thefictionvixens Chapter 124
Chapter 124
The setting sun poured down on the venue of the martial arts conference like molten gold. The golden light and the sweat on the contestants' faces complemented each other. The preliminaries of the 22nd World No. 1 Martial Arts Conference slowly came to an end amidst the hustle and bustle and the crowd gradually dispersed. Some contestants were smiling, and seemed to be quite satisfied with their performance; others frowned, secretly thinking about the next strategy.
At night, Zhou Zilong sat in the hotel restaurant with Xiao Wukong, Krillin and others, chatting and laughing. After dinner, Zhou Zilong strolled alone on a street near the martial arts conference, enjoying the rare tranquility. On both sides of the street, vendors were busy packing up their stalls, preparing to end their day's business. At this moment, a warm and slightly conflicting scene attracted his attention.
Tien Shinhan was standing in front of a weak vendor who was bullied by several bullies. His eyes revealed an unquestionable firmness. Without too many words, Tien Shinhan just waved his hand lightly, and the bullies fell to the ground one after another as if they were hit hard. The vendor was grateful and thanked him repeatedly, but Tien Shinhan just smiled faintly and turned to leave.
Zhou Zilong's heart moved. He knew that although Tien Shinhan had a bad personality due to the influence of Crane Immortal, he actually retained a precious sense of justice in his heart. He stepped forward quickly and blocked Tien Shinhan's way.
"Mr. Tien Shinhan, please stay!" Zhou Zilong's voice was gentle and powerful, as if it could penetrate people's hearts.
Tien Shinhan stopped and turned to look at the young man who suddenly appeared. A trace of vigilance flashed in his eyes: "What's the matter?" His tone was indifferent, as if he was keeping people away from him.
"We met before when we were fighting Pig, Deer and Butterfly. I can feel that there is still a trace of justice in your heart, but why did you do such a thing to cheat people of their money before?" Zhou Zilong's words were full of confusion and regret. "I think you are fully capable of winning respect with your own strength. Even if you leave the Crane Immortal School and open a martial arts school to recruit disciples to make money, it is much better than deceiving others!"
However, Tien Shinhan's response was beyond Zhou Zilong's expectations. He just replied coldly, "Leave me alone," and turned away. His back looked particularly lonely and determined. Zhou Zilong looked at Tien Shinhan's figure going away, and his heart was mixed. He understood that everyone has their own story and choices, and what Tien Shinhan carries may be much heavier than what he sees on the surface.
On June 19, 750 A.E., the 22nd Tenshi 16-to-8 competition was in full swing. Goku, Krillin, Kame-sennin, Iris and others successfully advanced to the quarterfinals. The list of the quarterfinals is as follows: Krillin vs. Jiaozi, Yamcha vs. Tien Shinhan, Kame-sennin vs. Iris, Goku vs. Passerby. That night, Goku and others were suddenly attacked while resting. Zhou Zilong guessed that it was Crane-sennin who did it and wanted to affect the game status of others. So Zhou Zilong thought secretly in his heart and decided to give Crane-sennin a profound lesson in his own way, so that he would understand that the true spirit of martial arts cannot be tarnished.
Zhou Zilong used his unpredictable transformation technique to transform himself into a terrifying villain. He was wearing a black cloak, his face was distorted, and his eyes flashed with cold light, as if he was a messenger from hell. Surrounded by a suffocating sense of oppression, he quietly left the room and went straight to Crane Immortal's residence.
Zhou Zilong took Crane Immortal, Tianjin Rice and Dumplings to a place in the wilderness. The night was as dark as ink, and the stars were hidden behind the heavy clouds. Only a lonely moon was left hanging in the sky, casting a silvery and cold light. In the depths of the wilderness, on an empty grassland, the figures of four people stood quietly, and the air was filled with an indescribable depression and tension.
The villain Zhou Zilong turned into was standing in the center with an unquestionable attitude. His eyes were as deep as the abyss, as if he could see through the deepest fear of people's hearts. Beside him, Crane Immortal, Tien Shinhan and Jiaozi were pale, with both fear and unwillingness in their eyes.
