Aimless Ascension

?Gale hoped to return to Stormhold straight after he was done with all the proceedings. He was doing exactly that, however, it seemed he would have to delay it for a few minutes as he found a few people waiting around his carriage, probably intending to make trouble.

An annoyed expression appeared on Gale's face as he approached them. He got to finish this quickly, as his hand was full with other tasks. 𝙛r𝚎𝐞𝑤𝚎𝗯𝗻𝗼𝐯e𝚕.𝒄𝐨𝓂

"Well, well, look what we have here?" said the leader of the group, a handsome youth that seemed faintly familiar to Gale. "Isn't that the foreigner who's full of himself?"

Gale raised an eyebrow. "Who are you again?" he asked, completely disregarding the youth. He shoved another person to make his way towards the carriage. "You know what? It doesn't matter. Just get out of my way."

As Gale had imagined, none of the group left. Instead, they surrounded him, flaring their Iron Qi, announcing their rank and capabilities. This could've impressed most people of Wayshire, but to Gale not so much.

These lots were probably the best in town, but anywhere else, they were second rate at best. Gale had seen and trashed plenty of the likes of these.

Gale's eyes drifted to everyone in their position, contemplating what their actions would be if the conflict rose to a scuffle. It certainly wouldn't come to a bloody struggle, the town being peaceful as it was.

"Bah," said the youth again. It could only be the prodigious Young Master Han, whom Gale recognised, but disregarded completely. To Gale, the existence of this guy couldn't be higher than an insect. After all, some insects tend to be useful.

"You guys are scaring the foreigner," Han Xiao continued. "Come on, stop with that intimidation. We're folks of Wayshire, we're civil. Let's welcome the foreigner in the style of Wayshire."

"Yes, Young Master Xiao," one counterpart who's impatient to bootlick, said with a laugh. "You're absolutely right. Let's go celebrate, outsider."

He was about to slap Gale on the shoulder, much harder than what could be called an affectionate gesture, however, Gale caught the palm before it could land and shrugged it off.

"Don't act like you're familiar with me," Gale said, his eyes growing colder.

Before Gale could continue, another one tried to grapple him from behind. Gale lurched up to shove his knee into the midsection of the youth and left him squirming on the ground.

"Bastard!"

All the surrounding youths narrowed their eyes. But Gale gave all of them a cold stare and returned to the leader of the group.

"I remember you now," he said, cranking his head left and right. "Do you remember what I said back then?"

Gale's body moved in a blink of an eye as he appeared next to Han Xiao, one arm around the young master's shoulder.

"I told you, you're nothing without your family," Gale whispered into his ears. He looked around at all the other guys, who had an uncertain expression on their faces. "You remember that, don't you? That's why you bought these worthless scums owned by your family with you."

"So what about it?" Young Master Han tried to shrug Gale's clutch off his shoulder, but failed until Gale let him. "My family is a part of my strength. You're simply jealous because you don't have one. Worthless foreigner."

"Truly wise words," Gale said. "Family is a part of strength, but for you, it is not so. For you, family is the only part of your strength."

"Outsider, how dare you make trouble in our town? Today, I'll teach you a lesson for all the likes of you to understand what it means to make trouble in our town.

Gale threw a look that said he had it with this argument. "I see no point in arguing with the likes of you. Scram or I'll make you do it, but mind you, it would be excruciatingly painful."

"You!" Han Xiao burst into a spree of anger. "You worthless brute, I'll show you today. Because of you, I have to spend a full night in lock-up. I won't let you stay in my town in peace. I'll make your life miserable. I'll destroy you. I'll destroy everything you owned, and I'll–"

"--learn to intimidate people better," Gale completed his sentence with an exaggerated burp. Someday, all of this used to be fun, but now all of it was just an annoyance and waste of time.

? Anyway, Gale was certain there was a need for this confrontation. It was good that the worthless young master presented himself before him. Although he would want to let his disciple triumph over this worthless young master, he wouldn't mind giving a lesson.

It would at the very least be better than what his parents provided him with.

"If we're going to do this," Gale said. "Let's do it quick. I don't have time to waste on worthless fools."

One from his right and another from his back lunged at Gale, Qi coursing through their iron bodies, enhancing their resilience and strength. Gale released Stormsong for a moment and with the wind power lashed at the one that came from the back.

The iron ranker flung dozens of metres away to crash against the side of a building. At that time, the other one from the right was about to ram his fist in his face. Gale skidded to the sides to dodge and locked his right arm with the counterpart's arms.

Exerting a little force, Gale hauled him up and plunged him into the ground, breaking his back. The iron ranker screamed in agony, breaking the immersive drunkenness of strength of the group.

"What the hell are you doing?" Han Xiao screamed. "Go after him, make him regret--"

Before the young master could finish, Gale flew at him, making him flinch. Thankfully, two counterparts came in time to rescue him. They engaged Gale instantly, although their fate was already sealed with they decided to confront Gale.

Between them, there was no contest.

_________________

Monthly Privilege Goal: 234/1000

Praise to all who bought the privilege and helped the book in growth.