Chapter Eighty-One: A Lesson

Yang Ze and his two companions were deep in discussion when Yang Hai arrived. Upon seeing the three of them together, he gave them a sidelong glance before quickly turning his head away.

"Brother Yang, I heard that's your eldest brother?" Lu Qing scrutinized Yang Hai from head to toe, his tone tinged with disbelief.

"Eldest brother? Perhaps he was, once. But now, the Yang family has nothing to do with me," Yang Ze replied coldly.

That day, when Yang Yuan Zhen saw him participating in the examination, he had been shocked. Yang Yuan Zhen likely still hadn't figured out how Yang Ze had managed to take the test, let alone pass it.

Yang Yuan Zhen’s feelings no longer concerned him. Although Yang Yuan Zhen had raised him, and Yang Ze could sever ties with him, he could not bring himself to kill the man. But with Yang Hai, it was different.

Yang Hai had committed numerous misdeeds and made several attempts on his life. Yang Ze was no saint; since Yang Hai dared to target him, he would not hesitate to retaliate.

"Eldest brother? I couldn’t possibly stoop so low as to be this bastard’s brother. Let him get as far away from me as possible." Yang Hai sneered after hearing Yang Ze's words.

At his remark, Lu Qing and Bai Lun's expressions changed sharply. Both turned to look at Yang Ze, only to find his eyes cold as ice. Lu Qing immediately reached out to steady Yang Ze’s shoulder.

"Brother Yang, I know you’re angry, but Yang Hai passed the examination too. You can’t kill him now. If Wu Yang Martial Academy pursues this, you’ll be in serious trouble," Lu Qing whispered in Yang Ze’s ear.

"I know what I’m doing," Yang Ze replied, stepping forward and fixing Yang Hai with a frosty stare as he approached him.

"No matter what, these are private matters. Yet you dare to air them in public—do you think I won’t lay a hand on you?" Yang Ze’s voice was glacial, the distance between them closing with every step.

Seeing the murderous intent in Yang Ze’s eyes, Yang Hai grew flustered. He was fully aware of Yang Ze’s strength—far beyond his own. But then he remembered his current status: he too had passed the Wu Yang Martial Academy examination and, strictly speaking, was now a member of the academy—a fellow disciple with Yang Ze. Surely, Yang Ze wouldn’t dare kill him.

This thought gave Yang Hai a measure of confidence. His earlier timidity vanished, replaced by a sudden bravado.

Yang Ze observed these changes in Yang Hai with a hint of a cold smile at the corner of his lips. Shaking his head, he said, "Yang Hai, Yang Hai... As the Yang family’s eldest legitimate son, is this all you’re capable of? I overestimated you."

As he spoke, there were only three feet left between them.

"You bastard, you..." Yang Hai’s words were cut short as Yang Ze’s hand landed firmly on his right shoulder.

"Today, I’ll teach you how to conduct yourself," Yang Ze enunciated slowly. With a sudden squeeze of his right hand, Yang Hai let out a loud, miserable scream.

Bai Lun instinctively wanted to step forward and stop Yang Ze upon seeing the twisted pain on Yang Hai’s face, but Lu Qing restrained him.

"Brother Bai, best not to intervene. Brother Yang knows his limits—he won’t kill Yang Hai."

As the two exchanged these words, Yang Ze’s grip tightened even further, forcing Yang Hai to his knees, unable to stand.

"You... You dare..." Yang Hai mustered all his strength to utter three words before Yang Ze slapped him across the face, leaving a vivid red handprint. The searing pain rendered Yang Hai speechless.

After the first slap, Yang Ze felt a wave of satisfaction. He let go of Yang Hai’s shoulder only to deliver another blow to the other side of his face.

With a howl of pain, Yang Hai spat out several teeth, blood oozing from his mouth.

It was still not over. Yang Ze’s final slap was delivered with full force, sending Yang Hai flying, tumbling through the air before landing on the ground, where he lay moaning in agony.

Dusting off his hands, Yang Ze stood still, making no further moves. Had Yang Hai not already passed the academy’s examination, Yang Ze would have killed him that very day.

But that did not mean he would let Yang Hai off. Those who deserved death would not be allowed to live.

Seeing that Yang Ze had stopped, Lu Qing and Bai Lun finally dared approach. Looking at Yang Hai, sprawled on the ground and unable to rise, Bai Lun felt a chill run through his heart.

Yang Hai’s strength was about the same as his own, yet he had been unable to put up any resistance. If it had been him instead, he doubted his fate would have been any different.

Lu Qing, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief. He knew more about Wu Yang Martial Academy than most; their rules were strict, and killing a fellow disciple was absolutely forbidden. Had Yang Ze lost control and killed Yang Hai, no one in Yu Yang City could have protected him.

Staring at the battered Yang Hai, Yang Ze said, "Yang Hai, this is just a warning. If you value your life, watch your tongue. Next time, you won’t be so lucky."

Lying on the ground, Yang Hai trembled at Yang Ze's words, genuinely afraid now.

Yang Ze no longer spared him a glance and walked aside to wait. Lu Qing and Bai Lun followed, none of them giving Yang Hai so much as a second look.

Once he realized everyone had left, Yang Hai slowly struggled to his feet. Yang Ze hadn’t crippled him, but the humiliation was immense.

His face was swollen, several teeth knocked out, blood at the corners of his mouth—he was a wretched sight.

As the Yang family’s legitimate eldest son, he had never suffered such disgrace before. Lowering his head, clutching his clothes tightly, he said nothing.

His eyes were bloodshot, his gaze filled with suppressed fury as he bent to gather his scattered belongings.

Yang Ze, observing from the side, saw a glint of coldness in Yang Hai’s eyes. It seemed Yang Hai was not entirely worthless—at least he had learned to endure.

Had Yang Hai lost control and attacked him now, Yang Ze would have had an excuse to kill him outright. But, unfortunately, that opportunity did not present itself.

This only strengthened Yang Ze’s resolve: given the right chance, Yang Hai must die. Such a man could not be allowed to live.

As Yang Hai gathered his things, more and more people entered the room. Seeing Yang Hai’s pitiful state, none of them bothered to ask what had happened; they simply found a quiet spot and kept to themselves.

Only when everyone had arrived did the people from Wu Yang Martial Academy make their appearance.