Martial Peak - Rise Of The Human Emperor-Chapter 77 – Pursuit

"Seriously, who gets this mad over a hand-holding incident? Take a deep breath, man. Go touch some grass."

Yang Kai's indifference was unwavering as the High Heaven Pavilion disciples raged around him. It felt like the entire group was up in arms, demanding he kneel and apologize, all while Xie Hongchen grinned from the sidelines, relishing the chaos. The disciples' voices rang in the air, filling the otherwise silent surroundings with angry accusations.

"Yang Kai! Kowtow and apologize now!" roared one disciple, his voice echoing through the dense trees.

"Xie Fellow Apprentice is showing mercy by not pursuing the matter further. However, his forgiveness doesn't speak for all of us. If you refuse to apologize, you're making an enemy out of everyone!" another disciple added, his tone threatening.

Yang Kai's expression remained unchanged. He was a rock, immovable despite the torrent of voices and glares aimed his way.

"Yes! Yang Fellow Apprentice has no pride! He dares to woo Su Female Apprentice, and yet he's as weak as he is! A toad trying to eat goose meat! He should take a long look in the mirror and reconsider!" The chorus of female disciples joined in, their venomous words adding to the ridicule. Some of them almost sounded as though they were auditioning for a role in a drama, their complaints petty and loud.

Yang Kai didn't flinch, nor did his gaze betray any emotions. He simply ignored the rabble, his posture a mixture of aloofness and disdain for their incessant bickering.

Within his own group, Xie Hongchen stood there, a sly grin creeping onto his face as he watched the scene unfold. He relished in Yang Kai's discomfort. To Xie Hongchen, this was more than just an opportunity for power; it was about dominance. The boy was trying to survive in this jungle, and if he wanted to join Xie's group, he would have to pay the price. He would have to admit his mistake, bow down, and beg for forgiveness before being allowed to join the fold.

In his mind, this was the way of the world. Strong disciples like Xie and his followers didn't simply offer protection to those weaker than them without demanding submission first. If Yang Kai wanted to live, he had to learn his place.

Xie Hongchen's eyes glimmered with anticipation. His thoughts danced with images of Yang Kai groveling at his feet. It was a small price to pay for survival in a place like this, or so he thought.

After a long, tense silence, Yang Kai finally spoke, his voice low but firm, cutting through the insults and taunts like a blade. "This group of disciples—so eager to act tough in front of others. All of you just want to gain favor with the stronger ones by forcing me to apologize. Why would I even consider joining you?"

There was a defiance in his words that seemed to take the air out of the situation, if only momentarily. His tone was calm, but it was thick with the bitterness of having to endure their collective hostility.

Lan Chudie, who had been standing off to the side, her face torn between frustration and concern, couldn't help but pull at Yang Kai's sleeve. Her voice was gentle, almost pleading. "Fellow Apprentice, if you're a real man, you need to understand the situation. Put your pride aside just for a moment. What's the worst that could happen?"

Yang Kai rolled his eyes in exasperation. "What's the worst? You don't even know what Xie Hongchen is really like. You don't know what he's done or what he will do to me later." His words were laden with resentment as he glanced at her. "Don't pretend you do."

Lan Chudie's expression faltered, the hint of confusion lingering on her features. She didn't know what had happened between Yang Kai and Xie Hongchen. She didn't know the weight of the history between them, but she still believed that Xie's offer was an opportunity. "Why can't you see that this is your best shot at surviving? You have no other choice but to accept his terms."

Yang Kai's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "You don't understand," he muttered. "If you were in my shoes, you'd think differently. Xie Hongchen is only playing a game."

Lan Chudie's frustration reached its peak. "Why are you so stubborn? You could have a chance if you just accepted his offer!" She stepped back, visibly shaken, and walked away with an angry huff. She didn't want to argue anymore, especially not with someone as pigheaded as Yang Kai. Her steps quickened as she made her way toward Xie Hongchen's group, her decision clear.

"You're right," she called back to Yang Kai, her voice tinged with an emotion she couldn't quite place. "I don't owe you anything. I'll deal with this myself."

His eyes followed her retreating figure as she joined Xie's group, her back stiff with pride. There was no remorse in her actions, only the cold, hard reality of survival. She had made her choice.

As the silence stretched on, Yang Kai turned on his heel and walked off into the thick underbrush, the sound of his footsteps the only noise that broke the stillness.

"Yang Kai!" Nie Yong's voice pierced the air, his anger boiling over. "You think you can just walk away like that without consequences?"

Without warning, Nie Yong conjured a ball of flame, hurling it toward Yang Kai's retreating form. The fireball whizzed through the air with deadly precision.

But Yang Kai didn't break stride. He calmly sidestepped the attack, the ball of fire grazing past him harmlessly. He didn't even glance in the direction from which it had come. His voice, cold and confident, cut through the tension in the air. "Xie Hongchen, what's the meaning of this? If you think you can intimidate me, you've got another thing coming. I'll make sure Su Female Apprentice hears about this and expose everything you've done!"

The words rang out, loud and clear, reaching the ears of all those present. Xie Hongchen's face darkened at the mention of Su Yan. He knew exactly what Yang Kai was referring to—Long Hui's assassination attempt. Xie Hongchen had been sure that Long Hui's plot would be the end of Yang Kai. But somehow, the boy had survived, and now it seemed like the whole situation might unravel.

Xie Hongchen's thoughts raced. He had hoped that no one would discover his involvement, but it was becoming clear that Yang Kai knew more than he should. If the truth came out, it would be disastrous for him. His anxiety quickly morphed into cold, calculating fury.

He signaled to Nie Yong, who wasted no time in carrying out his instructions.

Nie Yong, with a twisted grin, shouted to the others, "Yang Kai's impudence demands a lesson. Who among you is brave enough to join me in teaching this arrogant boy a lesson?"

Immediately, several disciples rushed to his side, eager for the opportunity to bring Yang Kai to heel.

Lan Chudie, watching helplessly, wanted to speak, to stop the madness, but found that her throat had closed up. She couldn't find the words to intervene. Instead, she watched as the group surrounded Yang Kai, intent on forcing him to submit.

Du Yishuang, seeing what was happening, reacted quickly, rushing forward to aid Yang Kai. But before she could get far, Fang Ziji intercepted her.

"Let me go, Fang!" Du Yishuang pleaded, her voice desperate. "Yang Kai saved my life! I can't just stand here and do nothing!"

"This is not your fight," Fang Ziji replied curtly, his grip firm as he restrained her.

"But..." Du Yishuang's resistance was futile.

Fang Ziji turned his attention to the two female disciples who had joined them. "Watch her. Make sure she doesn't try to leave," he ordered. The two girls nodded and stepped in, holding Du Yishuang back.

As Yang Kai disappeared deeper into the jungle, the disciples behind him were quick to follow. He wasn't going to make it easy for them.

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"Yang Kai, in the days we've spent together, I thought we'd become friends," Nie Yong taunted. "But now, I'll have to make sure you pay the price for your arrogance."

Yang Kai's response was swift, his voice filled with derision. "Friendship? With you? Don't make me sick."

Nie Yong laughed maniacally. "Good! Good! I like your spirit! But it won't save you now! We know you have an Earth High Grade Martial Skill. If we can catch you, we'll take it from you!"

The mention of the Earth High Grade Martial Skill made the group of disciples quicken their pace. The temptation of such a valuable skill was too much to resist.

"Yang Kai, why do you insist on resisting?" One of the disciples swung his sword toward him, a flash of steel cutting through the air.