Chapter 107: In three breaths, I'll make you lie there

At dusk, Shen Qing sat quietly in the courtyard cultivating.

He had completely mastered the Black Dragon Severing River and the Hundred-Split Fist Bone.

Shen Qing was wondering whom to test these two ultimate techniques on.

The scholar knocked on the courtyard gate: 'Boss, Jiang Zhushen is here again, and his expression looks off.'

Shen Qing nodded: 'Just come straight here.'

Soon after, Jiang Zhushen walked into the courtyard; as the scholar said, his expression was wrong, full of worry.

He almost spoke several times, but no words came out.

Shen Qing glanced at him.

'If you have something to say, say it; aren't you afraid of hurting yourself by keeping it bottled up?'

Jiang Zhushen then spoke: 'Young Master Shen, I've received some news.'

'I think this news concerns you, which is why I came...'

'Do you still remember the Ninth Prince, Young Master Shen?'

Shen Qing frowned, recalling something: 'Zhu Gao Wang, right? Why bring him up, and shouldn't he no longer be called the Ninth Prince now?'

Jiang Zhushen nodded: 'Exactly, it's Zhu Gao Wang; he should now be called Prince Rong.'

This Zhu Gao Wang is the elder brother of Empress Zhu Lingyue, but after Zhu Lingyue ascended the throne, these princes were enfeoffed as kings and no longer called princes; though still young, they are strictly speaking of the younger generation.

'He has brought several troops to resist the Wokou.'

'But I have also heard some different news.'

'He might come to challenge you, Young Master Shen.'

Shen Qing narrowed his eyes: 'Challenge me?'

Jiang Zhushen continued.

'Yes, his cultivation is near the peak of the Grand Master Realm, though he has also defeated several Grand Masters; his strength is not to be underestimated.'

'Moreover, as far as I know, he has already learned an ultimate technique.'

Shen Qing smiled; he had been worrying about finding someone to come beat him up, but this was perfect—a challenger who could fight above his level, had learned an ultimate technique, was royalty, and likely trained his body, so he didn't have to worry about hurting him; what an excellent punching bag.

However, Jiang Zhushen didn't notice Shen Qing's smile and kept talking.

'Young Master Shen, perhaps you should temporarily avoid his edge...'

He hadn't finished speaking when Shen Qing cut him off.

'Nonsense, avoid his edge?'

'Alright, alright, you took the risk to bring me this news; I'll remember this favor.'

'If you have any business in the future, come find me and I'll help you once.'

The next day at noon.

Seven great armies, totaling nearly forty thousand men, surged from the border into Jia Shui Jun.

Just after entering Jia Shui Jun, a small detachment split from the main force and headed straight north into North Cloud City.

Eight huge tigers pulled a carriage straight toward the Pacification Command.

This was Prince Rong's carriage—formerly the Ninth Prince Zhu Gao Wang's.

On the carriage, an old man sat opposite Zhu Gao Wang: 'Prince Rong, shouldn't you think this over more? Are you really going to challenge Shen Qing?'

He was Zhu Gao Wang's advisor and part-time bodyguard, named Zhou Lian Shan.

Zhu Gao Wang took a sip of fine wine, his expression relaxed.

'Not bad; I, the Prince, intend to challenge him.'

'Lately, hasn't everyone been saying that Shen Qing is a monstrous-level genius of the Shen Clan?'

'If I defeat him, wouldn't that prove the Zhu Clan's genius triumphs over the Shen Clan's monster?'

'And I will also step on Shen Qing's head to make my name in one battle!'

Zhou Lian Shan's expression was off: 'Prince Rong, I think this is too rash; we should think it through carefully...'

Zhu Gao Wang directly cut off Zhou Lian Shan's words.

'No need to say more; I have also considered it.'

'First, my cultivation is four levels above his; although I won't overwhelm him with realm, my experience gives me an advantage—this is one victory.'

'Second, I have learned an ultimate technique, while Shen Qing certainly didn't bring any ultimate technique when he left the Shen Clan, and the imperial grant of an ultimate technique likely only reached him these past two days; he surely hasn't mastered it.'

'I know the ultimate technique; he does not—this is a second victory.'

'Thus the advantage is mine.'

Zhou Lian Shan grit his teeth; seeing Zhu Gao Wang's mind made up, he said no more.

Soon, the tiger-drawn carriage had arrived outside the Pacification Command.

Zhou Lian Shan descended from the carriage, approached the Embroidered Uniform Guard at the gate, and handed over a challenge letter.

'Please pass along the message: the Great Wu Dynasty's Prince Rong challenges Shen Qing, the Pacification Envoy!'

Upon hearing this, the Embroidered Uniform Guard stationed at the door stared at each other.

'Prince Rong? That's a literal king!'

'An imperial prince? Why would he come challenge our Pacification Envoy?'

Also, one Embroidered Uniform Guard reacted quickly, clasped his fists, and ran into the Pacification Command.

But just then, Shen Qing walked out of the main gate.

'No need, I'm already here.'

Zhou Lian Shan looked at Shen Qing and felt his heart skip; he sensed a dangerous aura from Shen Qing—after all, he was a martial artist of the Seventh Level of the Grand Master Realm.

Zhou Lian Shan swallowed a mouthful of saliva: 'Pacification Envoy, did you hear the news early and wait for this?'

Shen Qing gave him a white-eyed glance, walked straight past him, and looked at the few fierce tigers pulling the carriage.

"As soon as we entered the city, these few have been yelling nonstop there—do you think I'm deaf? Can't you hear?"

Zhou Lianshan's face showed a hint of embarrassment; although he was a martial artist at the seventh level of the Grand Master realm, he simply dared not talk back to Shen Qing.

Still the same saying: in Dawu, the higher the cultivation level, the greater the fear of the Shen Clan.

Shen Qing looked at the few fierce tigers; one of them seemed unwilling, its eyes full of provocation as it looked down on Shen Qing.

Shen Qing's eyes calm, he thrust out a palm; his Overbearing True Qi, like a hurricane, enveloped the fierce tiger, and killing intent from all directions flooded its mind, the fear of death instantly sweeping over its whole body.

The fierce tiger's provocative, disdainful gaze vanished instantly—was it trying to beg for mercy? Too late.

"Where did this wicked beast come from? Dare to look at me with that kind of eye?"

As his words fell, his Overbearing True Qi howled like chaotic blades, directly chopping that fierce tiger into pieces.

Shen Qing turned his gaze to the other fierce tigers: "Not lying down? Are you waiting for me to chop you up too?"

The other fierce tigers, with a swish, flung themselves onto the ground, one faster than the other.

Shen Qing then looked at the carriage, his Overbearing aura fully revealed: "Zhu Gaowang, aren't you coming down yet? Do you want me to chop the carriage to pieces as well?"

As his words fell, Zhu Gaowang finally stepped down from the carriage: "Shen Qing, however you say it, I am still Prince Rong—won't you give me a little face?"

Shen Qing couldn't be bothered to give this so-called Prince Rong any face; what's this doorstep challenge if not trying to step on his head to make a name for himself?

This is equivalent to.

Others open martial halls, you come storming in to kick their sign—this is smashing people's livelihoods; you don't give others any face, so will they give you any?

Shen Qing gave a cold smile: "Face? We're adults—can't we speak less childishly?"

"What you're thinking, we both know."

"Like this, don't say I didn't give you a chance."

"I heard you know a supreme skill, right? I'll give you three breaths to prepare."

Shen Qing casually pointed to a corner beside the Zhenfu Office road.

"After three breaths, whether you're ready or not,"

"I will make you lie there."

"Understood?"