The Ferocious God in the Celestial Master's Mansion

A dazzling bolt of lightning, accompanied by crackling electricity, shot straight toward Zhang Yulei's face. The lightning exploded in the dim sunlight, so bright that it was blinding. If it were an ordinary extraordinary person, they would probably have been forced to scramble and dodge in a sorry state by now.

But who is Zhang Yulei?

He was a formidable figure who had spent decades in seclusion at Jingxin Cliff, cultivating the Thunder Technique of Longhu Mountain to its pinnacle. In the battle of Blood Moon Valley, he single-handedly summoned thunder from the heavens with his sword, slaying countless Japanese pirates and demons. The power of his thunder was only slightly inferior to that of the Old Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei.

In Zhang Chulan's eyes, this palm lightning was nothing more than a child's game.

Facing the rapidly approaching lightning, Zhang Yulei didn't even lift his eyelids. He simply raised his right hand, and a faint golden halo instantly appeared around his palm. The halo seemed gentle, yet it carried an overwhelming pressure, as if it could contain all rivers and devour all things.

"Bang!"

A soft sound, like a bubble bursting.

Zhang Chulan's prized palm lightning vanished instantly upon touching Zhang Yulei's palm, like ice and snow melting away. It didn't even cause the slightest ripple.

As Zhang Chulan watched this scene, his pupils suddenly contracted, and the stubbornness and ruthlessness on his face were instantly replaced by fear.

He knew there was a huge gap between his strength and that of the old Taoist priest, but he never expected the gap to be this wide! His palm lightning, which he had unleashed with all his might, was so utterly vulnerable in the other's eyes!

When Zhang Yulei watched "Under One Person" in his previous life, netizens always joked that the older characters were all incredibly passionate, while the younger ones were all incredibly cunning and cowardly. At the time, Zhang Yulei only took it as a joke, but now, seeing Zhang Chulan's actions firsthand, he realized that it wasn't about being cunning or cowardly; it was simply the helplessness brought about by the difference in strength.

Zhang Chulan didn't not want to save Lu Linglong and the others; he simply didn't dare.

It's not that he didn't want to resist, it's that he didn't have the ability.

Just like now, he couldn't even break through the opponent's defense with his own palm lightning, so where did he get the confidence to go head-to-head with those vicious Quanxing demons?

Despite understanding the situation, Zhang Yulei's anger did not subside in the slightest.

If you're not good enough, you can practice.

If you're timid, you can work your way up.

But to stand by and watch your friend in danger, and do nothing, that kind of mentality will eventually lead to disaster if not dealt with severely!

"What? Out of ideas?" Zhang Yulei's voice was icy cold, like the north wind in the dead of winter, making Zhang Chulan feel cold all over.

Zhang Chulan looked into Zhang Yulei's sharp eyes and felt a sudden chill run down his spine as he saw the suffocating pressure emanating from him. He knew that if he continued to resist, he might really get a severe beating from this old Taoist priest today.

"A wise man submits to circumstances"—this is a saying Zhang Chulan has heard since childhood and has practiced for over a decade.

Almost in the blink of an eye, Zhang Chulan made his decision.

Without saying a word, he squatted down with a "plop," tightly hugging his head with both hands, exposing his entire back and buttocks to Zhang Yulei. His posture was as obedient and submissive as could be.

"Grandpa Zhang! Please don't be angry!" Zhang Chulan's voice carried a hint of fawning laughter and a barely perceptible tremor. "Hit me! Hit me however you want! I'd accept it even if you beat me to death, as long as you're happy!"

These words were spoken with utter humility.

Seeing his expression, Zhang Yulei was so angry that the veins on his forehead throbbed.

He finally understood: this little brat had the phrase "flexible and adaptable" etched into his very bones. Just a moment ago he was shouting that he wanted to go head-to-head with him, but in the blink of an eye he was covering his head and admitting defeat; his change of attitude was faster than flipping through a book.

His personality is exactly the same as his deceased grandfather, Zhang Huaiyi!

Of course, Zhang Yulei wouldn't really kill him. Putting aside the fact that this brat was Zhang Huaiyi's grandson, the darling of the Old Celestial Master, just the fact that he was a descendant of Longhu Mountain made it impossible for Zhang Yulei to kill him.

