Chapter 25
C25 – He Left
“Break!” Wen Huaimu called out coolly, his palm’s wind meeting the oncoming ghost nail head-on.
A crisp sound rang out as the first ghost nail rapidly shrank, spewing red powder in a whirlwind of motion.
In mere moments, the ghost nail had disintegrated, leaving nothing but a scattering of red iron dust.
The second ghost nail then embarked on the same path. Amidst the crowd’s astonished stares, it too dwindled away into nothingness.
Inside the molding ring, the elfin’s complexion turned ashen. “Brother,” she cried, “the compression of the wind element is draining too much magic. I can’t keep up.”
Wen Huaimu sensed the trouble even before the elfin spoke. The magic expended to pulverize the ghost nails was pushing them to the brink of their combined magical limit. He had intended to maintain his expert facade, but the circumstances no longer permitted it.
His gaze sharpened, and as the third ghost nail hurtled towards him, he released the wind from his fingertips, enveloping and halting the ghost nail in a heartbeat.
Seizing the moment, Wen Huaimu effortlessly snatched the ghost nail from the air.
He turned his attention to Ghostfreak’s concealed location. “I’ll keep this ghost nail as a memento. Are you up for another round?” he challenged.
All eyes followed Wen Huaimu’s gaze as Ghostfreak emerged from a shadowy corner, his figure becoming clear.
“You’re formidable. I couldn’t even get near you. I admit defeat,” Ghostfreak declared, his voice devoid of defeatism.
Wen Huaimu breathed a silent sigh of relief. Another bout might have allowed him to flex his prowess, but he had exhausted his reserve of magic.
“Well then, take this failure with you. Should his backers seek retribution, they know where to find me,” Wen Huaimu stated evenly, his calm voice sending a shiver through the listeners.
“Many thanks, elder,” Ghostfreak said, his eyes alight with respect as he glanced at Wen Huaimu. He moved swiftly to Mr. Zhen’s side, tapped him with practiced speed, and carried him out of the hall.
Silence reigned in the hall as everyone’s gaze remained fixed on Wen Huaimu, all wondering what the seemingly superhuman figure would do next.
Wen Huaimu tilted his head back slightly, a surge of excitement and a sense of pride swelling in his chest.
He was indeed becoming a force to be reckoned with.
However, Wen Huaimu wasn’t so full of himself to believe he was unbeatable. His recent skirmish with Ghostfreak had relied on psychological tactics, bolstered by the little elfin’s magic to intimidate his opponent. In a true head-to-head, he wasn’t sure he could have taken Ghostfreak down.
This realization sparked an urgency in Wen Huaimu to harness the energy of nature and expedite the elfin’s leveling up. As the elfin grew stronger, so would he.
“Big brother, I had no idea you were this formidable, yet you kept it a secret from me,” Miss Zhuang said, her anger now completely evaporated, leaving her in an exceptionally good mood. Her face was a mix of surprise and allure, with a touch of melancholy.
“Brother, don’t pay her any mind.”
Wen Huaimu remained silent, but the elfin was quick to protest. She propped up her frail body and let out a defiant roar.
Touching his nose awkwardly, Wen Huaimu was at a loss for words. The elfin was, after all, his most reliable ally.
“Dear brother, are you going to leave me?” Miss Zhuang mistook his silence for a sign that he was about to depart, revealing his true identity. A wave of deep sadness washed over her, and she was taken aback by the sudden emotional surge. Her captivating eyes began to mist over.
Wen Huaimu’s headache intensified. Feeling the elfin’s bulging eyes and hurried breath within the ring, he found himself in quite the predicament.
“Truth be told, I do have some matters to attend to. We’ll be in touch later,” Wen Huaimu finally said, deciding to prioritize the elfin’s emotions. She was, after all, his pillar of strength.
At his words, the elfin inside the ring burst into cheers, her irritation transforming into joyous laughter.
Miss Zhuang paused, giving Wen Huaimu a contemplative look before speaking softly, “If that’s the case, I won’t press the issue. But please, take my business card. Should you ever find yourself in Hong Kong, make sure to look me up. I’ll take very good care of you.” With that, she produced a golden business card and extended it toward Wen Huaimu.
“What a sly fox,” the elfin scoffed, her disdain palpable, yet she made no move to stop Wen Huaimu.
Without hesitation, Wen Huaimu accepted the card.
Holding it in his hands, he found himself at a loss for words.
The business card was like any other, except its golden hue gave Wen Huaimu the impression it was crafted from solid gold.
It was simple, featuring just a name and a phone number.
“Zhuang Hongdou!”
Wen Huaimu committed the name to memory. Then, taking Zhuang Hongdou’s hand, he assured her, “Hongdou, I’ll definitely return to Hong Kong to see you. If anyone dares to bully you, tell me. I’ll ensure they regret it.”
“Alright, I’ll be counting on your care when that time comes,” Zhuang Hongdou beamed, her eyes narrowing with joy.
“I’m Wen Huaimu. Make sure you remember that.” With those final words, Wen Huaimu decisively turned and strode away, not sparing a glance for anyone else in the hall.
Zhuang Hongdou’s smile vanished only after Wen Huaimu was out of sight, her demeanor shifting to that of an icy queen as she turned her gaze to Leng Hao on the ground.
Leng Hao was wracked with discomfort, clueless about what Ghostfreak had done to him. He was completely immobilized, struggling even to speak.
A young man with a devil-may-care attitude stepped protectively in front of Leng Hao, offering Zhuang Hongdou a wry smile. “Miss Zhuang, I hope you can show some leniency.”
“I haven’t even stated my intentions, yet this visit to Anbubury has been a profound disappointment, courtesy of the Leng family. The proposed partnership is off the table. You’re no longer qualified to be a part of this deal,” Zhuang Hongdou retorted with a cold laugh before turning to leave.
“You’ve got quite the temper. Are you saying you won’t even accept an apology if I offer it myself?” came a voice, aged yet resonant, from the entrance. A slender elder with a flowing white beard entered, leaning on a cane. Flanking him were two other seniors, their eyes gleaming with the light of profound cultivation.
“Old Mr. Leng,” Zhuang Hongdou greeted, her expression warming instantly upon seeing the elderly man. She offered a respectful greeting, well aware of his esteemed status and their renown as martial experts.
Old Mr. Leng responded with a smile and a nod, then turned his attention to Leng Hao on the ground. A flicker of helplessness crossed his eyes, but he approached with measured steps.
He squatted beside Leng Hao and gave his shoulder several firm pats, reviving sensation in Leng Hao’s rigid body. Though soreness lingered, it no longer hindered his movement.
Rising quickly, flushed with embarrassment, Leng Hao faced Old Mr. Leng, at a loss for words.
Old Mr. Leng let out a weary sigh. “Unless you take the time to reflect and settle your mind, you’ll never be ready for the big leagues.”
Leng Hao’s shame deepened, yet he couldn’t bring himself to argue. His recent blunders left him speechless. He had once believed that brute force was the answer to all problems, but his recent defeat had proven otherwise. Now, his loss had brought dishonor upon the Leng family.
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