Zu Xiangtian finally understood his mistake.
Although it had been many years since he last saw his big brother, and his own cultivation had already caught up, that kind of bond had always been rooted in the hearts of the three brothers.
"Sorry."
He lowered his head and apologized softly.
"Not to me," Zhan Kong frowned, pointing at Lu Jun and his sister, "Apologize to them sincerely. Kneel."
Thud!
Zu Xiangtian clenched his jaw, truly frightened now. He didn't dare slack off and forcefully knelt down before Lu Jun, choking out his words, "I was rude and unreasonable. I apologize. From now on, I'll stay three steps away whenever I see you."
Zhan Kong deliberately stared into the kid's eyes. Though there was shame and frustration in them, there was no trace of hatred—he had truly taken it to heart.
At the side, Lu Jun didn't do anything. Hands in his pockets, he made the challenger kneel right there on the spot.
He couldn't help but reflect on how striking the contrast was between himself and that brat Mo Fan. This was what it meant to have fully matured wings.
He didn't even need to act—there were already people from all directions coming to back him up.
In the end, Zhan Kong sternly warned, "Go back and explain everything to the elders in your family. I think they'll make the right choice."
"But I still have to say this—if anyone from the Zu Family causes Lu Jun even the slightest bit of trouble, I'll chop you up!"
Zu Xiangtian's face was bitter. It was already hard enough trying to control some of the factions in the family.
Zhan Kong roared, "Don't be unwilling. Lu Jun is already the internally designated captain of the national team. This year's outcome rests on him—we can't afford any disruption."
Hearing this, Zu Xiangtian felt aggrieved and mumbled under his breath, "I was a core team member last cycle too, technically his senior."
"Heh." Lu Jun heard that and sneered coldly, firing back, "Knocked out in the round of 32—don't compare a piece of trash like you to me."
He wasn't one to be magnanimous. Being ordered around out of nowhere, even if the guy kneeled and apologized, he still struck back sharply.
Zu Xiangtian's face alternated between black and green. He really wanted to retort, "If you're so great, you try it," but thinking of Lu Jun's terrifying background, he gave up.
To be precise, both of them regarded this as a personal humiliation—one from two cycles ago, the other from the previous one. Hah, a pair of clowns.
The difference was, Zhan Kong later felt happy for Mo Fan's success and not jealous at all. Zu Xiangtian, on the other hand, was just incapable and, once he hit the Super Level, began belittling the value of the National Institute Competition. What a joke.
This logic was incredibly stupid: the National Institute Competition is garbage, and yet you couldn't even make it into the top sixteen. Doesn't that mean you're worse than garbage?
Smearing and belittling won't erase your own disgrace—instead, it just makes you look even more like a clown.
Lu Jun had already guessed Zu Xiangtian's mindset. When the time came, he'd just slap him hard in the face.
Given that Zu Xiangtian had kneeled sincerely, and out of respect for Zhan Kong, he was too lazy to bother with him for now. One chance—if he stepped out of line again, Lu Jun would simply kill him.
"Get lost. If you dare show up again, I'll kill you."
Lu Mei was still angry. Her eyes flared, and a terrifying wave of flame burst forth, striking Zu Xiangtian.
Puchi! The thick-browed, dark-faced young man was sent flying, blood streaming from all seven orifices. He was seriously wounded in an instant. His face turned crimson, fire poison attacking his heart, sure to leave long-lasting damage.
It was truly disheartening. Her little brother had done so much for the Ancient Capital, and yet someone had come knocking on their door, blaming him without distinguishing right from wrong.
Seeing this, Zhan Kong didn't stop her. On the contrary, he clapped and cheered, "Good! I haven't been watching over you these past few years—let others teach you a lesson. Otherwise, you'll never learn your place."
Zu Xiangtian, heavily injured and too ashamed to stay, got up miserably and ran off with his tail between his legs—like a dog.
Moments later, only a few people remained on the scene. Zhan Kong knew the two siblings were giving him face, and he couldn't help but sigh and apologize sincerely, "I'm sorry. I wasn't able to shield you from trouble."
