Volume 4: Hidden Struggles, Chapter 75: Beat the Hell out of you!

Chu Tianyu and the others, filled with rage, helped Chen Qing fall asleep. He was too exhausted—not only physically but also mentally, burdened by the haunting memory that plagued him like a venomous snake.
Once Chen Qing was asleep, the taller one was assigned to attend afternoon classes and take notes, while Bao Cai stayed by the bed at all times, fearing Chen Qing might wake up and do something foolish again.
As for the remaining two, Chu Tianyu said to Bai Lei with a serious expression, “Let’s talk on the balcony.”
“Mm…” Bai Lei nodded without saying a word.
They went to the balcony, neither speaking, just gazing into the distance, lost in their own thoughts. Suddenly, Chu Tianyu said in an unusually calm tone, “Bai Lei, we didn’t finish our conversation here earlier. Do you remember where we left off?”
“I remember. You asked me what my life goal was and what my dream was!” Bai Lei replied slowly.
“I don’t need you to answer right away. Just based on what happened today, I’ll tell you two more stories. The first is about an old woman who sells pancakes. Her husband is sick, and her daughters have all lost their jobs. She, in her declining years, still sets up her stall every day through wind and rain. If she sells well in the morning, she earns twenty or thirty yuan; if not, only five or six yuan. Can you imagine her pale hair fluttering in the cold wind, her wrinkles soaked with sweat in the scorching heat? All of this just to survive.”
“The second story is about a girl. Her family isn’t wealthy, but they’re happy and united. She’s proud of her parents and, like Chen Qing, got into a university where tuition is waived. But then disaster struck—her father was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, one of the most stubborn types. To raise money, they sold everything they had, including the phone they used to contact friends. If that wasn’t enough, they took odd jobs, peeling shrimp shells, sticking paper boxes. Do you know how much it pays to stick ten paper boxes? One cent! Just one cent! A cent so insignificant that we’d be too lazy to bend down and pick it up! Why? Tell me why! What the hell is going on?”
By the end, Chu Tianyu seemed to be shouting at Bai Lei…
Bai Lei was shocked by what Chu Tianyu had said. He knew what poverty and wealth meant, but it seemed like it was just a theoretical concept. No one had ever described poverty to him in such a direct, vivid, and real way…

Chu Tianyu also steadied his emotions before continuing, “Their situation isn’t the most pitiful. There are far worse forms of poverty and injustice you can’t even imagine! Once you truly understand them or put yourself in their shoes, perhaps you’ll realize what your life goals and dreams are…”
Bai Lei’s body trembled, as if Chu Tianyu had touched a deeply buried string in his heart, leaving him lost in deep thought.
Chu Tianyu stopped speaking. He knew it was time to give Bai Lei some time to think. Leading by example, he too needed to reflect on certain matters. So, he stood with Bai Lei, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds, lost in thought.
The wind blew, and dry branches creaked. The two men on the terrace, both backed by powerful forces and wealthy families worth billions, stood quietly in the cold wind, pondering goals and decisions that might affect their lives…
After a long while, as if emerging from his thoughts, Bai Lei suddenly turned to Chu Tianyu and asked, “That girl is Li Rou, right?”
Chu Tianyu remained still, not saying anything, only nodding.
“Do you know what kind of person you are in my eyes?” Bai Lei asked calmly.
Chu Tianyu shook his head.
“A person who can do anything, yet remains forever inscrutable and uncatchable!” Bai Lei declared firmly. Seeing Chu Tianyu’s calm expression, he paused before adding, “Before I answer your question, may I hear your perspective on it?”
As if expecting this question, Chu Tianyu replied without hesitation, “To be honest, before talking to you, I hadn’t really thought deeply about this issue. It was just a vague concept. But today’s incident with Chen Qing acted as a catalyst, giving me the motivation to confront it seriously. My recent reflections have also led me to form a clearer, more definite, and more resolute goal.”
Bai Lei’s expression changed. “What goal?”