"Crane Immortal School, your doomsday has come!" Zhou Zilong's voice was low and powerful, and every word was like a heavy hammer, hitting the hearts of the three people. He deliberately released a powerful aura, and a faint black energy fluctuation surrounded his body. It was the evil power he deliberately disguised, enough to make any opponent feel afraid.
Crane Immortal's voice trembled, trying to find a glimmer of life: "Sir, you and I have no grudges, why are you forcing each other like this?"
Zhou Zilong's mouth curled up a sneer, and a hint of teasing flashed in his eyes: "No grudges? In this world where the strong are respected, weakness is the original sin. I just want to kill you today because I am unhappy with you!"
Crane Immortal's face was pale,Fine beads of sweat oozed from his forehead. He had never thought that he would face such a desperate situation one day. He trembled in his voice, trying to find a glimmer of hope: "My lord, I... I know I was wrong. Please spare us a way out."
Zhou Zilong sneered, his eyes flashing with amusement: "Spare your lives? Of course, but the rules must be set by me. Among the three of you, only one person can leave here alive!"
As soon as these words came out, the air seemed to solidify, and even breathing became heavy. Crane Immortal, Tien Shinhan, and Jiaozi looked at each other, and everyone's heart was in turmoil.
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in the eyes of Crane Immortal, but was soon replaced by deep fear. He took a deep breath and made a decision that shocked everyone: "Tien Shinhan, Jiaozi, you are my most proud disciples, but today, I can only consider the overall situation. My life is more valuable than yours, so..." His words were full of unquestionable determination, "You, just sacrifice yourself!"
Tien Shinhan's body shook violently when he heard this. He couldn't believe his ears. The master who once taught him martial arts and taught him the philosophy of life was so cold and ruthless at this moment, treating their lives as worthless. His heart was filled with anger and disappointment, which was a kind of pain of being betrayed by the closest person.
"Master..." Tien Shinhan's voice was low and hoarse. He clenched his fists tightly, and his nails almost embedded in his palms. Blood quietly oozed out, but it was far less than the pain in his heart. "Do you really... want to do this?"
He Xianren avoided Tien Shinhan's gaze, as if he could escape the condemnation in his heart: "Tien Shinhan, this is the law of survival, you will understand it sooner or later!"
Jiaozi was shocked and desperate. He never thought that he would fall into such a situation, but looking at Tien Shinhan's unyielding eyes, he seemed to have found some kind of strength, which was disappointment in his master and determination for his future.
So Zhou Zilong deliberately grabbed Jiaozi and said: "Since you have decided, then kill him first!"
He Xianren hesitated for a moment, but still launched a fatal attack on Jiaozi. The hole wave cut through the night sky and took away Jiaozi's young life.
Tien Shinhan widened his eyes and looked at everything happening in front of him in disbelief. His mind was blank, as if the whole world collapsed at this moment. Jiaozi's body slowly fell down, blood stained the ground red, Tien Shinhan's tears burst out, and his heart was filled with endless grief and anger.
He couldn't accept the fact that the Crane Hermit who had taught him martial arts would kill his junior brother so ruthlessly. Tien Shinhan clenched his fists, his nails deeply embedded in his palms, and he vowed to avenge Jiaozi.
"Why! Master, why did you do this!" Tien Shinhan roared at Crane Hermit.
"Tien Shinhan, this is the way to survive. Only being alive is everything. Jiaozi's death is just a disaster destined for him." Crane Hermit looked at all this coldly, without any regret in his eyes.
"No! You are wrong!" Tien Shinhan looked straight into Crane Hermit's eyes: "The real strong man does not sacrifice others to exchange for his own strength, but can protect the people he loves and stick to the justice and faith in his heart. From today on, I, Tien Shinhan, and you, Crane Hermit, will be separated!"
Facing Tien Shinhan's words, Crane Hermit did not say anything, but unceremoniously released the Hole Wave move to Tien Shinhan, and then fled the scene.