C16 I Took the Risk!

"Do you know Boss Gao?" The tall young man trailing behind him suddenly asked with a hostile tone.

"Actually, I don't need Boss Gao to teach you a lesson. I'm more than enough for that task!"

"Oh, is that so?" Ye Rong nodded in understanding. He and Zhang Yumeng had already noticed these guys back at the restaurant, but they hadn't made a move. If things were as the guy in the library had described, Gao Wanteng would have barged in right then and there.

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Four."

"Five."

"Just five of you?"

"You won't be able to beat me. Better call your boss over."

"Not very strong, yet you've got quite the nose. Ran off too fast and forgot your master, huh? Aren't you afraid of getting a beating?" Ye Rong said with a smirk, successfully diverting their attention.

"Boss, he's calling us dogs!" One quick-witted underling immediately interpreted Ye Rong's taunt.

"Smack!"

And for his efforts, he received a slap.

"Don't you dare repeat that!"

"Boss, this guy's way too cocky. He's already bullied your brother, and now he's insulting us. We've got to teach him a lesson!"

"No need for your input. Today, I'm going to beat him so bad he'll be searching for his teeth on the ground!" The tall man, surnamed Sun, gestured with a wave of his hand, "Attack!"

They lunged at Ye Rong as one.

A sharp glint flashed in Ye Rong's eyes.

If this were his first day in the original Ye Rong's body, he might not have been able to handle these thugs. Street hoodlums often carry knives, clubs, or other weapons. Even now, he was in danger. His martial skills were sufficient, but his body wasn't fully coordinated, making it easy for him to slip up and be overwhelmed.

But without taking risks, how can one experience the thrill of a challenge?

To get his body in sync, there was another method – to harness the potential in peril! To forcibly adapt and adjust!

This kind of adjustment might not be perfect, but it was advantageous in combat!

In the Cultivation World, taking risks isn't just a metaphor for a situation; it's an actual skill!

Many cultivators possess this skill to varying degrees. Those with a deeper understanding can face significant dangers and, despite seemingly life-threatening situations, almost never lose their lives. Those with a shallower grasp are weaker and more prone to accidents.

Ye Rong possessed a certain level of skill. It wasn't profound, but it was more than sufficient for the situation at hand.

With Wang Tianhao on the inside and Gao Wanteng on the outside, and a looming battle with Zhao Qi in just two days, Ye Rong felt the weight of expectation. His body needed to make some tangible progress!

As he faced the oncoming group of five, Ye Rong lifted his foot and stepped back.

He could tell at a glance that these men were seasoned; they had likely been involved in their fair share of scuffles, given their agile movements and seamless teamwork. Each one had the potential to land a decisive blow, yet each also presented an opportunity for Ye Rong to be hit.

"Left Two has a stick at his waist."

"Right One has a dagger up his sleeve."

"The one in the middle, a butterfly knife in his side pocket."

"Right Two, what's that... such an odd item. It's black and resembles a stick, but... his hand reaches for it awkwardly. There's definitely a trick to it, and he's the sleaziest of the bunch. Must be cautious."

"Left One... he's vicious. If I recall correctly, that's a Watermelon Knife, but he's not ready to draw it yet."

Ye Rong quickly assessed the group, formulating a strategy.

"Hey, this guy's quick on his feet! He's so skinny, yet surprisingly capable," the tall man named Sun remarked with a snort. Five lunged forward as one retreated; typically, the attackers would outpace the defender, but Ye Rong had evaded all five. Such reflexes were not the mark of a novice.

Despite their banter, the men didn't pause their pursuit, convinced that Ye Rong couldn't sustain his retreat for more than three steps.

Retreat too fast, and you risk falling over.

But they were bound to be proven wrong.

One step, two steps, three steps!

Not one of the five managed to so much as graze Ye Rong's clothing!

Invocation of the Lunar Grace!

There was once a cultivator who loved to show off—though his actual name was Xiu, not 'show off.' Ye Rong felt the latter term suited him better. This man didn't pursue immortality or magic; he was all about the spectacle. His cultivation might not have been impressive, but he had developed countless martial skills throughout his life, many of which were conceived in moments of ostentation, like the Invocation of the Lunar Grace.