Chu Tianyu did not directly answer his question but instead said, “Previously, I always followed my master’s advice, hiding my strength and content to be just one of the ordinary people. I confined myself to a small circle in dealing with others and matters, thinking that doing a few unseen good deeds in secret and being strict with myself was enough to reach a state of transcendence—a rare quality. I was even proud of this. But now I realize I was wrong and misunderstood my master’s intentions! Perhaps only now can I truly appreciate how great my master’s and our sect’s principles have always been!”
“I was too narrow-minded! I only focused on achieving a high personal status, forgetting my responsibilities to society and the public. Simply put, staying low-key is sufficient when it comes to ourselves, but it must never be used to avoid our responsibilities to society…” Chu Tianyu continued.
Bai Lei nodded in agreement silently and added, “Yes, if we’re truly just ordinary people, then doing our jobs well, earning a living, is the best contribution we can make to society! But if you’re the heir to hundreds of billions in wealth or possess powers beyond ordinary people’s imagination, then you should act as you said—remaining low-key and inactive would be extremely shameful, if not downright criminal!”
“So, my goal, my dream—putting it grandly—is to eliminate such tragedies and poverty. More realistically, it’s to reduce such tragedies and poverty as much as possible…” Chu Tianyu said calmly yet with great passion.
“Wow, what a grand goal! It almost sounds like communism!” Bai Lei joked, seemingly relieved and his doubts dispelled.
Chu Tianyu chuckled and said, “Goals are always grand. I don’t claim to be humanity’s savior. For me, it’s enough to do what I should do and what I’m capable of.”
“Then what should we do? How can we achieve this ‘grand’ goal?” Bai Lei asked.
“It’s simple—we need to become stronger. Only with great power can we change others,” Chu Tianyu said firmly.
Before Chu Tianyu could finish speaking, Bai Lei replied, “Good, well said! Only great power can change everything!”

“Chu Tianyu, since we’re talking about this today, I want to ask—with your strength, the power of the Chu family, and your grandfather’s influence, you surely have plenty of advantages. Why bring in a good-for-nothing like me?”
Chu Tianyu smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. “Actually, what I have in hand isn’t the kind of advantages you mentioned. It’s something bigger and more substantial. But as the old saying goes, ‘A hero needs three helpers, and a fence needs three stakes!’ Besides, even if you hold strong cards, there’s no need to reveal all your tricks, right?”
“I understand what you mean—clearly showing some and hiding others, using you as a sharp sword in my hand, combining offense and defense to conquer all directions!” Bai Lei suddenly realized.
Chu Tianyu nodded. “No one is more suitable than you. No matter what happens, with the Bai family stepping in, they’ll have the strength to compete. Winning or losing is expected. My strength needs your sword to deliver a fatal strike!”
Bai Lei thought of Chu Tianyu’s martial skills and the things he had told him about the cultivation world. There was no one better suited to handle secret matters than him.
Thinking about the future, Bai Lei felt his blood boil with passion. He raised his hand and said, “I, Bai Lei, will be the sword in your hand, cutting away all injustice in the world!”
With a snap, Chu Tianyu also slapped his hand down, declaring boldly, “The spirit of a gentleman endures forever!”
“Shouldering the responsibility for the nation, with loyalty as firm as Mount Kunlun!” Bai Lei echoed.
“Haha…” At this moment, it was hard to tell whether it was better to describe it as the grand goals of two geniuses or the crazy plans of two madmen.
……
“By the way, Chu Tianyu, let’s not just make vows and dream here. There’s an injustice right in front of us—how should we deal with it? And how can we crush that beast Wang Shengyi completely?” Bai Lei suddenly asked.
“This can’t be handled carelessly. It might even involve the crown prince’s faction. So, either we don’t get involved at all, or if we do, we have to take them all out—none left behind!” Chu Tianyu replied.
“What’s there to fear? They’re part of the crown prince’s faction, but aren’t you the crown prince too? With your grandfather’s power, what can they do to us?” Bai Lei said angrily.
“You can’t say that. We must plan carefully before acting. According to your idea, what should we do?” Chu Tianyu asked.

