Chapter 3: A Lesson Taught

Days slipped by. During this time, Hendrix stayed in the villa to recuperate. Even though he couldn't yet gather spiritual energy in his energy center, his body was no longer in pain.  Aside from not being able to cultivate, he was just like any regular person. Over the past few days, Hendrix had seen Linda a few times. She returned late and left early every day, as if talking to him would cost her an arm and a leg.  Witnessing Hendrix's incredible recovery speed, Linda was taken aback, and even more so were the doctors. One of Hendrix's doctors, who'd been practicing for decades, had never seen anyone with such a knack for recovery. One sunny day, Hendrix stepped out of the villa and went to a nearby park to stretch his limbs. The sun felt warm on his skin. "Hey, Hendrix, how are you feeling today?" asked Theodore as he walked into the park. Hendrix turned his head, startled, to see Theodore panting as he ran over from the other side. It was the first time he had seen him in days. "Much better," Hendrix smiled and replied. "That's good," Theodore said with a smile as he came over. "Hendrix, I've arranged everything. Once Briar returns from Southridge in a few days, we'll meet them at the Emperor's Pavilion." So soon? A cold glint flashed in Hendrix's eyes. He wouldn't hold back since they were so eager to meet their end. Hendrix wasn't the same person they knew anymore. If they wanted him dead, they would have to pay the price.  "Theodore, Briar, let's see what you have up your sleeves." Though this was his inner thought, Hendrix showed none of it, merely nodding. "Got it." Just then, a figure suddenly appeared before them. Hendrix looked up to see a decent-looking young man with thin lips and an arrogant demeanor. "Hendrix, you worthless scum! Why aren't you dead yet?" The young man pointed at Hendrix, his gaze sharp as knives. "Walter, what do you want? How dare you disrespect Hendrix!" Theodore frowned and reprimanded. "Does he deserve that title?" Walter sneered at Hendrix. "This worthless scum dares address himself respectfully. Look at what he's become!" From his memories, Hendrix knew Walter Turner was a well-known genius in Vela City. At fifteen, he started his own business, establishing the Turner Group, and was one of the top ten outstanding youths in the city.  He was Linda's classmate and suitor, pursuing her since high school. Yet, the frivolous Hendrix became Linda's fiancé, which made Walter hate Hendrix and often mock him. "Walter, Hendrix is not someone you can offend!" Theodore scolded. Walter ignored him, staring at Hendrix. "You'd better stay away from Linda. Don't let me see you with her." Hendrix's eyes narrowed, and he asked, "What if I don't?" Walter was taken aback, then sneered. "You'll find out the consequences!" With that, he turned to leave. "Seems like you're used to bullying me, huh..." Hendrix chuckled self-deprecatingly, taking three steps back. He took a deep breath, lunged forward two steps, and sent Walter tumbling to the ground with a swift kick. "Is that a threat?" Hendrix's presence was as fierce as a tiger, his sharp gaze fixed on Walter. The surroundings fell silent. Theodore was stunned by Hendrix's unusual behavior. After a brief shock, Walter finally snapped out of it. If the incident hadn't happened before his eyes, he would never have believed Hendrix dared to kick him. Everyone in Vela City knew Hendrix was timid and cowardly, easy to bully. Despite his tall stature and hefty build, even a servant dared mock him. "Scum, you got some nerve! Gone a few days and you dare kick me now!" Walter, though unsure what had provoked Hendrix, still dismissed him. Now recovered from his shock, Theodore saw Walter speaking and quickly added, "Walter, who do you think you are? If it weren't for Hendrix chatting late with Linda last night, that kick could have ended you." Though unintended, Walter's face turned exceptionally grim upon hearing this, his heart burning with rage. He knew Hendrix and Linda lived together. Could it be that Hendrix had slept with Linda? "Hendrix, you've got some guts, kicking Mr. Turner! Are you itching for a beating?" The speaker was Wallace Harris. He was Walter's follower, always present where Walter was. Seeing Hendrix kick Walter, he ran over and menacingly addressed Hendrix. "Scram, this isn't your place to speak!" Hendrix lifted his head, his expression darkened, staring coldly at Walter. "You tell me. Were you threatening me just now?" "Wow, so you've grown some courage, huh! Our city's trash dares speak to me like that! Trash, listen up, I'm openly threatening you, so what!" Walter, completely enraged by Hendrix's boldness, approached Hendrix. But before he could get close, he felt a strong hand grab his neck, and suddenly his body felt