Alchemy Sovereign with Divine Soul

C11 – Not Only Did He Fail to Rob Him He Was Robbed Instead

“Why all the commotion? Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

Amidst the heated exchange between Tang Bei and his group and Jiaang Lin, an irritated voice echoed through the Dao Artifact Hall.

Turning toward the source of the sound, Jiaang Lin’s eyes fell upon a familiar face, stirring a rush of excitement and warmth within him.

A young man, about seventeen years old and a year Jiaang Lin’s senior, stood before him.

Dressed in a white brocade robe, the youth’s handsome features and lean physique were accentuated by a dignified, scholarly air that left a lasting impression on anyone who saw him.

This young man was Jiaang Lin’s sworn brother, Shaang Duoge. Together, they were infamously known as the ‘Two Cripples of Clear Water Town’, notorious for being the most talked-about martial cultivators in the area.

Both were stuck at Body Refining Level Three, unable to make any further progress in their cultivation.

Upon the arrival of their Young Lord from the Dao Artifact Hall, Tang Bei and his cohorts couldn’t hide their contempt, their faces etched with scorn and their eyes reflecting deep disdain.

Being disciples of the Dao Artifact Hall, they were well aware that Shaang Duoge was merely a castoff relegated to Clear Water Town by the Imperial City’s Dao Artifact Hall, no longer the unparalleled genius who had once astounded the Dragon Abyss Empire.

Despite being tasked with overseeing the town’s branch, Shaang Duoge had little clout within the Clear Water Town’s Dao Artifact Hall.

Consequently, he was often looked down upon by many elders and fellow disciples, even facing frequent malice and insults from those beneath him.

So, it was no surprise that the Dao Artifact Hall disciples showed little respect for Shaang Duoge upon his approach.

“What an extraordinary spectacle! Who would have imagined that Clear Water Town’s infamous ‘Two Cripples’ would grace us with their presence together? How utterly frightening!” Tang Bei remarked sarcastically, his face darkening as he stepped in front of Jiaang Lin, fixing him with an icy glare while feigning fear for the benefit of the onlookers.

​His expression was one of mockery and disdain.

At Tang Bei’s words, his companions couldn’t help but erupt into boisterous laughter.

​Surrounding onlookers, many of whom were cultivators from the Dao Artifact Hall, watched with keen interest as Jiaang Lin, Shaang Duoge, and Tang Bei squared off. They were eager to see how Jiaang Lin and Shaang Duoge, the notorious underachievers of Clear Water Town, would stand up to Tang Bei and his fellow disciples.

“Duoge,” Jiaang Lin said, warmth flooding his heart as Shaang Duoge stepped in front of him to face Tang Bei and the others. The sense of brotherhood, the protection offered without hesitation, brought back memories. In his previous life, Shaang Duoge had always been there, shielding him from harm, no matter the cost.

​”Don’t worry, with me here, these jerks won’t dare touch you!” Shaang Duoge reassured him, turning back with a sunlit smile.

Jiaang Lin returned the smile with a nod. He wasn’t concerned for himself; Tang Bei and his lackeys were no match for him now.

“Shaang Duoge, it’s been a while since I’ve put you in your place. Are you itching for a beating?” Tang Bei’s face darkened with fury upon hearing Shaang Duoge’s insult.

​”Bully my brother, and you bully me. If you’ve got the guts, face me one-on-one, you cowards!” Shaang Duoge retorted, his gaze icy and defiant.

​”One-on-one? Fine. Today, I’ll see for myself if you, Shaang Duoge, have made any progress since your days as a so-called prodigy,” Tang Bei sneered.

He lunged at Shaang Duoge, Genuine Qi surging through his body, aiming a heavy palm strike at Shaang Duoge’s chest. Shaang Duoge’s expression turned grave as he quickly crossed his arms to block, narrowly deflecting Tang Bei’s furious blow. Despite his efforts, Shaang Duoge, still only at Body Refining Level Three, found himself unable to gain the upper hand.

Tang Bei’s strength was an entire level above his own. Despite Shaang Duoge’s extensive combat experience, which allowed him to block the palm strike, he struggled to neutralize the powerful force behind it. His body staggered backward, his blood roiled within him, and his complexion grew noticeably pale.

​”A peerless genius? Is that all you’ve got? It seems you haven’t made any progress at all,” Tang Bei said, standing with his hands behind his back, looking down at Shaang Duoge with a sneer.

​Bang!

A muffled sound broke the air.