The anger he was suppressing was nothing more than frustration at his son's lack of ambition.

But seeing Zhang Chulan's cheeky expression, Zhang Yulei's anger flared up.

He was unaware of Zhang Chulan's ulterior motives, and even less aware that from the moment he said he would teach this brat a lesson on behalf of Zhang Huaiyi and the Old Celestial Master, Zhang Chulan had already begun to ponder his identity.

Zhang Chulan squatted on the ground, his head buried in his arms, but his eyes were darting around.

Tranquil Cliff.

He was from the same era as my grandfather and the old Taoist master.

An elderly man from Longhu Mountain.

These keywords kept swirling in his mind. He tried hard to recall his memories of the older generation of Longhu Mountain, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember any old Taoist with such terrifying strength.

When my grandfather Zhang Huaiyi betrayed Longhu Mountain, most of the older generation of Longhu Mountain had already passed away. The only ones left were the old Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei and the disabled Master Tian.

He had seen Master Tian and the Heavenly Emperor, but who was this fierce god in front of him who would draw his sword and chop down a tree at the slightest disagreement and start beating people without saying a word?

With limited information, Zhang Chulan couldn't immediately deduce the old Taoist's exact identity.

But he was certain of a few things.

First, this old Taoist priest definitely had a past relationship with Grandpa Zhang Huaiyi and the old Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei, and their friendship was quite deep. Otherwise, he wouldn't have said something like, "I'll teach him a lesson on behalf of Grandpa."

Secondly, this old Taoist priest is definitely from the Celestial Master's Mansion, and of extremely high seniority. Lu Linglong just mentioned that she saw him at Tranquil Heart Cliff. What kind of place is Tranquil Heart Cliff? He had heard Xu San and Xu Si mention it; it's the most tranquil and secluded place in Longhu Mountain, and ordinary people are not even qualified to set foot there.

Third, and most importantly, as long as I don't resist and obediently admit defeat, the old Taoist priest will definitely not hurt me severely. At most, he'll just make me suffer some physical pain.

After all, he was Zhang Huaiyi's grandson, the grand-disciple of the Old Celestial Master, and a legitimate descendant of Longhu Mountain. No matter how fierce this old Taoist priest was, he couldn't really do anything to him.

Having figured these points out, Zhang Chulan tightened his grip on his head. He even deliberately stuck his butt out a little higher, his posture as cooperative as could be.

Zhang Yulei was so angry at his despicable behavior that he felt like his lungs were about to explode.

He'd lived this long and seen arrogant and domineering people, unruly and rebellious people, and people with unyielding integrity, but he'd never seen anyone so flexible and shameless!

"You little brat!" Zhang Yulei gritted his teeth, squeezing out the words, "You're quite good at playing dead!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his foot, aimed at Zhang Chulan's raised buttocks, and kicked him mercilessly!

"Awooo—!"

A heart-wrenching scream instantly echoed throughout the bamboo forest. The sound was so tragic and desperate that it broke the hearts of all who heard it and brought tears to their eyes.

Zhang Chulan felt a tremendous force coming from his buttocks, and he was sent flying as if hit by a cannonball. He traced a messy parabola in the air, and then crashed heavily into the muddy ground more than ten meters away with a "thud".

The splashed mud and water covered his face.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch—!" Zhang Chulan clutched his bottom, rolling around in the mud, tears welling in his eyes from the pain. He grimaced, his face contorted in pain. "Grandpa Zhang! You hit me too hard! That kick is going to make my bottom bruise!"

Zhang Yulei snorted coldly and slowly walked towards him. His steps were steady, and with each step, the green grass on the ground was scorched black by the power of lightning.

"Ruthless?" Zhang Yulei looked down at him, his eyes icy cold. "I was still showing mercy! If it were decades ago, if you dared to stand by and watch me die like this, I would have cleaved you in two with one sword!"

Zhang Yulei wasn't just trying to scare him.

During the battle of Blood Moon Valley, he witnessed his fellow disciples being slain by Japanese pirates while covering the retreat of civilians. As for those who were afraid of death and deserted in the face of battle, he spared no one, whether friend or foe.