light as Hendrix slammed him to the ground. "Argh!" Walter didn't expect Hendrix to act so quickly, finding himself flat on his back, crying out in pain. It wasn't over. Hendrix placed his mud-covered sneaker firmly on Walter's chest, disregarding his painful struggle and the shocked gasps around them, smiling nonchalantly. "What? Just giving you a little step!" Everyone was stunned, their eyes wide in disbelief. Wallace, who was about to join Walter in beating Hendrix, found his mind in disarray, furiously rubbing his eyes to ensure he wasn't dreaming. Hendrix felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. Though his body remained frail, the cleansing of his meridians had transformed him. With most of his internal ailments gone, though he couldn't cultivate, his body was strong. Who could take him on just by strength alone? Theodore watched in shock as Hendrix went from a meek lamb to a ferocious tiger, his emotions beyond words. Seeing the once-untouchable Walter writhing and wailing under Hendrix's foot, he could hardly believe his eyes. "Hendrix..." Hendrix waved him off, saying, "Stay out of it. Today, I have a score to settle with them!" Hendrix was no longer timid. He was fearless. "Still think I'm trash? Perfect, let's settle all scores at once!" Hendrix thought. Caught off guard, Walter was slammed to the ground with Hendrix's foot pressing down hard on his chest in front of everyone, feeling utterly humiliated. He struggled fiercely, trying to lift Hendrix's leg off him. But Hendrix's leg was like an iron pillar, pinning him with unyielding force. Whether it was Wallace, Theodore, or the onlookers, they couldn't help but flinch at the sight, their hearts pounding with fear. Fights were common, but pinning someone down with a foot was rare. When did Hendrix get so fierce? Everyone was wondering. "Damn, this punk's gone mad! Wallace, aren't you going to help? What are you waiting for?" Walter, snarling, called for Wallace. Wallace saw Hendrix's back turned to him and thought he had a chance. With a flash of malice, he quietly approached Hendrix from behind and aimed a punch at his back. The punch landed, solidly, yet Hendrix turned as if unfazed, smiling at him. "Are you trying to tickle me? Or should I show you how to throw a punch?" Quick and fierce, Hendrix's hand landed on Wallace's face, the slap echoing crisply in the quiet morning. Wallace bullied him the most from his memories, so Hendrix didn't hold back. Two bloodied teeth flew out. Wallace's face was marked with finger imprints, his cheeks swelling visibly. "Ow!" Wallace spun in place from the slap, finally crying out as he clutched his face, retreating several steps before stopping near the crowd, terror filling his eyes. With that slap, almost everyone shivered, beginning to realize Hendrix had changed. Hendrix was no longer weak. Though they were reluctant to admit it, the undeniable truth before them forced them to. With Walter pinned underfoot and Wallace slapped senseless, what was terrifying was that Hendrix showed none of the usual aggression or madness of a fight, merely wearing a faint, mocking smile, as if what he did was natural. Among the onlookers were two who had bullied Hendrix before. Instinctively, they shrank back, fearing Hendrix would notice them. "Everett Warth, Justin Charlton, what are you waiting for? This punk's gone mad. If we don't take him down, we'll be screwed!" Walter still didn't realize Hendrix had changed, so he urged Everett and Justin to help. "Shut up!" Hendrix applied a bit more pressure with his foot. Walter's face turned pale, tears welling up, silencing him completely. Hendrix glanced down at the defeated Walter, then slowly cast his mocking gaze over Everett and Justin in the crowd. "Over the years, you've bullied me plenty, right? As long as it wasn't too much, I tolerated it. But you want to threaten me? How will I ever stand tall again if I keep enduring?" Hearing Hendrix's words, the onlookers couldn't help but murmur, acknowledging that Walter and his gang had gone too far. No matter how cowardly and weak Hendrix was, he was still the young master of a prominent family. If it were someone else, they might have retaliated more fiercely. The old Hendrix would've left in disgrace, not daring to utter a word.  People would continue to mock and ridicule him, never considering how they'd react if the tables were turned. But today, Hendrix fought back with force, easily overwhelming his opponents. Naturally, people began to think that if it were them, they'd fight back too, maybe even more aggressively. "Have you seen enough? If so, get lost! You, come here!" Hendrix coldly eyed the onlookers, pointing at Wallace. Clutching his swollen cheek, Wallace nearly shuddered, desperately hoping to avoid another beating.