Chapter 223: Say Nothing and Fight Me
“I’ve endured your nonsense long enough,” Ye Liang Chen gritted his teeth. “I thought backing down might earn me a little respect, but I guess I was wrong. Who do you think you are, humiliating me like this?”
Ye Liang Chen huffed, flipping his bangs out of his eyes, giving Dragon Brother a look that could melt steel—and not in a good way.
Xue Shao Hua looked terrified, but not Ye Liang Chen. Chin tucked high, eyes blazing with rage, he stared heroically at Long Aotian, his fury threatening to burst out of him like a volcano ready to erupt.
But as he saw Dragon Brother’s face, all calm and teasing, his anger soared even higher—blackening levels skyrocketed. Things were heading straight for disaster.
“What’s with that look? Why are you giving me that look?” Long Aotian asked, tilting his head slightly, as if he were puzzled about the obvious.
Since when did Long Aotian have the right to look down on him? He was reborn—had precognition, for heaven’s sake. Why on earth should he be humiliated? Sure, he might not be big and buff, but what’s wrong with being short and sharp? Isn’t that a thing?
And seriously, what’s Long Aotian’s deal? Big and bulky just causes pain—worse than himself, who only intends to offer gentle warmth to the girls. No comparison.
Suddenly, Ye Liang Chen took a step back, creating some space between himself and Dragon Brother, adopting a fighting stance. “Say nothing and just fight me.”
“If you win, then we were wrong.”
“If you lose, just leave Hu Yuying alone—stop messing up her future!”
He smirked bitterly at his own self-ridicule. Despite his treasure girl repeatedly making him look bad, how many times would he have to save her from suffering? He couldn’t sit back and do nothing. Not this time.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, steadied his heartbeat, summoned all his strength…
Crash!
As he was channeling his power, Ye Liang Chen staggered. When he blinked open his eyes, he stared dumbfounded at Dragon Brother, touching his burning face.
“You… you hit me?”
Dragon Brother finally understood why the little apprentice, so gentle and kind, hated him so much. It was unbearable—outrageous, even.
Xue Shao Hua had initially planned to sneak attack Dragon Brother from behind, but seeing Dragon Brother slap Ye Liang Chen directly on the face, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Uh-oh. If that slap had fallen on his own face—ouch, the pain!
“How shameless do you have to be to say such things?” Long Aotian stepped forward, looking down on Ye Liang Chen.
Hearing that, Ye Liang Chen finally snapped out of his daze.
With a fierce glare, he retorted, “Shameless? Ha! That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard today.”
“You don’t know anything, do you?” he sneered.
At this point, courage surged in him. “Do you know how much I’ve sacrificed for Hu Yuying?”
“She clearly has a brighter future, yet your existence is like a rock in her shoe—if you weren’t here, her potential would be even greater.”
“But what about you? You’re clueless—completely oblivious. If you truly cared for her, you’d let her go.”
Standing on top of moral high ground, Ye Liang Chen looked down with sanctimonious disdain at Dragon Brother.
By now, if Dragon Brother really cared for Hu Yuying even a little, he should leave her be, free her, let him save and redeem her, just like in those dreams from his past life.
He slowly straightened, tiptoed to match Dragon Brother’s height, aiming to look him in the eye—and see remorse.
“You’re so hypocritical,” Dragon Brother said flatly, staring at Ye Liang Chen. “What right do you have to judge Hu Yuying’s life? Who do you think you are?”
“Isn’t your concern rather cheap?” he continued. “Pretending to care for others, interfering in their lives—aren’t you just disgusting?”
“Hu Yuying’s life has nothing to do with you. Why are you here gossiping? Are you even genuinely concerned, or are your eyes just revealing how dirty they are?”
His words, light as feathers, stabbed Ye Liang Chen right in the shame spot.
“Hu Yuying is now my girlfriend. I want you both to stay away from her.”
He shot a glance back at Xue Shao Hua.
Seeing Dragon Brother’s gaze, Xue Shao Hua shivered, eyes darting away, too afraid to meet Dragon Brother’s gaze.
Xue Shao Hua’s height was nearly identical to Dragon Brother’s, but the first thing you’d notice about Dragon Brother was his commanding presence—solid, powerful, a true display of strength.
These words, simple and straightforward, made sense.
But who was Ye Liang Chen? He was a reborn man, confident in his own right.
Even if Dragon Brother was formidable, in his heart he still believed he was doing the right thing.
“Is this your reason for ruining Hu Yuying?” he challenged.
“Dragon Brother, don’t be so selfish.”
“Even if Hu Yuying never said anything, it’s undeniable that your presence actually influences her.”
Dragon Brother sighed. He considered himself pretty chill—been traveling across worlds long enough that very few things could really shake his mood.
Until recently, when Ye Liang Chen trailed the three little ones and kicked down his front door.
And now—surprise! It was still Ye Liang Chen’s fault.
“You really are shameless,” Dragon Brother said.
“I’m just standing on the side of justice,” Ye Liang Chen replied, shooting Xue Shao Hua a quick glance, then swung his hand, aiming a slap straight at Dragon Brother’s face.
Xue Shao Hua hesitated, but seeing Ye Liang Chen throw the first punch, he couldn’t care less—he was already behind Dragon Brother, perfect for a sneak attack.
Dragon Brother caught Ye Liang Chen’s slap with one hand.
Without hesitation, he kicked back fiercely.
Xue Shao Hua’s scream was guttural—a kick to the chest sent his body stumbling to the ground.
Looking at Xue Shao Hua sprawled on the ground, Dragon Brother’s fist shot toward Ye Liang Chen’s face at lightning speed—the slap so fast it tore through the air with a whoosh.
A loud smack.
He grabbed Ye Liang Chen’s arm, then kicked out. Ye Liang Chen, hurt and recoiling, tripped over Xue Shao Hua and fell to the ground in a heap.
Watching Xue Shao Hua taken down, Ye Liang Chen’s pupils shrank.
Next second, Dragon Brother swung his arm again, a palm striking his cheek with brutal force—so fast and fierce that Ye Liang Chen could hear the rush of air, the slap clashing with the wind…
Another loud slap.
He spun around and grabbed Ye Liang Chen’s arm, then kicked him in the gut. Ye Liang Chen, overwhelmed by pain and inertia, stumbled backward and fell—right over Xue Shao Hua.
“I hate you guys with your lies and your moral high ground,” Dragon Brother snarled. “Stop messing with Hu Yuying, or I swear, I will make you regret it—”
He kicked Ye Liang Chen and Xue Shao Hua lying on the ground, clutching their stomachs.
“Got it?” he thundered.
Ye Liang Chen grit his teeth, eyes blazing with shame. Being defeated was humiliating enough, but being this mocked—he ground his teeth and bared it, snarling, “Got it!”
Xue Shao Hua nodded, clutching his belly. “Got it.”
