Chapter 44: Chattering
Bai Zunren had evil intentions. If he truly wanted to protect his sister and stop the fight, he only needed to block Xue Ruyan's attack.
But instead, he attacked Xue Ruyan from behind.
It was a sneak attack, plain and simple—despicable and disgusting.
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Xue Ruyan's Focus
Xue Ruyan continued her relentless assault on Bai Zunli.
She heard the commotion behind her.
She heard Bai Zunren's shouting.
But she didn't turn around.
She didn't even hesitate.
Her eyes remained locked on Bai Zunli.
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Bai Zunli's mind raced.
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"Why isn't she turning around?"
"Why isn't she worried about my brother's attack?"
"Is she crazy?"
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No, she wasn't crazy.
She had simply built trust with someone in a short amount of time.
And that trust was named Jiang Tian.
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The Pot Blocks the Attack
Suddenly—
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CLANG!
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The sound of metal clashing rang through the air.
Bai Zunren's punch didn't land on Xue Ruyan's back.
Instead, it slammed against the black bottom of a pot.
The force of the impact shot through Bai Zunren's arm, causing him to grimace in pain.
He instinctively took a step back, shaking his hand.
When he looked up, he saw the person standing in front of him.
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Jiang Tian.
His teammate.
His unexpected roadblock.
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The Chef Blocks the Path
Jiang Tian casually slung the black pot onto his back.
Bai Zunren stared at him.
A nobody.
An unknown name.
Someone no one had ever cared about before.
A cook, carrying a kitchen knife and a pot.
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Bai Zunren's expression twitched.
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"A pot blocked my punch?"
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The Crowd's Doubt
The students watching the scene began whispering.
They could sense Jiang Tian's presence—
But he didn't seem powerful.
So how did he block the attack?
Could it be that Xue Ruyan really cheated?
How did their team rank first in the city?
Something felt off.
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Bai Zunren's Mockery
Bai Zunren gritted his teeth.
He examined Jiang Tian again.
His eyes landed on the pot.
Then on the kitchen knife hanging from his waist.
And he laughed coldly.
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"So... you're the cook?"
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He smirked.
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"There's been a rumor going around..."
"Someone brought a pot and a kitchen knife to the awakening assessment."
"So it was you?"
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His eyes narrowed.
His tone dripped with mockery.
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"How ridiculous."
"A cook dares to lecture me?"
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The crowd reacted immediately.
They muttered and pointed at Jiang Tian.
They had all heard the rumors.
And now, they saw it was true.
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The Crowd Turns Against Him
"How embarrassing! A cook got first place?"
"If this isn't cheating, then what is?"
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Bai Zunren roared in anger.
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"This is an insult!"
"To me! To all of us!"
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He raised his fist in the air, his voice filled with conviction.
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"You and Xue Ruyan used dirty tricks to take first place!"
"You are guilty!"
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The students from No. 1 Middle School cheered.
Even some neutral students began looking at Jiang Tian with suspicion.
The mood shifted.
Tension filled the air.
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Guo Qihang's Observations
Inside No. 14 Middle School, Guo Qihang smirked.
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"So now you're pretending to be a righteous man, Bai Zunren?"
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His classmates nodded in agreement.
Bai Zunli attacked first.
Bai Zunren made a sneak attack.
So why was Jiang Tian suddenly the villain?
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Guo Qihang watched Jiang Tian closely.
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"Jiang Tian isn't simple."
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There was something off about him.
His movements.
His aura.
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He turned to Huang Xing, Jiang Tian's best friend.
Huang Xing was calm.
Too calm.
He wasn't worried at all.
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Bai Zunren's Attack
Bai Zunren took a step forward.
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"Jiang Tian, surrender!"
"You are already an adult! Don't make this uglier than it has to be!"
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He burst forward.
His speed was incredible.
A blur of motion.
The strong wind from his charge sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Even the top students from No. 2 and No. 3 Middle School were stunned.
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"What kind of talent did he awaken?"
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He was much faster than before.
A true powerhouse.
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Bai Zunren's Fatal Mistake
He rushed forward like a cheetah, his fist aimed at Jiang Tian's chest.
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BOOM!
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His punch landed.
Jiang Tian stood still.
He looked down at Bai Zunren.
Bai Zunren looked up at Jiang Tian.
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Silence.
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They stared at each other.
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Jiang Tian frowned.
Then—
He swung his hand.
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BANG!
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A loud slap echoed through the air.
Bai Zunren spun through the sky like a top.
He landed face-first in the dirt.
His handsome face swelled up instantly.
White foam bubbled from his mouth.
He lay motionless.
Unconscious.
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The crowd fell silent.
Total silence.
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The only sound—
Was Jiang Tian's calm mutter as he put his hands in his pockets.
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"Blabbermouth."