The Supreme Martial King Shocking All Realms Chapter 3 - 2: Losing as Much as Gaining_1

In his former life, Yang Chen was unable to tread the King's path through martial arts cultivation. Instead, he dedicated himself to nurturing geniuses. Beyond his reputation as a supreme prodigy in the Way of Alchemy, he earned the moniker 'Bo Le' for his uncanny ability to recognize talent.

This title was a testament to his profound passion for the martial path.

Now that he possessed the ability to cultivate, it felt as though a beam of hope had finally pierced through the darkness of his existence.

After organizing his thoughts, Yang Chen began drafting a strategy for his future cultivation. He understood the necessity of patience; in the eyes of the world, he was still the Yang family's useless waste—a boy so fragile he had recently attempted to hang himself.

Shifting his focus, Yang Chen straightened his attire, rose from his bed, and pushed open the door. "Mingyue, accompany me for a walk. I need to clear my head," he commanded.

"Young Master, you... you want to go for a stroll?" Gu Mingyue stood by the entrance, her eyes widening in surprise as she watched him emerge. She felt a sudden pang of uncertainty. Her Young Master was habitually lazy; was this 'walk' just another excuse to avoid his responsibilities?

"Indeed, to clear my mind," Yang Chen replied, stepping past her.

As a mere young master within the Yang Family of the Hundred Clans, he recognized the need to better understand the environment he now inhabited.

Gu Mingyue had no choice but to follow in his footsteps. Her clear, crystalline eyes trailed him from behind, filled with a quiet mixture of pity and sorrow. She was well aware that her destiny was to become Yang Chen's concubine, a fate she had long accepted. She harbored no resentment about being bound to a man known as a weak failure.

Her only true desire was that once they were wed, she might inspire him to change his ways and abandon his idle, decadent lifestyle.

However, she doubted her own ability to spark such a transformation, leaving her heart heavy with a sense of helplessness.

Yang Chen, ever observant of human emotion, noticed the grief etched onto Gu Mingyue’s face. He smiled inwardly, wondering about her private thoughts. Even at fifteen, the girl already possessed the grace of a burgeoning beauty, her developing figure often drawing envious glances from others in the Yang family.

As they walked, a group of people suddenly blocked their path.

"Well, well, look who it is. Yang Chen, I heard you gambled away most of your sister’s fortune and were so humiliated you tried to hang yourself. I found it hard to believe, so I came to see for myself if a coward like you actually had the guts to end it. It seems I was right—suicide? Haha, you don't have the courage for that."

Hearing the mocking tone, Yang Chen looked directly at the speaker and immediately identified him.

The youth standing before him appeared to be around twelve or thirteen, roughly the same age as Yang Chen himself.

In the world of cultivation, fourteen was the threshold of adulthood. At thirteen, they were already considered nearly grown.

The boy was dressed in fine silks, possessing a handsome, fair countenance that marked him as a noble of the Yang family. Searching his memories, Yang Chen identified him as Yang Heng, the second son of Elder Yang Zheng. Known for his talent in both the Way of Alchemy and martial arts, he was regarded as a rising star among the younger generation.

Digging deeper into his memories, Yang Chen realized the root of the friction. Yang Heng frequently targeted the original 'Yang Chen' because of Gu Mingyue.

Yang Heng was infatuated with the maid's beauty and had repeatedly tried to win her over, only to be met with constant rejection. Spurned and angry, he took out his frustrations on Yang Chen, constantly seeking to humiliate him. In fact, it was Yang Heng's relentless taunting that had pushed the previous soul to the point of suicide.

Thinking of this, Yang Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He felt nothing but contempt for a kinsman who would treat his own brother so despicably over a servant girl.

However, he had no desire to trigger a useless confrontation at this moment. Looking at Yang Heng with a neutral expression, he said, "Mingyue, let us go."

"Yes, Young Master!" Gu Mingyue replied with immediate obedience.

Seeing her follow Yang Chen's lead so submissively, Yang Heng’s irritation flared. Gritting his teeth, he barked, "Mingyue, why are you being so stubborn? What kind of future can you possibly have with Yang Chen? He is a total waste who has been cast aside by the family. You will only suffer by his side. You should follow me instead. With my talent, I am destined for greatness among the Hundred Clans. Think carefully!"

Yang Chen paused and looked at Gu Mingyue.

He was genuinely curious about her response. Logically, any girl in her position would be swayed by Yang Heng’s offer. What prospects did a maid have with a master as incompetent as he was supposed to be?

To his surprise, Gu Mingyue remained steadfast. Clenching her teeth, she stated firmly, "Yang Heng, my only master is Young Master Yang Chen. I have turned you down many times, and my answer remains the same. I would rather endure hardship with my Young Master than be with you. Stop bothering me!"

