Chapter 120: Compensation

Chapter 120: Kui Hu Demands Compensation from Du Jinlong

Without a word, Kui Hu hoisted his battle axe and charged straight at Du Jinlong.

As Kui Hu lunged, Li Hao turned to his companions and said, "Let's move back a bit! Give them enough space to display their talents to their hearts' content. It will be a good chance for everyone to broaden their horizons."

Hearing this, the group smiled slightly and followed Li Hao to a mountain peak three hundred yards away. Seeing them retreat, Du Jinlong felt puzzled, wondering what kind of game these young people were playing.

As Kui Hu attacked, he taunted, "Little Poison Dragon, don't worry, they won't interfere. Today is just a simple duel between the two of us. Do you dare?"

Seeing the others had truly withdrawn, Du Jinlong temporarily set aside his thoughts of fleeing and retorted, "I don't believe a word you say, you cunning, devious scoundrel."

Still on guard, Kui Hu continued, "Little Poison Dragon, are you scared? Look how far away they are. Even if you tried to run, they wouldn't be able to catch you. Or are you afraid that you're no match for me? Perhaps you're terrified that I'll beat you until you're black and blue, turn your head into a pig's, and make you so unrecognizable that your mother won't even let you come home for dinner?"

Provoked by these repeated verbal barbs, Du Jinlong was consumed by rage. Unable to hold back any longer, he snapped, "Bah! You infuriating, treacherous bastard! You only know how to use your sharp tongue! I'll show you what a pig's head really looks like. Today, you will pay a heavy price—at least a hundred times worse than last time!"

With that, Du Jinlong recalled his longsword, intending to fight Kui Hu empty-handed. Seeing this, Kui Hu also sheathed his axe into his dantian. Both chose to engage in hand-to-hand combat.

Du Jinlong drew upon the laws of heaven and earth within a thousand-yard radius, imbuing his body with their power as he charged. Kui Hu was not to be outdone; he similarly gathered the surrounding laws to strengthen his own physique and collided with Du Jinlong.

The verbal sparring ended, and the true test of strength began. Du Jinlong threw a fierce punch toward Kui Hu’s face. Kui Hu quickly raised his hand and parried the blow.

Just as Du Jinlong thought he could land a devastating hit, he was shocked to find his attack blocked. He thought to himself, *How is this bastard so strong? Even if I only used eighty percent of my power, it should be beyond the reach of a mid-stage Travel Realm cultivator. Even a late-stage expert wouldn't dare take that punch head-on. He must be using some secret technique.*

The shock lasted only a moment. In that split second, Kui Hu launched a powerful uppercut, slamming solidly into Du Jinlong’s jaw. Several of Du Jinlong’s teeth shattered, his head snapped back, and he nearly collapsed. As he stumbled, Kui Hu seized the moment of lost balance to deliver a swift, mid-air kick. In just two moves, Du Jinlong was sent sprawling to the ground.

While Li Hao and his companions took it as a matter of course, the others watched Kui Hu with expressions of pure disbelief. They had just witnessed a mid-stage Travel Realm cultivator completely dominate an opponent at the peak of the same realm. Such a subversion of common sense was like a ten-year-old child crushing a grown man—who could remain calm after seeing that?

Regardless of the audience's shock, the battle continued. Kui Hu stepped over to Du Jinlong, looked down at him with disdain, and said, "Sigh! Little Poison Dragon, it seems you’re truly past your prime. I told you, a young man should practice moderation and not let indulgence ruin his body. Look at you—refusing to listen to elders leads to immediate suffering. It’s truly pathetic and lamentable to see you like this: heart still ambitious but body failing, unable to mount a defense."

Li Zhan and Qin Zhen were amazed to hear Kui Hu spout such flowery language. It was the most unusual thing they had seen from him in all the years they had known him. Li Zhan looked at Li Hao and remarked, "It seems Brother Hu has been influenced by the Young Master and is starting to study refined speech. Qin Zhen, it looks like we need to learn some literary grace from the Young Master as well!"

Qin Zhen nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes! Young Master, you are so talented, you must teach us more in the future!"

The others nearby chuckled at this exchange. Li Hao was left speechless and replied, "This isn't something I can teach; it just comes from reading and learning more on your own."

"Understood! Once this year's selection tournament is over, we will do as the Young Master says."

