Chapter 86: School Bully
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(Xue Jinzi POV)
I was currently sitting in one of those lectures that Big Brother wanted me to go to. My eyes swayed and my eyelids felt heavy listening to the almost monotone voice of the elder in charge. My vision easily blurred as I lost my focus to stay awake for even a moment. My head would feel almost uncontrollable as it occasionally lost its strength and would sway or droop down. I've been able to force myself to stay awake several times by clasping my hands tightly together, giving myself a little slap, and even pinching myself.
I sat as straight as I could in an attempt to force stimulation so I would stay awake, I felt like I knew that as soon as I relaxed for even a few moments I would slump over and be completely knocked out.
The entire lecture had around 60 other disciples around and I could already see that a number of them had already succumbed to the sweet embrace of the land of dreams. I peered around the hall in yet another possibly futile attempt to stave away my drowsiness.
Down in front of my right I could see Shao Huang diligently taking notes every once in a while as the elder said some words about combat. The notes and words of the elder would have been very beneficial to me… that is if I hadn't already practiced dozens of times with Big Brother.
Perhaps if I didn't already know this then I would have been just as diligent in my note taking as Shao Huang is now. But this begs the question why I didn't win my battle with him before if I had more knowledge then he did about this subject?
'He's learning this just now, but I already know about it. If he's just learning about it now then does that mean that my knowledge base is much greater than his? I guess combat experience must really just be that helpful. Does that mean I'll have to go out into dangerous situations then?
Well, of course. Without hardship and trials how else will I possibly cultivate well with a strong foundation? Those who are too smooth in their journey may even have trouble clearing the most simple obstacles!'
I reinvigorated myself through these few thoughts, though this brief moment of clarity would probably end soon.
I looked to my left and saw the trio of women who tried making life just that little bit harder for me and they were now in an even larger group of people. I peered down over in their direction a little before I got tired of looking at them and tried my best to refocus on the lesson.
..
I fought my wry tiredness until he eventually finished the lecture. Once he said he was finished I felt a slight burden leave my body as I began to sink into the dark depths of my soon to be dreams.
All of a sudden someone burst open the door into our room, startling me awake. The dreams that I could almost grasp had already reclined back into their own little world
'W-what's happening?!'
I sat up immediately and the previously lethargic feeling I had mere moments ago had vanished, like it had all simply been an illusion. With something interesting befalling my eyes I couldn't simply sleep my way through it. I could practically feel some tension and drama brewing in the air.
From outside 3 people walked inside with one leading the way. There was a certain air of haughtiness that the one in the lead had as they leisurely strolled forward with a paper hand fan. Even while wearing the exact same robes as everyone else, he had a different feel to him. He looked completely unamused that he had to be here, almost angry even.
While he strolled the only shoulder that could be heard was the taps of his shoes and those who followed behind him. It was like he had taken up the main stage of authority that the elder had just left vacant.
'I wonder who they're here for? There's 60 people here, but who could it be? Maybe that Xun Chun woman or another within that group? One of the other random disciples scattered around the hall? It couldn't possibly be me though, there's no way it could be. I've had absolutely zero contact with that man before. It could be Shao Haung, but I don't think I've seen him do anything excessive. Ah, maybe it's that loner kid over there with the spiky looking hair. He looks a little out of place.'
It took the man a solid dozen breaths as he walked forward and all the while no one made a sound. Then he came to an abrupt stop in front of one individual near the front. I was somewhat surprised at who this person had actually stopped in front of.
The person was actually Shao Huang who was still writing until the feat of that haughty man must have come into his view. After finishing to draw a final character he looked up to face the men in front of him head on.
'H-huh? It's him? What did he do to become someone's target? When we met before he seemed really nice. Maybe those 3 are just bullies!'
The haughty man then spoke loud enough so that everyone in the entire room could hear his words.
"Shao Huang, do you really think that I'll let what you did to me back then slide? I, Yan Bao, have now come personally for that apology. You know the power I possess here by now don't you? I can make your life in this sect a living hell!"
His voice filled up the room and I could notice a few of the students here shiver at his provocation. A number of the others looked a little fearful of the possible outcome like they might get dragged into this mess.
'I guess this person must be a bit of a big boss here. Wait, are there gangs within the Outer Court? Big Brother wouldn't allow that would he? The Outer Court couldn't possibly be littered with them right?
