C14 Who Is the Soft Persimmon?

Just as the Black Hou Beast had mentioned, once Zhang Hao had his say, the fat disciple and his tall counterpart swelled with pride.

"Kid, remember this: whenever you see Senior Brother Liao Ming or Senior Brother Ding Gui, you better show some respect and bow..."

"Hey, hey, hey, Liao Ming, Ding Gui, aren't you two something? Still picking on the new guy?"

Ding Gui, the fat disciple, didn't even get to finish his sentence before a scoffing laugh echoed from outside Zhang Hao's room.

Upon spotting a few disciples in grey robes, the previously boastful Liao Ming and Ding Gui quickly stooped and fawned over them with exaggerated courtesy.

"Liao Ming and Ding Gui pay their respects to Mr. Bao. Hey, kid, aren't you going to pay your respects to Mr. Bao?"

Liao Ming, the tall disciple, bellowed at Zhang Hao.

But before he could get all his words out, the young teen known as Mr. Bao lifted his hand and delivered a slap.

Smack! The sound reverberated as Liao Ming hit the floor, but he scrambled up and stood at attention.

"What are you waiting for? Scram! Or do you want another slap?"

Mr. Bao looked at Liao Ming with a sneer, his voice dripping with mockery.

Liao Ming and Ding Gui didn't dare delay; they beat a hasty retreat from Zhang Hao's room.

Seething with resentment yet fearful of Mr. Bao, they blamed the new rural disciple for their humiliation.

"Brother Liao, what do we do now?"

When Ding Gui posed the question, Liao Ming, teeth clenched in fury, responded venomously.

"What can we do? With Mr. Bao around, we'll just have to settle the score with that country bumpkin tomorrow!"

Meanwhile, inside the room, the Black Hou Beast's voice resonated in Zhang Hao's mind.

"Zhang Hao, you see? A soft persimmon needs to be squashed. If you don't squash it, it won't stay down."

"The kid in front of you is merely at the Foundation Stage Middle Period. You could take him down with a single punch."

"Don't utter a word—just knock him down with one punch, and I guarantee he won't dare to mess with you again."

Zhang Hao was in the early stages of Fusion, a full two realms above several of the gray-robed disciples with the surname Ding.

Dealing with them would be a matter of minutes for Zhang Hao.

But he kept Grandma Zhao's words in mind: no matter the situation, he must practice restraint.

"Hey, new guy with the surname Ding, what's your name?"

It was then that a disciple named Bao Guang, known as Mr. Bao, asked haughtily.

"Senior Brother, my name is Zhang Hao."

Upon hearing Zhang Hao's straightforward reply, Mr. Bao, the gray-robed youth, responded dismissively.

"I'm Bao Guang, the strongest among the disciples with the surname Ding, at the middle period of the Foundation Stage."

As Bao Guang made this declaration, the other disciples around him immediately barked at Zhang Hao.

"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and address him as Mr. Bao!"

"Mr. Bao is only thirteen this year, yet he's already reached the middle period of the Foundation Stage—the only one among us!"

The chatter of the gray-robed disciples didn't faze Zhang Hao.

He wasn't particularly concerned with their realms or status.

One could only imagine the looks on Bao Guang and the others' faces if they knew that Zhang Hao was a powerhouse in the early stages of Fusion.

After all, the highest realm in Conriston was merely the late period of Blessed.

Zhang Hao was the sole Fusion early-stage expert in Conriston.

Had it not been for Grandma Zhao's insistence, Zhang Hao would never have set foot in the Kong family's domain.

But now that he was here, Zhang Hao preferred to avoid conflict and spare Grandma Zhao and the others any worry.

Recalling Grandma Zhao's advice back in Hillfar Village—if ever bullied, to show what he was made of—Zhang Hao pulled out five gold coins and offered them up.

"Mr. Bao, please accept these as a token of my respect."

The Black Hou Beast within Zhang Hao seethed with silent fury upon hearing those words, its teeth clenched in resentment, yet it remained quiet. These were the very words Grandma Zhao had imparted to Zhang Hao before he departed from Hillfar Village.

Bao Guang was taken aback, not expecting that a mere country disciple, not even of their kin, could produce five gold coins. Such a sum was considerable, even for a disciple with a surname.

"Hahaha, Zhang Hao, you certainly understand the rules. Mr. Bao is in a good mood today, so I'll let you off the hook."

"If Liao Ming or Ding Gui dare to mess with you, just let Mr. Bao know. I've got your back."

With that, Bao Guang snatched the five gold coins and swaggered off with his entourage, leaving without another word.

"Zhang Hao, are you really that timid? Did I misread you?"

"You, a mere beginner in the Fusion Stage, got pushed around by a middle-tier Foundation Stage nobody?"

The Black Hou Beast's voice, tinged with frustration, echoed in Zhang Hao's mind.

"Grandma Zhao always said, 'One must learn to bide their time, no matter the circumstances.'"

Hearing Zhang Hao repeat these words, the Black Hou Beast couldn't help but let out a wry chuckle.

"You believe that naivety? You've never been exposed to the real world."

Zhang Hao paid no mind to the Black Hou Beast's commentary. After tidying up his room, he lay down to rest.

The following morning, a series of knocks rattled his door, accompanied by a boisterous and angry shout from outside.

"Country boy, get out here quick! I'm going to give you a good thrashing today!"

Zhang Hao's brow furrowed at the sound. He recognized the voices as those of the outer disciples, Liao Ming and Ding Gui, from the night before.

As he pondered their return, the Black Hou Beast's laughter resonated within him.

"Do you see now? You have to show them who's not to be trifled with, or they'll only double down on their bullying."