The Rival’s Revenge

The sun was setting over the distant mountains as Tang Feng walked through the bustling streets of a small town. He had been traveling for days, his mind focused on the path ahead. The recent trials at the Dragon Gate had strengthened his resolve, and he felt a renewed sense of purpose. But even as he moved forward, a shadow from his past loomed on the horizon.

Unbeknownst to Tang Feng, his old rival, Lei Zhang, had been tracking his movements. Lei Zhang had always harbored a deep resentment towards Tang Feng, a jealousy born out of their shared history. Both had trained under the same master, but while Tang Feng had excelled, Lei Zhang had struggled to keep up. The bitterness of his inadequacy had festered over the years, turning into a burning desire for revenge.

Lei Zhang had been patient, waiting for the right moment to strike. He knew that Tang Feng had become more powerful, but he was determined to prove that he was the better warrior. He had spent years honing his skills, pushing himself to the limit, all with the single-minded goal of defeating Tang Feng.

As Tang Feng walked through the town, he could feel a strange tension in the air. The people around him seemed on edge, their conversations hushed as they glanced nervously in his direction. He sensed that something was amiss, but he couldn't quite place what it was. His instincts, however, were sharp, and he remained vigilant as he made his way to a small inn where he planned to rest for the night.

The inn was modest, with a few tables scattered around a dimly lit room. Tang Feng found a seat in the corner and ordered a simple meal. As he waited, he noticed a group of men seated at a nearby table, their eyes fixed on him. They were rough-looking, their clothes worn and their faces hardened by years of hardship. But it was the way they watched him that caught his attention—there was a coldness in their gaze, a barely concealed hostility.

Tang Feng's instincts told him that these men were not ordinary townsfolk. He could sense the danger lurking beneath the surface, but he remained calm, his expression unreadable. He knew that if a confrontation was inevitable, he would face it with the same determination that had seen him through countless battles before.

As the evening wore on, the tension in the room continued to build. The men at the nearby table began to murmur among themselves, their voices low and threatening. Tang Feng could hear snippets of their conversation, enough to know that they were discussing him.

Finally, one of the men stood up and approached Tang Feng's table. He was tall and muscular, with a scar running down the side of his face. His eyes were cold and calculating as he looked down at Tang Feng.

"You're Tang Feng, aren't you?" the man asked, his voice laced with contempt.

Tang Feng looked up, meeting the man's gaze with a calm intensity. "I am. What do you want?"

The man smirked, his expression full of disdain. "Lei Zhang sends his regards. He's been waiting a long time for this moment."

Tang Feng's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of Lei Zhang's name. He had almost forgotten about his old rival, but the memory of their past battles came rushing back. He had always known that Lei Zhang's jealousy would lead to something like this, but he had hoped that time would have softened the hatred between them.

"Where is Lei Zhang?" Tang Feng asked, his voice steady.

The man's smirk widened. "He's waiting for you outside of town. He wants to settle things once and for all."

Tang Feng nodded, his expression unreadable. He had no intention of running from this confrontation. He had faced far greater threats in his journey, and he knew that this battle would be no different. But he also knew that Lei Zhang would not be the same man he had fought years ago. The desire for revenge could drive a man to great lengths, and Tang Feng knew better than to underestimate his rival.

Without another word, Tang Feng stood up and walked towards the door. The men at the table watched him go, their expressions full of anticipation. They knew that a great battle was about to take place, and they were eager to witness it.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the town in shadows as Tang Feng stepped outside. The air was cool and still, and the only sound was the distant chirping of crickets. He walked through the empty streets, his footsteps echoing in the silence. The town felt deserted, as if the people had sensed the impending conflict and had retreated to the safety of their homes.

As Tang Feng neared the outskirts of town, he saw a figure standing in the distance. The man was tall and broad-shouldered, his stance confident and powerful. Even from a distance, Tang Feng could see the intensity in his gaze. Lei Zhang had been waiting for this moment for a long time, and he was ready to unleash all the anger and resentment he had built up over the years.

Tang Feng approached slowly, his expression calm but alert. He could feel the energy in the air, a tangible tension that seemed to crackle with anticipation. This was no ordinary duel—this was a battle of wills, a confrontation that would determine the fate of both men.

When Tang Feng was close enough to see Lei Zhang's face, he was struck by how much his old rival had changed. The years had hardened him, his features sharper and more defined. There was a darkness in his eyes, a coldness that Tang Feng had never seen before. This was not the same Lei Zhang he had known—this was a man consumed by hatred and a desire for revenge.

"You've come," Lei Zhang said, his voice low and menacing.

"I knew you would," Tang Feng replied, his tone calm and steady. "This has been a long time coming."

Lei Zhang's eyes narrowed, and a sneer crossed his face. "You always thought you were better than me. Always thought you were the master's favorite. But I've spent years training for this moment. I've surpassed you, Tang Feng. And tonight, I'm going to prove it."

Tang Feng remained unfazed by Lei Zhang's words. He had heard similar taunts from countless opponents before, but he knew that words were meaningless in the face of true martial skill. The only thing that mattered was the battle itself.

"Then let's settle this," Tang Feng said, his voice firm. "Once and for all."