Yang Chen’s curiosity deepened.

His inherited memories held no specific details regarding Gu Mingyue’s origins or why she was so loyal.

Her words sent Yang Heng into a rage. Seeing her remain unmoved by his status, he shouted, "Fine! Fine! Gu Mingyue, you really don't know what's good for you, do you?"

"And what do you intend to do about it?" Yang Chen asked, stepping forward to shield Gu Mingyue behind him. This sudden protective gesture made the girl tremble, her mind going blank with shock.

When had her Young Master become so bold? Usually, he was the first to retreat in the face of conflict.

Yang Heng and his followers were equally stunned by this display of defiance. Yang Heng let out a sharp, angry laugh. "What? Has Yang Chen finally found a spine? I won't bully you with martial arts; even if you fought me ten times, you’d lose every time. All you have is alchemy. But your skills—haha—are they even worth mentioning? During the competition with the Wang family, you ruined a whole cauldron of materials and couldn't produce a single pill, making the Yang family a laughingstock. Tell me, is there anything you're actually good at?"

Yang Chen had faced many challenges in his long past life, but this was the very first time someone had the audacity to question his alchemy.

He rubbed his chin with an amused glint in his eye. "Since you believe my alchemy is so poor, I find myself curious about yours."

"Young Master... please, let's not fight with them. Let's just leave," Gu Mingyue pleaded, tugging at his sleeve. She was terrified that Yang Chen was walking into another disaster.

The last time he had been provoked by the Wang family, his impulsive rage had led to a catastrophic failure.

Noticing her anxiety, Yang Heng became even more arrogant. "What? You actually want to challenge me? Yang Chen, if you have any pride left, then compete with me. Otherwise, get out of my sight."

"Hahahaha!"

"He wants to challenge Young Master Heng? Does he not realize our Young Master is a Tier 1 Middle-Stage Alchemy Master?"

The servants behind Yang Heng erupted into mocking laughter.

Yang Chen remained unfazed, speaking calmly. "If you are willing, I wouldn't mind a small contest."

Pills were categorized into nine grades, each with four levels: low, middle, high, and perfect. Yang Heng was indeed talented, having reached the Tier 1 Middle-Stage as a youth. To ordinary people, this was impressive, but to the former King of Alchemy, such a level wasn't even worthy of a lowly apprentice.

Hearing the challenge, Yang Heng laughed. "Are you certain? Don't come crying to me when you lose."

"Young Master, please..." Gu Mingyue was frantic, but she didn't know how to stop him.

Yang Chen raised a hand to silence her, his voice steady. "A simple competition is boring—nothing but a clash of egos. If we are going to do this, we should have a wager. Otherwise, I see no point. If we bet, let's make it substantial. That will make things interesting."

Yang Heng laughed as if he’d heard the funniest joke imaginable. "A bet? Yang Chen, didn't you lose almost everything your sister owned during the last match? Have you finally decided to throw away the rest of her assets?"

"I am only asking if you have the guts to bet," Yang Chen said, his face darkening as if he were losing his temper. "If you don't, then this whole thing is a waste of my time."

Observing Yang Chen’s 'furious' state, Yang Heng smirked. "Fine. How much do you want to wager?"

"300 Spirit Stones!" Yang Chen declared instantly.

"300 Spirit Stones..." Gu Mingyue’s face turned ghostly pale at the mention of the sum.

It was the exact amount Yang Chen had lost to the Wang family, a loss that had decimated Yang Caidie’s savings. If he lost again, everything his sister had worked for would be gone.

Even Yang Heng was taken aback. 300 Spirit Stones was a significant fortune.

Spirit Stones served as the primary currency across the continent, essential for cultivation and trade.

To Yang Heng, 300 Spirit Stones was a massive amount to risk.

But then he remembered Yang Chen’s dismal alchemy record. A cruel grin spread across his face. "Why should I be afraid? I'll take the bet. I just hope you're prepared to lose your sister's entire fortune. Even she might stop doting on you after this."

300 Spirit Stones was a lot, but in his mind, there was no possibility of losing to a failure like Yang Chen.

"Hmph, my sister's affairs are none of your concern. Since the bet is on, let's finalize the terms," Yang Chen said, a faint, hidden smile playing on his lips.

Yang Heng had no idea that the boy standing before him was no longer the same person.

Yang Chen wasn't worried about the bet; his only fear had been that Yang Heng wouldn't have the courage to accept it.

300 Spirit Stones.

It was time to reclaim everything the previous Yang Chen had lost before he died.