In the lake, there's water, and in the water, a leaf. A green leaf dances, lifting the pot to drink, basking in the moon's glow. What a splendid sight!

This was a basic Flesh Forging martial skill, not particularly profound. Ye Rong's current physical condition limited his ability to perform any grand techniques, but with his powerful soul, he could forcefully command his body. By harmonizing the internal flow with external forces, he could still execute a simplified version of these skills, akin to the Snake Winding Technique.

Come to think of it, it had been ages since he'd last employed these skills. When Ye Rong first learned them, he was a novice cultivator, feeling his way across the riverbed of the Cultivation World. Every step was filled with wonder, and it took a considerable amount of time, a lengthy chapter in the life of someone transitioning from an ordinary person to a cultivator. Now, using them again, he felt a touch of nostalgia.

Ye Rong's body gracefully leaped backward, skimming the surface like a lotus leaf under the caress of the moonlight, his movements exuding effortless elegance.

"This kid..."

"He's pretty slick."

"You were all bluster just a moment ago, weren't you? Stop running away!"

"Your wish is my command!"

Ye Rong's eyes sparkled. His Invocation of the Lunar Grace appeared to be a retreat, but it was actually a strategic advance. Initially, it was challenging to engage the five attackers simultaneously, as they could cover for each other, but they weren't entirely professional. After a prolonged chase, they had spread out.

Time to strike!

Ye Rong landed and surged forward with even greater speed toward them!

One against five!

Collision seemed imminent!

But Ye Rong abruptly let go of his soul's tight grip on his body, causing it to quiver midair.

A daring move!

His already uncoordinated body, lacking the soul's full control, instantly betrayed chaos and irregularity.

Yet, amidst this turmoil, Ye Rong maintained his drive, compelling his body to keep up!

His target was to the left!

Upper star acupoint!

"Bang!"

He struck true, and the nearest, Zuo Er, reacted swiftly, drawing a long stick from his waistband and swinging it toward Ye Rong.

Ye Rong launched into action!

He stepped on a stick and instinctively retreated!

His body was exceptionally uncoordinated and weak. The upper star acupoint was completely unstable, so he had to switch targets to the larger area of the neck. His foot was meant for the arm swinging the stick, but he ended up stepping on the stick instead, turning a minor attack into a strategic retreat. And now... his whole body was shaking, his hormones on the verge of spiraling out of control.

Yet, this was precisely the training Ye Rong needed!

Even amidst nervousness and chaos, each strike had to trigger a battle-ready emergency response!

"Old Fierce! Old Fierce!"

Zuo Yi's pupils dilated, his eyes rolling back as he collapsed, gasping for air.

While the neck wasn't as stable a target as the upper star acupoint, it could still incapacitate an opponent, albeit with a higher risk of serious injury or death. This guy was armed with a watermelon knife, posing the greatest threat to Ye Rong, making him Ye Rong's primary target.

"Damn it, you hurt my brother! I, Sun Yaowei, won't let this go!"

"That's hardly fair. You were the ones who came after me. Plus, I warned you that you couldn't beat me and to call your boss. You didn't listen, so how is this my fault?"

Ye Rong laughed lightly, fearless.

Taking risks requires boldness and spirit! The goal was to hone the body's reflexes, which are quickest when direct. Thus, a fearless heart yields the best results. As a junior cultivator, Ye Rong often had to be cautious, but in that moment, he was filled with excitement and a strong sense of confidence. In the world of warriors, who else but him?

"It looks like this kid is really tough. No wonder he could push around my brother. And he even dares to call Boss Gao by his name! He must have a score to settle with Boss Gao! Brothers! No more holding back! Go all out on him! Even if we cripple him, Boss Gao will have our backs!"

Sun Yaowei led the charge, pulling out his switchblade.

Ye Rong clenched his fists.

Time to take a risk! The real battle was just beginning!

"However... there's a problem," Ye Rong said, puzzled. "Aren't names meant to be used to address someone? Why do you assume I have a beef with him just because I call out Gao Wanteng's name?"

"Come to think of it, I found that name a bit odd the first time I heard it. If I manage to knock all of you down, will you fill me in on the mystery behind it?"

Chapter 12 - The Secrets of Boss Gao