Chapter 119: The Slap

Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice. Jiang Xiaotian followed their gaze and was immediately struck by the sight.

Zhang Wei was right; she was a true beauty. Judging by Zhang Wei's dazed expression, she was likely even more stunning in person than in photos.

The girl sported a trendy, short "granny-gray" hairstyle that looked both chic and striking. While such a color could make some look aged, on her, it was captivating. True to the stereotype that Japanese girls are indifferent to the cold, she wore a miniskirt and sneakers despite the nearing Chinese New Year, leaving a pair of long, slender legs exposed. Even Jiang Xiaotian couldn't help but take a second look.

However, a closer inspection revealed something startling: the girl’s internal energy had reached the late stage of the External Realm, and judging by the condensation of her aura, she was not far from a breakthrough. It turned out that martial artists existed outside of China as well, albeit with different cultivation methods.

It was no wonder they were challenging the local dojos. Ordinary schools like this had no real martial artists; if not for his own fortuitous encounters, the most formidable person here would have been Lin Yun, who had only reached the eighth level.

He looked over at the Japanese man, referred to as "Ito-kun," who had stopped his assault upon the girl's command. Jiang Xiaotian knew the match was technically over. He hadn't intended to intervene from the start—it was just a bunch of kids fighting. If this was the level representing Chinese martial arts, it would be a laughingstock. This was only Beihai; if these Japanese practitioners dared to act this arrogantly in Long City, they would be crushed in minutes.

Yet, just as others prepared to carry Lin Yun off the stage, Ito-kun suddenly raised his foot and stomped hard onto Lin Yun’s right hand.

Lin Yun, whose left arm was already fractured, had no way to defend himself. The stomp caused him to writhe like a shrimp in boiling water, his mouth emitting a cry of extreme agony. Tears and snot mixed on his face, which had flushed an alarming shade of red.

The crowd below erupted in angry shouts, calling him shameless. To attack even after the match had ended was a violation of all moral codes.

"Hmph, weakling," Ito-kun muttered before turning to leave.

But as he turned, he found a slim young man standing in his path.

"Who... are you?" Ito-kun asked with a sneer.

"Ito-kun! His name is Jiang Xiaotian! He’s just a stinking security guard who latched onto a rich benefactor! Don’t be afraid of him!" Chu Ran, standing behind them, suddenly shrieked with excitement upon seeing Jiang Xiaotian. She had finally found a real backer, and since Jiang Xiaotian had delivered himself to her doorstep, she wasn't about to miss the opportunity.

Seeing her behavior, Jiang Xiaotian couldn't help but chuckle. He felt she was truly beyond saving, but he wouldn't stoop to arguing with a woman—especially one he had once loved so deeply. He ignored Chu Ran entirely and looked at Ito-kun.

"Friend, don't you think you've gone too far? He already lost, yet you broke his other hand. Isn't that a bit malicious?"

In the distance, the girl frowned as well. "Ito-kun, that’s enough. Let’s go."

Ito-kun snorted, preparing to walk away. But now that Jiang Xiaotian had stepped forward, he was going to see this through. Had the guy left after winning, Jiang Xiaotian wouldn't have interfered, but since he chose to play dirty, he would have to pay the price. As a martial artist, one had to stand up against injustice, or there would be no point in practicing at all.

Seeing him attempt to leave, Jiang Xiaotian grabbed his shoulder. The Japanese man continued walking as if he hadn't noticed. But this was Jiang Xiaotian, not some random student.

With a slight exertion of force, the Japanese man grunted and spun around, staring at Jiang Xiaotian with wide eyes. "You! You are provoking me! What do you want?"

Jiang Xiaotian didn't look angry; instead, he smiled pleasantly. "Their Tai Chi is not yet refined. Actually, I am also a member of the Tai Chi Club."

The moment these words left his lips, not only the Japanese man but the entire crowd fell into dead silence. No one recognized this newcomer. Zhang Wei was incredibly anxious; he knew Jiang Xiaotian could fight, but everyone had seen how powerful Ito-kun was. He didn't want his brother to get hurt just to vent some frustration.

But one person was thrilled: Chu Ran. Upon hearing Jiang Xiaotian’s claim, she laughed like a fool. "Ito-kun! He’s just bluffing! He knows Tai Chi?"

Ito-kun shoved Jiang Xiaotian’s hand away, revealing his yellow teeth. "Don't provoke me, or you'll end up just like him!" He pointed toward Lin Yun, who was being helped up by others.

Lin Yun, enduring intense pain, warned, "Classmate! Don't be impulsive! You’re no match for him! Get down!"

Jiang Xiaotian bowed to him, then stood in the center of the stage, extending one hand. "To beat you with real Tai Chi, I only need one hand."

The crowd was stunned. Even the Japanese woman gave Jiang Xiaotian a second glance, but seeing no trace of internal energy, she looked away, bored. He was just another arrogant man. Someone like this truly needed a lesson, otherwise, these Chinese people would continue to be full of themselves.

"Ito-kun, finish it quickly," the woman said, no longer in a hurry to leave.

Receiving the order, the man with yellow teeth grinned, his eyes gleaming. He had been itching to put this arrogant guy in his place. He stepped onto the stage. Many spectators had already begun to leave, thinking that since Lin Yun had lost, there was no reason to stay, and this unknown Jiang Xiaotian was just setting himself up for a humiliating defeat.

Only a few remained, and not a single girl among them. Jiang Xiaotian felt a pang of sadness at the sight—the disparity was clear. When Lin Yun was on stage, the entire plaza was filled with girls cheering for him, but when he stepped up, only a few stray men were watching.

Regardless, they shared a common enemy. "Classmate, go for it!"

"Show these Japanese guys what real Tai Chi is!"

"Damn it, I'll believe in you once! Good luck!"

Hearing the cheers from below, Jiang Xiaotian felt a little better. Schools were indeed different from the outside world; students were simpler. When he was struggling out there, almost no one ever cheered for him—he had always been alone.

Ito-kun stared at him coldly, determined to make him suffer. His aura grew stronger, and his sturdy frame made Jiang Xiaotian look fragile by comparison. Yet, Jiang Xiaotian stood as firm as a pine tree, as if no one could ever knock him down.

"I advise you, use both hands. Do not be... arrogant!" Ito-kun said, cracking his neck.

Jiang Xiaotian didn't speak. He kept his left hand behind his back and beckoned with his right index finger. This gesture was the ultimate provocation.

Ito-kun could no longer maintain his composure. His massive frame surged toward Jiang Xiaotian with a speed so great that no one could tell if he was leading with a punch or a kick.

To Jiang Xiaotian, however, it was all agonizingly slow. He didn't even need to use his "Dragon's Fury." Relying purely on physical technique to defeat him while using only one hand—that was the ultimate insult.

He activated his senses; the world seemed to slow to a standstill. Jiang Xiaotian stepped forward and delivered a backhand slap. He held back his strength, otherwise, with Ito-kun’s level, a full-force blow might have killed him.

A loud "slap" echoed through the room, and Ito-kun’s head snapped to the side.

Everyone was stunned. The Japanese woman stared at Jiang Xiaotian in disbelief, as if she had seen a ghost. Jiang Xiaotian hadn't used a shred of internal energy!

Ito-kun stopped, touching his swollen cheek in confusion. He hadn't even reacted; how had he been hit? This didn't scare him—it only fueled his fury. He picked up his speed and increased his force, launching the same high kick he had used on Lin Yun straight at Jiang Xiaotian.

The previous victim had tried to block and ended up with a fractured arm. Seeing Jiang Xiaotian do the same, Ito-kun’s eyes lit up with malicious glee.

But the next moment, the reversal was completely unexpected. Jiang Xiaotian adjusted his posture at the last second, dodging the strike at an impossible angle, and delivered another backhand slap, swelling up the other side of Ito-kun’s face.