Chapter 176: Roadblock: Tang San Takes a Beating

Tang San and his companions were gently set down by the White-Clad Fairy just outside the Outer Sect. The breathtaking view beyond the gate left them utterly stunned.

When they glanced back, the White-Clad Fairy had already vanished without a trace.

Bai Shishi approached, tugging Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong along. She tilted her head curiously. “What are you little juniors gawking at?”

Tang San blinked, snapping out of his daze. “Oh, Senior Sister Bai. Could you tell us where we can test our talents?”

“Hmm…” Bai Shishi tapped her chin thoughtfully. Then her eyes lit up. “I’ve got it! Follow me, I know just the place.”

The group exchanged quick glances before nodding in agreement.

“That sounds perfect. Thank you, Senior Sister Bai,” Tang San said with a respectful bow, clasping his fists.

“No time to waste. Let’s go!” Bai Shishi chirped.

Turning on her heel, she hummed a cheerful tune, hands behind her back as she skipped lightly through the gate.

The Shrek Seven nodded and followed close behind Bai Shishi into the sect…

But the moment they stepped through the entrance, a group of menacing male disciples blocked their path, arms spread wide to halt them.

“Well, well, Bai Shishi. Who are these seven trailing behind you?” A burly man sneered, his grin more mocking than friendly as he eyed her.

“Wang Gou, don’t push your luck!” Bai Shishi snapped, brushing past him with a glare.

“Hey, did I say you could leave? Bai Shishi, have you thought about what I proposed last time?” Wang Gou reached out, grabbing her wrist with a rough yank.

“In your dreams, Wang Gou! I’d sooner jump off Peerless Cliff than entertain your nonsense!” Bai Shishi growled, yanking her hand free with all her might.

A dark glint flashed in Wang Gou’s eyes. As she pulled away, he let go at just the right moment…

“Ah!”

Bai Shishi stumbled backward from the force, staggering several steps and nearly crashing to the ground.

Xiao Wu, quick on her feet, darted forward to steady Bai Shishi before she fell.

“Senior Sister Bai, are you okay? Is your hand hurt?” Xiao Wu asked, her voice laced with concern.

Bai Shishi forced a bitter smile. “I’m… fine. Just a little red. Nothing to worry about.”

“Tsk tsk tsk. I suggest you reconsider, Bai Shishi. Otherwise, you might find the Outer Sect a very unwelcoming place from now on!”

Wang Gou and his lackeys began closing in, their steps heavy with threat.

Dai Mubai, Tang San, and Oscar exchanged cold looks before stepping protectively in front of Bai Shishi and Xiao Wu.

“As a gentleman, how could I stand by while a lovely lady is bullied right before my eyes?” Dai Mubai smirked, confidently flicking his bangs aside.

“Looks like every place has its share of scum. A big, burly man picking on a delicate girl—are you even ashamed?” Oscar jabbed a finger at Wang Gou, his tone dripping with disgust.

Tang San’s mind raced. “I’ve still got a poisoned bolt in my Zhuge Divine Crossbow. If he gets any closer, I’m confident I can take him down!”

Wang Gou seemed to sense something. He stopped abruptly, letting out a cold huff and raising a hand to halt his crew.

Ning Rongrong leaned in, her voice a soft whisper. “Senior Sister Bai, who is this guy anyway?”

Bai Shishi sighed heavily. “He’s nothing but a thug. The Sanctuary takes in all sorts, and unfortunately, that includes plenty of trash like him!”

She paused, her gaze hardening as she glared at Wang Gou. “This Wang Gou has some skill, so he’s rounded up a bunch of lowlifes into a gang. They run rampant, causing trouble wherever they go!”

“Hey, Bai Shishi, are you badmouthing me? I can hear every word!” Wang Gou’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he stared past Tang San at her.

Bai Shishi snorted, pointing an accusing finger. “Wang Gou, am I wrong to say this? Or are you too cowardly to own up to your actions?”

Wang Gou threw his head back and laughed. “Haha! Why wouldn’t I admit what I’ve done? What can you do about it, huh?”

“Don’t forget, Bai Shishi, you’re just a measly Sword King Realm at third stage—a nobody! Meanwhile, I’m already at the ninth stage of Sword King Realm!”

“Crushing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. Here in the Outer Sect, my name, Wang Gou, carries real weight!”

“You…” Bai Shishi faltered, at a loss for words.

“Courting death!” Tang San’s gaze turned icy. Rolling up his sleeves, he roared, “Zhuge Divine Crossbow, fire!”

“Swoosh! Swoosh!”

Several poisoned bolts from the Zhuge Divine Crossbow shot through the air, fueled by raw fury.

“Crack!”

The moment the bolts struck Wang Gou’s body, they snapped apart like brittle twigs.

