Settling the Score 2

Ryan simply said, "Ah! These are for my future training. Since I have some gold coins now, it's best to buy them early as backups."

Leah understood that Ryan's method of cultivation was different from hers, so she didn't ask any more questions.

She then pulled Ryan along and said, "Come on, I'll take you to eat something good."

Leah led Ryan into a tavern. The place wasn't large, but it was extremely popular and was one of the most well-known taverns in Sweet Spring Town. Leah wasn't stingy and ordered a full spread of dishes.

As they ate, the siblings overheard people in the tavern discussing the messy, disheveled boy from the day before.

"Hey, have you heard? That disheveled boy hasn't been seen since he left Norton Academy."

"Yeah, I heard he's connected to House Stark. They say House Stark hid him away."

At that moment, a middle-aged woman walked in. Ryan recognized her immediately—it was Gu Wen Zhu, the one who had humiliated him repeatedly.

Gu Wen Zhu was feeling extremely frustrated because of her actions the day before. She had been expelled from Norton Academy, and deep down, she knew it was a consequence of her own wrongdoings. Her frustration drove her to come out for a drink, hoping to ease her mood.

As she entered, she saw Ryan and Leah laughing and enjoying their meal. Thinking she could take her anger out on Ryan, Gu Wen Zhu walked over to them with a sneer.

"Well, well, isn't this House Stark's young master and young lady? I heard young master here has been working as an apprentice at a tavern. But who would've thought, now all the taverns in Sweet Spring Town are closing down. To put it bluntly, when someone's stupid enough, even the heavens won't help. Tell me, young master, do you have any hopes for your future after all this?"

Ryan was confused. Why is this old hag picking a fight with me? I haven't even bothered her, and she's coming at me like this... how shameless.

Before Ryan could respond, Leah stood up angrily. "Gu Wen Zhu, don't push your luck. Say one more word, and I'll cut your tongue out."

Though Gu Wen Zhu didn't think much of Ryan, she still feared Leah. She quickly put on a smile. "Miss, I'm just chatting with the young master. Nothing else. If you really have the ability, don't take it out on me—go find that disheveled boy from yesterday!"

Leah was about to lash out, but Ryan grabbed her arm. "Sis, let's go. The food here is good, but when you mix in people like her, it just ruins your appetite." With that, he pulled Leah out of the tavern.

"Ryan, what are you doing? I'm going to teach her a lesson today," Leah said, fuming as she was dragged away.

"Don't be angry, sis. Let her act up for a few more days. As for my grudge with her, I'll deal with it myself. It'll be more satisfying that way, and I'll settle everything once and for all."

Leah nodded. "Alright, but when the time comes, you'd better call me along."

Ryan gave a slight nod, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.

As night began to fall, Ryan quietly slipped out of House Stark's estate. It was the perfect time for something shady—a moonless, windy night. With his character, Ryan wasn't going to let Gu Wen Zhu get away with her arrogance till morning.

He had held back during the day to avoid revealing himself, but now, there was no reason to hesitate. He headed straight for Gu Wen Zhu's house.

Silently, he snuck into her courtyard. As he pushed open the door, the smell of alcohol hit him. Looks like this old hag has been drinking a lot.

Gu Wen Zhu, still dizzy from the alcohol, didn't realize what was happening until she saw Ryan standing right in front of her. "What are you doing here? How did you get in?" she asked, panicking.

Ryan simply smiled coldly. "Heh, I'm here to take your life."

Gu Wen Zhu laughed mockingly. "You? You think you can kill me? Have I been drinking too much, or are you the one who's drunk?"

Ryan didn't waste any more words. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and in the blink of an eye, he was right in front of her. With a swift motion, he grabbed her by the throat.

Gu Wen Zhu was shocked and immediately sobered up. Even though she was slow, she realized that the person in front of her was the disheveled boy from before.

It was too late to say anything. If she hadn't underestimated him, she wouldn't have been caught in a single move. Unable to move, she gasped, her voice hoarse as she begged, "Please! Don't kill me..."

"Hmph! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been expelled from Norton Academy. You've humiliated me again and again, and now you beg for mercy? Too late!" Ryan's eyes flashed with coldness as he prepared to end her life.

Suddenly, Gu Wen Zhu, her voice trembling, quickly said, "It wasn't me who got you expelled from the academy—it was your father, Harry."

Ryan froze, furious. "You're lying. It was my father? Don't try to talk your way out of this. Your life ends today."

"No, no... I'm not lying," Gu Wen Zhu said hastily. "It was indeed your father, Harry. He paid me five hundred gold coins to make sure you left the academy."

Ryan was stunned as he listened to her story. He learned that Harry had approached Gu Wen Zhu, asking her to find a way to get rid of him at the academy. Harry had believed that with Ryan's talent, it would be a waste of resources to keep him there for ten years. Instead, he advised Gu Wen Zhu to expel Ryan, and in return, she would receive a handsome sum of gold coins.

At the time, Gu Wen Zhu had been struggling with the unruly students in the class, and since each of them had powerful families behind them, she couldn't afford to offend anyone. When she was given the chance to expel Ryan and earn gold coins, she couldn't resist.

Most importantly, after she had drawn the lottery to be assigned to this unruly class, she had developed a grudge against Ryan. If it weren't for him, the class wouldn't have been so troublesome.