. I pulled her close, arms wrapping tightly around her.

"I'm sorry. This is my fault.” I murmured, the words breaking in my throat. She was tougher than I could ever be, but seeing her like this, almost shattered, brought every hidden fear to the surface. She didn’t say anything, only leaned into the hug, and for a moment, the chaos around us dimmed, replaced by the quiet relief of knowing she was still here.

Windy let out a soft hiss, giving me a soft smack on the arm, clearly affronted.

A loud slap cracked through the air, snapping me from the moment. My head whipped back to the scene in front of us, my eyes widening as I took in the sight. Tian Zhan stood with his palm still outstretched, and there, frozen, was Wei Long, a bright red handprint seared onto his face, his expression blank with shock. His disbelief turned quickly to rage, his face contorting.

“How dare you!” he snarled, every muscle in his body tensed, ready to strike.

But Tian Zhan raised an eyebrow, calmly cutting him off. “Oh? Are you resisting me?” He took a single step forward, pressing his head forward as though daring the ox-like man to strike him back.

“I think someone like you would understand the implications of that."

The threat hung heavy, so raw that it left the entire crowd silent. Even Wei Long, prideful as he was, seemed to waver, his fists twitching with suppressed fury.

"...Is this how the Whispering Wind sect operates?" He asked through gritted teeth.

"This is the authority I wield as a sect leader candidate," he replied coolly. "What sect would sit idly by when another threatens their rising star?"

Wei Long's face twisted with indignation, his cheeks flushing a deep red. "Ridiculous!" he spat. "You're the one who barged in here unprovoked, and now you accuse me of aggression? You started this!"

The grey-haired man glanced leisurely around the village square, his gaze settling on the scene; the cracked earth, and the villagers who still watched warily from a distance. "Did I?" he mused, his tone almost casual. "From where I'm standing, it seems you initiated hostilities by attempting to seize control of Gentle Wind Village."

Wei Long's eyes flickered, a brief hesitation betraying his uncertainty. "I was merely carrying out the interests of Narrow Stone Peak," he retorted. "This village lies within our sphere of influence. You have no say on what we can't do."

"Ah, so you admit to overstepping your bounds," Tian Zhan said smoothly. "Tell me, does your sect endorse the destruction of property and the endangerment of innocent lives to expand its influence?"

Wei Long's jaw tightened. "Don't twist my words."

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"I'm not twisting anything," Tian Zhan replied, his gaze piercing. "I'm simply observing the situation. You attacked this village, harmed its people, and now feign innocence when confronted. It's unbecoming of a first-class disciple."

As I watched their exchange, it settled over me. Tian Zhan was deftly turning the tables, using his authority and eloquence to paint Wei Long as the aggressor. It struck me how easily the narrative could be controlled from a position of power. Despite only relaying a fraction of the details in my plea for help, Tian Zhan had taken command of the situation effortlessly.

Now this... this was power.

Wei Long's fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles white. "You have no right to interfere in our affairs," he said through gritted teeth.

Tian Zhan raised an eyebrow. "Interfere? When a fellow sect threatens the peace and well-being of innocents, it's not interference—it's responsibility. Unless, of course, you'd prefer we involve the sect elders to mediate this... misunderstanding. Or we could bring this case to the magistrate if you so desire."

A flicker of doubt crossed Wei Long's face. "You think your status allows you to meddle without consequence?"

"My status grants me the duty to act when others abuse their power," Tian Zhan countered. "And judging by the state of this village and the testimonies of its people, it's clear who the abuser is."

The silence stretched out, punctuated by the faint rustling of movement. The Five Fists staggered into the square, rubbing their eyes as they took in the scene, confusion quickly shifting to loyalty as they recognized their leader’s battered form.

"Senior Brother! We'll save you!"

Wei Long’s jaw tightened as they moved forward. “No!” he bellowed, his voice ringing out, full of anger and warning, but it was too late; they were advancing, ready to defend him at any cost.

Feng Wu took a quick step forward, but Tian Zhan moved first. A fierce gust of wind exploded outward, knocking Wei Long back as it swept across the square. The Five Fists found themselves caught in the tempest, barely able to steady themselves before Tian Zhan struck. His movements were nothing like the elaborate techniques I’d grown used to seeing; no flashy moves or overt displays of qi. A simple punch, a clean kick, a sharp chop—Each motion flowed like water, yet with such brutal speed and power that every disciple fell with a single strike.

One by one, they dropped, too stunned to defend themselves, their shock mirroring my own as we all watched in awe.