“What’s this toy? It doesn’t even tickle…” Wang Gou brushed off the debris with a smirk, his eyes suddenly sharpening as he glared at Tang San. “Kid, I don’t know where you got the guts to attack me, but now I’ve got to teach you a lesson!”

With the force of a thunderclap, Wang Gou struck Tang San with a single palm. At the last second, he pulled back some of his strength.

“Boom!”

Even the mere shockwave of the strike sent Tang San flying like a kite with a broken string.

“Little San, are you alright?” Dai Mubai’s eyes widened in shock as he whipped his head around.

“Tch!”

Tang San clutched his chest, a burning heat rising in his throat. A gush of hot blood spilled from his lips.

“Brother San, are you okay?” Ma Hongjun rushed to his side, helping him up with a worried frown.

Once steadied by Ma Hongjun, Tang San fixed a venomous stare on Wang Gou. He spat out each word with gritted teeth. “Your name’s Wang Gou, right? I, Tang San, will remember this grudge. One day, I’ll end you!”

Wang Gou doubled over with laughter, clutching his face. “What? A worthless brat who hasn’t even reached Sword Qi Realm dares to spout such nonsense?”

“What a joke! If I hadn’t held back to avoid killing you just now, that single strike would’ve ended you a hundred times over!”

“You…” Tang San was rendered speechless, his trembling finger pointing at Wang Gou in rage.

Bai Shishi swallowed her anger and hurried to Tang San’s side. As she tended to his wounds, she shouted at Wang Gou. “Wang Gou, do you have any idea how much trouble you’re bringing on yourself? You’ve grown so arrogant, you’ve forgotten your place!”

“Trouble? In this Outer Sect, I am the law. What’s there that I can’t handle?” Wang Gou spat on the ground, sneering at Bai Shishi.

Bai Shishi paused her healing, a cold smirk curling her lips. “And what if I told you these junior brothers and sisters were entrusted to me by the White-Clad Fairy? Do you still dare to mess with them?”

“What did you say?!” Wang Gou’s heart skipped a beat. His face paled instantly, and he took an involuntary step back.

He could act untouchable in the Outer Sect only because his uncle, an elder in the Disciplinary Hall, always cleaned up his messes.

But someone like the White-Clad Fairy? Even a thousand of him wouldn’t dare cross her. The Sword God was a recognized powerhouse of the Upper Sword Qi Continent!

If he’d known these kids were under the White-Clad Fairy’s protection, he wouldn’t have dared provoke them—or worse, injure them—even if he had ten thousand times the courage…

“Who dares cause trouble in my Outer Sect!”

A booming voice echoed from a nearby corner.

Moments later, a swarm of enforcers in official uniforms poured in from all directions, swiftly surrounding the group.

“Wang…” Wang Gou started to speak as he saw the leader, but he quickly realized the situation was off. He clamped a hand over his mouth.

A dark-skinned man with rippling muscles and piercing eyes stepped forward, scanning the crowd with a stern gaze.

He bellowed, “I am Elder Wang Qiang of the Disciplinary Hall! Whoever is causing a ruckus in my Outer Sect, step forward now!”

Outside of the Disciplinary Hall disciples, no one in the Outer Sect knew of the connection between Wang Qiang and Wang Gou.

To the other disciples, Wang Qiang was an impartial elder who upheld justice!

Bai Shishi pointed at the now-trembling Wang Gou and shouted, “Elder Wang, please apprehend this man at once!”

“Not only does he bully his fellow disciples, but he also acts lawlessly and nearly took a life!”

Wang Qiang froze for a moment. He’d been hiding in the shadows, intending to stay out of this. But hearing Bai Shishi mention the White-Clad Fairy changed everything.

If the White-Clad Fairy was involved, this was no small matter. Should she pursue it, his only nephew, Wang Gou, wouldn’t stand a chance…

So he had no choice but to step in and put on a show…

Wang Qiang cleared his throat and barked at the enforcers around him. “Take this troublemaker into custody and await judgment!”

“Yes, sir!”

Several Disciplinary Hall disciples in uniform swiftly dragged Wang Gou and his crew away.

Tang San stared at Wang Gou’s retreating figure, his fists clenched tight. With a furious shout, he declared, “Wang Gou! In half a year, I will kill you!”

Wang Gou paused mid-step, bursting into mocking laughter. “Then I’ll be waiting to see what a worthless nobody like you can do to me in half a year!”

Wang Qiang sensed the tension in the air and quickly snapped at his men. “What are you standing around for? Hurry up and take them away before this gets any worse!”

“Yes, sir!”

The Disciplinary Hall disciples didn’t dare dawdle. They promptly hauled Wang Gou and his gang off.