Published: March 7, 2025
CHAPTER 156: By What Right
"That's right, regardless of age or cultivation level, he doesn't get to decide!" Ji Mo chuckled, "Gu Duxing, I, Ji Mo, am not afraid of death. Do you really think I’m scared of you? The reason I came is to see if he can impress me. If he can lead us into the upper three heavens, I, Ji Mo, will follow him without a second thought! But if he can't, even if you cut off my head, don’t expect me to acknowledge him!"
"Exactly! That's what we mean! He’s the youngest in age and the weakest in martial arts, so why should he be our leader?" Rocky Luo joined in.
"Good! Very good! Since you are so ungrateful, don’t blame me for being ruthless!" Gu Duxing's eyes glimmered fiercely, and the killing intent around him grew stronger. His face turned a shade of green with anger as, with a loud clang, the Black Dragon Sword was drawn, ready to strike.
"Wait!" Chu Yang hurriedly intervened.
These individuals were all exceptional talents. If Gu Duxing were to clash with them now, it would not bode well. Moreover, if he wanted to be the leader, wouldn’t it be embarrassing if he couldn’t back it up with some capability?
Any one of these people was not someone to look down upon!
"Since we're discussing the issue of 'by what right,' I feel it's necessary to address it," Chu Yang said blandly. "By what right? I’m asking myself that too. I may be the youngest, but why should I be the one to be the leader?"
"Each of you comes from a more illustrious background than I do. Each of your martial skills is superior to mine! However, here, you can only be subordinate to me. Why is that?" Chu Yang smiled as he looked at them, "My advantage is simple: because I’m stronger than you!"
The four of them simultaneously revealed cold smiles.
"I, Chu Yang, come from humble beginnings, with a lowly status; I was even an abandoned child, raised by a master from a young age. In this regard, I have one advantage over you," Chu Yang raised a finger, "I have a loving master who is like a father to me. He has spared no effort for my sake! You don't have that. Although you were born into great families and your starting point in martial arts is higher than mine, you lack this!"
"Secondly, I have good brothers! My junior disciple is also my brother, and he is not here right now. Only Gu Duxing is here!" Chu Yang smiled, "You might wonder why Gu Duxing listens to me?"
This was also the most puzzling element for the four of them, or perhaps it was precisely why they came.
"Because we treat each other as brothers! Gu Duxing is willing to sacrifice everything for me, and I know he would do the same for my brothers! I can entrust my life to Gu Duxing, and he can do the same!" Chu Yang looked proudly at the four young men across from him, "Do you have this kind of pride? Do you have this kind of brotherhood?"
The three were left speechless. If they had such bonds, they wouldn’t have come out to wander the martial arts world alone during this adventure.
Every young person in the martial arts world yearns for the kind of brotherhood where one would risk their life for the other. That's what the iron-blooded martial arts world should be about. But the environment they grew up in was filled with scheming and intrigue, and they learned from a young age to trust no one!
They dared not have brothers! Because they were afraid, afraid of betrayal. Their awkward status in their families also meant they dared not make friends within their own circles!
Brotherhood! These two characters represent the longing of all passionate young martial artists, but they also embody the sadness of the offspring of noble families!
"Thirdly, I come from humble beginnings, the lowest of the low, but if we look at it from a worldly perspective, I have already achieved success!" Chu Yang looked calmly at the three young men across from him, "In Iron Cloud, I have already gained a prestigious status! My word can kill countless people, and my movements can shake nine cities!"
"And all of this was achieved within three months! If it were you, could you do the same?" Chu Yang coldly stared at them.