Wei Long stumbled back to his feet, his face twisted in rage, but he froze mid-step as Tian Zhan held up a single hand, the unspoken command clear.

“I’ll forgive your disciples’ insolence,” Tian Zhan said, voice cold, his gaze unwavering on Wei Long. “They’re young, immature, third-class at best. But you…” His words hung in the air, dripping with finality. “You remember what I said, Wei Long. Make one more move, and I will consider it an act of war against the Whispering Wind Sect.”

A long silence stretched out. Wei Long’s face hardened, his eyes smoldering with humiliation and hatred, but he knew he was outmatched. Slowly, he lowered his fists, his jaw set, every line of his body radiating defeat.

I watched him, my heart thudding in my chest, disbelief and relief warring within me. The man who had terrorized our village, who had dared to bring ruin to everything we held dear, was finally brought to his knees. And here, I witnessed the end of his arrogance, as Tian Zhan stood unyielding, a wall that wouldn’t be moved.

Wei Long’s shoulders sagged, his gaze fixed on the ground as he finally accepted the inevitable. The arrogant fire in his eyes had dimmed, replaced by something else. Something hollow.

He opened his mouth, perhaps to mutter some last threat, but before he could, Tian Zhan stepped closer, the air around him chilling. His hand snapped forward in a brutal slap that echoed across the square. Wei Long staggered back, his hand instinctively lifting to his reddened cheek. My breath hitched in my chest.

He's already won! Why keep pushing? This is only going to make things worse!

He took another step forward, his voice slicing through the silence. "You should be thanking me for this correction, Wei Long. For the mercy I'm showing you—and your sect—by letting you walk away.”

Wei Long’s face contorted, his eyes blazing with a hatred he barely managed to keep restrained. Through clenched teeth, he forced out the words, each one dripping with resentment. "Thank you… for your correction."

Before I could speak up, Feng Wu glanced sharply at me, shaking his head. As though warning me not to interfere. The sound of painful, cracking slaps continued as TIan Zhan humiliated Narrow Stone Peak.

The sight made something inside me twist. Seeing the once-mighty Wei Long, humiliated and subdued, was a satisfaction I hadn’t expected. But there was a deeper layer, an uncomfortable truth that struck me as I watched the power dynamics at play. Here was a man, a terror to our village, reduced to this state not by the justice of right and wrong, but by the authority Tian Zhan wielded with ease.

If Wei Long had been the one to hold that power, would we have fared as well?

"Senior, I think that's enough. I believe he's learned his lesson." Feng Wu said diplomatically, coming forward to stop Tian Zhan.

The man's sharp eyes analyzed Wei Long critically. The ox-like man had his head down, trembling, either from rage or fear. His eyes were shadowed, but I could see veins popping up on his head as he silently took everything.

"Is this enough, Kai Liu? Do you think Wei Long has repented enough?"

My gaze snapped to Tian Zhan, and we made eye contact.

I nodded, heart pounding. Despite the pain in my throat and chest, I forced myself to speak. "Yes, senior. I believe he's learned his lesson."

Tian Zhan’s expression softened a fraction. "Good." He turned back to Wei Long, his voice icy and unforgiving. "Then thank Kai Liu and the Verdant Lotus Sect for this leniency, Wei Long. Consider this your final warning."

The man clenched his jaw, the words practically wrenched from his throat as he turned to face us, hands clasped together with his head bowed. "Thank you… Kai Liu, and to the Verdant Lotus Sect for their mercy."

The humiliation dripped from his voice. It felt like both a victory and something else entirely, something heavier. As Tian Zhan dismissed him with a flick of his hand, Wei Long dropped to his knees, his spirit subdued, moving stiffly as he unbound Zhao Wen and lifted the groaning members of the Five Fists from the dirt. I watched as he carefully avoided meeting anyone’s gaze, his defeat absolute and devastating.

The square was silent, the weight of everything pressing down like a storm after the battle, thick and laden with unspoken truths. And in that quiet, a realization struck me—one that ran deep and cold.

I’d thought calling in a favor was straightforward. I’d thought power worked in simple exchanges, that justice would feel clear and clean. But today, as I watched Wei Long’s spirit crushed under Tian Zhan’s heel, I saw something more. My stomach twisted with understanding. The world Elder Ming had warned me about. About how the Jianghu was filled with dangerous people with ill intentions.

I was just lucky to stand beside someone who could turn the tables in my favor.

He’d tried to warn me, to guide me, and I’d thought I understood. But as Tian Zhan commanded Wei Long to never so much as look in our direction again... as Wei Long nodded, defeated, I realized that I was just beginning to understand what true power meant in the Jianghu.