I would understand several little factions within a sect, but they shouldn't be this openly hostile, no? My thoughts of him simply being a big bully may be right.'
Shao Huang stood up slowly and looked Yan Bao right in the eyes. They were about the same height and were only a meter or so away from one another. I could only see the side of Shao Huang as he looked at Yan Bao indifferently; all the while, Yan Bao gazed at Shao Huang with a smirk.
I'm pretty sure that Yan Bao thought he had the advantage right now for some reason as he slowly became more condescending towards Shao Huang.
"You know? Good dogs should obey their masters, else they might just get a punishment instead."
Yan Bao slowly walked up to Shao Huang until the distance between the two was barely even there. He then leaned in a little, but the smirk he had would be wiped away as I saw Shao Huang's right arm blur. The arm reappeared right below that haughty man's chin as a fist drove it's way up solidly impacting the man's jaw from below.
Everybody in the room could feel the impact of that punch from the way that Yan Bao man reacted to it in a slightly dramatic fashion.
His chin shot straight up and forced his head back a bit, his hands which he had placed on his hips swung out toward Shao Huang, and all of which tilted his body back in a slight arch forcing him in the end to walk back a few steps before falling down onto his butt.
One of his arms caught his fall and the other held his bruised jaw. There he sat frozen in shock as was most of everyone else in the room. Only after a few moments did he react to what happened to him.
"Y- ahh! Y-you Bastard!"
He held his jaw for another moment before he quickly picked himself up.
"I guess an apology won't simply be enough now! I think I'll just do something else! And you two, stay back! He's mine!"
His hand went towards a sword's sheath on his waist as he signaled the two behind him with a hand.
Seeing what would probably happen soon I felt like I had to get into this mess. Disciples of the sect weren't allowed to kill, maim, or seriously injure each other. This was something major within the sect that I knew about. In fact I'm pretty sure most if not all sects would want their disciples to cooperate with one another instead of murdering one another right? What would the point of the sect be at that point if they did?
Besides Shao Huang was the first person I really met here, he was quite nice and polite. I'm sure if Big Brother found out I had helped defend someone he would praise me too!
I got up and rushed down there just as Yan Bao had pulled his sword out completely and pointed it at Shao Huang. My presence as I descended the steps halted his actions as I then spoke.
"Stop that! You can't use weapons! You'll seriously hurt someone with that. Do you want to get kicked out of the sect?"
At this point I became the new center of attention as I felt the dozens of sets of eyes set their sights on me. Their gazes bore into me a little and I was uncomfortable with it, but I still persisted.
Yan Bao turned his head to look at me and his face was unchanging for a few moments until I noticed that a corner of his lips were starting to arch back up into a smile. On the other hand Shao Huang turned and looked at me with a mix of confusion and gratitude. His face and body, which I just noticed now that I was right next to him, were a little tense but soon relaxed as he looked at me.
I expected that Yan Bao would react in some way first, but the voice I heard next wasn't even a man, but instead a woman who came from my left side.
"My my, Miss Xue I didn't know you were a person who followed the rules so closely."
The voice had a hint of mocking in it and as I turned I immediately recognised them as Xun Chun, a woman I hadn't been paying much attention to during this whole situation.
My voice had an undertone of coldness as I spoke to her.
"Miss Xun, what are you doing?"
"Oh, me? I just decided that I should help back up someone that I knew."
I didn't even have to think about who that was as soon that very person spoke as well.
"Chun'er! You were here the entire time?! Why didn't you come out sooner?"
"Why would I? It was supposed to be your little situation to deal with in the first place. It's just that this woman suddenly appeared and decided to join in so I thought about helping my lover. I have a little proposition for you though."
"Hmm? What is it?"
The woman suddenly went silent with an eerie smile. Although I still couldn't use it myself I could tell that they were using some kind of spiritual communication where only they could hear it. A few moments later her eyes glanced over in my direction as did that of Yan Bao.
While they were still silently looking at one another Shao Huang started speaking to me in an apologetic tone.
"I'm sorry you got into this mess, Miss Xue. You really didn't have to and I think you could still get away if you hurry and leave now."
"It's alright, I know what's happening, I think."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
RoosterLop
RoosterLop Sorry it took an extra day then I thought. I got sick and then had a long brain fart where I couldn't come up with any ideas for how to continue.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone