Chapter 4 The Useless Guy is Back?

Emperor Cao Xukun sat cross-legged in the overgrown courtyard, his body wreathed in a faint black mist.

The "Chaos Devouring Origin Art" circulated slowly, and the spiritual energy from heaven and earth, like iron filings attracted to a magnet, surged frantically into his body, transforming into pure Chaos Spiritual Power within his dantian.

In just half an hour, his cultivation level rose steadily from the early stage of Qi Refining Stage 3 to the middle stage.

"The Chaos-level cultivation technique is truly terrifying; its cultivation speed is more than ten times faster than ordinary techniques." Emperor Cao Xukun slowly opened his eyes, a glimmer of sharp light flashing through them.

He could clearly feel that his body was being constantly reshaped by the Chaos Spiritual Power, and his strength, speed, and defensive capabilities were all rapidly improving.

Just then, a flurry of whispers drifted in from outside the courtyard gate.

"Is it true or false? Has Emperor Cao Xukun really returned?"

"It's absolutely true! I saw him walk through the main gate with my own eyes, and he even beat up Brother Zhang and Brother Li, the guards!"

"That's impossible, right? Three months ago, Young Master Xiao Chen broke his limbs, crippled his dantian, and threw him into the Mass Grave. How could he possibly be alive?"

"Who knows? Maybe he got lucky and was saved by some expert passing by? But even if he is alive, he's still just a piece of trash."

The discussions grew louder, and soon, the news that "The trash Emperor Cao Xukun didn't die and has returned to the Cao Clan" spread throughout the entire Cao Clan as if it had grown wings.

Kitchens, servant quarters, and the halls of every courtyard were all buzzing with the news.

"What? That piece of trash didn't die?"

The Grand Elder's grandson, Cao Xuan, was practicing swordplay in his courtyard when he heard the news. He stopped abruptly, a look of disbelief on his face.

Back when Emperor Cao Xukun was crippled, he was the happiest one of all, because that meant the position of Young Clan Leader of the Cao Clan would definitely be his.

"Hmph, so what if he's back? What kind of waves can a piece of trash with a crippled dantian possibly make?" Cao Xuan curled his lips in disdain. "When my father returns, we'll just kick him out of the Cao Clan."

Meanwhile, in the Cao Clan's Council Hall, several elders were also discussing the matter.

"Emperor Cao Xukun didn't die? This is truly strange."

"It would be better if he were dead. Keeping a piece of trash around is just a waste of family resources."

"You can't say that. After all, he is the Clan Leader's eldest legitimate son. But now that his dantian is crippled, he no longer has the qualifications to inherit the position of Clan Leader."

"That's right. Once the Clan Leader comes out of seclusion, we will propose appointing Cao Xuan as the Young Clan Leader."

Everyone assumed one fact—even if Emperor Cao Xukun returned alive, he was still the same trash that could be bullied by anyone.

No one took him seriously.

Only the steward, Wang Fu, felt his eyelids twitch when he heard the news, a vague sense of unease settling in his heart.

He always felt that this matter was not that simple.

But his son, Wang Hu, did not think so.

Wang Hu was drinking in his courtyard. When he heard his subordinate report that Emperor Cao Xukun had returned, he slammed his wine cup onto the ground with a "clatter."

"What? That piece of trash didn't die?"

Wang Hu stood up abruptly, a ferocious smile appearing on his face. "Good! Very good! Since I didn't beat him to death last time, I'll do it myself this time. I'll throw him back into the Mass Grave and let him be fed to the dogs for good!"

Back when Young Master Xiao Chen crippled Emperor Cao Xukun, Wang Hu was the first to rush up, kick him several times, and even spit in Emperor Cao Xukun's face.

He had been worried that Emperor Cao Xukun would return to take revenge, but then he thought, what could a piece of trash with a crippled dantian do even if he did return?

It was perfect; this time he could humiliate him again and take the opportunity to claim credit before Young Master Xiao Chen.

"Let's go! Follow me to the abandoned courtyard and drag that piece of trash over here!"

Wang Hu waved his hand and, leading four burly lackeys, marched aggressively toward Emperor Cao Xukun's abandoned courtyard.

Along the way, many Cao Clan disciples heard that Wang Hu was going to deal with Emperor Cao Xukun and followed along, wanting to watch the excitement.

"There's a good show to watch. Brother Wang Hu has the cultivation of Qi Refining Stage 5; dealing with a piece of trash should be as easy as pie, right?"

