Mere weakling
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1 week ago...
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Tengchao sat on the riverbank alone, having his meal.
A few of Zheng Cang's subordinates were pulling a disciple's collar. They are escorting him to a secluded spot behind the sect. On the way, they see Tengchao alone.
One of them smirked. He walked to Tengchao and attempted to grab the rice ball in his hand.
Tengchao, on the contrary, gripped his arm.
?!
"What are you-"
That subordinate was a big guy, someone with large width and height. Yet, Tengchao was able to overcome the difference in weight, pulling his arm and flipping the subordinate over.
*SPLASH!!*
"Uck ack!!"
He was thrown into the river. Tengchao's shadow engulfed him, the subordinate could see Tengchao's obvious condescending glare.
"Are you no longer afraid of death?!" The big subordinate shouted.
His accomplice charged at Tengchao from behind. Tengchao grabbed the wooden sword laying beside him and stroked the temple of his attacker.
*BAM!*
The accomplice was thrown away, crashing into a tree. His unconscious body started to twitch.
!
"Ah...you killed him?!" The fat subordinate said.
"I didn't. I held back my strength at the last second." Tengchao replied.
"Uh...s-sorry..."
Tengchao glared at the man. "Get your friend and go out of my sight."
"Yes yes!"
The guy scurried away like a rat, carrying his friend on his shoulder.
...
Tengchao gulped the final bit of rice ball as he looked at the bullied disciple on the ground. He smiled and walked to him. "Are you tired of being bothered by people like him?"
"I-I...yes..." The disciple said.
"I was like you at first. If you want to become stronger, I have someone I can introduce." Tengchao replied, extending his hand out.
I had told Tengchao one week prior to help me find people who desire strength. At the end of the week, I already had 9 disciples who came to me and I assimilated all of them with my virus, giving them a large boost in power.
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Present
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"I had enough...no, we had enough of your bullshit." Says Tengchao.
7 people that had sought guidance from me started to circle the group. They serve directly under Tengchao and worship me as their lifetime master.
"W-What the fuck?" Zheng Cang mumbles, his hands are trembling. "What are all of you doing?! I will give 5 gold coins to anyone who beats this bastard!"
His subordinates gulp. The reward is tempting.
Tailong swoops in without hesitation, attempting to ambush Tengchao from behind.
However, his punch was blocked by one of the virus-assimilated disciples, a woman with many injuries on her body, Hui Liming. Liming isn't a special girl, her spiritual roots are ordinary and her looks are easily submerged in the sea of humans, a simple black eyes and short hair. However, she has a ferocious tenacity.
"Liming. I will deal with them myself. Watch carefully how I deal with a large number of enemies." Says Tengchao.
"What? Are you using us as lecture material?" Asks Tailong. "Fuck! Don't underestimate us-"
*BAM!*
Before Tailong could retaliate, Tengchao has already executed a swift cut up to Tailong's chin with his wooden sword. The impact sounded like two metals clashing, as a result, Tailong was knocked out.
!!!!
"First of all, continuously shift your attention to the people nearest to you." Says Tengchao.
Zheng Cang clicked his tongue. "1 gold ingot! I will give one ingot to anyone that beats him!" He shouts.
Although Tengchao imposes a dangerous demeanour, they no longer hold back due to the reward.
"Fuck this! Overwhelm him with numbers! The reward will be split between all of us!" One of his subordinates says. All rushes in at Tengchao from all directions.
All of the virus-assimilated disciples, including Liming, back off.
"Secondly, take advantage of the environment," Tengchao says as he ducks to avoid a punch and follows up by slamming the attacker's head into the concrete wall.
"And third, manoeuvre your position such that you only face one of them each time."
Tengchao throughout the battle shifts around to guide the enemies' position; they are always in a line.
When two people are standing side by side, Tengchao would move to the side of either person to only face one person, and the person in front would block the person behind.
Of course, in some situations, there were at least two that managed to get a hit on Tengchao. However, his sense of battle enhanced his instinct, he quickly guards and counterattacks.
"Arck!"
Tengchao's sword digs into the subordinate's abdomen, sending him back in pain.
It's a one-sided victory.
Around Tengchao is a scene of chaos: bodies are littered everywhere.
Zheng Cang's eyes widen open, unable to comprehend what just happened.
"What...how...can someone grow so strong within...?" Zheng Cang mumbles.
Standing atop the alchemist pavilion tower from afar, I smile while gazing at the situation. Tengchao is perfectly demonstrating what I taught him.
The reason why I was confident was because of Tengchao's past. He was constantly bullied and involved in neighbourhood fights in his childhood. Situations about multiple opponents have been engraved into Tengchao.
"Hey!!" Gaoming shouts, approaching from afar. "Why are you causing trouble the moment we release you?!"
He is talking to Zheng Cang.
Zheng Cang glares at the ground, refusing to look Gaoming in the eye.
"Listen here-"
"Ah fuck! What the hell is up with this run-down sect?!! Why are there so many geniuses!?!!" Zheng Cang retaliates.
Veins erect on Gaoming. "What the fuck did you say?"
Zheng Cang, nonetheless, clicks his tongue as if he is the victim. "Fuck!!" He says, storming off.
!!!!
A big bearded man wearing armour and has a huge halberd wrapped on his back. On his hip, a golden plate with a "Zheng" carved on it hangs on the belt.
Zheng Cang's mouth drops open. "F-Father...?