bullying the weak
At dawn, Xu Yourong and the others waited outside and shouted into the house, "Junior brother, get up quickly."
Rong Yan propped his head up and looked at the gray sky; it was still early.
He slowly got dressed, tidied himself up, and tied his hair before going out.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, senior brother," he said apologetically.
Today's practice was still outdoors, with only a few people in the training ground.
The group chose an open space, where the rising sun slowly emerged from behind the Misty Sect's pavilions.
"My senior brother went back and discussed it last night, and decided to help you fly on your sword. What do you think?" Xu Yourong's voice was sleepy, probably because she had been thinking about it all night and was too excited to sleep.
"That's wonderful, Junior Brother is extremely grateful." Rong Yan followed them in a daze, and only after hearing this did he regain some of his energy.
"Alright, then you just do whatever we do."
"Okay." He nodded obediently, like a little lamb ready to be slaughtered.
The group rolled up their sleeves and hopped around on the ground like frogs, making loud thumping noises. Rong Yan stood still, watching them.
"Junior brother, are you feeling unwell? Why aren't you moving?" Xu Yourong slowly got up and went to check on him.
Rong Yan wasn't stupid; he made a fool of himself and acted in a very ugly and despicable manner in order to tease him.
"I just don't understand, what does this have to do with sword control?" Feigning ignorance, Xu Yourong hesitated for a moment, then patted her chest and forced herself to explain, "Of course it's for a good physique. Only when you're strong and healthy can you wield a sword."
"I see, I'll jump with my senior brother." Rong Yan suddenly realized, squatted down, crawled on his stomach, and jumped one step at a time.
He slowed down, and when the three of them had jumped three miles away, he stopped in place, his face flushed and covered in sweat.
"Senior brother, I can't jump anymore..."
The group returned the way they came and saw that his face was pale. They didn't dare to put any more pressure on him and could only say, "Then let's rest for a while."
After standing under the pavilion for a while and enjoying the breeze, Xu Youruo urged him on.
"Come out when you've rested, don't be lazy."
He said "okay".
The frog jump was replaced with a standing jump, which was just as amusing. Knowing that pretending to be tired wouldn't work, Rong Yan was smarter this time. "I really don't have the strength. Can I hold your hand, Senior Brother?"
Xu Yourong was still hesitating when Rong Yan bypassed him and took Xu Youruo's arm.
Xu Youruo smiled reluctantly, "Then you can hold my hand."
The other two demonstrated in front, while he pulled Xu Youruo and deliberately leaned to the side, taking the opportunity to hook his foot when she wasn't paying attention.
"Hey, hey, what are you doing?" Xu Youruo shouted. The two of them fell straight to the ground.
Xu Youruo landed face-first, leaving bruises on his face. Rong Yan did this on purpose, having taken precautions beforehand, so it wasn't as serious; he only scraped his skin with his palms.
Upon seeing her younger brother injured, Xu Yourong raised her voice, grabbed his collar, and revealed her true colors, "What happened to you?"
Rong Yan trembled all over, his innocent eyes wide open, tears welling up in his eyes, and he said apologetically, "I didn't mean to."
"Don't be like that, Junior Brother didn't mean it," Zhan Tingyu said, trying to ease the tension.
Xu Yourong clenched her fists, her face grim. Her younger brother was still crying out in pain, and remained silent for a long time.
Half a day later, he released his grip and smoothed out the clothes that had been crumpled by his fist. The fabric of the plain silk brocade was of excellent quality, and as soon as he let go, the clothes instantly became neat and tidy.
"Senior brother, you must have frightened your junior brother just now. Junior brother, please don't mind." Xu Yourong's expression changed immediately, and she gritted her teeth inwardly.
"No, it's not true." Rong Yan wiped his tears with his sleeve. "It's all my fault."
"Alright, alright, we're all brothers and sisters, let's just let this little thing go. Just be more careful in the future." Zhan Tingyu was the best at smoothing things over.
Xu Youruo sobbed, unable to believe that the matter was over just like that.
During a break, he pulled his brother to a secluded spot, thinking, "That kid did it on purpose."
"You have to avenge me." He covered his face, feeling wronged and furious at the thought of being tricked by a little kid.
"What's the rush? He's just a brat. Who told you to be so unprepared and get framed by someone like him? You're really stupid," Xu Yourong said, rolling her eyes at him.
"How cruel you are! I've already gotten myself into this state, and you're still criticizing me." Xu Youruo was also unwilling, gritting her teeth, harboring resentment for a long time, "You only have your junior sister in your heart, you don't care about me, your younger brother, at all."
"What do you know?" Xu Yourong was too lazy to explain to him. The two brothers were orphans, picked up by someone, and their cultivation level was at the bottom of the sect. If they failed the sect's assessment, they would only be expelled from the mountain.
If we don't cling to powerful figures now, are we just waiting to be kicked out of the sect one day?
Although they were born on the same day, he was not much older than You Ruo, but he came out earlier. In just half an hour, their personalities and scheming were worlds apart.
It is true that dragons have nine different offspring, each with its own unique characteristics.
However, he couldn't just ignore his younger brother's injury. Whether his junior brother did it intentionally or unintentionally, he had already offended him.
He comforted his younger brother, "Don't worry, your brother will get justice for you."
Of the three, Zhan Tingyu was a neutral party. He neither participated in nor aided and abetted the evildoers, and occasionally he could even say something sensible. Compared to the two brothers, he was much more likable.
The two brothers chatted idly on the side while Zhan Tingyu carefully taught him how to form hand seals.
Rong Yan imitated his gestures and silently recited the incantation, causing the sword on the ground to throb.
It really worked!
Surprised and delighted, she heard Xu Yourong call out, "Tingyu, come here."
Zhan Tingyu went over, and the three of them gathered together, glancing around every now and then, seemingly plotting something wicked.
Zhan Tingyu's face showed hidden worry, but when she met Rong Yan's gaze, she quickly looked away.
Half a moment later, the three men walked over, looking suspicious.
"Junior brother," Zhan Tingyu said with difficulty, "are you willing to spar with me?"
The Misty Sect has a clear rule that when fellow disciples compete, a high-ranking disciple must be present. No one should be killed, and no one should be injured for personal gain.
The two brothers were one rank higher than Zhan Tingyu, which was in accordance with the rules.
As for the competition, Rong Yan has only recently begun his studies, his understanding of magic is superficial, and he doesn't even know how to control a sword. To propose a trial under these circumstances is truly asking too much of him.
If they didn't agree, they wouldn't give up easily.
Knowing he was being shameless and under pressure, Zhan Tingyu said, "To ensure fairness, I will not use my spiritual power. Junior brother, just do your best."
This was no longer something Rong Yan could refuse.
When soldiers come, we'll meet them head-on; when water comes, we'll dam it. If it doesn't happen this time, it will happen again. Are we supposed to run away every day?
"Okay." He readily agreed, struggling to lift the sword as if Mount Tai were pressing down on him.
Xu Youruo watched with excitement, while Xu Yourong remained expressionless.
"I would appreciate your guidance, senior brother."
Zhan Tingyu kept his promise and did not use spiritual power, but instead drew his sword to fight.
Unable to match his strength, Rong Yan could only desperately dodge. Fortunately, Zhan Tingyu was not a ruthless person and restrained his killing intent during the contest.
He was simply too strong; with one strike, he broke Rong Yan's sword. Rong Yan could only catch it with his bare hands, and the domineering gale made his lungs ache.
His hands were bleeding without his noticing; the sword had slipped from his grasp, and the outcome was already decided.
If the fighting continues, it will be murder.
The competition cannot stop unless someone intervenes.
With both heads raised above his head, dripping blood, he knelt trembling on the ground, receiving Zhan Tingyu's sword strike.
Despite his disheveled state, Rong Yan gritted his teeth, like a resilient blade of grass.
Xu Youruo felt a surge of satisfaction, but Xu Yourong reluctantly tried to stop her, saying, "Tingyu, stop. Didn't you see that Junior Brother is bleeding?"
Zhan Tingyu was speechless. He could only help Rong Yan up and say apologetically, "Junior brother, are you alright?"
Rong Yan barely managed to stand still, his face calm and composed, but he walked unsteadily, his voice faint and almost inaudible.
"My hand is injured. I'll ask the elder for leave." He stumbled along, and the elder who was giving the lecture saw the injury on his hand and assumed it was from a private fight, but he said he had accidentally injured his hand.
It takes half a day to travel to and from Medicine King Valley, but my senior sister only needs less than half an hour.
He looked up at the sky, clenched his fists, his hands wrapped in layers of cloth.
There are also internal injuries; even the slightest breath causes excruciating pain.
He rested for half a day, and when he went to the dining hall for a meal, Xu Yourong and the other two came over.
Rong Yan didn't want to see them, and was about to leave with his rice bowl when Xu Yourong hurriedly stopped him, "Junior brother, don't go."
Xu Yourong smiled as she glanced at the three of them, Xu Youruo pretended to be stupid, and Zhan Tingyu's eyes flickered.
"We've come to apologize to our junior brother."
After much persuasion, they managed to keep him there. Rong Yan sat at the table, looking at the soft, green mung bean soup, and said in a childish voice, "Don't worry, senior brothers, I'm not angry with you."
"It was my fault, senior brother. I shouldn't have forced you to compete because you're so young," Xu Yourong apologized sincerely, and the other two echoed her sentiments.
"I understand what you mean, senior brother, and please don't take it to heart."
With an awkward smile, Xu Yourong said, "How can that be? Senior brother would feel bad about it."
Rong Yan chuckled inwardly, curious about their intentions. "So, what is Senior Brother planning to do?"
“Junior brother has injured his hand and can’t eat easily, so we’ll serve him his meal.”
The three of them took turns eating, and judging from their posture, it was obvious that they had added seasoning to the food.
Not afraid at all, Rong Yan chewed slowly and deliberately, and nothing happened.
There was also a class taught by Master Chengshan at noon. After lunch, we rushed over. The group chatted and laughed, as if we had returned to the past.
The midday sun is scorching, making it easy to feel sleepy, and sure enough, I felt drowsy.
Rong Yan was fast asleep when a heavy book hit him on the head.
Startled awake, Rong Yan stood frozen in shock. Even when he was exhausted, he wouldn't fall into a deep sleep. Seeing Xu Yourong's suppressed laughter, he knew that something had been added to the food.
"You really don't take me seriously?" Master Chengshan slowly walked over and extended his hand.
Rong Yan hurriedly picked up the book and put it back into the real person's outstretched hand.
"This disciple knows his mistake and begs the Master's forgiveness."
"Stretch out your hand." The official held a whip and ruler, his presence imposing and solemn. Instantly, most of the people who were dozing off were awakened and looked on in bewilderment.
Rong Yan knelt on the ground, and all eyes in the hall were on him.
He spread out his hands, trembling, and hesitated.
Those hands were a bloody mess, still oozing blood, and didn't look like old wounds.
What happened to your hand?
Master Chengshan asked in a deep voice.
He remained silent, his expression revealing a hidden secret. Xu Yourong sensed something was wrong and broke out in a cold sweat.
"Tell the truth."
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