"Need you ask? I bet Brother Wang Hu can beat Emperor Cao Xukun to the ground within three moves."

"I bet one move!"

The crowd discussed it noisily, all feeling that Emperor Cao Xukun was done for this time.

Soon, Wang Hu and his group arrived at the entrance of the abandoned courtyard.

"Bang!"

Wang Hu kicked open the dilapidated courtyard gate and swaggered in with his lackeys.

In the courtyard, Emperor Cao Xukun was standing with his back to them, seemingly admiring the scenery.

Lin Yueer was standing by his side. Seeing Wang Hu and the others enter, her face turned pale with fright, and she quickly hid behind Emperor Cao Xukun.

"Emperor Cao Xukun! You piece of trash, you actually dare to come back!"

Wang Hu stood with his hands on his hips and shouted arrogantly, "I thought you had died in the Mass Grave. I didn't expect your life to be so tough!"

Emperor Cao Xukun slowly turned around, looking at Wang Hu with calm eyes, and did not speak.

"What? No words?"

Wang Hu sneered and looked Emperor Cao Xukun up and down. "I thought you had been saved by some expert and recovered your cultivation, but it turns out you're still a piece of trash without the strength to truss a chicken!"

"Let me tell you, Emperor Cao Xukun, this place is no longer where you call the shots!"

"The current Cao Clan is run by Young Master Xiao Chen, by my father, and by me, Wang Hu!"

"If you're sensible, kneel down yourself, kowtow to me three times, and let Lin Yueer sleep with me for a night, and I'll spare your dog life."

"Otherwise, I'll break your remaining limbs and throw you back into the Mass Grave, letting you be gnawed by wild dogs until not even bones are left!"

Wang Hu's words became increasingly ugly, and the four lackeys behind him also burst into laughter.

"Brother Hu is right! Trash should look like trash!"

"Hurry up and kneel down to kowtow! Otherwise, we'll break your legs!"

The surrounding Cao Clan disciples who were watching the show also joined in the heckling, waiting to see Emperor Cao Xukun make a fool of himself.

Lin Yueer was trembling with anger and said furiously, "Wang Hu! You've gone too far!"

"Too far?" Wang Hu looked at Lin Yueer with a lewd smile. "Little beauty, after I deal with this piece of trash, I'll take good care of you."

Emperor Cao Xukun's eyes finally turned cold.

He had originally just wanted to play slowly and take his revenge slowly.

But since someone was in such a hurry to die, he didn't mind sending him on his way first.

"Are you done talking?"

Emperor Cao Xukun's voice was very soft, yet it carried a bone-chilling coldness.

Wang Hu was stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly. "What? Trash, do you still want to hit me?"

"If you have the ability, come over here! I'll stand right here and let you hit me. If you can touch me even once, I'll take your surname!"

Wang Hu said this while deliberately puffing out his chest, his face full of disdain.

In his opinion, Emperor Cao Xukun was just a piece of trash who hadn't even reached Qi Refining Stage 1; even if he stood there and let him hit him, he couldn't harm him in the slightest.

A cold arc curled at the corner of Emperor Cao Xukun's mouth.

"As you wish."

Before his voice even faded, Emperor Cao Xukun's figure instantly vanished from where he stood.

"Huh? Where is he?"

Wang Hu's pupils shrank sharply. Before he could react, he felt a terrifying force striking toward his chest.

"Not good!"

Wang Hu was greatly alarmed and hurriedly circulated his spiritual power, wanting to defend.

But it was already too late.

"Bang!"

A dull, loud noise rang out.

Emperor Cao Xukun's fist struck Wang Hu's chest solidly.

"Crack!"

The sound of bones breaking was clearly audible.

Wang Hu flew backward like a kite with a broken string, slamming heavily against the courtyard wall before falling to the ground and spitting out a large mouthful of blood.

"Ah—!"

Wang Hu let out a shrill scream. He wanted to climb up but discovered that his legs wouldn't obey him at all.

He looked down and saw his legs twisted at a grotesque angle, the bones already piercing through the skin, blood flowing freely.

The punch Emperor Cao Xukun had just delivered not only broke his ribs but also shattered his legs in the process!

The entire courtyard instantly fell silent.

All the Cao Clan disciples who were watching the show widened their eyes and opened their mouths, their faces filled with disbelief.

One punch!

Just one punch!

Wang Hu, who was at Qi Refining Stage 5, had been beaten into serious injury, his legs completely shattered!

How is this possible?!

Isn't he just a piece of trash with a crippled dantian?!