The two youths never imagined that a casual remark from Kui Hu and a piece of advice from Li Hao would eventually lead to a cataclysmic change in their lives.

Ling Guanghan, despite his humble status, was a child from a poor family who had matured early. Seeing those around him influenced by Li Hao, the mysterious aura and invisible charm surrounding the young man in red rose to a new level in his heart. He couldn't help but want to learn more about the handsome youth before him.

Stung by Kui Hu’s invisible yet lethal verbal assault, Du Jinlong grew so agitated that he coughed up a mouthful of blood. He managed to gasp, "You despicable, shameless wretch! I wasn't using my full strength; I was going easy on you, which is why you managed that sneak attack! Do you dare fight me again?"

Hearing such shameless words, Kui Hu was delighted. He had been looking for an excuse to further torment Du Jinlong’s spirit. With an indifferent shrug, he replied, "Come, come. I’ll keep you company until the end today. If you aren't convinced, we’ll keep fighting until you are."

Feeling that he had only lost due to his own arrogance, Du Jinlong was deeply resentful. Hearing the offer of a rematch, he felt a surge of excitement, believing he had a chance to turn the tables.

As Kui Hu stepped back, Du Jinlong scrambled to his feet, pulling upon the laws of heaven and earth with all his might. The surrounding energy surged violently, like a river bursting its dam. Not underestimating his opponent, Kui Hu also gathered the surrounding energy to its limit.

They clashed once more. Kui Hu waited for Du Jinlong to strike first.

Du Jinlong finished gathering his power and, within a single breath, lunged at Kui Hu, aiming a direct kick at his chest. Kui Hu didn't take the hit; he pivoted ninety degrees, dodging the overwhelming force of the kick. As he evaded, he quickly raised his arm and threw a swing punch.

Before Du Jinlong could recover his momentum, he had to dodge by jerking his head to the side. As he did, he pulled back his leg, but Kui Hu seized the opening, spinning his body and driving a knee straight into Du Jinlong’s chest the moment his foot touched the ground.

Kui Hu’s speed was so great that Du Jinlong had no chance to react before he was sent flying. As Du Jinlong soared backward, Kui Hu leapt into the air, chasing him down with another powerful kick.

Before Du Jinlong could stabilize, he was struck in the chest again. The combination of the knee and the kick sent him flying dozens of yards until he slammed into the ground, creating a human-shaped crater. After a few breaths, the dust settled, and Du Jinlong lay in the pit like a dead dog.

Those who witnessed Kui Hu’s ruthless efficiency felt a mix of exhilaration and terror. They looked at Du Jinlong with a sense of pity.

Kui Hu stood over him and looked down. Du Jinlong asked with great difficulty, "How... how could you be this strong?"

Even if he racked his brain, he couldn't understand how Kui Hu had become so impossibly strong. What he couldn't have imagined was that all of this was the result of the guidance of that ten-year-old boy he had looked down upon.

Kui Hu crouched down and said, "Why I am so strong is not something I need to tell you, nor are you worthy of knowing. Didn't you say you were going to kill my friends one by one? I’m giving you that chance now. Go ahead, kill them all. Don't be polite—go on."

Knowing he was doomed, Du Jinlong asked, "What do you want?"

Kui Hu dropped his flippant attitude and asked seriously, "How many copper soul coins do you think a ten-thousand-year-old Holy Fire Orchid is worth?"

Du Jinlong suddenly realized that all of this was because of the "lowly ant" he had looked down upon. He was filled with regret. Although he didn't know why Kui Hu asked, he thought to himself, *I am a fish on their chopping block; I must survive today first.*

He calculated that one gold soul coin equaled ten thousand copper soul coins. A ten-thousand-year-old Holy Fire Orchid was worth about ten gold soul coins, or one hundred thousand copper soul coins. He replied, "One hundred thousand copper soul coins!"

"Hmm?"

Kui Hu was clearly dissatisfied with the answer and let out a cold snort. Du Jinlong, confused, asked, "Young Master Kui Hu, tell me then, how many?"

Without answering, Kui Hu held up a single finger and waved it before his eyes.

"What! One million?" Du Jinlong exclaimed in shock as he realized the meaning.

Kui Hu finally spoke: "That’s right. One million copper soul coins. Pay that compensation today and apologize to my friend, and I will let you leave. Otherwise, I don't care if you are from the Du family—I will cripple your four limbs right here and now."