Who Is Stronger

“Oh.” An Dafu swallowed the candied fruit in his mouth and explained, “They are the four young masters of the great families in Zechuan City who have the most outstanding strength and talent. Some busybodies gave them the title of the Four Great Young Masters.”

“Oh? I see.”

Liu Xiangzhi nodded thoughtfully, instinctively comparing them to the strongest person he knew.

“Then how do these Four Great Young Masters compare to our Senior Brother Bai? Who is stronger?”

“Of course it's me. I'm the strongest under heaven...” Zhuang Xun, who was currently stuffing his face with the fruit platter, thought smugly to himself.

An Dafu smiled. “Let me put it this way: if you take any one of the Four Great Young Masters and compare them to the four true disciples of our martial academy, they would still be a cut below. So, how do you think they compare to Senior Brother Bai, the head of the true disciples?”

Liu Xiangzhi clapped his hands in delight. “Then it must be Senior Brother Bai, of course!”

But An Dafu shook his head, saying smugly, “No, no, no. It is the Four Great Young Masters.”

Liu Xiangzhi blanked for a moment. “Huh? Why is that?”

An Dafu explained, “Because Senior Brother Bai is too young. Senior Brother Bai is only fifteen this year, while the youngest of the Four Great Young Masters is already eighteen. They have practiced martial arts for much longer, and every one of them is at the Sixth Rank. Meanwhile, I heard Senior Brother Bai only became a martial artist a few months ago, so his martial arts are at most at the Eighth Rank right now. Of course, if they were of the same age, they definitely would not be Senior Brother Bai's match.”

They think I cannot compare just because they are at the Sixth Rank? As expected, people really cannot imagine things beyond their own understanding. Alas, no one in this world can comprehend the loneliness of standing at the peak.

A touch of world-weariness appeared on Zhuang Xun's otherwise ordinary face.

Suddenly noticing a jar of wine on the table, he felt a sudden wave of emotion, poured himself a cup, and downed it in one gulp.

Blegh! (His face contorted.)

What the hell? Why is this garbage wine so bitter?! Green Bamboo? He frowned as he glanced at the wine's name, suddenly missing the pineapple beer from his previous life.

Beside him, An Dafu was still talking grandly to Liu Xiangzhi. “But in terms of talent, the Four Great Young Masters definitely cannot compare to Senior Brother Bai. As for actual strength, maybe in two or three years...”

“The Four Great Young Masters? What a bunch of absolute nobodies. How dare they be compared to Senior Brother Bai?” a haughty, arrogant voice suddenly rang out.

Interrupted, An Dafu and Liu Xiangzhi instinctively looked over. Seeing Chen Jinzhu entering with a large entourage, they immediately lowered their heads, focusing their gazes on their own noses and hearts, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible.

Among Chen Jinzhu's followers, Zhuang Xun spotted Li Zigeng, who nodded in greeting. Zhuang Xun smiled and nodded back.

Compared to three months ago, Li Zigeng's build had filled out quite a bit, and there was a newfound trace of confidence between his brows.

Strength really does change a person... Zhuang Xun thought to himself as he picked up a piece of osmanthus cake.

Only after Chen Jinzhu led her group further away did An Dafu and Liu Xiangzhi dare to raise their heads. Both tactfully avoided bringing up the debate of “the Four Great Young Masters versus Senior Brother Bai” again.

An Dafu stole a glance at Chen Jinzhu's retreating back before quickly lowering his head again, muttering under his breath, “Wait, isn't one of the Four Great Young Masters your own brother?”

However, he did not dare use this piece of information as gossip.

With Chen Jinzhu's arrival, the side hall quieted down significantly. Only she remained standing in the very center, arms crossed, pacing back and forth anxiously.

“Didn't they say Senior Brother Bai was coming? Why isn't he here yet?”

She had only come for Bai Yujing. Otherwise, she would not have bothered attending some random person's stupid ceremony.

As for why Zhuang Xun's other clone, Bai Yujing, had not yet arrived, it was because he had been delayed on the road by a certain someone.

...

Zhuang Xun pulled on his horse's reins and turned his head to look at the young girl in green riding leisurely behind him, who stopped every now and then to admire the scenery. He said, “If we do not hurry, your brother's coming-of-age ceremony will be over.”

“Hmm?”

Zhou Ziruo shifted her gaze from the flowers to Bai Yujing and said lightheartedly, “It is fine. It is not like it is anything important anyway. It is my brother's honor that you are even attending, Senior Brother Bai. Just let him wait.”

Wow, your brother must have accumulated some terrible karma in his past life to end up with a sister like you.

Zhuang Xun withdrew his gaze. Having urged her several times to no avail, he did not want to wait for her anymore and simply spurred his horse forward.

“Senior Brother Bai, does it look good... Huh?!”

Zhou Ziruo plucked a white flower and tucked it behind her ear. Just as she was about to ask Bai Yujing how it looked, she was left dumbfounded.

Because Bai Yujing was already gone.

...

“Young Master Zhou, my apologies. I have arrived late.”

Zhuang Xun looked at the handsome young man standing outside the gates. Dismounting, he handed the reins to a stable boy who trotted over, speaking with an apologetic tone.

“Hahaha! No matter, no matter! The fact that Chief Bai could come is already a great joy to me,” Zhou Zixing, the eldest young master of the Zhou family, welcomed him with a hearty laugh, showing no sign of annoyance at having waited.

“Eh? Where is my sister? Why isn't she with you, Chief Bai?”

Right at that moment, the sound of galloping hooves echoed from afar. Zhou Ziruo arrived in a rush, her hair slightly disheveled.

Dismounting, she handed the reins to the stable boy and looked at Bai Yujing with a smile, though it was a smile that seemed to be forced through gritted teeth.

“Senior Brother Bai is truly a gentleman. Knowing that I ride slowly, he actually rode ahead to scout the path for me.”

“No need to thank me,” Zhuang Xun replied flatly.

“Hahaha! Thank you, Chief Bai, for taking care of my sister,” Zhou Zixing laughed heartily, genuinely believing that Bai Yujing had gone ahead to scout the road for her.

“Hahaha...” Zhou Ziruo laughed along, though she was laughing from sheer exasperation.

She directed a dangerous glare at Zhou Zixing. “Dear brother, you have grown in years, so why does it feel like your intellect is regressing?”

“Ah?”

“It is nothing!” Seeing his clueless look only made her angrier. With a cold face, she was the first to enter the Zhou Manor.

“Ah? Oh, right! My mistake, my mistake. I should have invited Chief Bai inside first. Chief Bai, after you.” Zhou Zixing patted his head and gestured for him to enter.

“Please.”

Zhuang Xun pursed his lips to suppress a chuckle. His gaze toward Zhou Zixing softened slightly as they politely gestured for each other to go first and walked into the manor together.

Upon reaching the main hall, the Zhou Family Head and the elders of the Zhou family all came over to exchange pleasantries with Bai Yujing.

Zhuang Xun handled the situation with poise and ease. His words maintained the prestige of the Wanxing Martial Academy as a major power while keeping the humility expected of a junior, all without neglecting a single person.

Only when the Zhou Family Head and the others smilingly excused themselves to leave the space to the youth did he finally let out a sigh of relief.

Whew, that was exhausting. Glad they are gone.

The moment the Zhou Family Head and the elders left, Zhou Zixing shed his previous deferential attitude and sat down on the main seat with a loud laugh.

“Hahaha! Chief Bai, in that case, I shall declare the start of the martial competition. Let us see what young talents have emerged in Zechuan City over these past few years!”