“Of course, just show up at their door, shout at those big guys to give them a good beating, then tell them it’s you who’s covering for them, and you’re covered by your grandfather—done! How straightforward!” Bai Lei said carelessly.
“I may not know much about politics, but the intrigues and dangers involved are beyond outsiders’ understanding. Even though my grandfather holds a high position, he faces even more restrictions—so many eyes are on him! Following your plan might calm things down for now, but the hidden turmoil that follows isn’t something we can control. Besides, if they can’t get revenge on us, won’t they turn to those big guys, Chen Qing or their families? That way, we might feel satisfied, but things will only get worse!” Chu Tianyu analyzed thoroughly.
“Then what do you suggest? Just give up?” Bai Lei protested.
“Of course not! But we need to plan carefully—make them pay dearly while also ensuring they can’t complain or suspect anyone!” Chu Tianyu said fiercely.
“Okay, I’ll do as you say!”
“By the way, don’t mention this to those big guys or Bao Cai for now—it’s better not to pull them in.”
“Hmm, got it!”
“Hehe, Bai Lei, do you want to experience the satisfaction of beating them up with my fists?”
“Of course!”
“Good. Save some strength these next couple of days and eat more!”
“No problem!”
……
“Ah, Li Rou, is this the new phone Chu Tianyu gave you? It’s the latest visual satellite product from Thunder Company—unavailable on the market at all. I heard only high-ranking officials or celebrities can pre-order it! Tsk tsk, it looks really cool!”
“Yeah, and it’s said to have many high-tech features too!”
“Really? Let me see it.”
“By the way, Li Rou, is Chu Tianyu’s family powerful or rich? I thought Zhou Yun said he was just a poor kid?”
“Right, right! Last time, Zhou Yun said she saw him with a stylish girl in a department store!”
Faced with her roommates’ chatter, Li Rou was also confused…
After giving the phone to Li Rou, Chu Tianyu went alone to “Youxian Meidi.” Seeing the sect leader arrive, the Hidden Wind members there were especially enthusiastic. Chu Tianyu happily ordered a cup of coffee and thought about how to punish those beasts severely without letting the forces behind them trace back to them…

Suddenly, Chu Tianyu had a flash of inspiration and recalled what had happened the previous night. He couldn’t help but exclaim in secret, “Brilliant!” Before leaving, he secretly instructed Qianfeng on a few matters and said to contact him as soon as everything was settled. Three days later, on a cold, dark night… Chu Tianyu and Bai Lei were dressed head to toe in black, and for extra safety, they both wore masks. Behind them were several brothers from the Xuanji Sect’s martial hall. Outside, the wind was biting cold, but inside the villa, it was bustling with activity. A group of people were sitting around, engaging in lively conversations, occasionally taking hits of marijuana. They were naked, huddled together, exuding an atmosphere of debauchery. Just as they were having fun, two people suddenly appeared at the door, followed by several men in black. The people inside were clearly shocked, with several women screaming in terror. But these elite members were used to being arrogant; no one in either the legitimate or criminal worlds dared to mess with them. So one of them, with fair skin and a hawk-like nose, stood up calmly and said, “Friends, what gang do you belong to? State your affiliation. If you’re after money, just say so. Don’t be foolish enough to provoke people you shouldn’t!” When the man with the hawk nose saw no response, he pressed further, “Do you know who we are? We are…” He tried to specify who they were, but suddenly his body became as if tied up, unable to move. The other elite members also froze in place. Then a loud roar was heard: “I don’t care who you are! I’m gonna beat the hell out of you today!” With that, he threw a punch that struck the man’s nose with force, causing bright red blood to burst forth instantly. Bai Lei then attacked frantically with punches and kicks. The man could only watch in terror as the punches rained down until his body was shattered and he lost consciousness. Yet, his weakened body was held up by Chu Tianyu’s vital energy, preventing him from falling. Excitedly, Bai Lei used his fist wrapped in Chu Tianyu’s vital energy to strike at the man’s lower body, feeling the two “testicles” burst under his powerful pressure… “Next!” Bai Lei shouted violently. At that cry, two more elite members turned green with fear and died on the spot.