Chapter 22: One Second, One Move, One Person

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Hou Manman felt she had been deceived. She called her mother, but her mother refused to answer, leaving Manman no choice but to leave a message expressing her displeasure: “Mom, where’s that exceptional talent from the Earth Ranking you promised? Why is he just a first-level warrior? Is this how you set your daughter up?”

The Earth Ranking was an authoritative institution ranking martial talents under thirty across Hope Continent. Typically, those who made it to the top hundred were considered rising stars in the martial world, future guardians of the continent. From her mother’s words, Hou Manman had every reason to believe that Chu Yun was a master ranked on the Earth Ranking.

But after repeated confirmation and inquiries, she began to suspect she had been duped.

And yet, her butler informed her that she was not allowed to return home for less than a year.

With no choice, Hou Manman marched off to confront Chu Yun, waiting for him in his dilapidated house in the abandoned slums.

Meanwhile, Chu Yun was busy submitting admission applications to universities across River City, only returning home by dusk.

Stepping off the cable car, he found himself walking along a desolate, muddy roadside toward his house. Five men stood there smoking, as if they’d been waiting for him a long time.

Hou Manman had finished surveying Chu Yun’s shabby, rundown home. She made up her mind: “No need to see any more. I’ve definitely been misled by my mother. Let’s go home.”

If this were a truly gifted martial talent, he would never live here, unnoticed by the powerful families. There was only one explanation—he was a failure. In this era of survival of the fittest, ability, status, and environment matched perfectly, leaving no room for lucky breaks.

Ignoring her butler, she stepped out of the rundown house—not out of disdain or contempt for Chu Yun, but because of practical reasons; she was here to find a match, not to pity anyone.

As she left the slums, passing along a muddy path, she chanced upon Chu Yun returning. He was still in his school uniform, with “River City First Martial Academy” embroidered on his chest—a clear indication he was a student there.

But it was also obvious: the green uniform signaled the level of his strength, betraying his true ability.

Hou Manman had no time to greet him, for Chu Yun was stopped by five burly men, obviously seasoned fighters.

Behind them stood another figure, watching with amusement—Fan Zhiming!

Seeing Chu Yun appear, Fan Zhiming’s weary eyes lit up. “Finally, you’ve arrived. Tell me, do you have any shame? Expelled from the academy, yet still wearing the uniform. How reluctant are you to let go? Do you even deserve it?”

The five hired thugs noticed Hou Manman observing them and nudged Fan Zhiming, asking, “Are they targets too? This isn’t what you said. If they count, you’ll need to add to your payment.”

Only then did Fan Zhiming turn and see Hou Manman and her butler standing behind them.

Upon seeing the beauty of Hou Manman’s face, Fan Zhiming wanted to shout but held back, striving to impress her.

“This is none of your concern. Please leave,” Fan Zhiming said.

Hou Manman glanced at the six men. Her butler stepped forward and whispered, “Miss, these five are seventh-level warriors. Judging by their appearance, they’re likely freelance fighters from the Greenwood.”

In this chaotic continent, there existed untamed forces—those who relied on their own strength to rule over territories. Many wealthy but powerless families hired such men for their own purposes.

They were, in essence, hired muscle.

Hou Manman nodded. Her butler’s strength surpassed hers; he could discern their abilities at a glance.

She immediately asked, “What about that guy?”

The butler now looked at Chu Yun, squinting.

“What’s wrong?” Hou Manman asked.

“He’s too far away; perhaps I can’t sense his aura, so I can’t tell,” the butler replied.

Hou Manman forced a smile. “What do you mean, ‘can’t see through him’? He simply doesn’t have any strength. Are you still trying to speak well of him? Don’t think I don’t know what my mother instructed you. I’m not satisfied with this one. We don’t need a year; let’s go home now.”

With that, she walked toward Chu Yun. The group eyed the butler warily as he passed, ensuring the inscrutable old man left before making a move.

When Hou Manman reached Chu Yun and brushed past him, she couldn’t help but stop, turning her face to ask, “Do you need a hand? Should I help you out of this situation?”

Chu Yun replied with a question, “Aren’t you one of them?”

Hou Manman snorted, “I would never stoop so low as to ambush someone in secret. If anything, I’d challenge them directly!”

Chu Yun commented, “Do we even know each other?”

Hou Manman nearly spat blood.

True, do we know each other?

Why was she even bothering?

“No, we don’t. But I like to help those who are weak, especially when I see bullies!” she declared.

Chu Yun was unmoved. “Thank you, but there are many more in the slums needing your help. Try the next house.”

Then he strode toward Fan Zhiming and the others.

The old butler, puzzled, murmured, “Strange, even up close, I can’t discern his level.”

“That’s because he’s not a martial artist at all,” Hou Manman rolled her eyes, “I can’t see through him either, which means he’s just an ordinary guy from the slums. Now it’s no wonder the academy expelled him. Let’s go, old butler.”

She ignored Chu Yun and walked away, back to back with him.

The butler glanced back at Chu Yun, curious how the young man so praised by the second master could seem so unimpressive.

“Hurry up,” Hou Manman called.

The old butler took several steps, but couldn’t help turning for another look.

And with that glance, he was stunned.

He swore, he’d only taken three steps!

After those three steps, three of the six men were already lying on the ground!

“Miss!” the old butler called to Hou Manman.

Impatient, she turned around, and what she saw shocked her—those six men, including Fan Zhiming, were all down, Fan Zhiming pleading with terror in his eyes as he looked at Chu Yun.

Every step Chu Yun took, Fan Zhiming retreated further.

Hou Manman was frozen; she felt she’d missed something crucial.

“One second, one move, one man,” the old butler’s eyes burned as he watched Chu Yun, offering a simple, direct breakdown of what had just occurred.

“Mom really went all out, hiring these actors just to make him look impressive in front of me?” Hou Manman mused.

The old butler could only respond, speechless.