In his eyes, those who are afraid of death are more hateful than vicious criminals!

Zhang Chulan looked into the old man's bloodshot eyes, and saw the undisguised killing intent within them. His heart skipped a beat. He knew the old man was telling the truth.

He dared not joke around anymore, and could only look at Zhang Yulei pitifully, his voice trembling with tears: "Grandpa Zhang, I really know I was wrong! I'll never do it again! Next time something like this happens, I'll be the first to rush in! Even if I can't beat them, I'll find a way to save them!"

"You'd better remember what you said today." Zhang Yulei squatted down and patted his shoulder, the force light but carrying an undeniable authority. "The people of Longhu Mountain can lose, can die, but they must never back down! They must never stand by and watch someone die!"

"I've got it! I've got it!" Zhang Chulan nodded hurriedly, nodding his head like a chicken pecking at rice.

Seeing his appearance, Zhang Yulei's anger finally subsided considerably. He stood up and glanced around. The stench of blood in the bamboo forest had faded considerably; only the lingering smell of gunpowder in the air reminded him of the fierce battle that had just taken place there.

"Get up." Zhang Yulei's voice softened considerably. "Come back to the Celestial Master's Mansion with me."

"Back to the Celestial Master's Mansion?" Zhang Chulan was taken aback, then said with a bitter face, "Grandpa Zhang, how can I go back looking like this? Look at me, I'm covered in mud, my butt hurts terribly, and I can't even walk."

His words were half true and half false. That kick just now was indeed quite hard; now, even the slightest movement causes him excruciating pain in his buttocks.

Zhang Yulei glanced at him and saw right through his little scheme. This brat was clearly trying to cheat and get himself carried back.

"Can't walk?" Zhang Yulei raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "You have to walk, even if you can't! Do you expect me to carry you back with these old bones?"

Zhang Chulan chuckled, revealing a set of white teeth: "If Grandpa Zhang is willing, I wouldn't mind."

"Mind your own business!" Zhang Yulei raised his foot and kicked him in the butt again, but this time, the force was much lighter. "Get up right now! If you dare to dawdle again, I'll leave you here to feed the wolves!"

"No, no, no!" Zhang Chulan was startled and, ignoring his sore bottom, quickly scrambled to his feet from the mud. He leaned against a nearby bamboo stalk, standing there grimacing, feeling as if every bone in his body was broken.

Seeing his disheveled appearance, Zhang Yulei couldn't help but shake his head. He turned and walked towards the Celestial Master's Mansion, his voice carrying from afar: "What are you all standing there for? Follow me!"

Zhang Chulan watched his retreating figure, gritted her teeth, and limped after him.

As the sun set, it cast long, long shadows of the two of them.

The older one, with his white hair and beard, wore a coarse Taoist robe stained with blood, yet he remained as upright as a pine tree, resembling a walking demon god.

The younger one, covered in mud and with messy hair, clutched his bottom and limped along behind, looking like a wronged little wife.

The two figures gradually disappeared at the end of the bamboo forest.

At this moment, the Celestial Master's Mansion was still bathed in golden light. Zhang Zhiwei stood with his hands behind his back on the roof of the Celestial Master's Hall, gazing towards the bamboo forest, a faint smile slowly curving his lips.

"Junior brother, oh junior brother," he murmured, a hint of relief in his voice, "you've done a good job of disciplining this little brat for me."

He could sense that the murderous aura emanating from Zhang Yulei had faded considerably.

Decades of seclusion at Jingxin Cliff could not extinguish the passion in his bones.

With himself and such a fierce god guarding Longhu Mountain, it's likely that no one will dare to provoke him easily in the future.

Deep within the bamboo forest, Zhang Chulan's wails still echoed.

"Grandpa Zhang! Wait for me! I can't walk anymore!"

"Grandpa Zhang! Slow down! My bottom really hurts!"

"Grandpa Zhang! I was wrong! I really won't do it again next time!"

Zhang Yulei paused. He turned around, looked at the limping figure, and finally a long-lost smile appeared on his lips.