Looking at his former student Lu Jun, he felt deeply ashamed. He had failed in his role as chief instructor.
The Ancient Capital had been of no real help, and now even their own people were questioning a hero.
He had already resolved to steel himself again, to train hard and ascend to Forbidden Curse, to venture into the perilous border zones and temper himself with blood and fire.
In the future, he would repay the kindness and honor owed to Lu Jun and his sister.
Standing there, Lu Mei was also struck with a deep realization. She was five years older than her brother, yet only a High Tier Level 2 in Wind Element, and Level 1 in both Fire and Earth.
Zu Xiangtian was just four years older than Lu Jun and already pushing Super Level. The gap was immense. Those who came from the National Team and those from ordinary backgrounds—there was a world of difference.
If not for Jiang Feng, she might not even have been able to protect her brother.
Lu Mei silently made up her mind. The peaceful environment of big cities like Magic City might be good for development at the High Tier level, but to become a true Super Level powerhouse, she had to roam the wilderness, become a lone wanderer, temper herself between life and death, and seek out opportunities.
Afterward, Zhan Kong apologized once more and left.
Not long after, the Ancient Capital got wind of the matter and was secretly furious. Although confidentiality prevented them from openly protesting, they still applied pressure to the Zu family through covert channels.
Compensation was still being negotiated. As with the Zu Jiming incident, something significant would likely be handed over.
Additionally, when Zu Xiangtian left the Ancient Capital, he was pelted with rocks and leftovers by the locals on the streets (what a waste of eggs and vegetables).
At the airport, Mo Fan happened to be boarding the same flight and, upon seeing Zu Xiangtian's filthy figure from behind, remarked in surprise, "Who's that guy? Looks like a stray dog."
"Who the hell are you insulting, you barbarian?"
Zu Xiangtian, filled with suppressed anger, turned and cursed loudly. He had been utterly humiliated; not only did he fail to avenge his younger brother in the Ancient Capital, he'd also been constantly humbled.
Now, some random idiot on the street was mocking him like this? Damn it, he couldn't touch Lu Jun, but did that mean he couldn't handle anyone?
Mo Fan's short temper flared up, and he was just about to roll up his sleeves and start a brawl. But before he could act, a crowd of nearby citizens rushed forward, lifted Zu Xiangtian off the ground, and kicked him out of the airport.
Oh dear, even the transportation services now refused him. He truly had no place to go and could only swim along the Yellow River back home.
Ah, so this is what it means to be knocked out in the round of thirty-two.
Seeing this, Mo Fan scratched his head. It looked like he didn't even need to lift a finger. Even so, he silently made a mental note of this guy.
On the other side, the miserable Zu Xiangtian, likewise, redirected his anger toward someone else.
If Lu Jun had been here, he might've marveled at the strange hand of fate. Despite everything, a minor feud had still formed between the two of them.
At the hotel, after Zhan Kong's departure and his journey to Tianshan, it seemed like a wave of farewells had begun.
Zhang Xiaohou and He Yu returned to their squad and transferred to another region. Su Xiaoluo stayed behind in the Ancient Capital—she had feelings for the former, but alas…
"Brother Lu, thank you for saving my life. If you ever call on me in the future, I will follow you through life and death without hesitation."
At the military base, just before boarding, Zhang Xiaohou solemnly said, "Take care!"
Lu Jun smiled dashingly. "Just take care of yourself. Safe travels."
At the same time, Mu Bai also set off. He had come to understand the truth about his father, Mu He's, identity. Devastated and aimless, he set out to find the meaning of life, intending to temper himself and do good deeds, to atone for his father's sins.
The green tea boy held no grudge against Lu Jun and his sister. On the contrary, he admired them deeply for daring to stand against the Black Vatican and even gaining the upper hand.
Everyone was like migratory birds, briefly drawn together by the storm. Now that the storm had passed, they began to go their separate ways, each striving to become a better version of themselves, paving the way for a more dazzling reunion in the future.
What Lu Jun hadn't expected was that, in the end, even his sister Lu Mei planned to bid him farewell.
For additional chapters
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