In the midst of Tang Bei’s haughty berating, Jiaang Lin acted swiftly, landing a heavy punch on Tang Bei’s face. Jiaang Lin’s punch was fueled by anger and took Tang Bei completely by surprise.

​Tang Bei was sent flying, crashing to the ground with such force that he spat out blood and broken teeth, his face swelling up grotesquely like a pig’s head. His pained howls filled the air as he clutched his cheek, grimacing and convulsing in agony.

His shocked gaze turned to Jiaang Lin, who stood not far off, his expression one of utter disbelief. Similarly, his companions, Shaang Duoge, and the many cultivators passing through the Dao Artifact Hall were stunned by the turn of events.

All eyes were riveted on Jiaang Lin, disbelief etched into their faces.

Jiaang Lin had knocked Tang Bei off his feet with a single punch? How was that possible?

Wasn’t Jiaang Lin known as the notorious failure of Clear Water Town? How could someone, whose meridians were blocked and who was unable to cultivate martial arts, manage to send Tang Bei, a practitioner of Body Refining Level Four, flying with just one punch?

“You… you know martial arts?!” Tang Bei finally managed to say, staring at Jiaang Lin with a dark scowl.

“Surprised?” Jiaang Lin replied coolly, his gaze fixed on Tang Bei’s disheveled state, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

“Damn it! You trash! How dare you strike me! Today, I’m going to make you pay!”

Tang Bei was furious, his face twisted into a snarl.

“Attack, take him down!”

Eventually, he gestured for his companions to join forces against Jiaang Lin.

Having been dazed by Jiaang Lin’s punch, Tang Bei was reeling. Knowing he was no match for Jiaang Lin at the moment, he decided to let his companions take the lead while he caught his breath.

At Tang Bei’s command, the Dao Artifact Hall disciples by his side quickly released their Battle Souls and executed their martial techniques, charging at Jiaang Lin.

Seeing this, Shaang Duoge’s face was etched with concern and worry. He tried to move forward to assist, but the turmoil within his body made him feel unbearably uncomfortable, rendering him immobile.

“Jiaang Lin, watch out!”

With no other option, Shaang Duoge shouted a warning.

“No worries!”

Jiaang Lin replied with a smile.

His body darted forward like a swift cheetah, targeting the Dao Artifact Hall disciples.

These disciples, whose cultivation was inferior to Tang Bei’s, with the strongest among them only at Body Refining Level Two, were no challenge for Jiaang Lin.

​He moved through them with the grace of a gliding fish, eluding their grasp effortlessly.

Then, with a series of punches and kicks, he sent them flying—one by one.

Within mere moments…

Several Dao Artifact Hall disciples, ranging from Body Refining Level One to Level Two, were all on the ground, crying out in agony.

This spectacle left Shaang Duoge, Tang Bei, and the other cultivators in utter amazement.

Jiaang Lin’s strength was formidable!

In just a few breaths, he had effortlessly defeated several cultivators at Body Refining Level One and even Level Two.

And to think, he had previously launched Tang Bei, a Body Refining Level Four cultivator, through the air with a single punch.

His Cultivation Level was certainly not to be underestimated. In Clear Water Town, he stood out as far stronger than most of the young disciples!

Was the young man once dubbed the ‘Waste of Clear Water’ in Clear Water Town truly still worthless?

“Come on, let’s settle up! Those with money, hand it over as a tribute to me! Otherwise, I’ll beat you so badly you’ll be picking up your teeth from the ground!”

Jiaang Lin, unfazed by the astonished stares of Tang Bei and the other cultivators, wore a cheerful grin on his face. He approached the disciples of the Dao Artifact Hall while speaking.

Upon hearing Jiaang Lin’s demand, the disciples dared not refuse. They each reached into their garments and handed over all their savings to Jiaang Lin, fearing a brutal beating.

“And you? Aren’t you going to hand over your money as a tribute to me?”

Jiaang Lin turned and strode over to Tang Bei. With a forceful stomp, he crushed Tang Bei’s chest, breaking several ribs. Tang Bei was drenched in a cold sweat from the excruciating pain, his body convulsing as he let out agonized screams. Eventually, he surrendered all his savings to Jiaang Lin.

In that moment, Tang Bei was consumed with fury and humiliation. Initially, he and his friends had plotted to rob Jiaang Lin and give him a harsh lesson. Now, the tables had turned, and they were the ones who had been robbed.

The frustration was unbearable. Tang Bei harbored a deep hatred for Jiaang Lin, wishing he could dismember him to quell the rage in his heart.